Young Barbican Takeover Festival 2025
Man/Woman/Chainsaw who will be performing on the FreeStage. Photo by Sophie Barloc
This one-day festival returns with a stunning line-up of live music, workshops, film screenings and more curated for and by London's emerging creatives.
The Young Barbican Takeover Festival is an opportunity for London's young creatives to come together, explore the Barbican and enjoy live performances and more.
Come along to makers workshops led by Artizine and Material Grrrlz, enjoy live music curated by So Young Magazine, and join us for a series of performances and talks by Travis Alabanza, James Massiah, Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff and more.
Our Young Film Programmers alumni have curated an afternoon of film screenings and our Barbican Young Poets will be performing in our iconic Conservatory.
Looking to break into the world of publishing or fashion? Discover engaging talks and networking with industry professionals as we welcome leading publishers including Penguin, Fitzcarraldo, Silver Press, Chateau International and SEASON zine.
Discover the full programme below.
Venues
The festival takes over the whole centre for one day only. You'll discover events across many spaces including our iconic Conservatory, Cinema and Level G foyers. Please log in to your Young Barbican account to book.
Running time
12pm–6pm
Age guidance: 14+
All events are suitable for people aged 14 and above except for the Girlhood screening which has an age restriction of 15.
The centre will be open from 10am for you to collect your wristband before the event starts at 12pm.
Age 14-25? Sign up to Young Barbican
Young Barbican membership is free and gives you access to discounted tickets on unmissable art, entertainment, food and shopping. Everyone is welcome at this takeover festival, even if you're not a Young Barbican member.
Presented by the Barbican's Creative Collaboration team
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Publishing talks | Garden Room, Level 3
The Garden Room will be hosting panel discussions by publishing industry professionals on breaking into the publishing industry and beyond.
Felicia Pennant: Intro to DIY magazine publishing and football content creation
2.15pm-3pm
Felicia Pennant is an award-winning journalist and fashion and football creative storyteller from London. She founded trailblazing football and fashion platform SEASON zine in 2016, to counter the male, pale, and sometimes stale state of modern football culture, which was named one of The UK’s Best Independent Football Magazines by Hypebeast in 2019.
How to break into journalism: In conversation with Precious Adesina and Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff
4.30pm-5.15pm
Journalists Precious Adesina and Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff discuss pathways into journalism and the evolving media landscape. With experience across arts and culture reporting, editorial leadership, and digital storytelling, they share insights into navigating the industry today. Precious is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, BBC Culture, and the Financial Times. Charlie is an award-winning writer and editor, formerly of gal-dem and The New York Times.
Panel talks | Frobisher Auditorium 1, Level 4
Join us in Auditorium 1 to hear from a variety of arts industry professionals discuss their firsthand experience of working in and navigating the industry.
After buying your £10 festival pass, reserve your free ticket to these events below to guarantee your space, this is due to limited capacity.
The Polyester Podcast Live!
12.15pm–1pm
Join The Polyester Podcast hosts Ione Gamble and Gina Tonic for an extra special live panel where we delve into everything that goes into running a feminist pop culture podcast.
Reserve your space for The Polyester Podcast Live!
Rewriting the Rules of fashion with Daniel Peters, Eshita Kabra and Patrick McDowell
2.30pm–3.15pm
Who gets to write the rules of fashion?
The fashion industry has long been dominated by a narrow intersection of people who dictate who can shop and where, who shape the trends that we consume, and curate the images which encourage us to shop. But following on from the rallying call for change in 2020, the industry has been adopting changes that are slowly but surely shifting the playing field.
In this fireside chat, Daniel Peters from the Fashion Minority Report sits down with some of those innovators who are changing the fashion landscape for the better, giving you an insight into their inspiring journey. Eshita Kabra is the founder of By Rotation, the world's first social fashion rental app, and is one of Forbes 30 under 30. Patrick McDowell is a leading designer whose work brings sustainability to the forefront.
Reserve your space for Rewriting the Rules of Fashion.
All roads lead to Cabaret with Cassie Leon of The Cocoa Butter Club
4.30pm–5.15pm
Cassie Leon will be joined by performing arts professionals, Seyi Osibamowo, Evelyn Carnate and PMBC for an informal conversation about all things cabaret to chat about pathways into cabaret, how to create a sustainable career and tips and tricks from the inside from the perspective of performers, producers and programmers
Reserve your space at All Roads Lead to Cabaret.
Architecture Tours
12pm, 2pm and 4pm, Across the centre
Led by our expert guides, the tour takes you across the Barbican Centre and surrounding Brutalist estate. You’ll explore the site’s little-known nooks and crannies, venturing through criss-crossing highwalks, leafy courts and sweeping crescents, with plenty of stops along the way, including:
- Our tranquil Lakeside Terrace
- The striking form of the Sculpture Court
- The trio of soaring residential towers
- Ruins along the original London Wall
- And more…
You’ll learn about the vision and ambition behind the design, and gain insight into the past, present and future of the site.
Young Barbican tickets from £6
Programme
Makers Workshops | Fountain Room, Level G
Get in touch with your creative side at these Makers Workshops on Level G with Artizine and Material Grrrlz. These workshops are open to all experience levels and offer a fun and supportive space for self-expression and artistic exploration.
Self-Manifesto Zine Workshop with Artizine
12pm–4pm
What drives your creativity and purpose? In this workshop, create a personal manifesto zine using collage, drawing, and writing. Reflect on what makes you you—your passions, quirks, lived history, and dreams—while learning DIY publishing techniques. Leave with a handmade zine to keep as a powerful reminder of your creative identity. Zine your truth and follow the thread back to your authentic self.
Rosette badge-making workshop with Material Grrrlz
2pm–4pm
Material Grrrlz is a worldwide community of fibre artists celebrating the crafts of young women and queer people. Through their quarterly magazine, online community platform and in-person workshops, they aim to equip and empower Gen-Z to engage with craft to build community, engage politically, and promote sustainability. Join them for a rosette badge-making workshop using textile scraps to create a custom badge expressing your style.
Vision Poster Workshop with Artizine
4pm–6pm
Set your intentions and map out your creative journey for 2025. Using a dynamic range of materials, craft a personalized vision poster that reflects your goals, dreams, and inspired spirit. Collage, write, and design a bold visual sanctuary that fuels your passion and keeps you motivated long after the workshop.
Live Music | FreeStage, Level G
Curated by the team at So Young Magazine, join us on the Level G FreeStage for an afternoon of live music from the underground guitar scene. Each performance will also be followed by a Q&A with each band hosted by So Young’s own writers.
Everyone's invited to enjoy these performances on the FreeStage. You don't need a festival pass to gain entry.
Restless Taxis
12:15pm-1pm
Hailing from East London, Restless Taxis is an up-and-coming, eccentric noise rock band that defies convention. The lineup includes Michael on guitar, Jess on bass, Dylan on drums, and Tash, whose interpretive dance adds a visual dimension to their already immersive performances. Known for their raw energy and atmospheric soundscapes, Restless Taxis creates music that feels both visceral and otherworldly. With their highly anticipated EP Psycho Central dropping this year, the band promises to deliver an unforgettable auditory and visual experience that sets them apart in the noise rock scene.
Most Things
1.30pm-2.15pm
Most Things is a two piece band from London comprising bass guitar, voice and drums.
Pem
2.45pm-3.30pm
Pem is the project of Bristol based musician Emily Perry. Blending her rare husky voice with boundless vocal agility, she crafts a sound that hovers somewhere between folk and the smoky serenades of early sirens in music halls of days gone by. Her haunting voice dances up and over ethereal arrangements and intricate taletelling, lulling listeners into warm hazes of vulnerable contemplation.
Man/Woman/Chainsaw
4pm-4.45pm
Man/Woman/Chainsaw are Billy Ward (vocals, guitars), Emmie-Mae Avery (vocals, keys/synths), Vera Leppänen (vocals, bass), Clio Harwood (violin) and Lola Waterworth (drums). A precociously talented five-piece from London, the band recently celebrated their 100th gig. Since their debut at 16 years old and across three self-released singles, the band have proven themselves as one of the most exciting and unpredictable young acts in the capital, both joyous and raucous in equal measures
Folly Group
5.30pm-6.15pm
On stage, Folly Group is the sum of drums, percussion, bass, guitar, vocals and a sampler. Elsewhere, Folly Group is an amorphous creative entity, encompassing a group of friends whose practice spans various disciplines. Its members have all played with each other in various projects over the last three years, now Folly Group is a way to mess with form, structure and signifiers. Folly Group attempts to interrogate the job of the band; it’s an allergic reaction to stasis and complacency.
Film screenings | Cinema 1
Join us in Cinema 1 to kick-off our 10 years of Chronic Youth Film Festival celebrations, as part of the showcase we are inviting back alumni of our Young Film Programmers programme to host an afternoon of film screenings.
After buying your £10 festival pass, reserve your free ticket to these events to guarantee your space, this is due to limited capacity.
Shorts Programme + Introduction by Barbican Young Film Programme Alumni
1.30pm-2:50pm
Screenings:
I don’t have the answers
2022 UK/Ghana directed by Makella Ama (2 min)
TWICE AS GOOD
2021 UK directed by Jeremy Ngatho Cole (12 min)
Home Movie
2021 UK directed by Simi Abe (3 min)
neither here, nor there
2019 UK directed by Yassmine Betioui (1 min)
Joy
2020 Northern Ireland directed by Grace Hynds (6 min)
Lloydie, The Boy from St. Thomas
2019 UK directed by Keifer Nyron Taylor (8 min)
Avenue Road Moving Stories
2021 UK directed by Liza Fletcher (19 min)
X
US 2021 UK directed by Akinola Davies (11 min)
Reserve your space for the Shorts Programme
Girlhood (15), directed by Céline Sciamma with Introduction from co-founder of T A P E Collective, Isra Al Kassi
3.15pm–5.20pm
The film follows Marieme (Karidja Touré), a young girl navigating the challenges of adolescence in a tough Paris suburb. As she joins a gang of free-spirited girls, Marieme slowly comes out of her shell and experiences moments of shared joy and freedom.
Reserve your space for Girlhood.
Literary Performances | Conservatory Well, entry via Conservatory Terrace Level 4
The conservatory becomes a hub for emerging and established writers. Expect intimate pop up readings and talks from writers including Travis Alabanza, James Massiah as well as Barbican's home grown talent from the Barbican Young Poets.
Barbican Young Poets performances
12pm-1.10pm
Barbican Young Poets is an artist development initiative and community for those who wish to explore what’s possible for their poetry and creative expression. Through the programme, our young poets generate new writing and experiment with different ways of working, refining a selection of new work towards publication, performance, or presentation.
In conversation with Travis Alabanza and Susanna Davies-Crook
1.15pm-2pm
Travis Alabanza is an award winning writer, performer and theatre maker. Their writing has appeared in the BBC, Guardian, Vice, Gal-Dem and they previously had a fortnightly column in the metro. Their work surrounding gender, trans identity and race has been noted internationally, giving talks at universities including Oxford, Harvard, Bristol and more. Susanna Davies – Crook is the Curator of Public Programmes at the Barbican.
Reading from James Massiah
3.30pm-4.15pm
James is a much valued creative in the underground world, embedded by the NTS community he has built a name for himself as one of London’s most sought after DJs. He has performed readings of his work at the Tate Modern, the Courtauld, the ICA and at the Houses of Parliament, as well as commissions for the BBC, The Guardian and Nike, continuing to invigorate the city’s rich spoken word scene with his regular poetry night Adult Entertainment where the likes of John Glacier, Obongjayar and Cosha have taken to the stage.
Readings from actor and writer Laurie Ogden
5pm-5.30pm
Laurie is a northern multi-disciplinary artist currently based in London She is a former winner of the Ambit Poetry Prize, Outspoken Poetry Prize and was longlisted for the Jerwood Poetry Fellowship. She was shortlisted for the Women's Theatre Lab 2024 and for the Box of Tricks & Sky Arts SCREEN/PLAY Award 2021. Laurie is currently co-editor of poetry magazine And Other Poems.
Barbican Young Poets performances
5.30pm-6pm
Our Barbican Young Poets wrap-up the day with more performances showcasing new work.
Literary Salon | Conservatory Terrace, Level 4
2pm-5pm
The Conservatory terrace hosts a mixer and meet n greet, providing the opportunity for young creatives to meet editors, publishers and content creators who can help you get your words out there. Publishers include, Fitzcarraldo, Chateau International and SEASON zine will be in attendance to chat.
The Conservatory Terrace will also be hosting a pop-up bookshop on the day.
Penguin
Penguin's journey began on a train platform, with a simple idea – books that were affordable and accessible for everyone. Since 1935, they've been striving to publish books that define generations, shape culture, and share the moments that matter. 90 years on and their mission remains the same. They make books for everyone, because a book can change anyone.
Polyester
Polyester is a self published, intersectional feminist publication aiming to bridge the gap of URL cyber-feminism with the IRL world.
Fitzcarraldo
Fitzcarraldo Editions is an independent publisher specialising in contemporary fiction and long-form essays. Founded in 2014, it focuses on ambitious, imaginative and innovative writing, both in translation and in the English language. The series, designed by Ray O’Meara, are published as paperback originals with French flaps, using a custom serif typeface (called Fitzcarraldo). Fitzcarraldo Editions publishes, among other authors, the 2015, 2018, 2022 and 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature laureates Svetlana Alexievich, Olga Tokarczuk, Annie Ernaux and Jon Fosse.
SEASON zine
SEASON zine is the football, fashion & beauty filter. A trailblazing football and fashion platform that launched in London in 2016. SEASON tell football and fashion stories that showcase, celebrate and empower female fans and marginalised communities authentically, while unpacking important issues, pushing for greater inclusivity and collaborating with exciting creative talent.
Chateau International
Chateau International is a UK-based independent publisher and creative platform, known for producing art and culture publications that explore critical themes through collaborative projects.
