Met Gala Faves

Rihanna stole the show. A$AP Rocky and Chanel Iman look damn good together. And I still love Frank Ocean a hell of a lot.

Coachella

And the award for the latest Coachella post goes to Mols. #degas.
Coachella is not at the very top of my list of festivals to go to - Tomorrowland obviously holds number one spot, hello, followed by Creamfields and Outlook - but it is by far the most stylish. It seems like most people (at least the ones who are photographed) care more about what they wear than what they hear; I imagine it to be like "Dance? Oh no honey not in these new garbs". But as usual Vanessa Hudgens looked perfect. She is Coachella personified.

Coachella, I Want To Be Where You Are

images via latimes and some other place on the internet that I forgot to note down

I don't think you realise just how determined I am to travel across the Atlantic to Indio, California and spend a weekend at Coachella. Be it by plane, boat or even a lilo with a paddle, I'm going to get there one day. With sunshine in the day, sunsets at night and a selection of the best music artists around to carry you through both what is there not to love? You can let out your inner hippie and wear feathers and crochet all day long. This years line up sees the likes of Passion Pit, Jamie XX, Local Natives, Sigur Ros and James Blake take the stage...but alas there is no iconic ferris wheel where I am and it is raining. These are just are some images from weekend one (I know, we'll all have to help each other get through the pain of not being at the second weekend too) just to make you pine for palm trees and live music.

Are you wishing you went to Coachella as much as me right now?
Of course you are what a silly question.

Last years Coachella fangirling post.

Grammy's

This is basically a post provided for the admiration of the rich and beautiful.

Rihanna is so perfect. I'm so glad she has her lovely hair again though.

My baby Frank won a Grammy for Urban Contemporary Album! (Although I still think he deserved Album Of The Year)

I don't think anyone doesn't wish they had Beyonce's body. I love this outfit.

They are still a cute couple.

YMCMB @ MTV VMA's 2012

The coolest kids in the business.

I'm really into Lil Wayne at the moment...I always have the unconventional crushes. Maybe it's the tattoos, maybe it's the dreads, or maybe it's because he was sat throughout the event listening to music on his headphones. The coolest.

Round Up: As much as I don't enjoy cheesy pop songs, I love seeing the reactions and losing faces of the artists. Amongst the night's performers was Rihanna doing a combination of Cockiness and We Found Love, One Direction being their perfect boyband selves (much to the dismay of The Wanted) and the beautiful Frank Ocean singing Thinking Bout You with the stage setting resembling a starry night by the campfire. Calvin Harris was the house DJ, he's looking rather good these days. However, Rihanna seemed to forget to mention him when We Found Love won Video Of The Year...nonetheless I am so glad that the video got the recognition it deserved. Where the winners are concerned, I was a little disappointed that Frank Ocean didn't win Best New Artist. I don't mean to be judgemental but I feel like One Direction won purely because of their legion of fans. They are my guilty pleasure but Frank Ocean is just so good.

Video of the Year: Rihanna, "We Found Love"

Best New Artist: One Direction

Best Female Video: Nicki Minaj, "Starships"

Best Male Video: Chris Brown, "Turn Up The Music"

Video With a Message: Demi Lovato, "Skyscraper"

Best Hip-Hop Video: Drake feat. Lil Wayne, "HYFR"

Best Rock Video: Coldplay, "Paradise"

Best Pop Video: One Direction, "What Makes You Beautiful"

Best Electronic Dance Music Video: Calvin Harris, "Feel So Close"

Most Share-Worthy Video: One Direction, "What Makes You Beautiful"

Best Choreography: Chris Brown, "Turn Up the Music"

Best Editing: Beyonce, "Countdown"

Best Visual Effects: Skrillex, "First of the Year (Equinox)"

Best Cinematography: M.I.A., "Bad Girls"

Best Art Direction: Katy Perry, "Wide Awake"

Best Direction: M.I.A., "Bad Girls"

Jay Z and Kanye West @ Radio 1's Hackney Weekend

This was a bit delayed but because of my contemplative state I was hesitant whether or not to post this. So, now I've made up my mind, enjoy this monumental moment.

Judging by the last performance of day one at Radio 1's Big Weekend, it may as well have been called the Jay Z and Kanye West show. Bringing out the old classics such as 99 Problems and On To The Next One, as well as inviting guests Rihanna and M.I.A to join him on stage for his two hour set, Jay Z certainly did not disappoint.

However, the performance reached its climax when Kanye West appeared to perform a multitude of songs from their album Watch The Throne. Delighting fans with Otis, Who Gon' Stop Me and No Chruch In The Wild, an electric atmosphere was created as the set approached the grand finale. Kanye teased the audience with "but there's still one city we ain't taken y'all to yet" and everyone knew what was coming as "ball so hard motherfuckers wanna fine me" resonated around the immense crowd gathered to see hip-hop's finest duo perform Niggas In Paris. With glimpses of Beyonce moshing in the pit, everyone followed suit and absorbed the heavy beats that are impossible to resist moving to. It was bloody brilliant. The three encores. "AGAIN?" Three.

IT SOUNDS SO BEAUTIFUL DON'T YOU AGREE? 

The Black Keys x Johnny Depp

Who? Johnny Depp and Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys
Where? MTV Movie Awards, Gibson Amphitheatre, Los Angeles
When? Sunday, June 3rd
What? Possibly the coolest collaboration that will ever be.
Why? Because, clearly, Johnny Depp is the coolest guy on Earth.

Oh yes. Johnny Depp, as if it were even possible, seems to have gotten cooler.
Seamlessly fitting in with rock 'n' roll vibe of The Black Keys, Johnny clearly knows what he's doing. After having been presented with the MTV Generation Award in Los Angeles on Sunday night, he took to the stage to perform Gold On The Ceiling. Upon receiving the award, Johnny joked "This is the get out of the business award" and then went on to play Lonely Boy with the blues group. Man alive, it was cool.

Let's take a moment to appreciate the entrance that The Black Keys made. They so cute.

Diamond Jubilee Part 2

Yes, another post dedicated to my recently discovered love of the Royal Family...AKA Harry, Kate and Wills.

Firstly, let's discuss the amazing Diamond Jubilee Concert that was held last night:

The setting for the concert · Awh look at Prince Harry and William's brotherly love · Big up the person who organised the fireworks, it was a jolly good show

Seeing the breathtaking images of the stage, set in the middle of the Queen Victoria memorial with Buckingham Palace stood majestically in the background, it's hard to imagine a more perfect setting. I was struck by the sheer amount of people that were in attendance; the camera panned out to a wide shot that showed the mall overflowing with people, all of whom were waving flags in support of the Queen. It was really spectacular...then a certain Prince comes into focus and all of my meaningful thoughts are pushed away with dreams of marrying Harry. (How cute did he look singing along to Tom Jones?)

After a few performances from the likes of Robbie Williams, Will.i.am and Annie Lennox, the Queen arrived. I thought she looked so graceful and young for her eighty-six years. Unfortunately, her husband Prince Philip couldn't attend due to falling ill but spirits were kept high thanks to the unifying of different cultures with the performance of 'Sing'.

The evening came to a close with a magnificent fireworks display after the significant moment of the Queen lighting the beacon. As London was lit up by the pyrotechnics with the red, white and blue London Eye seen in the distance, flags waved wildly all along the Mall with everyone roaring in appreciation of Queen Elizabeth II. It would've been so good to be there.

However, I admit that my favourite moment, or at least the funniest part, of the concert was most definitely when Peter Kay walked out in a traditional horseman's outfit being his usual hilariously funny self. I couldn't contain myself.

So, as you may have guessed, I spent today watching all of the Royal happenings right from the service at St. Paul's to the fly-over at Buckingham Palace. The Queen looked so cute, taking in all the spectators and wonderful air show provided by Spitfires and Red Arrows.

Imagine having all those people stood outside your house though · Red Arrows flying over Buckingham Palace · STOP IT HARRY. You beautiful person, you.

Kate Middleton appreciation image. She always looks so perfect.

Oh, I also made a (generically British) apple crumble today too. Yummay.
Ooh, would you look at that. Just in time for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee message...

all images via dailymail

Diamond Jubilee

 Cue the obligatory jubilee post...

Although some miserable so and so's don't enjoy taking part in the celebrations related to the monarchy, I love the patriotism involved in celebrating the Queen's diamond jubilee. The bunting, the red, white and blue colour scheme, the food (scones galore!) all create such a British atmosphere. Having watched the Jubilee Pageant in its entirety yesterday - I didn't want to miss an inch of Prince Harry looking dashing in his princely attire - I felt a real sense of pride in how us Brits can come together and celebrate such an outstanding achievement that concerns the whole country.

Having said that, as a part of the younger generation, I don't think I ever understood the extent of the Queen's work and how, at only 25 years old, she gave up her life to serve her country. As we are often bombarded with images of Kate's latest style feats (I'm not complaining, she becomes my girl crush every time a royal event takes place) and William and Harry touring the Commonwealth, it's easy to forget that the Queen also does this and more.

In addition to the flotilla, Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber took on the almighty task of creating the 'Jubilee Song'. I watched the programme last night that documented Gary Barlow's journey across the Commonwealth in order to record a multitude of sounds from different cultures that would be used in the track. It was really beautiful to see how much music affects certain people's lives. It made me wonder why we pride so many musicians in this country (some of whom don't even write their own material) when music could be created freely and enjoyed by everyone. I now also hope that when I go to Tanzania, I can experience some of the singing and percussion groups that he did.

I think the concept of the song is perfect for the occasion. I would have preferred it if the choir weren't such a prominent role because, in some instances, it overpowers the other cultural aspects but on the whole it's a lovely song. Prince Harry's tambourine talent really makes it worthwhile.

Diverting from the meaningful purpose of the documentary, I also witnessed Prince Harry. Dancing. Feel free to play this video of the Prince moving his hips to One Love in Jamaica on repeat, I did.

All in all, we just love a good excuse for a party and what better reason than to celebrate the 60 year reign of Queen Elizabeth II? I will most definitely be watching the concert tonight (7.30 on BBC1).

Oh and Prince Harry: I'll be waiting at the alter.

NME Awards 2012

Hurrah! Kasabian won Best British Band! No disrespect to their sound or anything but screw the music - they're from Leicester! Aww yeaaaaah, on dem LE3 tings. Anyways, brushing past that awkward grammatically incorrect moment, let's discuss today's topic: The NME Awards 2012.

This year, guests joined together at Brixton's O2 Academy to celebrate awards for music, film and (my personal favourite) Villain of the Year. Sorry Justin Bieber. With Jack Whitehall as the host - yes he is one of my many crushes - beginning the evening by stating that "all of the coolest names in rock 'n' roll are in this fucking building!" he set the tone perfectly for the mayhem that later ensued. Also, the stage setting that resembled a circus and the ever so classy middle finger award design reflects how the NME Awards commends music that doesn't conform for what is percieved as popular.

Inside the O2 Academy Brixton

The Vaccines won Best New Band and frontman Justin Young said "so often when i hear people talking about new music now they're talking about how interesting it is and how much it's pushing things forward, but i think often people forget that entertainment is as important in rock 'n' roll as artistic pursuit and some people just wanna have fun". The band then went on to entertain with an energetic and all round amazing performance of 'If You Wanna' to which camera shots of guests were shown bopping around and having a great time. This made me dance. Alone. I enjoyed it.

Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine

As i previously mentioned, Kasabian won Best British Band. The whole celebration and acceptance of the award was just perfect; from Sergio's victory stanse atop of a table which progressed to the fans in the pit, to Tom's speech dedicated to singing "Hey hey we're the monkees!" in honour of Davy Jones. The performance succeeding this memorable win was 'Pelican' by The Maccabees. Aside from being just a downright good song, i also discovered a hidden adoration for Florence Welch. She was continuously shown dancing and shaking about to the catchy drum rhythms and guitar riffs...how amazing would it be to party with her? Unfathomably good.

Two Door Cinema Club, The Drums, Miles Kane, The Maccabees

The final accolade named the Godlike Genius Award was given to, or rather earned by, Noel Gallagher. In a video montage showcasing the talent he beholds, contributions from Sergio Pizzorno, Russel Brand and Alex Turner were played. Going back to the old days of Oasis as well as bringing his recent solo endeavours into the limelight, i felt a profound sense of "man, this guy is good at what he does" as he continues to produce geniusly lyricised songs.

" He somehow manages to be a beautiful, articulate poet, a wordsmith, a musician that can talk to a generation, a whole class of people that are often ignored in popular music" - Russell Brand

"He's very funny, he's very witty, he really does believe he is the dog's bollocks" - Paul Weller

"Noel deserves the Godlike Genius Award, erm, well because that's what he is, right?" - Sergio Pizzorno

Standing in appreciation of the standing ovation around him with his arms spread widely in the air, Noel went to recieve his award. Speaking to the other musical guests in attendance he said "to all the people down here who ever sighted me as an influence, you are fucking welcome. You are welcome." This cock sure attiutude, to me, is completely endeering - i mean, when you've been as successful and influential as Noel Gallagher why wouldn't you be?

Noel with his Godlike Genius Award. Guests included Noel Fielding and Pixie Geldof.

The Style:

The NME Awards always showcase quirky, more edgier styles in comparison to other music awards ceremonies with girls and boys alike setting the fashion stakes. I love the skinny jeans look on a guy (and my oh my were there plenty) and the teddy boy-esque approach that many of the bands nominated wore on the evening. For the females, the standard was set with laced detailing on the feminine silhouettes of dresses. However, Rita Ora showed off a gorgeous white suit and rocked the effortless yet sophisticated look perfectly.

Alexa Chung, Tali Lennox, Rita Ora and Florence Welch via elleuk

 In hommage to the absolute icon that is Alexa Chung, i thought that i would create a montage of images that surfaced of her looking as wonderful as ever on the night. Sweet, huh? Yes Mols, or incredibly stalkerish.

Alexa Chung <3

For the full list of winners click here

All images sourced via nme unless stated otherwise.

Brit Awards 2012

Opening the ceremony, Coldplay performed Charlie Brown to the many guests in attendance at the O2 arena. Full of positive energy and creating a real sense of poignancy to start the evening, the explosive song forced the audience to move with the band who always show a real passion for their music. The atmosphere left tingling in the air was sustained throughout the video showcasing the beautiful album 21. As soon as the captivating song Someone Like You played in the background of quite an emotional speech about the album by Adele herself, i instantly reminisced on the unforgettable performance of the song at last year's Brit Awards. It was stunning. However, for this year's event, Adele performed Rolling In The Deep as opposed to one of her more emotional songs and i think it was very much a reason for her to say "look at me now" as she sang the lyrics with independence and attitude; her voice sounded stronger than ever.

Ed Sheeran was very much a contender this year, winning Best British Male and Breakthrough Act, he showcased the wonderful and raw voice that naturally comes with his acoustic style. Wearing a casual outfit of a t-shirt and jeans, he reflected the simplistic artistry of his album. Although, i am glad he changed into a suit for the rest of the evening - it is the Brit Awards after all. Also flying the flag for breakthrough acts, Lana Del Rey won the international award which commended her alluring vocal power and significantly original style of music.

Looking absolutely bloody amazing in a pair of shorts that showed off her enviable legs, Rihanna performed the smash hit We Found Love to fellow music front runners. She also deservedly won the award for International Female Solo Artist after another amazing year for the singer. Also in attendance were my lovers One Direction and the Rizzle Kicks boys, who by the way were looking very dapper and handsome.

I would consider this year's Brits as being rather successful; Adele, Ed and Lana were all recipients of an award and the beautiful Jordan and Harley and Boys of One Direction were all gracing our screens with their beautiful presence. Let's see what this year's hidden gems bring to next year's Brit Awards.