AceShowbiz - AEG Presents has announced the initial lineup for London's eagerly awaited new concert venue, the British Airways ARC, set to open this summer.

Leading the inaugural performances is Self Esteem, who will headline two consecutive nights on June 16 and 17. Following her, the pop-rock band McFly will take the stage on June 18, and the renowned country group Zac Brown Band is scheduled for June 25. Additionally, Khalid will perform on October 24, marking his first headline show in the U.K. since his Free Spirit arena tour dates in late 2019.

The new venue is also establishing itself as a center for diverse music programming through a partnership with the EFG London Jazz Festival. This collaboration will debut with a special event on November 21 featuring saxophonist Branford Marsalis and vocalist Dianne Reeves, honoring the legacy of jazz legend John Coltrane.

Lucy Noble, senior vice president of AEG (U.K. venues), shared: “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. 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.”

Located within the newly redeveloped Olympia complex in Kensington, west London, the British Airways ARC is a 3,800-capacity concert hall designed to become a major destination in London’s live music scene. The venue is part of a £1.3 billion ($1.7 billion) restoration of Olympia, a historic event space and conference center originally built 138 years ago to host agricultural and military shows.

In addition to the ARC, the Olympia redevelopment will include a 1,575-seat theatre, numerous bars, restaurants, two hotels, and office spaces. Ticketing services for British Airways ARC will be managed by AXS.

Over its long history, Olympia has welcomed some of music’s most iconic acts, including Jimi Hendrix, Rod Stewart, Primal Scream, The Cure, and The Chemical Brothers, underlining its importance in London’s cultural heritage.

AEG Presents oversees a wide range of venues and live events in the U.K., including the well-known BST Hyde Park summer concerts. The company also programs shows at venues such as the recently reopened Watford Colosseum, Indigo at The O2, and the Eventim Apollo.

This exciting announcement marks the beginning of what is expected to be a vibrant chapter for live music in London, with the British Airways ARC poised to become a premier location for both established and emerging artists across multiple genres.