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Aqua-Tox is a luxury wellness destination, just 30 minutes outside central London offering some of the latest technology and science backed facilities for ultimate health optimisation.  Based in Hertfordshire, they focus on four pillars; wellness, recovery, laser and aesthetics.  There are very few clinics outside of London that you could call a true wellness destination offering treatments from the Hyperbaric Hydroxy AirPod that speeds up the body’s healing process, a whole body Cryotherapy Chamber, to enhanced recovery treatments such as their Infrared Sauna and NormaTec compression therapy. 

The team here know their stuff, whether you are looking to recharge your inner battery, recover from an intense training session or perk up a dull complexion there’s a slew of preventative and regenerative treatments.  I’d recommend starting with a consultation with one of the therapists who will then design a carefully curated treatment plan.

But let’s talk about what really sets Aqua-Tox apart – their skincare game.  Aqua-Tox has highly effective skincare programmes for a wide range of skin concerns including acne, pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles. I was looking to combat a lack lustre complexion that was dry and in need of a glow up.  I had a skincare consultation with their in-house nurse prescriber and skincare expert, Lucy who recommended a customised series of treatments and personalised skincare advice including Dermalux LED phototherapy and Obagi Blue Peel facials.  Alongside this Lucy provided me with an at-home skincare regime using the Obagi Medical range which is used during all their facial treatments and can be purchased from the clinic. 

The Obagi Blue Peel Radiance, is a light chemical peel that includes deep pore cleansing, mild exfoliation and moisturisation to help rejuvenate and improve your complexion. This peel enhances skin smoothness and radiance to reveal tighter, brighter, glowing results. Following the peel Lucy popped me under an LED mask to accelerate the results.

LED masks are working their way into our beauty routine and with Victoria Beckham a firm favourite LED light therapy is fast becoming a quick way to supercharge your skin.  The Dermalux treatment at Aqua-Tox is the gold standard.  It’s large and arcs across all the face and neck.  Using three shades of light, combined, they stimulate the skin’s cellular functions.

Blue light has an antibacterial action, preventing breakouts from forming while red light boosts cell renewal, promoting the production of collagen and elastin. Near-infrared travels all the way to the subcutaneous tissue, where it increases circulation, increasing the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the skin cells.    The results are great and after just two sessions I noticed that my skin looked less red and calm.

The great thing about Dermalux LED phototherapy is that the results are cumulative, the more treatments you have the better your skin looks. It also compliments some of the other skincare treatments Aqua-Tox provides like dermal fillers, Profhilo and Polynucleotides due to its ability to accelerate healing and calm inflammation.

After eight sessions, alongside using the Obagi products, I’d achieved the glow I was after.  My skin was brighter, tighter and smoother.  The best bit, others had noticed, my other half said I had a healthy glow and my sister asked me if I’d changed my products as my skin looked great.  if you’re looking to invest in your skin over the winter then a visit to Aqua-Tox is a must.  I’ve already recommended friends and my sister booked a consultation as soon as I let her in on my secret.

To book your skin consultation contact Aqua-Tox

One of the biggest bands of the nineties and beyond – Manchester’s very own icons Oasis have been revealed at having two of the most streamed albums from the nineties.

The band have teamed up with National Album Day to celebrate their career and era-defining first two albums, ‘Definitely Maybe’ and ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ which have been revealed as the two most streamed albums of the 1990s.

Taking the top slot was ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ closely followed by their debut album ‘Definitely Maybe’ which took the second spot.

In celebration of this stupendous achievement and to commemorate National Album Day tomorrow (October 14) the band have released a brand new lyric video for their song ‘Listen Up’.

This brilliant track was never released as a dedicated single, but was a very worthy and somewhat underrated B-side to ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’ which was released on the 10 October 1994 as the final single from their debut album ‘Definitely Maybe’

The track (complete with lyric video) has been taken from the forthcoming 25th Anniversary Edition of Oasis’ iconic B-sides album ‘The Masterplan’, will be available to view exclusively on the National Album Day website here from 10am for 24 hours.

Intrigued by what other albums made the cut?

Make sure you tune into Steve Wright’s radio show on BBC Radio 2 this weekend where the legendary presenter will take his listeners through an exciting countdown of the top 40 most streamed albums from the 1990s during his BBC Radio 2 show this coming Saturday 14th between 1pm and 3pm.

Oasis fans will certainly want to ‘Listen Up’ as both Noel and Liam Gallagher will be sharing their thoughts on what it means to them to hold the two top spots with Oasis’ first two albums.

Sharing his thoughts on this monumental achievement, Noel Gallagher commented that:

“I’m thrilled, but I wouldn’t say I was that surprised that ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ has been voted the most streamed album of the 90s – I still do have my faith in the taste of people in this country.

I mean if you’ve got Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back In Anger on an album, you’re gonna be all right aren’t ya… For certain people, it’ll be bringing back memories of their youth in the 90s and that brilliantly amazing decade we all lived through and then for the young people coming to it now, the songs deal with just the universal truths of life, and they will always be timeless…

You know, of love and loss and heartbreak and friendship and the weather. All the universal things that we that we live through on a day-to-day basis that we don’t really notice. So thanks to everybody!”

You can’t really top that, but it’s no real that their debut and their sophomore album has taken the two top slots. Without doubt, Oasis defined the nineties and beyond both musically and culturally and their influence continues to be felt today.

His brother, Liam during the radio show commented:

“All right, this is Liam G and I’m here to congratulate Definitely Maybe for being the second most streamed album of the 90s. Love that record, without it god knows where I’d be and god knows where we’d all be! I’ll be celebrating it in my own way next year by doing some gigs, so stay tuned and listen out for details in a bit.”

Originally released in 1994 as the B-side to ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’, ‘Listen Up’ has gone on to become one of the bands most popular B-sides.

You can buy your own copy of a limited-edition collectors item of ‘The Masterplan’ via Big Brother Recordings Ltd on November 3rd which celebrates the silver anniversary of ‘The Masterplan’ on CD, cream cassette, and limited-edition double vinyl formats (heavyweight silver, green and black marble and black).

The new formats feature remastered audio, taken from the ‘Chasing The Sun’ reissues are now available for the first time as one collection.

The album includes several landmark Oasis songs, tracks like ‘Acquiesce’, originally found on the ‘Some Might Say’ CD single, ‘Half The World Away’, from their ‘Whatever’ CD single, which later found fame as the theme tune to the much-loved comedy series ‘The Royle Family’ – not to mention the epic title track, which originally appeared as a fourth bonus track on the ‘Wonderwall’ CD single.

Noel has often described ‘The Masterplan’ as one of the best songs he has ever written. The original album charted at No.2 in the UK Official Album Chart UK selling almost 122,000 copies in its first week of release in 1998. ‘The Masterplan’ went on to be certified triple platinum and has sold over three million copies worldwide.

Pre-order formats and listen to the album HERE.

Watch the album trailer HERE.

Band photo credit: Jill Furmanovski

There’s nothing better than discovering a new band, especially when it comes to Elephant Kind who have launched their new EP ‘Live In London’ today alongside a live video of their single ‘Follow Through’.

The EP was recorded at London’s very own Camden Assembly earlier this year and it demonstrates how the trio have evolved, especially with regards to their sonics and exemplary musicianship.

Certain bands are hard to define, especially if they are akin to a smidge of genre bending, but Elephant Kind effortlessly fuse a delectable and effervescent kaleidoscopic collision of invigorating indie beats, arresting alt-pop, and psychedelic jazz-fuelled vibes .

As well as the dynamic and well-rounded ‘Follow Through’, the EP also includes a new track called ‘It Meant Nothing’. Both of which reflect the new sonic shift that Elephant Kind are pivoting towards.

Despite a focus on bringing in the new, there are also a couple of fan favourites in there too from this year’s ‘Superblue’ EP, and ‘Scenario II’ from the soundtrack to their short film project ‘Scenarios’.

One of the best ways to get better acquainted with Elephant Kind is to go check them out on the road as they are embarking on their first UK headline tour. The gigs take place between October 23rd and October 27th and the band will visit cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Sheffield, Manchester and London.

The excitement is palpable and frontman and founder Bam Mastro says:

“We’re thrilled to embark on our first ever UK headline tour later this month, and the excitement is off the charts! As a special treat, we’re releasing a live EP to give you a sneak peek of the electrifying energy that awaits.”

Despite being in the industry for ten years and having established themselves as one of Indonesia’s leading bands as well as performing with international artists including The xx and Franz Ferdinand, the band have moved to the UK to immerse themselves in the UK music scene and are already creating quite the stir.

It was a bold move – to leave their home country and in essence start over both professionally and personally. Their relocation and journey has been documented in a new short film which is already making waves for Elephant Kind.

But fortune favours the bold and their gamble is beginning to pay off, the first result being the release of their EP ‘Superblue’, which was produced by Sam Petts-Davies (Thom Yorke, Puma Blue, Warpaint) which is already being picked up by the music press as well as seeing their fanbase grow in the UK.

To find out more, check out the band on various streaming sites and to catch them on tour click here.

It was all about the show-stopping theatrics at the O2 Arena in London thanks to a stupendous performance from Muse. In a year of standout live shows, Muse put on a thrill-a-minute set that reiterated why they are such an incredible live act.

With an intriguing and visceral theme that fused elements from futuristic sci-fi artwork, dystopian visuals reminiscent of Mad Max, flames that were furiously shot out from canons on the side of the stage, fake snow, streamers, confetti and of course, rock star lasers (rock lasers!)

Muse performing in masks at the O2 Arena in London
Muse performing in masks at the O2 Arena in London

Whilst Muse have been no strangers to a grandiose and extravagant display, their ‘Will Of The People’ tour has infinitely taken things to a new level.

Even if you look beyond the pyrotechnics and the intriguing robot masks, Muse meant business with their high octane show which was filled with anthemic crowd-pleasers as well as a few deep cuts which coupled with a viscerally rich stage production delivered a stirring and theatrical display.

The energetic and exhilarating night of music was expertly started by the brilliant Nova Twins who were Muse’s fantastic support act. The dynamic duo are a formidable tour de force and they delivered a slam dunk set welding their guitars as if their life depended on it.

The Nova Twins have such a distinctive sound and whilst they take influences from rock, rap, grime, punk and more, they are essentially almost genre-less in their approach. What is evident is the duo’s evident chemistry, driving bass lines and crystalline vocals and stage presence where they effortlessly executed tracks like ‘Cleopatra’, ‘Choose Your Fighter’ and ‘Taxi’.

The energy from The Nova twins set the standard for the night and this led to one of the best gigs from the powerhouse trio that they have ever performed. The set was chock-full of Muse hits from their career-spanning three decades in the music industry, but in typical Muse style albeit with a few surprises into the bargain.

Taking to the expansive stage with mask and leather hoodie to ‘Will of the People’, the trio quickly segued into the barnstorming ‘Hysteria’ and ‘Will of the People’, the set was a stylistic masterclass in lyricism and performance which demonstrated the bands prowess in delivering driving rock anthems and why they are such a tour de force in musicality and are such consummate musicians.

With standout performances such as an explosive ‘Knights Of Cydonia’, ‘Supermassive Black Hole’, ‘Compliance’ and a mesmerising rendition of ‘The Dark Side’, Muse delivered a sucker punch of a scintillating set which also included ‘Plug In Baby’, ‘Kill Or Be Killed’ and a soaring version of ‘Starlight’.

It was great to see several tracks from 2003’s ‘Absolution’ which included an emotionally-charged ‘Time is Running Out’, a rousing edition of ‘Apocalypse Please’.

It’s staggering to believe that just three individuals plus one other can make such an unbelievably supercharged set that really showcases the band’s undeniable musicianship and star power.

They had the crowd in the palm of their hand and the energy shared between them and the sold out crowd was palpable and even exceeded the electrifying pyrotechnics that were on display.

The rock band closed their show with Knights of Cydonia from their fourth studio album ‘Black Holes and Revelations’

This was an absolutely extraordinary performance which took fans on a totally immersive and electrifying journey that was absolutely first-class.

In 1981 with a loan of £100, Karen Millen bought 1,000 metres of cotton and began creating white shirts to sell to friends. Now, more than four decades later, the brands’ ICON series partners with yet another, International Supermodel, Tyra Banks. Of course, Tyra is not only a supermodel, but also an entrepreneur and television personality (America’s Next Top Model series and The Tyra Banks daytime talk show). She taught me how to SMIZE (Smile with your eyes).

The ICON series highlights women from the Eighties, Nineties and Noughties. Previous faces of the series include Helena Christensen, Paulina Porizkova, Elizabeth Hurley, and most recently Elle Macpherson. With their influence, Karen Millen has curated dedicated collections inspired by their own unique style, fused with the brand’s classic design.

The campaign was shot at Milk Studios, Los Angeles, CA in August 2023. Collaborating with the Karen Millen team and photographer Laretta Houston, Tyra Banks is also the creative director of this latest campaign, bringing to life Tyra’s vision of her collaboration with Karen Millen.

“I am thrilled to be part of the Karen Millen ICONS Series, and feel honored to be featured alongside some of the most iconic supermodels in history. It humbles me to call them peers. People are going to channel their inner catwalk in these dynamic pieces as they power-strut down the runways of their world. The collection exudes glam meets luxury, and I love that the price point makes them affordable for everybody everywhere,” said Tyra Banks, Campaign Creative Director.

The capsule collection features Tyra’s favorite fashion fall trends that celebrate ageless women who are unapologetically themself no matter age, size or style. The Karen Millen x Tyra Banks Collection ranges from $136 to $1,152 USD and is available to purchase online at karenmillen.com

With three days filled with stellar performances from world-class acts like Kasabian, Jamiroquai, Ellie Goulding, Johnny Marr, a UK exclusive set from Mumford & Sons on Sunday and more, you would be hard pressed to find a more well-rounded music festival than Victorious in Southsea.

A perennial favourite in the festival calendar, Victorious provides something for everyone whether you favour indie classics from the likes of The Charlatans, no-wave post-punk from Billy Nomates, electropop from Sigrid to name but a few.

Photo Credit: Tom Langford
Photo Credit: Tom Langford

Victorious made one hell of a statement on day one with indie rockers Blossoms who, despite being early on in the day, the Stockport quintet got the party started with tracks like ‘Your Girlfriend’, ‘My Swimming Brain’ and ‘Honey Sweet’.

We then saw Billy Nomates take to the Common stage who showed her professionalism when despite experiencing technical issues, she valiantly carried on and gave a sublime performance.

Photo Credit: Tom Langford
Photo Credit: Tom Langford

One of Friday’s standout acts was The Charlatans who treated the audience to a fantastic set of deep cuts and fan favourites like ‘North Country Boy’ and ‘The Only One I Know’. Tim Burgess looked as cool as ever, resplendent in a jazzy-looking shacket rocked the stage and had the crowd in the palm of his hand.

Amping up their indie-disco energies, Friendly Fires got the crowd dancing and brought on those Friday night vibes, setting the tone for the first night of festivities.

Raye demonstrated her musical chops with a splendid set that effortlessly blended blues, pop, soul and dance delivering passionate renditions of tracks from both her debut album ‘My 21st Century Blues’ as well as some of her earlier collaborations.

Photo Credit: Tom Langford
Photo Credit: Tom Langford

Closing out Friday night was the one and only Jamiroquai who got the crowd dancing with a fantastic collection of seminal tracks in a career-spanning and nostalgic set which included ‘‘Seven Days In Sunny June’, ‘Virtual Insanity’, ‘Little L’ and ‘Cosmic Girl’.

Photo Credit: Tom Langford
Photo Credit: Tom Langford

Saturday started with the brilliant Natalie Imbruglia who captivated the audience in the coveted lunchtime slot with a heartfelt and impassioned set.

Pale Waves lit up the stage with a superb set filled with attitude delivering powerful renditions of tracks from their three albums.

Photo Credit: Russ Leggatt
Photo Credit: Russ Leggatt

We then hotfooted it over to the Acoustic stage which is one of the most underrated stages in the entire festival to see the wonderful James Walsh who is always a festival highlight.

His songwriting, vocals and performance skills are second to none and he effortlessly commanded an audience of several thousands delivering beautiful versions of songs from his solo career including tracks from his latest solo album ‘Coming Good’ as well as tracks from the Starsailor back catalogue such as ‘Alcoholic’, ‘Lullaby’, ‘Good Souls’.

He also showcased his new song the reflective and hanting ‘The Ghost In Me’ and an intelligent and sophisticated reimagining of ‘The Universal’ by indie stalwarts blur.

Another Saturday highlight came in the shape of Scottish rock band Belle & Sebastian who gave a mesmerising and commanding performance with a deep dive into their back catalogue which included an extended rendition ‘The Boy With the Arab Strap’ where the ever-charming Stuart Murdoch encouraged members of the audience to join him and the rest of the band on stage.

Photo Credit: Elliott McRae
Photo Credit: Elliott McRae

If a riot was to be predicted, it would always start with Ricky Wilson and the gang who started Saturday night with a bang. Drawing in one of the largest crowds of the day, the band delivered a blistering set filled with some of their most-loved tracks such as ‘Oh My God’ ‘Never Miss a Beat’ ‘Ruby’ and of course ‘I Predict A Riot’.

Closing the Common Stage on Saturday night was Kasabian who brought the rock ‘n roll with a high-energy set and thunderous set which included tracks like ‘Vlad the Impaler’, ‘CHEMICALS’, ‘Club Foot’ and culminating with the electrifying ‘Fire’.

Sunday could have been renamed ‘Super Sunday’ with back-to-back sublime sets from the likes of Hard-Fi who were performing their first UK festival in over ten years.

The band were in excellent form and showcased their impressive back catalogue with tracks like ‘Good For Nothing’, ‘Hard To Beat’, ‘Cash Machine’ and a high-octane ‘Living For The Weekend’. They were one of my favourites not just from Sunday, but from the entire festival.

Dylan delivered an energetic indie pop set which included samples of Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Paradise City’ as well as Harry Styles’s ‘Kiwi’ which made for an intriguing combination.

Photo Credit: Emma Wurfel
Photo Credit: Emma Wurfel

The fantastic Sigrid was on top form and showed what a great performer she is. Not only has she got a beautiful and powerful voice, she also is incredibly enigmatic and charming. From ‘Strangers’ to ‘Don’t Kill My Vibe’, her talent and charisma show why she is a fantastic addition to any festival line up.

Ellie Goulding provided the enraptured crowd with a jam-packed set full of her most loved tracks on the Common stage which included ‘Burn’, ‘Miracle’ and ‘Love Me Like You Do’, whilst over on the Castle Stage.

Photo Credit: Russ Leggatt
Photo Credit: Russ Leggatt

The energy levels were beyond elevated thanks to a standout set from The Vaccines who seemed to enjoy their set as much as the delighted crowd. From the lively ‘Jump Off The Top’ to ‘Headphone Baby’ and ‘Post Break-Up Sex’, Justin and the gang had everyone singing along and provided a real feel-good vibe as the festival drew to a close.

The Victorious audience were in endless deliberations with regards who to see as the final acts took to the stage. Would it be the magnificent ‘Mumford & Sons’ in their only UK festival performance this year or would it be rock ‘n’ roll royalty in the shape of Johnny ‘Fucking’ Marr?

Both acts promised a stupendous performance, but having seen Mumford at MadCool only a month prior, it had to be Johnny all the way who provided a crowd-pleasing set filled with seminal tracks from The Smiths such as ‘Panic’, ‘This Charming Man’, ‘There’s a Light’ and ‘Bigmouth’ as well as songs from his illustrious solo career such as ‘Easy Money’ and ‘Spirit, Power and Soul’.

Whichever act you opted for, Victorious ended on an absolute high and we can’t wait to see what next year’s lineup brings.

Returning to the role of Rachel Marron for a second time, there’s no bigger fan of The Bodyguard than Zoe Birkett and her passion for the role is second to none.

Based on the 1992 romantic thriller film of the same name, the theatre production is an exemplary showcase of the songs of Whitney Houston brought to life by the talented Zoe.

The stellar supporting cast includes Emily-Mae who portrays Rachel’s slightly beleaguered sister Nicki and the charming former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks actor Ayden Callaghan who portrays the gruff titular character of Frank Farmer – the bodyguard brilliantly.

Stepping into a role originally portrayed by Whitney Houston is no easy feat, but Zoe is unfazed and really makes it her own. She is a sensational vocalist and shows what a triple threat she really is with her sublime vocals, dancing and acting all on point.

Her sensitive portrayal of Rachel, a woman who is fighting to live her life to the fullest, despite the threat from a mysterious stalker is feisty, but Zoe plays the role with an intoxicating playfulness that really makes the audience root for her and her adorable son played by the fantastic Kaylen Luke who is making his professional theatre debut as Fletcher.

Emily-Mae who portrays Nicki Marron is captivating and hits the spot of Rachel’s overlooked sister exquisitely. She has her chance to shine on a few different numbers including ‘All the Man that I Need’ and duetting with Zoe/Rachel too and sings with a real emotional elegance, particularly with her part of the duet of ‘Saving All My Love For You’.

Supported by a fantastic cast and ensemble which includes the wonderful Marios Nicolaides as Rachel’s stalker who plays the role with a real sense of sinister brilliance.

From toe-tapping numbers like ‘I’m Every Woman’ to ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ to mesmerising  power ballads like ‘Run to You’, ‘One Moment in Time’ and, of course, that classic tearjerker ‘I Will Always Love You’.

This was a first-class production and has it all – romance, intrigue and of course a huge selection of Whitney Houston classics which all make for a fantastic night out.

The Bodyguard is at Bournemouth Pavilion until 12th August 2023 – more information and tickets can be found here. Other tour dates can be found here.

Fresh from a stint touring the USA, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds have made a triumphant return to the UK where they are undertaking a series of gigs which includes a brief pit stop at the O2 Academy in Bournemouth.

This intimate gig for a venue that holds fewer than 1500 was a somewhat surprising addition to the rocker’s tour and was recorded in its entirety by Absolute Radio.

Despite production wise being a slightly scaled down version from the Brighton gig the night before, it still visually had all the hallmarks of being a classic Noel Gallagher gig.

The stage was still adorned with colourful flowers and potted plants as well as a lifesize cardboard cutout of legendary football manager Pep Guardiola proudly wrapped in a Manchester City Football Club scarf.

Noel’s latest album, the brilliant ‘Council Skies’ has been one of my favourite albums of the year so I was more chuffed than Thomas the Tank Engine to see him perform tracks from this live. 

Noel kicked off proceedings with the hypnotic ‘Pretty Boy’ with its menacing glittering neo-psych guitars and post-punk energy. There was no doubt that Noel meant business.

Noel gave a spellbinding performance on the beautiful ‘Open the Door, See What You Find’ which gave the sold out crowd ample opportunities to sing along. This was preceded by Noel’s quip that the next track ‘was not Supersonic!’.

Ably supported by backing vocalist – the fantastic Jessica Greenfield, this was a real standout and effortlessly showcased his spectacular performance skills.

There’s no doubt that Noel Gallagher is an extraordinary performer in his own right, but the other members of the band Gem Archer, Mike Rowe, Russell Pritchard and Chris Sharrock also get a chance to shine. On ‘Pretty Boy’, Russell’s driving bass lines are particularly exceptional as well as on ‘Council Skies’.

A consummate musician, Gem Archer is a guitaring heavyweight champion of the world once again proving why he is one the best guitarists in music which included an incredible heart-pumping guitar solo on ‘Easy Now’.

From the kaleidoscopic ‘We’re Going To Get There In The End’ to ‘AKA…What A Life’, Noel delivered a sublime stroll through Noel’s ever-evolving career post Oasis which included a stunning rendition of ‘We’re on Our Way Now’.

Whilst there was an emphasis on NGHFB’s material, the delighted audience were treated to a smorgasbord of both Oasis classics and deep cuts which included one of the best renditions of ‘The Importance of Being Idle’ that I have ever heard.

Noel’s vocals were phenomenal and the passion, prowess and power were palpable in both his performance and delivery on tracks like ‘The Masterplan’, ‘Half The World Away’ as well as on a stripped back and highly emotive version of  ‘Live Forever’.

Closing with the aforementioned monumental masterpiece, a sensational reimagining of Bob Dylan’s ‘Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)’ and of course the obligatory powerhouse that is ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’, this was a standup masterclass in performance and showmanship and once again cements Noel as one of the best songwriters and storytellers that the UK has ever produced.

Photo Credits:  Joe Flanagan & Emma Harrison

#ICYMI there is a certain Barbie movie releasing this week starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.

But the question remains, where would Barbie stay on her summer vacation?

Check out this collection of hotel rooms and suites from Florida to London, perfect to paint your vacation pink:

Travellers dreaming of pink and white Barbie-core charm, exceptional weather, and beautiful beaches should look no further than the chic Cobblers Cove, one of the Caribbean’s finest and much-loved family-owned hotels. Renowned for its quintessentially elegant interiors, secluded beachside spot and Caribbean charm, Cobblers Cove has long since been a Barbados favorite with international travelers and locals alike. At the heart of this intimate beachside retreat is the iconic kidney-shaped pool, lined with the synonymous Cobblers Cove pink and white striped parasols and luxuriously comfortable loungers. The distinctive 1950’s style pool transforms guests to a golden age of glamour, combined with the easy breezy charm of the Caribbean way of life.

This picture-perfect pink Executive Junior Suite at The Lanesborough is a palatial pad that forms part of The Presidential Suite – an elegant accommodation on the hotel’s first floor. It is bathed in a Barbie-approved, highly Instagrammable powder pink palette with an expansive bathroom, featuring a jacuzzi bath and Roja Parfums amenities, while also boasting views of Wellington Arch. A pre-arrival form for guest’s preferences means a chilled bottle of Moët Rosé Champagne and a pink hued Victoria Sponge can be waiting upon arrival. For the ultimate Barbie themed sleepover in the dreamy suite, children’s parties can be decked out with chic pink teepees and balloons.

And so to The Coral Room, a bar like no other set in the heart of Bloomsbury. As bold and lacquered as Barbie herself, the walls of The Coral Room gleam with luscious candy-colored hues of coral, reflecting the glistening chandeliers. At this chic bar at The Bloomsbury you can imagine Barbie slipping into a cocktail dress and passing away hours at the grand salon bar. Pair the experience with a Strawberry Blonde cocktail: a pink affair with ripe strawberries and aromatic notes of bergamot, lavender, camomile, and lemon balm.

Raffles Udaipur’s spa is a pretty-in-pink sanctuary for guests to relax and rejuvenate through a combination of traditional and modern healing practices. Influenced by the treatises of Ayurveda, holistic personalized treatments are thoughtfully created to remedy any imbalances in the life-forces or doshas of our guests while guiding them towards true relief. Therapies have been designed with an emphasis on sustainable practices to preserve the ecology of the region, whenever and wherever possible. The spa consists of a private relaxation area, six therapy rooms and suites, an outdoor leisure pool and a Jacuzzi. Raffles Spa also features a relaxation area where guests can enjoy a barbie-dreamlike calm.

Reopened in November 2022 after a $65million transformation, The Boca Raton’s iconic 27-story pink Tower has been entirely redesigned from ground to sky by the renowned architecture and design firm, Rockwell Group. Paying homage to the pink hues of Boca Raton, Tower’s exterior has been refreshed to a light Coastal Pink, giving a fresh take on the Barbie Dreamhouse, and features 224 spacious suites and guest rooms, each with flexible configurations – from adjoining suites to entire floor takeovers. Highlights include an NFT art collection that displays in the Tower Lobby, a listening lounge with crafted headphones by premium audio brand Master & Dynamic, a classic games area and an exclusive book-lending library curated in partnership with Assouline. Set amongst 200 lake and oceanfront acres, guests are invited to experience a brand-new offering ranging from exceptional accommodations, extraordinary culinary concepts, a private golden beach, the 50,000sq ft Spa Palmera, an 18-hole golf course, Racquet Club, Pool Club and much more.

Within Hôtel Madame Rêve’s titular suite hides the quintessential pink palace for Barbies from all around the world to get ready. Designed with chic Parisian sensibility, this gorgeous bathroom in the Madame Rêve Suite boasts a pixelated pink mosaic providing the perfect backdrop for guests to get dolled up in true Barbie style. With a central location in the 1st arrondissement, Hôtel Madame Rêve provides everything Barbies (and Kens!) need for a perfect stay in Paris. Soaring vantage points of the City of Lights at the rooftop bar ROOF, in-room views of the Eiffel Tower, and beautiful terraces at the Japanese-inspired restaurant La Plume Rive Droite provide the most Instagrammable spots in the French Capital. Meanwhile, Madame Rêve’s recent partnership with the Louvre turns this legendary museum into an art-lover’s ‘dream house’, taking guests on a guided tour showcasing artworks and installations inspired – literally – by dreams. With so much to see and do, Hôtel Madame Rêve provides the perfect Parisian pad to unleash the Barbie in you.

Enter a chic world of art and fashion at 5 star hotel Hotel De L’Europe in their Amsterdam Fashion Week Suite. Curated by acclaimed stylist and Amsterdam Fashion Week initiator, Danie Bles, lovers of couture will be able to experience a truly unique stay in this fantasy-like waterfront accommodation. Find Danie’s personal favorites throughout the suite and discover exquisite vintage designer clothing for you to wear during your stay or keep in your very own Bydanie designer vintage wardrobe. Kick back and relax while going through fashion books or taking in the fashion photography that adorns the suite walls. During your stay it is also possible to schedule a personal fashion styling consultation on request. End your day by indulging in a fabulous bubble bath surrounded by a vibrant and playful pink ambiance. The Amsterdam Fashion Week Suite promises both an enjoyable and unforgettable stay to make your Barbie dreams come true!

Vital, captivating and celebratory, Lionel Richie requires no introduction and countless superlatives – none of which are sufficient to describe the soulful superstar who has entertained generation upon generation of fans the world over.

Fans at his sold out gig at Broadlands in the heart of the leafy Hampshire countryside were treated to a jam-packed set of career-spanning hits from the consummate professional who treated the crowd to a spellbinding display.

Was there dancing all night long?! You bet there was! How could you not when dancing to some of Lionel’s most-loved and cherished hits which the crowd-pleasing crooner delivered splendidly.

Mr Richie, who last year was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame where he performed his iconic track ‘Easy’ with the Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl was performing back in the UK for the first time since 2019.

Triumphant and captivating, Lionel treated his fans to energetic renditions of hits from his impressive solo career as well as from his time with the Commodores.

Arriving in true rock ‘n’ roll style in a helicopter that flew over the enthralled audience, Lionel reiterated that this was a rock ‘n’ roll show and showed his endearing personality throughout.

As well as being a supremely talented performer and showman, Lionel is also incredibly quick-witted and made humorous references throughout including articulating his initial bewilderment and disdain for a somewhat suspicious-tasting purple drink that he eventually grew to love.

Resplendent in a series of sparkly jackets (one with the immortal words ‘All Night Long’ adorned on the back) Lionel delivered a sucker punch of hits which included ‘Easy’, ‘Se La’, ‘My Destiny’ which effortlessly sat alongside fan favourite ‘Dancing On The Ceiling’, ‘Say You, Say Me’, ‘All Night Long’ and the emotive ‘Hello’.

An exemplary example of soulful pop song craft and showmanship, Lionel Richie once again proved what an absolute powerhouse he is with a euphoric and electrifying set that will not be forgotten anytime soon.

Photo Credit: Alan Silfen