Get ready for a blockbuster summer as the UK's cinema screens come alive with a mix of magic, mayhem, and mesmerising storytelling! The highly-anticipated live-action adaptation of Disney's 'Moana' is now sailing onto our shores, bringing with it the iconic voice of Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as the demigod Maui. This epic retelling sees newcomer Catherine Laga'aia take centre stage as the fearless heroine Moana, joined by a host of familiar animated friends, including Jemaine Clement's hilariously flamboyant turn as Tamatoa the coconut crab.
If Disney magic isn't your thing, fear not! Horror fans can indulge in the chilling 'Evil Dead Burn', a spine-tingling new standalone film from director Sébastien Vaniček. This French production has already sent shivers down spines at Venice critics' week and promises to deliver a terrifying tale of family tragedy. For those seeking something even more unsettling, 'Rosebush Pruning' offers an unapologetic dose of arthouse horror, tackling themes of incest and high society in the midst of lavish wealth, starring Callum Turner, Pamela Anderson, Elle Fanning, and Jamie Bell.
But it's not all doom and gloom – the UK music scene is about to ignite with a bang as Beat-Herder festival celebrates its 20th birthday near Clitheroe from 16 to 19 July! What began as a humble farm rave has evolved into an unmissable event, boasting headliners like Faithless, Sigma, and Wilkinson, alongside genre-bending artists Roni Size and Mr Scruff. Meanwhile, experimental art-rock collective Black Country, New Road will bring their unique energy to Glasgow's Queen's Park Arena on 16 July, marking a new chapter in their creative journey despite a change in lead vocalist.
In the world of art, London's Whitechapel Gallery is hosting the 'Backyard Biennial: East' from 15 July to 6 September, an eight-week celebration of creativity in the East End. This vibrant exhibition features artists like Denzil Forrester, offering a glimpse into the region's thriving artistic scene. Meanwhile, Tate Modern throws open its doors to a major retrospective dedicated to the pioneering Cuban-American artist Ana Mendieta on 15 July. Known for her powerful works exploring identity, feminism, and the human body in the 1970s, this exhibition is long overdue and promises to leave a lasting impact on contemporary art.
Looking for more? The Buxton International Festival has a treat in store from 15 to 21 July with a rare performance of Francesca Caccini's 17th-century opera 'La liberazione di Ruggiero' by Vache Baroque. And jazz aficionados can celebrate trumpeter-composer Henry Lowther's 85th birthday at the American International Church in London on 11 July, where he'll be joined by the London Jazz Orchestra for a special double album launch.