Rock bands Suede and Keane will headline this year’s Kenwood Picnic Concerts alongside some of the country’s finest concert orchestras, in a programme that blends the best of classical and pop music.

And to celebrate the return of the concerts after a year’s break, organisers have announced they are dedicating a number of tickets for each night to local residents at a special discounted price.

The popular open air concerts return this summer for a season called Live by the Lake uniting the best of classical and pop music in a breath-taking setting on Hampstead Heath.

Indie legends Suede, who released their latest album Bloodsports in March, will headline the opening concert on Friday, August 23.

The Royal Choral Society and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will lead a programme of Choral Greats, accompanied by a spectacular firework display on Saturday, August 24.

Rock giants Keane will close the opening weekend headlining the open air stage on Sunday, August 25.

The following weekend’s line-up is kicked off with a stunning outdoor live screening of Singin’ in the Rain, featuring a live musical score played by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra on Friday, August 30.

The English National Opera Orchestra will perform a night of Opera Alfresco on Saturday, August 31 followed by an Evening of Gershwin to bring to the concert season to a close on Sunday, September 1.

Nathan Homan, director of Rouge Events, organisers of the Kenwood Concerts, said “We are absolutely delighted to launch our inaugural Live by the Lake event with such a strong and diverse line-up.

“Our mission, as ever, has been to programme innovative exciting performances for both classical and popular music and we couldn’t be more pleased with this stunning programme.”

Alex Sydney, head of historic properties in London for English Heritage, which owns Kenwood House, said: “We are delighted to be bringing the picnic concerts back to Kenwood this summer.

“This year will be an exciting one for Kenwood. The concerts are returning and then later in the year, the house will reopen – repaired, restored and refreshed.”

Anyone living in the following postcode areas - NW3, N6, NW5, NW6, NW1, NW11, NW2 and NW8 - will be able to take advantage of a limited offer to buy special discounted tickets for the concerts.

For more information and to book tickets go to www.livebythelake.co.uk

The line-up so far:

Friday, August 23

Suede plus special guests

Saturday, August 24

Choral Greats: The Royal Choral Society & The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra plus fireworks spectacular

Sunday 25 August

Keane plus special guests

Friday 30 August

Singin’ in the Rain live musical score and film screening, featuring The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra

Saturday 31 August

Opera Alfresco: featuring English National Opera Orchestra plus special guests

Sunday 01 September

Summertime - An Evening of Gershwin plus special guests