David Arnold, whose work includes a number of fantastic productions including Sherlock, will headline next year’s London Soundtrack Festival (LSF). He’ll be joined by Ben Foster, composer on Torchwood, and conductor of Murray Gold’s Doctor Who scores from 2005 to 2015.
The LSF is London’s first dedicated annual Festival celebrating the music of film, TV, and games, and, following its inaugural programme in March 2025, it returns from 9th to 12th April 2026 with four days of events including concerts, masterclasses, screenings, and talks.
2026’s festival is headlined by David Arnold, who you’ll know for creating the scores for Sherlock (created by Who favourites, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss) and Good Omens, but who also penned the scores for five James Bond films: Casino Royale, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough, Die Another Day, and Quantum of Solace. His music is at the heart of the opening night of the Festival, Homegrown Heroes at the Barbican (9th April); conducted by Ben Foster and hosted by broadcaster Edith Bowman, this marks the debut of the London Soundtrack Festival Orchestra, a new bespoke ensemble made up of world-class session players who have performed on countless soundtrack recordings.
Alongside Arnold’s scores, the concert features suites and themes by Alexandra Harwood (All Creatures Great and Small), Isobel Waller-Bridge (The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse), Ron Goodwin (633 Squadron), Dario Marianelli (Atonement), Daniel Pemberton (Enola Holmes), Miguel d’Oliveira (First Dates), Barry Gray (Thunderbirds), and Natalie Holt and Jack Halama (Rivals), and more.
David Arnold is also named as the recipient of this year’s Gunning Inspiration Award which, created in tribute to the late multi-award-winning composer Christopher Gunning, honours figures who have made a lasting impact on music for the screen.
More screenings, talks, and masterclasses will be announced in the coming months.
David Arnold said:
“It’s always an honour to be associated with the great Christopher Gunning… and to be chosen to receive the Gunning Inspiration Award at this year’s festival is a further honour. The award is for ‘lasting impact’ … the last time that happened was when I reversed my car into a gate, but I look forward to celebrating the best in British Film and TV music with our mighty orchestral players and fellow composers in April and will do my best to do justice to this very gratefully received award.”
Michael Beek, Director of the London Soundtrack Festival, said:
“The London Soundtrack Festival celebrates the capital’s unique contribution to soundtrack music – from great composers scoring for blockbusters and the small screen, to the unsung heroes who perform in the recording studios. From John Lunn’s Downton Abbey scores, to Rachel Portman’s film music in the concert hall, to a celebration of David Arnold’s indelible contribution to soundtrack music, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, and I’m so excited to share such a variety of world-class performances and talks with our audiences.”
Tickets to the Festival are on sale now for those with earlier access, but you can learn more and keep an eye out for tickets (which generally go on sale from tomorrow, Sunday 30th November 2025, for Homegrown Heroes) from the official site.
(Thank you to Christian.)
