ADVERTISEMENTAnything you can think of, we bet it has a day dedicated to it. For example, today is —checks notes — National Blueberry Cheesecake Day and World Dracula Day. Indeed, most are dubious in origin and officialdom — but admittedly quite handy if you’ve been looking for an excuse to eat cheesecake in a cape.
They’re also a good excuse to share some themed suggestions, and although World Goth Day and International Museum Day have now passed, angsty art and zany curations live on forever.
And speaking of zany — this week’s Agenda is markedly so, with a UK cheese rolling contest taking place today, and Wes Anderson’s new film The Phoenician Scheme beginning its own rollout across cinemas. Providing balance is the wistful photography of filmmaker Wim Wenders, and a rousing group exhibition in London that explores memory, belonging and place.
But if you’re just here to party, Lyon is calling with its umph umph umph annual electro takeover at Nuits Sonores. Unfortunately, we’re not that cool — so will likely be watching And just Like That… while pretending it’s World Eat A Large Pizza In Bed Day, or something.
Lastly, if you’re still debating seeing Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, check out our latest culture catch-up for critic David Mouriquand’s thoughts.* (spoiler: He hated it.)
Here are this week’s highlights.
Exhibitions
Wim Wenders: Nearby and Far Away. Photography
Where: Galerie Bastian (Berlin, Germany)
When: Until 26 July 2025
The German filmmaker behind classics like Paris, Texas and Wings of Desire, Wim Wenders has always had an incredible ability to capture the echoing expanse of human dreams. Richly metaphorical and quietly revelatory, his films transform people and places into moving poetry. It’s a quality that’s visible in his photography, too. On display at Berlin’s Galerie Bastian, his series of snapshots taken across China depict the sweeping shapes and static figures of distant landscapes. For fans of Wenders’ work, it’s a must-see — with a major retrospective of his photography set to follow at the Bundeskunsthalle in August 2025.
Finding My Blue Sky (A group show curated by Dr Omar Kholeif)
Where: Lisson Gallery (London, UK)
When: 30 May – 26 July 2025
Ahead of London Gallery Weekend (6-8 June), the prestigious Lisson Gallery is bringing over 20 artists together for a major new multimedia group exhibition, which spans both its Bell Street and Lisson Street spaces. Those involved include British artist Lubaina Himid, Nigerian visual artist Otobong Nkanga, and Lebanese painter and sculptor, Huguette Caland. Together, they have created a diverse and emotive ode to London that explores personal entwinements with places — how we shape them, and they, in turn, shape us.
Bonus head’s up: British virtual band Gorillaz have announced a new immersive exhibition titled ‘House of Kong’, set to open in August in London. Tickets are available now and likely to sell fast — don’t be left On Melancholy Hill!
Events
Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling Festival
Where: Cooper’s Hill (Gloucestershire, UK)
When: 26 May 2025
A whole day dedicated to cheese rolling? You’d feta believe it! Although the cheese of choice is actually a chunky wheel of Double Gloucester. This kooky annual event has been taking place since roughly 1826 — although the exact origins are murky and thought to date back even further. Hosted on Coopers Hill in the English county of Gloucestershire, participants must race to catch their cheeses — no easy feat when the wheels can reach speeds of up to 70mph. The first race begins at 12pm BST (1pm CEST), and to all those rolling with their homies: Gouda luck.
Nuits Sonores ‘Nights of Sound’ Festival
Where: Lyon, France
When: 28 May – 1 June 2025
One of the biggest electro-music events in France, Nuits Sonores takes place across the vibrant city of Lyon for five days every year. From English trip hoppers Massive Attack, to American DJ Honey Dijon, to French electro duo Cassius and techno icon Jeff Mills — the line-up is well and truly stacked. Most of the major events will be held at Les Grandes Locos in the day, and La Sucrière at night, both former industrial spaces-turned cultural beacons. Grab your bucket hats and pour yourself a strong coffee — it’s gonna be a late one.
Movies
The Phoenician Scheme
Where: UK cinemas
When: 30 May (with a wider theatrical release 6 June)
Fresh off the Cannes Film Festival circuit is Wes Anderson’s latest confection, starring (as usual) an all-star ensemble that includes regulars Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray and Benedict Cumberbatch. Set in the 1950s, we follow suave businessman Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) and his trainee nun daughter, Sister Liesl (Mia Threapleton) as they try to secure investments for a fictional place called Phoenicia — all while dodging a band of eccentric tycoons. Lots of pastel, perfectly poised mischief ensues in this frenetic family adventure, which will either delight Anderson fans — or exhaust them.
Television
And Just Like That… (Season 3)
Where: Sky and NOW
When: 30 May 2025
As a new season of the Sex and the City spin-off returns, I couldn’t help but wonder: Why? That’s a lie, actually — cringeworthy as the show is, it’s also frustratingly addictive. Continuing to follow the lives of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) as they navigate their 50s alongside a host of new characters, it’s got about as much substance as a Manolo Blahnik shoe. But fans know what they’re in for here. And even if we’re still reeling over that stupid season 2 ending in which Aidan asked Carrie to wait five years for him (as if!), the show’s familiar template and superficial sheen encourage your brain to happily melt.
Music
Miley Cyrus: Something Beautiful
When: 30 May 2025
In the nearly 20 years since her breakout role as teen pop idol Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus has done everything to break free from her Disneyfication. Giant wrecking balls were straddled, and twerking routines performed. But through the struggle of growing up in the limelight, Miley emerged as an artist whose strength is in constantly evolving — and those powerhouse vocals. Following ‘Endless Summer Vacation’, from which ‘Flowers’ became Spotify’s most-streamed song of 2023, she returns with her eighth output: ‘Something Beautiful’. Inspired by Pink Floyd’s groundbreaking concept album ‘The Wall’, Miley has also produced and directed a companion film, set to be released some time in June.
