Georgia Evans Time Out Profile (original) (raw)
Georgia Evans is the Commercial Editor, covering Time Out's branded content, offers platform, and the odd bit of editorial. She's also the go-to contact for Time Out's Music section, which she oversees.
Georgia has worked on commercial campaigns with global clients like Disney, American Express and Samsung, doing everything from vox-pops to full suites of bespoke content. She has also written features for Time Out's music, travel, film and theatre sections. Her successes include a cover interview with Yungblud, chatting with Kylie at the Brits, travelling to LA for an Oscars-themed feature, and, of course, her precious monthly gig list. You can read more of her work in NME, Dazed, DIY and The Forty-Five.
The resident ticketmaster of the office, Georgia is passionate about London's live music scene and 'the front left.' She's not good at sharing the office speakers. Or writing her own bio. Follow her on Twitter here: @bygeorgiaevans.
Time Out has covered the world’s greatest cities through the eyes of local experts since 1968. For more about us, read our editorial guidelines.
Articles (317)
The 12 most underrated city breaks in the UK
When it comes to planning a city break in the UK, a lot of places will probably spring to mind: London, Manchester, Edinburgh. Don’t get me wrong – these are all brilliant cities in their own right, but they shouldn’t always overshadow the other excellent destinations which are slightly more off the beaten path. This country is home to sprawling metropolises, cobbled mediaeval towns, foodie hidden gems and cultural hotspots which double as gateways to stunning countryside. So how do you choose the top spots? To put together this list, we asked our team of editorial staff and expert local travel writers based all over Great Britain to tell us their recommendations for fantastic city breaks. From Scotland to Stoke, here are the best UK city breaks, chosen by us. What is the cheapest UK city break? It’s widely known that London is a pricey place to visit. Edinburgh isn’t much better these days. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a decent hotel room in any large UK city for less than £100 a night, so if you’re looking to save on cash, we’d recommend heading somewhere a bit smaller. Sheffield, our top UK city break, generally offers one-bed Airbnbs and hotel rooms for less than £100. Wells, Stoke and Dundee also offer more affordable accommodation – just bear in mind you’ll probably have to spend a little bit extra to get there, if you’re coming from London. What is the best UK city to get to by train? If you’re travelling from the capital, you’re less than two hours on the train f
15 best hotels in Oslo for a stunning stay in the Norway capital
There are few cities as fascinating as Oslo. Its history spans back to the end of the Viking Age, for goodness sake. A hub of Norwegian trade, maritime industry and culture, it's bursting with exciting things to do as a tourist. While it may be one of the most expensive cities in the world, it's not wholly inaccessible. You can still find affordable places to stay in the centre of Oslo, or you can go all-out and splash the cash on one opulent vacation. Whatever your budget it taste may be, have a scroll through our pick of the best hotels in Oslo and book a city break to remember. From top boutiques and budget stays to a grand outpost with a rooftop bar just yards away from the Royal Palace, prepare to explore Norway your way. RECOMMENDED: ⛵ The best things to do in Oslo Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.
The 16 best all-inclusive hotels in Cancún
Cancún in southeast Mexico is one gorgeous place for a holiday. Perched on the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea, it's famed for its sandy white beaches, dreamy climate and wild nightlife (don't miss the film-themed club night at Coco Bongo). If you're looking to be whisked away on a holiday to remember – while not having to worry about extra costs, complex itineraries or keeping the kids occupied – Cancún has the all-inclusive resort for you. Offering top-tier restaurants, stunning pools and all kinds of amenities to make your trip as convenient as possible, this selection of hotels is sure to leave you feeling inspired. Don't forget the sun cream! Updated October 2024: Since we're always in favor of heading wherever there's sun and sand, we like to keep an eye on any newcomers or trending hotels we think you might like. This time around, that's Cancún's newest five-star luxury adult-only all-inclusive, and a contemporary family-friendly five-star resort that's close to Mujeres Beach. RECOMMENDED:🏖️ Explore the best things to do in Cancún🕺 Spend all night dancing at Cancún's top clubs🌯 Eat your way through the best restaurants in Cancún👪 Family-friendly hotels in Cancun Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. Th
The 13 best hotels in Houston for an epic Southern getaway
Everything's bigger in Texas, and that includes the awesome hotels you'll find right here in Houston. Whether you're into fancy five-star spots or you're just a regular business traveler looking for a cool and colorful place to crash, Space City's got you covered. With its close ties to NASA, happening arts scene, great shopping spots, and a treasure trove of restaurants, Houston has a little something for everyone, and its hotels are no different. From seriously posh resorts with all the bells and whistles to comfortable, family-friendly stays with big suites and fun extras for the kids, you’re sure to find something to suit your needs and budget. To help you plan your perfect trip, we've rounded up the cream of the crop when it comes to hotels in Houston. From trendy yet affordable spots to high-end resorts that might make your wallet shed a tear, this city's got it all. So, no matter why you're visiting Space City, you can relax knowing there's a hotel that's perfect for you. What's more, we've added some delightful newcomers to this list as we like to keep an eye on the most in-trend and unique locations. RECOMMENDED:🪐 See the 20 best things to do in Houston🍝 Dine at the best restaurants in Houston🥂 Hit up the best brunch spots in Houston🏠 Kick back at the best Airbnbs in Houston Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel
The 14 best all-inclusive hotels in Jamaica for the perfect paradise stay
With a legacy that spans Bob Marley and the birth of reggae music to the island where Ian Fleming drew inspiration in creating James Bond, Jamaica has long been a storied Caribbean destination. Ringed by the crystal clear waters and white sand beaches of the Caribbean Sea, it’s paradise for the modern day vacationer who can indulge in everything from snorkeling to diving, deep sea fishing, sailing or simply lounging in a beach chair. There’s also the dramatic verdant peaks of the Blue Mountains where Jamaican coffee is produced, historic plantation museums and rum estates. And while Jamaican patties and jerk chicken are a must, the island is also home to an impressive global dining culture drawing upon its natural resources and the bounty of the sea. With a wealth of luxurious all-inclusive resorts to satisfy every type of traveler, from romantic couples retreats to activity-filled family vacations, read on to discover the perfect Jamaican getaway for you. Looking for more Jamaica inspiration? 🏖️ The 20 best things to do in Jamaica🍴 Kingston's best restaurants🎸 The 11 best things to do in Kingston This list was curated by destination expert and travel editor, Shayne Benowitz. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This a
The 50 greatest breakup songs of all time
Heartbroken? Sorry to hear it. Buckle up, because you’ll need a playlist. Tunes for sniffling into a tissue, tunes for belting your heart out in your bedroom, tunes for drowning your sorrows on a night out with the girlies and, eventually, tunes to celebrate being completely and utterly over that douchebag. At every stage of your heartbreak mourning, you need tunes. It’s the ultimate medicine for a broken heart. And we’ve got every kind of break up song, right here. From the sorrowful sounds of early Adele to Gloria Gaynor’s triumphant break-up anthem, you’ll never have to be alone with your miserable thoughts again. Here are our favourite breakup songs ever written, handpicked by heartbroken editors. Happy lamenting. RECOMMENDED:😭 The best sad songs❤️ The best love songs🎙️ The best karaoke songs🕺 The best pop songs of all time
The 40 best Halloween songs of all time
Grab your fangs, your bottle of fake blood and your poison of choice: it’s Halloween time. And that means things are about to get seriously spooky, but there’s likely to be some dancing too. And you know what that means: it’s time for our Halloween playlist! There‘s no one size fits all for Halloween tunes. Some of what you’ll find on this list is seriously scary. Some songs were actually written about regular ol’ heartbreak but sound like they were made for a horror movie. Some of them have featured in your favourite spooky Netflix shows. But from The Cramps (of ‘Wednesday’ fame) to Olivia Rodrigo’s ex-boyfriend bleeding her dry, we’ve got a Halloween tune for everyone here. Time to get freaky, people. RECOMMENDED:🎤 The best karaoke songs🕺 The best pop songs💧 The best sad songs🎅 The best Christmas songs
The 13 best Airbnbs in Palm Springs for a trendy desert getaway
Palm Springs is a city unlike any other, offering impressive landscapes, an amazing food scene, crystal clear skies, and some fantastic shopping opportunities. To top this off, the Golf Capital boasts an ideal climate for year-round bliss – typically sunny and dry, accompanied by cooler nights during the holiday season. Need we say more? Whether you're craving a well-needed break from chaotic city life in Los Angeles or traveling from further afield, this is somewhere that's sure to leave you feeling refreshed and connected to nature. It's a little slice of paradise. Houses here come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. So, whether you desire a brightly colored pool house decked out in Instagrammable interiors, or a cozy escape that's packed with old-school character and charm, we've got the list for you. Read on for our pick of the best Airbnbs in Palm Springs. Updated in April 2024: Did you know some of the most unimaginable stays are under your nose? As ever, it's our job to do the digging - the kind not involving nostrils – so you can get back to booking rare finds like this luxury boho retreat, or this Spanish-inspired home near downtown. You're welcome. RECOMMENDED: 🏨Stay in the best Palm Springs hotels🌴Experience the best things to do in Palm Springs🌊 Check out the best Airbnbs in California Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user
10 hacks to help you find a room to rent in London – from Londoners old and new
I’ve lived in this city for four years and have lived in four different properties in that time. A London baby, I know – but still long enough to have learned a thing or two about the capital’s treacherous rental market. My first London home was a strange-smelling shoebox above an agave bar on Kingsland Road. The second? A recently renovated Victorian townhouse with a garden which a former flatmate snagged for bargain rates during the pandemic (we begrudgingly moved out when the landlord raised rent by a sweet 60 percent). Fast forward through a month at an ex’s and now I’m living in a shared house in a decent area, paying below average rent with an (actually!) nice landlord. Hell, it’s not perfect, but I could be doing a lot worse. The art of finding a good room to rent in the capital is an art you’ll slowly learn to master – often because you won’t have much other choice. Those horror stories about evil landlords, bidding wars, impossible flatmate interviews and viewing queues down the street? Not to scare you, but there’s some truth in them. RECOMMENDED: 23 things you should know before moving to LondonLondoners on their subletting horror storiesInside the murky world of property guardianships There is, of course, the bog-standard advice you shouldn’t overlook when searching for a room: don’t rent somewhere with mould (it probably won’t go away), always do the viewing in person, and don’t take that flat on the other side of the river to your pals (you won’t make the jo
The 17 best Airbnbs in the Scottish Highlands
Nothing says a getaway quite like a trip to the Scottish Highlands. A place where you're sure to escape the hustle and bustle of the city scene. Hike mountains, dip your toes in the loch, and watch the sunset over the gorgeous landscape. Doesn't that sound perfect? And of course, a place that idyllic needs to be enjoyed with a stay at one of the many unique Airbnbs in the area. Cosy and comfy cottages with wood-burning stoves (you'll need it with the cold weather), glamping pods, and even castles; how could you ever choose? We've picked out the best of the best to help you decide. You're welcome. Updated October 2024: We've added two new properties, a manor house and an historic bakehouse in the grounds of a castle. Because sometimes you need a little grandiose luxury on holiday. RECOMMENDED: 🇬🇧 The best Airbnbs in the UK🏴 Check out the best Airbnbs in Glasgow🏰 Off to Edinburgh? Here's where to stay Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.
10 best family-friendly hotels in Cancun
Travelling as a family can be wonderful, you get to make lasting memories, go to new places and try a bunch of things you'd never get the chance to at home. But sometimes travelling with kids can also be stressful. That's where this list comes in. If you're looking to go to Cancun with the little ones, these hotels are coming through with dedicated kids clubs, activities and swimming pools that'll provide hours of entertainment. From pirate ship waterslides to scuba diving, free bike hire to arts and crafts, here are some of the best places offering stress-free, family-friendly holidaying. RECOMMENDED: 🌮 Feeling hungry? Here are the best restaurants in Cancun🐠 Get to know the best things to do in Cancun🛏️ Keep it all-inclusive with our guide to Cancun's hotel scene This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.
Best gigs and concerts in London this October
Happy October folks. I’m Time Out’s voice for all things live music in London, and here I am trying to show you the very best gigs you should be booking this month. Summer has well and truly fucked off. But instead of planting yourself in front of a SAD lamp, nursing yourself with pumpkin-spiced everything and binge-watching MAFS, take a look at this exciting and absolutely stacked selection of gigs happening in London this October. Seriously, I’ve been trawling the internet and dredging up something for everyone. Whether you fancy embracing the autumnal chill with solemn shoegaze or dancing the increasingly long nights away with club scene superstars, I have you covered. And my god, that’s not before we begin to get into the hundreds of Halloween events that are coming up. So, get up off your arse (metaphorically, you’re probably standing on the bus or something) and book a gig that’ll almost instantly cure your seasonal depression. Georgia curates Time Out’s music lists and makes it a priority to go to as many shows as physically possible. Because of this, she’s finally splashed out on some decent earplugs and accepted that she can no longer get in the pit like she used to. RECOMMENDED: 🥂 The best things to do in London this weekend 🎨 The best art exhibitions this October in London 🎭 The best new theatre shows this October in London For shoegaze crooners Slowdive Record label Sonic Cathedral and promoters Bad Vibrations are teaming up for a 20th anniversary filled wi
Listings and reviews (16)
I’m Not Okay (An Emo Retrospective)
What were you like as a teenager? Did you often find yourself crippled with social anxiety, blasting My Chemical Romance at full volume in your bedroom, back combing a side fringe to frightening new heights? Well, you were not alone. Championing what was arguably the last proper music-meets-fashion subculture, ‘I'm Not Okay’ is an audience-created love letter to all things emo, created in partnership with the Museum of Youth Culture via an open call to the internet for submissions. If you were there, you’ll remember downloading the latest, pirated The Used album onto your iPod Classic, and using up all the storage on your Motorola Sidekick taking blurry gig shots and snapping your friends rocking smudged eyeliner and bright red, orange or black hair, all of which is documented on the walls of the Barbican’s Music Library. The exhibition's main draw is a collection of photographs and video footage dredged up from forgotten MySpace and Bebo pages. There’s even a screen showing footage of people’s bedrooms, as they talk you through their Kerrang! poster collections and piles of dusty CDs, local gigs and snaps of friends messing around. It captures the community spirit that was an inherent part of the subculture Though the stereotype of an emo is a loner, the exhibition does well to capture the community spirit that was an inherent part of the subculture. Screenshots of MSN chats and MySpace profiles illustrate how these early social media platforms allowed people to make frie
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon
When you hear the name ‘The Ritz’ you know exactly what to expect. High-end glamour. Champagne, caviar and such. And that kind of old-school, flashy way of life is exactly what you can get from this spot. It’s the kind of place people wear three-piece suits to breakfast, tapping away at laptops while tucking into freshly-made, salmon and caviar-topped eggs Benedict. Next door to the restaurant is an in-hotel designer boutique selling Chanel bags and what looked like a couple of Birkins. Downstairs, a heavenly spa with a heated pool, sauna and extensive list of beauty treatments. On the roof, there’s a 400-metre running track and high-spec gym. And as for the rooms themselves? Well, they come decked out in lush dark wooden panelling, plush furnishings and large comfortable beds (the curtains can even be controlled with a panel right by your pillow). Neighbourhood If you’re a big spender, you’ll find a strip of designer shops not too dissimilar from Paris’ Champs-Élysées along the Avenida Liberdade, just a couple of minutes away. But if it's restaurants, arts and culture you’re after, you can walk right into the heart of the city within about half an hour. It’s almost all downhill. Nearby Lisbon is a city where you eat. It’s a premier foodie destination for a reason. And luckily, you don’t even have to leave the building to get Michelin-starred dining as The Ritz is home to CURA, from the distinguished chef and head culinary curator Pedro Pena Bastos. Ok, we might be a littl
With all that’s going on in the world, sometimes you just need some silliness. And my god, will you get a good dose of silly at this pocket-size musical. ‘I Wish You Well’ opens with X-Factor popstar Diana Vickers channelling the low drawl of Gwyneth Paltrow. ‘Take a deep breath,’ she says. ‘Do you smell that? That’s my vagina.’ This pretty much sets the tone for this hour-long courtroom romp. For a little context, the show is based on inspired by Paltrow’s 2023 trial following a ski slope collision. Retired optometrist Terry Sanderson sued Paltrow for 300,000;shecountersuedfor300,000; she countersued for 300,000;shecountersuedfor1 and the Utah court ruled in her favour. It was a media maelstrom, and as the play argues, probably the most exciting thing to happen in Utah, ever. Directed by Shiv Rabheru, written by Rick Pearson and Roger Dipper, and choreographed by dance legend Arlene Phillips, ‘I Wish You Well’ had a pretty successful stint at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, and has now landed at the Criterion for a limited month-long run. As far as the writing goes, the songs aren’t particularly catchy but the wisecracks are relentless, so the neat hour-long runtime flies by. And it’s all held together by a four-handed cast that successfully makes you feel like you’re in on the joke. The audience are the jurors, after all. Vickers plays an exaggerated, mighty-than-thou Gwynnie who blows kisses at the audience every time she crosses the stage, while Marc Antolin’s Terry is a blithering idiot with a surprisingly kinky si
Is it just us or does Field Day feel way younger than 17 years old? Time flies, eh? Drawing in over 50,000 ravers to its soirée in Viccy Park, the festival is back with an electronic-leaning line-up for 2024. The biggest draw: Justice, who’re back with a new album and a fresh set of house bangers. There are also achingly cool acts like Vegyn, Yaeji, Shygirl, Brutalismus 300 and more. RECOMMENDED: The ultimate guide to Field Day 2024. When is Field Day 2024? Field Day will return to Victoria Park on August 24, as part of All Points East – and it’s shaping up nicely, with a little something for every kind of electronic muso-head. Find out more about All Points East How much are tickets? General admission tickets are £70, Primary Entry (which includes cue cutting) is £80, Uber One VIP Garden tickets come to £89.55 and include a special bar, first class food, additional comfortable seating and enhanced facilities. If you're looking to go full-throttle Uber One VIP Garden + VIP Pit will have you up-close and personal with the headliners for £135. Who’s on the lineup? Field Day is shaping up to be an absolute belter. Headliners Justice teased a pretty phenomenal show when they chatted with us earlier in August. They also played a blinding set at Glastonbury so you can only expect bright lights, rumbling basslines and hit after funky hit. Charlotte de Witte is bringing her Overdrive show to Vicky Park, alongside established acts such as 2manydjs, Mary Anne Hobbs and Tiga & Hudso
Over the last six years, All Points East has garnered a reputation for building some of the most exciting and interesting festival line-ups in the UK. Its headliners are often indie or dance-focused big-hitters, while its undercards are packed with cult heroes and rising stars you can say you saw first. As well as the ticketed weekend events, look out for All Points East In the Neighbourhood, the festival’s free midweek programme of community activities including film screenings, live sports, theatre, family fun and more. When is All Points East 2024? All Points East takes over London’s Victoria Park once again this August. You’ll be able to enjoy the sounds of the festival’s sweet music over the weekends of August 16-18 and 23-25. How much are tickets? Each show is priced differently, as are the different levels of access on offer. General admission will cost you between £74.45 and £80.60, while there are various VIP offerings that will set you back anywhere from £112.65 to £165.75. If you want to beat the crowds to a prime spot, you can nab a primary entry ticket. Really want to go but can’t afford to drop the full ticket price all at once? Payment plans are available. For more information, visit the festival’s website. Who’s on the lineup? If your music preferences lie in the Venn diagram of indie and electronic then this is the festival for you. The 2024 headliners include indie sleaze party-starters LCD Soundsystem and a double-hitter of the Ben Gibbard-fronted The Post
Almost all the greats have concert films. Madonna. Talking Heads. Hell, even ABBA. However, it feels like, since the release of Beyonce’s Homecoming in 2019, a new wave of confessional concert films has hit cinemas and streamers. Audiences are invited into the previously gatekept, ‘intimate’ parts of an artist's life and witness them, supposedly, in their rawest form. But in an age where every pop star, from Taylor Swift to Machine Gun Kelly, has one, how can you stand out? Long Live Montero cuts through some of that the noise. Montero Lamar Hill, aka Lil Nas X, has has successfully transitioned from being the ‘Old Town Road’ cowboy and perpetual shitposter to a legitimate pop star in the past couple of years, and his critically acclaimed debut tour ‘Long Live Montero’ is the embodiment of this. With that in mind, you would hope that Carlos López Estrada (Billie Eilish: When the Party’s Over) and his co-director Zac Manuel would dig into what went into the process of transitioning Montero’s musical talents into genuine, offline connections. ‘I want to go places no one has ever been,’ he says in the film’s opening moments. And it’s clear he has that star power. He’s a magnetic screen presence, and his cheeky, childlike sense of humour (which made him famous online) makes him instantly likeable. Then there’s the music. His collaboration with Jack Harlow, ‘INDUSTRY BABY’, is a straight-up banger. And you can’t ignore the wild pairing of sexually suggestive lyricism and graphic
Wide Awake bills itself as a ‘musical melting pot’ and ‘counter cultural celebration’, offering up leftfield indie, post-punk, electronica, techno and much, much more. This year the festival takes place on May 25 and the headliners are psychedelic Aussie rockers King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Scottish pop trio Young Fathers and legendary shoegazers Slowdive. Further down the line-up, 2024 is set to be Wide Awake’s biggest year yet. Squid, Sevdaliza, The Dare, Ben UFO, Alice Glass, yeule, Special Interest, Lynks, Hannah Diamond, Dry Cleaning and Johnny Jewel are just some of the names on the bill. Your ultimate guide to Wide Awake 2024.
Perched right on the Eastern Esplanade – yes, like The Libertines' 2024 album – The Albion Rooms is a striking townhouse hotel made up of dark wooden furnishings, neon light installations and rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia. Opened in 2020 by The Libertines (Carl Barât, Peter Doherty, John Hassall and Gary Powell) to be a meeting place for the band, it’s a sleek spot for indie fans to rest their head by the seaside, sip on the signature ‘defying gravity’ cocktails in the underground Wasteland bar, and maybe make a couple of tunes in the dedicated recording studio. There are just seven rooms, which makes The Albion Rooms feel intimate yet exclusive. The William Blake is very much decorated in Barât's black-and-gold rockstar style, while the Emily Dickinson, designed by Doherty, supposedly houses the bath that Jim Morrison died in. While you don’t have to be a fan to book a room here, longtime followers of the Libs will be starstruck by Peter’s artwork and the original print of the self-titled album hanging above the pub door. You might even catch one of them checking in from time to time. Neighbourhood Overlooking Walpole Bay, The Albion Rooms is a 14-minute walk from the beloved local spot, Shell Grotto and Palm Bay Beach. Margate train station is a mile away. For those looking to recreate an iconic Doherty moment, you’ve got The Dalby Cafe around the corner, where you can take on the mega breakfast challenge (Google it, you won't be disappointed). Nearby Cliffs: An inviting loc
Maiden Voyage is back for 2024, this time in a brand new home of Burgess Park. And it's now moved to September, meaning you'll get to wrap up your festival season with the likes of Venezuelan multidisciplinary artist Arca, rising R&B talent Erika De Casier, former Time Out cover star Jayda G, Australian producer Mall Grab and many more. This year also features new stage hosts including London Queer club Adonis and Berlin-based collective Live From Earth. Curating this year’s main stage will be PXSSY PALACE, while Sunday party UNFOLD are returning to elevate their sound and stage production for the festival's new south London home.
Julia Masli: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
You have a nagging problem in your life, who are you turning to? Your friends? Your therapist? What about your favourite agony aunt? Ultimately, the concept is flawed because it’s impossible to expect some celebrity journalist to sort your life out. Getting a clown to do it makes just as much sense, really. Julia Masli’s widely acclaimed live agony aunt show was a runaway hit at the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. On its opening night at Soho Theatre, the Estonian comedian comes out in a kind of deconstructed pantomime gown, bowling shoes and on her left arm, a full-sized mannequin leg with a microphone at the end. Beaming a light from the bike helmet on her head like a kind of ‘X-Files’ alien, she approaches audience members with laser-focus, asking, ‘Problem?’. The idea behind this wonderfully odd setup is that a problem shared is a problem halved. A clown by trade, Masli’s 2022 show ‘Choosh’ traced a migrant’s journey from Eastern Europe to the US through Chaplin-style slapstick. This nonsensical humour underpins her style of stunt comedy, yet you can’t escape the sense of real earnestness coming from our hipster host. She plays the part of an innocent, otherworldly naif with aplomb. The show is part-meditation (our host enters to the slow voiceover of ‘ha, ha, ha,’), part-group therapy session. And the direction of it is completely determined by the audience. Tonight, the issues range from the mundane ‘my dog barks at foxes’ to the all too relatable ‘my boss is shit’
Wide Awake bills itself as a ‘musical melting pot’, offering up leftfield indie, post-punk, electronica, techno and more. This year you've got psychedelic Aussie rockers King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard headlining, alongside Young Fathers, Slowdive, The Dare, Ben UFO and Alice Glass among other indie stalwarts. There is no doubt it'll leave crowds surprised as it celebrates artists that defy traditional genre boundaries.
If you love nothing better than the idea of grooving to reggae, Afrobeats and dancehall in the sun, this is the festival for you. City Splash is once again taking over Brockwell Park to celebrate the impact of Caribbean and African culture in the UK and beyond – giving you a chance to dance, connect over music and have a bloody good time. This year's line-up includes Capleton, Beenie Man, Shenseea, Busy Signal and Queen Omega. Find more London music festivals.
News (16)
Five of the best things that happened at Taylor Swift in London tonight
There are a few things guaranteed when you see Taylor Swift. You'll get Superbowl-scale dance numbers, friendship bracelets swapped between groups of screaming teens, and surprise songs that send the crowd into overdrive. Now, I'm not your typical Taylor fan, I barely knew my 'Back to December' from my 'Cruel Summer', but this Friday, she pulled out some pretty incredible moments. On the first night of her, quite frankly, historic takeover of Wembley Stadium on Friday June 21, the American superstar played a whopping three-and-a-half-hour set to a sea of fans and celebs (Prince William, Kier Starmer, Jonathan Van Ness all in attendance). Here's just a few stand-out moments. 1. 'Why don't you just bog off' went hard WHY DON’T YOU JUST BOG OFF📸 @cagedmecrazy pic.twitter.com/SCbyjYnbMr — The Eras Tour UK & Ireland (@TheErasTourUK) June 21, 2024 2. The orange outfit was actually a slay @nas.archives THE SURPRISE SONG MASHUP FROM LONDON - FULL #taylorswift #theerastour #surprisesong #marron #theblackdog #thetorturedpoetsdepartment #taylorswiftlondon ♬ original sound - NAS 3. She premiered 'The Black Dog' live, and did a mash-up of 'Come Back...Be Here' and 'Maroon' as her surprise songs @varietymagazine Taylor Swift performs a mash-up of "Come Back...Be Here" and "Maroon" during her Wembley show. ♬ original sound - Variety 4. She shouted out Travis and we couldn't be mo
Speakers Corner Quartet on the venues that made them
For almost two decades, the Speakers Corner Quartet have been active in London’s live music scene, collaborating with legends like Sampha, Kae Tempest, Tirzah and Shabaka Hutchings. What started off as a house band at south London music venue Brixton Jamm is now a four-piece powerhouse of Biscuit on flute, Kwake Bass on drums and percussion, Raven Bush on violin, and Peter Bennie on bass. In 2023, the group released their long-awaited debut album Further Out Than The Edge to critical acclaim, and this year scooped up the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song, for their collaboration with Tempest on ‘Geronimo Blues’. Taking inspiration from hip-hop heavyweights like MF DOOM and J Dilla, innovative electronic artists such as Aphex Twin and composers like Ralph Vaughan Williams and John Coltrane, the group have been praised for their lush musical textures that heighten the performances of their collaborators.So it makes sense that the legendary Chaka Khan would choose such an exciting and important collective to be a part of her 2024 Meltdown. The band has spent a whole year preparing a brand new show alongside the 35-piece Guildhall Session Orchestra for the festival, and are promising some thrilling new compositions and orchestral reworks from their debut album, as well as appearances from a few of their famous friends. In anticipation of their big night on Monday June 17, we caught up with flautist and band leader Biscuit ahead of the event, to shine a light on some o
The Libertines’ Carl Barât on his favourite places in Margate
The moment you step off the train and see a band name-emblazoned footie shirt, you know Margate is Libertines territory. Fans of the rockers will be well aware of the band’s hotel, The Albion Rooms, which is on the seafront street they’ve named their new album (‘All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade’ – out now) after. Current Margate-dweller Carl Barât and ex-Margater Pete Doherty’s band are just as much a part of the arty seaside town’s DNA as arcade games, salt and vinegar chips and aggressively oversized seagulls. When explaining his decision to move to Margate, Barât tells us, ‘Margate had artistic heritage, and it was cheap, and there was the sort of arty exodus from London, and it was cheap, and there was the sea… and it was cheap.’ He adds, ‘I've given so much of my life to London and London's given me so much of my life that I wanted to try somewhere new.’ So who better to take Time Out through the finest Margate has to offer? Here the legendary indie singer-songwriter picks out his favourite spots, from that viral caff where Doherty demolished an olympic-sized breakfast to the underground dive bar Barât and his partner restored to its former grimy glory. Eat The Dalby Cafe The best place to eat in Margate is The Dalby Cafe. It’s that one where Pete actually won a free breakfast by doing the all-you-can-eat challenge in 20 minutes or something. I have a feeling that he might’ve been feeding his dog under the table. But anyway, it’s the highest quality classic British
Brit Awards 2024: 6 of the most surprising things that happened
It’s the biggest night of the year for British music. And where else (apart from maybe Chiltern Firehouse) are you going to see Dua Lipa, Kylie and Roman Kemp all dressed up to the nines in one place? Like the Grammy’s earlier in February, women are the champions of this year’s Brits; former Time Out cover star and famous Londoner Raye was named songwriter of the year earlier this week, and broke records as the musician to receive the most Brit nominations in a single year. We also got to see the UK’s unofficial royals Stormzy and Maya Jama on the red carpet together, and a Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding reunion, which proves once and for all that we are, actually, back in 2014. It’s enough to make us rock platform trainers and cover ourselves in Dream Matte Mousse. Of course, it wouldn’t be the Brits without plenty of weird things going on too. This was the stage from which Madonna fell not once but twice in one performance, where Geri Halliwell rocked her Union Jack dress for the very first time, and where Jarvis Cocker mooned the whole country during Michael Jackson’s ‘Earth Song’. So let’s see how this year’s awards stack up, shall we? Surprising things that happened at Brit Awards 2024 1. Lady Di rising from the dead Obsessed with Mother Diane reading her script off the back of that board #BRITs #BritAwards pic.twitter.com/6g5jmaB1fj — Alex (@alexr_241) March 2, 2024 2. Dua Lipa defying gravity how is Dua Lipa making peo
The best gigs and concerts in January
It’s the start of the new year. Crimbo bingeing means your house is overflowing with empty Rennie packets and unopened bottles of Baileys. And now, you’re ready to kick-start your 2024 as a transformed person, with a long list of resolutions that you absolutely definitely will not break. Like you, London is gearing itself up for another year of bloody good events. Just look at the festival line-ups that have been dropping. Instead of doomscrolling through in and out lists (in: snogging on the dancefloor, wearing capris to the club, Ke$ha; out: Lost Marys as accessories, Bluetooth wireless headphones, Taylor Swift) have a looksie at what our venues have on this month. From fabulous pop to post-punk-blasting fundraisers, there’s something for all tastes. 🥂 The best things to do in London this weekend 🎨 The 10 best art exhibitions in London 🎭 The best new theatre shows in London For gigging for a good cause EYOE fundraiser Gig promoter and record label Eat Your Own Ears is once again hosting their annual ‘Recommends’ series this January, showcasing a plethora of new artists that it backs to be big in 2024. Taking place at Dalston’s Shacklewell Arms, it’ll not only help to you broaden your Spotify playlists but also help raise money and awareness for two great charities: food poverty charity Hackney Foodbank, and Help Musicians, which supports music creators in times of crisis and provides career opportunities. We recommend checking out Talia Goddess, Reuben’s Daughters
The best gigs, live shows and concerts in London in December
It’s that time of year, when London throngs with tourists photographing festive light displays, the pubs overflow with office parties (try not to be sick in front of your boss, lads) and the streets fill with the sound of discordant carolers. Instead of putting yourself through the misery of nativities and pantos starring 2012 ‘X-Factor’ rejects, spend your money on something that’ll bring you whatever the heck ‘festive cheer’ might be. This December, you can indulge in noughties smash hits, hypnotic hyperpop and radical punk – with a smattering of indie Christmas partying thrown in for good measure. Not a bloody choir in sight. For noughties pop perfection Photograph: False Idols Sugababes at False Idols We saw them filling out a stage at Glasto and selling out the O2 in quick succession. After a massive summer reunion, Sugababes–the original trio–are bringing pop music back around. Yes, you will hear ‘Overload’ and ‘Caught Up In The Middle’, but they’ll also perform new stuff and come as part of a line-up that includes Shygirl, Eliza Rose and Ross From Friends. Taking place in the indecently large Drumsheds, it’ll attract a young crowd of Buffalo boots and leg warmer-wearing kids alongside the OG fans. Drumsheds, N18 3HF. Sat Dec 2, 12pm. From £33.50. Sophie Ellis Bextor She’s a hitmaker, what can we say? ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’, ‘Groovejet’, ‘Take Me Home’. All of them go off. Of course, we saw Sophie Ellis Bextor bring pure joy to the masses during lockdown with h
‘You can’t give monetary value to art and music’: Thurston Moore on his favourite London music venue
Thurston Moore’s early music may seem synonymous with 1980s New York punk rock, but he’s been a Londoner for well over a decade. Having previously lived in Stoke Newington, the 65-year-old has moved south of the city (the exact location he keeps vague), where between making solo albums and running his record label, Ecstatic Peace, he’s embraced London’s improvised live music scene. Fitting perhaps, given the DIY nature of his work as Sonic Youth’s frontman. The band’s abrasive, free-natured sound often paired rapid guitar riffs with droning basslines and slowly clattering drums that always felt very in the moment. His new book ‘Sonic Life’ is, as he says, ‘All the musical inspirations I have from all the different ephemera, books and recordings that defined my growing years. ‘Then the advent of Sonic Youth and how we moved through the course of the 80s and 90s.’ To tie in with the launch of his new book, the musician spoke to us about his favourite London music venue, IKLECTIK, an independent space that champions new, free-form music. With the threats of closure ahead of planned redevelopment, Moore is keen to highlight the importance of this personal sacred space. ‘IKLECTIK is found underneath the Waterloo Bridge in Old Paradise Yard. It’s been there only nine years, so right after I relocated here. I was living in Stoke Newington at the time, very close to Cafe OTO, which is sort of the critical listening room for experimental music. But I started hearing about this new pl
The best gigs, live shows and concerts in London in November
Autumn is in full swing. The city is a sea of Moon Boots, fisherman hats and Northie puffers. But you know what? November in London is about more than just surviving the cold. You’ve got Bonfire Night (an excuse to unleash your primal urges on watching things burn and blow up), the beginnings of our obsession with Christmas and a whole bunch of exciting gigs at your disposal. In fact, the capital's live music scene is busier than ever this month. Just look at how long this list is! We’re giving you old-school punk from Sleater Kinney, sexy club anthems from rising star Babymorocco and the return of British/American rap sensation 21 Savage, alongside heaps more to get excited about. Have a scroll through and see why November in London is elite, actually. RECOMMENDED: 🥂 The best things to do in London this weekend 🎨 The 10 best art exhibitions in London 🎭 The best new theatre shows in London For when you wanna get loud Meet Me @ the Altar Olivia Rodrigo is selling out arenas, Blink 182 has made a mighty comeback and Paramore absolutely smashed a global tour. Pop punk is back, baby. And it’s a trend that’s simply not stopping. Meet Me @ the Altar is an American three-piece, endorsed by legends of the scene, such as Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low and Dan Campbell of The Wonder Years. Catch them as they take over the notorious Camden’s Underworld for a night of powerful pop-punk bangers with a Gen Z twist. Listen to ‘Say It (To My Face)’ for a taste. The Underworld, NW1 9D
Up-and-coming acts to catch at Pitchfork London
Ever looked at a music festival line-up and realise, with abject horror, how desperately out of touch you are? Several of Time Out London’s editorial team felt like that when Pitchfork released the line-up for its London festival, which is taking over some of the capital’s best-loved music venues this week for its third edition. Among big hitters like the Mercury Prize-winning jazz quintet Ezra Collective, riot grl legends Sleater-Kinney and dance music protégé Yaeji are a frankly concerning number of head-scratchers, even for us NTS-listening, ‘Crack’ magazine-reading Cafe Oto regulars. Luckily for you, we’ve spent the last few weeks swotting up on the lesser-known artists appearing on the eclectic bill, so that we can tell you who is worth buying a ticket for. Here are some of our favourite up-and-comers to look out for. Balming Tiger Who are they?: Balming Tiger are a South Korean multi-national alternative K-pop collective consisting of rapper Omega Sapien, DJ Abyssm director San Yawn, music video directors Jan'Qui and Leesuho, singer-songwriters Sogumm, Wnjn, Mudd the Student, and editor Henson. The hip-hop single ‘Sexy Nukim’ with BTS’s RM is a good entry point. For fans of: BTS, NewJeans, So!YoON. Village Underground. Wed Nov 8. CHAI Who are they?: A sugary sweet experimental pop group blending elements of Tom Tom Club, Basement Jaxx and CSS to create punchy anthems inspired by female empowerment and redefining ‘kawaii’ culture. For fans of: Confidence Man, Kero
‘The roar was something I’ll never forget’: Duran Duran on the Birmingham venue they love the most
Duran Duran started their careers in Birmingham more than 40 years ago. Since then, the band have sold over 100 million records, achieved 30 Top 40 UK singles (‘Rio’, ‘Girls on Film’, ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’: you know them) and, in 2022, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In the build-up to their 16th album, ‘Danse Macabre’ – a collection of covers and new songs exploring the band’s darker melodies – drummer Roger Taylor tells us why performing in their native Birmingham this year was a symbolic return for the group. ‘I’ve got really special memories of the night we played at Utilita Arena back in May. We felt so much love from the audience and it was a real homecoming show. It’s an arena but it doesn’t feel cold, it feels quite intimate. The location is really beautiful because it’s in the area where all the canals in the town meet, so it feels like you’re really in the centre of Birmingham. ‘That was also our neighbourhood when we were growing up. We’d play ‘Rum Runner’ in the early eighties to 100 people, so to go back there more than 40 years later, playing to 10,000 or 12,000 people, it really was quite a moment. We can be playing New York’s Madison Square Garden or the Hollywood Bowl in LA, but Birmingham is always the most important show ‘The roar when we walked out to the crowd is a particular standout memory: we started the show [like we were] coming in from space via screen footage, on this kind of spaceship which landed at the back of the arena.
Soul singer Yazmin Lacey on how to make the most out of a trip to Nottingham
‘I probably wouldn’t be making music if I hadn’t moved to Nottingham,’ says Yazmin Lacey, between playing festival slots. ‘When I was living in London, I was around a lot of creative people. But you know, it’s so intense and fast paced and saturated, that I think if you’re like me and come into music late, you don’t have the space to just try things out.’ Born and raised in east London, Lacey would occasionally sing in her church choir, but had never considered music as a career. When she left the capital for Nottingham (a night out in the city inspired her to make the move), she found herself surrounded by artists and musicians, as well as a producer ex-boyfriend who convinced her to start recording. This led to her playing shows around her adopted hometown – where she stayed for 11 years – and to Lacey eventually being picked up by Gilles Peterson’s Future Bubbler series, a compilation focusing on unsigned, up-and-coming artists. Her critically-acclaimed debut album ‘Voice Notes’ came out earlier this year, which she’s been performing at festivals across the country. Here, Lacey takes us through her favourite places in Nottingham, from a Japanese fusion restaurant to a pub with underground caves. Eat ‘Kushi-ya used to be a vegan cafe back in the day. It’s actually where I had my first gig: it was really small, you could probably fit about 30 people in there, and it was bloody dreadful. I remember thinking, ‘‘who intentionally stands in front of a room full of people lik
5 emerging acts you’ve got to see at a music festival in 2023
Festival season is well and truly here. You’ve bought your tickets, you know your headliners and you’ve sorted out some kind of ironic costume (most likely a onesie) for the last night of music. But instead of just lazing around a campsite, accruing various stages of sunburn and listening to your neighbour’s non-stop – and quite frankly, terrible – playlist of heavy drum ‘n’ bass, get yourself up and dance to these acts. Because you never know, they might just be the next big thing. These musicians have at least three major festivals booked for summer, have already garnered cult-like status and are definitely set to impress. And really, is there anything better than bragging, ‘I saw them before they got big’? We think not. 1. CMAT Photograph: Sarah Doyle Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, aka CMAT, is an Irish singer-songwriter who channels the essence of Nashville into her tongue-in-cheek country-pop tunes. Her tacky glam aesthetic is a fun contrast to the seriousness of her songwriting, with lyrics that are mournful, accessible and emotionally literate in a way that’s ever so charming. Also, if you wanted an excuse to pack one of those pink cowboy hats with a plastic crown, this could be as good as you’re going to get. Yee-haw. Key track: ‘I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!’ Where to see them: South Facing, Isle of Wight, Bluedot 2. High Vis Photograph: James Edson If there’s one word to describe High Vis, it would be hardcore: like Turnstile, PiL and Stone Roses all whizzed up in