Lang Lang and 2Cellos, itunes Festival, Roundhouse, Camden

There must be some pressure being the only classical artists at the iTunes festival, but a few nights ago prolific musicians Lang Lang and 2Cellos rose to the challenge and provided the Roundhouse audience with an evening of staggeringly virtuosic music.

The Festival has returned to Camden offering a programme of esteemed musicians and popular bands from 1st to 31st July. Foo Fighters, Paul Simon, Adele, Linkin Park and Beady Eye have all performed this year. There is a lovely feel of inclusivity, thanks to the method of ticket distribution – every ticket is free and must be won through various competitions. As it happened my brother and a good friend both won pairs of tickets to see Lang Lang’s showcase, so along with my tickets we were a friendly group of six.

Supporting act 2Cellos arrived on stage for their hugely entertaining set. Duo Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser have gained enormous popularity through YouTube with their eccentric, invigorating and wildly passionate renditions of famous pop songs. These two boys are very talented players, but also astoundingly good at arranging, presenting reworked pop songs that in some cases are much more interesting than the originals. My favourite piece of the night was the brilliant adaptation of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, which they performed with infectious energy; some of the U2 numbers were also breathtaking.

Lang Lang is certainly a showman... for most of the opening piece he was almost entirely covered by dramatic stage smoke... a fun effect, but it unfortunately prevented anyone from seeing him for a while. He played a Liszt-heavy programme, a composer whom he obviously deeply respects - he even said to the obedient audience at the start “we will enjoy Liszt together”!

After gaining my Grade 4 piano as a child with some difficulty, and desperately struggling with those relentless scales, I have a real admiration for pianists. To hear Lang Lang, considered by many to be the best pianist in the world, perform such a complex repertoire with confidence and faultless technique was breathtaking, and the hollow venue that is the Roundhouse only made the experience more atmospheric. Lang Lang gives every single note its just significance, his hands dancing balletically across the keys so fluently that it is difficult to believe he only has two hands.

I left feeling I had experienced two stunning performances in a truly unique setting. The iTunes Festival tickets are sadly all allocated for this year, but get in there early next year for the chance to see some awesome concerts, and let’s be honest, everything tastes better when it’s free.

More info on itunes festival website here.

Visit 2Cellos website here, and Lang Lang here, you can buy Lang Lang's album here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 44 - Guts for Garters

As I sat on a crowded Northern line carriage, suffering from agonising toothache, I began to wonder if this post-work traipse across London would be worth the effort. I had no idea then that I would be visiting an exquisite, unique and entirely unforgettable treasure trove, packed full of long forsaken goodies and exciting inventions.

This spring, more precisely two weeks ago, ‘Guts for Garters’ launched their eccentric idea on the world, a new concept store that houses all manner of creativity. The two founders, Rachel Chudley and Cassie Beadle, both recently graduated from the prestigious Courtauld Institute, felt they had something new and different to offer to the art world, an imaginative space for desirable and more importantly accessible art and design, quite simply a museum of everything and anything.

The exterior is white and minimal quite the opposite of the magical, colourful and enchanting interior. This is no jumble sale, though on first glance the eclectic collection looked a little similar. It is made up of carefully sourced vintage finds – clothes, jewellery, books, and other strange and wonderful objects that fall within ‘Guts for Garters’ first theme: ‘The Royal We’. Here you will find ultra collectable designer clothes that mimic the Queen’s elaborate style hanging on racks looking delicious. Creations from upcoming artists grace every inch of wall: strange pictures, crafty crockery, and daring jewellery, many pieces specially commissioned for this project. Each item is unique, and with some pieces costing as little as £20, this is affordable art at its most inventive.

Having always wanted a costume department for a wardrobe I was utterly delighted with the array... wishing every bit of it was mine. Sticking dutifully to my pre-New York buying ban I resisted purchasing anything, though I did treat myself to one of the new £3 catalogues to entertain me on the tube home. I was so impressed with the incredible attention to detail and thought that these two illustrious girls have put into this mission, showing a real passion, and immense effort. Among my favourites of the gems (and there are honestly too many to list) were the fabulously macabre bone rings, carved from deer antlers. Starting at £50 these beauties looked brilliant on, striking and mad, but strangely pretty too. Also some wildly exquisite chunky bracelets by a genius artist called Bert Clayton.

Every couple of months G4G will be staging a new theme, with ‘Surreal Women’ up next. There is a certain spirit of rebellion to this current exhibition, ‘The Royal We,’ as there always is when joking about the monarchy, but also an air of undeniable elegance and charm. This subject was incidentally decided long before Kate and Wills made the announcement.

I found my heaven in Guts for Garters, a beacon of originality that lights up Camden with its hip, distinctive vibe. Please don’t take my word for it, this is a whole world of delights that you must see with your own eyes.

Visit website here.

PROUD GALLERY CENTRAL shows Bob Dylan photographs

This blog post is just as much about the venue as it is about the exhibition. PROUD Galleries in Camden is famous for its clever double act, art gallery by day, fabulous music venue and bar by night. London Lite called it ‘a magnet for all things cool and beautiful’. But who knew that a few miles away, on the stylish Kings Road, sits another PROUD gallery open to the wandering public seven days a week?

The photographs in both venues are wonderful, Camden displays prints that can be bought for as little as £70, so there is something for everyone no matter what the budget. For those collectors who want a more exclusive piece of work PROUD central is the place... the photos are often limited edition and consequently more expensive. Many times I have intended to visit the Camden branch either for food, art or music – all three massively appeal to me, but being a West London girl haven’t yet had the chance. I stumbled across the more central PROUD gallery a few days ago while on my way to a work night out. It was the striking black and white photos of Bob Dylan that caught my eye, and I couldn’t help but go in, just for a peek.

The space is clear and quiet, with a sophisticated feel, and a sweet bookshop in one corner. My favourite legend, Dylan, hangs all over the walls, sometimes alone with his guitar, and in some prints accompanied by various lovers or fellow musicians. All utterly engaging and inspiring to gaze at. Downstairs in the gallery is PROUD’s current exhibition of Keith Richards, featuring work by world class photographers including Ethan Russell, Dominique Tarle and Michael Cooper. I didn’t find these photos as exciting, most likely because they are not as recognisable to me. And yet as a collection they work coherently, complimenting each other and giving the viewer a real insight into the colourful and wacky era they capture. This exhibition will run until 21 November, when a Lennon show will start.

PROUD is one of the most popular privately-owned photographic galleries in the UK, and it is clear to see that they care about photography as much as their fans. I am delighted to have found the King’s Road branch, it is a gallery not to be missed. Oh, and did I mention admission is free?!

Visit the website here.