THE JOURNAL
Mr Michael Keaton in The Founder, 2017. Photograph by Mr Daniel McFadden
From politically charged pop-punk to Mr Michael Keaton’s glorious return to the big screen, Mr Porter selects the art and culture set to shape the year ahead.
The end of one year and the beginning of another brings with it the opportunity to look forward with a sense of dizzy optimism. This is especially pertinent now, given that 2016 was one of the bleakest years in recent memory. 2017 is going to be a better year than 2016. It will be better. Repeat after me. But judging by all the exciting things going on this year, it’s not just blind positivity that is causing us to look forward to the months ahead. From the biggest releases in music and film to important calendar dates in the worlds of art, style and travel, here’s our one-stop guide to everything you need to do, see and hear this year.
THE TV SHOW
Mr Tom Hardy in Taboo, 2017. Photograph by FX Networks, courtesy of BBC Pictures
Taboo
After a year in which tech took over the small screen (Westworld, Humans, Black Mirror), Mr Tom Hardy teaming up with Mr Ridley Scott on a period drama billing itself “the anti-Downtown” is nothing short of exciting. The eight-part series, directed by Mr Kristoffer Nyholm (The Killing) and Mr Anders Engstrom (Jordskott), promises a grim, menacing atmosphere, telling the story of Mr Hardy’s presumed dead adventurer returning to London to reclaim his father’s shipping empire. The clue, apparently, is in the name: this is TV that will get people talking.
When: 7 January, BBC
THE FILM
Mr Michael Keaton in The Founder 2017. Photograph by Mr Daniel McFadden
The Founder
2017 is looking like Mr Michael Keaton’s, bold second act. His role as Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming (itself a wry nod to his comeback role in 2014’s Birdman) precedes The Founder, which sees Mr Keaton playing the tricky, manipulative Ray Kroc, the man who put McDonald’s on the map. From The Social Network to The Big Short, cinema has been enthralled with depicting true stories on the big screen, and their success has shown that it’s an appetite worth sating. The Founder is already being lined up as an Oscars contender – not least because of Mr Keaton’s murky, manipulative leading man. Just don’t call it a Keatonnaissance.
When: 17 February
Claude Bosi at Bibendum
THE RESTAURANT
The renowned French chef is set to launch his new venture in 2017 at the iconic South Kensington hangout Bibendum. Expect the usual quality seafood in the former Michelin (tyres, not food) HQ, a new cocktail bar, and Mr Bosi’s Michelin-starred fare in the new first-floor dining room. Our tip: save room for the famous half-a-dozen oysters.
When: spring 2017
THE HOTEL
Render of The Address Boulevard Dubai. Courtesy of The Address Hotels + Resorts
The Address Boulevard Hotel, Dubai
On the off chance that 2017 might throw the odd spanner in the works – dead icons, impending war – consider sacking any sort of adventure off and unwinding somewhere remote yet reliable. Try the Address Boulevard, opening early 2017, located in the prestigious Downtown district of Dubai. Think sleek minimalist furnishings and city living coupled with an on-site spa and wellness centre, all conveniently nestled among the city’s cultural hotspots. If you’re going to stick your head in the sand, this isn’t a bad place to start.
When: spring 2017
THE FESTIVAL
Primavera Sound Festival. Photograph by Mr Eric Pamies, courtesy of Primavera Sound
Primavera Sound
In a post-truth world populated with fake news, it is sometimes difficult to separate fact from fiction. One thing which is unequivocally true, however, is that Frank Ocean is playing Primavera Sound in Barcelona this year, and last year’s Blonde was one of the most powerful, complex and brilliant records of 2016. Primavera Sound’s impressive line-up also includes Solange, Run The Jewels, Bon Iver, The xx, Miguel and Japandroids – that’s six more reasons to be frothing at the mouth about the whole thing.
When: 31 May – 4 June
Ross Raisin – A Natural
THE BOOK
The Yorkshire author’s third novel focuses on the toxic culture within football. Shy introvert Tom Pearmen dreams of playing for his home club, but after failing to secure a contract finds himself in a League 2 side, where he is exposed to the dominant personalities and testosterone-fuelled world of professional football. One of the most highly anticipated reads of 2017.
When: March 2017
THE EXHIBITION
“Shit buildings going up left, right and centre”, 2014 by Mr Wolfgang Tillmans. © Wolfgang Tillmans. Courtesy of Tate London
Wolfgang Tillmans
The groundbreaking artist debuts his first exhibition at the Tate, using still-life portraiture, photography and a range of video and multimedia to explore crucial political issues. The exhibition has a particular focus on the year 2003, or “the moment the world changed”, examining how the invasion of Iraq and the subsequent anti-war demonstrations inform the social and political climates.
When: From 15 February
Balenciaga SS17
THE COLLECTION
To say the anticipation surrounding Mr Demna Gvasalia’s debut menswear collection for Balenciaga is high would be something of an understatement. But the understatements end there; the collection includes extreme shoulders, boxy silhouettes and oversized accents. If you’ve ever wanted to channel Mr David Byrne in Stop Making Sense – now’s your chance.
When: February, on MR PORTER
THE ALBUM
MUNA. Photograph by Ms Catie Laffoon. Courtesy of Sony Music
MUNA – About U
Pop is at its most urgent at the intersection between joy and sadness, and LA trio Muna, who release their debut album About U next month on RCA, understand the power in pop’s duality. Lead single “I Know A Place” is a giddy, fist-in-the-air banger that’s part rallying cry, part melodic masterpiece. Lyrics like “I know a place/Where everyone’s gonna lay down their weapons” resonated strongly following the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, where 49 LGBT people were murdered. Expect more politically-tuned pop from them this year.
When: 3 February