Guest blog: Exeter Culture presents June Boom Week Three

The action keeps on coming and welcome to the third week of June Boom, a spectacular month-long celebration showcasing the boom of vibrant events, arts, and cultural activities happening throughout Exeter in this month.

Week three promises another packed line-up and to make sure you don't miss out, Exeter Culture are here to help with another indispensible guide of what's on across the city. 

If you're not familiar with Literature Works (the South West’s literature development agency) then they've been in residence at Exeter Custom House since 2020, running their wonderful Quay Words programme. On Wednesday 18th, literary big hitter Philip Marsden joins the Quay Words team to discuss his book 'Under a Metal Sky' which interrogates our extractive relationship with the earth.

Staying at the Custom House and their other cultural partner, Art Work Exeter, continue their ‘Pile Up! Worlds of Stuff’ programme. Continuing until 29th June, the exhibition explores the hidden currents of the material world and how they connect with the fabric of our everyday lives. As part of the exceedingly rich Pile Up programme, on Thursday 19th the Custom House welcomes artists Sue Palmer and Sheila Ghelani, whose ‘Atmospheric Forces’ is a performance along a table – a ‘show and talk’ – that explores the interconnections between climate and geology, fuel and feelings. 

Moving through the week and Exeter Phoenix welcomes Robin Ince on Thursday 19th with the ‘The Universe and the Neurodiverse’ – a poetry-storytelling-comedy-music mash-up that explores the incredible diversity of our minds.

One of the great things about June Boom is the array of free events and activities to be found across the city, and on Saturday 21st (12pm - 6pm) the Creative Street Festival takes over Magdalen Road. Expect a plethora of yummy food and produce stalls with the added bonus of a marquee filled with creative makers and artists demonstrating, workshopping and sharing their skills and wares - try your hand at singing, weaving, printing and playing musical instruments.

For all you foodies then you're in for a treat as also on 21st June is the first Exeter Quayside Farmers’ Market of the summer at Piazza Terracina (9am-1pm). Bring your appetite as here you'll find a hearty offering of glorious local growers and artisan producers.

For music lovers, Exeter Phoenix is hosting some cracking nostalgic feel-goods this week. On Friday 20th, The Smyths present ‘Meat is Murder’ - a show that will celebrate the album alongside a full collection of classic hits and more from The Smiths. On Saturday 21st, Mark Travis Eagles Acoustic is an intimate evening with one voice and one guitar, featuring classic songs from the Eagles as well as some of Mark’s original songs.

Over at the Corn Exchange, on Friday 20th, get a ticket to ride as the Beatles Complete presents a night of Beatlemania packed with massive hits. At Exeter Northcott, on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd, you can catch The Best of Queen with the UK’s biggest Queen tribute band, Majesty. Expect all the greatest hits and a spectacular light show. For something a little more laid back, on Sunday 22nd head to the Transit Shed down on the Quay, where the Devon Jazz Youth Orchestra will be providing the soundtrack to your afternoon.

And finally, not forgetting pur theatre fans as Living Room Theatre present a compilation of Samuel Beckett’s plays in ‘The End is the Beginning’ at Studio 36 in St Leonards on Sunday 22nd. 

If that's not enough to keep you entertained then check out our full What's On guide.