New job

So. I have a new job. Not quite what I wanted exactly buthttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif it's a lot of fun! I'm a SEO, fashion blogger/ social media guru! So I write, edit, tweet and post. The site is www.womenlikeusclothing.com they do fabulous clothes for your mums/ aunties/ older friends and relatives, who want to look smart at work or on a night out. Here's the fb and twitter...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Women-Like-Us/208875722502449
http://twitter.com/#!/wluclothing

Take a look and see :) feel free to like/ follow us. In fact I would be grateful if you did!

J x

Young Guns @ Camden Barfly 09/07/10

This was a bit of a funny one really....

Thanks to my amazing addiction to Twitter, (and the fact I'd been stalking All Time Low all day) I found out Young Guns had a relatively small album preview just around the corner from where I work. So I worked my Twitterific magic and managed to get on the guest list.
It was a pretty good show. Having never really been to an album preview before, it's pretty much just that; a room full of about 80 people sat on the floor of the Barfly and just listened to the album as it played through the speakers into the room. Accompanied by a few pints of beer then a short acoustic set from the band of songs taken from the new album made for quite a nice, relaxing evening. Considering I'd heard of them, but had to admit to myself that I didn't know any of their songs, they came across as quite a promising new act, and halfway through the set singer Gus held up a new copy of Kerrang! magazine, their picture emblazoned on the front, which caused massive cheers. After, I got my paws on some pretty signed artwork from the band and then made my way home.
Short, sweet and relaxing.

Pete Firman - Edinburgh Preview: Hen & Chickens Theatre 11/06/10

I stumbled upon Pete Firman purely by accident. I went to a charity comedy evening a little while ago, headlined by the legendary Russell Howard. Pete was one of the many warm up acts that appeared on the bill, only he somehow managed to stick in my mind after I'd left. Whether it was because his short but sweet set was full of hilarity and rather odd tricks or because he looked a bit like Russell Kane (a lot) who I willing admit to having a bit of a crush on, we will never know.
However, I decided to check him out at his own show in London's Hen and Chickens Theatre. It was the preview for his Edinburgh show so my expectations were high; it was a tiny little venue, probably only about 30 seats, and the stage was just the floor space in front. I can honestly say it was the most intimate show I have ever been to!
The show was spectacular, Pete came out brimming with confidence as he greeted his audience in his strong Northern voice. His tricks were executed flawlessly and with perfect comic timing. I will admit to having a secret love of magic and I was actually a little bit giddy with excitement. Without giving too much of it away for those of you traveling to Edinburgh to see him. There was stolen money, cakes made out of a shoe, and even poor Pete being shot in the face with a paintball gun by an unsuspecting member of the audience. Overall, it was an hour of fun, laughter and amazement. No one failed to be captivated by Pete's charms and incredible level of technical ability in magic.
It made me want to go out and buy every magic book in existence.

ALIVE!!!

Hi...
I'm still alive, just about.

I have recently returned from T in the Park, in not so sunny Balardo, Scotland.
After an unexpected extra day in Dunfermline, ahem, I'm just finishing off my review, so expect that soon...Also, I catch up with feisty rockers Young Guns at their album preview show, and I pay magical comedian Pete Firman a visit in his special Edinburgh preview 'Jokes and Tricks'...Pant wettingly funny!

J x

Celebrity Spotting

Also, I forgot to mention the massive abount of celebrities that were spotted last night:
Robert Pattinson
Zane Lowe
The Cribs
Coldplay
Carl Barat
Luke Pritchard, Kooks
The Horrors

The Strokes @ Dingwalls, Camden 09/06/10

The Strokes return after 4 years of solo projects, new bands and babies

The Strokes, quite literally exploded at Dingwalls in Camden last night, in what was their first live show in 4 years.

450 sweaty fans, industry bosses, celebrities and a very lucky me, crammed themselves inside the tiny venue to catch a glimpse of a band that usually sells out world wide arena tours. It’s hardly surprising that the few tickets available sold out in seconds.

The band, despite not having any new songs in their set, completely owned the stage and sent the fans crazy, proving that despite their absence, they're still one of the most influential bands of the last 10 years.

Security was tight around the venue. Overexcited fans tried to push their way in on hearing the music from inside and as people without tickets tried to shove their way through the barriers, big muscley security guards had to force large groups back to let latecomers in.

Playing hit after hit after hit was the aim of the band last night, a not-so-subtle reminder that they're still around, and to break the news that fans can expect new material from the band next spring.

Stand out songs were Juicebox, Last Night and Reptillia - which caused the biggest stir of the evening by far. After a short break, the band came on for their encore and performed a further 5 or 6 songs, before saying their thank you’s and disappearing off the stage.

By this point the venue was boiling, filled to capacity, sweat was literally pouring from the ceiling onto the screaming fans below. Not that they cared. As they filtered out there was talk from a lot of people saying that was probably the best gig of their life, and I wouldn’t want to disagree with them.

Now completely ready for their set at the Isle of Wight festival this weekend, the band will no doubt continue to thrill and amaze us, and I for one cannot wait to here what's next on offer from them.

Red Stripe music awards

Red Stripe music awards, headlined by the View @ Heaven 28/04/10

Heaven played host to the Red Stripe Music Awards 2010, which featured a whole host of new talent as well as a headline slot from Scottish band The View.
After hundreds of gigs played around the country in many different venues, the final group of bands were cut down to just four, who made it to the London finals to battle out as champions.
The winner of the competition wins a prestigious slot at the Great Escape festival, the leading festival for new music.
The four finalists were; The Laurel Collective, Come On Gang!, Hold Fast and Patrick James Pearson, and they all gave their very best shot at the prize. But after a great night Laurel Collective were crowned the winners, and personally I think they were the best band overall. They were presented with their prize, as well as many free cans of Red Stripe by last year’s winner Ben Howard.
As the four bands left the stage, the crowd and the Laurel Collective, who are now very happy and getting very drunk settle down to watch headliners The View. The Scottish band have been out of the spotlight for some time, but with a fantastic second album under their belt, the band are back in true force. Playing mostly new tracks, with a sprinkle of old ones the fans whooped and cheered the guys on until it was time to go home.
Overall, a good night, the best band won the competition and the headliners were a real treat!