London Loves - the very best of April

London Loves - the very best of April

28 March, 2012
by: Spoonfed Team

The Spoonfed editorial team select the biggest and best events taking place in London this April.

Art
The big one this April by quite some distance is the super-hyped Damien Hirst retrospective at Tate Modern, which even includes the diamond-covered skull holding court in the Turbine Hall. A yawn is about all we can muster. Thankfully there's a load of other interesting exhibitions taking place across London: from Saatchi's first ever photography show to the David Starkey-curated Royal River at the National Maritime Museum. Meanwhile TV gets highbrow at the ICA and innovative artist-led initative LeandaKateLouise are back with another intriguing curatorial approach – this time inviting artists to create work directly onto the walls of Londonnewcastle Project Space.
TJ


Theatre
The West End gets a little sombre this April but it's showcasing some interesting takes on classics with great casts. There's South Downs/The Browning Version with the always excellent Anna Chancellor, whilst Long Day's Journey Into Night boasts David Suchet, Laurie Metcalf and Kyle Soller. Comic relief comes from Danny DeVito in The Sunshine Boys, but for new writing, Madani Younis' first show as artistic director at Bush Theatre looks like a funny take on five generations of women (set at Butlins no less). More revivals to look forward to include Misterman, The Conquering Hero, and (no caps) debbie tucker green's Random at Rosemary Branch Theatre.
NK


Lifestyle
Dress up as Madonna and give a bottle a blow job at In Bed With 1000 Madonnas, a screening of her infamous 1990 documentary at the Rio Cinema. Go back in time with Back in the Day on their new Soho walk with Barrie Greene, a veteran of the area in its '60s heyday. Cupcake peddlers Bea's of Bloomsbury have a new branch in London Bridge, and are holding weekly block party style film screenings to celebrate. Finally, keep vinyl alive and celebrate our capital's originality for Record Store Day, with events and live music across London's independent music shops.  
TA


Live Music
There’s something weird happening in London this April – everybody seems to playing where they shouldn’t. You definitely wouldn't expect to be seeing messed-up funk metallers Primus playing the Royal Albert Hall, I have no idea what the Futureheads are doing at the Union Chapel, and Village Underground seems way too small for a Simian Mobile Disco show. Yet here they are. Before you all freak out completely, I should add that some people are where they should be. Graham Coxon is at The Forum, Snoop Dogg over at the Hammersmith Apollo and pop punk legends MXPX are down at Macbeth – see you all outside for 7Up and kick-flips!
DH


Clubbing
Easter weekend is as big as any on the clubbing calendar, which means the big boys are out to play. Mulletover celebrate their eighth birthday in style with Carl Craig and Maya Jane Coles at Pulse on Thursday, while the legendary Body and Soul celebrates fifteen years in business. New party Apogee start as they mean to go on with an ace line-up of house and techno young blood. Friday 27th sees huge warehouse vibes courtesy of Deviation, who've invited Omar S and Benji B down for an all-out smasher. Finally, the last Saturday of the month sees the ever diverse Tief present a stratospheric line-up, including Morgan Geist and Todd Terje at Corsica Studios.
TA

Comedy
New comedy venues are blossoming in London this April.  The inflatable purple cow on the Southbank is chock full of wicked comedy shows including a tasty-looking launch night, music from pop mash-up maestros Frisky and Mannish, a quality sketch line-up and stand-up from Brendon Burns and Phil Kay. The people behind Hen and Chickens Theatre are opening a new club in Shepherd's Bush called The Vandella, with loads of fun alternative shows coming up. Elsewhere, Tony Law's trailblazing stand-up show comes to Soho, the 2012 Musical Comedy Awards are being held in Bloomsbury and there's a massive charity line-up at the Royal Albert Hall. EM


Click here for more things to do in London.

Image credit: Damien Hirst, The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living  1991 © Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved. DACS 2011. Photo: Photographed by Prudence Cuming Associates

Spoonfed Team