Hot Tickets: What to do in London this weekend

Out come the freaks: Alice Cooper gets into the Halloween spirit at the Roundhouse
5 April 2012

Our critics round up the best music and comedy gigs in the capital this weekend...

WEEKEND GIGS
By David Smyth

Alice Cooper's Halloween Night of Fear
Cooper promises more than just shock-rock at these shows. After hosting auditions at the London Dungeon in the summer, he'll be joined by the most depraved circus freaks and sideshow acts that the capital has to offer.
Sun, Mon, Roundhouse, NW1 (0870 389 1846, roundhouse.org.uk)

Radio 2 Electric Proms
Having previously existed as a cross-London festival of frequently unique collaborations, the BBC's Electric Proms season loses its TV element and shrinks to a Radio 2-branded set of
three concerts by legends. Elton John made a rare intimate appearance
last night, it's Robert Plant's turn tonight with his new group, Band of Joy, and Neil Diamond wraps things up tomorrow.
Fri, Sat Roundhouse, NW1 (0870 389 1846, roundhouse.org.uk)

ATP Release the Bats
The organisers of the All Tomorrow's Parties festivals present a spooky evening of music
for Halloween, with post-punk
veterans Liquid Liquid headlining
a bill that also includes BEAK>, the
new side-project from Geoff Barrow
of Portishead. Polvo, The Field,
Factory Floor and Tweak Bird complete the line-up.
Sat, HMV Forum, NW5 (0844 847 2405, kentishtownforum.com)

Avenged Sevenfold
The Californian metal band, often compared to Metallica for being smarter than the average screamers, have had quite a time of it lately. Nightmare, their fifth album, became their first US No 1 just months after the death of their drummer.
Sat, HMV Apollo Hammersmith, W6 (0870 400 0700, hammersmithapollo.net)

The Wheel — Halloween Music Fair

A whole day of music and dance at the home of English folk. A good start would be at 4.15pm, with a disguised procession from the top of Primrose Hill to the venue, followed by music from bands including Circulus and bluesy duo The Smoke Fairies.
Cecil Sharp House, NW1 (020 7485 2206, efdss.org)

WEEKEND COMEDY
By Bruce Dessau

Comedy Store Players
Improvisation has become an established part of the comedy landscape and this team, who celebrate 25 years of making it up this weekend, are its finest exponents. Expect the usual gang plus plenty of surprises.
Sunday, Comedy Store, SW1 (0844 871 7699, thecomedystore.co.uk)

The Insti2ute
This Halloween treat, co-written by former Pappy's Fun Club linchpin Brendan Dodds, is perfect for devotees of horror and comedy. The Pleasance's offices are turned into shadowy pharmaceutical labs for this site-specific — or should that be fright-specific? — sketch show featuring zombies, ghouls and lots of laughs.
Until Sunday, The Pleasance, N1
(020 7609 1800, pleasance.co.uk)

Comedy Night October
The Lyric's Sunday-night gigs always boast a strong line-up but this one is special, with Tim Minchin roadtesting new material for his forthcoming O2 Arena blow-out. Plus madcap Tony Law, sassy Zoe Lyons, pictured left, and David Schneider, who played the BBC boss opposite Alan Partridge in the legendary "monkey tennis" scene.
Sunday, Lyric, W6 (0871 221 1722,
lyric.co.uk)

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