Sounds from beyond the Shed 204 “Culture”

This week I HAD to go to London. This was a directive issued by the better half, and there was no way out of it. Not that I mind going to London, I quite enjoy poking about obscure record shops or attending gigs of any size or location, but during the day on a Monday? No, not my usual wheelhouse. However, it appeared that there was something in a shop that wasn’t anywhere else. So off we went and I had a brilliant day.

The shop was duly visited, and whaddyaknow I bought something too. But better than that, we still had a couple of hours to spare and headed down Regent St like giddy teenagers in search of fun. First stop, The Devonshire Arms, just off Piccadilly – pedants will say it’s Soho, and they’d be right, but if you’re directing someone, you will say Piccadilly a thousand times. Before you say Soho. Why this particular pub? The best pint of Guinness outside Ireland by all accounts, with both traditional and alcohol free on tap, and after trying both, I cannot disagree. Highly recommended… and heaving at midday!

Wander across Leicester Square and you find yourself at the National Portrait Gallery. It’s free entry and extraordinary. We spent the next hour meandering from room to room, staring into the faces of history. Every single room contained something beautiful, moving, disturbing, or awe-inspiring.  It’s been years since I’ve been, and the whole place feels alive and vibrant despite the fact that 97% of the subjects are long gone. In one room, we were invaded by a party of Hi-Vis-wearing primary school students, screaming and shouting. It was fabulous. They, too, were excited and inspired as well as high on fruit juice!

So why are you writing this, Keith? Well… just to say, that letting a bit of culture into your life will surprise and enrich you. I hadn’t expected to be there. I hadn’t really wanted to go there. Bloody glad I did.

Quick quiz. Identify the subject of the painting alongside this article to receive a couple of CDs from the Shed collection (no using AI or whatnot).

Listening this week has been dominated by two new finds, Horsebath, from Canada, who are playing in Stoke Newington tomorrow night (18/10), catch ’em if you can, and Lloyd and the Leftovers from Australia. The radio show was a disaster as the whole station needed rebooting before I could restart the showbut the final result was a cracker. As ever…..