5 shows to look out for at the South Asian Sounds festival
The event comes to London’s Southbank Centre from 15-18 May with artists representing a wide range of genres from the region
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The Southbank Centre’s South Asian Sounds festival returns to London from 15-18 May, offering a rich mix of musical traditions from the region. The 2025 lineup features both established performers and emerging voices, highlighting the variety of South Asia’s cultural heritage.
Mark Ball, artistic director at the Southbank Centre, says: “Music sits at the heart of South Asian culture — from film soundtracks to prayer — and South Asian Sounds promises to be an incredible celebration of the richness and diversity of its forms.
“We’re excited to present such internationally renowned artists representing a wide range of genres and traditions to the Southbank Centre. Their appeal will reach audiences across the capital’s South Asian diaspora, who make up a fifth of our city’s residents.”
Here are five concerts to look out for.
Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali
Rizwan and Muazzam Ali Khan — nephews of qawwali artist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan — will continue their late uncle’s mission to transcend cultural, language and religious barriers, and bring to the world the vibrant devotional music of the Sufi mystics.
The duo have been performing together as Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali since the 1990s. The band performs in a traditional formation, sitting on the ground, which they believe brings them closer to God. The brothers sing in Farsi, Urdu and Punjabi, using vocal repetition to induce a state of ecstasy. Accompanied by harmonium, tabla and handclaps, their work forms part of a musical tradition that goes back more than 700 years. The performance will take place at the Royal Festival Hall on 18 May.
Baluji Shrivastav and Inner Vision Quartet
Founded in 2012 by the award-winning sitarist Baluji Shrivastav, the Inner Vision Orchestra is a 20-person ensemble of blind and visually impaired musicians from diverse cultural and musical backgrounds.
With sounds from Iran, Lebanon, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria, encompassing gospel, blues and Indian ragas, their performances are as uplifting as they are musically adventurous. The ensemble’s unique perspective spans genres and cultures, offering a moving demonstration of how music unites us all. Shrivastav and the group will perform at Queen Elizabeth Hall on 16 May.
futuretense: Saloni + 916
Rising acts Saloni and 916 will join forces on 15 May for a free gig that brings together British and South Asian culture. The event is held as part of futuretense, the Southbank Centre’s free fortnightly gig series.
British Asian singer-songwriter Saloni’s original compositions and remixes blend pop, R&B and Bollywood influences with lyrics in more than 10 languages. According to her YouTube channel, she aims to “bridge the gap” between cultures, “represent the underrepresented” and showcase “the beauty of South Asian culture to the rest of the world”.
Meanwhile, 916 have developed a distinctive sound that weaves together R&B, hip-hop, and soul. In 2022, the collective performed at the Titan Festival alongside Lloyd, Ludacris and Jon B, and their tracks have been featured on stations including BBC Asian Network and Kiss FM.
Osman Mir and Third Culture Collective
Known for his deeply expressive voice, Osman Mir is often referred to as the Pride of Gujarat. On 17 May at the Royal Festival Hall he’ll be joined by his son Aamir Mir and the London-based Third Culture Collective, known for performances that marry South Asian and western classical traditions.
Together, they explore Gujarat’s musical identity, from sacred bhajans to festive garba rhythms, set against orchestral arrangements by conductor Kavi Pau.
Rushil Ranjan and National Youth Choir: Khwaa-ish
Critically acclaimed composer and Royal Albert Hall associate artist Rushil Ranjan is set to present Khwaa-ish in the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 18 May, a show in collaboration with the National Youth Choir and a host of celebrated Indian classical musicians.
The performance promises to explore and bring together the different ways in which people across the world access divinity and spirituality through vocal music. Expect stirring performances from artists including Malathy Nithyanathan, Aakash Odedra, Kirpal Panesar and Abi Sampa.
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