
alt-J's Gus Cooks Up Musical Menu
alt-J's Gus Cooks Up Musical Menu
Gus Unger-Hamilton from Grammy-nominated alt-J is swapping his keyboard for kitchen knives at The Collab in Walthamstow this September. Just kidding, but he is curating and hosting the unique food and music-led evening.
The alt-J founding member will curate a five-course dinner where each dish reflects a track from the band's decade-spanning catalogue.
Kicking off with "Matilda" from their Mercury Prize-winning debut An Awesome Wave - a celeriac remoulade with quail egg inspired by the Parisian vibes of film Léon. Other courses include persimmon granita with cured mackerel, smoked buffalo shoulder, Welsh cheese, and tiramisu.
If you felt sophisticated listening to alt-J before, you'll feel like whipping the monocle out with this menu to go with it.
"It's going to be great fun getting back into a professional kitchen," says Gus, who previously ran a café in London Fields. "I love what The Collab and Signature Brew do, and as a bit of a foodie this is a dream come true."
The evening kicks off at 7pm on Thursday 4 September as part of The Collab's "Supper Clubbing" series - where dinner tables get pushed aside for decks and dancing afterwards.
Executive Chef Paul Human collaborated on the menu with Gus. "He has approached this event with serious thought and the food is going to be banging," Human says. "Also can't wait to crank up the sound system afterwards!"
The Walthamstow restaurant has hosted similar collaborations with Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite, Dynamite MC, and Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke. The concept springs from sister venue Signature Brew's history of working with musicians like IDLES, Hot Chip, and Sports Team.
The event is sold out, but there's a waiting list. Selected dishes will remain on the menu for weeks after, so you can still taste Gus's musical interpretations even if you miss the party.
Gallery

GUS headshot - credit George Muncey (3.2.2022)
GUS headshot - credit George Muncey (3.2.2022)
Further reading

News
Lorde to headline All Points East 2026
Pop royalty Lorde is set to rule Victoria Park next summer, heading up an all-female lineup at All Points East 2026. The Grammy-winning Kiwi, whose latest album 'Virgin' just topped the UK charts, will bring her moody pop anthems to East London on Saturday 22nd August . And she's

News
Ebbb explore dark art on celestial new single
London trio Ebbb have dropped their most introspective track yet with 'Book That You Like' - a dreamy blend of celestial synths and classical guitars that marks their final single of 2025. https://youtu.be/Gn-OfznTtd4?si=VH_9r89LKcoAod3w The Ninja Tune signees continue to push bo

News
Pynch Return with Lo-fi Love Letter 'Beautiful Noise'
Indie outfit Pynch are getting personal on their sophomore album. No more raging against austerity Britain - this time they're diving headfirst into matters of the heart. Their latest single 'How You Love Someone' showcases the band's evolution, mixing lo-fi guitars with new wave

News
Royal Albert Hall's Christmas Lineup Revealed
Jamie Cullum, Trevor Nelson and Anna Lapwood are headlining this year's Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall – a month-long festive extravaganza that's bringing everything from jazz to The Nutcracker to South Ken. The 2025 programme kicks off properly mental. We're talking Grammy-n