South London academy plays its part in Shard’s festive illumination

Europe’s tallest building has been lit up in a new specially-

created audio-visual display designed to celebrate the spirit of festive London.

And a South London girls’ football club has had a hand in it.

For the first time, The 310m Shard’s festive lights – which illuminate its top 20 storeys in a series of colourful lighting sequences – have been synced with a unique soundtrack broadcast over the internet that enables spectators to enjoy a multi-sensory experience.

London-based sound artist Brigitte Hart, and composer Rick Parnaby, were commissioned by The Shard to create a soundtrack that captured the iconic sounds of festive London.

From the familiar sounds of train announcements into London Bridge and the bells of St Paul’s Cathedral, to chatter at the Southbank Winter Market, the track captures the vibrancy of the city and its people in the lead-up to Christmas.

Representatives from the South London Girls Football Academy U8s team, whose training session features in the soundtrack, were invited to switch on the display on Tuesday night.

Sophie Moxton, Nia Yauri Prioste, Sanna Beckles, Ella Wilcock and Anabelle Annor Bekoe, were joined by ice skater Ramia Crooks, who was recorded skating across the ice at Alexandra Palace Ice Rink for the launch event.

Jamie Greaves, director of the football academy, said: “It’s a huge honour to have been considered and included in such a unique experience. I know the girls are very excited to make their debut as part of the switch on.”

You can visit the-shard.com/shard-lights to listen while watching the display every evening from 5.30pm to midnight until December 31.

Pictured top: The girls from South London Girls Football Academy (Picture: SLG Football Academy)