The University of Liverpool’s state-of-the-art concert hall, The Tung Auditorium, has released its Spring/Summer 2026 programme announcing another vibrant and diverse season of live music beginning on 14th January. In keeping with previous years, this season’s high-calibre line-up offers something for everyone, featuring a dazzling array of genres and acclaimed performers.
Classical repertoire
This season brings internationally acclaimed soloists, thrilling ensembles, and some of the most celebrated repertoire in the classical canon. Mark Simpson opens the year with his own Wind Ensemble, La Serenissima offer an evening of dazzling Baroque virtuosity and remarkable pianist Paul Lewis returns to play the Steinway he personally selected for The Tung, launching his global Mozart+ tour.
For Elgar fans, there are two major highlights: Liverpool Mozart Orchestra performing Elgar’s Violin Concerto, paired with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 and Raphael Wallfisch performing the beloved Elgar Cello Concerto with Orchestra dell’Arte.
The venue is also thrilled to present a double appearance from Mahan Esfahani, first in a Bach lecture-recital, then joining Liverpool Philharmonic’s Ensemble 10:10, who present three concerts across the season featuring UK premieres and boundary-pushing orchestral colours.
Jazz, indie, improv…
British jazz legend Courtney Pine returns to The Tung with his award-winning project House of Legends, while silent-film maestro Neil Brand brings a centenary celebration of Laurel and Hardy with live improvised accompaniment to the screen.
Indie favourite Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff) offers a night of storytelling and acoustic classics in the Auditorium, while the extraordinary Sarah Jane Morris returns to the venue with The Sisterhood Volume 2, a powerful tribute to the female artists who have shaped musical history.
Showcasing artists with local roots, the venue also presents Liverpool’s own Novelty Island and Credits, with a highly-anticipated collaboration where the groups will perform the iconic Pet Sounds, live on Brian Wilson’s 84th birthday – an unforgettable one-off event.
Feast of folk
Known for its intimate feel and incredible acoustics, it is no surprise that the venue’s spring folk line-up brings together some of the most distinctive voices and bands from across the UK and Ireland, each offering their own take on the genre.
The programme includes LYR, the musical trio led by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage; the return of The Irish House Party, bringing champion musicians and dancers from Dublin; Americana-infused favourites Police Dog Hogan; and rising British folk star Katherine Priddy, whose acclaimed songwriting continues to captivate audiences across the UK.
Free lunchtime concerts
The start of the season sees the return of the ever-popular free Yoko Ono Lennon Lunchtime Concert Series, funded by long-standing supporter of the University of Liverpool, Yoko Ono Lennon herself, via Spirit Foundations.
Frequently cited as the highlight of the week for Tung audiences, the series invites you to take a risk and explore new live music that you might not have ever considered going to before – and this year’s programme welcomes a broad variety of genres including jazz, classical, contemporary, folk, hip-hop Indian ragas and more…
Emerging talent
The Tung will also continue to showcase emerging musical talent this season, with University of Liverpool Department of Music students performing in special showcases, final-year recitals, lunchtime concerts with guest artists and Liverpool Philharmonic musicians, as well as the Liverpool University Music Society and Symphony Orchestra summer concerts.
Richard Hartwell, Artistic Director of The Tung Auditorium said: “We’ve got the makings of a vintage season this year, and it’s great to be working with artists who we can now consider to be regulars. We also have many new faces, with even more shows to be announced, so watch this space!”
Professor Lisa Colton, Head of the Department of Music, University of Liverpool said: “This season offers so much to students at the University of Liverpool and our wider community, including inspirational performances by internationally acclaimed artists, opportunities for current and former students to showcase their talents, and educational events working with the music students of tomorrow”
Tung affiliates
The Tung Auditorium’s new affiliate organisations will also grace the stage.
The Liverpool String Academy – who are part of the Merseyside-based charity Early Music As Education, providing music education for talents across the region – will join forces with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Leader Thelma Handy, for an evening of Baroque favourites.
Later in the season, authentic swing music ensemble Dr Jazz and the Cheshire Cats will bring a vibrant big band reinterpretation of Fats Waller’s London Suite to the Auditorium.
How to book
As we enter 2026, The Tung Auditorium continues to cement its reputation as a world-class performance space for Liverpool City Region’s future music and emerging talent, whilst also preserving Liverpool’s rich legacy of exceptional and accessible live music. The entire Spring/Summer season is now available to book via https://thetungauditorium.com/events