It’s mid-August already, the year is flying by and so is your existence – so you might as well fill it with good stuff. (good stuff below)

Jeune amour
Based on the critically acclaimed novel from French author Philippe Besson, Lie with Me became known as the ‘French Brokeback Mountain‘ once translated into English, telling the story of a love affair between two teenage boys in 1984 France. Adapted for film by Olivier Peyon, Guillaume de Tonquédec stars as Stéphane Belcourt, a novelist returning to his rural hometown for the first time in 35 years to speak at an event where he encounters a young man related to his first love. The plot is peppered with flashbacks as we’re invited into Stéphane’s youth growing up gay in a conservative town. It’s a bold coming-of-age drama meditating on themes of shame, internalised homophobia and acceptance.

Lie With Me is screening at the Barbican this weekend, more info here. 

A day in a field
Now in its 16th year, Field Day is back at Viccy Park doing what it does best. Pulling together one of the festival’s most eclectic lineups to date, a mix of electronic and experimental artists will be split across five stages. Headlined by the elusive Aphex Twin, his return to Hackney will mark the DJ’s first performance since 2019 and rumour has it the set will be an audio-visual masterpiece (we don’t doubt it). Other names on the line-up include Bonobo, Jon Hopkins, Jayda G and Art School Girlfriend, as well as the introduction of a BBC Radio 6 Music stage curated by Mary Anne Hobbs featuring ones to watch such as HEROINE 18 star yunè pinku.

Field Day will take place at Victoria Park on August 19th, more info here. 

Stormzy in the park
A double festival whammy this weekend with Stormzy headlining the first of this year’s All Points East festival. Also at Victoria Park – so if you can hack it, stay for the two days – the UK musician will be bringing out the hits for a blockbuster show. Get there early to see support slots by Kehlani, Sampha, Knucks and WSTRN amongst others.

Stormzy headlines All Points East on 18th August. 

It’s like real things, but they aren’t real…
Callum Eaton is finding the beauty in the banal for his debut London solo exhibition Look But Don’t Touch at Carl Kostyál. Best known for his hyper-realistic trompe l’oeil style paintings of modern life, his latest series focuses on the obsolete technological equipment  on the streets of London. We’re talking old red telephone boxes, ATMs, photo booths and has-been vending machines. Highlighting the changing landscape of our urban environment, Eaton offers a wry critique of the commercialisation of contemporary culture, these 3D objects created for our consumption and interaction are stripped of their uses and transformed into pop art in the British artist’s 2D interpretations.

Look But Don’t Touch runs at Carl Kostyál until September 9th, more info here. 

Whip it real good
Synth-pop pioneers Devo are in town as part of their 50th year anniversary and *tears* farewell tour. This is your last chance to catch the iconic US new wave outfit and hear hits like Whip It, Satisfaction and Puppet Boy live, as they should be heard – loud and live. Don your yellow suits and red energy dome hats, we guarantee a party atmosphere with dancing, whooping and whipping.

Fun Devo fact: In 1978 Richard Branson flew Devo to Jamaica and tried to convince them that John Lydon should be their new singer after the dissolution of the Sex Pistols. That obviously did not happen.

Devo play Eventim Apollo on 19th August.

Victorian boozer
Since lockdown, Hackney’s Prince Arthur pub has been operating on a rotating chef residency and as a result has discovered the likes of Hot 4 U, who went on to open London Fields’ Papi (another HERO fav). Taking the reigns this summer is Joe Couldridge, following stints at Michelin-starred Texture and Leroy, as well as everyone’s favourite steak joint Hawksmoor. The British chef will be serving up a menu of gourmet hash-browns topped with devilled crab, scotch bonnet cornbread, slip sole with bone marrow butter, ribeye with gentleman’s relish and a classic strawberry knickerbocker glory to finish.

The Prince Arthur is located at 95 Forest Rd, E8 3BH, more info here. Check out their Instagram here.