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The Setup

Locking down the world-renowned Barbican is no mean feat – nevermind for a nostalgic Saturday night rave ‘for the people dem’. But it couldn’t have been a more appropriate location for the garage-meets-classical mashup, expertly conducted by composer and conductor Katie Chatburn and hosted by Spoony (who did everything from work the turntables to playing the trombone!).

The Ignition Orchestra

I’ve seen a fair few orchestra collaborations in my time – Kanye West’s Late Orchestration at Abbey Road studios in 2006 is still my favourite –and over the past few years, there’s been a rising trend of gigs in the capital offering clever interpretations of classic hip-hop and R&B albums. Sure, it’s a bit gimmicky, but there’s nothing like watching a collective of gifted musicians breathe new life into your favourite tunes. The Ignition Orchestra (reppin’ for Manchester) was also made up of a young bunch of virtuosos who probably weren’t even born when UK garage was in full swing – not that it mattered. They were a joy to watch and played their parts beautifully.

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The Setlist

Considering the ridiculous range and volume of a genre like UK garage, Spoony could’ve had an impossible task ahead of him. But there were some joints that were obvious contenders for the 20-song setlist (like Do You Really Like It, My Love and Gabriel to name but a few). There were also plenty of pleasant twists and turns, with instrumentals and a trio of backing vocalists shining as much as the various artist cameos (including Elizabeth Troy, Pied Piper, MC Neat, Lifford, Na-Na, MC Creed, So Solid and Kele Le Roc).

The Crowd

Put a bunch of old school garage heads in a room together, and what do you get? Pure euphoria and vibes on 100. People could hardly stay seated once their tune dropped – for obvious reasons!

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The possibility for more

As mentioned, there were 20 songs on the setlist, but with that, a  fair number of omissions – such as Ms Dynamite, Shola Ama, MJ Cole, Tina Moore, Monsta Boy, Lonyo, Shanks & Bigfoot, Craig David: the list goes on. But I can only imagine the next Garage Classical will fill in the blanks and then some with another night reminiscing over the good old days… booooooo!

DJ Spoony Presents Garage Classical is at the Eventim Apollo on 14 December. 

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Perhaps most well known for the infamous conical bra worn by Madonna, Gaultier’s theatrical designs left the confines of the fashion world and infiltrated popular culture long ago: and perhaps this is what makes him so fascinating and instantly recognisable. Often considered too unorthodox for the Parisian fashion world, he has embraced counterculture and difference throughout his career. He has caused shock in the 80s through the use of fuller figure models, older men and models with tattoos and piercing. But disapproval by some brought admiration from others and he quickly won the hearts of musicians such as Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Marilyn Manson. Gaultier’s ideas also found a place, unsurprisingly, in film costume, having designed for Luc Besson’s Fifth Element and Almodovar’s Kika. In 2012, he became the first fashion designer to sit on the board of judges at the Cannes film festival.

The exhibition will explore the unconventional rise of Gaultier – completely self-taught with a helping hand from Pierre Cardin – and his determination to explode fashions boundaries of conventional beauty, sexuality and gender. The Barbican will be running a film season alongside the show, curated by Gaultier himself, as well as workshops, talks and a satellite exhibition at London College of Fashion’s Fashion Space Gallery entitled Be My Guest; a close up of Gaultier’s graphic work.

A huge talent and a witty loveable character – as any Eurotrash fan can testify – this exhibition promises to be a theatrical look at all aspects of Jean Paul Gaultier’s world. (Words: Laura Thornley)

On from 9th April to 25th August. For more info, visit: www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery

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If their past work is anything to go by, this troop of artists certainly know how to create a spectacle to draw the crowds. With previous pieces made for the Turbine Hall, Somerset House, Serpentine Gallery and Madison Square Gardens they are no stranger to working in remarkable spaces, and their time at The Curve should be no different.

The work promises to combine twelve pendulums that activate sound and light as they swing and guide the visitor through the corridor-like arc. As is often the case, their work emphasises the tension between our real and synthesised experiences highlighting our human relationships with technological advances. But these artworks are rarely for spectacle only. The concepts behind these pieces are founded in deep research and computer technology: these artists know their stuff.

UVA are made up of Matthew Clark, Chris Bird and Ash Nehru, but describe themselves and their ideas collectively, a studio. Their practice includes architecture, sculpture, live performance and installation, with all members bringing unique skill and knowledge to the table. UVA’s slick work has travelled the globe, from Japan to China, Europe and America. Having only formed in 2003, this collective have earned themselves an admirable back catalogue. This new exhibition will make a great addition to this. (Words: Laura Thornley)

On until 1st June. For more info visit: The Barbican

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Gaetano Pesce’s Moloch floor lamp, 1970-71

There’s over 200 works from 70 iconic and lesser known artists and designers including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Achille Castiglioni, and alongside the exhibition will be events, talks, tours, workshops and film screenings, all running up until February 2014.  For more info, visit: www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery/event-detail.asp?ID=14797

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So I’m loving the idea of the Cave of Sounds  – an installation where visitors will get to play bespoke instruments that have  been invented before coming together in one accord for  what could be quite the jam session – especially as it will encompass body movements and new technology.  Players will be connected through interactive floor visualisations with the aim of exploring self expression and understanding how music can be used to communicate with one another.

The project  comes courtesy of London artist Tim Murray-Browne and it  kicks off at the Barbican from 19-26 August.  For more info, visit: www.caveofsounds.com.

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If you just want to enjoy the challenge of getting stuck into a good old debate, it’s the perfect place, with more discussions than ever taking place this year. Interesting talks range from light-hearted discussions on the merits of 2012’s surprise bonkbuster Fifty Shades of Grey to the more weighty question of whether Europe faces its own European Spring.

People generally fall into two camps – those who shy away from voicing an opinion for fear of showing their lack of knowledge, and those who love the cut and thrust of intellectual debate, who’d never let a little thing like ignorance get in the way of having an opinion. So whichever side you fall on, whether you need to brush up on your knowledge or exercise those debating skills, the Battle of Ideas is sure to entice enquiring minds.

The Festival of Ideas runs at the Barbican, from Oct 20 – 21. For more info visit www.battleofideas.org.uk

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Carousel – voted the best musical of all time by Time Magazine – is one of those select few. Written by Rodgers and Hammerstein, it’s a pretty dark and deep fare for a genre that typically likes to keep it upbeat (the duo’s previous creation, Oklahoma!, being a perfect example of this).

The main premise centres around Billy Bigelow, a fairground worker who loses his job working the carousel due to his boss’ jealousy over his loving relationship and thus declines into a life of crime in order to support his newly pregnant wife. The intricate storyline that unfolds deals with some difficult themes including morality, redemption and domestic violence.

This new production by Opera North at the Barbican is set to be world’s away from your typical musical fare. Not only does it feature real operatic singers, it also involves a full orchestra, led by conductor James Holmes, thus offering the impressive score the opportunity reach its full potential. Director Jo Davies is known too for taking lightweight content and giving it greater light and shade. It’s promising stuff.

Featuring classic songs ‘If I Loved You’ and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, Davies perhaps summed up the work best with a quote from fellow legendary musical composer, Stephen Sondheim: “Oklahoma! is about a picnic, whilst Carousel is about life and death.” Which is basically just another way of saying that  Carousel is not your average musical: it’s a true experience – with a story and message that has never been more relevant than it is right now. Don’t miss out.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel by Opera North at The Barbican runs from 15 August 2012 – 15 September 2012. For more information or to book tickets, click here.

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If that all sounds a bit Austin Powers to you, you’ll be pleased to hear that since it’s targeted, in theory, to a younger audience its probably less “Yeah, Baby, Yeah!” and more about dealing with the growing pains and pleasures of development and change in a magical and thought-provoking way. And if that sounds a bit heavy for you, it isn’t –  the aim of Theatre-Rites is to use energy, art and movement to bring about magic and inspire the imagination and we think, with an award-winning team of Arthur Pita and Sue Buckmaster, this show makes a delightful change from the usual Christmas Panto.

Grownups often hear  the words “youth theatre” and think that it isn’t for them  but this shouldn’t be the case as it can, no doubt, teach us all a thing or two about where our Mojo might be hiding. So prepare to take your inner child on a journey of self discovery! (Words: Laura Thornley and Tosin Omilaju) 

Theatre-Rites is on at the Barbican from December 16-31st.  Click here for more info.

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OMA is currently working on designs such as: headquarters for China Central Television in Beijing, Shenzhen Stock Exchange, a new headquarters for Rothschild Bank in London and Netherland’s largest building, De Rotterdam.

With OMA’s eye to revolutionalise conventional architecture and change the way in which buildings can be seen or used, the OMA/Progress exhibition promises to delight, challenge and inspire. Whether modern living is your thing or you just like the little models, it’s worth a trip. (Words: Sian Goldby)

[stextbox id=”custom”]On until February 19th, 2012. For more info, visit The Barbican website [/stextbox]

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Highlight include a range of contemporary and quirky films from New York and Poland as well as a chance to see 21 of the world’s best and most innovative music videos produced in the last 12 months.

And if you’re looking to try your hand at some activities, be sure to check out what’s on offer – the animation masterclass with Polish animator Wojtek Wawszcyzck looks particularly interesting – and you’ll even learn how to reanimate a scene from your favourite film!

There’s a great deal packed into just 10 days, so don’t miss this chance to enjoy  the best in all things animation. (Words: Monique Todd)

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