International Concert Series 2026-27

For over two decades, vocalist and songwriter Irene Serra (ITA/UK) has been quietly carving out a singular space within the UK’s contemporary music landscape. Often spoken about with insider reverence, ISQ is her original compositional project - a moniker under which she writes and shapes music that remains something of a word-of-mouth discovery. It is a body of work whose full depth is only truly experienced in intimate music clubs, jazz venues and concert halls, where the emotional intensity, collective virtuosity and Serra’s deeply felt stage presence reveals its true power.

Following critical acclaim for her second release Too (Time Out London Critics’ Choice) and a 22-date UK tour for the third album Requiem For The Faithful, praised by Clash Magazine for honing “the soulful possibilities of improvisatory music”, ISQ returns in October 2026 with her fifth studio album, The Silence is Deafening. This release unveils a darker, guitar-driven sound described as “noir jazz meets Massive Attack,” placing ISQ at the crossroads of progressive vocal jazz and alternative art-pop.

This event is presented as part of the International Concert Series 2026-27 - The Sounding World - at Royal Holloway.

Track list

On Shoulders of Giants (Irene Maria Piga Serra)
Faded (Irene Maria Piga Serra/Richard Sadler)
No Time At All (Irene Maria Piga Serra/Richard Sadler)
Kindred Spirit (Irene Maria Piga Serra)
Animal (Irene Maria Piga Serra)
Lady Death (Irene Maria Piga Serra)
Angela (Irene Maria Piga Serra)
This Bird Has Flown (Irene Maria Piga Serra)
Stone (Irene Maria Piga Serra/Richard Sadler)

About the performers

ISQ blends sophisticated jazz musicianship with alternative pop sensibility and atmospheric textures. The current line-up - Richard Sadler (bass), Chris Nickolls (drums/electronics) and Luca Boscagin (guitar) - brings together players whose credits span Neil Cowley Trio, Andy Sheppard, Cinematic Orchestra and beyond, grounding ISQ’s sound in both improvisational depth and contemporary edge.