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Under African Skies: The Songs of ‘Graceland’

BBC Proms 2026

Ladysmith Black Mambazo and guests celebrate 40 years of Paul Simon's Graceland album.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo and guests celebrate 40 years of Paul Simon's Graceland album.

Presented by Lopa Kothari, live from the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Nu Civilisation Orchestra
Peter Edwards (director)

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graceland – Paul Simon’s Grammy Award-winning, era-defining album – in a concert featuring Simon’s original collaborators Ladysmith Black Mambazo (making its Royal Albert Hall Proms debut) and special guest artists. Defying Apartheid-era restrictions, Graceland not only featured Black South African musicians but also introduced global audiences to the country’s music. Forty years on, we trace the album’s influences and echoes.

2 months left to listen

1 hour, 30 minutes

Last on

Wednesday 22:15
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Joseph Shabalala

    Nomathemba

    Ensemble: Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

  • Paul Simon

    The Boy in the Bubble

    Composer: Forere Motloheloa. Performer: James Bay. Music Arranger: Peter Edwards. Ensemble: Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Orchestra: Nu Civilisation Orchestra.

  • Paul Simon

    Gumboots

    Composer: Lulu Masilela. Composer: Johnson Mkhalali. Performer: Laura Mvula. Music Arranger: Peter Edwards. Ensemble: Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Orchestra: Nu Civilisation Orchestra.

  • Paul Simon

    Crazy Love, Vol II

    Performer: Will Taylor. Performer: Will Taylor. Music Arranger: Peter Edwards. Orchestra: Nu Civilisation Orchestra.

  • Paul Simon

    All Around the World/ That Was Your Mother

    Music Arranger: Peter Edwards. Orchestra: Nu Civilisation Orchestra.

  • Paul Simon

    Graceland

    Performer: James Bay. Music Arranger: Peter Edwards. Ensemble: Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Orchestra: Nu Civilisation Orchestra.

  • Joseph Shabalala

    Long Walk to Freedom

    Ensemble: Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

  • Paul Simon

    I Know What I Know

    Composer: General M. D. Shirinda. Performer: Laura Mvula. Music Arranger: Peter Edwards. Music Arranger: Laura Mvula. Ensemble: Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Orchestra: Nu Civilisation Orchestra.

  • Paul Simon

    Homeless

    Composer: Joseph Shabalala. Performer: Laura Mvula. Music Arranger: Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Ensemble: Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

  • Paul Simon

    Under African Skies

    Music Arranger: Peter Edwards. Ensemble: Flyte. Ensemble: Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Orchestra: Nu Civilisation Orchestra.

  • Paul Simon

    Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes

    Composer: Joseph Shabalala. Performer: James Bay. Music Arranger: Peter Edwards. Ensemble: Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Orchestra: Nu Civilisation Orchestra.

  • Paul Simon

    You Can Call Me Al

    Performer: James Bay. Performer: Laura Mvula. Music Arranger: Peter Edwards. Ensemble: Flyte. Ensemble: Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Orchestra: Nu Civilisation Orchestra.

Broadcast

  • Wednesday 22:15
    BBC Radio 3