It is with such a heavy heart that I am posting another devastating legend story on my page. Within a few short months from the deaths of Lemmy, David Bowie and Viola beach we hear of the passing of Prince.



A iconic figure to many, Prince died yesterday at the young age of 57. After being taken ill from his private jet he was soon back on stage reassuring his fans that it was just the flu, only to be found dead at his home in later days. He defined the sound of the 80's after becoming famously renown for tracks such as Purple Rain and Kiss. Prince stormed the music industry to fight for creative freedom.  R&B, Funk, Rock n Roll, Prince did it all. He was electrifying, he was dazzling, a magnificent spirit.

Devastated to say the least, the band in the sky is looking pretty ace right now. Upon hearing of his death I came to terms with the ideology of dying, I mean if dying was scary before it isn't anymore. I want to be up there with these heroes, those musical legends.


Last night in the mist of everything I stumbled upon a fucking beautiful video of Prince covering Bowie's 'Heroes'. A masterpiece of pure bliss, listen below. I can only imagine the music those two are creating right now.

Being from Sheffield, I always remember this moment as being such an iconic speech that blasted the Arctic Monkeys into a whirlwind on social media. Sending the world into wild debates and opinionated social media battles nobody could get their heads around Turners witty and unusual way with words.




Upon collecting their prestigious award for 'Best Album' at the 2014 Brit Awards, the Arctic Monkey's saw their charming, rock n roll front man take center stage once again to provide the nation with his beliefs behind the album, stating that 'rock n roll will never die'. The speech complimented his quirky hair style, 50's rock fashion sense and mysterious yet absolutely god damn gorgeous personality which subsequently saw most of the population take to Facebook and twitter naming Alex a 'living legend' and describing his actions to be literally the most rock n roll thing they have ever seen. However, not all watchers that tuned in to witness Alex's speech thought he stole the night. Critics turned on him accusing him of being 'pretentious', a 'tool' and an overall embarrassment but do you really think those harsh words would ever stop Turner? 

My guess is no. His talk of sludge and a 'cynical nature of the universe' may come across as arrogant but he is setting an image for himself (and it worked). Alex no longer wants to be known for his indie, long fringed, 17 year old self when he first took to the scene, it has been 10 years and with the last album edging on electronic rock n roll his image has become somewhat, well, amazing! His 50's look and Elvis/Richard Hawley like hair style is what every girl wants in a guy and what every guy wants to be. 

The Brits aren't about great music, they're are about popular music, which is why we have to put up with the likes of Bastille, Ellie Goulding, Disclousure etc. So, is receiving a Brit award the most un-rock-and-roll achievement out there? Who knows? I think Alex Turner certainly thinks so.

Turner eventually defended his controversial speech by saying:

'Wonderful as it is to be acknowledged, I don't necessarily think the talent, or how good a group of musicians is, is directly shown by their trophy cabinet. That's not meant as a downer -  it's a pleasure to be mentioned alongside great people.' 

It's taken me weeks to write this post... maybe I was just too shocked and shaken by the whole experience I completely forgot to tell you all about - I met The Stone Roses!


Ian (Brown) - I like to just say Ian because it sounds more like I know him personally which I do now of course- was stood outside my flat and I have never ran so fast in all my life. I looked like a right nutter as I turned up with no shoes on shaking a phone in his face. At first I only saw the back of his head so I would have felt like a right idiot if it'd not been him but lucky for me it was and he was amazing! Ian and bassist Mani where both what I can only describe as real musicians who showed me that they are really there for their fans after he waited for me to nip back to my flat to grab my vinyl for him to sign. I was shaking so badly I couldn’t believe this was happening, Ian even asked me if I was okay in which I told him this was the greatest moment of my life.

I couldn't resist asking him whether he saw my tweet and to my surprise he said " Yeah, it was you that let the cat out of the bag". As you can imagine I giggled and wanted to cry at the thought of Ian recognising me. And honestly when I got back to my flat I did cry... a lot (whilst staring at my signed photo and record).






I am absolutely gobsmacked at how much this story blew up! Since announcing to the world via Twitter that they were recording my phone has turned into a hotline with people constantly emailing me wanting the inside story. I got to say though being the first person to be told by Ian himself that the band recording new material is insane. With the band being so notoriously secretive it gave me great pleasure to get the word out first, I mean come on... this will go down in the history books, right?

Eager to hear their new material I am counting down the days until I go watch them live at Etihad Stadium in June. I've got a funny feeling that this gig will be one to always remember but until then I'll give their record a spin, stare at their autographs and pray for another meet and greet in the future.

Defining the show as "the Cribs show to end all Cribs shows" has made my heart shudder a little as I contemplate not hearing another indie-punk masterpiece from the brothers.

The English indie rock band consists of twin brothers Ryan and Gary Jarman alongside their younger brother Ross. In 2008 The Smiths Johnny Marr became the 4th official member of the band where he remained until 2011, going on to proceed in his solo career.


So for those who are hard core fans you will already know that yesterday these merry lads announced a one off, four-band line up show at Leeds Millennium Square on the 22nd July 2016. The line up consists of Pulled Apart By Horses and MENACE BEACH, described by the band as "their bestest buddies" having toured with them individually. Also included in the line up is Thurston Moore who I think we can all agree with the boys by saying he is totally bad ass.

Going on to add that this is what everything has been building towards, I for one will not be missing out on this legendary gig.

Tickets on sale Wednesday 23rd March

Personally, this band means an awful lot to me. I will never forget the day my dad made me listen to Men's Needs and from then on I have never turned them off. They're so much rock and roll it hurts and the best thing is every time I have seen them live they know they aren't the greatest singers ever but that's what is fucking ace about them... they're not giving into this perfect ideology of music that is happening today and I think that is why people love them so much.

I read somewhere on facebook that one fan thinks they're "the best band since The Clash" and honestly I'd take that. The Clash were and are on a different level but even Joe Strummer didn't sing the same lyrics at every live gig. And that to me is perfection.

A band that means music. Their newest album release in 2015 - For All My Sisters - instantly became my album of the year despite albums from the likes of The Charlatans and Tame Impala. I saw them twice last year and they blew me away with their new material it was like I was in my natural habitat listening to their amazing monotone voices bless my ears. My favourite song and the perfect ending to any gig- Pink Snow, a seven minute guitar riff wonder.

Willingly every year thousands of people buy their tickets for the world renowned festival without even knowing one single artist who is performing, some would say we are mad, I say in these cases it is about so much more than the music.

But we would all love a decent headliner wouldn't we?

The anticipation is enough to make anyone crack and after several months of waiting patiently I feel like its a Kanye West disaster all over again. I was there 2015, Kanye West headlining the Pyramid stage. I didn't want to be there really it all came down to two things for me - I was there when I saw Kanye West headline Glastonbury and it was the most amazing experience ever OR I was there when I saw Kanye West get bottled off stage at Glastonbury... either way I was winning however neither happened. Kanye was pants and the audience was ace! I mean seriously Kanye what was you thinking with the 10 minute black out to get on a fucking cherry picker, the black out made everyone leave.

I begun the set stood near the back because it was so full and 30 minutes in I walked right down towards the stage, people clearly realised that there were better things going on like getting trashed in Shangri La or dancing the night away at Arcadia. Those who wanted comfort and peaceful music took themselves up to Strummerville (where you would find me no doubt).

So how are we feeling about the Adele announcement?

I am guessing for some this is fantastic news I mean she is huge right now... for others bleurgh, watching twitter explode was like watching the whole world collectively moan! Here's my take on this years headliners....


1. Coldplay

This band where do I begin. Announced as the first headlining act playing the pyramid on Sunday Coldplay in my judgement shouldn't have took this spot which is so worthy to many other great artists. Now I understand they have a new album out and it's all about what people are into in 2016 because that's what draws the crowds right? Yep, but along with Muse this will be the 2nd time Coldplay have headlined. This makes you wonder if there are any headliners left at all?

Coldplay, formed in 1996 and described as a very British rock band have a very large following but why? Their music seems so mundane and every song sounds the same. Their colourful, confetti endorsed tours auto tune and lack of lyrical content just introduces to me a very boring band.

Their new music relationship with Beyoncé is one that should have never happened. And again the fireworks, colourful paint and confetti is one that should have never happened. "Feeling drunk and high" ... I think you must have been high when you wrote this one Chris. Hymn For The Weekend doesn't feel very rock band and that's why it's a no from me.


2. Muse

Now Muse I don't mind as much. Although again I feel it is a little inappropriate that they should headline again having done so in 2010. My step sister introduced me to Muse when I was younger and I became instantly attached. She dragged me along to Sheffield Arena to see them in 2006 and at that age I literally thought they were my muse, my god damn religion. What did I know? I was 13.

Now hear me out, whilst I say I wouldn't mind Muse I think it is mainly due to me loving Matt Bellamy's voice. If they came on to the Pyramid stage and absolutely smashed Origin of Symmetry, Absolution or even better Black Holes and Revelations I would be in my element. However, I trust they will be offering their newest album Drones... which is absolutely pants!

So, after much consideration, Muse, unless you shred Supermassive Black hole I'm not bothered thank you.



3. Adele

I think this one is probably well deserved in all honesty. While Adele isn't my cup of tea she isn't the worst in the industry and the way she took over the charts this year shows she is killing it. I believe the majority of Glastonbury goers will love this, whilst the rest may sit and question it.

Thinking about an Adele concert, I just wonder what you do? Sing along yes but watching her live seems very boring to me. All of her songs are very slow and relate to those who have gone through heart break... is that what you want at a festival? I cant help but think this will dampen the spirit of a Saturday night headliner.

Hello, from the other side .... of Glastonbury springs to mind.

I am currently sat in a café in crouch end listening to David Bowie ask me if there is life on mars, and I am feeling the most content and positive in a while. I presume that's because it is International Day of Happiness today and just knowing that there is a day for that is enough to make any one smile.

Before I carry on with todays blog which you probably know by now is about The Stone Roses, I wanted to let you guys in with a little secret. I have been writing a journal since the age of 21 and only recently after showing it to my boyfriend and my best friend have realised how good I actually am at writing creatively. Its a difficult thing to actually admit publicly that you think you're good at something without feeling extremely big headed. It's decided today that I am going to incorporate my journal into my blog, its your decision purely whether you read it or not, whether it is good or not etc. etc. So if you're reading this then THANKS :)

Seriously though I did meet Mick Jones once, and honestly what an incredible, insane experience that was. Don't meet your heroes they say, it'll ruin everything they say - not for me! I met Mick Jones yeah he's one of my heroes but honestly he's not quite Joe and I didn't meet him. Saying that my favourite Clash song is Stay Free - sang by Mick Jones so seriously who am I kidding I just love all 4 of those talented punk rockers.

I also met Johnny Rotten at a book signing, that was nerve wrecking because I guess with him you never know how he will come and actually I am glad I went now because he was charming and funny and such a legend.

Just Adam Ant, Manic Street Preaches, Nick Cave, The Strokes and The Cribs to go now...


Basically I want to say OOPS for not writing in 1 whole month but I am back and I have turned over a new leaf. My anxiety has settled (sort of) and I am feeling 100% more myself these days, I have been eating well, exercising, socialising, reading and I have even been to chuffing Barcelona (lucky gal).

The Joe Strummer Foundation Denim Jackets

But my main reason for this post - I don't know if you've noticed but I have added a little banner on to my page (over there on the right). The Joe Strummer Foundation, a platform that gives opportunities to musicians and support to projects around the world that creates empowerment through music. Recently I have started working a long side this wonderful charity as it holds a very close place in my heart. You will be hearing more on here about up and coming events that I will be helping to organise in the coming months. You can even pop over onto the website if you fancy finding out more ;) Or just give them a follow on Instagram or Twitter.

View from Strummerville at Glastonbury

Hosting a permanent spot at Glastonbury with the most magnificent views of the site the organisation is taking the words "music artist" and making them a realistic job title for many up and coming, talented musicians just trying to make their way in the music industry. If your band would like to play a slot at one of the many Strummerville Sessions head over to the website to apply, alternatively you can apply for funding for a music project or even set up your own fundraising event. All this can be found on the Applications section of the website (link above).

Strummerville camp at Glastonbury