Gig Review: McFly at Wembley – April 1st 2011

Danny Jones

Danny Jones playing at Wembley Arena by Nicole Cosens

As someone who has seen McFly twelve times, over seven years, I think we can say I’m a pretty dedicated fan and maybe slightly bias to review them. But if seven years, seven number ones, five albums and the original line up aren’t enough to show you these guys are serious, then I guess you’re a lost cause.

The love between the foursome is plain to see, it’s a four-way bromance. They genuinely care for each other and they care for their fans. Friday’s concert at Wembley Arena was broadcast around the world for all their dedicated fans from South America to Australia.

Their innovative Super City website has provided a mega-site for fans to interact, see exclusive videos and if they join as a pioneer, enjoy priority treatment.

So when Danny Jones, Tom Fletcher, Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd took the stage at Wembley on April 1st to an in-house crowd of over 10,000 as well as a worldwide online audience, they delivered a show that would stick in the minds of them all.

With their biggest setlist to date, they featured songs from all five albums and weren’t afraid to mix it up a bit. They even included a cover of Tinie Temper’s Pass Out, with a rockier edge and Danny’s rapping alter ego, Dino. Highlights of the set were opening number Party Girl, anthemic Lies, album track and fan favourite Corrupted, Dougie’s rare lead vocal in Transylvania and a delightful mash up of crowd pleasers All About You and Obviously.

The audience weren’t disappointed, and erupted into a frenzy when clear walkways were lowered from the celing, so McFly could walk above and over the floor of standing fans, and in line with those in the seats. As they played their debut single and fan favourite Five Colours in Her Hair, fans couldn’t believe their eyes as their idols played just a few feet above them.

Dougie Poynter

Dougie Poynter rocking on the walkway by Nicole Cosens

The frenzy increased as the band members stomped the walkways purposefully with t-shirt guns, shooting a t-shirt each into the crowd. As they began playing again, Dougie threw a plectrum into crowd, and it landed in front of me. It was every woman for herself as I dived on to the floor, just as an Ugg boot laden foot stomped down on top of it.

That wasn’t going to beat me, I spent a good few minutes trying to lift up this mystery foot, batting away other hands, until I had a brainwave and pushed the offending leg. It moved, and the plectrum laid there ready for me to take, I stamped my hand on it and swung around before safely zipping it in my handbag, it was mine and I had won! Then reality hit me, I was almost 21 and had lost my dignity rolling on the floor for a plectrum.

But the euphoria of owning something my long time idol Dougie Poynter had played a few of my favourite band’s songs with was enough to keep me smiling. The 13 year old me of seven years ago would have been proud.

Book review: You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me by Sarra Manning

Sarra_manning_youdonthavetosayyoulovemeThis is Sarra Manning’s second adult novel after a succession of best-selling teen books. Perhaps the most autobiographical of her books, we follow the story of Neve, a bookish twenty-something, who has spent the last three years shedding over ten stone of weight.

Her driving force? The return of her one true love, William, who is currently in California teaching English Literature at a university. They were best friends at Oxford, and they exchange wordy airmail between the time before their reunion, each one making Neve’s heart skip a beat when she sees it waiting on the doormat.

But with her constant swooning over a man over 5,000 miles away, she’s forgotten the fact she’s never actually been in a relationship or had sex, as her sister Celia so helpfully points out. How can she be the perfect girlfriend for William, when she has no experience?

Cue Max, Celia’s editor at Skirt magazine, a charming womaniser who flirts his way into Neve’s life. Maybe he could make good practise?

We follow Neve as she continues to struggle with her body image as she looses weight, but fails to accept herself. Her long boring days at the literary archive with her B.O. immiting boss Mr Freemount and avoiding the wrath of her former bully and now sister-in-law Charlotte, who lives below her.

You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, is a heart-warming and addictive story of Neve’s personal struggles written with witty prose and issues that all women can relate to.

We’ve all looked in the mirror and not liked what’s staring back at us. Most of us have had issues with our weight. Sarra Manning herself, went through a long and arduous journey to lose weight, much like Neve. This story comes from the heart and Neve is an honest and relatable character.

If you like books with passion, honesty and humour, this book, as well as Sarra Manning’s other novels, is a must-read.

Bring vintage glamour to this summer’s swimwear

50s beach.
vintage swimwear

Get influenced by vintage swimwear this summer. Picture via flickr by Genibee

As the sun finally shines through the clouds, and we say goodbye to winter, all anybody can think about is their summer holidays and basking in the sunshine. Even if you’re not going away this summer, we’re bound to have the usual one day heatwave so you can lay out in your garden or the nearest park and work on your summer tan.

Every year swimwear floods the high street around this time, and is the perfect summer investment to add to your collection. We all feel great in a new glamorous swimsuit, right?

This year, it’s all about vintage inspiration taking over the high street, I’ve picked the best out there to stand out at the seaside.

To work this summer’s retro look and hide problem areas, check out Topshop’s monochrome black scallop stripe bikini at £30.This bikini reminds me of the stylish sixties, and will ensure you stand out for all the right reasons on the beach.

If you prefer to cover up by the poolside, Topshop also do this cute ditsy floral number that echos wartime glamour. It’s so great to see a wealth of stylish one pieces on the high street that will flatter any figure.

To show off that beach body you’ve worked hard for, or are naturally blessed with, Kelly Brook’s range for New Look is a perfect port of call. While we can’t all have Kelly Brook’s body, her swimwear is inspired by classic glamour. This fifties inspired bikini is timeless and will turn heads.

Finally, if you’re looking for value for money, and will be packing light this summer, this ASOS Triangle Bikini Top In Reversible Spot/Gingham might just be what your looking for. Allowing you to choose from polka dot and gingham, you can reverse the style easily to achieve the look you want, or why not mix and match?

With British Summer Time starting last weekend, we can’t wait for longer and warmer days and to jet off on our all important holidays!

International Women’s Day: 100 years of fighting for equality

Women marching

Women marching

Today marks the 100th year of International Women’s Day. Since the early 1900s, women have been fighting for equal rights and respect. Without the hard work of feminists, women still wouldn’t be able to vote or work and would still be treated like second-class citizens compared to men.

Unfortunately, in some parts of the world, this is still a reality for many women. In parts of India, the pressure to have a boy is so intense, that 7,000 female foetuses are aborted every day. Others are abandoned, starved or thrown away after birth.

In Pakistan, women are subjected to acid attacks if they refuse a marriage proposal. Throughout the world, women are still forced into arranged marriages and sometimes tricked by their own family. If they escape, they are disowned or sometimes killed.

Every year, over 70 million girls are deprived of even a basic education, and 60 million are sexually assaulted on their way to school.

Women are responsible for two-thirds of work done worldwide but only earn 10% of the annual income and 1% of the property.

You may think equality isn’t something to worry about in the UK. But in 2011, men are still likely to earn more money, even in the same job.  Men have a better chance of entering political office or becoming a company director. A man is less likely to be judged for promiscuous behavior and little chance of falling victim to sexual assault.

Over 30,000 women in the UK loose their jobs annually, for falling pregnant. A man has no such worries if he becomes a parent.

One in four women are subject to domestic violence, and in the UK, two women die every week as a result.

While many think the fight is over for women, there is no room for complacency or taking our rights for granted. Throughout the world, women are still fighting for basic human rights and women around the world need to group together and support them. Many women don’t consider themselves feminist, or feel it is relevant to them, but would you want to live in a world with no human rights? To live in constant fear of abuse? And no chance of freedom and independence?

Think again girls, we’ve come a long way, but there’s still battles to fight yet.

A girl’s cheap guide to Milan

The Duomo Cathedral in Milan, by Stacey Cosens

Romantic old-time glamour, with an urban heartbeat. A place often overlooked for city weekends, Milan has some excellent hidden delights.

Think Milan, and you think fashion. As one of the fashion capitals of the world, Milan hosts designers such as Moschino and Versace. As you walk into the city’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, your eyes are drawn to its two central main players Prada and Louis Vuttion.

The other thing that will grab your eye in the Galleria is its rather posh McDonalds. Careful not to break the elegant theme of the shopping mall too much, it’s usual logo, is black and gold to match it’s neighbours. Everything has a touch of elegance here.

In the main Piazza del Duomo, you will find yourself surrounded by tourists and pidgeons as you stare at the main attraction, the Duomo Cathedral. Visible from throughout the city, and one of the biggest cathedrals in the world, the gothic Duomo cathedral has over 3000 statues built into its walls. As you circle this magnificent building, the sheer detail of this building is remarkable. The cathedral took over five centuries to complete, and it’s easy to see why.

A short walk down the road from the Piazza del Duomo is the Castello Sforzesco. The 14th century castle was once home to the Visconti family and restored to its original splendour by the equally aristocratic Sforza family in the 1450s.

The castle is now considered one of Milan’s most loved attractions, and hosts twelve mini-museums running all the way from Palaeolithic history through to 1950s furniture. If you don’t fancy exploring the museums, just walking through its grounds is entertaining enough. Outside you are greeted by an impressive water fountain and as you walk through the grounds you’ll spot statues and courtyards before you come into Milan’s answer to Central Park.

While you explore Milan’s historic monuments, you’ll have a sense of being transported to another time. The city has so much history, and you’ll get an instant sense of this.

While exploring Milan’s intertwining streets and avoiding getting flattened by the ever present trams, you’ll find yourself on Milan’s main high street, think of it as Milan’s Oxford Street. As you make your way down this road you’ll spot familar brands such as H&M and Mango, as well as less familiar European brands such as Pull and Bear and local boutiques.

No matter what your budget, you should find something that catches your eye. Pull and Bear is a particularly impressive brand with cheap t-shirts and stylish fashion staples; it is the perfect mix of H&M and Topshop. While we have a few of our own Pull and Bear stores in the UK, it’s well worth checking out the Milan store with its blaring dance music and three floors of clothes.

Flights and hotels are cheaper than you think, Ryanair has previously sold return flights to Milan for as little as £2 and hotels can be as little as £35 per night. This city is perfect for a short two day break.

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