London’s artistic landscape is expanding with the launch of a modern dedicated film space at 180 Studios. The Underground Cinema has officially opened its doors, debuting with a curated season of music films and documentaries titled “Sound & Vision.” This immersive program, which runs from April 10 until June 4, 2026, transforms the venue into a hub for music-oriented cinema, featuring a blend of legendary live performances, award-winning documentaries and rare cult classics 180 Studios.
The “Sound & Vision” season arrives immediately following a month-long theatrical residency of Kahlil Joseph’s BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions. By pivoting to a rotating weekly schedule, The Underground Cinema aims to explore the artists, movements, and pivotal moments that have defined global music culture. From the avant-garde sounds of Japanese composition to the fierce competition of New York’s ballroom scene, the programming is designed to highlight the intersection of sound and visual storytelling.
Beyond the feature-length screenings, the experience extends into an adjacent exhibition space. Here, visitors can engage with a rotating program of seminal music videos directed by acclaimed filmmakers. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that the impact of music is felt not only through long-form narrative but similarly through the short-form visual language that has shaped the industry over the decades.
A Curated Journey Through Musical Legacy
The “Sound & Vision” season is structured as a weekly discovery, with each time slot dedicated to a different facet of music history. The program opens with Getting It Back: The Story of Cymande, directed by Tim Mackenzie-Smith (2022). This film delves into the history of the UK’s premier jazz-funk band, exploring how their rhythms and message of peace influenced subsequent generations of musicians. Screenings for this title take place from April 10 through April 16 180 Studios.
Following the jazz-funk exploration, the cinema shifts focus to the Afrobeat movement with Alex Gibney’s 2014 documentary Finding Fela. The film examines the life of Fela Kuti, portraying him as both a musical mastermind and a restless agent for social and political change. This segment of the season runs from April 17 to April 23.
Contemporary electronic music takes center stage in late April with Fred again.. – secret life at the coliseum. Directed by LOOSE (2024), the film captures an intimate, ambient live set where Fred again.. Performed his album ‘secret life’ for a select group of 100 fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on June 11, 2024. These screenings are scheduled for April 24 through April 30.
Celebrating Pioneers and Icons
The month of May introduces a series of films focusing on marginalized voices and legendary innovators. Keyboard Fantasies (2019), directed by Posy Dixon, tells the emotive story of Beverly Glenn-Copeland. The film chronicles the journey of the transgender musical genius as he emerges from years of isolation to embark on his first international tour at the age of 74. This film screens from May 1 to May 7.
The season continues with the Sundance-winning cult classic Paris Is Burning (1990). Directed by Jennie Livingston, the documentary provides a vital chronicle of New York’s 1980s drag ball culture, illustrating a world defined by fierce competition, survival, and sustenance. Screenings are held from May 8 to May 14.
For fans of pop royalty, Bowie: The Final Act (2025) by Jonathan Stiasny offers a look at David Bowie’s extraordinary final creative chapter. Released ten years after his final album, the film charts the reinvention of one of the most inventive artists in music history. This title is featured from May 15 to May 21.
The final stretch of the program highlights the technical and spiritual depths of music. Sisters with Transistors (2020), directed by Lisa Rovner, showcases the female pioneers of electronic music—including Suzanne Ciani, Laurie Anderson, and Delia Derbyshire—who embraced the liberating potential of machines. This screens from May 22 to May 28.
The season concludes with Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda (2017), directed by Stephen Nomura Schible. This intimate documentary focuses on the legendary Japanese composer’s life, specifically his creation of the album async following a cancer diagnosis and his lifelong activism against nuclear power. The final screenings run from May 29 to June 4.
The Visual Component: Directors and Music Videos
To complement the cinematic experience, 180 Studios is utilizing its adjacent exhibition space to showcase the influence of movie directors on the music video medium. This rotating program emphasizes the high-art approach to commercial music visuals, featuring works that have significantly shaped the global aesthetic.
The exhibition includes a variety of high-profile collaborations, such as:
- Romain Gavras: Jamie xx – ‘Gosh’
- Melina Matsoukas: Beyonce – ‘Formation’
- Kahlil Joseph: Flying Lotus – ‘Until the Quiet Comes’
- Jordan Hemingway: FKA Twigs – ‘EUSEXUA’
- Anthony Mandler: Lana Del Rey – ‘Ride’
- Chris Cunningham: Aphex Twin – ‘Windowlicker’
- Dave Meyers: Kendrick Lamar – ‘Humble’
- Spike Jonze: Bjork – ‘It’s Oh So Quiet’
- Gabriel Moses: Travis Scott – ‘4×4’
| Film Title | Director | Screening Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Getting It Back: The Story of Cymande | Tim Mackenzie-Smith | April 10–16 |
| Finding Fela | Alex Gibney | April 17–23 |
| Fred again.. – secret life at the coliseum | LOOSE | April 24–30 |
| Keyboard Fantasies | Posy Dixon | May 1–7 |
| Paris Is Burning | Jennie Livingston | May 8–14 |
| Bowie: The Final Act | Jonathan Stiasny | May 15–21 |
| Sisters with Transistors | Lisa Rovner | May 22–28 |
| Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda | Stephen Nomura Schible | May 29–June 4 |
Tickets for the “Sound & Vision” season are available through the official 180 Studios website. As the season progresses, the Underground Cinema continues to establish itself as a critical venue for the intersection of music, film, and cultural activism in London.
The current season concludes on June 4, 2026. For the latest updates on future residencies and film programming, visitors are encouraged to monitor the official 180 Studios digital platforms.
Do you have a favorite music documentary or a director whose music videos changed how you see sound? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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