Jerwood Hall
Why Is There Music?
Gresham College Lecture Series
LSO St Luke's
Wednesday 21 October 2026 • 6pm
Book TicketsProfessor Milton Mermikides speaker
Tickets
Tickets free, advance booking necessary.
Visit gresham.ac.uk to register
Seats are allocated on a first come first serve basis. Doors open 30 minutes before the lecture begins, so we recommend arriving early. Any unclaimed seats will be given away to attendees without tickets 10 minutes before the lecture begins. Guest reserved seating is given away 5 minutes before the lecture begins. A ticket does not guarantee a seat, so we recommend arriving early.
Despite the wide diversity of human behaviour, every culture shares one activity: music. Why should something whose purpose is not easy to explain be so universally embraced? How can patterns in the air explain music’s profound effect, and ability to convey the full range of emotions, from heartache to humour?
What is it that we are saying in this mysterious language? This lecture shines the lights of neuroscience, philosophy, psychology and anthropology to illuminate this ancient human obsession.
Watch online or attend in person.
Your Visit and Access
Getting to LSO St Luke's
The main entrance to LSO St Luke’s is through the gates from Old Street. Please check the doors open time for your chosen concert.
What to Expect
From the concert experience to venue facilities and the Hawksmoor Space, find out what to expect at LSO St Luke’s.
Accessibility
At LSO St Luke’s we are fully committed to making the venue as accessible as possible.
