Things to look forward to in 2020
2020 is here and we have an exciting 12 months ahead of us.
With the Tokyo Olympics, Euro 2020, a US Presidential Election and Brexit, the year is already shaping up to be a rollercoaster. But there are also a fair few things which may have slipped under you radar on the way in 2020.
So here are a few to keep your eye out for.
The Gentlemen
Guy Ritchie's return to the London gangster flick hit screens in the UK yesterday and lands in the US on January 24. The trailers promise a return to form from the director of Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, with a big-name cast chewing their way through the scenery of London's (fairly slick-looking) underworld.
Mattew McConnaughey tops the bill as marijuana kingpin Mickey, with Hugh Grant, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery and Colin Farrell all sharing the bill.
The early reviews are good and the trailer promised plenty - thought I'm reserving judgement on Grant's accent until I've seen it.
Others to watch out for: The King's Man, Mulan, No Time To Die, Black Widow, Top Gun: Maverick
Tequila
I have been going on about this for a while, so I figure it's time to put me money where my mouth is. 2020 is going to be the year the tequila goes big. For a long time - and for many of us - it has been seen as that drink which still gives us nightmares from house parties many years ago. That stigma is massively unfair on the large number of top quality tequila brands producing spirits which are, for me, on par with whisky as a sipping drink in many cases.
Some very big names are moving into the market. George Clooney's Casamigos was bought by drinks giant Diageo for an astronomical sum, Nick Jonas has released Villa One and Dwayne Johnson's Teremana is set to hit the market later this year.
Preppy Style
Image: Ralph Lauren
Preppy fashion has been on the cusp of a big return for a while and all the reports coming out of Fashion Week last year suggested it is here for the Twenties. Boat shoes and blazers are rolling back over the horizon, but one of the most novel takes on this was the appearance of statement Oxford shirts which made one of the preppy staples into a trend in its own right. Even rugby shirts are set to have another moment.
Bombay Bicycle Club - Everything Else Has Gone Wrong
With their 2016 hiatus apparently behind them, Bombay Bicycle Club announced their return with Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You), which is a great precursor to a new album, which we can expect later this year - it is also the ideal driving tune for dark winter evenings.
Others to watch out for: Green Day, La Roux, Pet Shop Boys, Tame Impala, Sam Smith, Dua Lipa
Statement Jewellery
Image: Jimmy Q
Do you remember back when chains and big rings were all the rage? Well you'll be glad to know that they are back - although somewhat more refined - and you can spend 2020 getting your inner Jimmy Q on. The trend for multiple chains and necklaces has already started popping up on fashionista profiles all over Instagram and the rest is soon to follow.
One thought though, please don't dig out your old offerings which leave green marks on your fingers. This time, upgrade your accessories - fewer and better every time.
Others to watch out for: Vests are back for summer
Grace Jones curates Meltdown Festival
Image: Southbank Centre
The UK's longest-running, artist-curated music festival returns to the Southbank Centre this June and the iconic and enigmatic Grace Jones will follow on from the likes of Yoko Ono, Elvis Costello, M.I.A. and 2019's Nile Rogers in curating the event.
The line-up has yet to be announced, but Jones said: "Year after year, the festival continues to spread its colourful wings, allowing its curators to bring together an array of diverse talent not seen anywhere else."
Meltdown Festival, The Southbank Centre, London, June 12-21.
London Streetfood
Image: Mercato Metropolitano
Streetfood is booming in London, with the capital's cultural melting pot aesthetic reflected in the spectacular array of vendors offering sumptuous fare across the city. Central to this has been the slew of exciting food hubs which have opened in recent years, with the likes of Boxpark and Elephant & Castle's Mercato Metropolitano leading the way.
This year we can already look forward to the arrival of The Market on the second floor of new skyscraper 22 Bishopsgate and the emergence of new Mercato Metropolitano sites at Ilford and Elephant Park.