Coldplay at the 02

Yellow chart toppers Coldplay absolutely sold out the 02 Arena this weekend.
The arena saw almost 20,000 fans gather to watch the seven-time Grammy award winning alternative rock band perform worldwide hits including Viva La Vida, Paradise, The Scientist and my personal favourite When I Ruled  The World.
The thing that impressed me most about this concert, was the stage production and the band's energy. 
The set was amazingly vibrant was portrayed the theme of their current album Mylo Xyloto. Bright flashing lights infused with colour made the artwork backdrop the most creative sets I have ever seen!

For every song, the production element stole the moment - there was always something new to look at! Giant brightly coloured balloons descended from the rafters bouncing among the audience, plumes rose from the ground shooting confetti into the air, laser beams, band played on a satellite stage, the lighting rig swayed and shifted, video screens flickered. And then there were those wristbands:
Each person was given a wristband as they entered the concert. I thought it was a free souvenir, however, at the touch of a button by the tech guys, each wristband flashed to the rhythm of the song that was playing! Imagine- at any given moment in the dark arena 20,000 multi-coloured lights flash at the beginning of your favourite track! 

Ahh - I love it!
I think that set the group off, because lead singer Chris Martin was drenched with sweat and fell on stage- and who could blame him? He ran up and down from stage to stage, the band moved on a giant X at the centre of the arena where they played the new gem Up In Flames, the classic Don’t Panic and the touchy Us Against The World, down with his face to the keyboard and finally a smash of a guitar! You know how long i've been waiting to see that at a live concert! 
What was also quite impressive, although it may be down to my shameful lack of knowledge of the band, is that the other members of the group can also sing and were commendably applauded by the fans!

The festival-like atmosphere that filled the 02 made this the concert of the year!

Miguel at Forum, Kentish Town

Last week saw the welcoming of LA rising star Miguel to London’s HMV’s Forum, Kentish Town.
Although Miguel was signed to Jive Records in 2007, his debut album was only released in November 2010, only to be prompted by J Cole’s single All I Want is You.
A year later, he headlines his own gig, supported by the UK’s own CleoSol and Bluey Robinson.I’ve been a fan of CleoSol since her days of performing at iLuvLive, so now it’s great to see her really coming into her own. I really loved the way she saluted Jill Scott’s presence by opening her set to “The Way”, which really complimented her soulful jazz sound. Even though she soared through Free My Mind, it’s a shame her band out-noised her. She definitely increased her fan base that night, but it was apparent that

Bluey Robinson had a much stronger fan-base. Surprisingly, this is the first time I’ve managed to catch Bluey Robinson and I got a warm welcome as he open up with an acoustic version of Luther Vandross’ Never Too Much.

With just him and his guitar man, he also covered Craig David’s Fill Me In and Frank Ocean’s We All Try before performing his own track Show Girl. I love this dude; his sound reminded me of Justin Timberlake at his peak. Understandably, all the girls loved him.

The girls were on absolute heat at this concert as Miguel entered the stage in a grey fitted suit and approached his red-lit mic stand. His energy is very Monae-like! Although his dance moves are questionable (thank God, he’s stagnant in his videos), it is clear to see that he is inspired by Prince and made sure that it was evident in the musical arrangement of his band and his stage production. Although he puts on a great show, this may be the first time I’ve seen a show that does not give stage time to the band, or even have backing vocalists! I was disappointed by this as is this is usually the highlight of a show for me, but admittedly his energy and connection with the crowd pleased his audience – not forgetting his female fans, who were clearly aroused by his various display of “talents” that even Trey Songz would have been shocked at. But evidently, his biggest track Sure Thing is now big enough of a song to carry without having a great display of vocals.

Ready to Indulge with G.R.E.Ed.S

I've only seen this guy a couple times, but he is certified of living Outside the Blog.
Presenting Ready, a reflection of the work he has crafted within the London poetry scene.
Support the poet and storyteller on his one-man journey through internal fantasies and external realities, the album ‘Volume In Silence’ combines honest, detailed storytelling.

Support on the night - Joel Culpepper & Kal Lavelle

Hosts on the night - Critically acclaimed poets, Dean Atta & Deanna Rodger

Date - 3rd December 2011 @ 7pm

Venue - Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, 2-4 Hoxton Square, N1 6NU (seet here!)

Price - £10, or email: Natalie@purple-hill.co.uk

Be sure to check out a favourite of mine at the event too, Alim Kamara with his Griot Collection merchandise.

He Couldn't Hear Me Over the Music: Eric Roberson

10 year veteran, Grammy-nominated Eric Roberson graced the Indig02 to reunite once again with his loyal fans.
Arguably named as the God-father of Neo Soul, Eric Roberson has consistently produced quality music, ensuring that his fans are never disappointed.
As no stranger to the scene, being a writer and vocalist for Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott and Dwele he was anxious to ignite the stage with his one-night shown at the 02's sister venue, coinciding the release of his 8th album Mister Nice Guy.
Starting promptly at 9pm, he opened the show, looking sharp in his suit with Newness and immediately got the crowd excited, filling in for Phonte.
He also performed his impressive back catalogue including Been In Love, Dealing, She and my favourite from him thus far, Howard Girls.

I was more than impressed with his innovative 70's, go-go and OutKast sets! He rocked out with his band, and actually tried to dance (looking like someone's dad... #sustained).
But, he really enjoyed performing to his loyal fan, taking the time to connect with the audience, and signing autographs after the show. He proved his excellence once more by doing a freestyle and nailing the damn thing by taking random words from the audience.
Me and my girl @ri_starc5 enjoyed the hell out of ourselves, no way we were gonna miss this!


"saltfish", "expalidoscious", "toothpaste", "octopus" & "breastmilk"

ERRO, I SALUTE YOU!

More Music, Less Noise

More Music, Less Noise presented a brilliant night with full of eclectic live talent, complete with an in-house band and after party.

My girl Emma (@officialmusicjunkie) and I love seeking new talent - it's in our blood, and embedded in our  career.
Last night we went to More Music, Less Noise, which was one of the best events i've been to in a long time!
Situated at Adam's St Members Bar, it was the perfect location for a sleek event with a very relaxed vibe.
Unbeknownst to me, I ended up talking with the host of the event, Alim Kamara. Alim is also an hip hop artist from the UK. What attracted me to him was his merchandising.
I tend to be drawn to all sorts of creativity, but I have never been handed a bottle of Poetry!
A bottle!
Sorry, I was intrigued by that!
Anyways, performance-wise, i was very impressed with the set from AKS. He gave a very strong performance and his stage presence was eccentric. The house band complimented his sound and gave an accented soul to his set which very much emphasised the vibe of the night.
I also managed to catch my one of my favourite singers of the moment, Nadine Charles,who I discovered at the Glenn Lewis gig  and always makes her performance seem so effortless.

All acts were able to encompass the vibe of the event by providing an acoustic sound that the audience enjoyed.
I personally have never been at a party where Common and Talib Kweli is played in the same mix as old skool funky house, but Less Is More Music made it work, and made it work very well!

Definitely a must-go to event!

This event was brought to you by Less Is More Music, primary organisers and promoters of More Music Less Noise.
For more information  on upcoming events, please visit the OnIt! website

Glenn Lewis is Back for More!

That's right peeps! The Canadian soulstar is back after 10 years of being off the scene!
Last year, I was able to meet him for my birthday (seet here!), and promised me he would be back with some promising material.

Set in Toronto, his new song, Good One

One Day It'll All Make Sense, The story of an uncommon life

"What story does a kid from the south side of Chicago have to tell?"

Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr aka Common, (aka, one of the most beautiful men on Earth, aka, my husband.. yes, that's right!) will be releasing his memoirs, to be in shops this week!

The highly respected (and well groomed) rapper/actor will now add 'author' to his title as his first book gets published by Atria Bookas.
The autobiography explores his upbringing  in Chicago as well as the relationships closest to him.

Interestingly, the contextually aware artist  begins each chapter with a letter to those important people whom have made a print in his life. Thankfully, it also delves into the critically acclaimed performance at the White House, his experiences within social politics and his romantic relationships (bet she's ringing down Tyrone's phone now!).

"I’ve written this book, so that I can show myself as a man in full. That means telling some tough truths, revealing my faults and vulnerabilities. But it also means showing the true strength of my character"

I hope this letter finds you in the place where you are

".willing and ready to progress in your life. I hope this book not only entertains you but also helps you grow in a spirit of openness. I write to you wishing, praying, and sending the best love to you. This is my story, the story of an uncommon life.

Love,

Common