Artist FEMME will join Goldsmiths’ top musical talent at the iconic Southbank Centre for the launch of the New Cross university’s annual festival PureGold.

The Fever Boy singer, who studied at Goldsmiths, will perform with current pupils at the university, in Lewisham Way, for a celebration of eclectic and innovative music which kicks off on May 5.

Goldsmiths’ Department of Music has nurtured stars including 2013 Mercury Prize winner James Blake, album chart topper Katy B, and War Horse composer Adrian Sutton.

FEMME, whose debut US single has achieved more than 80,000 downloads, said: "PureGold was the first milestone in my artistic career.

“Three years of hard work on the undergraduate degree culminating in a 30 minute set at The Albany, with every minute detail, from the set to the styling slaved and sweated over until I felt invincible when I stepped out on to that stage.”

PureGold launches at the Southbank Centre from 3pm to 9pm and will run until July with events held at venues including Deptford’s The Albany Theatre and Goldsmiths.

Southbank Centre’s music and participation programmer Neill Quinton said: "Year on year, I am hugely impressed with the musical talent that students from Goldsmiths exhibit at the PureGold launch at Southbank Centre.

"We are constantly seeking out platforms for emerging artists here at Southbank, so are delighted to once again be hosting this important showcase.

"Goldsmiths has built a real reputation for nurturing the biggest musical talents out there, and I look forward to seeing what this year’s PureGold has to offer."

Director of popular music at Goldsmiths, Simon Deacon, added: "PureGold isn't just a music festival celebrating the breadth of work created in the Department of Music, it is also a platform for some emerging artists that we have helped develop to launch their careers."

To find out more visit gold.ac.uk/puregold/