The Insider – London (un)covered Dec 6-12

Rock the Scottish nostalgia with Teenage Fanclub in Camden's Electric Ballroom. Photo Credit: Libraryman/Flickr

The Insider is The First Pint’s expert on all things cool and London. Picking out the best of the week’s events and activities; one-off or regular, unique or mainstream. So we have a day-by-day selection of the best events to keep you occupied all week long. Enjoy.

Despite being a natural Christmas humbug, the Insider has deigned to acknowledge the season in this week’s picks. Nostalgia plays a big part too as he revisits an old musical favourite and mourns the closing of a club in Kilburn.

Monday 6 December

Asylum is a word that often inspires mind numbing, reactionary and hate filled public discourse. I trust that Professor Ranjana Khanna’s feminist analysis of offering asylum will provide an antidote to the standard radio talk-show debate. Turn up to the New Theatre of the East Building at LSE for 6.30pm to see if you agree that she ‘reconceptualises the boundaries of modernism’, which seems like a good way to kick of the week.

Tuesday 7 December

Any other typeface junkies out there? TypeSCALE is a short run exhibition at the Camberwell Arts Space, it closes on Thursday so make sure you find time to get your fix, the gallery is open until 9pm.

Wednesday 8 December

Another nostalgia night, its slightly disconcerting when you realise you’ve been listening to a band for almost twenty years. Tonight you’ve got a chance relive the glory days of Big Star inspired 1990s power pop from Teenage Fanclub at the Electric Ballroom in Camden. Tickes are £17.50 and the show kicks off at 8pm.

Thursday 9 December

A few weeks ago I took some time to praise the Luminaire in Kilburn as one of the best music venues in London. Sadly a few days later they announced their closure at the end of December. If you have never been, then you are running out of time. Try some Canadian indie rock from the Rural Alberta Advantage tonight.

Friday 10 December

Free lunchtime music today in the Clore Ballroom of the Royal Festival Hall. From 1pm Chris Brokaw and Geoff Farina play blues and ragtime tunes from their recent album The Angel’s Message to Me.

Saturday 11 December

I don’t make many concessions to the holiday spirit. I am firmly part of the ‘bah humbug’ camp, but when a great Christmas film comes along I can buy into it for as long as the cinema lights are dimmed. This year the BFI have chosen well for their seasonal extended run, Ernst Lubitsch’s Shop Around the Corner, starring James Stewart. There are three opportunities to see it today, and many more up until 30 December.

Sunday 12 December

Cinema montage and death, sounds like perfect Sunday afternoon entertainment and quite a counterpoint to yesterday’s Lubitsch. Berlin based artist Oliver Pietsch’s exhibition From Here to Eternity at Nettie Horn Gallery on Vyner Street runs until the 23 January.

I’ve planned something a little lighter to pick up the mood in the evening. Sunday Social is a regular event at The Old Queens Head on Essex road, free music in the upstairs room from 4pm.