Press room

Ed O’Brien 
An Evening With… Blue Morpho 

The renowned Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien unveils his new record, performed alongside a collective of musicians.  

Blue Morpho finds O’Brien beginning anew. With its moments of hypnotic psych-folk, radiant guitars, beguiling trip-hop and luminous stillness, it reveals an artist moving beyond familiar structures. 

The Blue Morpho live experience brings together a collective of musicians who performed on the album’s recording sessions, including musical director David Okumu. Rather than simply recreating the record in its studio form, the live show is conceived as a fluid and immersive experience - a celebration of the music, which will evolve and take on a life of its own.  

Led by O’Brien as the central figure, the band draws inspiration from the expansive, exploratory spirit of artists such as Sly and the Family Stone, Miles Davis and Phish. 

Produced by the Barbican in association with SJM Concerts 

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Bess Atwell 

English singer-songwriter Bess Atwell makes her Barbican debut with a headline show performing her critically acclaimed catalogue as well as new material and more.  

Atwell’s songwriting explores a new form of traditional acoustic storytelling. Unfolding through spacious and slow-building arrangements, textured instrumentation and elusive beats, this spellbinding sound gives scale to her intimate, poetic songcraft.  

A songwriter of rare emotional precision, Atwell has grown as both a touring artist and writer. Her breakthrough third album, Light Sleeper, produced by Aaron Dessner of The National, has led to sold-out headline shows, a debut appearance at Glastonbury Festival and garnered critical recognition. Drawing from across her library of work to date, plus new material, this concert at the Barbican also offers an early glimpse at music from her fourth studio album, set for release later this year. 

Produced by the Barbican 

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SUPPORT ACT ANNOUNCED 

Mammal Hands 

+ The Vernon Spring 

British trio Mammal Hands return to the Barbican to present a special evening of music from their acclaimed catalogue. Following their memorable visit in 2024, the trio return to bring their hypnotic blend of jazz, contemporary classical, folk and minimalism to the Hall on 29 April 2026.  

Support comes from London-born composer and musician Sam Beste’s recording project The Vernon Spring, which merges jazz-infused piano with electronic production, ambient textures, and sampling. A rare polymath in music, Beste gained prominence as Amy Winehouse’s live pianist and has since collaborated with the likes of Kano and MF DOOM.  

Formed in Norwich in 2012, Mammal Hands have forged their own path away from the musical mainstream with their unique sound. In 2024, founder members and brothers, Jordan & Nick Smart, were joined by (former GoGo Penguin) drummer Rob Turner, bringing his eclectic rhythms and propulsive energy into the band’s immersive and hypnotic sound world. This new line up has just recorded the band's sixth album, to be released in spring 2026 and audiences at the Barbican can expect to hear this exciting new music, alongside classic pieces from their previous five albums released on Gondwana Records. 

Mammal Hands’ intense and mesmerising live performances have earned them a strong reputation as a live band and enabled them to tour the world extensively, performing in Japan, China, the USA, Thailand and across Europe. Beyond the Barbican, landmark live performances have included shows at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, Montreux Jazz Festival, Köln Philharmonie, La Cigale Paris, Montreal Jazz Festival, Athens Technopolis and Unit Tokyo. 

Produced by the Barbican 
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