Tuesday 30 March 2010

Gaga for Gaga

Lady Gaga, love her or hate her you have to admit there is something about her which is intriguing and fascinating.


I am a massive fan of the singer; I first heard her debut song Just Dance on Fearne and Reggie’s request show on a Saturday as part of the new music generator. I was then lucky enough to see her support the Pussycat Dolls just after Just Dance went to number one. At that point she was still fairly normal, however, for a forty five minute set she had three costumes changes, and her avant garde style videos may have been a little out there for a room of teenage Pussycat Doll fans, but I loved it.

She is the type of person you could imagine being part of Andy Warhol’s factory, someone with a story and a different way of expressing herself. Her costumes, videos and songs are a extension of her persona. Recently the video for Telephone has reached over a billion hits, but then after watching it you can see why. Lady Gaga is a cultural icon, drawing on different mediums and tapping into a generation’s culture. The video is very reminiscent of a Quentin Taratino film (it also features the car from Kill Bill), and the ending plays homage to Thelma and Louise. Featuring Beyonce, just adds to the video, the second song from the R’n’B and Pop Queens. I wouldn’t be surprised now if I see loads of girls using diet coke cans as rollers.

She also has a passion for her fans or her little monsters; she even has a tattoo on her arm dedicated to them. In February I saw her live at the O2 and the passion for performing and her fans is contagious. The feeling of everyone being connected is something I have only ever experienced one other time at a Kylie Minogue gig; the fans love her just as much as she loves them.
Her show was ….. Indescribable! Where some performers claim to have a story, Gaga narrated a lot, so the audience knew what was going on. The sets and costumes were massive and if rumours are to be believed not only did she change the whole show in two weeks after finishing in the US leg but she also put her own money into the production. It's no wonder than that the second leg of the tour the price of tickets have almost tripled, I bought my ticket for £30 whereas now the price ranges from £50-£75, but I’m sure this hike in the price is down to the promoter and not Gaga, who said that she doesn’t really care much for money.

I believe that Lady Gaga will be someone that in ten, twenty years will be heralded as a cultural icon and the inspiration to future dancers, singers and actors. I’m just glad that I got to experience it live and hope to again…. if she lowers the price of her tickets of course.

Tuesday 16 March 2010

The Courteeners, Bournemouth O2 Academy, 15/03/2010

The Courteeners are one of those bands that their CDs do not give them the justice they deserve. Live their music is rich and energetic, something which is sometimes lost in the post production of the album.

Last night at the Bournemouth O2 Academy, The Courteeners performance did not disappoint. This is the third time I have seen the band live and each time I do they just get better and better. This time it felt as if the lead singer Liam projected a more confident, individual persona rather than an incarnation of another well know Liam from Manchester.

Unlike some bands you get the feeling that the Courteeners love what they do, they love playing music and they love performing to a room of fans. Liam even got one of the crowd’s camera and filmed the crowd as he performed Cross my Heart and Hope to Fly.

Other band front men could learn a lot from Liam Fray, he is the right type of arrogant and has a commanding stage presence, however, he also in some ways gives the impression that he feels lucky to be doing what he’s doing and appreciates the support of the fans.

The set list was a nice mix of the first album St Jude, and the new album Falcon. Songs such as You Overdid it Doll, Cavorting and Not Nineteen Forever, all of which sent the crowd in a frenzy. At times it was difficult to hear the singer as the crowds vocals boomed around the O2 Academy. There was also a beautiful solo performance of The Rest of the World Has Gone Home, just him and a guitar.

The band ended the gig on a high with What Took you So Long, which had the crowd singing and dancing at a frantic pace.

The Courteeners are an amazing band and are playing loads of festivals so if you haven’t already caught them live make sure you check them out. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

http://www.thecourteeners.com/

Thursday 11 March 2010

Total Eclipse of the heart.....

I'm not proud of the fact that I am a Twilight fan, I understand the stigma some twi-hards have, the fact that the majority of them at only 14 years old does deter me from openly claiming to the world that I am a massive twilight fan. But I am.

The books are ok, not the best literary works but the story drags you in and hooks you. You feel involved in the characters and the love they share; however, if you had a boyfriend as obsessive as Edward you probably would have taken a restraining order out on him ages ago.

I didn't think I would get into it as much as I have, at first I just watched the film to see what the fuss was all about and immediately got hooked, it may also be linked to the fact I was a massive Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan so the vampire obsession is deeply rooted in my adolescence.

The books may be quite good but the films are amazing!! Both Twilight and New Moon have a fantastic cast, and brilliant directors. By the looks of the new trailer released for Eclipse it just seems to be getting better and better! I have never been so impatient to see a film in my life but knowing that the US will get it on the 30th June, whereas here in the UK we have to wait until the 9th July makes me want to re-locate for a couple of months at least.

However, I'm not looking forward to Breaking Dawn; the book wasn't great and the ending a total disappointment. I don't think I can handle it over two films, let’s just hope they cut out the rubbish and put it all in one easy film.

It does amaze me the hold the films and books have on people (mainly women) of all ages, there just seems to be something about them, I'm not entirely sure what it could be though? **Edward or Robert Pattinson. **

All I know is that when Eclipse comes out I'll be going to the midnight showing to see it in all its glory!

Sunday 7 March 2010

They think it's all over, it is now!

Football may be the beautiful game on the pitch, but off the pitch the lives of the footballers is anything but beautiful.

It seems now a day’s footballers occupy as much of the front pages of the papers as they do the sports pages at the back.

The world of celebrity has always seemed separate from sport, people may have known who Bobby Moore and Kevin Keegan were but his private life was just that private. The influx of famous, celebrity footballers probably started with the union of David Beckham and Victoria Adams, a power couple to beat all power couples who successfully married the lives of pop music and football. They opened their lives to the OK! generation and showed the private life of a footballer, even what Victoria’s nickname was for David (Golden balls in case you didn’t know). However, the details of David’s indiscretion with a certain Rebecca Loos was made private, this did not tarnish his family man image.

Footballers seem to think they are invincible, that because they are good on the pitch means they can do whatever they want off the pitch. If the papers are to be believed one England player was so annoyed a DJ didn’t play his favourite song, he had a misunderstanding with him which resulted in a court case.

More recently it’s not footballers getting caught speeding or getting into fights but their love life that has got everyone talking. John Terry seemed to think that because he is a Chelsea footballer and Captain of the England team, he could get a gagging order on the release of his indiscretion with a team mate’s ex-girlfriend. A judge overruled it, which meant it was on the first page of every Sunday paper and he had to face up to the consequences. The consequences of which were him losing his England captaincy, and the respect of many players, Wayne Bridge quit the England team as he couldn’t face playing alongside the man who had an affair with his ex. The fact that he had an affair with a team mate’s partner was deemed worse to many than him cheating on his wife, who took him back.

Cheryl Cole on the other hand, seems to have had enough of her husband’s wondering eye (and hands), and has released a statement claiming they are separating. The nations sweetheart’s statement seems to be about time, especially as the first time he cheated on her it wasn’t with just one woman but four, surely the phrase ‘once a cheater always a cheater’ rings true, and many would have kicked him to the kerb. However, Cheryl gave him benefit of the doubt and staying true to her vows gave him another chance, only for him to blow it. This recent breach of trust has the potential to ruin Cheryl’s hard work, we all love her but if she goes back to him the public could turn on her and no-one wants that. So for now they think it’s all over, it is now.....for the time being anyway.