citylikeyou — Barbican Centre — London by Mira Calix

The Barbican is worth visiting for it’s brutalist architecture alone. The concert programming is really diverse; it’s home to the BBC Syphony Orchestra, but you’ll also find bands like the Dirty Projectors and the National amongst the classical and contemporary composer line up. Plenty of art, dance and theatre too, however, the Conservatory is the real gem that’s not to be missed.

Website
barbican.org.uk

Address
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, United Kingdom

Musician Music Producer

Current city: London

miracalix.com

Mira Calix is an award winning composer, producer and performer based in the United Kingdom. She is signed to Warp Records, on which she has released five albums. Although her earlier music is almost exclusively electronic and organic in nature, in recent years she has incorporated classical orchestration into her work for dance, film, theatre, opera and installations. Mira Calix is currently working on an album with singer/songwriter Malcolm Middleton and working Nothing Is Set In Stone, a musical sculpture for Hidden London , commissioned by The Mayor Of London, for the London 2012 festival

More Places in London 471

London / Shop

I spend many hours in the bookshops along this stretch, namely Henry Pordes for second hand books and new discounted titles (pile on left of photo), as well as Koenig Books for new art books with lots of great discounts in the basement. (photo right). In 2001 the rents for much of this strip were increased to align them closer to market value but thanks to public support they were reduced again. Unfortunately some bookshops still closed down; Koenig replaced the beloved Zwemmers - a real institution - but thankfully still provide great books, although others are no longer bookshops at all.

London / Park

This uninspiring sounding place is a disused railway line that runs along the roofline from Finsbury Park to Highgate. A great place to excerise and escape.

London / Area

It is one of the most important business centres in London. Crowded of suits at daytime, perfectly deserted at night. It is so striking relaxing to walk in there enjoying the silence and the lights! It makes you feel pleasantly far from reality.

London / Cafe

The closest you can get to Little Italy in the east. The owners are amazing, the atmosphere is relaxed, the lunches are abundant and homemade. The cakes are amazing, try Torta Clara (pear and chocolate) for the ultimate bliss.

London / Museum

This beautiful 19thC industrial building is situated in Markfield Park just around the corner from my studio. Once a sewage treatment works serving the whole of Tottenham and now a museum. The fully restored Victorian pump engine is only open to the public on the second Sunday of every month but the outside of the building and surrounding park is a worth a visit regardless.