The first wave of acts set to perform at the new British Airways ARC arena in London have been announced, with Self Esteem being the first one to take to the stage.
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News of the new 3,800 capacity arena was announced last November, and confirmed to be opening at some point in 2026.
Called the British Airways ARC, the new “state-of-the-art” music venue comes from AEG Presents UK, and will be situated above the current west exhibition hall at Olympia, London.
Its official ticketing partner has been confirmed to be AXS, while British Airways is the venue’s name partner.
Now, the first wave of artists confirmed for the space have been confirmed, with Self Esteem set to perform two nights – the historic opening on Tuesday 16 June and Wednesday June 17.
British Airways ARC arena. CREDIT: Dematerial Venues
The gigs at the British Airways ARC add to a growing list of shows the Sheffield singer and actor has planned for this summer, which so far includes three outdoor headline shows, a slot opening for Pulp at the Live From Wythenshawe Park series in Manchester, and a show supporting Florence + The Machine at the Edinburgh Summer Sessions also that month.
Also set to perform at the new venue by Olympia will be McFly, who take to the stage on June 18, and the Zac Brown Band, who will perform on June 25.
Also confirmed on the bill is Khalid, who will play later in the year (October 24), as well as a gig called ‘Branford Marsalis & Dianne Reeves Celebrate John Coltrane’ which will take place on November 21 as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.
The performances confirmed for British Airways ARC so far are:
JUNE
16 – Self Esteem
17 – Self Esteem
18 – McFly
25 – Zac Brown Band
OCTOBER
24 – Khalid
NOVEMBER
21 – Branford Marsalis & Dianne Reeves Celebrate John Coltrane
Music fans can find out more about the British Airways ARC and its upcoming acts by signing up at the venue’s official website and its social media pages.
The new venue comes as part of the whopping £1.3billion revamp and remodelling that, besides the new music venue will also include 30 bars and restaurants, two hotels, a 1,575-seat theatre, and 550,000 square feet worth of office spaces.
British Airways ARC arena. CREDIT: Dematerial Venues
The British Airways ARC seeks to preserve Olympia’s bountiful musical history since it was built well over a hundred years ago. Since its inception, Olympia has hosted the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Cure, Rod Stewart, The Chemical Brothers, Primal Scream, Pink Floyd, The Who, Bad Company and more.
In a press statement, AEG Presents Europe’s COO Andrew Spencer said: “Olympia is a place that has an incredible musical history which we want to honour whilst creating a venue that is thoroughly modern with world class facilities for artists and fans alike.”
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