RPO at the Gaumont State Theatre
Kilburn Music Mile 2025 opening night
Presented by TV and radio broadcaster Penny Smith – witty, engaging and completely at home on stage. A former Kilburn resident, she was visibly delighted to return to a venue so close to her heart. Conducted by Ben Pope, with vocalists Anna-Jane Casey and Iain Mackenzie, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra filled the Gaumont State Theatre with live music once more – bringing the sounds of its most celebrated era back to a stage that knew them well. Performing to an audience of over 2,000, this was one of London’s greatest venues, rediscovering the music that made it famous.
Full house at the Gaumont
The singers and the host
Anna-Jane Casey is one of the West End’s most celebrated performers – a singer, dancer and actress whose career spans four decades, from her debut in Cats at 16 to acclaimed roles in Chicago, Billy Elliot, Cabaret and Spamalot. Iain Mackenzie is one of the UK’s most in-demand jazz and big band singers – principal male vocalist of the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, and a regular with the BBC Big Band and BBC Concert Orchestra. Together on the Gaumont State stage, they were the perfect match for an evening of music that demanded both power and finesse.
The programme took the audience on a journey through the golden age of popular and film music – Sinatra’s effortless cool, the euphoria of The Beatles, the drama of David Bowie, the jazz sophistication of Ella Fitzgerald, the raw energy of Deep Purple and The Rolling Stones. Music that shaped generations, played live by one of the world’s great orchestras in the room where many of those artists once performed.
Small charity, big ambition
During the performance, Kilburn State of Mind trustee Shahnila Rashid addressed the audience from the stage, speaking about the collaboration that brought the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to the Gaumont State Theatre and the wider vision behind the Kilburn Music Mile.
She also drew attention to the challenges faced by small community charities. While larger organisations secure by far the greater share of available funding, smaller charities are expected to deliver ambitious work with far fewer resources.
The evening demonstrated what can be achieved when major artists, cultural partners and local organisations come together. For Kilburn State of Mind, the ambition is to build on that momentum, bringing more exceptional artists into the Music Mile while keeping the local community at its heart.
Small charities may receive a smaller share of the funding, but their ambition and local impact can be enormous.
Spotlight on the orchestra
What they said
The finale – a standing ovation
The standing ovation that brought the night to a close was for everyone who made it happen – the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and their soloists, conductor Ben Pope, host Penny Smith, and the KSOM team who helped fill the Gaumont State Theatre with live music once more.
Kilburn State of Mind has been rooted in NW6 since 2019, bringing exceptional events to a community that has always had so much to celebrate. The Kilburn Music Mile 2025 opened in style – and set the tone for everything that followed across the weekend.
Conducted by Ben Pope · Vocals Anna-Jane Casey and Iain Mackenzie · Presented by Penny Smith · Royal Philharmonic Orchestra rpo.co.uk
Come join us this year
This year’s Music Mile is already taking shape – and we need people like you to make it happen. If you can give a few hours to help plan, promote or run the event, we’d love to hear from you.