Simon Le Bon
“One morning, earlier this year, I switched over from BBC Radio 6 music to Radio 4; my daughter Tallulah yelled out from across the room “Call yourself a musician? - you don't even listen to music anymore!" Correct, I thought. After 40 years of working with Duran Duran, I only ever seemed to have time for music that I was working on, or the old classics that got me into a band in the first place. And there, in the early days of lockdown, the concept for WHOOOSH! was born in my lazy-arsed imagination.
Music of any genre, new & old, from anywhere on the globe. Different sounds to rub up against, & to compliment each other. The only criteria being that I have to like it. WHOOOSH! - it's the sound your mind makes when it expands to make space for a new idea”
To listen to Whooosh! check out the links below:
Duran Duran Spotify channel: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0lZoBs4Pzo7R89JM9lxwoT
Current episode on Spotify : https://duran.io/2EEx5j9
All the episodes on YouTube: https://duran.io/2NahTv9
PLAY: Plonk Crazy Golf
Time to limber up for some extreme sports action….with crazy golf at the new Hackney Plonk venue. The all new site in London Fields has outdoor golf, a retro arcade, a pinball parlour, ice cream shack and a deluxe sandwich shop for our delights. Groups up to 6 can book in for 9 holes in the sun soaked private yard and is suitable for all ages and abilities. Not that we realised there was much skill involved with crazy golf, doesn’t everyone just ‘hit and hope’? Just us? Ok. The on-site bar is fully stocked and they also have a BYOB system so take along a bottle of your favourite base liquor and a mixologist will transform it into cocktails for you and your mates. Book your slot via the website and take note that you can head along for evening sessions which makes for a slightly more interesting way to pass the hours instead of sitting in a pub! Prices start from just £7 for an adult to tackle the 9 holes of golfing action.
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FILM: Regents Park Open Air Theatre
Following the announcement by the government that from August 1st theatres and venues can start to welcome back audiences we are so happy to say that the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre are also back with a special concert staging of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. The venue capacity has of course been reduced to comply with social distancing regulations but overall this is great news for the performing arts sector and what better way to get some cultural kicks than to sit in the heart of one of London’s most iconic parks and absorb the atmosphere and hopefully good weather! Tickets must be purchased online for any of the 9 weekly performances and the show will run from 14th August until 27th September. If comedy is more you bag then there are also ‘More Outdoor’ comedy performances with legends of the comedy circuit such as Jimmy Carr, Kerry Godliman and Rob Beckett amongst others. Full regulations and details of how the Open Air Theatre are adhering to guidelines is available on the website.
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BAR: The Brixton Courtyard
The Brixton Courtyard is a new outdoor music venue in the newly refurbished space of Brixton Jamm. They are thrilled to be able to open up to the public with a dazzling array of musical hero’s booked in. Hotlist faves Horse Meat Disco, Norman Jay, and Erol Alkan amongst others will be there to do what they love and play music to the (social distancing adhering) crowds. With spaced out seating and booths, groups can book in to sit back and enjoy a drink or two with the best musical backdrops. Measures have had to be put in place to include limiting the volume of music with the world-class headline DJs playing alternative, laid-back sets. Food and drink is ordered via a special app meaning you don't even have to tackle queues at the bar. The venue is taking the rules very seriously but that is so they can remain open and keep bringing the music we love to us and for that we cannot fault them. Tickets are from £10 a head but must be booked in groups. Thanks Brixton Courtyard, we are ever so grateful!
FESTIVAL: Greenwich and Docklands International Festival
GDIF is London’s leading festival of free outdoor theatre and performing arts and, in the words of The Guardian, makes an “unrivalled contribution to the happiness of the people of London”. They are committed to breaking new ground in outdoor performance and raising the ambition, quality and diversity of outdoor work produced in the UK. This year the Festival is still going ahead from 28th August until 12th September, taking place across the borough from the beautiful historic setting of the Old Royal Naval College, to Eltham’s bustling high-street and the dynamic twin Woolwich locations of General Gordon Square. This FREE event has been adapted to facilitate bringing people together whilst maintaining safe social distancing. We will be able to marvel at outdoor theatre and circus performances, pick up new dance moves and generally enjoy the pop-up performances celebrating the NHS and the themes of togetherness and the environment. Let’s get outdoors and enjoy the last of the summer months with one of the best cultural fixes in town.
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MUSIC: A Night Of
A Night Of is a live music hub producing bands and events inspired by particular artists, genres, and eras. Their passion is live music and this month and ongoing they have multiple events happening at the Jazz Cafe in London. Monday 17th August is A Night of Aretha- marking two years since this icon’s passing, a full live band will perform her classics in tribute and celebration of her life. On 24th August they will take us on a journey of neo-soul satisfaction with a medley of classic hits from Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo to Donell Jones and Erykah Badu. For music lovers there surely cannot be anything better than an evening watching fellow musical enthusiasts playing their hearts out to bring you the best renditions of absolute classics and all in the setting of the Jazz Cafe! As the year goes on there is also evenings dedicated to Amy Winehouse, Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston and Reggae amongst others. Tickets are priced from £12 and the events are for over 18’s only. Check out the A Night Of website for more info.
EVENT: Virtual Notting Hill Carnival
The Notting Hill Carnival is a staple of the London Events calendar and has been since it first began in 1966. More than 1 million people descend to the streets over the weekend to enjoy the live music and parade that 50,000 performers take part in. Alas, for the first time ever the event is unable to take place this year. But organisers weren’t going to let that stop them from bringing us all the joys of the Carnival and this year there will be a virtual alternative across the bank holiday weekend. ‘Notting Hill Carnival: Access All Areas’ will be streamed across four channels and Spotify have teamed up with the organisers too to launch a dedicated microsite which will highlight the importance of carnival culture to the UK, with curated playlists and podcast episodes exploring the carnival’s long rich history. Head to the website to register and also make sure to listen in to the official afterparty on BBC Radio 1Xtra where the DJ’s and special guests will be showcasing the best in Dancehall, Soca, Hip-Hop, UKG and all Carnival sounds.
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CHARITY OF THE MONTH: Concern Worldwide
August 19th marks World Humanitarian Day. With that in mind we wanted to highlight a humanitarian charity who focuses on lifesaving and life-changing interventions for some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. Concern Worldwide do just that- From rapid emergency response to their innovative programming in health and nutrition, livelihoods and education, they go to the hardest to reach places to make sure that no-one is left behind. 2020 has made it clear that the world needs aid right now as Covid-19 has crossed to all areas of the globe but what about the people who battle for survival daily, even when there isn’t a global pandemic to contend with? In 2019 Concern reached approximately 28 million people in 24 of the world’s poorest countries by aiding with livelihoods and enabling people to forge a way out of their situation with food security. They supply the knowledge and resources to keep them and their families healthy and nourished, they increase access to education for those who cannot reach it, respond to emergencies and disaster, improve gender equality and have of course, been running lifesaving programmes throughout Covid-19. Their work is invaluable, and it wouldn’t be possible with the generosity of those who can donate to help. To donate to Concern Worldwide and help them on their mission to end extreme poverty, please click here.
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APP OF THE MONTH: eBloggers
£140 million worth of clothing is sent to landfill each year in the UK! We all need to do our bit to stop this and eBloggers are here to help. They give new life to fashion and beauty pieces from your favourite influencers' so that you can #weartheirwardrobe and style lush second hand clothing pieces. Many of influencers have overflowing wardrobes and with eBloggers they can pass on their pre-loved picks to followers, fans and fellow fashionistas. From high street to high end, these are the very items you saw, liked and lusted over. eBloggers want to make it easier for followers to shop their favourite bloggers wardrobes at a fraction of the price, whilst helping influencers to sell their unwanted items and by reducing the fast fashion that ends up in landfill each year. eBloggers promotes a circular economy at its core through reselling bloggers' unwanted items, which is a responsibility they take very seriously and they want to prolong the lifespan of garments through reselling. To tackle unnecessary waste, they package all items in recyclable mailing bags OR reused cardboard boxes. What’s also fabulous is that at least 5% of all sales are donated to charity. Some of the well-known names whose fashion you can indulge in include Ashley James, Chloe Lloyd, Emma Louise Connelly, Holly Anna Scarsella, Lilah Parsons, Proudlock, Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews. Shop these well-known wardrobes via the app now and do you bit to help with fashion sustainability.