An Indie Musician Shares Her Favourite Spots Around London
The London-based Jocelyn Tan of Singapore indie crossover band PB & J points us towards the cool cultural spots around the city.
Ask 28-year-old Jocelyn Tan of PB & J what song best encapsulates London, and her answer is a rather nostalgic one: The Kinks’ 1967 hit 'Waterloo Sunset', a quintessential representation of the city in the swinging '60s. Folk rock may seem slightly off-brand for someone whose musical roots lie in traditional Chinese music, but her choice of this '60s hit isn’t entirely without reason.
“There's this understanding that everyone's on their own journey, with their own destination. But at the same time, the city can be incredibly lonely and alienating,” explains Tan, who has been based in the city since 2021. She recently graduated from Goldsmith’s MA Music (Audiovisual Culture) programme and also got to produce the theme music for The Economist’s new weekly podcast on China, Drum Tower.
Jocelyn Tan of PB & J, mixes elements of traditional Chinese music with a more modern sound.
If anything, London’s many layers only deepen Tan’s love for the city, which nurtured her academic and creative ambitions all at once. It’s also why she chose to continue her journey as a creative in London, seizing the myriad of creative opportunities in the Big Smoke while she can. Ahead, Tan recommends her go-to places in London.
"Cafe Oto (pictured) is a cafe during the day and a venue for creative, experimental new music by night. It sells records and assorted merch too. Shows are free seating – I’ve previously queued round the block prior to doors opening in order to secure a good spot."
"This is a tough one, but I’d say St James’s Park (pictured). I first stumbled upon it while trying to walk from Victoria to Chinatown (yes, a 30-minute walk is very much doable in London’s bracing weather) and just had to stop in my tracks. Think frolicking pelicans and herons in a lake framed by leafy trees and Buckingham Palace. It’s simply delightful."
"I visit galleries, museums, or catch gigs that allow me space to focus and reflect. A recent favourite has been Stone Nest (pictured) – a chapel-turned-performance venue on the West End. It’s one of those places that you’d miss if you weren’t looking for it, but don’t be fooled by its nondescript entrance! The inside is amazingly atmospheric and intimate. A cosy, candlelit bar sits below the main hall, and like many other performance venues in London: you’re always welcome to bring a drink or two up to enjoy with the music."
"I’m going to cheat a bit, because I’ve yet to find fish and chips I like here. They’re a little overrated anyway, and the Brits I know don’t grab them so often! But whenever I bring visiting friends and relatives around Central London, I inevitably point them in the direction of Fallow (pictured) for dinner. A classy, fine dining joint serving sustainable, creative contemporary British cuisine, you can satisfy your cravings for local food without breaking the bank. The team behind Fallow apparently consists of ex-Heston Blumenthal chefs, so you know you’re definitely in for a treat. Best thing on the menu? Their corn ribs with lime. Swee sia."
"Contrary to most of my Singaporean friends who move to London for studies or work, I spent my first year here living deep within Southeast London (like Zone 3 level of deep). People tend to sleep on the Southeast, but there are loads of hidden gems, such as Dulwich (pictured). It’s like a quaint little village, filled with indie boutiques and home to Dulwich Park and the Dulwich Picture Gallery. I heard that Boris Johnson and his wife have also moved into the surrounding area – make of that what you will!"
"If I had to take just one definitive shot of London, it’d be the Big Ben (pictured) and the Houses of Parliament. The clock’s new face just got unveiled after two years of restoration; its dials and hands are now back to their original, Prussian Blue glory. If you’re more of a museum junkie like me, the Natural History Museum is a good shout. There’s nothing quite like posing beneath a massive skeleton to remind you of man's responsibility towards our planet."
"I’m more of a bargain hunter at thrift shops, but if we’re talking about my favourite labels, I’m a big fan of the designs at Elizabeth An Marie (pictured)! Think colourful knitwear, made with 100 per cent merino wool. In a somewhat similar vein is Lucy & Yak: size-inclusive, sustainable and fun!"
"The Vagina Museum (pictured). Nuff said."