If you can bear to drag your ass out of the beer garden, there are actually plenty of fun cultural things to do in July. Put down the Aperol Spritz and hit up one of the great new summer movies on offer, drop by an art show, or, if you're feeling the outdoors, just whack on one of the many new sensational albums in the garden.
Anna Jay, Art Director
Wimbledon, coverage on BBC, 3rd-16th July
I'm a sucker for Wimbledon: the plastic cups of Pimm's and punnets of strawberries in bulk just add to the cliché British tradition. I never actually go to the tournament – the ballot in November seems far too organised and there's something nice about fudging in front of the TV when you should really be outside.
Arcade Fire, Everything Now, released 28th July
For my 19-year old self who played The Suburbs on repeat; I can't wait to re-introduce Arcade Fire as a summer staple.
Georgia Murray, Fashion & Beauty Writer
Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power, Tate Modern, from 12th July
Bringing to light the immense creative contribution of black artists to American history during the civil rights movement, this exhibition is essential viewing. Exploring work from the beginnings of the movement, right through to the militant calls for Black Power, autonomy and solidarity, the 150 artworks look at activist posters, study black feminism, and pay homage to iconic leaders like Malcolm X. It couldn't come at a more vital and poignant time.
David Lynch: The Art Life, released 14th July
The word 'genius' is thrown around without much thought these days, but it's safe to say that David Lynch is one. The weird, dark, thrilling worlds he's immersed us in, and the outsider characters he's made us fall in love with are testament to that: from Twin Peaks to Mulholland Drive via Blue Velvet and The Elephant Man. A new documentary directed by Jon Nguyen and Rick Barnes delves into the Lynchian mind, with an exploration of his childhood, art practice and personal life. I can't wait to see how that mind ticks.
Katy Thompsett, Sub Editor
Art Night 2017, various venues, east London, 1st July
Lying comatose on the sofa after another drunken night out, my best friend and I recently swore to find ways to occupy ourselves that didn't involve downing tequila in a shady dive bar at 3am. As if in answer to our (admittedly not very heartfelt) prayers, here comes London's Whitechapel Gallery with a nighttime festival of contemporary art featuring the likes of Jake and Dinos Chapman, Charles Avery and Do Ho Suh. Running from 6pm until 4am at various venues across the East End, it's bound to satisfy my night owl tendencies. Plus it's free! Here's to waking up on Sunday morning (ahem, afternoon) sans hangover. Plan your night here.
Game of Thrones, Season 7, 16th July
Cersei's on the Iron Throne. Dany's headed for King's Landing, dragons in tow. Where the fuck is Gendry, and will Bran ever be anything other than a plot device with eyebrows? I'll be glued to my screen on 16th July to find out.
Gillian Orr, Senior Editor
The Big Sick, released in cinemas 28th July
Based on the real-life courtship between husband and wife co-writers Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, this comedy about an interracial couple (Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan) and their families is being touted as the rom-com of the summer. Plus, anything with Holly Hunter's name in top billing is OK with me.
Lovebox, Victoria Park, London, 14th-15th July
It might take place over two days but, for me, Lovebox is all about the Friday, which sees Jamie XX and Solange perform before – in a UK festival exclusive – Frank Ocean takes on the east London crowd. That is if the notoriously mercurial singer actually turns up. Watch this space...
Fatima Jalloh, Editorial Intern
Pride in London Parade, 8th July
My friends and I will be hitting the streets of London and waving our rainbow flags celebrating the LBGT+ community. This year marks 50 years since the decriminalisation of male homosexual acts in the UK so there's even more of a reason to celebrate!
Ghana Party in the Park, 15th July
I’ll be joining my fellow West Africans this July celebrating Ghanaian culture with live music, food, cultural dancers, a fashion show and comedy. I have never been before, but the event has been suggested to me by some friends who have all loved it.
Natalie Gil, News Writer
Justin Bieber, British Summer Time, Hyde Park, 2nd July
I think we’ve reached a point in our culture where being a fan of Justin Bieber doesn’t have to be “ironic”. And thank god, because I’ve always loved him and am unhealthily excited about seeing him play the British Summer Time festival in London – his only London show this year. I'll be washing my Purpose tour merch specially.
Haim, Something To Tell You, released 7th July
It’s been four years since Haim’s debut album, Days Are Gone, was released, so to say I’m eager for the new one would be an understatement. I’ve been playing the first few songs ("Want You Back", "Right Now" and "Little Of Your Love") from the new album on loop and, since watching the band’s energetic Glastonbury set, I can barely contain myself.
David Farrell, Marketing Intern
Lana Del Rey, Lust For Life, 21st July
Five years on from the breakout success of her debut Born to Die, Lana Del Rey has outgrown her initial "gangsta-Nancy Sinatra" schtick to carve her own cosy niche in the world of pop. She may not sell as many records these days but anticipation is still sky-high for her fourth studio album Lust For Life. Trailed by surprisingly optimistic (for Del Rey...) singles "Love" and "Lust for Life" and billed to feature collabs with Stevie Nicks and A$AP Rocky, this might just end up being the unexpected soundtrack to your summer.
Dunkirk, released in cinemas 21st July
Acclaimed Inception and Interstellar director Christopher Nolan's latest project about the 1940 evacuation of Dunkirk during the Second World War is undoubtedly one of the most highly anticipated cinematic releases of the year. The film's stellar cast includes Tom Hardy and Mark Rylance but it's Harry Styles' involvement which has had people's chins wagging. Dunkirk will mark the One Direction star's acting debut and fans will be turning up in droves to see whether he will sink or swim.
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