Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 July for a once-in a lifetime weekend festival of music welcoming you to London the weekend before the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

A spectacular global summit of rhythm and song, the two-day free event will act as a curtain-raiser for the sporting celebrations to follow and will feature artists representing all Olympic and Paralympic nations, from the largest nations to the tiniest ocean island speck.

Arguably the most ambitious musical event ever staged in the capital, BT River of Music will present the city's residents and visitors with a unique opportunity to sample a kaleidoscope of the world's most vibrant contemporary music.

EUROPE STAGE:

http://www.btriverofmusic.com/stage/europe

Trafalgar Square

Doors 11am | Music from midday | Performance ends at 9.30pm

Please note that tickets for Trafalgar Square are completely sold out and there will be no tickets available over the weekend of the festival at the site.

Trafalgar Square is literally the centre of London. Like the Square itself our performances and collaborations from across Europe are distinctive and individual bringing to life both the old and new Europe.

The brilliant, young Bosnian singer Amira presents a project drawing together musicians from ten countries, reaching out across the past conflict lines of the Balkans. World-class gypsy band Budapest Bar bring together an array of musicians from eleven countries across Europe to explore the eccentric cabaret culture of the 20s and 30s. Striking composer and performer Kathryn Tickell brings with her The Sage Gateshead's JigHop; an inventive mix of traditional music, fresh compositions, scratch DJ and dance. Leading Norwegian brass band The Brazz Brothers perform on a one-off collaboration that sees them teaming up with a 'Brazz Sister' from each Scandinanvian country. Plus one of electronic's most music’s most versatile and prolific proponents Matthew Herbert, will front a Russian Big Band in a collaborative project produced by the British Council.

Sat 21 July - This stage will be hosted by Andrew Stanley and Jumoke Fashola with DJ Cliffy

Sun 22 July - This stage will be hosted by Andrew Stanley, Robert Elms and Jumoke Fashola with DJ Russ Jones

Unfortunately due to health issues Ben l’Oncle Soul has cancelled all European tour dates this summer. If you have any queries please email communications@btriverofmusic.com

The other stage celebrating the sounds of Europe will be found at Somerset House.

Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, London, WC2N 5DN
Sun 22 Jul 2012, 10:00
MORE INFO: http://www.btriverofmusic.com/

AMERICAS STAGE
http://www.btriverofmusic.com/stage/americas

Saturday 21st

Sunday 22nd

Tower of London

Doors open at 11am | Music from midday | Performances ends at 9.30pm

Please note that tickets for Tower of London are completely sold out and there will be no tickets available over the weekend of the festival at the site.

The Tower of London is a world heritage site and one of the most iconic London landmarks. Nestled next to the Thames, the Tower of London hosts the stage celebrating the melting pot of music from the Americas.

On the Americas stage, infectious glam-pop band Scissor Sisters will close the stage on the Saturday, performing material from their new album Magic Hour. Cuban pianist and Buena Vista Social Club acolyte Roberto Fonsecabrings together musicians from Cuba, Argentina and Uruguay. Aurelio Martinez will introduce the lilting 'Garifuna' music of the black populations of central America and Kevin Robinson helms the ambitious project Soul Caribbean, which brings together singers from every Caribbean island. And let's not forget the amazing Naturally 7 who take their classic close-harmony style to stratospheric new heights.

This stage will be hosted by Jason John Whitehead and Dana Alexander

DJ: Sofrito (Hugo Mendez & Frankie Francis)

Saturday 21st

Soul Caribbean
Roberto Pla Latin Jazz Ensemble
Roberto Fonseca
Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis
Naturally 7
Scissor Sisters

Sunday 22nd

Established, award-winning and emerging artists from every part of the globe will be performing on stages at six iconic sites along the length of the River Thames each hosting music from a different continent. Flowing down the river from West to East the sites are:

Asia Stage – Battersea Park

Europe Stage – Somerset House

Europe Stage – Trafalgar Square

Americas Stage – Tower of London

Oceania Stage – Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich

Africa Stage – London Pleasure Gardens, Docklands