Old Me, Roundhouse Studio Theatre

I had no idea what to expect when I turned up at the Roundhouse to see the play 'Old Me'. There were a few paparazzi outside, a brass band playing indoors and a host of eccentrically dressed guests. I soon found out that it was also opening night for La Soiree in the main auditorium and this is what everyone was there to see.

After a quick drink in the bar we made our way to the much smaller Studio Theatre, a cute boutique space for more alternative experimental works showcasing at The Roundhouse. At the beginning of 2011 The Roundhouse invited Polarbear to create a new piece of spoken work specially designed for this theatre. The Roundhouse are passionate about exploring and providing a platform for new emerging artists and their work with spoken word, often holding projects for young people to get involved. The result of this dynamic collaboration with Polarbear is shown to us in an intense 60 minute play.

Polarbear wrote Old Me and performs the piece alone on stage, accompanied only by a sparse musical backdrop played by Daniel Marcus Clark on an electric guitar and cello. Polarbear himself is an impressive character actor, slipping into different personas swiftly and with staggering believability. His words seem to be autobiographical and for an hour he acts out and speaks about moments and realisations of note that he wants to share with us. It is an intense performance, very physical, sometimes sad, sometimes aggressive and often witty and funny…a touching balance of emotions from one man eager to share his memories with us. He has an incredible imagination and a skill for storytelling, I was most impressed by the lyrical poetic nature of his words, it was quite beautiful.

'Old Me' is a short and captivating piece, an hour well spent. Look out for Polarbear he is genuinely passionate about his craft and a fine example of raw talent.

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.

The Enterprise

The venue, The Enterprise, felt strangely familiar to me as I walked in a few nights ago; perhaps because the friendly relaxed atmosphere gave off a welcoming vibe.

The Enterprise pub (just over the road from Chalk Farm tube station) is now home to Music News Underground. Music News aims to promote upcoming new bands, showcasing their talent and reviewing the gigs afterwards. The monthly music nights kicked off with female singer Alice Watts in May of this year.

You enter through the bustling pub, up a narrow staircase in the corner of the room and into a dark dingy little space, ready to be illuminated by whichever band is chosen for the night.

When leaving the pub, I noticed the surrounding hip shops and cafes, in particular a few vintage/costume shops caught my eye. Definitely an up and coming area of London – the great Roundhouse is opposite and Camden Town is only a two minute walk. I made a mental note to return to Chalk Farm.