6th February 2012

gigs clubbing art comedy theatre blog competitions

Illustration by Julie Khan

London is Dead: Long Live London

As London Fashion Week moves on, Keith Floyd kicks the bucket and both Chas N Dave and Lily Allen call time on their magnificent careers, you might expect to find us a little melancholy here at Spoonfed Towers... and the Sugababes are in turmoil again, it's almost too much to take.

But banish those thoughts! Death is nothing but a big party anyhow. Let's find an Irish bar, line up the shots and get wasted. Besides, there's plenty to celebrate this week. For one thing, the sun is beating down. The brilliant London Design Festival is on, there's all kinds of cool shows to check out and scores of cracking bands are forced by download-related penury to parade themselves each night for our pleasure.

What's more, next weekend Spoonfed is taking part for the first time in an amazing charity event called London for London. You are taking part too. It's not optional! This is a chance to give money to charity just by having fun. Now what kind of a Scrooge would say no to that? We'll see you at the bar!

Friday 25th

David Thomas and his avant-garage gang Pere Ubu bring the magic to the ICA's little theatre.

For more than 32 years Cleveland underground heroes Pere Ubu have defined the art of cult, refined the voice of the outsider and influenced the likes of Joy Division, Pixies, Hüsker Dü, Henry Rollins, REM, The Sisters of Mercy, Thomas Dolby, Bauhaus, Julian Cope and countless others.

To say we're excited is a bit of an understatement...£20 advance

Comedy, live music and a wide arrange of weird and wonderful variety can be seen at this East German-inspired evening hosted by Pierette Scoobaz and DJ Ratsmilk.

Tonight they have a great line-up of comedy greats with Simon Munnery and Kevin Eldon (Brass Eye, Jam, Fist Of Fun).

We are very excited about Ekstravaganza, a new bi-monthly event at Corsica Studios, which welcomes Norwegian cosmic disco mastermind Prins Thomas as its resident. Joining him tonight will be the Warm residents from Plastic People.

Expect all things cosmic, Italo, old, new and plain funky.

Saturday 26th

Anish Kapoor is one of Britain's greatest contemporary artists, whose work manages a kind of original organic power whatever the scale: from wall-mounted sculpture to colossal architectural pieces.

This autumn, the Royal Academy presents a major solo exhibition that features both a survey of his career and a selection of new works, which suggest Kapoor is still developing as an artist.

Kapoor's works are often draw-droppingly beautiful, their very simplicity evoking awe and surprising complexities of thought. This could be one of the highlights of the year.

A clash of Japanese noise rock and London indie-pop, Screaming Tea Party have been bubbling away in the London underground for a long while now, and always seem poised to emerge like some alt. rock butterfly and become the UK's answer to Sonic Youth.

Until that happens, we'll just have to content ourselves with watching them rip up amazing little shows in Dalston. Oh, like this one.

Kaleidoscope is delighted to welcome 80s legend John Morales to the decks, along with Neon Indian Alexander Robotnick and scores more.

Expect disco, electronica, dubstep and leftfield.

It's an honesty box pay scheme, so dig deep.

Sunday 27th

Blogger's Delight is a wicked Sunday session pulling together all the best obscure samplists, MP3 DJs and bedroom producers with an urge to play out, and giving them all a chance to perform to a worn out but well happy crowd at The Lock Tavern.

What could be better than winding down from the weekend with some truly ground-breaking beeps, bleeps and live music, all thrown together with no regard for style, promotion, presentation, only music?

Anyway, tonight is Blogger's Delight last show for summer '09, and they're going out with a suitably pixelated bang with DJ Solo, Wild Geese and Skull Juice all doing the business behind the decks. Should be super.

Legendary comedy songsmith Boothby Graffoe is hosting a series of shows every Sunday at the Hob in September, alongside The Following People band.

Highly regarded on the comedy circuit for his surreal and absurd songs, Graffoe will be accompanied by his band, made up of multi-talented musicians Nick Pynn and Theseus Gerrard who between them can play guitar, violin, mandolin, bass pedals and percussion.

Following the success of the trio's latest album and live DVD, the show will be a mixture of fun, silly music and stand-up. Having retired from stand up comedy in 2007 to concentrate on writing both for himself and for the likes of Omid Djalili, this is a rare chance to see Boothby Graffoe live.

Monday 28th

Photography and painting are exhibited alongside each other at Gallery 27 on Cork Street this September and October.

Chris Holman paints a fictional rural idyll whilst Sarah Crew presents surreal photographs involving foxes.

With two very different approaches to a shared theme this is an interesting pairing and certainly an exhibition worth checking out.

Boy Icarus comes to the Slaughtered Lamb with his genre-defying acoustic work. More songwriter than singer, his intricate work cries out with feeling.

Which isn't to say the lad can't sing: he's got a powerful voice. His repertoire is hard to classify, brushing the borders of pop, folk and rock, with a strain of soul.

Expect insight, and emotion from this young balladeer.

Tuesday 29th

Some alt pop from Neon Indian tonight as they headline the Barfly with their electronic beats and faraway vocals.

With music as quirky as their haircuts, you're sure to find your head infected with the melodies they pump out for days to come.

Catchy pop, crammed with bouncy synths, melodic harmonies and heavy bass; expect a full dancefloor!

Funny ladies Miriam Elia and Jessica Stevenson are putting on a huge comedy bash at the Bloomsbury tonight in honour of Hengameh Shahidi, an Iranian journalist and human rights activist, currently imprisoned in Iran.

The support of the comedy circuit has been massive and the girls have recruited some top brass talent to perform. TV stars Julia Davis (Nighty Night, Human Remains) and Stewart Lee (Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle) join a long list of stand-ups including Fringe favorite Arthur Smith, Iranian comedienne Shappi Khorsandi, recent winner of the Dave 'Best Joke' Award Dan Antopolski and Edinburgh Award nominees Pippa Evans and Sarah Kendall.

The gig aims to highlight Hengameh's plight for simply participating in the recent peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations as well as support Amnesty International's Campaign for Womens Equality.

All proceeds will go to Amnesty International

Wednesday 30th

Gustav Metzger is one of the great figures in the history of contemporary art. Together with John Sharkey, he developed the concept of Auto-Destructive Art (which was given popular attention though The Who's Pete Townshend smashing his guitar on stage). He was also a key figure in the Fluxus movement and the Art Strike of the late 1970s (later re-launched in the early '90s by Stewart Home).

This Autumn the Seprentine presents an exhibition of works by Metzger that establishes him as one of the pioneers of art as activism (and vice-versa). Politics, ecology and (post)industrialised society all interact in the output of this brilliant artist and thinker.

Until 08.11.09.

This exhibition is one of the highlights of the year for London-based artist and curator Katie Guggenheim. Click to see her predictions for Art 2009.

Known for his impressionist work, or rather his work as an impressionist, Alistair McGowan turns his comic talent in a different direction with this first play, entitled Timing at the King's Head Theatre.

Meet Julian Mann, an ordinary downtrodden worker who goes into work one morning to find his ex-girlfriend sitting there. The ex-girlfriend of 5 years that he adored, was ditched by unexpectedly and who has not spoken to him since.

Thursday 1st

From Danny Kelly, the writer of After The End and Osama The Hero, comes Orphans, a contemporary thriller about a young brother and sister named Danny and Helen.

The perpetually unlucky pair suffer an even worse turn of fate when Danny returns home to his sister covered in blood...

A savagely witty take on broken family life.

As per, Rough Trade are giving you some freebies tonight in the form of Mumford and Sons. This band is on the tip of everybodies' tongue at the moment, including us folks down here at Spoonfed!

They did alright in our singles chart, but pop down and see them to make your own mind up. Their melancholy acoustic indie will get you swaying, if nothing else.

Stephen Carlin is one of the best new comedians working on the circuit today. His obsession with the little details in life, amusing observations and skill with language make him one of the most engaging performers on the circuit.

He now hosts a monthly night with up-and-coming and established acts trying out new material at the Camden Head (formerly Liberties) on Camden High Street. Tonight, hilarious 'lanky goggle-eyed freak' Stephen Merchant headlines the gig, with support from Care Bear-loving punk Wil Hodgson, Edinburgh 'Best Newcomer' nominee 2008 Mike Wozniak and the dark and delicious George Ryegold.

Friday 2nd

Au Revoir Simone play their unique brand of warm, organic electronic music tonight at the intimate Union Chapel.

Their faraway vocals and reverberating guitar work will course through the rafters of one of London's best small venues.

These girls are heading up the musical ladder fast, and it's easy to see why, as their considered and polished songs are rivaled by no other folk-pop artist at the moment.

Rave specialists Them return to the Rhythm Factory with a specially priced bumper pack of beats designed to push the new soundsystem to its very limits.

Earth shattering dubstep from 16bit, snarling futurebass from Akira Kiteshi and woozy French electronica from Debriut.

Fresher than a brand new fridge.

To read our review of last month's Them click here.

This night is going to be huge! 2562 celebrates the launch of new album 'Unbalance', released on the Tectonic label. Ikonika, Kode 9 and Pinch (among others) provide support.

If you're into futuristic dubstep, hyperdub and experimental techno, don't miss this,

Saturday 3rd

London For London is a campaign that invites Londoners to contribute to a better and happier London. The event aims to engage the whole of London for just one night and get Londoners out of their homes, enjoying the fantastic things to do around them and thinking about some of the city’s more serious issues. On Saturday 3rd October 2009 London For London is asking London’s bars, clubs and pubs to invite every person who walks through their door that night to donate just £1 towards London For London. The money will go towards three fantastic local charities, Kids Company, Volunteer Police Cadets and 95.8 Capital FM’s Help a Child in London.

One of the world's greatest living producers and the world's greatest turntablist go head to head in one of the most intriguing and anticipated showdowns on the planet! The 2 icons from Tokyo at the very top of their respective games go head to head, for a once-only, historic beat-feast!

This event is part of London for London, so a quid from your door tax goes to worthy kids charities in the city. Find out more at the London for London website.

Acid House forefathers Boys Own return after 15 years for a monumental reunion at Cable. The big boys Clive Henry and Norman Jay will be joined by a wealth of first rate DJs, including disco house legend Severino. We're very excited.

Click here to read our interview with the mighty Norman Jay.

Sunday 4th

Another Fine Mess welcomes Craig Richards and Jozif to spin an eclectic mix of retro tunes, whilst upstairs turns into a mini bazaar with sweets, vintage goodies and fresh designers.

A Rebours mix a bit of everything together to create their unique sound. Are they metal heads? Are they classic pop tarts? It's hard to tell... but one thing we do know, they are pretty damn good.

Despite their inability to stick within one genre, the sheer musical talent of these guys shines through. Their metal guitar riffs and pop rock vocals are strikingly original and hard to forget. Well worth your time.