Music makes the world go round and no one knows that better than Sarah Story who I met on a dancefloor in Leeds many years ago. As girl bosses go – she is leading. From her weekly show at Capital DJ sets at Lovebox and Hideout – I turned down the volume to sit and catch up with Sarah.
Sarah thanks for joining me – you’ve been serving some serious looks on your Instagram – who are your fashion inspirations?
Kendal Jenner is a dream, she is beautiful with amazing style. I also love Alexa Chung, she’s flawless and manages to pull off any look.
Also Annie who runs a shop in Ibiza called ‘Annie’s Ibiza’ she has some amazing pieces. I discovered it last summer and I have bought 2 pieces already. I love that she models some of the pieces herself and always gets customers involved on her insta stories who are trying things on in the shop
What’s your go to key piece of clothing?
High waisted blue jeans from & Other Stories, I love them so much I’ve got 2 pairs. They can be dressed up or down and are really flattering.
How important is it to you that we influence and inspire the youth of today ? And what do you do to achieve that?
I think it’s crucial we influence and inspire the youth of today in all aspects of life from fashion to politics (although we’re not doing a great job at politics right now).
I’ve been working as a Radio Presenter for 5 years now and I have wanted to pass on my experience and knowledge to the younger presenters coming through the ranks.
It’s such a tough industry to crack so I have been hosting panels for BBC Bitesize in schools around Yorkshire to give advice on how to get into the creative industry. I am also a mentor for the Soho House Open House mentoring programme which helps young adults from under privileged backgrounds get help working in the creative world.
What has been your perfect holiday so far?
In 2018 I went away with 3 of my best mates to Ibiza. It’s an island I (and most other people) have been obsessed with for years. We went for 7 days and we went out ALOT ! The first night was spent at Café Mambos, Pikes then Defected. Monday was Flower Power at Pacha and Tuesday was a Katermeran to Formentra. Wednesday was Honey Djon at Pikes and Thursday was drinks in Dalt Villa and shopping at Annie’s Ibiza. Friday was Glitterbox closing party and then Saturday back to Pikes for Artworks residency. Needless to say we loved Pikes so much we’ve booked the whole weekend to stay for my birthday this year. Ibiza has changed so much over the years but the spirit is still there
What are your handbag essentials when abroad?
Chanel Red lips stick, Clarins lip comfort oil, sunglasses, suncream and a charger with converter!
Ideal holiday destination – tell us your hit list of places you want to visit!
Bali is on my hit list and I’m planning to go in 2020. I’ve heard mixed reviews but I need to go and see it for myself. I also want to visit Santorini, we’ve all seen the beautiful pictures on our Instagram feeds, it looks stunning! Japan is somewhere I’ve always been intrigued by, the fashion the food and the karaoke! And I really want to go see the northern lights.
How do you detox from social media?
The best thing to do if you’re on holiday is keep your phone in the safe in the hotel room then you can’t check it. There’s something really liberating about not having a phone on you… well until you need to book a taxi! At home I try and not look at my social media if I have guests over…if you really want to just de-activate your account!
If you could invite 4 women past or present over for dinner who would they be and why?
Marilyn Monroe – I’ve always thought she was the most beautiful women to walk the planet. She was so sexy and powerful and she would have SO many stories to tell!
Joanna Lumley – I think she is just fabulous and expect her to act like Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous… pass the bolly darling!
Beyoncé – because it’s Beyoncé! She is the ultimate pop star and entrepreneur and of course I would make her sing for her dinner.
Sara Cox – she is someone I’ve grown up listening to on the radio and is the whole reason I got into radio. I absolutely LOVE her! We would definitely drink too much wine and dance on the tables.
When you were a little girl – what did you want to be?
Either a Spice Girl or a Radio Presenter. 1 out of the 2 isn’t bad.
Tell us about a hidden gem where you live!
There is a beautiful cake shop in Hackney called Violet, it makes the most incredible cakes. They actually made the Royal Wedding cake for Megan & Harry. From the outside it looks just like a bog standard cafe but inside it’s lush!
It’s the end of the world – you can do three things before you leave the earth – what are they!?
Go to Maldives & stay in one of those amazing hotel rooms that has a slide that goes from your room to the sea.
DJ at Amnesia
Get on the rocket that is getting us all the hell out of here!
What is the one song that has you go straight to the dance floor ?
Brand new family and music festival The Great Wonderfest has just announced a spectacular line-up for the summer festival on the Isle of Wight – August 1st to August 4th 2019.
Two of the UK’s biggest boy bands Busted and The Vamps are back with new albums and will exclusively headline The Great Wonderfest.
Other great acts confirmed so far include headline sets from Sigma and Example, plus live performances from Conor Maynard, Mistajam and Becky Hill among many others.
There will also be a chance to enjoy some retro vibes with performances by 80s pop legends The Blow Monkeys and Musical Youth.
Taking place at the start of the summer holidays and hosted by the true kings of family entertainment, Dick and Dom, festival goers can expect a three day ‘schools out, old school, new school, no rules spectacular’ with music, magic, and immersive family fun at its core. Programmed by the brains of these creators of chaos, expect their big black book of TV chums and favourite acts to be unleashed into fields of wonder.
As well as fantastic bands and DJs, expect magic, comedy and vaudeville to play a big part in the weekend’s festivities. With four days of entertainment on tap, you can pick and choose your fun – including plenty of outdoor games for young and old
Street dance stars Flawless will also be taking The Great Wonderfest by storm with their jaw-dropping renowned routines as seen on TV. Bringing you some jaw dropping performances, dance workshops, meet and greets, prize giveaways across the weekend and more.
Other live appearances include Robots Live Arena featuring BBC Robot Wars Champion Apollo and Vulcan (King of Bots) and Singing Hands (makaton signing classes).
Live Acts
BUSTED – THE VAMPS – SIGMA – EXAMPLE – CONOR MAYNARD – MISTAJAM – BECKY HILL – KAREN HARDING – DUB PISTOLS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THE RAGGA TWINS – JAGUAR SKILLS – AMELIA LILY – ROBIN S – THE BLOW MONKEYS – MUSICAL YOUTH
And many more …
DJs
MARSHALL JEFFERSON – MISTAJAM – BEZ & ROWETTA (HAPPY MONDAYS) PRESENTS ‘ON THE 6TH DAY GOD CREATED MANCHESTER’ – SLIPMATT – FOOR – DON LETTS – BRANDON BLOCK – ALFREDO – BARRY ASHWORTH & GHETTO FUNK FEAT PROFIT & NATTY SPEAKS – BABY LOVES DISCO – RUSS CUBAN PRESENTS ‘CAMPSITE SESSIONS’ – JAGUAR SKILLS
And many more …
Kids
Shows, Dance & Curiosities – Peppa Pig: Summer Festival – Dick & Dom – Flawless Summer Dance Camp Live with daily performances & workshops – Rastamouse live – Starlight presents .. ’Build A Show’ featuring Cirque du Starlight Wizard of Oz and Aladdin – Human Table Football – The Scout Hut Youth Club – Steampunk Morris Dancers – Bouncy Castle Festival – Wight Trash Skate Park!
There’s plenty more to see and do including sunrise yoga, DMX Dance, The Botanical Retreat, Style and Pamper Lounge, Street Food Market, and The Lock Inn Pub.
So join us for a sporting high jinx festival of epic proportions where you can plot up for four days, or if you want to extend your island holiday then pitch up for seven days at The Great Wondercamp extended campsite for those who want to explore the island for a whole week.
Weekend Tickets
Adults from £120, Family packages from: £240 (including 4-day campsite), Kids under 3 go free!, Weekend glamping options from: £240, 7-Day campsite for extended Isle of Wight summer breaks from: £300.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday Day Tickets
Adult = £35.00, Family Day Ticket = £75.00, Child tickets: 15-17 Day ticket = £20.00, 10-14 Day Ticket = £15.00, 4-9 Day Ticket = £10.00, Aged 3yr & under = £0.00.
VIP Friday, Saturday, Sunday Day Tickets
Adult = £75.00, Family VIP Day Ticket = £200, VIP Child tickets: 15-17 Day ticket = £37.50, 10-14 Day Ticket = £20.00, 4-9 Day Ticket = £15.00, Aged 3yr & Under = £0.00
Looking to experience a great weekend in June? Then Prague on the 21st and 22nd is the right destination for you. Metronome Festival in Prague is one of the biggest metropolitan festivals in Europe and is set to be an amazing weekend.
Metronome Festival is an event that provides the atmosphere of a large open-air gathering combined with all the conveniences of a major European city. The organisers are going great lengths to provide guests with some serious comfort, an amazing service, and top notch security. Also, why not combine the festival with a sightseeing tour! Prague has somegorgeous sights which has made the city one of the most-visited destinations in Europe.
Besides the headliners, performers that have lit up stages at countless international festivals will also make an appearance, including singer-songwriter Anna Calvi or neo-soul group Jungle. There’s an indoor stage planned for long into the night where lovers of electronica will be able to see new rave hitmakers Digitalism, who have wowed audiences since 2004 with their original compositions and amazing remixes; as well as Danny Howard, the British DJ and BBC Radio 1 legend. The list of acts also includes Israeli singer and rapper Noga Erez and German duo Ätna, who will present their fusion of electronica and world music.
Metronome Festival combines the atmosphere of a major open-air musical festival with the beauty of historical Prague and a level of comfort unavailable at similar events. The festival is completely cashless, with an entertaining complimentary program and exceptional services provided, so you can spend less time in queues and avoid any unpleasant experiences of the facilities.
Jennifer Lopez debuted her latest music video on Sunday and there’s no doubt she’s looking better than ever. But one of JLo’s stand-out moments had to be her white-hot look as she caresses a crystal ball while belting out her new track Medicine.
Fashionistas will be glad to know the look could be available on your next sunny getaway to the United Arab Emirates because it’s from Dubai-based AMATO Couture.
With a store greeting visitors to the Dubai Design District, this label has been showcased at Fashion Weeks around the globe, including London, New York, LA and Miami.
The man behind JLO’s autumn/winter 2018-19 couture collection ensemble is Filipino-born designer – AMATO’s founder and creative director – Furne One.
The ruffled one-piece suit is for anyone looking to recreate that whimsical look that Jennifer Lopez does so well in a carnival show scene that takes place inside a transparent glass room.
In the Medicine video, she plays a fortune teller and wears an immaculate one-piece, accented with pearls and crystals.
It’s the perfect look for a night out in Dubai where you can channel your inner World of Dance star.
Jennifer Lopez is depicted as the ring leader of a white monochromatic freak show featuring fortune tellers and a 50-foot cake.
She goes from carousel to crystal ball in the video, and even throws in some pole dancing to the horn-tinged track just before French Montana makes his appearance.
Sounds like a night out at Fairmont Dubai’s Cirque Le Soir nightclub to us!
Supermodels Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks have been seen in the Dubai-based designer’s pieces. Jennifer Lopez isn’t the only star to put the spotlight on the brand in the music world; it has Beyonce, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Shakira, Nicole Scherzinger and Jessie J as fans!
Every month music lovers gather to celebrate the weekend at a secret location in central London.
It’s kept hush hush until 24 hours before the 12pm to 5pm brunch is due to begin and is repeated across several genres of music including the original concept of Hip Hop, plus Garage, Disco and 90s.
Here’s what you need to know about Hip Hop LDN’s Basement Brunch.
It’s is mish-mash of various music genres
Guests are eased in with Reggae and Soca before music switches to Afro beats, Dancehall and and of course Hip Hop. It means those who aren’t ready for five hours of just one type of music will be keen to spend their Saturday afternoon here.
Bottomless cocktails are limited
The deal is 90 minutes of rum punch and/or vodka cranberry mixers. Worth bearing in mind if you’re a picky drinker.
Upon entry, guests are handed a plastic tumbler which is refillable until food starts to be served, after which point drinks are chargeable. We opted to buy a bottle of Prosecco to save us constantly heading to the bar as the event unfolded. Bigger groups (tables of up to 30 people are welcomed) appeared to collects a few jugs of cocktails before the unlimited beverage hour-and-a-half ended.
Food is Caribbean-inspired
While is indeed a brunch, this particular one isn’t necessarily about the culinary experience.
Bites are served up casually; sharing plates of plantain, lettuce and tomato salad arrived but we only realised it was a side and not a starter until our roti wraps arrived behind schedule. Catered by Mama’s Jerk meat eaters can enjoy the Bakka Yard Bash Wrap filled with jerk chicken and there’s the vegetarian tortilla wrap option called the Beancake Bless Up.
The selection of mango, barbecue and hot pepper pickle sauces described on the menu would have no doubt stepped things up a notch but unfortunately they never arrived. Jerk fries were also teased but didn’t show up in the whirlwind of the serving groups and also putting on a show on stage. Luckily we were warned food probably wouldn’t emerged until 2pm so we chowed down on some fries in Camden Market before heading into the brunch’s venue at Dingwalls.
Our favourite dish was the Cool Carrot Criss Ting dessert; carrot cake swerved with rum and raisin ice cream, plus mango sorbet. The menu also mentioned the option of a chocolate brownie served with mango sorbet but we were satisfied with the choice made on our behalf.
It’s all fun and games
The real reason people go is for the entertainment. Aside from the dance floor that opens up once dining is done, hosts make an effort to get the party started by ushering guests onto the stage for a bit of participation. Think partners competing to wriggle an pineapple-shaped sponge from the bottom to the top of their bodies.
On the Caribbean theme, the venue is also decorated in inflatables hoping to evoke island vibes.
The next Basement Brunch is April 6 with Capital Xtra’s DJ Manny Norte hosting, plus Big Zeeks and Stylo G performing.
Early bird tickets cost £34.99, general is £39.99 but the cost creeps up to £44.99 for the last remaining tickets.
The Oblique Life is a London based Membership Club and Lifestyle Management Service that puts community first.
Tailored towards like-minded people from all walks of life who are welcoming, social and passionate about new experiences, The Oblique Life is revolutionising how Londoners meet people by creating a membership that pioneers a social slant on experiences and community-driven events in the digital age.
The family-run start-up was founded by the Sumaria brothers: Romi, Shonil and Keyu, with the ambition to combine fun and welcoming experiences with a 24/7 personal assistant to help members with both every day and special tasks.
For all Londoners or London visitors, Oblique Life London is a members club that gives so much to all its members including food & drink events, health and fitness events, cultural experiences, music events, travel experiences and so much more.
As #TeamCoco are well and truly into food & drink we decided to focus on this element of Oblique Life for our little feature below.
Oblique Supper Club
At The Oblique Life, members love going to restaurants just like the next person. However, food means something much greater to them; it is a sign of London’s different cultures and a vehicle in which communities come together.
Focusing on everything from the hospitality to the food, The Oblique Life has handpicked London’s most authentic international restaurants to collaborate on their monthly supper clubs. In exclusive, private spaces, top venues will develop bespoke menus for Oblique Life guests. While traditional supper clubs can be pegged as echo chambers for the customs and members of the institution, te team at Oblique Life are confident that innovation and evolution will lie at the heart of theirs, regardless of the venue, cuisine or guests.
The Cocktail Club
In London, a night out often involves visiting multiple cocktail bars, staring quizzically at the menu, and then robotically ordering a mojito or a margarita. The Oblique Life want to enhance their members’ knowledge and appreciation of cocktails with the launch of a new monthly experience, ‘The Cocktail Club’.
Every month The Oblique Life will partner with one of London’s best cocktail bars and introduce members to different spirits and creative cocktails, all while they drink and enjoy each others’ company.
Search online for The Oblique Life London for more info.
Spend a day relaxing upon miles of golden award-winning beaches, strolling through manicured tropical gardens, closely followed by a visit to some incredible vintage shops, luxury boutiques and galleries, finishing your perfect day out with a cheeky cocktail or two and a delicious dinner in a top restaurant? Where are you? The Caribbean, Hawaii or somewhere equally exotic? Try somewhere a bit closer to home.
Welcome to Bournemouth.
Historically the playground of rich Victorians, Bournemouth has come a long way over the last 150 years and has shrugged off its previous stag do image and coach tour reputation and is now one of the most popular places to visit in the UK. Once deemed as a place when you go to retire, Bournemouth is now a cosmopolitan destination that is fast becoming the must-visit place for seasoned travellers to visit.
Whilst #TeamCoco love and live to travel, sometimes the heart wants to be on your home turf and for me – Bournemouth is home and more and more people are not only choosing to live here but to visit too and here’s why.
Its award-winning beaches
It was voted as the UK’s Best Seaside Town in the British Travel Awards in 2017 and has recently been crowned as the best beach in the UK in Trip Advisor’s annual Traveller’s Choice Awards. The beaches in Bournemouth were even voted the 5th best in Europe beating the likes of Sicily, Crete and more. What’s more, if you opt to travel a little further afield, you can enjoy the stunning landscape of the impressive Jurassic Coast that stretches from Dorset through to neighbouring Devon which is a World Heritage Site.
The beautiful surroundings
Bournemouth enjoys a special micro climate and whilst I am no meteorologist, statistically speaking Bournemouth’s temperatures are generally deemed several degrees above the rest of the country which is evident by the presence of palm trees in the tropical gardens of nearby Alum Chine. These pretty gardens, which have their origins in the 1920s, provide an ideal area for contemplation whilst gazing upon the striking landscape design and stunning views.
It’s home to the UK’s best eco-friendly hotel
So, where to stay? There are hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, from boutique hotels to quirky cottages to rent. Our top picks include the UK’s ‘Best Green Hotel in the UK 2017’which is an eco-friendly luxury hotel situated close to Bournemouth’s award-winning beaches which is ideal for a simple yet luxurious staycation.
The hotel’s restaurant ‘Arbor’ has an oak sculpture reconstructed as a tree and the furniture is made from sustainable materials, even the paint and wallpaper are eco-friendly. The hotel also uses a solar panel to heat water. Think glam but green! Don’t forget to check out their quirky but tasty afternoon teas.
If you are looking for a sea view, you can’t get much closer than the Bournemouth Beach Lodges which are charming little beach huts located on the seafront. If you love glamping, then these cute little lodges which come with a galley kitchen for you to cook on are ideal and offer an enchanting overnight stay where you can wake up to some of the UK’s most beautiful beaches.
For a traditional luxury hotel, look no further than the Hilton Bournemouth. Situated in the heart of Bournemouth betwixt the beach and the bustling town, the Hilton is a glamourous boutique hotel renowned for its bespoke interiors and furnishings. It is achingly stylish inside and you can find retro tourism posters and other quirky accessories throughout the rooms and hotel.
Its amazing restaurants and eateries
If like me, your immediate thought is where can I eat and what can I eat, then rest assured that Bournemouth has a superb range of restaurants, eateries and cafes. There are hundreds of places across the county of Dorset to try. From fresh seafood and local produce to traditional Dorset cream teas, you won’t be disappointed.
Banque & Bohem offers seasonal fresh produce, delicious cocktails alongside Prosecco-laden high teas and Saturday brunches. This stylish cocktail bar and restaurant is on the site of a former bank and actually has the old vaults in place at the back of the restaurant.
From a design perspective, this is simply superb and includes ornate chandeliers, a feature door (formally the old bank vault door) and a Monet-inspired design feature. There are private rooms available to hire for birthday parties, baby showers and similar decorated in extravagant peacock embellished wallpaper and decadent leather sofas. They have an impressive range of cocktails, my recommendation? ‘The English Garden’ which is a delightful mix of Hendricks Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, Lime and Mint which makes a gorgeous and refreshing drink which is ideal for accompanying any meal.
Schpoons & Forx which is situated at the uber-glam Hilton is home to renowned chef and TV personality Matt Tebbutt’s modern British restaurant. This elegant eatery features a lively open kitchen with a contemporary décor designed to entertain, amuse and inspire conversation. This vibrant place with a tandoor and stone oven offers an intimate dining experience where the menu is strongly influenced by seasonal and locally-sourced produce. Why not try the whole South Coast Sole, tandoor roasted served with potted shrimp butter?
From Greek and Nepalese to Spanish and Japanese, you enjoy a multitude of worldwide cuisines from within a short distance of Bournemouth beach. One of the best places to eat curry in not just Bournemouth, but throughout the entire county of Dorset and beyond is Indi’s. Not only do they have the most delicious food, they offer exceptional service in a relaxed but chic setting in a modern restaurant that features pale wood, white furniture and modern art which lends this Indian restaurant a contemporary edge. It is situated in Westbourne, one of the coolest districts within Bournemouth which is home to vast selection of boutique, individual combined with plenty of places to eat, drink and relax.
Whilst you are in Westbourne, you simply must check out Renoufs, where diners are served a stunning array of the very best and finest local and international wines and cheeses alongside stunning charcuterie boards with complimenting chutneys and sides – #Youhadmeatcheese! One of the highlights is a flight of either white, rose or red wines – a fantastic way to try new and exciting wines.
It is in Sandbanks where you will find some amazing fine dining restaurants including Rick Stein restaurant that serves deliciously fresh seafood and meat dishes whilst gazing at the stunning views across the water.
It has its very own gin scene!
Hands up if you love gin? Us too! Gin continues to be one of the most popular drinks of 2018 and a visit to Gin Jam’s is the ideal destination to explore an incredible range of gins including locally-distilled gins such as Conker, Fordington and Lilliput.
Its incredible nightlife
Bournemouth has a bustling nightlife which includes some amazing bars and nightclubs. Try Sixty Million Postcards which is a funky and eclectic bar which features pieces of art designed and created by local artists. Here you can choose from a superb range of artisan beers and gins, listen to live music or simply hang out and play board games with friends.
If you are looking for cocktails and let’s be frank – who isn’t?! Then a visit to the Be At One Cocktail Bar is a must. This stylish cocktail bar is situated a short walk from the beach and features a wide range of amazing cocktails made by expert bartenders.
Enjoy a relaxing drink coupled with stunning panoramic views of the dramatic vista of the coastline along the English Channel to the centre of Bournemouth at the Hilton’s Level8ight Sky Bar, where the décor is highly influenced by the sea; opulently styled in hues of teal, gold and charcoal, taking inspiration the changing light over the water.
For a late-night drink, you have to try Smokin’ Aces cocktail bar and whiskey lounge which fuses sophisticated style with a rock ‘n’ roll twist. Drink perfectly mixed cocktails whilst chilling out listening to live bands and DJs.
You can shop until you drop
If you love to shop, then you won’t be disappointed, as well as the usual high street stores, you can find unique shops and boutiques throughout the town. If you love all things vintage, then head to Pokesdown – the vintage mecca of Bournemouth. This quaint Victorian suburb to the east of the town is fast becoming Bournemouth’s creative quarter. It is home to some of the South Coast’s most loved vintage shops such as Vintage Clobber where you can buy anything from a 1950’s style swing dress to a 1970s band tee-shirt. It is truly an Aladdin’s cave of vintage goodies.
Situated just a ten- minute walk away from Clobber (and other vintage and antique shops) lies the Bournemouth Vintage Emporium which is chock full of vintage accessories for the home, vintage clothing, antique furniture and old vinyl. It also has a kitsch little tearoom where you can relax and make believe that you are on the set of an old school film.
You can do as little or as much as you want – including surfing!
Feeling active? Why not don a bicycle from the promenade of Bournemouth to the stunning Hengistbury Head (which is situated between Bournemouth and Mudeford) where you can take in the views over the coastline and sample some local Purbeck ice cream before heading back to town.
For the super adventurous, there’s a zipline that whisks you from the end of the pier onto the beach. It’s not for everyone but is an exhilarating experience that you will remember always.
Surf culture has been ever-growing in Bournemouth over the last couple of decades and if you have never surfed before, Bournemouth is definitely a wonderful place to try it for the first time. As well as surfing, you can try kayaking and paddle boarding at Boscombe beach (just outside of Bournemouth town centre) and can try windsurfing and more at the world-renowned Sandbanks, a mere fifteen-minutes’ drive away from Bournemouth town centre.
It’s home to some of the UK’s coolest festivals and gigs
So, you have eaten, drunk (hopefully danced… a bit) and you are probably looking for some culture? You are in luck. Not only is Bournemouth host to several cool live music venues where you can see world famous bands, up and coming artists and more, but you can also enjoy great festivals in the wider Dorset area such as Bestival, Camp Bestival, End of the Road, Teddy Rocks and the Larmer Tree Festival amongst others.
It has its very own treasure trove of art and eclectic curios
Bournemouth has always had a unique historical and cultural offering and no trip to Bournemouth should be without a visit to the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum. This is truly a treasure trove of Victorian eccentricities nestled amongst world-renowned artworks (Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite, sculptures and curios from all over the world. It is perched upon the clifftop overlooking the sea in an extravagant villa which blends an intriguing mix of architectural styles inspired by Italy, Japan, France, Scotland and more.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit Bournemouth before, come on down. It has palm trees, hip boutiques, glorious vistas, some of the best restaurants in the south and let’s not forget seven miles of award-winning beaches. It is only two and half hours from London and is an ideal place for a relaxing and revitalising break. Bournemouth is a thriving cosmopolitan place to visit and has plenty to offer the discerning traveller.
#CocoMusic – the festival season is finally here which means it’s time to start donning your wellies and glitter. There are some incredible boutique festivals in Britain and whilst some of the well-known with larger festivals like the Isle of Wight and Reading might be familiar, it’s time to shine the light on some of the small but perfectly formed summer festivals that may not be on your radar. From dance and indie to folk and pop, map out your summer with our handy festival guide.
Eden Sessions – Cornwall (23 June)
Whilst most of the fantastic Eden Sessions tickets are sold out, there are some tickets left for ‘A Beautiful Day Out at Eden’ at the very cool Eden Project in Cornwall. The 23rd’s line up includes a stellar line up of bands including festival favourites The Levellers.
Check out: New Model Army and Reef
British Summer Time Hyde Park Festival – Hyde Park (6th -15th July)
Held over two weekends, the British Summer Time festival in Hyde Park has attracted the likes of former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters, Bruno Mars and Michael Buble. BST seems to have the Royal stamp of approval with the likes of Prince Harry enjoying The Killer’s back in 2017. Some of the days are now sold out, but there are still plenty of great acts to enjoy.
Check out: Roger Waters, The Cure and Santana
Larmer Tree Festival – Dorset (19th-22nd July)
Taking place within the Victorian Pleasure Gardens on Cranborne Chase, an area of outstanding beauty nestled on the Dorset and Wiltshire border, LTF 2018 will be hosting an awesome female focused line up in recognition of 100 years of suffrage.
Check out: Tune-Yards, First Aid Kit and Susanne Sundfør
Bluedot Festival – Jodrell Bank Observatory, Manchester (20th – 22nd July)
Set against a backdrop of the iconic Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank, Bluedot combines a truly stellar line-up of music with a ground-breaking programme of live science experiments, expert talks and immersive artworks.
Check out: Chemical Brothers, Public Service Broadcasting and Gary Numan
Fast becoming one of the festival favourites, Standon Calling is in its 13th year and pride themselves on daring to be different, opting for a purposefully eclectic and creative programme of artists.
Check out: Paloma Faith, George Ezra and Goldfrapp
Camp Bestival – Dorset (26th – 29th July)
Set against the dramatic backdrop of Lulworth Castle in the heart of Dorset, Camp Bestival has to be one of the friendliest festivals in the UK and as well as the music has a varied programme of events including food from the likes of River Cottage, animatronic dinosaurs and a gin festival.
Check out: Clean Bandit, Simple Minds, Huey Morgan and Basement Jaxx
Bestival – Dorset (2nd-5th August)
With UK festival exclusive headliners London Grammar and Jorja Smith on the bill, Bestival is set to be a force to be reckoned with. Festival goers can also enjoy the likes of hot yoga, dubstep dodgem rides, wood-fired hot tubs and what is on everyone’s Christmas list – East 17’s Christmas Party! Likened to Camp Bestival’s older sister, this years theme is all about the circus!
Check out: Chaka Khan, Jimmy Cliff and Grace Jones.
Boardmasters – Newquay (8th – 12th August)
You don’t have to be a boarder to enjoy the effortlessly cool Boardmasters festival in Cornwall which mixes the best boarders in the world (surfers and skate) with high octane action from music covering pop through to dance.
Check out: Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Years & Years and Becky Hill
Green Man – Brecon Beacons (16th-18th August)
Offering an enchanting glimpse into a unique world, revellers to the Green Man festival in the Brecon Beacons can enjoy a mixture of late-night revelry and day time relaxation coupled with a dazzling display of music.
Check out: Bo Ningen, Fleet Foxes and The War on Drugs
Beautiful Days – Devon (17th – 19th August)
Beautiful Days is the Levellers’ family music festival organised by DMF Music which takes place at Escot Park in Devon. It has a non-commercial feel with the festival eschewing any sponsorship or advertising.
Check out: Manic Street Preachers, Suzanne Vega and Feeder
RiZE Festival – Chelmsford and Staffordshire (17-18 August)
Formally known as the V Festival, RiZE is a strong contender to challenge Glastonbury as the biggest and best UK festival. With incredible acts such as Liam Gallagher, the Stereophonics, Bastille and more, RiZE caters for all music tastes and festival goers can expect an incredible weekend of live music plus a huge hub of the best food and drink on the festival circuit.
Check out: James Bay, Manic Street Preachers and Rag ‘N’ Bone Man
Creamfields – Cheshire (23rd – 26th August)
Lauded as one of the UK’s leading dance festivals, Creamfields attracts tens of thousands every year seeking to party to the finest names in dance, along with immense visuals, lighting and pyrotechnics.
Check out: Carl Cox, Eric Prydz and Armin van Buuren
Victorious – Portsmouth (24 – 26 August)
Located in The Common and Castle Field in the beautiful seaside location of Southsea, Portsmouth. Revellers can expect an eclectic mix of live music and DJ performances, from some of the biggest names in the music industry, as well as a medley of locally sourced food markets and ale stalls, an arts and craft marketplace, a jam-packed kids arena hosting themed games, live performances and much, much more.
Check out: The Prodigy, Happy Monday’s and Paloma Faith
Festival No 6 – Portmeirion, Wales (6th – 9th September)
Festival No.6 is an intimate, bespoke banquet of music, arts and culture, taking place in the magical village of Portmeirion in Wales. Visitors can expect a huge focus on arts, music and food with appearances from Michelin starred-chefs who will be preparing food full of incredible Welsh produce.
Check out: Jessie Ware, Friendly Fires and Djanjo Djanjo
When you get the dream assignment; you’ll just know. Vauxhall Motors approached Team Coco to work with them on spreading the joy behind ‘Vivaro On Tour’ – an incredible campaign which supports the UK heritage of music through granting up-and-coming bands with one of their ultimate wishes – no not a sold-out headline at Wembley – but their very own tour bus in the form of the brand’s supremely versatile and spacious Vivaro van.
Our mission with Vauxhall was to explore 2018’s Independent Venue Week (IVW) – a celebration of 190 of the UK’s historic and indie venues – in a brit-built Vauxhall. If you are a regular reader, you’ll know that we can resist a good colour co-ord so I wish we’d had a photo taken of our faces when our very own hire Vauxhall Adam was hand-delivered in ‘Mint Up Your Life’ and ‘Re-White My Fire’ (any 80s and 90s kids in the audience will appreciate the home grown music talent these names refer to). Vauxhall has sponsored IVW for the last four years, so it was great to have the opportunity to experience the life on the road, just as a band does.
We started our adventure up in Liverpool, a city that we’ll be exploring in more detail in our next print issue around the theme of ‘Staycation’. The city is compact enough with an ace one-way system which will made city centre driving in our Adam an absolute dream as we zoomed over cobbles in search of legendary night out.
Our journey back in time began at The Jacaranda, opened as a coffee shop in the 50s; this venue brought the rock and roll of America to the northern city and almost certainly helped shaped the music of a little-known band, ‘The Silver Beetles’ who dropped the colour reference and changed a spelling and earnt them a Guinness World Record for the highest selling group of all time.
From musical heritage we scooted round the corner to The Zanzibar; a space that opened up in the late 90s whose walls have bounced around the sounds of everyone from DJ Grandmaster Flash to The Libertines and ended the night pogoing around at 250 year old cellar venue, EBGBs at a rare, intimate gig with Frank Turner. A real reverence exists with the bands playing at IVW for the history and legend of the venues they play in – if you asked Frank if he felt more proud of playing at Wembley or in a passion-soaked basement bar I think he might struggle to answer!
From the northern home of British music, to the capital, London we took our trusty Adam on a city road trip. The dancehall vibes of Bush Hall echoed both the delicate vocals and explosive choruses of The Oh Hellos, the cabaret-turned-punk venue The 100 Clubreverberated with the shouting of DEAD!and the rumble of the moshpit while Rolling Stones’ favourite boozer HalfMoon Putney hosted the OTT ‘Monkipunk’ stylings of South African band Boo!
Independent Venue Week is an absolute delight year, after year showcasing the quirky, the unusual and celebrating the awe-inspiring history of independent venues right under our noses. With the Music Venue Trust reporting that a 1/3 of live music venues in the UK have closed over the last decade it’s so important that we get out there and support the key cultural venues that have built the music industry and continue to inspire and give a platform to the up-and-coming bands of today. With Vauxhall’s support, of these exciting new acts, we at Team Coco hope that the music, the myth and legend of the UK’s music scene is here to stay.
Keep your eyes peeled on what’s set to ‘Mint Up Your Life’ over at www.vauxhall.co.uk/VivaroOnTour and when you pick up your trusty Vivaroand hit the stage, send us at Team Coco an invite? We’ve perfected our mosh pit etiquette.
#TeamCoco like to do everything in style, including going to Gigs. We agree that there is nothing better than belting your heart out to your favourite band with a plastic cup of beer and all your friends around you, but sometimes you need to step it up a gear. We sent our Lifestyle writer Jenna to check out how Leeds’ First Direct Arena are reintroducing the ‘box’ with their new Suite Experience….
“I remember the first time I ever heard The Kooks, I was 13 years old listening to the radio in my bedroom and ‘She Moves In Her Own Way’ came on. As I was quite partial to Indie music back then, I was instantly in love with their teenage lyrics and catchy rifts. My love affair with the band lead me to watch them in Manchester a few years later and then at Leeds Festival – where I totally fancied Luke Pritchard and their entire discography made me feel like I was in an episode of Skins. I have to be honest, my music taste changed drastically when I turned 18 and Deep House, Tech and Alternative R&B took over from my Indie love. However, whenever I hear ‘Naive’ or ‘Ooh La’ on the radio, it always throws me straight back. When the invite came in to go see The Kooks in one of First Direct Arena’s private Suites, I was soooo excited. Calling up my friend Kate we donned our best smasual black outfits and flat shoes ready for a night of dancing and singing some songs from our younger years.
I’d been to First Direct Arena quite a few times before, but never through the VIP entrance. Skipping the queues (and the November weather eek) we headed through our own personal security and picked up our tickets. What I love about the Suite experience is that not only do you get your own box for the night you even get a private lift and get escorted to your suite. Arriving at Suite 16 (singing my Super Sweet Sixteen theme tune in my head) we were greeted with a glass of Prosecco and told we had our own host for the evening. My favourite aspect of having our own host was definitely avoiding the bright lights and long queues for drinks in the main foyer, alongside her helping us jump on the private WiFi just for Suite guests.
With a glass of fizz in hand and the best seats in the house we waited for The Kooks to grace the stage. Looking down at the standing stalls, it was absolutely packed. It reminded me of the time I went to see The Courteeners when I was 18 and got completely squashed against the railings, it was a total rush but me and my friends legit almost died. The joysssssss of the pits during an Indie gig, don’t regret it at all! It was a totally different experience watching a gig from the comfort (and safety) of the Suites however, but it was kinda nice. It was like being in a really cosy bar with some amazing live music, rather than being at an actual gig. I wouldn’t say either is better than the other, its just different. What I will say though is that being in my twenties definitely has resulted in me wanting to sit down more when I drink, so it was a totally luxury to sit on a stool, neck a few bottles of Prosecco and glance over to the stage.
When the drinks kicked in and the music started, I got that rush of excitement that I hadn’t had for a while. There is nothing quite like being in a room full of thousands of people singing along to the same songs as you, especially when the song has some emotional attachment to it. ‘Naive’ for me reminds me of my first ever boyfriend when I was 14 and hearing it always reminds me of how cute and young we were, but we thought we knew it all. The Kooks really are the soundtrack to many 90’s babies teenage years, so I’m sure a few readers will agree with me!
Alongside priority entry, table service and the best view in the arena – The Suite Experience just makes it that little bit more special. You can book them for up to 16 guests with a welcome glass of fizz and even the option to pre-order pizza and other nibbles if you’re feeling hungry after all the booze. Big thanks to Pink Gorilla for the hospitality and First Direct Arena for the amazing service. Once reserved for the super-rich, First Direct Arena are making Suites totally accessible for normal people and I for one, will definitely be booking again soon.”
The First Direct Arena suite experience includes:
– A private VIP Suite for up to 16 guests for a specific event
– A dedicated VIP entrance
– Private cash bar with dedicated suite host
– Welcome glass of bubbly.
– The option to pre-order delicious food.
Please contact Lisa Turton on 0113 386 3607 to book
