THEATRE
EVITA, The London Palladium | Until September 6th
If you see one show while you're in London, make it Evita. The original Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice score still gives goosebumps - especially Don't Cry for Me Argentina. Rachel Zegler is extraordinary in the lead. And if you can, time it so you're outside the theatre at 9pm, when she steps onto the balcony. It's pure theatre magic.
CLUELESS: THE MUSICAL, Trafalgar Theatre | Until August 23rd
For a hit of 90s nostalgia with a fresh twist, Clueless is a real treat. KT Tunstall's new score and Glenn Slater's lyrics bring real energy, and Emma Flynn is pitch-perfect as Cher. The outfits, the one-liners, the Beverly Hills bubble - it's all there. But beneath the fun, it's also a clever coming-of-age story about love, friendship and figuring things out (even when you think you've got it all sorted).
GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY, The Old Vic | Until August 23rd
If you missed it the first time, don't let this one pass you by. Girl from the North Country is back for a limited run, and it's every bit as powerful as you've heard. Bob Dylan's music carries this quietly beautiful story of strangers brought together in a 1930s guesthouse. It's tender, unexpected, and stays with you long after the curtain falls.
LIVE MUSIC
LIVE AT RONNIE SCOTTS, Frith Street Soho | Available throughout August
If you're in Soho this August, a night at Ronnie Scott's is always a good idea. The lineup is especially strong this month - Ruby Turner, Logan Richardson, Allysha Joy, and Denny Ilett's Electric Lady Big Band are just a few highlights. Whether you're after soul, funk, or a classic late-night jazz set, there's nowhere quite like it.
BBC PROMS, Royal Albert Hall | Until September 13th
The BBC Proms are back at the Royal Albert Hall, and this year's programme is full of surprises. St. Vincent makes her Proms debut with the Jules Buckley Orchestra, while elsewhere you'll find Mahler, Shostakovich, a CBeebies Prom for little ones, and an overnight organ set by Anna Lapwood. It's bold, curious and full of energy. If you've never been, it's one of London's great summer traditions. And if you have, you'll know why it's worth returning.
COLDPLAY, Wembley Stadium | Until September 8th
If you haven't seen Coldplay live, this is the moment. Their Music of the Spheres tour lands at Wembley for its final UK shows - a huge, heart-filled production powered by renewable and even audience-generated energy. With guests like Ayra Starr, Elyanna, Beabadoobee and the Simón BolÃvar Symphony Orchestra, it's as much a celebration as it is a concert. And with the tour coming to an end, it might be the last time to catch it on home ground.
ART & EXHIBITIONS
DENNIS MORRIS: MUSIC + LIFE, The Photographers Gallery | Until September 28th
If you're into music or photography - or both - don't miss this. Dennis Morris captured Bob Marley, the Sex Pistols, Marianne Faithfull and more, not as celebrities but as people. Music + Life brings together portraits full of raw energy, trust and soul. It's a rare chance to see the world through the lens of someone who was truly part of the scene.
YOSHITOMO NARA, Hayward Gallery | Until August 31st
Yoshitomo Nara's work has this quiet intensity - those wide-eyed figures stay with you. This new exhibition brings together over 150 pieces, from drawings and paintings to sculpture and ceramics. You'll see the influences that shaped him - from nature and punk music to the idea of home and the peace movement. It's thoughtful, a bit rebellious, and completely absorbing.
TAI SHANI: THE SPELL OR THE DREAM, Somerset House | Until September 14th
Somerset House becomes something quite special this summer. At the heart of it is The Spell - a glowing blue figure in the courtyard - and The Dream Radio, a 24/7 broadcast of voices from around the world. With talks, performances and gatherings woven in, it's less an exhibition and more a space to pause, imagine and connect. Thoughtful, unexpected, and well worth a visit.