Music
Notting Hill carnival
Taking on even more importance in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Notting Hill carnival returns for another year of parades, parties and people crammed into west London over the bank holiday weekend. If you’re looking for some nocturnal fun before and after the parades, UK rap upstart Lady Leshurr plays a warm-up show tonight at KOKO in Camden, while Shabba and Love Kulture Project’s Afterparty at Vauxhall’s Lightbox on the 27th August extends the fun via a heady mix of reggae, soca, dancehall and Afrobeat. Maybe take Tuesday off work, mind you.
Boy Better Know Takeover
Crowning another hugely successful year for UK grime, the Boy Better Know collective – who signed Drake to their label and include Skepta, his brother Jme and Wiley, among others – are throwing a party at London’s O2 on 27 August from 2pm. The likes of A$AP Rocky, J Hus and Mabel provide support, while Tim “Big Dawg” Westwood will also be on hand should your energy drop.
End of the Road
Now in its 12th year, End of the Road has become one of the highlights of a seemingly endless festival season. This year features the likes of Perfume Genius, Father John Misty, the Jesus & Mary Chain and Let’s Eat Grandma bringing the requisite Pitchfork-friendly, 6 Music-loving weirdness to the picturesque Larmer Tree Gardens in Dorset. The event runs from 31 August-3 September.
LCD Soundsystem
Five years after they retired and seven years after their last album, cowbell enthusiasts LCD Soundsystem – led by crumpled university lecturer-looking James Murphy – are back with American Dream. The basic, PowerPoint-esque artwork hopefully isn’t a reflection on the music. Out 1 September.
Film
Patti Cake$
A Sundance hit, where it was snapped up by Fox Searchlight for $10.5m, the lo-fi Patti Cake$ tells the story of aspiring New Jersey rapper Patricia “Dumbo” Dombrowski, and her various attempts to bring her music to at least a handful of people. Having earned her rap battle stripes, she forms a rap crew, PBNJ, featuring her best friend, her ailing nana and a striking loner called Basterd the Antichrist, who has a preference for screaming “sheep” at audiences. It has been described as “Juno meets 8 Mile” – be charmed from 1 September.
God’s Own Country
Yorkshire farming’s very own Brokeback Mountain, director Francis Lee’s feature film debut tells the story of isolated sheep farmer Johnny Saxby and his intense relationship with Romanian migrant worker Gheorghe Ionescu, employed to help out during lambing season. Full of repressed emotions and unvoiced fears, it’s a moving, very British love story. In cinemas from 1 September.
Exhibitions
Andy Warhol
Finishing on 2 September, this inaugural exhibition at Scotland’s recently refurbished listed building Dunoon Burgh Hall collects together some of Andy Warhol’s most famous works, including paintings of the likes of Robert Mapplethorpe, Joseph Beuys and Gilbert & George, plus some of his iconic images of Chairman Mao, Elizabeth Taylor, Muhammad Ali and original boy band the Beatles.
Don McCullin
Famous for his often harrowing photographs documenting conflict around the world, McCullin’s work is about capturing humanity, typically in the worst scenarios imaginable. This free exhibition takes place at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries and runs until 19 November.
Theatre
Five Guys Named Moe
Written and directed by Clarke Peters, AKA Lester Freamon from The Wire, this new production of the Olivier-winning musical arrives in London’s Marble Arch Theatre from 22 August to 25 November. Expect high production values – the venue’s been designed to look like a 1940s New Orleans jazz club – and spirited versions of jazz legend Louis Jordan’s back catalogue.
The Suitcase
Based on South African author Es’kia Mphahlele’s story, this staging at Hull Truck Theatre brings to life the tale of a stolen suitcase and the dramatic aftermath. From 31 August until 9 September.
