A major weekender marking half a century of Rough Trade has been announced, with
Pulp and Scritti Politti among the acts set to perform across a three-day takeover of the
Southbank Centre in July 2026.
Running from 17th to 19th July, the event arrives as the Southbank Centre itself celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain and the Royal Festival Hall. Dubbed Rough Trade 50, the programme spans live music, cross-arts performances, a record fair, and literary events showcasing the breadth of the label and brand's cultural output.
Pulp take to the Royal Festival Hall stage on 18th July for a one-night-only set drawing on material from '
More' alongside their back catalogue. That same day, Scritti Politti bring their distinctive fusion of pop and leftist political theory to the Queen Elizabeth Hall. On 19th July, eight-piece outfit
caroline share a bill with
My New Band Believe, the project fronted by black midi's Cameron Picton.
Literary programming opens proceedings on 17th July with An Evening with Rough Trade Books in the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Authors including Max Porter and Kate Stables, Ella Frears and Aidan Moffat, and Jen Calleja will perform their writings on stage, hosted by Lily Blacksell. On 18th July, playwright Hannah Patterson presents her debut novel 'Ungone' alongside a performance from Ana da Silva of The Raincoats. The weekend closes with a screening of Ken Loach's 'Kes' on 19th July in the Royal Festival Hall, with Jarvis Cocker introducing the film and a full orchestra performing the soundtrack live.
Southbank Centre Artistic Director Mark Ball said: "Rough Trade Records is a true icon of British culture – a label that for half a century has continually shaped, challenged and expanded our national sound. As we mark the Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary this year, we're proud to keep a finger on the creative pulse of a constantly changing cultural landscape, acknowledging the great icons and change-makers of our time while championing the independent voices pushing music forward. Celebrating Rough Trade's past and present artists on our stages feels like a natural part of that journey."
Rough Trade Records founder Geoff Travis said: "This year means it's 50 years since the day the first shop opened its doors on Kensington Park Road. The Rough Trade shop which became a distributor and then a Record label which has helped to bring into the world some of the very best music. Someone said we should celebrate! So here we are with a weekend takeover of the Southbank Centre. Come and celebrate with us."
Member tickets go on sale on 15th April, followed by general sale on 16th April. The full schedule reads:
The dates in full read:
