The Rest is Noise Festival at Southbank Centre starts on Saturday 19th January 2013 and runs until 31st December 2013, so if you’re interested in getting into contemporary classical music, then this is definitely for you. Featuring over 100 events, this festival explores the influence of 20th century classical music on history, politics and culture in a way never seen before.

The festival has been inspired by Alex Ross’ book of the same title, this particular book has won a number of awards and explores modern music and its classical influences, demonstrating clearly that classical music is not the dying art form that some may believe.

Some events at the festival take place over the entirety of 2013, so throughout the year, there will be a series of weekends that will focus on different themes and there will be a concert each month.

Highlights of the festival will include the first main theme entitled, The Big Bang. This exploration of the First Word War consists of seven events that demonstrate how the work of artists and musicians influenced the people of the time, expressing their hope for a better world.

Another must-see event takes place in March as the theme moves on to embrace 1920’s Berlin with Freud, fascism and cabaret. With Meow Meow performing as part of the March series, as well as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, these concerts promise to be unforgettable.