EVERYTHING ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH

THE CELEBRITY TRAITORS, SEASON 2 – STARTS 1 OCTOBER
Grab your kohl eyeliner and your best fringe-cutting scissors – with the return of The Celebrity Traitors this month, it might be a good idea to start prepping your Claudia Winkelmann Halloween costume. This year’s group of celebs includes thespians Michael Sheen and Richard E. Grant, comedians Rob Beckett and Joe Lycett, and, purely for the lols, James Blunt. Who will take the crown? Do they get a crown or just the cape? And can Celie Imrie’s fart moment from last season ever be topped?

VERITY – 2 OCTOBER

We've been following the Verity publicity train since the on-set photos of Dakota Johnson doused in fake blood were first released. The film, based on the book by Colleen Hoover, follows a ghostwriter on assignment to finish an incapacitated author's most recent work. Instead, she uncovers layers upon layers of dark, mysterious secrets. Anne Hathaway co-stars as the titular Verity, while Josh Hartnett plays her brooding (possibly evil?) husband.

TROYE SIVAN, SHE’S THE BEST – 9 OCTOBER
Troye Sivan has had a good couple of years – he’s flexed his acting muscles in The Idol, sold out stadiums with Charli xcx and soundtracked more TikToks than the average popstar. She’s The Best is his fifth studio album and pays homage to the feminine spirit. Need proof? Cue up the video for the single of the same name, which stars Nicole Kidman and RuPaul’s Drag Race legend Sasha Colby.

RACHEL CHINOURIRI, I THINK I SPOKE TOO SOON – 16 OCTOBER
If single One Song Away From Crying is any indication, Rachel Chinouriri’s second album is about to cement her contender status for Queen of Sad Bangers. I Think I Spoke Too Soon is about the personality shift that can happen after years of feeling self-assured (been there), so expect plenty of bittersweet introspection to the honeyed vocals.

FONTAINES D.C., DOPAMINE CHAMBER – 16 OCTOBER
Irish band Fontaines D.C. somehow manage to navigate the divide between cult heroes and stadium-filling rock with a tightrope walker’s ease. That looks set to continue with their fifth album, Dopamine Chamber, and lead single Marianne. Anticipate dreamy, woozy melodies that are sure to rattle around your head long after the music has stopped.

THE 90S: ART AND FASHION, TATE BRITAIN – 8 OCTOBER 2026-14 FEBRUARY 2027
Photography! Fashion! Art! Design! The 90s explores a defining point in Britain’s history with a decade’s-worth of the best high and low culture. This one is curated by Edward Enninful so expect plenty of the former British Vogue editor’s joyful, colourful and completely singular point of view. All that, plus work from Juergen Teller, Corinne Day, Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas, Vivienne Westwood and – pause to draw breath – Alexander McQueen.

LONDON LITERATURE FESTIVAL, SOUTHBANK CENTRE – 20 OCTOBER-1 NOVEMBER
Performative reading is so last year. It’s time for sincere literary pursuits. That sea change is due in no small part to the Service95 Book Club, powered by Dua Lipa – and wouldn’t you know it, that’s exactly who’s curating the London Literature Festival. If you want to clap your eyes on the woman yourself, there are plenty of opportunities. She’s recording a Book Club podcast with Zadie Smith on the 24th and another with Patti Smith on the 25th at London’s Southbank Centre.