London May 2025: Alison’s Spring Art & Music Fix
Eager to recharge the batteries I popped up to London for a concert and a very quick visit to the best art gallery I could in the time I had. Spring in London was a creative storm and I found myself diving deep into a whirlwind of art, fashion, and sound. From a boundary-breaking concert to thought-provoking exhibitions, here’s the recap of what I saw, felt, and lived.
Scissor Sisters at The O2 — Glamour Reloaded
My birthday treat was an experience I’ll never forget with pure sparkle at the Scissor Sisters concert at The O2. The iconic band delivered a high-energy set full of nostalgia, glitter, and unapologetic queerness — awesome. A true glam-pop revival that set the tone for the month. I saw them more than 10 years ago at the Roundhouse and the energy of the group hasn’t changed a bit even with the noticeable absence of the wonderful Anamatronics. The light show projections and costumes really got me excited and inspired. (photos by Phill Kelly)
Power Station Art — Bold & Charged
As you know I do love a Power Station. Charged with raw energy, this space with industrial vibes and creative current. A must-see for lovers of edgy installations and conceptual power. See here my sandcastle of Hinkley Point Power Station a celebration of our industrial heritage here in Somerset. The 02 Arena shared its birthday with the Tate Modern’s 25th anniversary, with is important to me as I was working as a designer in London in 2000 when they were opened to the public.
Exhibitions at the Tate
The Hatch Fashion Show in April proved once again that fashion is art in motion. I turned heads as Char-coal in Future Folklore’s showcase, a mystical, modern nod to ancestral stories. Imagine my surprise when an artist friends said I was obviously influenced by Leigh Bowery. Really? I’m not sure who he is? So when the chance came to go to an exhibtiion charting his life and works at Tate Modern I jumped at the chance and it was bloody brilliant.
One standout moment from the Hatch Fasion Show was Georgina Towler’s haunting portrayal of Murder of the Art School, merging couture and performance in a piece that questioned the very fabric of art education. Shocking, evocative — unforgettable. But hey was she inspred by Leigh Bowery too? Personally I think it’s more like great minds think alike.
What a Shocker! Leigh Bowery’s Sensational Life
The highlight? A retrospective that celebrated Leigh Bowery in all his outrageous, genre-defying glory. From Viennese Actionist influences to Franz West echoes, the show didn’t just chronicle a life — it detonated expectations.
Electric Dreams — Pre-Internet Tech-Art
Finally, I delved into Electric Dreams, a fascinating exhibition tracing the roots of digital creativity before the internet took hold. Analog hacks, proto-digital art, and pure imagination filled the room. Who needs Wi-Fi when you’ve got wires and wonder? It was a bit much for me as I was still reeling from the Bowery exhibition but I think I have some threads to follow up which may influence future works.
London May 2025 was a blast of colour, chaos, and creativity. Whether stomping through fashion fantasy or bathing in neon nostalgia, I enjoyed embracing the city’s strange, stunning soul and came back to my studio in Somerset brimming with ideas.
Alison Jacobs 