In 1981 with a loan of £100, Karen Millen bought 1,000 metres of cotton and began creating white shirts to sell to friends. Now, more than four decades later, the brands’ ICON series partners with one of the best in the business, International Supermodel Elle Macpherson. The series highlights iconic women from the Eighties, Nineties and Noughties.
This fourth volume, entitled All About Elle, has Elle Macpherson at the center. Instantly recognisable across the globe, she has sustained her reputation as The Body, the brains and the beauty.
Hear from Elle…
How would you define your personal style?
Elle: I believe style is a reflection of your attitude and your spirit; how you are in this world. My personal style tends to be ‘heart-led’ which makes it natural and effortless.
What are your favourite pieces from the edit?
Elle: There are so many great pieces from this collection. I really love the yellow suit, it had an easy masculine/feminine almost Japanese-inspired vibe. The long black dress was so chic, sexy and effortless and I see myself wearing it with flip flops even on the red carpet – that’s very much my style! I also loved the white oversized jacket. It was the first look we shot and it really set the tone for the whole shoot.
I think the look that surprised me the most was the fluorescent green short dress and jacket which I actually loved, it had a real ‘90s supermodel feel.
What are your wardrobe essentials?
Elle: My personal wardrobe essentials anchor to quality and simplicity, and I love white and cream, no matter what the season!
The curated dedicated edits inspired by their style, fused with the brand’s classic design will be available at karenmillen.com.
On a rainy grey evening, the talent troupe that is Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox put on a colourful and spectacular display at the genteel Pavillion theatre in Bournemouth.
The good people of the seaside town came out in their droves resplendent in vintage and retro style clothing. There’s always been a strong vintage scene in Bournemouth, but when Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox are in town, it becomes even more apparent.
Despite the main man himself not being part of the UK tour (the USA tour is also running concurrently) there was a real sense of anticipation which saw some new faces to the UK tour including the supremely talented Effie Passero who is an exceptional vocalist who sings with the utmost emotion.
It was a very welcome return for the exquisitely dapper and charismatic LaVance Colley who as well as absolutely slaying every vocal stepped into Scott’s shoes as band compere.
Postmodern Jukebox are just like a musical box of chocolates, there is a song/styling and vocalist for everyone, but the beauty of it all is that they are all magnificent.
There are no weak links in either their recorded material or their live performances. The cast for the UK’s of Life In The Past Lane’s tour was chock-full of exciting vocalists, talented instrumentalists, and a superb tap dancer.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to listen to Postmodern Jukebox (or PMJ as they are fondly known) then you should definitely do so. In a nutshell, they recreate/twist up both historic and contemporary hits in jazz, swing and doo-wop styles.
From magnificent vocal harmonising on a powerful rendition of Ellie Goulding’s ‘Burn’ by the PMJ ladies where tremendous trio really brought the fire to LaVance’s thrill-a-minute cover of ‘Forget You’ by CeeLo Green, the audience were entranced by the musical masterclass from the PMJ crew.
He also delivered a wondrous version of ‘Halo’ by Beyonce too.Another highlight was ‘Lovefool’, ‘Seven Nation Army’ which was one of the most sultry and emphatic version sung by the fantastic Tia Simone.
A cutesy Andrew Sisters’ styled version of the Spice Girls seminal track ‘Wannabe’ was another standout. This was an uplifting and glitzy rendition of an iconic song.
There was a sonic shift with the aforementioned Effie Passero and a heartfelt, goosebump-inducing rendition of Jeff Buckley’s ‘Hallelujah’ which actually rendered me to tears.
This was THE performance of the night and Effie Passero had the audience spellbound. You could literally hear a pin drop – it was an unforgettable performance.
For a fun-filled and joyous night of live music, you can’t fail to be entertained or indeed enchanted by the stellar line up that is Postmodern Jukebox.
If you are looking for a masterclass in performance that is both euphoric and mesmerising, the PMJ crew delivers in spades and does so impeccably and of course – always in style!
A live show by the dance music stalwart Fatboy Slim is always a mesmerising, dynamic and joyous affair and his gig at the sold-out Bournemouth International Centre in Dorset was no exception.
If you have ever been fortunate to go and see Fatboy Slim live, you will know that the set is not just a unique and fulfilling sonic experience, but a striking visual spectacle too.
The staging was incredibly atmospheric from start to finish. Norman (AKA Fatboy Slim) came on stage to a remix of ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ by Queen with the crowd’s anticipation reaching heady levels of fever pitch after two fantastic sets by the support acts Syreeta and Sasha Gigi which added a real sense of anticipation to proceedings.
If the burning question of the day was ‘what do the faces of Rita Ora, David Bowie, Gary Lineker, Iggy Pop and a rotating procession of other famous faces have in common?’
Then the answer surely has to be that they appear as part of the visceral visual display at this mind-blowing gig on a rainy Saturday night in Bournemouth.
This parade of famous faces sat alongside alongside powerful messages such as ‘I just came for the music’. Throw in some acid house smiley faces, striking lasers and dancing boys with disco balls on their heads, and the seaside town of Bournemouth was certainly ready to party!
As well as a stunning showcase of some of Fatboy Slim’s most loved hits including ‘Right Here, Right Now’, ‘The Rockafeller Skank’, ‘Eat Sleep Rave Repeat’, ‘Renegade Master’ and a euphoric reworked version of his seminal 1999 track ‘Praise You’ with vocals from the sublime Rita Ora.
The new version entitled ‘Praising You’ features new verses which effortlessly sits alongside the original track’s famous anthemic chorus.
Norman’s energetic set included remixes of uplifting tracks from the Bee Gees, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Cornershop, Underworld and a rogue rendition of Los Del Rio’s ‘Macarena’, with the superstar DJ was relentless in his pursuit of delivering banger after banger and he had the crowd in the palm of his hand.
Fatboy Slim’s euphoric gig in Bournemouth was an unmissable, immersive and electrifying experience which not only showcased his impressive back catalogue but also his charismatic stage presence and outstanding showmanship.
Worshipping at the altar of Father John Misty is always a rewarding experience, and this return gig in Germany proved to be no different.
Having seen the US folk rocker play with just a piano for accompaniment last year in Brighton, this gig in Berlin proved to be yet another spectacular performance from the former Fleet Foxes drummer.
With a stellar collection of beguiling tracks from some of his most-lived albums to include Pure Comedy, Chloë and the Next 20th Century and God’s Favorite Customer, this was a bewitching and spectacular display from the US rocker who with his stellar band breathed new life into tracks, particularly those from Pure Comedy.
The enigmatic crooner kicked off proceedings with ‘We Could Be Strangers’ from ‘Chloë and the Next 20th Century’, followed by the brilliant ‘Mr Tillman’ and fan-favourite ‘Just Dumb Enough To Try’ from ‘God’s Favorite Customer to ‘Chloe’ throwback ‘Funny Girl, the crowd were captivated by the set which was hypnotic and absorbing in equal measure.
Largely the set was constructed of tracks from ‘Chloe’ which is a sublime and compelling collection of short story third person character sketches with a particular focus on heartbreak and broken people.
Father John Misty AKA Josh Tillman is a charismatic, humorous and compelling performer clad in a black blazer effortlessly engages the audience with satirical and sardonic anecdotes about deceased pets asking the audience about their animal losses.
This was slightly more humerous than perhaps the subject matter might suggest and also revealed a plethora of deceased pets in the Berlin music venue.
Tillman commanded the stage with his candidly confessional quips and lyrics and the audience were treated to a masterclass in exceptional songwriting and melodicism. ‘I Love You, Honeybear’ was a triumph as was ‘Everyman Needs a Companion’., this was a first-class and hypnotic performance from the enigmatic musical shapeshifter that is Father John Misty.
The vibrant city of Dublin has always been synonymous with music and the arts and there’s no doubt that its rich musical heritage is a real point of pride for the people that live there.
The city’s love of music is also evident throughout the city, from walking down the infamous Grafton Street where you can find local singers performing to visiting Windmill Recording Studios where the likes of U2, Hozier, Kate Bush, the Rolling Stones, Kylie Minogue and The Script have all recorded their music.
Whilst there’s certainly more to this fair city than just its musical heritage, we think it’s a pretty good place to start. So, if you are looking to walk in the shoes of legends like U2, The Cranberries, Thin Lizzy and more, then you’d better pack up your guitar and follow our Music Editor Emma Harrison’s guide to the music lovers guide to Dublin.
The city is a fantastic destination for music lovers at any time of the year, but especially New Year. For the first time since Covid, the annual New Year’s Festival returned with a bang at the North Wall Quay.
There were three acts that performed to the sold-out crowd which included singer-songwriter Lyra who dazzled the audience with not just her powerful voice, but her spectacular outfit which included some seriously stylish silver boots. Gavin James was next to perform with his guitar who performed an uplifting and passionate set which showcased his stunning vocals exquisitely.
Dublin’s New Year’s festival was headlined by no other than one of the most famous boy bands in the world – Westlife. Despite one member Mark Feehily not performing due to battling pneumonia, the remaining three members Shane, Kian and Nicky magnificently displayed how the show must go on with an energetic and sensational set.
As well as performing some of their most-loved hits which includes tracks like ‘You Raise Me Up’, ‘World of Our Own’, ‘Swear it Again’, as well as their covers of ‘Uptown Girl’ and ‘What About Now’.
Fans were also treated to a fun and effervescent ABBA megamix which included snippets of the Swedish supergroups most iconic hits such as ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’, ‘Mamma Mia’, and of course the track that got everyone moving ‘Dancing Queen’.
Dublin’s always been a great place to visit at New Year and the New Year’s festival was no exception and was a fantastic way to bring in 2023.
If you can’t visit at New Year and are a huge music fan, here’s our pick of Dublin haunts that no music lover can’t fail to miss.
The Phil Lynott Statue
For those who love to rock, Thin Lizzy will always be on your playlist. Dublin was the home of the charismatic and flamboyant frontman – Phil Lynott. His bronze statue is a life-long tribute to his musical legacy and can be found on Harry Street outside his favourite pub – Bruxelles, which remains a firm favourite with rock music fans.
Irish Rock ’N’ Roll Museum
Talking of Thin Lizzy, the Irish band are a huge focus of the Irish Rock ’N’ Roll Museum which can be found only steps away from the renowned Temple Bar area. Here you’ll find a large Thin Lizzy exhibit which includes Phil Lynott’s bass guitar and some of the tee shirts he used to wear.
This iconic attraction is a must-visit for music lovers. The tour includes a look around recording spaces, studios and performance areas where some of Ireland’s best music artists have rehearsed and recorded.
Music fans will love seeing standout sights such as the largest sound desk in the country, platinum discs and music memorabilia from world-renowned artists like The Edge (U2) Michael Jackson and Phil Lynott.
See some live music
Were you even in Dublin if you didn’t catch some live music? Whether it’s seeing the aforementioned buskers and street performers, one way to fully immerse yourself into the music scene of Dublin is to see them perform in one of Dublin’s many pubs. From Johnnie Fox’s pub in the mountains to the bars and pubs in the city itself.
From The Cobblestone to the Ha’Penny Bridge Inn, you won’t be short of locations to see fantastic live music. U2 fans simply must pay a visit to the iconic Ha’Penny Bridge which was one of the locations for many U2 photoshoots back in the day.
Have a drink at the Clarence Hotel
The U2 connection continues! Even if you are not staying at this upscale hotel in Temple Bar that is owned by The Edge and Bono, it’s certainly worthy of a visit to enjoy a cheeky tipple. Head on down to the Octagon bar, an intimate and plush venue that also offers dinner and afternoon tea, so there’s really something for everyone.
Channel your inner rockstar at the Windmill Lane Studios
An absolute must for music lovers is a guided tour around the iconic Windmill Lane Studios where you can learn about the creation and production of albums and songs by some of the world’s most successful recording artists.
The original studio buildings opened in 1978 in Windmill Lane but were demolished in 2016, and this was put up in its place. There’s a juxtaposition between the old and the new, where platinum discs adorn the walls from the musical masterpieces that were recorded over the last 40 years and fans can also see the studio space where the bands of today including The Script who were recording there at the time we visited.
The guided tour effortlessly fuses technology, audio-visual media and intuitive storytelling from our informative guide to allow visitors to explore the studios, discover their history and see how a recording session works where you can even have a go at trying out the mixing desk.
Other highlights of Dublin to add to your hit list
For the history lovers
Ireland has a rich history and there are many standout attractions to visit that showcase the country and especially Dublin’s storied past. Take a step back in time to the Jeannie Johnston Famine Ship Museum where 2,500 took a gruelling voyage on the Jeanie Johnston during the Irish famine.
It serves as a compelling and visual reminder of the arduous journey that those fleeing Ireland took. You can get a real insight into life on board a famine ship and hear the stories of the people who made the arduous voyage which was located a short walk away from where we were staying at the Hilton Garden Inn Dublin City Centre.
Another historical highlight is the EPIC museum which tells the story of not only Irish immigration, but the momentous impact that the Irish have had all over the world. The exhibition is fully immersive, high tech and visual and tells hundreds of different stories in a thought-provoking and informative way.
For fans of the arts
From literature to the arts, the Irish have always made their mark. If culture is a priority when visiting a new city, then make sure that you add both the Museum of Literature Island (MOLI) to your list and the National Gallery of Ireland too. At both you can explore the rich literary and artistic heritage, either by perusing the exhibitions independently or by taking a guided tour.
Book lovers will adore seeing fantastic exhibits from literature stalwarts from the old to the modern day which includes the acclaimed Seamus Heaney, James Joyce and more.
Definitely carve out a few hours to see the impressive display at the National Gallery which includes an extensive collection of artists from 1300 to the present day.
This year will see new exhibitions focusing on Irish artists like Lavinia Fontana and Sarah Purcer amongst others.
For foodies
It goes without saying that Dublin is synonymous with Guinness and whilst it’s a bit of a trek to get to, no visit to the Irish capital is complete without taking a tour around the Guinness Storehouse where you can learn about the history and culture of the black stuff.
There’s even ample chances to try some different variants and enjoy a drink in the Gravity Bar which has far-reaching panoramic views of the city.If a ‘wee dram’ is more your ‘cup of tea’, then you can enjoy a similar experience at the super cool Old Jameson Distillery where you will be taken through the history of the drink as well as trying a few different flavours – it would be rude not to!
For eating out, Dublin offers something for everyone from gluten-free pizza to inventive fine dining.
Culinary highlights include the Harbour Master restaurant, the brilliant Elephant & Castle where you can chow down on the most delicious chicken wings and for traditional Irish cuisine Gallagher’s Boxty restaurant in Temple Bar which was one of my personal favourites along with the Woollen Mills which had a great menu and excellent service.
Whether you are thinking of a last minute break for Valentine’s Day, a sojourn over to the Irish capital to celebrate St Patrick’s Day or just want to explore the Emerald Isle for an enjoyable city break, you can fly from most UK airports via Ryan Air and be in the heart of the city within 25 minutes.
Huge thanks to Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland and our helpful and informative guide Katie Murray-Haydon for such a wonderful trip.
The Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall has always attracted incredible musicians and bands who want to pledge their support to the fantastic charity – the Teenage Cancer Trust.
The series of concerts that take place in London at the Royal Albert Hall has been a mainstay in the live music calendar effortlessly combining both an amazing night of entertainment with raising money for a fantastic cause.`
Historically, there’s been turns from Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller, The Vaccines, and more as well as performances from acclaimed comedians too.
For two decades, the iconic concert series has featured the best in music and comedy, raising money for Teenage Cancer Trust and driven by Teenage Cancer Trust Honorary Patron and The Who icon, Roger Daltrey.
This year, music lovers can expect to see incredible sets from the likes of Kasabian, Wet Leg, The Courteeners, and rave dynamos Underworld amongst others.
Roger Daltrey CBE, Teenage Cancer Trust Honorary Patron, comments:
“The generosity of the people who work in the music and comedy industries never ceases to amaze me. In this, our 21st year, after two years of artists having no shows at all, at a time where the only certain paydays are from live performances, artists are willing to give up their earnings from a London show.”
“It shows us that miracles are everywhere, but if you cough or sneeze you’d miss them! I’m happy to announce the Royal Albert Hall week for Teenage Cancer Trust!”
They released their fourth studio album ‘Ribbon Around The Bomb’, earlier this year to critical acclaim. Sonically, this collection of songs had flashes of the old Blossoms style, but this was a more mature sound with more heartfelt and introspective lyrics than ever before.
Their autumn tour was the perfect way to showcase both their new material as well as some carefully-selected songs from previous albums along with a couple of surprises. We’ll come back to that!
The Stockport quintet kicked things off with two tracks from their eponymous album from 2016 ‘At Most A Kiss’ and ‘Honey Sweet’ which was swiftly followed up with a rousing rendition of ‘Oh No (I Think I’m In Love)’ which effortlessly showcased Tom Ogden’s superb delivery as well as Joe Donovan’s impressive drumming.
It was also great to hear tracks from their fantastic second album ‘Cool Like You’ such as ‘How Long Will This Last?’ and ‘I Can’t Stand It’ which really got the crowd going.
Frontman Tom Ogden gave fans a tantilising insight into the story behind the song ‘Ode to NYC. With inspiring lyrics like ‘Times Square’s a kaleidoscope of colour…./Oh, what a place’, which is clearly a love letter to the iconic city.
Tom explained how the band had written the track in hope of being used in a TV show for Netflix but it never transpired. Come on Netflix, let’s make this happen!
‘The Sulking Poet’ which touches on Ogden’s feelings of imposter syndrome along with ‘If You Think This Is Real Life’ and the superb ‘My Swimming Brain’ were all absolutely fantastic and showed both their musicality and storytelling as well as what a tight unit the band truly are.
Blossoms
Can you segue from ‘My Favourite Room’ to epic renditions of ‘Half The World Away’ whilst bringing the outro of Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’ into the mix? When it comes to Blossoms, the answer is an unequivocal yes!
Whilst there weren’t really any deep cuts, there were some real fan favourites in the mix which included the intoxicating ‘Your Girlfriend’ and the synth-laden hypnotic ‘Charlemagne’.
Blossoms
This was a commanding, dynamic and uplifting set from the band who are without a doubt one of the best bands in the UK right now.
If you are already dreaming of watching incredible live music in the sun, then Primavera Sound is definitely one for the diary next year.
They have just released their line up and it’s a corker and will welcome Blur, Depeche Mode, Kendrick Lamar and many more to next year’s event.
The event is returning to its base in Barcelona and will also host an event in Madrid, with a spectacular line up spread across both sites which will takes place across consecutive weekends.
Primavera Sound will welcome a headline set from Kendrick Lamar who headlined Glastonbury this summer. Other acts joining him will include Halsey, FKA twigs, St. Vincent, Calvin Harris, Self Esteem, Arlo Parks, Japanese Breakfast, Maggie Rogers and Le Tigre.
UK Electro-pop stalwarts the Pet Shop Boys are set to perform on Primavera Sound’s free day, on the Wednesday.
The festival organisers have ensured that there is a fair gender balance across both line ups and that there is a diverse and wide-ranging inclusion of genres and styles.
This is set to be a fantastic line up and we can’t wait for next years festival season now!
Charismatic, captivating and cool, when it comes to Andy Crofts, there’s no end of superlatives that should be afforded to the talented musician.
He is the founding member of the psychedelic indie rock band The Moons and is also the bass player for Paul Weller and runs Colorama Records.
However, it’s not just in music where his talents lie. He’s also an accomplished artist and photographer too and has published a book of compelling prints of Paul Weller whilst on tour.
Music is his first passion, however, and he’s currently in the midst of a UK-wide acoustic tour, further to a sold-out appearance at The 100 Club in London.
His gig at Heartbreakers was opened by the amiable Jim Chorley, a folk singer who performed a laidback and heartfelt set.
He was followed by the fantastic ‘Teenage Waitress‘ AKA Daniel Ash who released his debut album ‘Love & Chemicals’ two years ago to critical acclaim. He has received support from the likes of Paul Weller, Robert Carlyle and more and was also hand-picked by Tim Burgess to take part in his famed ‘Tim’s Twitter Listening Parties’.
He performed tracks both from this album and his forthcoming (yet to be named) follow up which included ‘Too Much Of A Good Thing’, ‘The Big Smoke’, ‘Little Pieces’ as well as fantastic renditions of two of my personal favourites ‘You Ain’t Got It Bad’ and ‘The Mess You Made Me Make’ which talks of being in conflict with the voice in your head and the ramifications that this can have.
Endearing and ebullient in equal measure, Daniel is a fantastic performer and an excellent songwriter. Expect big things from him in 2023!
As the bass player for Paul Weller, Andy Crofts is no stranger to the stage, but this acoustic, stripped-back set was an absolute triumph.
A consummate professional, Andy’s set was an intimate and inspirational affair that showcased his accomplished guitar playing and musicianship as well as his impressive songwriting.
Whilst the majority of his set was acoustic renditions of his songs from The Moons, he did perform his latest solo single ‘Westway’ – a beautiful love song.
Andy also performed tracks from the most recent album by The Moons, the brilliant ‘Pocket Melodies’. Fans were treated to beautiful versions of ‘Sleep’, the charming ‘Maybe I’m The Perfect Man’ and the Kinks-esque ‘The Old Brigade’ which he explained was a nod to his childhood growing up in Northampton.
He archly dissects a myriad of themes throughout his songwriting, but thematically predominantly focuses on subjects like love, loss, and isolation as well as bringing into play his perceptions of life in the UK.
‘Jennifer (Sits Alone)’ which talks of how it feels to be an outsider was exquisite and this is where Andy’s superb storytelling really came into play as was fan favourite ‘English Summer’ which was a real standout.
He effortlessly engaged with the crowd with a delectable combination of wit, humility and charm whilst showcasing his impressive body of work with ease and an impeccable and exuberant delivery.
Andy’s stagecraft is evident, it is clear he loves to perform and this was an enthralling, prodigious and first-class performance. He is an exceptional singer-songwriter and if you love carefully-crafted songs with a nostalgic vibe, then definitely catch him on tour and give his band The Moons a listen.
Find out more about Andy Crofts via his website or follow him and his band The Moons on Instagram.
There’s nothing better than discovering a new band, especially when they are seemingly the lovechild of Future Islands and The Killers (sonically speaking that is – we are not here to start rumours!) throw in a smattering of the Pet Shop Boys and old school New Order and you have something pretty damn special.
You have ‘Giant Party‘, a band that you will be hearing a lot about in the months to come. Don’t just take our word for it, they have a rather famous fan in the shape of Sir Elton John and have received plaudits left, right and centre.
Sonically, this is something that will make you sit up and listen. This talented four-piece who effortlessly fuse synth-pop and indie-rock have just dropped their new single ‘Beyond Dreaming’ which is a little taster of what to expect from their forthcoming debut album ‘Blue Hymn’ which is scheduled for release on March 3rd.
The band will also be playing an exclusive album release show at The Victoria in London on March 2nd.
We can’t wait to see what else 2023 has in store for this band. They are having one hell of a party and we are most definitely on board.
