Alicia Keys amazes onlookers at St. Pancras International with surprise performance
St. Pancras International played host to a surprise performance by GRAMMY® Award-winning artist, songwriter/producer, and musician Alicia Keys today, with an exclusive piano rendition of her worldwide hits ‘Empire State of Mind’, ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ and ‘No One’, plus her most recent release ‘Lifeline’, the first release from the upcoming film The Color Purple.
Spectators were thrilled as Keys charmed travellers and shoppers with some of her most famous hits within the station’s main Arcade, showcasing her talent as she performed solo, accompanied only by the keys of the Elton John piano. The performance follows in the footsteps of duo Sir Rod Stewart and Jools Holland who debuted songs from their upcoming album at St. Pancras International only last week, as well as further world-famous performers including John Legend, Tom Odell and Jeff Goldblum.
The public delight in the playing of public pianos at St. Pancras, which have become an iconic part of the station’s atmosphere and culture. The pianos were launched at St. Pancras International in 2012 when the City of London Festival celebrated its golden anniversary on a grand scale. They remained available to play ever since, with Elton John gifting a piano to St. Pancras himself in 2016, which Keys made use of today over 7 years later.
St. Pancras has become known for regular performances from stars, talented members of the local area, and even visitors from afar. The station’s main Arcade, which is host to the pianos, has become a hub of cultural activity over the years, creating a strong sense of community and lively destination for exciting arts activations – including the novel literary experience of this year’s book-themed St. Pancras Christmas Tree, which stands at 12 metres tall, and features an impressive array of more than 3,800 books.
Wendy Spinks, Commercial Director at St. Pancras and HS1 Ltd, said: “St. Pancras proudly leads the way with regular surprise public performances in both music and culture. We were honoured today that Alicia Keys chose to make St. Pancras part of her musical history. The opportunity for shoppers and those travelling through to witness one of the greatest voices of the modern era ring through the station’s Arcade was truly magical.”
