If you are looking for a talk in Shepherd’s Bush this May, this one deserves a place in your diary. On Thursday 28th May, Babak Ganjei will join Sophie Heawood in conversation at Arch 156 in Shepherd’s Bush Market. The event forms part of the Special Rider talks series and runs from 7.15pm to 9.30pm. Tickets cost £7.
The evening will mark the release of On the Bus Without a Phone, Ganjei’s new book. The event listing describes it as a funny meditation on modern life, modern love and the strange panic that sets in when a long journey starts without your phone. That premise alone gives the night real charm, but it also suggests a sharper conversation about how we live now.
Babak Ganjei brings plenty to that conversation, an artist, illustrator, author, podcaster and musician, he is best known for his text-based work. Rough Trade Books describes him as a musician with Absentee and Wet Paint, a comics writer, and a broadcaster on NTS. That mix of art, music and writing should make this feel lively rather than formal.
Sophie Heawood is a strong match for the night. The event listing notes that she wrote The Hungover Games, which it calls a Special Rider favourite, and says she has written for magazines and newspapers across the board. Penguin describes The Hungover Games as a Sunday Times bestselling memoir, and its author page says Heawood has written for titles including The Times, Guardian, Observer and Vogue.
That pairing should make the event especially enjoyable. Ganjei’s work often mixes humour with sharp observation, while Heawood brings wit, honesty and strong interview energy. Together, they promise a conversation that feels intelligent, funny and very human.
The talk takes place on Thursday 28th May 2026 at Arch 156, Shepherds Bush Market, London W12 8DF. Doors open for a 7.15pm start, and the event ends at 9.30pm.
20th May 2026
