Ed O'Brien at Barbican Hall London: Stage Times, Tickets, Support Acts & Essential Gig Guide

Ed O'Brien brings An Evening With… Blue Morpho to Barbican Hall, London, on Friday 16 October 2026. The Radiohead guitarist's tour puts his new record centre stage, with musicians from its recording sessions joining him for a performance designed to develop beyond the studio arrangements.

This guide covers the advertised start time, ticket listings, support information and practical entry advice, based on information available on 4 October. For some pre-show reading, revisit why Radiohead changed their band name.

Key Show Info & Timings

The Barbican advertises a 7:30pm performance start, also listed by Ticketmaster. A separate headliner stage time has not been published. Gigs & Tours displays 7pm, but does not identify that as doors opening: do not treat it as a doors time. Follow the official Barbican event page and your pre-show email for final arrival instructions.

Tickets

In the listings available on 4 October, Ticketmaster shows limited availability, the Barbican offers a booking link, and Gigs & Tours has no seats available in its displayed price bands. Availability can change at checkout.

• Barbican box office: standard tickets advertised from £29, comprising £25 plus a £4 transaction fee. Check the seating plan for remaining seats and prices.
• Ticketmaster: limited availability shown in the supplied listing.
• Gigs & Tours: displayed seats unavailable; a waiting list is offered.

The Barbican also advertises £18 Young Barbican tickets for eligible members aged 16–25, subject to availability. For resale, Gigs & Tours explicitly permits its customers to resell unwanted tickets through Twickets. Stick to face-value listings and check fees and transfer conditions before paying.

Support Acts

No separate support act is named in the official event information available for this guide; support remains unconfirmed. David Okumu is named as musical director and part of O'Brien's performing collective, not as an opening act. The band includes musicians who contributed to Blue Morpho.

Bess Atwell appears in the same Barbican press announcement, but hers is a separate headline performance—not a support slot for O'Brien.

Pre-Show Pubs & Food

The most straightforward researched option is to eat within the Barbican Centre. Its visitor information points to coffee and cake, wood-fired pizzas and pre-theatre menus: check the official food and drink listings for outlets and opening hours before choosing.

Nearby pub opening hours and kitchens have not been verified for this date. If meeting elsewhere first, check directly and leave time to find the Hall inside the main Barbican building.

Getting There

The venue is Barbican Hall, within the main Barbican Centre, London EC2Y 8DS. The venue says it is accessible by bus, Tube, train, walking and bicycle.

Nearest-station guidance, walking routes, step-free approaches and parking arrangements: check the venue website. Use TfL to plan your actual journey and check service changes before travelling. No date-specific transport or parking information was available in the supplied research.

Entry, Bag Policy & Security

The Barbican's cloakroom guidance permits only one reasonably sized handbag per person inside its auditoria. Its security policy states that all bags are subject to search and asks visitors not to bring large bags, luggage or long umbrellas.

A free cloakroom is available on the Stalls floor, Level -1, with a voluntary £2 donation requested. Its published hours run from 90 minutes before an event until 30 minutes afterwards. Space is limited, so do not rely on it for luggage storage. Allow extra time for checks if carrying a bag.

Age Restrictions

The official Gigs & Tours event listing states that under-14s must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over. Check your booking terms and contact the Barbican before purchasing if you need clarification about admission for younger children.

Venue Information

• Accessibility: the Barbican offers access tickets and a free essential companion ticket if needed. Register with its free Access Scheme to book access tickets online, including wheelchair spaces and companion seats.
• Food and drink: on-site options are available; check outlet hours. Rules for taking drinks into this particular performance are TBC.
• Payment and water: outlet payment methods, drinking-water locations and bottle rules are TBC. Check the venue website; cloakroom donations can be made by cash or contactless.
• Production effects: the event page warns that the performance may contain haze and strobe.
• Smoking and re-entry: check the venue website or ask staff before leaving; event-specific arrangements are TBC.

Getting Home

The finish time and curfew are TBC, so avoid booking a tight connection based on an assumed running time. Check TfL and your rail operator for your final services, allowing time to leave the auditorium and collect anything from the cloakroom.

Planning another night out in the capital? See our London gigs guide for October.

Final Checklist

• Tickets: open your ticket before leaving and check your seat details.
• Venue app: no venue-app requirement is specified in the supplied information; follow your ticket provider's delivery instructions.
• Ticket transfer: check the original seller's rules and complete any permitted transfer before arrival.
• Entry gate: check your ticket for the correct Hall level and door, or ask venue staff.
• Age restrictions: under-14s need someone aged 16 or over accompanying them.
• Bag restrictions: bring minimal belongings; only one reasonably sized handbag per person is permitted in the auditorium.
• Transport home: check last services and leave a buffer while the finish time remains TBC.