Rhapsody 2025: Insights with UCL Live Music Society

Image Credits: Jonathan Clive

If you are a Bloomsbury theatre virgin — don’t worry, I was in the same boat last year — then UCL’s Rhapsody 2025 is the perfect way to change that. 

Never heard of Rhapsody? You’re in for a treat.

Rhapsody is UCL’s annual music spectacle; an electrifying two-hour showcase that brings together some of London’s finest live musicians for a night of show-stopping performances.

Each year, the show delivers a dynamic mix of genres, and 2025 is set to be no exception. Expect a setlist packed with hits from Beyoncé, Dire Straits, Laufey, Bon Jovi, and more. With multiple Best Bloomsbury Production awards to its name, Rhapsody is guaranteed to leave you awestruck — and maybe a little bit in love with everyone on stage.

With prices starting at just £9 for UCL students, this is a bargain you don’t want to pass up.

Directed and produced by Ben Vengerik and Celine Effendi respectively, UCL’s Live Music Society is set to put out quite the spectacle. I had the opportunity to speak to this duo just before the long awaited opening night - here’s what they had to say:

What is Rhapsody in your own words?

Ben: Rhapsody is a unique show within Bloomsbury theatre. Most shows have some sort of story that ties them along, and what that is in Rhapsody is showmanship, and music. We are a live music society after all. But, it's more than just hearing your favourite artists, it's what makes a live show so great. A celebration of what makes a stage such a fun place. Which makes it quite hard to explain to people what Rhapsody is, because otherwise it’s just eighteen bands going on in sequence playing a cover of your favourite songs. 

So, you’ve said Rhapsody has been in the works for over a year now?

Celine: We’ve been thinking of doing Rhapsody for over a year, I think the first time that we discussed it was a year and a half ago?

Ben: It was October, yeah. Jesus Christ!

Celine: It was October of 2023, it’s kinda wild, it's been living in our head for over a year now, and it all comes down to this week.

What can you tell us about the setlist this year?

Ben: Despite not having a theme, it has a very clear narrative. There might not be specific beats, but there’s definitely a climax, a downfall, there’s definitely a third act. There’s a whole story told through the music itself via just being music, and not having to have an overt narrative. 

Celine: It was really exciting to realise that people actually liked the songs that we chose, it's so cool to see our personalities in the show. Every single song is one we are personally invested in, because ultimately the passion, the love we pour into the show will shine through.

Favourite track in the show?

Celine: Cellophane, by FKA Twigs. I musically directed it, even though it was Ben’s pick. I feel that I really embraced it and made it my own, as well as the band. It’s one of the few Rhapsody songs that doesn’t involve drums, and is a band of only 4, plus a vocalist. 

Ben: It's definitely a risk, a massive gamble, but true to what our Rhapsody actually is.

Celine: When we saw Cellophane perform in the dress run last weekend, we realised it’s a gamble worth taking. I cried after I heard it performed. 

Ben: It’s a testament to how hard our crew works to bring this number together, and they’re doing an amazing job with it.

Ben: I genuinely like all the songs on the setlist, however I am playing in two numbers, including Oscar Winning Tears by Raye, and it is quite possibly the best Rhapsody number I’ve ever seen.

Celine: I got chills when I first saw it.

How can people get involved with UCL’s live music scene in the future?

Celine: There’s lots of performance opportunities, there’s always going to be small shows. The beauty of small shows is that they’re going to be really focused - if you like a certain genre or have a certain strength, there’s going to be something that plays to that.

Ben: RnB Blues, that’s a small show that’s coming up, by live music.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Celine: We’re almost sold out, so buy your tickets asap!

Rhapsody 2025 is showing from 6th-8th Feburary in UCL’s Bloomsbury Theatre. Tickets can be purchased on the Live Music Society’s page on Student Union UCL’s website.