Who. What. Where? No. 80
After successfully launching last summer with an exhibition and forum around the trailblazing UK skateboarders of the 70s, London Calling is back. This time round, the focus of the event (which takes place from Thursday the 11th to Sunday the 14th) is celebrating the ’80s and ’90s scene through the lens of RAD (Read and Destroy) magazine. Whether you’re a bonafide skater or more of a Palace poser, there’s a little something for everyone at London Calling. A signing of the newly launched RAD retrospective will be held on Friday morning, there’s a custom tee printing workshop on the Saturday, and on Sunday there’s even an skate session taking place at Crystal Palace Skate Park. One to take your ex-skater Dad to (talking from experience with that one) or a date you want to look particularly esoteric in front of. Get updated with what’s going on by following their Instagram, or grab yourself a ticket to the forum, here.
If you’re looking for something that’s a little more exhilarating (slash dangerous) than jumping on a skateboard, look no further than the first ever London edition of The North Face Climb Festival. What that entails is you heading to Canary Wharf Dock to watch some of the world’s top climbers battle it out on a 16-metre-high wall with only the water below to break their fall. It could be said that climbing (and bouldering) is having a bit of a moment, and The North Face Climb Festival is tapping into that in the hopes of inspiring other people to get on the wall, while showcasing a whole lot of athletic prowess. The North Face Climb Festival was held for the first time last year in none other than Chicago, but this year London is joining the likes of Shanghai and New York in taking it global. We reckon the main draw of The North Face Climb Festival is that it’s a bit like watching a very immerse episode of Total Wipeout, but it’s arguably even better than that — there’s talks from big names of the climbing world, an immersive retail experience and DJ sets from artists like Ross From Friends, Laurence Guy and NiNE8 Collective. The North Face Climb Festival will take place 12-13 July in London’s Canary Wharf. Tickets are free, but you can learn more about set times and all that malarkey by clicking here.
For everyone not so inclined towards physical activity, it’s time to head over to the Coal Terrace, a new rooftop destination from Coal Office, created by Chef Owner Assaf Granit. Offering 360-degree views of Regent’s Canal and Coal Drops Yard, and spanning two floors, a trip to Coal Terrace will have you sitting amongst lush greenery, soaking up some palpably chill vibes and munching on food that’s been specially designed for the space. Think charcuterie and pickles served with cloud-like pita, tuna sashimi, fried Greek cheese and pretzel bread that’s freshly baked in-house. Dunk that in some labneh, wash it down with some white wine and you’re good to go. Coal Terrace launched on the 29th June 2024 and will be open every Wednesday to Sunday for lunch, dinner and drinks. Have a gander, here.
It’s safe to say festival season has been a bit of a disaster so far. The weather’s been horrific and all that we can really hope for at this point is that the ground remains dry — let’s say a prayer for those at Download. So, please excuse us as we look forward to the indoor (and dry) events later this year, starting with Manchester’s iconic Warehouse Project. Following his debut at WHP last year, Grammy award-winning producer Black Coffee will return to Depot Mayfield on 29th October for a specially curated performance. In what will be his only UK appearance outside of London this year, the DJ will be joined by grime pioneer Skepta, who’s bringing his Más Tiempo show to Manchester. Deep house music originator Kerri Chandler and South African DJ and producer Desiree will also make an appearance, while other acts including Jayda G, TSHA and Themba. Sign up for pre-sale here.
Somehow, England are still in the Euros, and everyone in the country will be watching eagerly tonight as we come up against the Netherlands. But even if you’re not a footy fan, there’s still a summer of sport to enjoy: Wimbledon has already served up its first few games, and the Olympics are right around the corner. With that said, you’ll need somewhere to settle down, have a pint (or three), grab a bite, and pretend you know much more about discus than you really do. Luckily, Selfridges and Champion have teamed up to open a swanky new US-themed sports bar on the iconic retailer’s lower ground floor. Showcasing the sporting heritage of Champion, exclusive vintage pieces from as far back as the 1940s and 1950s will be on display. Meanwhile, guests can indulge in a number of classic US sports bar dishes, including The Champion Hot Dog, TouchDown Wings, Three Pointer Shrimp Taco, and even an Oreo Boozy Milkshake — all while watching a variety of sports. If that sounds up your street, the Champion Sports Bar at Harry Gordon’s is open from 11:30am every day, with food and drink served until 9pm from Monday to Thursday and Saturday, 9:30pm on Friday, and 6pm on Sunday. Make your reservation here.
