First wave of acts at British Airways ARC includes Self Esteem, Khalid, McFly

AEG Presents has unveiled the first wave of artists performing at London’s new 3,800-capacity live music and events venue, British Airways ARC.

Self Esteem is set to perform on the venue’s opening night - June 16th. That month, McFly will also perform on June 18th, followed by Zac Brown Band on June 25th.

Multi-platinum-selling artist Khalid is scheduled to perform later in the year, on October 24th. A programming partnership with the EFG London Jazz Festival will take place the following month, beginning with a celebration of John Coltrane’s music with Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves on November 21st.

The venue is located above the historic West Hall, along Emberton Walk at Olympia, its creation being part of Olympia’s £1.3 billion transformation. In addition to the British Airways ARC, this transformation will include a 1,575-seat theatre, a series of new restaurants and bars, two new hotels, and 550,000 square feet of office space.

The first venue of its size to be built in London from the ground up in over a decade, the British Airways ARC demonstrates AEG’s commitment to UK live music.

“We are very proud of our newest venue and to have this lineup of the first incredible artists set to play is a fantastic way to begin the British Airways ARC story,” said Lucy Noble, senior vice president for UK venues at AEG. “When fans come to see shows at British Airways ARC, they are going to be able to enjoy world-class facilities across everything from sound to seating, and we really can’t wait to open the doors.”

Self Esteem – also known as Rebecca Lucy Taylor – has broken into the mainstream over the past five years. A recipient of the Ivor Novello Visionary award, she released her third album and debut book, both titled A Complicated Woman, in 2025. She will perform on June 16th, the venue’s opening night, and on June 17th.

Formed 23 years ago, McFly’s tour with Busted was one of the biggest tours of 2025. Over the years, the band has scored seven number one singles, seven top 10 albums and over 10 million sales, leading to numerous Platinum certifications. Their performance will take place at the British Airways ARC on June 18th.

Zac Brown Band is a multi-platinum, GRAMMY-winning Southern rock group, led by frontman Zac Brown. Throughout the band’s career, spanning over a decade, they have had six consecutive albums reach the top 10 of the Billboard 200, and five consecutive albums have debuted at number one on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. 

A three-time GRAMMY award winner — including for best new artist in 2010 — Zac Brown Band has sold over 30 million singles and 11 million albums, amassed over 11 billion catalogue streams and achieved 16 number one radio singles. The band will perform at the British Airways ARC on June 25th.

Multi-platinum selling globally-renowned musician Khalid was named one of TIME’s Most Influential People of 2019. The release of his debut American Teen was certified four-times-platinum, and his second album, certified twice platinum, debuted at number one on the Billboard top 200. Khalid has been streamed over 35.6 billion times globally across all partners. Khalid is scheduled to perform on October 24th at the British Airways ARC.

September 2026 marks the centennial of John Coltrane’s birth. This is to be honoured by the Branford Marsalis Quartet and Dianne Reeves through the release of a tribute album exploring Coltrane’s 1963 collaboration with Johnny Hartman. Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves Celebrate John Coltrane is slated for November 21st at the British Airways Arc.

Image credit: Dematerial Venues