The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Chris Cameron present The Music is Black: Live, at the BBC Philharmonic Studio, MediaCityUK in Manchester. The concert will be recorded on Wednesday 11 November for broadcast on Friday 20 November, as part of Friday Night is Music Night.
The concert forms part of a landmark collaboration with the new V&A East Museum, inspired by its inaugural exhibition, The Music is Black: A British Story. It continues a BBC season of content celebrating 125 years of Black music in the UK, which began in April with programming across BBC TV, Radio, iPlayer, Sounds and Online.
With a spotlight on the North West, the concert will feature orchestral arrangements of songs made famous by Liverpool’s The Real Thing and Manchester’s Cleopatra, Sweet Sensation and Sweet Female Attitude, alongside music associated with icons Omar and PP Arnold. The programme features orchestral arrangements by Callum Au, Chris Cameron, Robin Wallington, Katie Chatburn, Nic Raine and Jules Buckley.
The planned programme includes You to Me Are Everything, Sad Sweet Dreamer, Purely by Coincidence, There’s Nothing Like This, See the Day, Flowers, Lola’s Theme, There’s Much Love in the World and Diamonds Are Forever, alongside a Cleopatra medley. Special guest artists include Rowetta and The Real Thing, alongside vocalists from across the North West.
Cameron brings extensive experience as a conductor, arranger and musical director, including work with George Michael, Tina Turner and Take That. His recent conducting engagements include Windrush 75 at the Royal Albert Hall, Little Simz with Chineke! Orchestra at Meltdown, and Angélique Kidjo with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra at the BBC Proms as part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations.
The concert forms part of the orchestra’s 2026/27 season and its BBC Philharmonic Studio series of nine broadcast concerts from MediaCityUK, bringing performances to audiences around the world. These 90-minute afternoon concerts are hosted by a range of star presenters from across the BBC on-air family. Future highlights include Radio 3’s Essential Classics Playlister: Live (30 April 2027).
PROGRAMME:
The Real Thing (arr. Callum Au) You to Me Are Everything
Sweet Sensation (arr. Chris Cameron) Sad Sweet Dreamer
Sweet Sensation (arr. Chris Cameron) Purely by Coincidence
Omar (arr. Callum Au) There’s Nothing Like This
Dee C Lee (arr. Robin Wallington) See the Day
Sweet Female Attitude (arr. Katie Chatburn) Flowers
Shapeshifters (arr. Jules Buckley) Lola’s Theme
Omar (arr. Callum Au) There’s Much Love in the World
Shirley Bassey (arr. Nic Raine) Diamonds Are Forever