Never break the chain

I feel like all of my life I've been waiting to see Fleetwood Mac live. When I started this blog I decided to try and remain impartial and objective but I've decided; it's my blog, I'm going to just write what my fingers want me to.

Wembley Arena played host to Fleetwood Mac tonight, the incomparable, soft rock band that has for so long influenced my musical tastes. With my Dad stood next to me I was taken on a much needed journey through their classic hits and paid witness to a band that has stood the test of time and the torment of forbidden emotion.

Pronouncing, 'Let's get this party started!' Stevie Nicks launched into 'Dreams,' probably the bands most instantly recognisable hit. It wasn't all I had hope to be, mainly because Nicks wasn't the waif-like adolecent with the upper register of a dainty doll that I had studied in an 1979 YouTube published video, but I certainly wasn't disapointed. How can you be disapointed with a performance when the line 'Players only love you when they're playing' appears?

As they the quartet breezed through song after song it occured to me that although Christine McVie's presence wasn't missed, the tender element she bought to The Mac was. There was no Little Lies or Songbirds singing, this was a strong and powerful band that had a passive aggresive yet magical edge. Mostly evoked by Stevie's witch-like insistence.

Big Love arrived and as Lindsay Buckingham blew on his fingers and declared the song, '...as much about love as it is about the ability to change.' every guitarist (and mere mortal) in the audience watched on in awe. His fingers dance over strings like that is where they should always be, his finger picking and bass note agenda are something I have never seen. This man moves, plays and sings like a true performer, a one of a kind and a unique talent. And I could go on.

Gold dust woman mark a change in atmosphere and Nicks hyphotised her crowd and Mick Fleetwood stirred in his little drummer boy seat. With John McVie's deep bluesy bass-line pounding the band lept into the strongest part of the set. Again the word power comes to mind.

As the finale ensued the affection between Nicks and Buckingham is glaringly clear, having know each other since they were about 16 this is a set that seemingly cannot be separated - nor we we wish them too. The ulitimate break-up song 'Go your own way' got the crowd on their feet. After an astonishing solo performance from Mr Fleetwood, the crowd are left with the anthemic 'Don't Stop.'

Although the crowd is slightly older and the the songs are oh-so-familiar, I never want Fleetwood Mac to stop, although of course they will. They are a band that take you on a journey and a band that in times of confusion and lack of clarity I subconsiously fall back on. You just know that every individualy talented member of this band has a story to tell. Each one has loved, lost, found and travelled and Mick's hippy-esque plea to the crowd to '... be kind to one another in this crazy world.' left me with safest feeling of content and gratitude.

Ignoring all Rumours, Fleetwood Mac are part of popular culture history and a damn fine live act.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEi7GPkxfsE

Motel Rocks!

Gosh I love a lively print.
I adore the way the way a gorgeous design can brighten up a simple style instantly. One of my favourite places to find a printed delight is http://www.motelrocks.com/ This fun website is packed full of statement styles and original looks.
Their current available collection shows off originality at excellent prices. I'm particularily fond of the body-con Amanda dress which has gorgeous rose panel detailing. I also can't wait to get stuck into the Joy jacket with the coverted baroque print (available to order 29th October. Nice.) and the houndstooth printed Allegra jumpsuit.
They're real show-stopping styles that are proving popular with the fash-pack. So make like Lily Allen, Little Boots and lead singer JuJu from new indie band Little Fish and let a little colour into your life with a quick click.
Ooooh 'citing!

Oh how I heart...

One of my more controversial style rules is cheap jewellery, expensive lingerie.

Hunt out a cute ring or a quirky necklace for a fiver and you're guaranteed more compliments than if you're wearing a generic Links of London (everybody on the tube has the same bracelet) style.

One site I constantly return to when I'm in need of a new jewellery gem is www.elsiebelle.com. My favourite purchase from said site has to be the Mini Harmonica (tuned to the C key). Hanging from my neck, people always point it out or have a quick glance. Yes it is a real harmonica and yes it does work!

They also have a Rubix Cube trinket, a Betty Basset hound ring, a Crayola pendant and a mini Matryoshkas charm bracelet

I've put the my harmonica with the black Hello Kitty plectrum on the same silver chain, it just feels like they belong together. A lovely mix of music and fashion.

The loveable Maccabees

I first saw The Maccabees live at the Camden Crawl in April 2009. Amongst the start of summer festival fever that was The Crawl, their headlining status was almost lost on me. I was already quite mesmerised by The Virgins who proceeded them at The Roundhouse and my eye had been caught by the many females that were fronting my playlists.

I mean, I had seen the Yeah Yeah Yeahs the night before - who was gonna beat that?

Well, in April The Maccabees didn't beat Karen O and her crew on performance but they had wooed me with their indie boy charm. These Brighton based South London boys are really made for me. After living in The Bright-Town for a few years I seem to gravitate towards all things hippiesque, hedonistic and experimental.

Fast forward to 3rd October Brixton Academy and I am once again in front of the self proclaimed non-religious Maccabees. Their second album 'Wall of Arms' has been available since May and the crowd is pack full of 'cool kids'.

Their infectious, yet well thought about lyrics are the perfect anecdote to those early twenties blues that so many of the crowd are clearly experiencing. Bouncing around the stage, Orlando Weekes is quite clearly what Ian Curtis could have been if the depression had lifted.

Joined on stage with three saxophonists, the set is clean, simple and unadulterated. 'No kind words' causes every arm in the crowd to raise, whilst 'Toothpaste kisses' makes every single soul in the audience wish for that particular morning glory. With the involvement of mandolins and accordions the show is understated and quietly technical.

Whilst you get the impression that the indie boy blues have affected their open-heart diagnosis of love, the band that were on stage at Brixton charmed the crowd with their obvious elation to be there. As the predictable and anticipated 'Love you better' encore ensued, Weekes told the crowd 'I think you've just given us the gig of our lives.' and their reluctance to leave the stage seemed to affirm this. It is such a joy to see a band grateful for the adoration that receive.