My summer of fun!

Hello Beautiful!

It’s been a long while since I last posted, but I will admit I’ve been an extremely busy body & I think it’s time for an update!

Firstly, I’ve been completing work experience with local newspaper Nottingham post and PR Company HR Media. Well, I tell a lie – I’m in the midst of doing work experience at HR Media.

I thoroughly enjoyed working for the Nottingham Post; I interviewed, I researched and I got published several times! Although I covered the majority of the fashion section that week (yay me!) I think my favourite piece was definitely the loom band feature I wrote.

Not only was the piece published, it was also the editors pick of the day! When I saw that, I was absolutely thrilled. Maybe I have a hack for feature writing, ay?

Now, I’ve moved onto PR and have written about ice skating to Scooby-Doo. Yes, the cartoon character!

The company deals with a lot of local companies so I’ve done several press releases for them, sorted through application forms and researched new clients. I’m actually really enjoying myself!

And what’s even better? No tea making! Ok, I should feel slightly bad for that – but I was one of those people who actually dreaded doing that ALL DAY LONG instead of actual work.

As well as work experience, I’ve actually been a bit of a socialite.

Ok, maybe not on the level of Kimmy K herself but nowadays I’m hardly in the house! Which is great for someone who spent most of her teenage years sat in a room playing ‘The Sims’ and reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on park swings. (Oh how I miss nerd Lauren).

I’ve attended two festivals since I last spoke – Nottingham festival Splendour and Y Not.

I saw so many acts that I have wanted to see all my life; Scouting for Girls, The Boomtown Rats with Bob Geldof himself, Razorlight, The Fratellis and the legendary Dizzee Rascal. Without a doubt the best artist I have ever seen live! I even managed to watch Saint Raymond twice! 

And I also discovered new ones to love such as Reverd and the Makers. If you haven’t listened to them, I 100% recommend.

This has definitely been a summer to remember, and knowing this will probably be my last summer before I’m released into the big bad world scares me a little…

I mean, I’ve already got a taste since I will be moving out to Nottingham early in September as I have finally decided it’s time to stand on my own two feet. Eek. I feel all grown up.

I never realised how daunting and stressful it is getting your own place! However, my family and friends have been so supportive and I couldn’t thank them enough.

 And I think that’s me pretty much up-to-date, I have a few posts lined up but if there is anything you would like me to cover, don’t hesitate to ask!

My love, as always!

Review: Y Not 2014

Original Post can be found here: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Review-Y-Festival/story-22075601-detail/story.html

Returning for its 10th year, the ever-growing festival Y Not did not fail to amaze a growing crowd.

With the headliners consisting of White Lies, Dizzee Rascal & the returning Frank Turner, Y Notters were in for an explosive weekend with a diverse collection of music.

Due to its success over the years, the festival was once again sold out and Friday saw a continuous stream of people entering the site at Pikehall in Derbyshire, a site that was once again expanded to cope with demand.

As well as a ferris wheel, there was a secret rave tent and a range of different food tents so even the fussiest of eaters could enjoy something.

Indie band Circa Waves were one of the first to rock The Quarry stage, with the tent coming to life during Young Chasers.

Popular back in 2006, Razorlight wowed the crowd on the main stage with their number one singles Before I Fall to Pieces, In The Morning and, rounding the night off, America. The band had great energy on stage.

Finishing the night off was White Lies, a personal highlight of the weekend.

Saturday had a host of bassy and fast-paced artists such as headliner Dizzee Rascal and The Fratellis. Local fella Saint Raymond wowed an over captive audience at The Quarry, with the crowd joining in with his single Young Blood.

Finishing off their festival tour, The Fratellis warmed up the crowd ready for Dizzee Rascal with hits such as Whistle for the Choir, Henrietta and the explosive Chelsea Dagger, which sent people into a frenzy.

The band took to twitter to say they thoroughly enjoyed playing and it was a perfect end to their year.

Dizzee Rascal had the crowd jumping around and singing along religiously, as he delivered his biggest tunes, among them Dirtee Disco, Holiday, Dance Wiv Me and the incredible Bonkers, which wrapped up the show.

Sunday was more chilled, although headliners Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls were charged, bringing an immense Y Not to a close.

Until next year?

Festival Review: Y Not

With the wellies at the ready – and a promise of wet weather, I had high expectations for the Y Not festival. As the crowds arrived, anticipation about the weekend ahead grew and the excitement soon filled the site.

With this being said, no one would never have expected an evacuation on the first night.

In the midst of watching the performance from Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip on the Friday night, the crowd are told to return to their tents due to the adverse lightning. Surely a first for Y Not?

However, this did not effect the quality of the performance as, after a short half an hour, the duo came back onstage to finish the set. He later went on the ‘rowdy-a**’ crowd'. Not even a spot of unpleasant weather can dampen the spirits of the festival-goers.

Y Not, situated in the Derbyshire Dales, showcased a range of music genres that would satisfy the pickiest of people – from classic rock to dubstep, the festival had it all.

Reaching its eighth birthday, Y Not pulled out the big stops as The Horrors, The Cribs and The Darkness headlined the festival – promising great things.

These wishes were certainly fulfilled as all three bands pulled out great shows – driving the crowds wild and definitely making the festival what it is.

The Darkness closed the festival on Sunday night and gave the crowd a performance to remember. Crowd surfing and banter about their ‘cutting edge’ logo brought a comedic approach to the show which, compared to The Cribs and The Horrors, was fairly unique.

The eccentric personality of Justin Hawkins, lead singer of The Darkness, created an electric atmosphere in the crowd as he made full use of the stage. He later tweeted about how he could not wait to return to the Midlands.

The festival, known for using up and coming bands, brought alternative rock band The 1975 to Derbyshire. The growing band managed to bring an audience so big that it overfilled out of the tent – with the crowd happily singing along with the band. This can only mean great things for the band.

The only criticism I have of the music itself at the festival is the lack of female artists on the main stage. I know the majority of males in the alternative rock industry compared to females is higher but I couldn’t help but find it old. Maybe it’s just me being feminist.

Overall, the festival exceeded the expectations set by the typical local festival and has raised the game for 2014. Can it be beaten next year? We’ll have to see.

Tickets for Y Not 2014 are on sale now at this year’s prices.