Lost Lectures Review – Proof that the ‘Middle Class’ can do ‘Underground’

The scale and setting of this bout of Lost Lectures could not have differed more from the last time I went, but the ethos and entertainment factor were much the same. And they are still using interesting buildings. My last visit was The Troxy in Limehouse, this time it was a building metres from where the internet superhighway was first laid near Green Lanes.

The format was much the same – several talks from a range of speakers to make you think or smile. To start we had Jamie Bartlett opening on how social media is altering politics and democracy. But what can we do about it? In a nutshell, get an ad blocker and donate to the Guardian. And then perhaps all is not lost.

Hot on the heels of that dose of reality check, Amber Butchart gave us a pared-down version of her hour-long talk. Broadly speaking this gave us a peek into her obsession with vintage clothing and how second-hand clothes went from being a sign of being brassic to desired fashion. And where it had taken her in her career.

Nick Pettigrew, ex of the Daily Mash then gave us his Top Tips for being a satirist – all with a humorous twist of course.

I wrote this a while back. I stand by it.https://t.co/zSMSHqEQMb

— Nick Pettigrew (@Nick_Pettigrew) October 24, 2018

But Lost Lectures isn’t all talks.

Before the interval, we were treated to three powerful spoken word artists covering their personal (or fictional) experiences of addiction, discrimination, loss of a parent and the full circle of becoming a parent.

In the interval, there was a chance to participate in some life drawing, and then the final act, which was also something of a talk, was also a piece of turntablist performance art. Musically I must admit it was challenging, but as a performance I liked it.

There is of course sustenance and libations to keep you going – vegan and meat options. I had a couple of lovely cocktails – one with spiced pepper vodka, another with sloe gin and bubbles.

As I said, this was by no means as glamorous as previous Lost Lecture outings but I liked the way it made you feel like you were doing something ‘underground’ despite it being as middle class an event as you can find.  It sure made a nice change from just sitting in the pub and moaning about the news. (Not that I do that… much)

Sound like you kind of night? Find out more and purchase tickets their website