David Arnold gave a speech at the Barbican last night as part of the Homegrown Heroes Concert. You can see the speech in it’s entirety in the clip on Twitter at the bottom. The Barbican itself was featured in Quantum of Solace, doubling for the MI6 headquarters. Tanner is briefing M on Bond’s progress in Haiti. You can buy the physical map guiding you through London Bond locations here.
The Gunning Inspiration Award
David Arnold was presented with the ‘Gunning Inspiration Award’ this evening. (9th April 2026). Named for the late composer Christopher Gunning (1944-2023), whose legacy inspired the festival, it recognises industry figures who have made a lasting impact on music with distinction and craft. The award features a distinctive red flourish, recalling the red scarf that Chris was rarely seen without.
DAVID ARNOLD: “I still think I’ve got a few years left in me to prove myself. What is music? If it’s sheet music it is a set of instructions, and without it being performed it really hasn’t got any life at all.
In the 30 years I’ve been doing this I’ve been able to put music in front of some of the finest musicians in the world – it’s always an honour to call on these people.
They have to be match fit for every minute. The language of film music doesn’t sound like broadway, classical music, west end, it sounds like film music.”
About David Arnold
David Arnold was born in Luton, England and developed a passion for music early in his life. Arnold first rose to prominence
with his film scores in the 1990s, quickly establishing a reputation for bold, cinematic music.
His film work includes Stargate, Independence Day, Shaft, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Godzilla, Hot Fuzz, Zoolander and The Chronicles of Narnia. He is perhaps best known for his contributions to the James Bond series, where he successfully modernised the classic Bond sound while maintaining its iconic style.
Beyond film, Arnold has made a significant impact in television. Multiple Emmy-nominated scores for Good Omens, Emmy winning scores for the hit series Sherlock (written with Michael Price) and most recently the series of animated films of the beloved Judith Kerr’s children’s books The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog’s Christmas. Arnold’s work extends into live events and theatre.
He served as the Musical Director for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, overseeing music for the globally celebrated closing ceremonies.
In theatre, he composed the musical score for the West End musical Made in Dagenham as well as other theatre work for The Old Vic (Mood Music) and the Donmar Warehouse (Pinter’s Old Times and David Greig’s The Cosmonaut’s Last Message to the Woman He Once Loved in the Former Soviet Union).
Throughout his career, Arnold has collaborated with major artists as co-writer/producer/arranger such as Queen, Shirley Bassey, George Michael, Iggy Pop and Paul McCartney, both live in concert and recording projects. Known for his strong melodies and dramatic flair, David Arnold continues to be an important figure in modern composition, contributing to some of the most recognisable music in contemporary entertainment.
David Arnold last night at the Barbican accepting the Gunning Inspiration Award. pic.twitter.com/mLjleijybp
— There Will Be Bond (@therewillbebond) April 10, 2026
Credits:
Thank you to Charlotte Connell of Premier Comms for the invitation. All photos by Julie Edwards.
