Music
Jorja Smith
Smoky R&B practitioner Smith was given a boost when Drake featured her twice on recent “playlist” More Life. Since then, Walsall’s finest has released the neo-soul ballad Beautiful Little Fools. Hear that and some others in London and at a pair of festivals this week.
At Latitude, nr Southwold, 13-16 July; Electric Brixton, SW2, 20 July; Secret Garden Party, Abbots Ripton, 20-23 July
Lana Del Rey
The release of new album Lust for Life on 21 July finds perpetually pouting Lana Del Rey finally cracking a smile, albeit showcased through a gauzy filter. Featuring the likes of the Weeknd, Sean Lennon and A$AP Rocky, and with pop advice from Max Martin, expect a return to breakthrough record Born to Die’s widescreen melodies rather than Ultraviolence’s dusty rock. Eschewing typical press promo this time round, Del Rey’s two big interviews in 2017 have been with upcoming journalists Stevie Nicks and Courtney Love.
Exhibitions
Plywood: Material of the Modern World
No wait, come back! On paper this sounds like a dry, school-trip-friendly exhibition about thin layers of wood veneer, but in reality it’s a celebration of the unsung hero of our times. Skateboards? Plywood. Ergonomically pleasing furniture? Plywood. (Old) planes? Plywood. Fancy sewing machines? Plywood! See for yourself at the V&A in London.
At the V&A Museum, SW7, from 15 July
Trajal Harrell: Hoochie Koochie
This “performance exhibition” from choreographer Harrell is both playful and sassy. Combining various eras of dance – classical Greek, Japanese butoh, voguing – to create a dreamlike world, this ambitious project runs at the Barbican in London until 13 August.
At the Barbican, EC2, 20 July to 13 August
The Lost Men of Syria
Photojournalist Edward Jonkler documents the shifting power dynamics at play when Syrian men find themselves lost in the limbo of refugee camps. Relying on handouts, they often spiral into depression, their loss of self leaving them open to radicalisation. This is his first solo exhibition.
At the Saatchi Gallery, SW3, 19 July to 9 August
Marc Almond: Addicted to Excess
The fourth exhibition in The Gallery Liverpool’s “Homospectives” says hello (waves goodbye) to enduring icon Marc Almond. Artist Mark Wardel has painted a new portrait, plus there will be loads of previously unseen photos of Soft Cell and, er, Marc and the Mambas.
At the Gallery Liverpool until 27 August
Podcasts
You Must Remember This
The acclaimed podcast exploring Hollywood’s forgotten history returns, this time exploring the parallel lives of actor activists Jane Fonda and Jean Seberg.
Theatre
Mosquitoes
Olivias Colman and Williams star as sisters in this new drama from Chimerica scribe Lucy Kirkwood, directed by Damon Albarn’s mate Rufus Norris. Set in 2008, one sister is a scientist in Geneva searching for the Higgs boson, while the other lives in Luton and spends most of her time on Google. Tragedy throws them together and chaos ensues.
At the National theatre: Dorfman, SE1, from 18 July
Film
Dunkirk
Much of the pre-release buzz around Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to the seemingly endless Interstellar has focused on Harry Styles. It’s not clear how long the erstwhile One Directioner appears on screen but the support cast isn’t bad, with Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh and Cillian Murphy propping up the bits Harry isn’t in. Working within a PG-13 rating, Nolan has downplayed some of the war film’s more gruesomely violent elements, referring to this as “first and foremost a suspense film”. Find out Harry’s fate when it’s released nationwide on 21 July.
Talks
Peter Kay: A Very Special Q&A
This unique event, with all proceeds going to two local cancer charities, sees your mum’s favourite comedian Peter Kay chatting about things we can all relate to while also offering up behind-the-scenes gossip and unseen clips from his various award-winning TV shows. There will be two performances – a matinee and an evening encore.
At the O2 Apollo, Manchester, 15 July
