There’s plenty of new things to do, watch and listen to over the next seven days, all to help beat those January blues into submission. Here’s The Weekly EDIT. Let’s begin with some travel adventure inspiration.
The Adventure Travel Show(19th – 20th)
The Adventure Travel Show returns to Olympia London this month where visitors can discover a wealth of once in a lifetime travel experiences.
Watch inspirational talks from some of the world’s greatest adventurers like headliner Levison Wood and get involved with workshops designed to engage experienced and first-time travellers.
The perfect destination to start planning a life-affirming expedition of your own this New Year.
Winter Happiness Festival (19th – 21st)
With January being pegged as the most depressing month, and with the most depressing day in Blue Monday, what better way than to turn those frowns upside down with a bit of joy.
You can get your fill at the Winter Happiness Festival taking place at The Re: Centre in Hammersmith. There’s a whole host of fun packed and meaningful workshops to get involved with and most excitingly lots of balloons to immerse yourself in.
Sounds like fun to us.
The London Art Fair (16th – 20th)
This 31st edition of the fair as ever will offer art collectors the chance to sift through masses of work from artists of all kinds from the emerging to the established.
There’ll be plenty of examples of the very best modern and contemporary art around right now, all on offer from hundreds of pounds right up to prices that may make you wince a little.
Push Festival 2019 (Till the 26th)
This annual celebration of the North West’s creative talents at HOME in Manchester returns for two packed weeks of fantastic works from around the region.
Film, theatre, art and performance from emerging artists will give audiences plenty to think about, and there will also be opportunities for creatives to meet industry professionals, share ideas and inspiration all to help level up those skills.
Sounds Familiar Music Quiz (18th)
Never has a quiz been quite so much fun. For those who love a good music ’round’, think of that turned up to 11 and you’ll be nearer the vibe of the Sounds Familiar Music Quiz.
There’s something for everyone with over 100 tracks across 8 rounds from all kinds of artists, guaranteeing at least some dancing on tables from the rowdier of revellers.
The particular edition is being held at Mama Roux’s in Birmingham, but keep a close eye out for dates across the UK in following weeks.
ARTIST ROOMS: Robert Mapplethorpe (Till 23rd March)
Widely regarded as one of the world’s most important artists of the late twentieth century, Robert Mapplethorpe made his name by taking portraits of the most influential artists and celebrities of the New York cultural scene in the 1980s.
These include the artist’s close friend and muse Patti Smith and fellow artists, Andy Warhol and David Hockney.
This exhibition in the sunny North West seaside town of Southport also includes work from the late 1970s and early ’80s when Mapplethorpe was documenting the New York S&M scene.
Not one to head to if you’re shocked easily.
Gigs
Five Day Forecast (14th – 18th)
Curated by the biggest independent music website in the UK, The Five Day Forecast, now in its fifth year, pitches up at The Lexington in North London for five nights of new music.
There are sets from electropop up and comer Emily Burns, Gently Tender – the exciting new project from Palma Violets and the Big Moon, Chicago electro-folker Gia Margaret and many more talents that you’ll likely have to pay a whole lot more dough to see next year.
Ben Howard (Brixton – various)
He’s only 31, but it feels like Ben Howard has been around forever. The shy surfer boy from Devon stormed onto the scene in 2011, going on to sell out stadiums and win BRIT awards.
He’s currently touring around the UK after the release of his third album last year, Noonday Dream. Catch him at one of his four Brixton dates this week.
Eats & Drinks
World’s Best Martini Challenge 2019 (15th)
Whether you’re a shaken or stirred kind of guy they’ll be plenty of options on hand at 100 Wardour Street on the 15th of the month.
There’ll be a whole host of different takes on Bond’s favourite cocktail for you to sample prepared by some of London’s finest bartenders. But who will be crowned the Martini King?
Secret Urban Suppers: Brooklyn, New York (20th)
This January the people at Salty Studio are offering a series of supper clubs that let diners explore the creative past and present of some of the world’s most artistic districts.
This Sunday the spotlight is on Brooklyn, New York. The secret menu revealed on the night promises local street food, an edible artscape and a delicious cocktail. And its bring your own booze, we’re thinking a 40 ounce of Brooklyn Lager would work well.
App of the Week
Money Dashboard (ios, Android)
After the usual Christmas splurge, we all look to keep a tighter rein on our finances in January. This clever little app lets you view all of your accounts to keep check of your cash in one place.
So savings, credit cards and current accounts all under one roof. It also helps you plan your budgets and set limits for your spending. The app is free to use and includes 60 of the major financial providers in the UK.
New Music
Deerhunter – Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?
Having already released one of our favourite singles of last year off of their forthcoming album in the shape of the brilliant ‘Death of Midsummer’, indie icons Deerhunter make a welcome return after dropping their last LP in 2015.
With contributions from singer/songwriter Cate Le Bon and Tim Presley of White Fence, there’s plenty to like about this new material from the ever-fascinating Bradford Cox and co.
James Blake – Assume Form
James Blake is back with a fourth album and a distinct change into the realms of upbeat. Andre 3000, Travis Scott, Moses Sumney, Metro Boomin and Rosalia all guest, bringing some serious drive to tracks, not least ‘Power On’.
Could this new sensibility be due to the fact James is currently loved up with T4 presenter turned activist Jameela Jamil? Well yes of course it is.
Super producer Chaz Bundick used to be accustomed to sitting behind his laptop churning out hits for the short-lived genre chillwave.
Currently performing under the name Toro y Moi, he’s now giving birth to very listenable tunes for album Outer Peace. The record’s officially out on the 18th, but Bundick has made the full album available to stream for free on NPR.
Check out the brilliantly wonky single Freelance below.
New TV
Titans Season 1 (NETFLIX)
This new NETFLIX series sees a group of teen heroes led by Batman’s former protégé Robin, form to fight crime while wrestling with their inner demons in DC’s darker, grittier take on the popular Teen Titans franchise.
Don’t expect lightheartedness of the likes of The Flash here, but if you’re a fan of more a horror flavoured take on the superhero genre, you’ll be all over this. Out now.
True Detective: Series Three (Sky Atlantic)
After a disappointing Season 2, producers will be looking to make amends this time around. Here the cast will promisingly include Oscar winner Mashershala Ali (Moonlight) and Steven Dorff.
With the plot following the detectives as they explore the murder of a child that unearths painful memories for one of them. Out now.
Competition Time
We’ve got a great competition running till Wednesday to win 2 x VIP tickets for Jeff Wayne’s ‘The War of the Worlds’: The Immersive Experience worth £388!
Launching in May, Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience, is a layered reality multi-sensory immersive experience set across a vast 22,000sqft setting that combines Jeff Wayne’s iconic music, immersive theatre, virtual reality, augmented reality, holograms and other cutting-edge technology.
Each visitor will step inside and participate in the alien invasion story of The War of The Worlds which has inspired and terrified generations.
Check out our Facebook page TheMalestrom HQ to enter. Full Ts & Cs HERE.
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