This week offers a knockout blow of cultural delights, from a dramatic transformation by a Hollywood star to the long-awaited return of an instrumental rock trio and a landmark album reissue. Whether you're planning a night out or a cosy evening in, our guide has you covered for the days ahead.
Going Out: Cinema and Gigs
For cinema enthusiasts, Sydney Sweeney sheds her America's sweetheart image entirely in the powerful new boxing biopic Christy. She steps into the ring as Christy Martin, the trailblazing American boxer known as the 'Coal Miner's Daughter'. Elsewhere on the big screen, director Richard Linklater reunites with Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, a film celebrating the legendary songwriter Lorenz Hart.
Music fans are in for a treat as the medieval-obsessed power metal band Sabaton launch a full-scale assault on UK arenas. Their tour, promoting the new album 'Legends', hits London, Manchester, and Nottingham, promising a loud and educational spectacle. In a rarer event, the acclaimed Australian instrumental trio Dirty Three return for their first UK tour in twelve years, blending moments of beauty with gritty rock intensity.
Staying In: Streaming and Albums
If your plans involve the sofa, streaming services are delivering fresh content. Netflix debuts The Abandons, a new western starring Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson as two women locked in a battle over land in 1850s Oregon. For something lighter, iPlayer offers Mammoth, a high-concept sitcom from Mike Bubbins about a Welsh PE teacher defrosted after 25 years.
In the world of music releases, Neil Young's seminal album 'Tonight's the Night' receives a 50th-anniversary edition, packed with rarities and an alternate take. Pop fans can enjoy Jessie J's powerful return with her new album 'Don't Tease Me With a Good Time', while Canadian superstar Tate McRae expands her latest project with a new deluxe edition.
Don't Miss: Art, Stage and Brain Food
Art lovers should make their way to the Natural History Museum for the ever-popular Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, showcasing stunning images of the natural world. On stage, a major revival of Arthur Miller's All My Sons is underway at Wyndham's theatre, directed by Ivo van Hove and starring the formidable Bryan Cranston.
For those seeking intellectual stimulation, the podcast 101 Part Time Jobs continues to deliver inspiring stories from artists, and a new documentary on Netflix, The New Yorker at 100, explores the future of high-quality journalism in the digital age.
