Residents are invited to a community fun day being organised by the Brixton Immortals Domino Club and the Brixton Soup Kitchen on Sunday, May 25 which is over a bank holiday weekend. The fundraising event will run from 2pm to 7pm at the Brixton Immortals Domino Club Backyard in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton and feature a range of activities. The Brixton Immortals, which formed in the 1970s, is a team and wider community social club playing dominoes in Brixton. The Brixton Soup Kitchen, which shares a site with the Brixton Immortals, helps the homeless and vulnerable, providing food, support and company in a warm and friendly environment. Cllr Dr Mahamed Hashi, Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, who co-founded the soup kitchen, said: “These organisations contribute so much to Lambeth and I want to thank them for organising this event. “It’s an opportunity to raise awareness of their work, build our community bonds and have a good time, so I’d encourage local people to come along.” The family-friendly fundraising event will feature: • Face painting and a kids’ creative workstation • A Cook-Off Showdown between Brixton Immortals and Brixton Soup Kitchen • Complimentary food provided by Milo & Red Peas and the Brixton Soup Kitchen • NHS Health, Well-Being, and Social Advice teams offering free advice • Drinks on sale, raffle prizes, and donation collections on the day The event will be at 297-299 Coldharbour Lane. Congratulations to all our winners. Check them out now! Follow us to get local news, updates and opportunities and stay updated on what's happening in Lambeth. Get email updates about things happening in Lambeth. Explore our topics and pick the ones that matter to you. this event – part of a short UK tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of album ‘Rum Sodomy & the Lash’ – sees the audience singing along in bittersweet unison with the remaining band I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice to the ebullient crowd at London’s Brixton O2 Academy It doesn’t take a body language expert to tell that they agree the others being banjoist Jem Finer and multi-instrumentalist James Fearnley; the rest of the lineup (nine-strong at first with a brass section joining partway through and starry guest vocalists in spurts) are mostly younger in the thick of the frenzied Irish singalong nothing really seems to have changed at all What negatives there are to take away from the evening are mostly technical, and not ruinous. As is often the case in Brixton’s biggest music venue, the sound mixing is far from optimal – the middle ranges get drowned out in a thick-sided sandwich of bass and treble. Plenty of drums, then, and banjo and tin whistle, but the guitar, harp, and even brass are often difficult to pick out. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy London without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. London filled with everything from marathon raves and quirky karaoke sessions to supper clubs and spoken word nights And now comes the exciting news of a brand new 750-capacity venue with a 24-hour license, opening in nightlife hotspot Brixton The first venue in the area to be granted a 24-hour music and alcohol license Brixton Storeys occupies the site formerly home to the Prince of Wales which has been extensively redesigned ahead of the club’s opening.  ‘We wanted to bring a fresh narrative to Brixton nightlife but stay connected to the area’s heritage,’ said owner Stevie Thomas ‘This iconic venue is perfect for that and has been fully renovated with a new perspective that brings it right up to date.’ the venue will offer three distinct spaces Its main indoor space the Red Room features immersive lighting and state-of-the-art acoustics courtesy of Turbo Sound and Funktion-One equipment is suitable for more intimate events. And there’ll also be two outdoor terraces featuring retractable roofs and due to open in June right on time for the summer.  And the venue has plenty of exciting events lined up already, with a host of the city’s favourite promoters and club nights on board, including Mas Que Nada, Supa Dupa Fly, UKG Brunch, Cirque du Soul and Up On The Roof. Eager partygoers can check out the full line-up for the club’s opening months here There’s hope for London nightlife yet It’s official: London is the best city in Europe for live music in 2025 Central London is about to get a brand-new DIY cinema – entirely funded by film fans Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! tiktokfacebooktwitteryoutubeAbout us Contact us A brand-new rooftop sauna and sky diner has launched on top of Brixton’s International House It will offer spectacular views of South London The sauna experience includes a private sauna room and even a private cool-down room which is equipped with a mini bar and complimentary teas and coffees You will be able to take in the views and fuel with a nourishing meal after the sauna at The Birds Nest Diner The new eatery will use local ingredients and bespoke menus The Rooftop Saunas brand already have a sauna spot in Hackney with sauna-goers having to book far in advance to secure a spot The brand’s new addition in Brixton is a partnership between the community workspace provider and Revill Design Group who own the Rooftop Saunas brand The collaborators aim to make wellness facilities accessible and affordable Founder of the Revill Design Group said: “We believe that communities thrive when given barrier-free access to calm This new partnership represents another step towards making saunas and cold plunges more affordable and accessible to Londoners..” you can use the private sauna for only £11pp it costs £15pp for 30 mins during off peak times Link to their website to book is here We'll never send you spam or share your email address Find out more in our Privacy Policy Please enter your username or email address to reset your password The play is based on Simon Parkes’ memoir Alex Wood Max Runham and Tendai Humphrey Sitima will lead the cast of Brixton Calling, a new play opening at Southwark Playhouse Borough this summer. The play is inspired by Live at the Brixton Academy, Simon Parkes’ memoir detailing how, in 1983, he bought the derelict venue for £1 and helped transform it into one of the country’s most renowned music venues. Written by Alex Urwin and directed by Bronagh Lagan, the piece will feature live music, with Runham and Sitima performing guitar and keyboard as part of the show. The show is produced by Kick It Anywhere in association with Southwark Playhouse. Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment joins as associate producer, reuniting with Lagan following their work on Cruise. Kick It Anywhere has also partnered with the Soulstice Collective to deliver workshops for young people in South London and is collaborating with local organisations including Raw Material Music, Deaf Rave and Pop Brixton as part of the project’s development. The production runs from 23 July to 16 August 2025, with press night scheduled for 25 July. The full creative team will be announced in due course. Get the best deals and latest updates on theatre and shows by signing up for WhatsOnStage newsletter today! London O2 Academy BrixtonMexican superstars The Warning prove they’re the Villar-real deal at landmark Brixton Academy show… “You guys ready for some rock’n’roll?” Daniela Villarreal Vélez asks they’ve put themselves and their home country on the world stage in a burning ball of gigantic riffs and passion Tonight’s their biggest show outside of Mexico and they’re ready to light a fire inside the art deco hall of fame that is Brixton Academy Opener Sophie Lloyd is a natural pairing for The Warning and the crowd enthusiastically clap along to her virtuosic shredding at one point flexing her fingers across the fretboard at lightning speed with no accompaniment she even chucks in a cover of Enter Sandman Although she doesn’t colour outside of classic rock’s lines much favouring slickness when more moments like the achingly raw self-doubt anthem Imposter Syndrome would work better The Warning, meanwhile, have a greater sense of grit about them. Coupled with their ability to spit out anthem after anthem, it feels like they’re already screaming for a bigger room. Against a backdrop of pupil-searing video screens and flashing lights, and with YUNGBLUD and Nova Twins looking on from the sassy opener Six Feet Deep to the steely S!CK while Apologize brims with a venomous sense of danger It quickly becomes clear that studio recordings don’t quite do justice to how powerful Daniela’s voice is live (though the towering CHOKE comes close) with more huskiness than their albums capture She even gets a beautiful moment alone in a spotlight for a graceful and more emotional take on a solo than most bands would attempt they have a boisterous crowd this evening that spans a surprising variety of ages from kids in leather jackets to grey-haired men who make the sing-alongs sound like football chants as do the skyscraping whoa-ohs in DISCIPLE you want more?” it sounds like a silly question It’s obvious that their songs are clearly sculpted to soar in a big By the end of the fierce closer Automatic Sun everyone who’s seated and able to is on their feet applauding If we’re looking at the future of stadium rock tonight then we’re going to be in safe hands – and it’s about time we have some women acting as torchbearers “To the people of Los Angeles – my heart is with you my soul is with you…” Sophie Lloyd will be donating a portion of proceeds from Thursday’s Whisky A Go Go performance to charity “I feel like our writing styles really complement each other…” For the third time Cole Rolland and Sophie Lloyd have joined forces for a new single After putting a date at the Camden Assembly on sale Sophie Lloyd has already had to move her debut headliner to a bigger venue just down the road… Watch the video for Sophie Lloyd and Chris Robertson’s collab Let It Hurt – which the Black Stone Cherry frontman describes as a “passionate intense guitar-filled anthem about moving forward in times of darkness” British shred sensation Sophie Lloyd cements her rocket-fast rise with headbanging debut that features an A-Z of famous friends… Watch the video for Sophie Lloyd’s “dream come true” collab with Lzzy Hale taken from her upcoming debut album of the same name as Sophie Lloyd joins forces with Steel Panther frontman Michael Starr for Eddie Van Halen-inspired new single Runaway Sophie Lloyd and Cole Rolland have teamed up for new single Lost – and the music video features a look at Sophie’s all-new Kiesel signature guitar… Lambeth Council has worked to ensure more people than ever are being supported into drug treatment as well as making services ever more available as part of ongoing work to ensure the local authority plays its role in tackling anti-social behaviour in Brixton town centre A pilot outreach scheme launched 18-months ago in Brixton has now been made permanent and has seen experts out in Brixton building trust with rough sleepers and substance users in the streets Most recent figures show more than 300 more adults in treatment compared to the previous year There is now also a Voluntary Referrals app operational in Lambeth that offers a simple-to-use way for police officers to directly refer a person to their local substance misuse treatment service for assessment and treatment Since being put in place the outreach team has worked to boost referrals to treatment programmes decreasing drug-related deaths and lowered of drug and alcohol-related anti-social behaviour Lambeth’s Cabinet member for Safer Communities said: “Drug and alcohol addiction is a destructive scourge on our communities that destroys people’s health drives crime and abuse in our communities and has serious knock on effects while the council undertakes enforcement and community support We have been pushing hard for more visible policing in the town centre and for the increased on the ground police presence Brixton so badly needs “As part of those efforts the council and the police are holding ongoing days of action in the town centre and in response to increasing concern about drug use in public Lambeth Council’s public health team is working with substance misuse services to run the on-street engagement team “The role of the team is to build relationships better understand the needs of people who are using drugs and to support them to access treatment services The outreach workers attend areas of concern and engage with individuals in those areas to learn more about them their needs and what support can be offered but I welcome the progress that has already been made in addressing these issues.” The on-street team go out on early morning shifts and through the day liaising with the police and other agencies for wide coverage working across Brixton town centre in Windrush Square It is staffed by the charity Thames Reach who have experience of working in Lambeth communities and knowledge of the range of services on offer to support people with complex needs supports work across the borough carried out by other teams to address rough sleeping Get email updates about things happening in Lambeth Explore our topics and pick the ones that matter to you updates and opportunities and stay updated on what's happening in Lambeth We use cookies to make sure we give you the best experience possible. By continuing, you're accepting that you're happy with our cookie policy. Click here to find out more 0.87);-webkit-transition:box-shadow 300ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;transition:box-shadow 300ms cubic-bezier(0.4 0.2)),url("https://d1plawd8huk6hh.cloudfront.net/assets/default400.png");-webkit-background-size:contain;background-size:contain;}This event has already happened!.css-kvjh8b{font-family:BuenosAires;font-weight:500;font-size:0.9285714285714285rem;line-height:1.75;text-transform:uppercase;min-width:64px;padding:4px 10px;border-radius:4px;-webkit-transition:background-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms,border-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;transition:background-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 0.26);box-shadow:none;background-color:rgba(0 If you're looking for an upcoming event View more events at London Search for Balearic Beat...Up On The Roof - A Tribute to Alfredo Saturday 24th May2:00pm - 4:00am 60 Dock Road, Londonbuy ticketsDnB Allstars: Censored London Summer Block Party 60 Dock Road, LondonMASSIVE UNRELEASED LINEUP, NO PHONE POLICY, HEAVY SOUND SYSTEMS, STRICTLY VIBES FOR THE HEADS..css-1tyyxax{position:absolute;top:0;right:-8px;height:100%;content:"";background:linear-gradient(to right 0) 90%);pointer-events:none;}For our 10th year of celebrating the Balearic Beat we are happy to announce a very special tribute to the Balearic king The party will take place at POW Brixton (newly rebranded as Brixton Storeys) where Alfredo was both the inspiration for our annual celebration of the Balearic Beat over the last 10 years will be flying over from Ibiza to play a very special tribute set Up On The Roof Plus the excellent Balearic Burger host the Hotel Room -Physical Photo ID is required for entry to all events - no ID Please note: The event information above has been added by the organiser Whilst we try to ensure all details are up-to-date we do not make any warranty or representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information shown because we believe true fans deserve a fairer and smarter way to discover events they love.” 0.08);border-bottom-width:thin;margin-top:35px;margin-bottom:35px;border-color:#4e4e4e;margin-top:16px!important;margin-bottom:16px!important;}© 2001 - 2025 Skiddle Ltd | Skiddle is a registered trademark | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Psychedelic rock band The Flaming Lips return to London for the 20th anniversary of Robots turning O2 Brixton Academy into a giant euphoric soft play for adults There’s a feeling of chaos from the start at Brixton Academy tonight and it’s not just the inflatable robots another confetti blizzard… It’s scheduled to be a long show given the queue of fans still snaking its way around the block well into the first half It’s a shame for anyone who’s here to hear the entirety of tenth album Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots But the slightly hollow feeling of an auditorium that is still slowly filling up is tempered by a crowd who are keen to scream back at Wayne Coyne on cue and to sing every lyric that appears on the giant LED screen Coyne’s energetic playfulness and enthusiasm is contagious: you can’t help but absorb his feelgood vibes.  ELO meets Super Furry Animals And who doesn’t need droopy rainbows and confetti snowstorms right now Coyne’s legendary eccentricity is still very much in evidence grinning mischievously as he emerges from the robots’ legs wielding streamer guns spreading his message to live life to the full and be happy: “All we have is now/ All we’ve ever had is now…”.  Much of the time he’s the only band member visible on the stage the others completely hidden by the robots with glimpses of bassist Stephen Drozd and drummer Matt Duckworth Kirksey in particular unleashing muppet-like levels of energy at their instruments and several times Coyne stops proceedings altogether to check on people struggling in the crowd Or else to get everyone to hug the person they’ve come with But we’re distracted from the many stoppages by the lightshow at its most excellent during songs like Are You A Hypnotist? with Coyne variously dressed as a flower or being hugged by a small inflatable sun – but dig deeper and it’s meaningfully uplifting…philosophical even the second set is a compilation of songs from disparate albums – the risk of a break like this is that it’s difficult to build the atmosphere again She Don’t Use Jelly is a promising start though and we’re propelled back to the early ’90s with everyone belting back the various “vaselines” “magazines” and “tangerines” there’s the The Chemical Brothers’ collaboration The Golden Path and a cover of Daniel Johnston’s True Love Will Find You In The End his voice has started to rasp after all the effort of the night but he’s carried along by the audience and it doesn’t matter I find myself in a Brixton bar filled with joyful fans singing  “Oh Yoshimi they don’t believe me/ But you won’t let those robots eat me” – a tribute to a woman with breast cancer sounding like a general call to arms The evening has felt spiritual in one way and another – Wayne Coyne firmly planted in my head with his positive messaging about living life for the now Follow The Flaming Lips: website | Facebook | X | Instagram Use of these images in any form without permission is copyright infringement If you wish to use/purchase or license any images please contact naomi@louderthanwar.com Louder Than War is run by a small but dedicated independent team and we rely on the small amount of money we generate to keep the site running smoothly Any money we do get is not lining the pockets of oligarchs or mad-cap billionaires dictating what our journalists are allowed to think and write and we want to continue bringing you news on the most interesting releases the latest gigs and anything else that tickles our fancy just pure enthusiasm for a scene that each and every one of us is passionate about We do not charge artists for the exposure we give them and to many Subscribing to one of our paid tiers takes just a minute helping to keep the flame of independent music burning PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO LTW and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. The new multi-floor venue is located in what was once The Prince of Wales pub A new club is opening in London next weekend Taking over the building that once housed The Prince of Wales pub the 750-capacity venue boasts a 24-hour license and fully renovated Main and Boudoir indoor rooms Launching Friday 18th April, the first party will be a tribute to the late Ibiza legend and Balearic pioneer DJ Alfredo and Piero Pirupa play for Summer-ized Sessions a Maizon takeover on 17th May brings Seb Wildblood Cirque Du Soul, Supa Dupa Fly, UKGBrunch, Mas Que Nada and Up On The Roof have also confirmed events. According to RA owner Stevie Thomas aims to bring "a fresh narrative to Brixton nightlife but stay connected with the area's heritage" adding that events will focus on emerging artists and LGBTQIA+ communities Find out more on Brixton Storeys' website.  Elsewhere in London, last month saw the Gallery open as a new 400 capacity club on Kensington High Street. Back in February, East London venue Starlane Pizza Bar announced that it had secured a 24-hour licence. Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date with all things When The Horn Blows related We use cookies and similar technologies to run this website and help us understand how you use it Franc Moody shows us all the colours at O2 Brixton I last saw Franc Moody in London at the O2 Eventim Apollo in March two years ago What I remembered from that was a good show brightly coloured lights and posting a photo of what I can only describe as a red cider served in a plastic teapot on my instagram story - if you’ve been to the venue you’ll know what I’m talking about During our second support (a DJ set by Skinshape) disposable cameras were handed out and I think that gesture is a good way to indicate that a band just wants you to have a good time with your friends The show started with a late performance from Night Tales Imagine the love child of Fleetwood Mac and Aurora because I felt like that’s what I was looking at You might know the song “drifting” and recognise it as I did when they played it as the last song of the set These guys would have killed it at a festival in the early 2010s Frank Moody themselves were standing in the general area too and that’s always an up from me seeing musicians coming out and enjoying the support acts themselves Skinshape is great in general - British artist Will Dorey doesn’t have a biography on Spotify (he does however have a recipe for Ethiopian scrambled eggs which look lush - can someone please try this recipe and reach out to WTHB so I can know?) but he’s a down to earth bloke represented in his interviews and a live show he did during Covid that I can only describe as Will playing his guitar in his living room and broadcasting out to ours His music is super psychedelic and fans of Khruangbin and Lord Echo will immediately feel at home - get “Don’t Call My Name” on at your next BBQ Skinshape did a DJ set tonight which made sense given the electronic sets we’d be seeing When he was on stage he was hidden in a dark corner but from my vantage point I could see him taking each track out of its vinyl sleeve and I enjoying the mix of old music and world music on vinyl Franc Moody are on their album tour for ‘Chewing the Fat’ their latest released on March 7th this year The name really doesn’t sit right with me (I know it’s a colloquial term for gossiping but I can’t get past the literal phrase) but it’s a great album the lads told us that they had originally finished the album and been told it was too short and to add another track which they’re “really glad we did” because secret last track Punchline belongs on the album I enjoyed it live and it’s an incentive to get the vinyl now I know there’s a vinyl-only track even stood at the back you could feel the music vibrating up your femurs They opened with synth and a smoke machine (we would expect nothing less) for track ‘Space Between Us’ and Franc Moody had a big task of getting the crowd energised because we’d been a bit dead Maybe everyone was tired because the new rules at Brixton have you walk the entire circumference of the building to get in Frontman Ned Franc addressed the crowd to quite a large cheer and he played the hell out of his instrument as if being confined to it to play the notes interrupts the dancing and movements he wants to be making but this wasn’t out of place when the song was amplified by live brass musicians behind.  Losing the band for Terra Firma on track two just the two men were then visible in the blue light and the heavy funk and bass drum of the song were reminiscent of Daft Punk Franc timed a little run to the front and got a big cheer - he had enough energy for 10 crowds tonight frontman Moody explained that this was a bucket list for them and they’ll give us one hell of a show So far we’ve had different lights for each song ranging from royal blue to warm sunsets of orange and the band are each stood on their own lit platform At the end of the show I realised we’d had every colour of lights changing for each song This is what I remember from before and they’d built on their lights and shadows to make it visually great just like last time They revealed they’d supported friendly fires in 2018 and dreamed of a show here and I always enjoy seeing London artists play in London because you always get that gratitude and enjoyment come across to the crowd The lighting shifted to a soft pink for new song ‘Square Pegs In Round Holes’ and I asked the opinion of the people around me.  It’s slower but a “great song though” agreed the man next to me in the crowd Both Franc and Moody are good singers but Moody mainly stood out for this track he has a great voice that sounded more melodic in person The song built with the brass band coming back and then joined with a bass guitar - a nice little treat of a music show that differs from the album version Track 8 ‘Night Flight’ was a funky performance and if that didn’t get people moving they must have been really feeling that Thursday tiredness We’ve had every colour of light on stage this evening and the crowd have been quick to cheer and clap clapping and singing along to the opening lyrics “I love it” when Losing touch came on Everyone was feeling the energy of Franc now and Losing Touch is clearly a fan favourite The most exciting performance for me was ‘Dream In Colour’ - the show up until this point had been more colourful than any other and then when the song started in white lights only I knew heavy colour was coming in the chorus Naturally as they sang the chorus a rainbow light display flashed for us The production of this was great and it’s such an underrated part of performances sometimes The crowd loved this song and the entire room sang along to the chorus Bands don’t seem to do encores much anymore and Franc Moody said thanks and goodbye before their last song We knew they’d be coming back on as soon as we clocked they hadn’t played Dopamine and considering headlining a show was their dream you knew they wouldn’t pass on the opportunity for an encore performance.  Words by Jemma SharpePhotography by Abigail Shii This week's Band of the Week is Brighton quartet Slung - who have just released their debut album 'In Ways' via Fat Dracula An epic reprise from the indie rock collectives’ first in five years with the scholars - an ambitious nine-track rock opera magnum opus Sextile blend synth and punk together on their latest record in a way that has never looked – or sounded more fun creating music that’s impossible not to dance to Blondshell’s second record If You Asked For A Picture is a triumph Toronto's very own soul star delight Tanika Charles shares the video for new track 'Talk To Me Nice' - the third single to taken from her upcoming album 'Reasons To Stay' Cardiff rock band HIMALAYAS have just released the new album 'Bad Stars' - an impressive explosion of sound The post-punk psychedelic powerhouse group that is Squid spun the heads off of the crowd lucky enough to see them perform at Camden’s Roundhouse Dreampop outfit Portland make their return with soaring alternative pop release ‘Lay Me Down’ which hits just about as hard as our first introduction to the band; single ‘Lucky Clover’ A love letter to the city they now call home ‘Glasgow Love Story’ is the stunning new album from Scotland’s Tide Lines.  Incubus took it back to the 00s on Saturday night in London with a stellar show full of nostalgic rock turntable scratching and several unexpected covers American rockers Halestorm release new cinematic rock anthem ‘Darkness Always Wins’ This week's Band of the Week is American punk-rock band Heart Attack Man - who have just released their new album 'Joy Ride The Pale Horse' LondonWith lengthy Wayne Coyne anecdotes and frequent interruptions for stage effects to be brought on and off there was an awful lot of time during the Lips’s two-and-three-quarter hour show when nothing was happening stop-start evening: over the course of two-and-three-quarter hours there’s an awful lot of time when nothing is happening – the gap between She Don’t Use Jelly and Flowers of Neptune 6 stretches to seven minutes and Coyne’s anecdote about Kacey Musgraves dropping acid The frustrations start before the band take to the stage Plainly it is better that Brixton Academy is safe for visitors now but there must surely be a middle ground where those arriving half an hour before show time don’t have to queue for 50 minutes to enter Spectacular show … the Flaming Lips play Brixton given that they miss a good chunk of the main purpose of the evening: a complete rendition of the 2002 album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots as assorted stage effects are brought on and off between songs (over the course of the evening we get confetti cannon and the music pauses for minutes at a time It settles down – but for 20 minutes there’s almost no middle the band leave the stage for a longish interval before a second set less gauzy and electronically shaped than the Yoshimi material but just as suffused with the Lips’s peculiar ecstasy: Pompeii Am Götterdämmerung may be the only psych-rock song to ponder the upsides of petrification But the evening is too much of a good thing especially when 45 minutes could be shed without even losing a song By the time a glorious Race for the Prize closes the show last trains calling time long before the band fuelled a night of mayhem at Electric Brixton on Thursday night a Brighton duo made up of Pheobe Lunny (vocals/guitar) and Lily Macieira (bass) are a well-needed addition to the punk scene and filled with rage at the current state of the world the duo are channelling it all into their music They brought their passion and fury to the stage of Electric Brixton on Thursday night with support from bands Goodbye and M(h)aol Fellow Brighton band Goodbye were the first warmup of the evening followed by Irish intersectional feminist four-piece M(h)aol who came out donning Irish and Palestinian flags Their music is fuelled by rage but also acts as a form of release with songs dedicated to dead dogs (of which they have quite a few) to the harrowing history of Ireland’s Magdalen Laundries where “unmarried mothers and difficult women” were sent a song about trying to get home safe as a woman combined with spoken-word vocals: “Keys clutched in my hand / if I stand up straight will you think I’m a man?...I thought about it all / if the shoes I’m wearing would help me run away from you.” It’s a punch to the gut “Brixton – are you ready to fuck?” A battle cry before chaos ensued when the Brighton duo Lambrini Girls took to the stage Waves of anticipation roll through the cheering gig-goers The bone-rattling intro of Big Dick Energy starts who seconds ago were still like calm waters empty cups flying through the air in what seems like slow motion compared to the speed of the crowd moving Lambrini Girls had lit a match and set Electric Brixton alight immediately throwing themselves into the middle of the mosh pit below splits the crowd like Moses split the Red Sea opening up the space for the pair to climb into lowering themselves down onto the floor with the Lambrini Girls the crowd anticipating the next moves of the duo The girls climb back onto the stage having lit the fuse and as Pheobe screams “it’s not that fucking big” The Lambrini Girls are known for being vocal on political issues and have no qualms about calling out the government or the far right unafraid to use their platform and their music to make a stand There is no issue too big or too small that the Lambrini Girls will not address; they do not shy away from potential backlash They are a “political band,” and while their rage-fuelled tracks already speak volumes the duo use their time on stage to further amply their stance They call for cheers for the “Queer Legends” before the duo roll straight into Help Me I’m Gay The floor vibrates as the whole of Electric Brixton chants “FREE PALESTINE” as the band “address the biggest political issue our generation has ever seen” protest and “call out your fucking mates.” As the guitars and maddening drums of God’s Country begin and bodies start crashing into each other once more there’s an overwhelming sense of unity between the band and the crowd A Lambrini Girls show offers those who attend a safe space to be themselves to embrace their anger at the state of the world and release it all on the dancefloor are you sure?” is yelled at the top of everyone’s lungs She encourages the crowd to embrace their anger to “beat the shit out of” her as she stands in the middle of the pit The duo make a point of performing Terf Wars even though it’s not usually included in their set given the Supreme Court’s ruling on Wednesday that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex of allyship between every single person in Electric Brixon Arms are raised in defiance as the whole room screams colliding together and dancing whilst Lambrini Girls provide a mix of songs from their discography - Love like friends egging you on to do something daft as people crowd surf climb on each other's shoulders in the middle of the pit Pheobe pouring Lambrini into the mouths of those right at the front Phoebe and Lily demand the “biggest mosh pit Electric Brixton has ever seen” during the penultimate song Chants of “Fuck Fascism” and “Trans Lives Matter” travel around the venue shaking the walls before Pheobe yells GO and the crowd let themselves fly.  As the distorted sounds of their final song Cuntology 101 starts There is perhaps no better form of therapy than a Lambrini Girls show Warming up Brixton on a bitterly cold Monday night main support Sunflower Bean bring scuzzy guitars and vocals with a punchy punk edge with lead singer Julia Cumming prowling the stage irresistibly Shortly after ‘Shake’ she growls “I’ve been shaking for the hell of it” with rock and roll nonchalance and after a few songs passionately exclaims to a hyped up crowd that “London is one of the best cities and this is one of the best venues in the world Come on London let’s make some fucking noise!” which sends everyone in the room hysterical Cage the Elephant enter the stage with with dramatic flames shooting up from the stage Still riding a wave of the back of a phenomenal 47 date tour across the US last summer Grammy Award winning rockers are full of confidence with thunderous drums and mid song screaming guitar solos Cage the Elephant aren’t here to mess about their ever effervescent singer Matt Schultz wildly gyrating as he wails “Baby don’t cry” on second song ‘Cry Baby’ This track has a Black Sabbath esque heaviness fused with hypnotic effects to create a truly compelling sound ‘Too Late to Say Goodbye’ and ‘Cold Cold Cold’ invite huge singalongs As Matt suggestively sings: ‘You can take me when I’m on the floor’ twisting and turning like a Tasmanian devil exploring every square foot of the hallowed stage below his feet to remarkable effect throughout his wildly energetic performance In a rare but engaging exchange with the rapturous audience Matt expresses his sheer joy at being back playing in London saying “It’s been about five years since we last played here I remember us being on the Central Line drinking Strongbow and gin on the tube we were on a budget and that was our drink of choice!” On single ‘Neon Pill’ from last year’s album of the same name the psychedelic pill like imagery flashing on the screen behind them is mesmerising combined with the smooth vocals and jangly effects layered over the top Their Red Hot Chill Peppers funk tinged rock is still clearly a huge hit with their followers despite their five year live absence from London This is is highlighted by the fact that debut album signature songs ‘Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked’ and ‘Back Against the Wall’ are left until the latter part of their set with songs from every one of their six studio albums eliciting an equally enthusiastic response That they have sold out this prestigious venue is a testament to their enduring popularity since their early days playing intimate sweaty clubs on the circuit in 2008 Speaking to NME in November last year about their touring plans their show tonight stands them in good stead as they will indeed be ‘Standing On the Shoulder of Giants’ after this tour when they will be supporting Oasis on their North American tour leg everybody has their own path - they probably could give me some good advice we should have put together the old MTB Celebrity Deathmatch and we’ll do the old claymation Battle Royale But me and Matt have gone through our things as well This self deprecation is typical of the band final song ‘Come Little Closer’ is a rousing end to a phenomenal performance by a band at the peak of their powers and sure to set festivals alight with their funk fuelled flamboyance this summer Words by Brendan SharpPhotography by Stefania Mohottige Step inside Lambeth Town Hall like never before as ‘Orchitecture’ transforms the building’s historic Edwardian architecture into a living live installation will explode an orchestra across interconnecting rooms creating a ‘Symphony to Walk Within’ — an experience that places you at the heart of the music Produced by award winning arts organisation Aswarm in collaboration with Chineke Foundation – Europe’s leading majority Black and ethnically diverse orchestra – this transformative performance invites audiences to explore sound and even see a conductor in the Mayor’s chair guiding an invisible orchestra in the ornate council chamber Sit in the councillors’ seats and feel the power of the music from a unique perspective This unique event will take place at the Town Hall Lambeth’s Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities said: “Orchitecture Brixton is a powerful celebration of Lambeth’s diversity By transforming our historic Town Hall into a living symphony this event honours our commitment to making public spaces more inclusive and tell stories that reflect our shared history and future and feel the heartbeat of Lambeth’s community through music.”  Celebrating Lambeth’s Diversity and Creativity  Orchitecture Brixton aligns with Lambeth’s Borough Plan The event features the artistry of Chineke Foundation and local young talents from Lambeth Music Service promoting intergenerational mentorship and creative expression By reimagining civic spaces as cultural hubs it supports Lambeth’s goal of creating connected neighbourhoods where everyone feels a sense of belonging Foundation will perform Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Othello Suite This piece highlights Lambeth’s history of activism and community resilience Orchitecture encourages reflection on creating inclusive spaces and celebrating diverse narratives amidst global challenges The event will also feature a series of thought-provoking talks:  The event not only celebrates Lambeth’s rich cultural diversity but also sparks conversations about the importance of public spaces for creative expression and social interaction By blending historical stories with modern performances Orchitecture Brixton offers an immersive experience that challenges how we see things and encourages people to engage with the arts in new and meaningful ways It prompts reflection on representation in both classical music and public institutions The performance features professional musicians from Chineke Junior Orchestra and local youth from Lambeth Music Service fostering mentorship and community engagement Orchitecture Brixton is produced by Aswarm and Lambeth Council in partnership with Chineke Supported through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Select tickets – Orchitecture Brixton – Lambeth Town Hall  south London.","thumbnailUrl":["https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1920x1080/p0kmmtxq.jpg","https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1232x1232/p0kmmtxq.jpg","https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/688xn/p0kmmtxq.jpg","https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/400xn/p0kmmtxq.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2025-01-29T06:10:49.127Z","duration":"PT1M33S"}Watch: 'Who says chess can't be lit?'This video can not be played CloseIt is a quiet Wednesday night in Brixton restaurants and shops have closed for the day 24-year-old Kojo Dwimoh has started his own pop-up chess club He says up to 100 people can come through to play Mr Dwimoh initially set up the club to better connect with his friends and it has become more popular week by week - so much so that he is looking for a new venue to host the event Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionEditor's recommendationsWatch: 'Who says chess can't be lit?' Video 00:01:33Watch: 'Who says chess can't be lit?' 1:33Up Next Watch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz 00:01:44Watch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz 1:44Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 00:01:25Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 1:25Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster Video 00:01:21Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster 1:21'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 00:01:20'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 1:20Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 00:02:54Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 2:54Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 00:01:32Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 1:32Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 00:01:11Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 1:11Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 00:00:50Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 0:50Ros Atkins on.. What's in the US-Ukraine resources deal 1:23Kamala Harris hits out at Trump in first major speech since losing election 00:01:18Kamala Harris hits out at Trump in first major speech since losing election 1:18Watch: Moment Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi is released 00:00:46Watch: Moment Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi is released A triumphant return after their 2022 residency at the venue LCD Soundsystem are returning to the UK for an 8-night residency at London O2 Academy Brixton The run of shows will take place from Thursday THE APRIL 2025 ISSUE OF UNCUT, STARRING LED ZEPPELIN, JASON ISBELL, BRYAN FERRY, MARIANNE FAITHFULL, THE WATERBOYS, DAVID BOWIE, MADDY PRIOR AND MORE, IS AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW LCD previously played a sold-out six-night residency at O2 Academy Brixton in 2022 followed by last year’s shows at Glastonbury and All Points East Tickets for the new dates go on general sale at 9:00am on Friday, March 7 and will be available from here ** Sunday shows are early shows and run from 5pm – 9pm No thanks, I’m not interested! Maddix 0) 90%);pointer-events:none;}MADDIX bring his XTC UK tour to London's Electric Brixton on Saturday 24th May (Bank Holiday Weekend) with special guests Rocketman and Sacha Harland Dunes and Spiritual Cramp at O2 Brixton – A night of cathartic release From the moment fans began queuing around the block it was clear this wasn’t going to be just any ordinary gig The vibe was less “concert” and more like an impassioned rally supporters handing out politically charged leaflets calling for global unity and Rise Against-emblazoned badges akin to the ‘I Voted’ pins given out in the US Election and a sense of community smashed against each other like furious creating the perfect cacophony of disillusioned — yet still somehow hopeful — rage Who better to combat the pervasive February chill than the Californian rockers ‘Talkin’ On The Internet’ and ‘Young Offenders’ blasting against the vaunted venue’s walls you couldn’t help but be sucked into the maelstrom of pits that swiftly opened and fuck all of you!” at a rowdy O2 Brixton crowd he held it aloft during finale ‘Better Off This Way,’ punk rock in its most venomous occupy a strange spot in the music industry Made up of a who’s who of legendary rock musicians and fronted by the mighty Anthony Green of Circa Survive they seem to be both ridiculously in demand — selling out tours appearing pretty much anywhere they want — and also the music world’s best kept secret with two intimate headline shows at the 350-capacity New Cross Inn last May still having tickets available on the night and general fun of every single show that the group put their name to Seeing them up on stage at the inimitable O2 Brixton felt like the final piece of a puzzle slotting seamlessly into place Opening their set with a Freddie Mercury-inspired warm-up Anthony Green’s declaration of “we came to rock” was immediately validated as they launched into the high-octane ‘Permanent Rebellion.’ Never mind the words — the sheer frenzied explosiveness of the scream-laden frontman as he leapt around the stage didn’t leave much room for anything as mundane as lyrics it was impressive how well they balanced tracks from their debut album and their latest release The explosive ‘Fatal Deluxe,’ Tucker Rule laying waste to his drum kit followed by ‘Grey Veins,’ with Frank Iero lending his distinct vocal talent By the time recent title track ‘Violet’ and the once-solo-track ‘2022’ concluded their set it was clear: gone are those halcyon days of the sub-500-cap rooms it did feel a little bizarre watching Anthony Green stay on stage throughout the set — usually you’d find him knee deep in a sweaty mosh pit by the time the first guitar string was plucked — but Then came the band everyone had come for: Rise Against Diving straight into the fan-favourite of ‘Satellite,’ Tim McIlrath’s signature vitriol blaring through the iconic speakerphone the crowd was instantly thrown in the deep end immersed in the band’s passion and roaring right along as the band shredded through one of their biggest hits sanguine lights that almost felt like the strobe of a police car it was a whirlwind — it was going to be one of those sorts of nights Tracks like ‘Architects,’ ‘Ready To Fall,’ and ‘Behind Closed Doors’ kept the crowd in a constant state of motion — crowd surfers flying overhead as raised clenched fists surged through the air… This was a crowd here to feel alive ‘State Of The Union’ seemed to market a turning point a track which saw the band necessitate some context “We’re going to give you our state of the union right now: there are no more adults in the White House… there are only total fucking lunatics.  It’s not unique to America and it can spread worldwide like a cancer if we don’t keep an eye on it.” Cue venue-wide cheers as the band’s pent up rage bubbled over in each cathartic scream ‘The Violence’ and ‘House On Fire’ right after and a scathing reflection of the frustration that seems to hang in global politics like a tense miasma a sentiment that has somehow only grown stronger in recent years Even when McIlrath picked up an acoustic guitar for the emotional ‘People Live Here,’ its lines — “my God’s better than yours” and “scream to the sky that people live here” — felt like a heartfelt despondent plea to the heavens rather than a jaunty acoustic tune With the energy surging back with recent single ‘Nod,’ and the ever-magnificent ‘Prayer Of The Refugee,’ a track that feels as relevant today as it did when it was first released in 2003 After a night of some of the best musicians to have ever done it White & Blue’ and the iconic ‘Saviour’ a slew of emotions flaring across every face in the room and one of a people unilaterally united in rebellion against the hate still pervading the world Photography by Charis Lydia BagiokiWords by James O’Sullivan Another London bar closure is on the cards as Hacha Brixton will be shutting for good in February Hacha Brixton will be calling last orders for the final time on 15 February Hacha Brixton was the second outpost from Hacha co-founders Deano Moncrieffe and Emma Murphy wrote: “Having spent a wonderful 3.5 years in Brixton Village we are sad to announce that we will be serving our last Margaritas on February 15th “We have wholeheartedly enjoyed being part of the Brixton community and welcoming the thousands of agave lovers that have joined us over the years but circumstances beyond our control have led us to this decision.” we have many exciting things in the pipeline so watch this space Speaking in the video that accompanied the announcement Moncrieffe said it was a “very difficult decision” for him and Murphy to make and it was “ not a decision we took lightly but we thought it was in our best interests to close the doors” Moncrieffe’s Hacha is also behind the acclaimed Mirror Margarita ready-to-drink cocktail Hacha Brixton is not alone in its closure announcement. This week, news also broke that London bar Silverleaf would be closing Earlier this month, the New World Trading Company also closed two of its Botanist bars and an additional site in the UK Meanwhile, in October last year, TT, formerly known as TT Liquor, in London also shut after nine years In a challenging environment, The Spirits Business explored what could be done to reinvigorate the UK capital’s nightlife scene following a swathe of club and bar closures We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. but family is forever," says Paul Anthony Williams who has been making Jamaican patties with his family in Brixton since 2018 and describes the process as "like therapy." Together with his girlfriend Charmaine and her brother Fabian they have gained recognition in south London for their variety of patty flavours Some of these flavours were created by Charmaine who was inspired by her experience working in a school canteen The family is now moving to an industrial unit to expand their production capabilities BBC Radio London's Anayah Richards went to meet the family and make some patties of her own Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionExplore moreWatch: 'I'm the greatest patty man in the world' Video 00:01:31Watch: 'I'm the greatest patty man in the world' 1:31Up Next Family-run London bakery wins supermarket deal 00:01:19Family-run London bakery wins supermarket deal 1:19Editor's recommendationsWatch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz Pete Philly and Perquisite are back and boogieing better than ever The duo arrived at Brixton’s Hootananny alongside Jeangu Macrooy who kicked things off with a soulfully rousing bang Jeangu Macrooy’s incredibly soothing vocals simmered over some satisfyingly funky instrumentation this was the band’s first time gigging in London Macrooy and his band have been playing together for ten years and have gathered quite the following in the Netherlands—so much so that they were due to represent them in the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest Macrooy treated Brixton to the track he was due to play one of his more somber pieces depicting the experience of going through a depressive period in your life The sympathy shone through Macrooy’s intense vocal talent The level of talent across Macrooy’s band was a joy to the audience as we watched the guitarist rip the audience a new one and the bassist take to the forefront of the stage for a bass-driven jam—what was a welcome Funk disco tracks like Space and Dance with Me ensured that the audience's feet were moving Leading the crowd off with Dance With Me perfectly settled the crowd in for the highly-talked-about live antics of the night’s headliners the boys—very much now men—were back in town and performing with a fresh new perspective “It had been so long since we’d made music together it feels really good to come back together and a lot of experience we didn’t have the first time round.” relatable method of writing their introspective rap hits and it appears that that attitude has very much evolved and moved with them into their new music Fans of the old will not be disappointed with tracks off their latest project which they performed with passion and grace is an ode to fatherhood and navigating the trials and tribulations that come with it in a tough world Pete’s charismatic but sincere performance allowed the audience to tap in and out of the exciting bouncy tracks like the classic Fish to Fry and take a moment to revel in the emotion of tracks like Eon the soulful classic rap song Empire is one of the best examples of the range of Pete Philly’s lyricism: “That’s my only explanation that we keep recreating the same situation the vanquish and anger throughout these nations.” Pete’s flow and rhyming patterns scratch an itch in your brain and it was all the more impressive to see live This particular track is also where we get to see Pete display himself as a singer as well as a rapper the frontman said something which the audience can see resonates most heavily on this track: The band played a perfect variation of the old and the new with Pete’s smooth flow flying over the equally smooth melody of Perquisite’s cello and Floris van der Vlugt’s beautiful baritone saxophone One of the greatest joys of a Pete Philly and Perquisite show is the enormity of the band which makes it feel like a true musical celebration they were joined by five other members: Noah Bouwman on drums and the aforementioned Floris van der Vlugt on saxophone The audience was treated to the full expansion of the band’s musical talent on tracks such as Raindrop where Pete is bidding farewell to a past life of ill health and it crescendos to a sax solo which left jaws on the floor There was an array of feelings throughout the setlist—from upbeat dance tracks like Fish To Fry laid-back smooth hits like Lazy and Time Flies The band put on such a performance that when it came time to say goodbye but only on Pete Philly’s one condition that: The band played out with a crowd-engaging rendition of Q&A where the audience and the band were singing together and for one another It felt like everyone in that room was living like it was a completely singular moment that will never occur again There was presence and togetherness and joy and that can all be attributed to Pete Philly and Perquisite Words by Adam MirPhoto credit: Roeltje van de Sande Bakhuyzen A plaque honouring the lifesaving work of the country’s first sickle cell nurse counsellor will be unveiled at London’s newest and boldest blood donor centre in the heart of Brixton The accolade recognises Dame Elizabeth’s lifelong commitment to improving the care of people living with sickle cell disease and thalassaemia and heralds a new phase in NHS Blood and Transplant’s drive to recruit more Black heritage blood donors from across south London Developed in collaboration with community leaders Brixton’s first-ever permanent blood donor centre has been specifically designed to welcome the local community to give blood by creating a friendly a ‘hero wall’ showcasing inspirational stories of local young Black blood donors and residents combine to create a laid-back feel rooted in the Brixton community Consultation rooms are named after local landmarks including Windrush Square and Electric Avenue while donors are encouraged to share messages on a feedback wall to inspire others Brixton was identified as the ideal location for the new centre because of its young and diverse population and renowned community spirit of giving With the largest Black heritage population in England and Wales the south London neighbourhood has the potential to significantly boost the numbers of Black heritage donors especially those of Black Caribbean and Black African heritage has never been greater Blood donations from Black communities are key to treating the increasing numbers of people with sickle cell disease Donors from Black Caribbean and Black African heritage are significantly more likely to have the specific ‘Ro’ blood type used to treat sickle cell - a debilitating life-limiting condition that disproportionately affects the Black community More than half of Black heritage blood donors (56 per cent) have the Ro blood type compared with just 2.4 per cent of donors from other ethnicities NHS Blood and Transplant data shows that in 2023/24 210 donations of blood were needed each day to treat patients with sickle cell disease across England with over three quarters of this blood – 160 units – needed by hospitals in London Register now and book an appointment on our website on the GiveBloodNHS app or call 0300 123 23 23 “It’s an honour to see the hard work of those who have strived to improve the care of people with sickle cell and thalassaemia over several decades recognised in this way “When I became the country’s first specialist sickle cell nurse counsellor in the 1970s the disease was not very well known or understood But what we did know was that the generosity of blood donors was key to alleviating the pain of patients and despite major advances in the treatment of sickle cell we still rely on the generosity of blood donors from the Black community to make a lifesaving difference That’s why the opening of the Brixton donor centre in the heart of the community and shaped by the community “I urge all people across south London to make an appointment at this unique new centre to give blood and save lives.” “We have worked in partnership with community groups and local businesses to deliver a centre and experience that’s rooted in Brixton - from bespoke artwork created by local artists to inspirational stories from Black Brixtonians who have saved lives through their donations “The Brixton donor centre is open for business and our skilled staff are on-hand to guide south Londoners through the donation process and welcome them to the community of life savers “It is an absolute honour to have Dame Elizabeth open the centre and for us to be able to celebrate her inspirational achievements especially in supporting and caring for people with sickle cell disease and thalassaemia.” “The opening of the new blood donor centre in the heart of Brixton will be vitally important in addressing the huge need for blood donors “There is an urgent need for more Black Londoners to give blood to provide life-saving transfusions to sickle cell patients “I know from personal experience that giving blood is quick and I want to encourage Londoners to step forward “Dame Elizabeth’s lifelong commitment to improving the care of people with sickle cell disease is an inspiration “This innovative blood donor centre in Brixton is a vital step towards tackling stark health inequalities With sickle cell disease disproportionately affecting the Black community we urgently need more Black heritage donors and yet we know that only 1% of regular blood donors are from Black African or Black Caribbean backgrounds and there are a lot of patients from diverse communities who need blood – sometimes in emergency situations The new donor centre in Brixton will go a long way to obtaining a constant supply of blood from diverse altruistic donors – helping to ensure patients get the lifesaving blood transfusions that they need.” “We’re asking Brixton residents to make an appointment at the new donor centre to give blood and help save lives We have capacity of manage more than 1,000 appointments a week so I urge all potential donors to sign-up today “The entire donation process takes just an hour Donors complete a health questionnaire as part of the screening process before working with our fantastic health team to make their life saving donation “Donors can only give blood around four times a year so recruiting more donors is vital to securing London’s blood stocks so every Brixton resident who comes forward is making a vital contribution to the lives Marketing and advertising “won’t evolve by accident” says Brixton Finishing School founder Ally Owen as the organisation partners with the IPA The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) is partnering with Brixton Finishing School to support Advertising Unlocked 2025 – the IPA’s annual open day initiative to support emerging talent in advertising on 12 November the initiative has offered 12,000 young people the opportunity to see the industry from behind the scenes Working with Brixton Finishing School and its ADventure programme which supports pathways for as early as school-age talent means the IPA will be able to tap into more secondary schools and colleges to partner students with 75 participating agencies ‘It wasn’t enough to just create opportunity’: Inside the setup of The Finishing School Foundation   Brixton Finishing School will be providing access to employability support and enrichment resources to help young people to continue to gain lessons beyond the day itself These include pre-recorded webinars about key workplace skills live sessions with agencies and post-event guidance for agencies on how to keep talent pipelines flowing “The industry won’t evolve by accident With ADventure as the bridge and the IPA at the helm we’re creating early engagement that genuinely changes lives and ultimately changes the face of our industry,” says Ally Owen The IPA’s director of diversity and inclusion praises Brixton Finishing School’s “track record in reaching and supporting diverse “By combining our industry network with their expertise in early engagement and in readying students for employment we’re ensuring that the next generation doesn’t just get to look inside – they thrive once they’re in,” she said adding that the collaboration will help “build a stronger more sustainable talent pipeline that reflects the creativity and diversity our industry needs to stay relevant and future-focused.”   With only one in four TV ads being subtitled in the UK and less than one in 10 with audio description there is much progress for advertisers to make in creating more accessible advertising former Creature London boss Stu Outhwaite-Noel wants all agencies serious about attracting working class talent to become Living Wage Accredited From nurturing T-shaped talent to benefitting from specialists on the job market SMEs are looking for new ways to recruit their way to growth Behavioural science does a good job of explaining why utilising The Famous Five paid off so handsomely for Great Western Railways After winning the Premier League last Sunday Liverpool FC’s senior vice-president of digital says the work for marketing is building up to an “even bigger crescendo” offering our view on what they mean for you and the industry From Motorway’s CMO and CFO making their relationship a strategic partnership to Coca-Cola highlighting its “localness” in light of geopolitical tensions The travel industry often finds it easier to “default to visual” but Expedia says the majority of households it reaches via audio are not reached by any other channel The new Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Services (LARC) Hub at 1a Raleigh Gardens on Brixton Hill offers the improvements to healthcare that the women of Lambeth asked for The service opens this week to provide the health services the women of Lambeth asked for Lambeth’s Cabinet member for Healthier Communities Lambeth asked people in the borough how we could improve contraception services The most-needed changes were more appointments available for coil and implant fittings appointments and consultations available outside of traditional clinic hours and easy and clear booking systems” “Workshops with Black African and Black Caribbean young adults from Lambeth were also part of the information gathered and revealed the need for more trusted information and conversations about contraception” “Many people also said they wished more GPs would offer contraception services as they prefer this to going to a sexual health clinic Local clinicians also highlighted the need for a local training programme for GPs and nurses.”   Since 2023 we have been working to improve the contraception offer across Lambeth Including increasing appointments available at the weekends We have also made coil appointments available for HRT treatment and for non-contraceptive reasons at the GP We would like to take this opportunity to thank the GP Federation for its partnership work on improving access to contraception The refreshed LARC Service Hub is designed to continue to meet those needs identified by residents in engagement exercises The Hub will provide training opportunities for local clinicians interested in becoming LARC Fitters and appointments for patients whose GP does not offer LARC services Your guide to London's culture and transport news and events taking place across the city Published on 25th March 2025 by ianVisits in Transport News An empty unit at the back of Brixton tube station could become a restaurant has filed a planning request with Lambeth Council The back of the station is currently mainly a shabby back passageway, but Places for London argues that it can improve the area by opening up the back of the station with a cafe or restaurant. The space they want to open up used to be a staff area The restaurant would also sit next to a long-closed rear entrance to Brixton tube station, which used to link Electric Lane at the back with the front of the station — a convenient crowd-avoiding shortcut for those who knew about it. Originally lined with small shops the arcade closed around the turn of the century Places for London says that opening a restaurant here won’t affect any possible plans in the future to reopen the covered passageway to the front of the tube station As an element of Places for London’s argument for opening the restaurant is to activate an otherwise little used back street maybe the restaurant will lobby for the passage to be reopened as they will benefit from the increased number of people walking past the new venue This website has been running now for over a decade, and while advertising revenue contributes to funding the website, it doesn't cover the costs. That is why I have set up a facility with DonorBox where you can contribute to the costs of the website and time invested in writing and research for the news articles It's very similar to the way The Guardian and many smaller websites are now seeking to generate an income in the face of rising costs and declining advertising Whether it's a one-off donation or a regular giver every additional support goes a long way to covering the running costs of this website and keeping you regularly topped up doses of Londony news and facts If you like what you read on here, then please support the website here and the latest news published on ianVisits You can unsubscribe at any time from my weekly emails © ianVisits 27th February 2025Words: Daisy Carter Photos: Phoebe Fox LCD Soundsystem have confirmed that they’re returning to London’s Brixton Academy this Summer to complete an eight-night residency at the beloved venue performing a run of shows over two weekends in June - including a pair of early start LCD Soundsystem will play Brixton Academy (again) on 12th-15th and 19th-22nd June 2025, and tickets will go on general sale at 9:00am on Friday 7th March here. Check out the full run of dates and revisit our review of their triumphant All Points East headline set below. LCD Soundsystem make a triumphant return to Victoria Park for All Points East 2024 For the initiated, their two hour stretch is near faultless. LCD Soundsystem’s Brixton Academy residency will take place on the following dates:  JUNE 202512 Brixton Academy13 Brixton Academy14 Brixton Academy15 Brixton Academy**19 Brixton Academy20 Brixton Academy21 Brixton Academy22 Brixton Academy** ** Sunday shows are early shows and run from 5pm – 9pm. View this post on Instagram A post shared by O2 Academy Brixton (@o2academybrix) Get tickets to watch LCD Soundsystem live now. 12.06.25 O2 Academy Brixton, London 13.06.25 O2 Academy Brixton, London 14.06.25 O2 Academy Brixton, London 15.06.25 O2 Academy Brixton, London 19.06.25 O2 Academy Brixton, London 20.06.25 O2 Academy Brixton, London 21.06.25 O2 Academy Brixton, London 22.06.25 O2 Academy Brixton, London £19.99 £19.99 £17.99 £17.99 £19.99 £44.99 This Is Happening! It’s the group’s first new music since 2017… Festivals Live Review We bring you all of the highlights from Worthy Farm’s first day proper Festivals Jockstrap and Jai Paul at the Victoria Park event next summer Get the best of DIY to your inbox each week Latest Issue April 2025 Advertise with DIY ↑ Back to the top See what the south London venue has coming Brixton House has announced its third anniversary season The season includes the world premiere of Black Power Desk a new musical inspired by the Black Power movement of the 1970s the production is directed by Gbolahan Obisesan and presented in association with Birmingham Hippodrome and The Lowry Other highlights include Millennium Girls by Sophia Leonie a production featuring 1990s classics and an all-female cast with music supervision by Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante of Boy Blue readings and music curated by Danny Bailey and BAFTA winner Tobi Kyeremateng while the season will also feature Dominic Garfield’s Lil.Miss.Lady and Montel Douglas’ One Day Out The season also introduces the Biyi Bándélé Bursary Fund which will support African diaspora writers with mentorship and funding Executive creative producer Ruth Hawkins said the programme marks an important moment for Brixton House as it commemorates the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Brixton Uprising you witness a piece of work by an incredible artist evolve over the years and I couldn’t be more honored to collaborate with PlayWell Productions to bring the highly anticipated world premiere of Urielle Klein Mekongo’s new musical This is our biggest show yet – one that deserves a life far beyond our walls – placing the Black British female narrative front and centre.” Get the best deals and latest updates on theatre and shows by signing up for WhatsOnStage newsletter today Tonight’s show from Oklahoma psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips promises to be a lengthy one – a perfect experience for any die-hard fans out there the first sees the band play their hugely popular 2002 album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots in full and the second is an assortment of hits from the Wayne Coyne-fronted group After a painfully long queueing system to get into Brixton Academy those lucky enough to catch the beginning of the band’s set were treated to a full rendition of the Lips’s hit album – the very record that gave us the bittersweet track Do You Realize and saw the band receive universal critical acclaim When it’s finally time to play this famous ode to mortality as the lyrics are played out on a piercingly bright screen behind a giant blow-up rainbow singer Wayne Coyne asks the crowd to tell the person they came with that they love them which likely made the audience cringe or beam depending on who they were with Coyne appears to have problems with his voice and that’s not surprising when he has almost three hours of singing to contend with every night The 64-year-old is still full of energy and candid conversation regaling the crowd with plenty of anecdotes in between songs The laser display is intense and often mesmerising a huge disco ball is brought out onto the stage While The Flaming Lips are renowned for their extravagant shows there are points where the brightness and flashing lights feel a tad overpowering The second set opens with an amped-up version of the 1993 single She Don’t Use Jelly After an intriguing story about Kacy Musgraves taking acid Coyne and co launch into the country stars’ collaborative track with Coyne now dressed as a flower with petals around his head are all part of the Lips’s signature stage presence and it’s likely part of the reason why the Academy is bursting at the seams tonight The night ends on the joyous 1999 single Race for the Prize with Coyne holding up a large silver balloon spelling out “F*ck Yeah Brixton” – a fitting ending to a show that never faltered on energy For further information and future events, visit The Flaming Lips’s website here The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 01 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 02 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 03 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 04 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 05 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 06 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 07 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 08 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 09 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 10 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 11 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 12 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 13 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 14 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 15 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 16 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 17 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 19 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 20 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 21 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 22 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 23 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 24 The Flaming Lips at Brixton Academy - Miguel de Melo - The Upcoming - 25 Watch the video for the single Race for the Prize here: