The A-Z of 2014 in London

Not content with globe-conquering superstardom, several of the red carpet’s most luminous stars will be taking their turn behind the camera. Angelina Jolie is to release World War II drama ‘Unbroken’, Ryan Gosling will make his directorial debut with fantasy ‘How to Catch a Monster’ (which he also wrote, God bless him), and Cate Blanchett will serve up an adaptation of thriller ‘The Dinner’.

As career boosts go, ‘Breaking Bad’ couldn’t have done more for its motley cast, catapulting them into big new projects. Mighty lead Bryan Cranston will see science get out of hand in new popcorn-flick ‘Godzilla’, while Aaron Paul (Jesse) is cooking up a stellar year with big cinema releases including Nick Hornby adaptation ‘A Long Way Down’ and Ridley Scott’s Moses movie ‘Exodus’. Which brings us nicely on to...

Biblical epics

As well as Ridley Scott lining up Christian Bale to part waters in ‘Exodus’, ‘Black Swan’ director Darren Aronofsky will also be bashing the good book with ‘Noah’, starring Russell Crowe as the safe pair of hands ferrying wildlife through a flood. And the magnificent Fiona Shaw will play the most famous mother in history (no, not Angelina) in ‘The Testament of Mary’ at the Barbican.

Bogof bands

In these cash-strapped times, musicians have graciously started merging to offer punters two bands for the price of one. After Mcfly and Busted sold out a huge tour as McBusted, get ready for more acts to buddy up – SpiceBabes, say? Or ColdPatrol?

Boris Johnson will attempt to boost London’s struggling cycle hire scheme by introducing electric bikes, while also tackling safety concerns. Look forward to new laws concerning HGVs, a revamping of cycle superhighways and improvements at treacherous junctions. So there’ll be no excuse not to get on yer bike!

Croydon

Twenty years after Kate Moss left it for greener pastures, the south London borough famous for being ‘the second most miserable place in Britain’ looks set to turn things around. A new Westfield shopping centre has been approved and major investment is going toward planned urban regeneration. Oh, and Croydon-set ‘Peep Show’ will be giving the place one last plug with its final series.

The LA culinary tradition (confusingly known as the ‘French dip’) is catching on in London. You basically make a meat sandwich, then chuck the whole thing back into the delicious artery-clogging roasting juices it came from. Hopefully a trend for heart attacks won’t follow…

Wake up, you sleepy head! The morning rave scene is adding a few BPM in 2014. After a strong start last year, the before-work disco is set to become a bona fide exercise trend. Look to AM rave purveyors Morning Glory for a chance to bust some pre-brekkie moves.

Get your pincing and twiddling skills primed: 2014 will be the year of the chopstick. Look out for Vietnamese getting sexy at Soho’s House of Ho, and HK-to-NY cult favourite Fatty Crab which is due at an as-yet undisclosed location. Always at the vanguard, Alan Yau (of Hakkasan and Yauatcha) is also giving the gastropub a Chinese spin with newcomer Duck & Rice on Berwick Street. By the year’s end, you’ll know your ramen from your robata.

Fomo

That is: Fear of Missing Out. If you’re not feeling it already, you will be soon. The pressure-inducing Yolo of 2014. FFS.

Girls’ names will proliferate throughout IMDB in 2014, as Rooney Mara stars in lesbian love story ‘Carol’, then Melissa McCarthy and Susan Sarandon lead the all-girl road movie ‘Tammy’, followed by ‘Belle’ – the story of a mixed-race woman in 18th-century high society. That’s not to mention a remake of the old faithful ‘Annie’ with Rose Byrne and Cameron Diaz and the more loosely titled ‘Her’ – Spike Jonze’s new film about a man who falls in love with his laptop (it’s complicated).

George

Move over Wills and Kate: the Royal newbie has sparked King George fever in London. George I is to be celebrated in a season of entertainment at Hampton Court, while George II is the subject of a show at Kensington Palace. George III will be illuminated in an exhibition at Kew and the V&A is all over it too, with its show ‘William Kent: Designing Georgian Britain’.

No longer just the flavour of the month, horses are trotting out of lasagnes and helping to define 2014. It’s the Chinese year of the horse, and it would seem that horse riding is one of the city’s most in-demand new activities as young folk follow in the footsteps of hot new ‘it’ model Edie Campbell and members’ clubs like Riding London add a chic new twist to mucking out with high-society parties and events. Will we see Hackney hipsters on horseback? Never say neigh.

Scottish independence, that is. Our northern neighbour’s referendum on UK breakaway is this September, and there’s a sizeable Caledonian presence in London. We’re expecting escalated interest in Scotch, a fresh look at the country’s cuisine (no deep-frying jokes please), and a renewed appreciation of its music (Chvrches, Casual Sex, LuckyMe… let’s forget about Emeli Sandé). But why should they have all the fun? An independent London has an undeniable appeal too. The ‘Yes’ campaign starts here…

Following Yoko Ono's Meltdown last June, this year's Southbank fest curator James Lavelle (the man behind label Mo'Wax and Unkle) wants you to brace for an experimental sonic journey which 'shoots for the moon'. Strap yourself in!