Summer Lates
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The Roman Baths come alive at night with inaugural Summer Lates series
Thursday, 21 August, 2025The historic Roman Baths have been transformed into a twilight music venue for the summer after North East Somerset Council unveiled a new cultural initiative: Summer Lates at The Roman Baths, a magical music series running from 21 July to 31 August.
For the first time ever, the iconic heritage site will remain open into the evening, combining torchlit tours with an eclectic lineup of live acoustic music and vinyl DJ sets. Hosting musical performances beside the steaming waters of the Roman Baths, this event offers an utterly unique, atmospheric experience that blends deep history with ultra-modern soundscapes.
The music programme has been curated in partnership with Bath Arts Collective, Bath Carnival, Polymathic and 7 Hills Festival and showcases everything from Brazilian disco to soulful funk. Highlights include acclaimed artists such as Hayden Thorpe, Our Man in the Field, and John Smith.
BSU graduate, Nigel Fryatt, is the founder of Polymathic, the creative tech studio behind the immersive sound setup featuring on the Friday and Saturday events at Summer Lates.
Partnering with Bath Carnival, who have programmed some of the most renowned vinyl selectors from across the South West, Nigel and his team helped design the experience, bringing in BSU Senior Lecturer in Creative Computing, Sam Sturtevant. The result is an audio experience that respects the history of the site while introducing something never seen before.
The immersive rig comprises 15 Genelec speakers, part of the Immersive Audio Network’s mobile system. Nigel was able to access the equipment through his residency at The Studio in Bath, making this ambitious setup possible.
Before launching Polymathic, Nigel worked as a Bath Spa University lecturer, and his connection to the University doesn’t end there. Discussing his long-standing relationship with BSU, Nigel said:
“My connection to BSU is deep-rooted. I studied there ten years ago before moving into lecturing positions, and now I find myself as a resident of the Studio and a mentor at the University’s graduate incubator, Emerge!”
When asked about his experience as a student at BSU, Nigel shared advice for current students, saying:
“When I was a student, there was a sense that you should come here to study and then leave, and actually, that's completely wrong. I’ve been through a ten-year journey of growth, coming here from rural Bedfordshire, really immersing myself in the culture, the people, and the opportunities available in the city – all supported by BSU.
He continued:
“I encourage students to come here, engage, and enjoy the opportunities on offer, because my journey over the last ten years has been nothing short of amazing.”
The Roman Baths also have a long-standing relationship with the University, offering its students free entry with a student card and encouraging them to experience the depth of Bath’s cultural history.
Now, taking their connection with the local community one step further, Summer Lates aims to make Bath’s heritage even more vibrant and accessible. With extended Park and Ride hours until 11:30 pm, the event promises a sensational, late-night cultural experience in the heart of the city.
Summer Lates run will run until Sunday 31 August. From Monday to Thursday, the Roman Baths will remain open until 8 pm. On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and the August Bank Holiday Monday, the site will stay open until 10 pm.