| | | A deep dive into London’s music scene Did you know that British rock 'n' roll was born in a Soho coffee shop? Heard about the Mayfair street where — had they lived in the same century — Handel and Hendrix would’ve been neighbours? Ever struck a cheeky pose on that zebra crossing? London's musical legacy is as rich as it gets, and we’re here to help you lap it up.
Revisit the heydays of punk and dubstep through stunning archival images. Learn how early West End jazz clubs helped blaze a trail for multicultural Britain. You’ll even see us dredge up a music-themed urban myth or two, like the one about Bob Dylan’s unlikely encounter with a Croydon plumber. Plus, if you’d like to discover London's music history on your own two feet, we’ve got a run down of the capital's rock 'n' roll plaques, a guide to the city's lost music venues, and walking tours for fans of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Brit pop.
But don't get too hung up on the past — London’s music scene is very much alive and kicking! Find out where to listen to everything from classic music to low-cost jazz, to traditional Irish tunes. We’ve even got maps like this one of London’s best record shops, so you can discover great new music on your doorstep.
Image: © Sheila Rock. |
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| | | Star-Studded Dickens Parody
Up for a rib-tickling night out? Get yourself tickets to Bleak Expectations! The West End adaptation of the hit BBC Radio 4 comedy opens in May to regale you with a story Charles Dickens might've written after too much gin. Each week, a guest star joins the cast, from Sue Perkins to Sally Phillips. |
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| | A Story Of Star-Crossed Aliens
Got little ones? Take them to see The Smeds and The Smoos this summer! This interplanetary adventure is adapted from the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (The Gruffalo, Room On The Broom). Suitable from any aged 3 and up, it's at Lyric Theatre from 20 July. |
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| | An Opera About Police Brutality
Jeanine Tesori's powerful contemporary opera Blue receives its UK premiere next week. This intimate yet devastating family drama asks questions about race, duty, and the limits of loyalty, as a father's job in law enforcement clashes with his son's ideas of equality and justice. From 20 April. |
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| | A Taste Of Neo-African Cuisine
Buzzy Shoreditch wine bar Oranj launches its latest chef residency tomorrow: From then till 30 April, AYO Collective will serve up innovative, Nigerian-inspired dishes like smoked goat belly, beef tartare with suya bone marrow, and rum-soaked fig cake with fig leaf blackberry ice cream. |
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| | From Dowager To Duke
The brilliant Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury in Bridgerton) follows up her critically acclaimed production of Richard II with another history play by the Bard. This time, she directs and stars in Richard III. See her fresh, thought-provoking take on the Duke of Gloucester from 26 April at Rose Theatre. |
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| | Women At War Screening
Join esteemed front-line reporter Alex Crawford for a special screening and panel discussion in Borough. You'll watch Sky News' Women At War: Afghanistan, in which Alex makes contact with women's resistance groups struggling to maintain their human rights under Taliban rule. |
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