PARKLIFE 2015

Main Stage • MK MK MK • Crowd ft. wired guy • Me and Liverpool Liz <3

A little late post on my time at Parklife! Living in the city centre, Heaton Park was a short tram / Parklife party bus ride away and the i n c r e d i b l e line-up was unmissable, how could I say no?

My personal highlights included MK and Duke Dumont. MK's set was at an out-of-the-way stage down a long road lined with trees. It was pretty spectacular especially when he span "My Head Is A Jungle". However, I was a little disappointed that he didn't play more of his popular remixes, it was more of a hardcore house set without prominent melodies or lyrics. Duke Dumont was incredible. We started out on the crowded outskirts of the tent but before the set had finished we had managed to tactically manoeuvre ourselves to the middle of the crowd, which was surprisingly spacious. He played all his hits ("I Got U" was BANGIN') and also included some floor fillers which I loved.

A new DJ I discovered at the festival was Hannah Wants. I hadn't really listened to her much before but her set was insanely good, playing so many old school tracks such as "Little Bit Of Luck" and "Do You Really Like It" ~is it is it wicked~. We were all pleasantly surprised by the set that Karen Harding performed too and left with a major girl crush.

Unfortunately I haven't got over the fact that I missed FKA twigs and we also didn't arrive early enough for Fuse ODG which was a shame because the sunny weather would have been a perfect match for his afro beats. Nonetheless, we did have the BEST pulled pork and nacho cheese fries ever that day.

Also, after my boyfriend showed me a video of DJ EZ's set I am now obsessed and truly gutted that I didn't see him. Granted, Duke Dumont was amazing (they were on at the same time, the downfall of festivals) but DJ EZ would have provided that little bit of hip hop and grime to the festival that I thought was lacking with all the dance and electronic DJs.

So I would highly recommend Parklife to anyone who is thinking about going. There's no camping, amazing artists and a great choice of food. However, alcohol and food is about £5 a pop so if you're planning on spending there, you better save up! Also, as a side note, there was a lot of dilated pupils walking around. So be prepared for the wiredness.

BOARDMASTERS 2013

Basically the best weekend of my life. I just love the festival atmosphere so much. Here are some pro photos from the Boardmasters site and a video that perfectly captures the atmosphere as I was too busy having a good time to take any good 'uns:

Marley Point · The Other Tribe frontman · Watergate Bay · One of the many surfers · Crowd atmosphere beats anything else in life

Ben Howard · Basement Jaxx robot · LOOK AT THE CROWD, I had no idea there was that many people

Although I was at first thinking that the music wasn't my usual taste, it was damn fabulous. The artists I got to see were Everything Everything, The Other Tribe, Bondax, Clean Bandit, Miles Kane, Basement Jaxx, Tom Odell and Ben Howard so it was a win in my eyes. I absolutely loved Bondax, the stage they were on called Marley Point was overlooking Watergate Bay so the view was gorgeous at sunset, especially with Giving It All playing. Plus, the mixing was insanely good. The other dance acts were amazing too; the lead singer in The Other Tribe was so energetic and such a legend and Clean Bandit were just sick. I also discovered that I love Tom Odell a hell of a lot after seeing how passionately he performs and by his sheer talent. Musically, the best moment was when Basement Jaxx sang happy birthday to my friend Hannah - no joke. We were getting so crushed in the crowd (we were literally right in the middle on that last picture) but as soon as they announced happy birthday we were practically crying with excitement. She just got up onto some guys shoulders and the whole crowd was singing to her, it was so insane.

The festival was sat right above Watergate Bay so we spent two days chilling there. The waves were so good to swim in and obviously attracted all the surfers. I remember on the Sunday evening just lying on the grass next to the beach and listening to an acoustic set being played in a nearby bar; it was so relaxing, everywhere and everyone was so chill. I also remember falling in the sea with all my clothes on...the water was only shin deep, like how is that even possible? At least the lifeguard had something to laugh about.

All in all, it was such a good festival experience and I would most definitely recommend anyone to go. There is such a wide range of music that there would be at least one act that you loved. The setting was beautiful, the people were amazing (there were some right characters!) and me and my friend Meghan bagged ourselves some surfers...which is basically our only goal in life. One thing I would suggest if you do go though is to not get absolutely spangled and cover yourself in neon paint and fall on your ankle and cut your leg the night before the 10 hour bus journey home. It ain't cute. Especially when there is a hot stranger sat next to you, probably thinking you are some raving sloth.

P.s. 'spangled' is now my new favourite word

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.

Coachella 2012

Coachella is at the top of my list for festivals to go to. Set in the lovely landscape of California with many artists performing under the setting sun who belong to a diverse line-up, it is the perfect music paradise. This year included an eclectic mix of The Black Keys' rock n roll anthems, the dance beats of David Guetta and even an incredibly realistic hommage to Tupac in the form of a hologram. Insane.

Friday
The first day of three day weekend was by far the greatest, in my opinion. The Arctic Monkeys played in the early evening and, as this video shows, were the always charismatic Yorkshire lads complete with their leathers and slicked back hair. An electric performance by The Black Keys covering all their greatest songs was later scheduled. Believe me, if I was there, there would be no stopping me from flailing about to the pounding beat coming from the ever so energetic Patrick on the drums. Another of my favourite artists, Frank Ocean, performed a mellow set on Friday that showed off his deep, buttery voice to at its best, even if there was a few technical difficulties. Full performance from Frank here (I got too excited when Tyler jumped on stage for Analog with his disposable camera).

Saturday
Saturday also brought a range of musical styles. Bon Iver delighted fans with a beautiful performance of Skinny Love complete with a lovely subdued stage setting, Azealia Banks delivered an edgy performance of some skilled fast-rapping of which I just can't fathom how to do, and AWOLNATION showcased the amazing anthem of a song, Sail. However, the Sahara Stage was where it was at, I'm sure. David Guetta, Martin Solveig and Jacques Lu Cont were set to perform and get everyone raving on a Saturday night.

Sunday
Yay! Yay! Yay! I have finally seen good quality video footage of The Weeknd in action. His captivating set infused with the electric sound on the Outside Stage looked fantabulous. As was apparent on Saturday's set list, big dance names surfaced again with Avicii, Nero and Calvin Harris all performing on the Sahara Stage. Florence and the Machine finished off the weekend on the outdoor stage, which I'm sure was as ethereal and enchanting as ever.

Images from the festival:

The Black Keys performing, Frank and Tyler, Alex Turner performing with the Arctic Monkeys, Azealia Banks and Florence Welch (love this photo)

via lfpress, billboard

Style
Coachella is the perfect place for people to let their inner bohemian escape through their style.

images via harpersbazaar, vogue, hollywoodreporter

So I'm going to go and plan a massive trip to California to go to Coachella, laden in florals, feathers and sunnies. Coachella 2013, see you there baby.

♥mollie