British Airways ARC Announces Opening Line-Up For New London Venue With Self Esteem Kicking Things Off

by | Mar 19, 2026

A brand-new chapter in London’s live music scene is set to begin this summer as British Airways ARC unveils its first wave of performers ahead of its official opening on 16th June.

Self Esteem @ Hammersmith Apollo

Self Esteem @ Hammersmith Apollo (Kalpesh Patel)
Self Esteem @ Hammersmith Apollo (Kalpesh Patel)

Located within the redeveloped Olympia London complex, the 3,800-capacity venue marks the first purpose-built space of its size to open in the capital in over a decade. Designed with a focus on both artist performance and audience experience, the venue promises cutting-edge sound and production within a wider cultural destination that blends music, dining and nightlife.

British Airways ARC

British Airways ARC (Dematerial Venues)
British Airways ARC (Dematerial Venues)

Leading the inaugural line-up is Self Esteem, who will perform two nights at the venue, including its opening show on 16th June. The performances follow a landmark few years for the artist, who has continued to establish herself as one of the UK’s most distinctive and compelling voices.

Joining the opening run are McFly, bringing their anthemic pop-rock catalogue to the new stage, and Zac Brown Band, whose genre-blending sound has earned them global acclaim.

Further into the year, the venue will host global R&B star Khalid, while a special collaboration with the EFG London Jazz Festival will see Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves present a tribute to jazz icon John Coltrane, marking the centenary of his birth.

The launch of British Airways ARC forms part of a wider £1.3 billion transformation of Olympia, which will also include a new theatre, hotels, restaurants and public spaces, positioning the area as a major cultural hub in the capital.

With a legacy that includes performances from artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Rod Stewart, The Cure and The Chemical Brothers, the Olympia site has long been a cornerstone of London’s live music history. The opening of British Airways ARC aims to build on that heritage while ushering in a new era for mid-sized live events in the city.

Olympia

Olympia (Courtesy Of Olympia)
Olympia (Courtesy Of Olympia)

Tickets for the first shows go on sale from 27th March, with pre-sales available earlier in the week.

Opening shows at British Airways ARC:

JUNE
16th – Self Esteem (Opening Night)
17th – Self Esteem
18th – McFly
25th – Zac Brown Band

OCTOBER
24th Oct – Khalid

NOVEMBER
21st Nov – Branford Marsalis & Dianne Reeves Celebrate John Coltrane

Self Esteem Brings Pop Mastery To Hammersmith

Brooke Combe (Jack Finnigan)

Brooke Combe Enters A Bold New Era With ‘Tears Won’t Lie’ And Fontana Signing

Scottish soul breakout Brooke Combe is stepping into a defining new chapter, unveiling her latest single Tears Won’t Lie alongside news of her signing to Fontana Records. Arriving in the wake of her acclaimed debut album Dancing At The Edge Of The World, the track captures an artist firmly in her stride.

Sesame Girl (Maddy Strydom)

Sesame Girl Shine Bright On Heartfelt New Single ‘Superstar’

Australian indie outfit Sesame Girl return with a radiant new offering in Superstar, a track that leans into warmth, sincerity and shimmering guitar-driven charm as the band continue to refine their evolving sound.

Black Lounge (Brittany Grant)

Black Lounge Step Into The Spotlight with Anthemic New Single ‘Welcome Home’

Essex indie risers Black Lounge are making a decisive statement with their new single Welcome Home, a track that signals both a creative leap and the beginning of a new chapter for the quartet. As the first release from their forthcoming debut EP—and their first under Right Tracks Recordings, the label founded by industry figure Chris Wright—the song captures a band rapidly coming into their own.

Jesse Roper (Danielle Lindenlaub & Kim Jay of Ethos Imagery)

Jesse Roper Unveils Playful New Single ‘Green Eyed Lady’ Ahead Of ‘Daisy Wake Up’ EP

Canadian singer-songwriter Jesse Roper returns with the groove-driven new single Green Eyed Lady, offering the latest preview of his upcoming EP Daisy Wake Up, set for release on 6th May.

Domi Hawken (Press)

Domi Hawken Shares Defiant New Single ‘Break My Heart Again’

London-based artist Domi Hawken continues her ambitious run of monthly releases with the announcement of her latest single, Break My Heart Again.

Chloe Star (Kai Dickson)

Chloe Star Channels Defiance On New Single ‘Emergency Contact’

LA-based alt-pop riser Chloe Star returns with her latest single Emergency Contact, a bold and emotionally charged anthem that sees the artist transforming heartbreak into empowerment.

Damian Lewis (Steve Gullick)

Damian Lewis Announces New Album ‘Sweet Chaos’ And Shares Expansive Title Track

Award-winning actor and musician Damian Lewis has announced details of his second studio album Sweet Chaos, set for release on 5th June 2026, alongside the arrival of its powerful title track.

Angine de Poitrine (Constantin Monfilliette)

Angine de Poitrine Announce New Album ‘Vol. II’ And Sold-Out UK Debut Tour

French experimental duo Angine de Poitrine have unveiled details of their eagerly anticipated new album Vol. II, set for release on 3rd April 2026, alongside news of a completely sold-out debut UK tour this May.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing