Kensington Olympia Unveils ARC with Dazzling Debut
The newly launched British Airways ARC, situated atop the redeveloped Kensington Olympia, welcomed its inaugural performance from Self Esteem, a fitting choice for an artist who thrives on pushing the boundaries of any space. The show delivered a potent blend of theatricality, mixed-media artistry, dance, spoken-word, and music, creating a sensational experience within the state-of-the-art venue.
This impressive opening marks a significant moment for Olympia, a historic landmark with a rich musical legacy. The site, which has previously hosted legendary artists like Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd, has undergone a spectacular transformation. Visitors are greeted by a dramatic three-story escalator leading to a vibrant promenade featuring eight restaurants. An expansive 83-meter LED video canvas adorns the ceiling, guiding attendees to the main venue, which also boasts bars and three open-air terraces offering panoramic city views. The entire environment exudes a sense of luxury and contemporary cool.
A Vision for a Mixed-Use Entertainment Hub
Michael Volkert, CEO of Olympia, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “To see the excitement on the team’s face and then see the reaction of people as they come onto the estate and look at all the beautiful architecture and start participating in the environment, it’s electric.” This sentiment underscores the ambitious £1.3 billion transformation aimed at establishing Olympia not just as a venue, but as a premier destination for dining, socializing, discovery, and accommodation in the capital. A new theatre is also slated to open, further enhancing the cultural offerings.
Volkert highlighted the unique synergy of the reimagined Olympia estate. “We have two big ones. The exhibition business, historically what we’re known for – we had London Tech Week here recently, with 30,000 visitors. Then we have half a million square feet of office space, with 5000 people working out of there – we have this beautiful food and beverage program that supports that. We also have two hotels which again help anchor the business side of the estate.” He elaborated on the public-facing elements, including the 3800-capacity British Airways ARC and the upcoming 1500-capacity British Airways Theatre, emphasizing how these components complement each other. “And guess what? If you want to come to a show and have dinner first they can take in a meal and have amazing views of London.”
Culture and experience are central to Olympia’s new identity. “We’re in the people business, right? We create experiences for people,” Volkert commented. “The theme is experience. And we really wanna be strategically true to that and that’s where the culture, the music, and the event halls come together.”
A Diverse Line-Up and Intimate Venue Design
Lucy Noble, Senior Vice President at AEG, who is overseeing the ARC, believes a diverse range of performers will attract a broad audience. “The whole campus of the Olympia area has been redesigned, it’s looking gorgeous, and we’ve put a state-of-the-art music venue is on top of the grade 2 listed Grand Hall,” she remarked. Noble described the venue’s design as meticulously crafted for both artists and audiences. “From an artist’s point of view, when you look out, even though it’s quite a large capacity, it feels very intimate and you feel very connected to the audience, but then from the audience’s point of view, you can sit in the back row of the balcony, and the stage doesn’t seem that far away at all. it feels really close up and intimate.”
The upcoming schedule at ARC features a residency by Van Morrison, performances by The Black Keys and Zac Brown, and a diverse program that will extend to comedy and talks, alongside music. Noble sees this as a testament to the enduring vitality of live music in London. “I think that the live experience is so crucial to the entertainment industry and for people to get out and have those communal experiences.”
Self Esteem’s opening performance, her first in months since starring in a stage production, was an exhilarating affair. The show combined striking visuals, from a austere, Handmaid’s Tale-inspired aesthetic to a school gymnasium setting, with anthemic songs that masterfully blended disco euphoria with sharp feminist commentary and Northern wit. As the set concluded, the artist acknowledged the moment, stating, “I am exactly where I need to be.” The successful launch of the ARC signals an exciting new chapter for this historic London venue.
