iTunes festival 2013

I was lucky enough to bag tickets for the iTunes festival at the Roundhouse back in September. Sitting in the balcony, I was slightly gutted to find my view obscured by a long vertical banner. I berated myself internally when the banner magically retracted as the band appeared…of course apple would not do something as stupid as to obstruct the view of the stage - duh! This was not amateurville.

The most gorgeous thing about the gig though, was that you could feel Stevie Jobs everywhere. This was his way of doing things. Every show was illuminated by the constant twinkling light of iphones (and even ipads) capturing the moment on his creations, and most probably sharing it instantly.

Not so long ago our parents were lighting gigs with the ambient flame of their lighters (note to self - ask mum whether thumb burns were a hazard of this trend). The light of the generation y’ers is artificial, but no less spectacular. We belong to the ipod generation. And I love it.

This festival was about celebrating music, bringing amazing live acts to an awesome venue and most importantly making it accessible to all. And yeah the ballot was tough, because of course everyone wanted a ticket to this FREE event - over 20 million people applied for crying out loud!! But the coolest thing was, if you didn't get in, you could stream it live! The likes of GAGA, ELTON JOHN, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, KINGS OF LEON, KATY PERRY, ARTIC MONKEYS…to name but a few, delivered straight to your sofa.

And yeah, I saw The Lumineers - they were awesome! Two songs in, I was on iTunes buying their album. Easy peasy. Thanks Steve!

Black Market Clash - The Clash Pop Up on Berwick Street

Clash fan or not this was unbelievable! One of the best collections of anything i've ever seen. Shame it was only a two week gig (to coincide with the release of a 2 disc, 3 LP best of collection The Clash Hits Back, along with an 11 disk!! box set Sound System) but i guess there is only one place this collection of instruments, clothing, memorabilia and generally cool shit belongs - back with the band.

It gave an insight that's usually so rare in these kinds of exhibitions. This was REAL. To get up close to hand scrawled lyrics, smashed-up guitars and gig-stained clothing filled you with energy, their energy.. which you could then expend on the amped-up Fenders just waiting to be abused...

Berwick Street, London

David Bowie Is...the exhibition

David Bowie is many things to many people. Generations have found inspiration in his music, lyrics, personal style, persona's...And of all the press surrounding the hotly anticipated (and incredibly coveted) exhibition at the VandA, it's the stories, personal accounts and wistful memories of Bowie experiences that i've found the most fascinating...

The queue for the exhibition on members day was insane! Luckily i was standing behind  an incredibly interesting women from Montreal who had been a Bowie fan from the get go and wanted to tell me all about it! Visiting the exhibition was all part of a four day trip to London to introduce her 19 year old daughter to the genius that is David Bowie!! Starting with the exhibition (she became a member just to get to see the preview - very smart) the plan was to finish with a Bowie tour around London, visiting old haunts and famous places such as Heddon Street, the scene of 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' album cover. Very Cool!

My favourite bit of the exhibition was the penultimate room. You're engulfed with the sound and vision of Bowie, with giant screens beaming out the most gorgeous footage of his live concerts through the years. The atmosphere was intoxicating. You could see from the nostalgic looks on their faces that many of the people around me had actually been part of these crowds - they were re-living their Bowie moment! There was a guy next to me all  glassy eyed, probably dreaming of teenage years gone by, being transported back to that moment. It was gorgeous to see. 

Then once i'd finally peeled myself away from the exhibition, I met Dotty in the gift shop. With it being member day only day she couldn't see the exhibition, but she was aching to know what is was like and had made the trip to be part of the crowd. And as it turned out, to buy a bright orange shopper with the famous face of Aladdin Sane printed loud and proud on the side!  Dotty's story was my favourite...She was fascinated with Ziggy in her teenage years. She would transform her brother into Ziggy with their mothers make-up - the first time whilst he was sleeping! They grew to be huge fans together and have tickets for a few weeks time...

I found Bowie through fashion. His style grabbed my attention first, which lead me to his music. As an ongoing hobby over the last few years, i've been adding to a bulging folder on my desktop of Bowie imagery...the result of which are endless boards of his various looks and persona's. Here are a handful...What is your favourite Bowie look?

the 26 studio albums of Bowie's career...including the 2 versions of  'The Man that sold the world' - the original was too risqué for America, what with him wearing a dress and all!  (Covers 3 and 4).

Space Oddity, 1969

Hunky Dory, 1971

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, 1972

gorgeous amateur photos from the Aladdin Sane Tour, 1973

the iconic costumes of Kansai Yamamoto

Station to Station , 1976 - The Thin White Duke - 

The Man who fell to Earth (film directed by  Nicolas Roeg), 1976

The Berlin Years 1976-79  - Low, Heroes, Lodger

Let's Dance 1983

How to wear a suit...

David Bowie Is...inspiring