The BBC Proms, an annual celebration of classical music, is set to showcase a diverse range of artists this summer, including some unexpected collaborations. The 2026 edition promises to be a highlight, with a star-studded lineup featuring Guy Garvey of Elbow, Weyes Blood, Gruff Rhys, and more. This year's theme, 'The Power of the Orchestra', aims to showcase the versatility of classical music by blending it with rock, indie, and alternative genres.
One of the most intriguing performances will be the first-ever Prog Rock Prom, led by the legendary drummer Carl Palmer and Peter Hammill. Joining them will be Guy Garvey, who is making his debut at the Proms, along with Gruff Rhys and Jane Weaver. This unique event will pay homage to the iconic bands Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Genesis, Jethro Tull, and Mike Oldfield, with the BBC Concert Orchestra and conductors Robert Ames and Stuart Maconie.
Weyes Blood will also make a special appearance, presenting an intimate late-night Prom on September 8. Her folk-pop style will be reimagined with a symphonic twist, as she collaborates with Jules Buckley and his orchestra. This is not the first time they have worked together; their previous Proms collaborations have featured renowned artists like Florence + The Machine and St. Vincent.
The 2026 Proms will take place across the country, with a special focus on the North of England. 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 concert will feature 'songs shaped by the North of England', with each song reimagined with cinematic arrangements performed by the Royal Northern Sinfonia.
Nadine Shah will also collaborate with the Royal Northern Sinfonia in Gateshead on July 24. Before that, corto.alto, Maddie Ashman, and ATFK will perform at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music as part of BBC Introducing Proms on July 23. In Bristol, Radio 2 presenter Jamie Cullum will host 'Round Midnight', a live edition of Radio 3's acclaimed late-night jazz show, featuring a tribute to John Coltrane's music.
The Proms will also pay tribute to iconic artists and films. The 'Bond and Beyond' show, conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, will be a musical homage to the music of the James Bond films. Nick Mohammed, star of Ted Lasso, will host this event, which will be broadcast on BBC TV and iPlayer. Additionally, there will be a special tribute to Miles Davis, and collaborations with artists like Weyes Blood and Nadine Shah, alongside classical compositions by Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms.
Other notable events include 'Horrible Science: The Big Bang Experiment', 'Under African Skies: The Songs of Graceland', 'Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul', 'Miles Davis Centenary', 'Ultimate Calm', 'Altın Gün', and 'Enchanted: Alan Menken's Music for Disney'. Each Prom will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds, with televised programmes on BBC TV and iPlayer. Tickets are available at £8, with up to 1,000 tickets released for each show.
In related news, Elbow's Guy Garvey revealed that the band is working on a new album, their 11th, which will be 'sonically ambitious'. This follows their recent releases, 'Audio Vertigo' and 'Audio Vertigo Echo elbow EP 5'. Garvey's performance at the 2026 Ivor Novellos further confirms the band's ongoing creativity and their commitment to pushing musical boundaries.
