En Vogue Pics from Last Night at the Indigo 2

A bit off topic but seeing as the photo uploader is now working, here are the pics from En Vogue last night (I was right at the front as you can probably tell!)

En Vogue Last Night at the Indigo 2

En Vogue were phenomenal. We all went wild for Don't Let Go and Free Your Mind! I touched Terry's hand!!!!

Pics to follow...

Beach Girl5 Asahi Rising Stars Cocktail Competition

Went along to the Asahi Rising Stars Cocktail Competition last night which was loads of fun. It was held at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel and was hosted by a rather risqué Patrick Kielty, it was interesting to see everyone mix the drinks live. We supped Moscow Mules and Asahi (obvs!) After the competition, the Beach Girl5 performed a rousing pop set. The girls really got the crowd going with their upbeat, energetic performance. Jenny Falconer and Michelle Williams from Destiny’s Child both attended. Later on there was a DJ set by the Jezebel Sound System.

Jonah Maddox: Together We Are Taller

Jonah Maddox

Went to the album launch of Jonah Maddox's new album 'Together we are Taller' at the Slaughtered Lamb. It was a really fun album full of foot-tapping folksy sounds and a real feel-good vibe. Jonah is brilliant on stage, his sound is really uplifting and members of his multi-talented band included a banjo player and a girl who seemed to be able to play about a million different instruments including the flute and the keyboard. Jonah was supported by Jose Vanders who Perez Hilton (my fave!) described as ‘one of the most exciting things to happen to British music since Amy Winehouse.’ I really liked her voice-goosebump-inducing stuff. I have included the press release below for you to have a read through (because I'm lazy and also because it's interesting!).

JONAH MADDOX

ALBUM: TOGETHER WE ARE TALLER

RELEASE DATE: 26/07/10

www.jonahmaddox.com

'Pandas Fighting is beautiful' BBC Cambridgeshire

IT’S time to forget madly rush-released, poorly thought out albums – which has become an all too common trend of late – and support the acts who are taking the time to nurture and craft great songs and well rounded albums.

Jonah Maddox is a prime example of this breed of musician, 27-years in the making and he’s just about ready to bloom. With songs that essentially adopt a folk infused vibe with sincere lyrics that guarantee to send tingles in every which way. Then there’s his on stage presence – an element of cheeky charm that will get the most serious of sorts giggling like they were 13 again. This all immediately begs the question, ‘Why on earth hasn’t the music industry snapped up such a great talent sooner?’ Or perhaps Jonah has actually been swimming away from the jaws of the giant whale? Allowing his sound to develop creating a catalogue of songs that will come together to create an honest and brilliant album.

Just over a year of dedicated hard graft in the studio and Together We Are Taller is here. Produced by Simon Walker, ex-fiddle player for Dexy’s Midnight Runners; this carefully crafted coming of age album was purposely grown organically with no involvement from any major labels. Jonah explains: “I spent every spare penny I had on the album and enlisted the help of kind and talented friends to work with.” This is where the title Together We Are Taller came from and has manifested into Jonah's mantra since then.

Inspiration from Andy McKee and John Martyn shines through in full force in this moving 12 track album. After being knocked down by redundancy in March 2008, Jonah decided to focus his efforts on his lifelong passion and subsequently he began penning from scratch his debut record.
An album that is accessible to all, Together We Are Taller addresses the issues that we all face day to day, financial frustration, the trials and tribulations of love and where our lives are heading. Jonah explains: “Half way through my twenties everything suddenly became a lot more serious and apparent. I was on a career path, whether I liked it or not; I was not earning very much, my love life suddenly went from being about the now to being about the future and it set me thinking. I think this is a point everyone reaches and I felt I had to cast my eyes from my feet to the horizon.”

Together We Are Taller draws you in from the first chord like an addictive book; the tale unearths from Fold a song of hope and the expectancy of new beginnings. Soon it’s the End of Summer a walk through the great outdoors allows us all to step out and gain some perspective when things are stacking up. Jonah’s journey to London takes him to French Place, featuring up and coming artist Jose Vanders, he finds solidarity in the history of the city’s streets during a murky winter. When the days are tough our Happy Places lift us up and even when the odds seem set against him the strength of unity in family can conquer illness in A Sad Soul Can Kill Quicker Than A Germ. On a final note, the story closes on Butter Stone, reflective and compelling the realisation of time passing before our dreams are fulfilled – it’s time to make that change and move forward.

LIVE DATES

14/07/10 - The Slaughtered Lamb, ALBUM LAUNCH WITH JOSE VANDERS – Clerkenwell, london
15/07/10 - Radio Reverb live session/ Latest Music Bar with Autumn Red support - brighton
18/07/10 -The Corner House - CAMBRIDGE
20/07/10 - The Canteen - BRISTOL
29/07/10 -The Gallary Café - Bethnal Green, london

10/08/10 – ronnie scott's - london
25/08/10 - The Gallery Café - Bethnal Green, london

www.myspace.com/jonahmaddox

Press Enquiries Contact: press@jonahmaddox.com | 07512 365 601

Jose Vanders

Perez Hilton's One Night in London

I have been a fan of Perez Hilton for years now so when I heard he was hosting a ‘One Night in London’ event I jumped at the chance to go along. Held at the O2 Indigo venue, opening acts included a show choir (which we missed thanks to Sunday Replacement Services!), the Hoosiers and Diana Vickers. These ones were not really my cup of tea my friend and I spent some time in the swish upstairs bar sipping vodka sodas before heading out to the viewing gallery to watch Peaches.

The last time I saw this wild woman was at Durr club in Holborn where (a few months pregnant) she sang, screamed and bounded from floor to bar-top and back again. She began this set wearing what can only be described as a giant mop before stripping to reveal outfit after outfit (pictures below). Typically high-energy she worked the Kelis-anticipating crowd into a fervor before attempting to ‘Crowd Walk’ as she performed. A slim Perez looked on from the front of the stage. The view I had from the gallery were really incredible and I got some great birds-eye pics.

Before we (drunkenly) knew it, it was time for Kelis herself. She took to the stage in a skintight purple outfit and beaded wig; she looked like something straight from Studio 54. A true diva, she sang hit-after-hit including ‘Milkshake,’ my favourite ‘Millionaire’ and her latest ‘Acapella.’

A truly amazing evening – long-live the Queen of the Media!

Russian Standard Vodka and the Noisettes

I went to the HMV forum recently to see the Noisettes (and drink Russian Standard Vodka and ginger beers to capacity) - the performance was really good, wow, Shingai has really perfected her moves since I saw her in the tents of Glastonbury 3 years ago! Loved her metallic outfit too.

N.E.R.D for Levi's

N.E.R.D played at Heaven in Charing Cross to celebrate all things Levi's. Pharrell (who appeared to be wearing a Santa hat?!) and his talented team performed as wonderfully as ever; some lucky girls from the crowd were even allowed on stage with them.

Celebrity fans included Henry Holland and Alisha Dixon and drinks were supplied by Sailor Jerry's (my favourite) and Becks.

Levi's latest ad campaign features a model with blue Cookie Monster hair which shouldn't work but it does. Everyone knows that double denim should be a naughty mistake but it continues to rule for spring/summer '10. Levi's makes the seperates to ensure every denim look works both stylishly and effortlessly for you.

Lady Gaga at the 02

I went to see Lady Gaga at the O2 and took some sneaky pics (below). Loved the show, the outfits were amazing too - my favourites were a dress that moved by itself (the final picture) and a kind of Honey Monster get-up that I think was designed by Gareth Pugh.

Gaga has added some more tour dates owing to popular demand but unfortunately they cost between £50 and £75 which I think is quite outrageous (is she as famous as Madonna? Not yet) but true fans will love the show and will most likely deign the First Lady of Fashion Freaks well worth a lighter pocket. She really knows how to put on a show.

Kasabian, Wembley Arena

Last night, Kasabian played hits past (L.S.F, Clubfoot) and present (Fire, Underdog) from their hit album West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum - an album so great that it had the NME boys fighting over who would be lucky enough to review it. I saw Kasabian at the Forum in Kentish Town not long ago and I often find such an intimate setting unbeatable. This was a different kettle of musical fish all together and a gig I enjoyed enormously.

There were crowd fisticuffs, a guest appearance by the Mighty Boosh's lovable Noel Fielding and the kind of beats that make you more excited than a fat kid faced with an awe-inspiring mountain-load of cake. Long live the boys from Leicester - all together now, naaaa naaa naaaa, na na na na naaaaaaa!

For Kasabian tour dates and other info, check www.kasabian.co.uk

Fisticuffs (the blurs are people fighting)

Noel as Vlad (not the best picture but damn, that boy can move!)