Southbank Centre holds its second Inside Out festival audiences can enjoy from their homes

Ethan Hawke and Fearne Cotton are set to appear in an online festival which includes music, spoken word and literature, writes Alexandra Warren.

With the UK still in lockdown, the Southbank Centre is holding its second Inside Out festival, which audiences can enjoy from their homes until March 28.

Dead Poets Society actor Mr Hawke will celebrate the release of his new novel, which is described as a passionate love letter to the world of theatre.

The actor and director will read from the novel at the event, A Night In With Ethan Hawke, on February 8.

In a pre-recorded broadcast event, television and radio presenter Ms Cotton will also talk about her new book, called Speak Your Truth.

This event, on February 4, delves into the ways people learn to stay quiet for the wrong reasons and Ms Cotton explains how to find your own authentic words, assert yourself, and speak out with confidence.

The Southbank Centre’s resident poetry night, Out-Spoken, returns with a special pre-recorded online show on March 28.

The event showcases the best of UK writing talent and will be hosted by Joelle Taylor, with music from Sam ‘Junior’ Bromfield.

As well as literature and spoken word, the festival also has a number of music events, including a live-streamed concert from The Cinematic Orchestra today.

The internationally-acclaimed band will play new music from their forthcoming album, due to be released later this year.

The concert, filmed at the Royal Festival Hall, will include mesmerising visual effects.

Black Country, New Road, one of the break-out bands of 2019, will also take the stage at the Queen Elizabeth Hall for a live streamed concert on March 6.

This will be the band’s first major gig of 2021 and will feature music from their upcoming LP, For The First Time.

Other events include a concert by the London Contemporary Orchestra on March 19, and literature events with Raven Leilani, Hanif Abdurraqib and lead singer of rock band Skunk Anansie, Skin.

Ted Hodgkinson, head of literature and spoken word at the Southbank Centre, said: “We’re bringing in the new year with a series of virtual events to lift the spirits, induce gales of laughter and make us see the world anew.

“Featuring some of the brightest and funniest literary talents around, beloved personalities and bold artists with extraordinary stories to tell, this is a programme that promises to replenish our sense of wonder.”