Standing in line to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Pre the madness triple (this is what I like to call the crazy last three weeks that have occurred), my wonderful friend Tasha treated me to the hottest ticket in town- Red Hot Chili Peppers at the o2 Arena.

It was the Monday night after The Boy's birthday weekend, suffice to say I was feeling rather ropey from the nine course decadent feast provided by Petrus on the Friday and all day drinking from Saturday lunchtime until a time I probably shouldn't mention on Sunday.

So back to the Monday, I was struggling at a shoot throughout the day and trekked to the o2 feeling a little low in spirits. Within minutes of meeting my old pal I was already feeling better, the excitement was growing throughout dinner and then it was time to hit the show.

The band played a wondrous mix of old and new tracks which gave us plenty of opportunity to sing along while they ran about the stage with as much energy as they did ten years ago.

Thanks to Tasha for an amazing evening and thanks to the Chili's for kicking my hangover into out of space.

              

Bon Iver at Hammersmith Apollo

When I was about ten years old my dad took me to see my first gig. It was in Brighton and we went to see Sting (before he got all political and Karma Sutra on us). I remember it vividly and it opened me up to the world of live music. Seventeen years later (yes do the maths and you will finally see how old I really am), I took Papa Coco to see Bon Iver and it was great.

The usual three-piece, founded by lead singer Justin Vernon has been transformed into a nine-piece band for the tour and includes two sets of drums, brass and violin players. I have never been to a gig where the entire crowd stood still and in silence, completely gripped by every track performed. A strong mix of new album named simply 'Bon Iver' and firm music fan favourite, debut album 'For Emma, Forever Ago' was played with a few treats such as a very beat heavy version of my favourite track, Bloodbank and an incredible violin solo at the end of Beach Baby.

After seeing Bon Iver at Glastonbury in 2008 it's safe to say I had been waiting for a UK tour for two years and it was worth the wait. All-in-all it was a truly magical performance and I night I will cherish forever.

Bon Iver Ticket For Sale

UPDATE ON THIS POST: THIS TICKET HAS NOW BEEN SOLD

So after a long mix up when buying tickets, I have one seated ticket for sale for the sought after Bon Iver gig on Monday 24th October at Hammersmith Apollo. Block 7, Row E, really close to the front, a great little spot. I paid £70 and am only looking to get what I paid back so let me know if you want to open yourself up to the greatest night of your life!

                                    

Getting Over The Glasto Blues: iTunes Festival: Seasick Steve...

Last night I found the cure to my Glastonbury blues, who knew that it would be a performance by veteran blues singer, Seasick Steve. This year's iTunes festival started on Friday night and last night I was lucky enough to go Camden's Roundhouse for the festivities (mega big thanks to besties; Ria and Rory for the pleasure).

Happily sitting in the members bar with a great view, sipping on a gin and tonic was great enough. Then a few tracks in, Led Zeppelin's bassist John Paul Jones joined Seastick Steve on stage for the duration of the set. If that wasn't a treat enough, mid-set one of my top three rock chickas of all time, Alison Mosshart of The Kills came on as well as none other than Jack White of the White Stripes on drums. The dream team played one track together as the crowd went wild in the realisation that they were seeing something truly important.

Thanks Steve, I feel better now.

I'm back!

Yes that's right, I'm back! Sorry lovely readers for the distinct lack of posts this month, there has been a lot going on!

Firstly I have been working like crazy, secondly I have been partying, searching for flats, looking at flats etc, etc. I shall fill you in on what's been going on...

itunes Festival at the Roundhouse, Camden:

Last week saw a lot of live music, dancing and snakebites. Thanks to some wonderful friends who sorted tickets (thanks to Ria, Rory and James), I managed to see three acts in this fantastic venue in one week (lucky lady, I know). Monday saw me and the girls swaying and having a good old head bob to new 'folksy with an electric twist' band The XX. Famed for their track, 'Crystalised' and their infinite appearances on the festival circuit this year, The XX performed a punchy and atmospheric performance. I have only just got into them but now fully appreciate!

The Wednesday saw us back at the Roundhouse for a set by Faithless. The second time I'd seen them in a matter of weeks (I will never forget THAT Glastonbury performance) they gave it everything they had and I have never jumped constantly for that long at a gig which has to say something about why they have staying power.

Then Saturday myself and a friend spent a dramatic hour on the longest bus journey in history to only just make it in on time for Underworld's set. The 90's ravers were out in force all ready to dance their socks off and after playing their infamous track 'Born Slippy' I was completely exhausted, (although that didn't stop us heading straight to the canal on Kingsland Road for an impromptu outdoor party- it was ace).

So that was itunes, a great week even though I lost my blackberry and with it, all the wonderful pics I took to show you all. Therefore the above pictures are not mine, (thanks to metro.co.uk & lafriendly.net).

Speaking of Kingsland Road, we are moving! Yes myself and The Boy are packing up our little one bedroom flat in north Hackney for pastures new, well not really new, just down the road but boy oh boy life will be easier! I will be able to walk to most of our friends houses and most importantly to work!

I have no pics of the flat yet (they will follow once we have put our stamp on the place, so I typed in Kingsland Road into Google images and found this...I like it.

Last but by no-means least I have fallen in love with these shoes this week...

DSquared2's spine heeled platforms are bad to the bone.

Local Natives play impromptu gig in Hoxton Sq

What better way to spend a Monday night? Last night I finished work, grabbed a beer and headed to Hoxton Square for a secret, open-air gig which came from folksy five-piece, Local Natives. The impromptu, acoustic and intimate gig was the perfect way to wash away those Monday blues.

Glasto 2010: The Highlights: Pet Shop Boys

To continue with the running theme of my highlights from Glastonbury, I will today speak of one hell of a Saturday night - Pet Shop Boys. The group was divided on this one with some going to see Muse, some to see George Clinton with Parliament/Funkadelic and the rest to Pet Shop Boys (this is common at Glasto, too many amazing acts, not enough time).

The set was packed with all the oldies which gave us the chance to have a drunken sing-song. Incredible lighting and visuals along with outrageous costumes and dancers proved that the boys have still got it along with proving that they were the perfect choice for a Saturday night headliner. I've always respected their music but after that set I am a fully-fledged fan...a true Glastonbury moment and so much fun.

I'll leave you with their encore (and my favourite track), West End Girls...

Glasto 2010: The Highlights: Florence & The Machine

Today's snippet of my hazy Glastonbury memories will come from the mighty Florence & The Machine. As avid readers will know I love her. I have loved her since last year and this year's performance has confirmed my love even more. Firstly she looked beautiful. In her effortless style she was natural, somewhat angelic and down right fabulous. Secondly she had such character on stage, far more than when I caught her at Lovebox last year- hey, that's the Glastonbury vibe for you. She was loud, euphoric and had great crowd interaction.

Every track was superb, The Lungs album was fully played along with a few new tracks and a very special cover of Fleetwood Mac's The Chain.

The most memorable for me was Dog Days Are Over, enjoy...

Glasto 2010: The Highlights: Slash

I'M BACK!

Yes readers, after six days of hedonistic fun, two days of sleep and a lot of take away food, it's time to share the highlights of my favourite time of year: Glastonbury Festival.

This world famous festival has a huge place in my heart and this year, like every year was spectacular. It was even more special this year as it was it's 40th anniversary, therefore expectations were high, the line-up was packed and my crew were more on edge than ever before. We left London at 4am on Wednesday morning and by 12pm we had the camp pitched, beers in hands and we were ready to rock!

With the sun beating down solidly for the entire time and not one single drop of rain it made it the hottest Glasto on record which if possible, made it EVEN better than last year! Over the next few days (or probably weeks), I will be sharing my personal highlights of this year's mind-blowing festival.

Today, it's Slash.

As a true 'eighties hair band' fan, Gun and Roses are of course up there on my top five of all time bands. So you can imagine my excitement when I saw GnR's guitarist, (and all round personal heart-throb) Slash was on the line up. Sunday afternoon saw the boys head off to watch England play their last game of the world cup (bad luck), whilst the girls went to swoon over this man god.

Still as sexy, nonchalant and down right talented as he always has been, Slash, who played with Myles Kennedy singing, absolutely made Sunday (and Glasto) for me.

Gucci Icon; Pop up store, Covent Garden

Covent Garden is playing host to Gucci Icon for the next 3 weeks (from 22nd April). The travelling pop up store first opened in October in New York, then Miami in December and after London it hits Tokyo in June.

Thursday night saw the launch party and the after party was held in jazz bar, Ronnie Scotts and was hosted by Jefferson Hack (of Another Magazine) and Frieda Giannini (creative director at Gucci).

Mark Ronson played with his new band; Chauffeur, (which has been said was inspired by Duran Duran's track, The Chauffeur) and Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes made a surprise appearance on stage with the band. Ronson has also played part in yet another fabulous collaboration by creating the 'Gucci Ronson' with Frieda Gianni. The vintage inspired, lace up kicks are set to be a best seller at the pop up store. The fashion and music collaboration has spread to the Gucci iphone app with a track sharing service being available.

Back to the launch...Friendly Fires also played a short set to a very cool crowd, with the likes of Jonny Borrell, Brian Ferry, Pam Hogg and PPQ's Percy Parker and Amy Molyneux all in attendance.

If you fancy a sneak peak at the pop up store head to 37 Earlham Street, London, WC2.

Let me know what you think of it!

Vintage at Goodwood festival...

Summer is on it's way which means one thing...festival season is nearly here. The burning question is which festivals shall I go to? I would love to attend many, all of them in fact but finances won't allow this. This leads to infinite chats with The Boy and friends about locations, line-ups and who is going to what to decide which weekend, music bonanza will get my hard earned cash. Besides Glastonbury (which I of course already have my ticket for) I am struggling

to decide. Upon my extensive festival research I stumbled across Vintage at Goodwood.

British designer, Wayne Hemmingway is the creative force behind the festival. He has put it together to celebrate all that's good in British design, music and arts and hopes it to be, "an antidote to muddy fields and random music."

"It's like bringing the Venice Biennale, London Fashion Week, the London design festival, a bit of the Edinburgh Fringe, a bit of Glastonbury and the festival of Britain", is what Hemmingway described it as at the press launch. It will be celebrating all things creative from the 40's to the 80's. This will include a 40's club, a 70's soul club and even a roller disco.

Vintage festival promises to be a breath of fresh air on the Brit festival scene with it bursting with style and glamour and including clean toilets (a definite plus!). Starting small, the festival will only have 20,000 tickets and is being held at Goodwood, West Sussex between 13th-15th August.

Check out more on the festival here.