As the new year settles in, the UK's cultural calendar is bursting with events to banish the winter blues. Whether you're planning a night out at the cinema, a visit to a groundbreaking art exhibition, or a cosy evening in with a new series, we have your definitive guide to the week ahead.
Cinema and Stage: From Tribute Bands to Tense Westerns
Cinema offers a heartwarming start with Song Sung Blue, a new drama adapted from a 2008 documentary. It tells the story of Neil Diamond tribute act Lightning & Thunder, featuring Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman and a soundtrack full of Diamond classics. For documentary lovers, Frederick Wiseman's four-hour epic, Menus-Plaisirs: Les Troisgros, provides an immersive look inside a Michelin-starred French family restaurant.
On stage, the Harold Pinter theatre in London hosts a gripping adaptation of the classic western High Noon, starring Billy Crudup and Denise Gough until 6 March. Meanwhile, in Liverpool, the Everyman's legendary rock 'n' roll panto continues with a lively production of Jack and the Beanstalk running until 17 January.
Art and Music: Picasso's Energy and Arena Rock
London's Tate Modern kicks off the year with a powerful exhibition, Theatre Picasso, open until 12 April. The show centres on the dynamic painting The Three Dancers and features major works like Weeping Woman, showcasing the artist's revolutionary energy.
Music fans have plenty to choose from. Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro embark on an arena tour from 9 January, promoting their latest chart-topping album. For a more intimate experience, US jazz saxophonist Scott Hamilton performs at London's Pizza Express Jazz Club from 3 to 7 January.
Staying In: Streaming Highlights and New Albums
The week's streaming offerings are strong. Channel 4 airs Bowie: The Final Act on 3 January, a documentary charting the iconic artist's remarkable creative comeback. On BBC One, Dawn French stars in the dark new sitcom Can You Keep a Secret? from 7 January.
In gaming, two rich fantasy worlds offer escape: the narrative-driven Echoes of the End and the Arthurian RPG Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon. For music, Olivia Rodrigo's Live from Glastonbury album captures her triumphant 2024 headline set, complete with a guest appearance from The Cure's Robert Smith.
This week perfectly illustrates the vibrant and diverse cultural scene across the UK, offering everything from high-art retrospectives to crowd-pleasing arena tours and thought-provoking television.
