Nitin Sawhney to curate festival for Royal Albert Hall's 150th anniversary

by LAUREN CODLING

MUSICIAN Nitin Sawhney will curate a week-long festival celebrating the contribution of immigrants as part of the Royal Albert Hall’s 150th anniversary next year, it was confirmed last week.

Set to take place next October at the iconic London venue, Sawhney ’s Journeys will recognise the lives and contributions of immigrants over the past 150 years. It is part of a series of special events expected to take place throughout the year, in honour of the Royal Albert Hall’s anniversary on March 29. Headline shows by renowned musicians Patti Smith, Eric Clapton and John Legend are also part of the anniversary.

In an interview with Eastern Eye, Sawhney admitted the inspiration for Journeys stemmed from the “constant demonisation” of immigrants across society. “I’ve seen it across the board and I’m sick and tired of it,” the Ivor Novello winning composer said last Thursday (3). “I want to celebrate the contribution, both economically and culturally, of immigrants in the UK. This country has been so enhanced by the influx of immigrants from all over the world.”

Sawhney plans to research the history of the Royal Albert Hall by identifying events and artist contributions which have connections to the immigrant narrative. He pointed out a fundraising event for refugees in 1933, which featured scientist Albert Einstein as a principal speaker. Looking into events such as these will help him draw inspiration for the festival, he explained.

Sawhney will also headline a solo show on October 29, featuring music from his new album Immigrants. Described as a “musical celebration of immigrants across the world”, the record will be released in March. It will showcase work inspired by and contributed to by artists who identify as immigrants or are of immigrant heritage.

Reflecting on plans for the upcoming event, Sawhney praised Neil Warnock, chairman of the Royal Albert Hall’s 150th anniversary committee, and the venue’s artistic director Lucy Noble. “It’s great they want to embrace this idea of what Journeys represents, because it’s a celebration,” Sawhney, from Kent, explained. “It aligns well with the way in which they are thinking of the 150th celebrations, as a whole”.

The concert hall closed its doors earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is the first time the building has been forced to shut since it was bombed during the Second World War. It was reported earlier this year the closure has cost the South Kensington venue £18 million, plus £6.5m in refunded ticket sales.

Although Sawhney expressed excitement for the venue’s reopening, he acknowledged there would still be problems ahead. “It is going be tricky for a while,” he admitted. “The Royal Albert Hall will (only be able to accommodate) 50 per cent of its typical capacity and it’s a little bit difficult for them to make a decent amount of money and cover their overheads. But I’m very excited that they’re going ahead with all of this, and I think it is going to be fantastic.”

Sawhney has had a long-standing relationship with the Royal Albert Hall, having performed on numerous occasions. He said his first solo appearance in the late 1990s was a highlight, a “weird moment” when he stepped onto the stage of his sold-out concert. “Only a few years before, we’d been pleased to get 70 people coming to a gig,” the British Indian producer laughed. “So, it was just strange to suddenly see how we’d actually got an audience who really understood the music, knew all the songs and were really involved with it. I thought it was such a beautiful thing.”

During his extensive career, Sawhney has performed at numerous high-profile venues, including Australia’s Sydney Opera House and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. However, he described the Royal Albert Hall as “the most exciting stage to step out on”. “I’ve played some of the best venues in the world in some beautiful places,” he said, “but I think there’s just such a sense of occasion when you play the

Royal Albert Hall.”

Other highlights during the year-long celebrations include a special birthday concert by James Bond composer David Arnold; a contemporary restaging of opera Carmen by choreographer Matthew Bourne and a run of celebratory shows by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.