London | Huck
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London

Woman lifting barbell overhead in gym with white walls covered in photographs and documents, orange weights visible.

The UK’s oldest weightlifting gym is under threat. Can it weather gentrification?

The weight of history — The Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club has been open since 1926. Emma Fowle meets the people fighting to keep the East End institution, the history it preserves, and the community it serves alive for the next generation of strength stars.

  • Sport
  • Emma Fowle
Gothic stone archway with ornate metalwork beside modern street art depicting figures with umbrellas on weathered wall.

New Banksy mural appears to reference Palestine Action arrests

Queen’s Building — It depicts a judge attacking a protestor with a hammer, and has been unveiled at London’s Royal Courts of Justice.

  • Activism
  • Isaac Muk
Three people in recording studio: bearded man in white t-shirt, woman in sunglasses and black top seated, blonde woman standing right.

“Young people are carrying fear”: Emerald in conversation with Big Zuu and Kerry O’Brien

DSYF x YUAF x DRIP — A new collaborative initiative sets up a mobile youth club on a bus, which has been travelling around London to run workshops and activities for the city’s young people. DJ and broadcaster Emerald hosted a roundtable with rapper Big Zuu and YUAF founder Kerry O’Brien to hear about it.

  • Activism
  • Huck
Man in black shirt speaking at microphones surrounded by crowd holding Irish flags and banners on street.

Hundreds rally in support of Kneecap’s Mo Chara as court delays ruling on terror charge

Adjourned — Demonstrations outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court saw chants for Palestine and Ireland echo through central London, as the rapper’s case was adjourned until September 26.

  • Activism
  • Ella Glossop
Police officers and construction workers in hi-vis jackets near yellow police car, with large poster showing building destruction in background.

Two founders of Led By Donkeys to face trial after Labour HQ protest

Rushworth resistance — The art and activism crew hung a banner opposite the party’s Southwark headquarters, featuring an image of a bombed out Gaza street that read “Protesting this isn’t terrorism”.

  • Activism
  • Isaac Muk
Woman in grey athletic wear roller skating on wooden floor in dimly lit venue with other skaters in background.

In London, rollerskating’s revival rumbles with the city’s soundsystem culture

Rink magic — New quad skate events around the capital are being soundtracked by a cocktail of jungle, dancehall, amapiano, UK rap and more, in a uniquely London fusion. Ian McQuaid reports on the hybrid skate-dances, and the growing pains that the scene has faced.

  • Music
  • Ian McQuaid
Three musicians performing: man with glasses and acoustic guitar, woman in dark dress at microphone, person with large afro and yellow top.

Line-up Announced for Palestine Benefit Concert at Wembley Arena

Together for Palestine: Greentea Peng, Jamie xx, Paloma Faith, Damon Albarn and more will join the major Gaza fundraiser at Wembley this September.

  • Palestine
  • Ella Glossop
Two people in leather jackets on street, one carrying the other piggyback. Victorian terraced houses and vintage cars in background.

Throwback portraits of the UK’s first punks

Punks 1978-1980 — While working as a photographer in the army, Wayne “Spike” Large would moonlight as a punk on the weekends. His new photobook revisits the characters that he captured from the genre’s heyday.

  • Music
  • Miss Rosen
Woman with long dark hair in black dress and coral kimono standing before vibrant mural with orange dragons, pink shapes, and colourful abstract forms.
© Lady Pink

Meet Lady Pink, the ‘First Lady’ of graffiti

Miss Subway NYC — As a leading writer and artist in a man’s world, Sandra Fabara has long been a trailblazer for girls in underground art. Now, her new show touches on her legacy, while looking to the future.

  • Culture
  • Isaac Muk
Bald man with sunglasses in grey coat speaking at microphone on outdoor stage, ornate classical building with columns behind

Brian Eno announces Palestine fundraiser concert at Wembley Arena

Together for Palestine — It will take place on September 17, with “every penny donated” going to humanitarian relief in Gaza via Choose Love.

  • Music
  • Ella Glossop

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