We bring you our guide to living well in the world’s capitals, from exhibitions to cinema, food, drink, fashion, music and beyond. Just call it culture and take it, it’s yours.

LONDON, FRIDAY 20th FEBRUARY – SUNDAY 22nd FEBRUARY 2015

In Pursuit of Pugh, back on home soil
Following the announcement that Gareth Pugh will return to good ol’ Blighty this weekend to show his FW15 collection after an almost decade long stint showing in Paris, Pugh hit us with a double whammy, a coinciding retrospective to mark his label’s tenth anniversary is currently open at the Galeria Melissa, Covent Garden.

From humble beginnings working from a Peckham squat Pugh forged his own path, becoming renowned for his ‘modern armour’. With avant-garde sensibilities and a penchant for historical power dressing the Sunderland born designer always sets his goals that one step further than the rest, pushing boundaries through exquisite design.

Bringing together pieces from  past collections, this retrospective is the perfect opportunity to brush up your knowledge of all things Pugh, from that inflatable balloon dress, to the (Dalston Poundshop-bought) FW13 bin bag dresses, to his latest magical folklore inspired SS15 collection. It’s all there, one of a kind, just like the man himself.

Gareth Pugh at Galeria Melissa is on until 29th May at Galeria Melissa, Covent Garden, 43 King Street, WC2E 8JS

Mad Fer it!
Tim Burgess and his crew of Charlatans are bringing the Baggy britpop vibes to London on their latest tour following the release of their twelfth album Modern Nature.

Having first sauntered out of the Madchester scene back in the 90s with their 1990 debut Some Friendly, The Charlatans rode the wave first stirred by Tony Wilson, heading straight to number #1 in the UK album chart. The fact they are still going strong after 25 years is quite a feat considering the obstacles they have had to hurdle, the band have survived the drugs, the egos and numerous drastic hairstyles lead singer Tim Burgess has sported over the years.

As for their live show, just watch them own Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage back in 2002, below. Legendary.

Fight your way to the front – the closer the better.

The Charlatans play at Brooklyn Bowl, inside the O2 Arena on 20th February.
Tickets cost £20 and are available here

Wear your mutton chops long, and your trousers flared
Enter the psychedelic world of Inherent Vice, this week’s must-see film. Based on Thomas Pynchon’s novel by the same name the film follows Stoner private dick Doc Sportello (played by the ever brilliant Joaquin Phoenix) in his search for his ex-girlfriend, Shasta Fay (Katherine Waterston), and the property magnate she’s been fooling around with.

With director Paul Thomas Anderson at the helm it’s a guaranteed wild ride – if you haven’t seen his 1997 seminal cult classic Boogie Nights put it straight to the top of your must-watch list. Inherent Vice features a similar backbone to Anderson’s previous 70s romp: a retro vibe, a five star ensemble cast, and the seedy authenticity of post-60s La-La land.

The soundtrack isn’t half bad either, an original score composed by Radiohead’s guitar maestro Jonny Greenwood. The whole thing will leave you spaced out and pining for some LA sun. Right on!

Inherent Vice, 148mins. In cinemas now

Flamin’ hot
When is a brothel not a brothel? When it’s been converted into a trendy new bar and chop house of course – an entirely different interpretation of the term ‘meat market’.

Avoid the swathes of kids running free during half term by heading to newly opened bar and restaurant Blacklock – sometimes ID checks do come in handy. Located on a side alley just off Great Windmill Street in the heart of Soho. 

A carnivore’s haven, this new bar serves up racks of beef, pork, lamb and veal, all cooked on a homemade charcoal grill and seared with red hot vintage irons made in the 1800s by a cast iron foundry in the Deep South called Blacklock (hence the name). And soak it all down with a cocktail for a fiver. Yeah, you heard, five pound cocktails in central London. Seriously. The concept, simple. The results, bloody good.

The Blacklock is located on 24 Great Windmill St, Soho, London W1D 7LG

TOP GALLERY IMAGE CREDITS:
1. Still, ‘Inherent Vice’ © Warner Brothers 2015
2. Still, ‘Inherent Vice’ © Warner Brothers 2015
3. Still, ‘Inherent Vice’ © Warner Brothers 2015
4. Gareth Pugh. 2015 photography Katie Holt
5. Gareth Pugh. 2015 photography Katie Holt
6. Gareth Pugh. image courtesy of Galeria Melissa
7. Tim Burgess. Photography Caroline Faruolo
8. Still, The Charlatans ‘So Oh’. Image Libby Burke Wilde
9. Blacklock, London. Image courtesy of Blacklock