The University of Liverpool's concert hall, The Tung Auditorium, has released its Autumn-Winter 2026 season, marking the 10th programme and brochure since opening in 2022. As ever, the season is shaping up to be another incredibly diverse line up of live music, art and performance.
Shining a spotlight on international artists and diverse genres, The Tung Auditorium partners with African Night Fever and Africa Oyé to present a special collaboration between Mali's legendary guitarist, singer and composer Habib Koité, and charismatic Gambian kora maestro, Sura Susso.
Presenting new music from their upcoming album Manding Melodies, Koité and Susso - both internationally celebrated and modern griots - delve into the rich heritage of traditional Manding folk tales and songs, reinterpreting them for contemporary audiences. Their creative approach honours the roots and legacy of the griot tradition while forging new musical expressions that speak to the diaspora and younger generations.
Returning for Autumn 2026, Manchester Collective collaborate with percussionist Sidiki Dembélé and his band for Constellations. Dembélé will present a joyful musical journey of folksong and storytelling from the Ivory Coast, Mali and Senegal, while Manchester Collective's violinist Rakhi Singh breathes new life into familiar classical pieces. The ensemble will also be complemented by new works from composer and multidisciplinary artist Nwando Ebizie, filtered through her very own Afrofuturist vision and sonic rituals, hurtling us into the future.
The Tung Auditorium's longstanding partnership with Milap also continues this Autumn, as incredible sitarist Roopa Panesar makes her Tung debut alongside Merseyside's favourite tabla maestro, Kousic Sen. Originally collaborating on Roopa's debut album Khoj in 2011, the pair continue to create a musical dialogue onstage that is both incredibly nuanced and striking in its versatility.
An exciting fusion of music & the wider arts
In September, The Tung Auditorium welcomes the Institute of Irish Studies from The University of Liverpool for the Beckett: Lieben 2026 festival. The Six Paintings concert explores the interplay between visual art and music, through the story of Samuel Beckett's travels to Germany when he came face to face with German expressionism for the very first time.
Bringing together six of the world's leading musicians - Iarla Ó Lionáird (voice and electronics), Michelle O'Rourke (voice), Cheng Yu (guqin), Niwel Tsumbu and Benjamin Dwyer (guitars), and Mary Dullea (piano) - the ensemble will respond to six paintings that each play a role in this complex story, alongside Samuel Beckett's impressions and writings narrated by Anna Nygh.
Shattering the boundaries between concert hall and cinema, the silent film Metropolis is given a theatrical rock workout by award-winning ensemble Vox Lumiere in September. Expect an explosive live music experience, with thrilling original new music, a live band and powerhouse vocals.
Then in October, Divine Intimacies by Tangram combines music, philosophy and a multi-faceted art installation in a mesmerising exploration of the earliest texts of Chinese philosophy. During the performance, the musicians will be surrounded by both visualisations of the I-Ching, generated in real time by visual artist Chang Meng and a responsive LED art installation by Ke Peng. The concert will be an array of colour, sound and light - a true multi-sensory experience.
New for 2026, music meets 'Industry'
Kicking things off in September, the Heswall Concert Band commemorate 200 years since the construction of the Liverpool-Manchester railway with new works by alumnus composer Matthew Holroyd. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project is especially fitting at The Tung Auditorium, as the world's first modern inter-city railway began nearby at Crown Street in 1826, just around the corner from the venue!
Then in October, returning favourites Solem Quartet present Industry, with a programme inspired by the communities central to the industrial revolution, the undeniable beating heart of the UK since the nineteenth century. Also returning in October is Liverpool Philharmonic's 10:10, revisiting Steve Reich's poignant Different Trains. Ten years since the project's debut at Edge Hill station, they will perform alongside Bill Morrison's film accompaniment.
Get closer to live performances with an intimate folk-rock feel
Back on tour by popular demand, Crash Test Dummies return in October with their distinctive folk-tinged sound and unmistakable baritone vocals. Set to deliver another high-energy show, the original band members will play their most iconic songs, alongside longtime collaborators and newcomers.
Also in October, Folk-Rock legends Fairport Convention are back for a third visit ahead of their 60th Anniversary celebrations as a band; not to be confused with Fairground Attraction, as Eddi Reader also makes a solo appearance later that weekend!
The Tung Auditorium is also delighted to welcome back both of their Affiliate Ensembles for a second year.
Dr Jazz and the Cheshire Cats explore jazz luminaries with leading saxophonist Alex Clarke (BBC's Young Jazz Musician of the Year (2020) finalist and 2019 British Jazz Awards Rising Star winner), whilst Liverpool String Academy are making two appearances - the first with phenomenal oboist Fabio Bagnoli in October and then in November, with their very own Chamber Ensemble.
Free lunchtime concert series returns
One of the liveliest and most loved parts of The Tung Auditorium's programme is back for Autumn 2026 - the free Yoko Ono Lennon Lunchtime Concert Series platforms local and emerging musicians, international artists and creative projects from a multitude of genres and styles.
Due to such high demand, the venue is changing how tickets are released going forward. Whilst booking your free ticket via the The Tung Auditorium website or Box Office will remain the same, tickets will now be available in two stages rather than all at once; half when the season goes on sale, and the remaining half four weeks before each respective concert.
This change follows feedback from audience members and The Tung are hopeful that this new system will make it easier for more people to attend, including both those who like to plan ahead and those who want to book spontaneously for a musical lunchtime treat!
Make sure to sign up to The Tung's newsletter via https://thetungauditorium.com/newsletter to stay up to date with on-sale dates for upcoming lunchtime concerts.
Whether you like jazz, folk, pop, hip-hop, classical, Indian ragas or experimental music, the lunchtime concerts offer something for everybody, inviting you to take a risk and explore new live music that you might not have ever considered going to before.
