The BBC Proms, an annual celebration of orchestral music, is set to welcome a diverse range of artists this summer, including Guy Garvey of Elbow, Weyes Blood, and Gruff Rhys. This year's edition, running from July 17 to September 12, promises to be a unique blend of genres and styles, with a focus on bringing rock, indie, and alternative artists into the orchestral spotlight. The opening weekend will feature the first-ever Prog Rock Prom, led by the legendary Carl Palmer and Peter Hammill, joined by Guy Garvey, Gruff Rhys, and Jane Weaver. This marks a significant departure from traditional classical music programming, showcasing the versatility and relevance of orchestral music to a wide range of genres.
One of the highlights of the 2026 Proms is Weyes Blood's intimate late-night performance on September 8, where she will put her wistful, transcendent folk-pop to a symphonic spin. Her collaboration with Jules Buckley and his orchestra, who have previously worked with Florence + The Machine and St. Vincent, is sure to be a captivating experience. The Proms also feature symphonic tributes to iconic artists like ELP, Genesis, Jethro Tull, and Mike Oldfield, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Robert Ames and presented by BBC Radio 6 Music's Stuart Maconie.
The 2026 Proms will take place across the country, with a special focus on regional talent. The Unthanks, Tyneside sisters and folk pioneers, will headline the first-ever Middlesbrough Prom on July 23, joined by English Teacher, Villagers' Conor O'Brien, Jodie Nicholson, and Radiohead drummer Philip Selway. This set at Middlesbrough Town Hall will feature 'songs shaped by the North of England,' each reimagined with cinematic arrangements by the Royal Northern Sinfonia.
Nadine Shah will collaborate with the Royal Northern Sinfonia in Gateshead on July 24, and the Glasshouse International Centre for Music will host corto.alto, Maddie Ashman, and ATFK on July 23 as part of the BBC Introducing Proms. In Bristol, Radio 2 presenter Jamie Cullum will host 'Round Midnight,' a live edition of Radio 3's acclaimed late-night jazz show on August 8, featuring a tribute to John Coltrane's music with Cassie Kinoshi and seed, and Waldo's Gift.
The Proms, as Hannah Donat, Director of Artistic Planning, emphasizes, is a celebration of the orchestra's power and versatility, offering a wide-ranging, eclectic line-up. From Prog Rock to Miles Davis tributes, and collaborations with artists like Weyes Blood and Nadine Shah, the Proms aim to surprise and delight audiences. With up to 1,000 tickets released for each show at £8, the 2026 Proms promise to be an unforgettable summer experience for music lovers across the country.
Additionally, the 'Bond and Beyond' show, conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, will pay musical homage to the James Bond films, with hits from Skyfall and The Spy Who Loved Me. Nick Mohammed, star of Ted Lasso, will host this event at the Royal Albert Hall, further adding to the excitement of the 2026 Proms. As Guy Garvey reveals, Elbow is also working on a new album, set to be their 11th, with a sonically ambitious sound, building on their previous releases, 'Audio Vertigo' and 'Audio Vertigo Echo elbow EP 5'. The Proms, it seems, will be a platform for both classical and contemporary music, offering a unique and diverse musical experience.
