Black Lives In Music (BLiM) is set to return with its second annual Classically Black event on 18 October 2025, a milestone that also marks the organisation’s fifth anniversary. Following a sold-out and impactful inaugural year, this event continues its mission to spotlight Black and global majority experiences in classical music—spaces where such identities are frequently underrepresented or erased.

Classically Black is a celebration that blends tradition with transformation, showcasing powerful performances and new commissions from world-class musicians. The 2025 programme features illustrious artists including Dr Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, Pete Letanka, Simmy Singh, Sabi Ensemble, The Jollof House Party Opera, Paulette Bayley, and DJ Spoony & Friends, among others. Curated by BLiM, the event interrogates the question, "What is classical now?" while championing the works of Black composers and creators from past and present. This approach presents classical music through a lens of excellence, pride, and cultural truth, effectively reimagining the genre for a broader and more inclusive audience.

BLiM was established five years ago with the explicit goal of addressing racial inequality within the music industry. The organisation has become a significant force in driving change, producing groundbreaking research on the experiences of Black and global majority musicians and professionals. Their efforts have influenced various parts of the UK music ecosystem, creating opportunities that previously did not exist, and establishing Classically Black as a platform for visibility and celebration.

The inaugural Classically Black event in 2024 set a high standard, featuring world premieres by composers Pete Letanka and Jason Yarde, performances by noted artists such as Harriet Mackenzie and Ayanna Witter-Johnson, and rich conversations about diversity's role in classical music. The event also launched the Hidden Symphonies Digital Exhibition, which highlights overlooked Black composers, shedding light on the broader history and contributions of Black musicians in classical music. Its success and positive reception laid the foundation for the continued growth and evolution of the festival.

In addition to London, Classically Black’s reach is expanding. An exciting development for 2025 is bringing the event to Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on 10 October, featuring award-winning singer-songwriter Laura Mvula performing with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Matthew Lynch. This marks an important step in increasing regional access to the celebration of Black excellence in classical music.

The upcoming festival also places a strong emphasis on nurturing the next generation of talent. BLiM is inviting applications from emerging classical musicians and composers from underrepresented backgrounds to participate in "The Next Movement – Evolving Sounds," a showcase scheduled for Kings Place, London, during the 2025 event. This initiative is designed to promote early-career artists of Black or global majority heritage, providing a prestigious platform to highlight diverse talent and advance inclusivity in classical music.

Beyond live performances, elements of the previous Classically Black event were recorded and broadcast on platforms such as BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds, allowing wider audiences to experience the festival’s rich cultural offerings. This ongoing media presence underscores BLiM’s commitment to amplifying Black voices and stories within classical music, ensuring that the conversation around representation is sustained and reaches beyond concert halls.

Tickets for the 2025 Classically Black event are available for purchase through Kings Place, with early bird discounts offered via a special code. As the festival returns, it promises not only a celebration of artistic brilliance and cultural heritage but also a continued challenge to the traditional narratives of classical music, pushing the genre towards a more inclusive and authentic future.

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Source: Noah Wire Services