LITTLE BOOTS REPORTS FROM SONAR!

Hi everyone, so here is a little report from Sonar where I've been all weekend. I have to say it's almost definitely the best festival I've ever been to - everything's clean, everything works, everyone can get everywhere they want etc etc! Basically this is how festivals SHOULD be.

I've managed to lose most of the bits of my camera so here's a kind of photo diary thingy cobbled together from various phones etc. of what I got up to...

Here's a girl I took a picture of coz I thought she looked like Carrie from Sex and the City. Sorry no real reasoning behind that one!

This is part one of many shorts & socks combos sighted. The fake grass is in the backstage area where they had kind of a house in a tent on astro turf - interesting concept.

We went to watch some bands at Sonar by day... this is me watching La Roux and gradually turning pretty roux in the spanish sunshine. I'm such a Brit abroad!

Then we went to do sound check. This is my band deliberating whether they could get away with double denim shorts and shirts combos on stage. We decided, er no.

This was the stage we played, massive! Big TVs each side and loads of crazy lights... wish I had more pics of this!

Ok here's a pic I've 'borrowed' from somewhere on the net of the gig... love my Ashish sequin dress! Late Of The Pier were on after us, plus there was a semi naked man riding around backstage on a white horse?! I wish I had a pic... honestly I wasn't hallucinating!

After the show everything got a bit crazy... we went on the dodgems - fun!

Watched Heartbreak - check them out - they are amazing my fav new band. Dark italo disco dungeon music!

Then we partied on to Erol Alkan's awesome disco 3000 set and a bit of James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem...

This is Lauren's epic Cinderella t-shirt.  The rest is all a bit of a blur...

Next day I wanted to get a bit arty so we went to the centre for culture where they had special sound/ art/ installation/ experiment type things. This one makes images and sound based on your physcial movement... the second bump is me!!

Then I went to the demo of something called Reactable which is a new electronic instrument used by people like Bjork... I've wanted to see one for ages so finally got round to it, I SO want one! How space age does it look? Like the future in front of you.

Then I ran out of battery! But I went to see Fever Ray that night which was the most inspiring gig of the weekend - loads of lasers and crazy voodoo costumes - it was seriously incredible. Then we watched Crystal Castles but the sound was terrible so at the end Alice trashed the drums and tried to sock the sound guy... all hell broke out... watch it on Youtube!! Crazy end to the weekend!!

Ok that's all... au revoir... sorry I'm in Paris... bye!

x

Little Boots debut album is now out! And for everyone who didn't manage to get down to Glastonbury, today, you'll be able to catch Little Boots on the box over the weekend.

BANKSY'S BACK

If you haven't heard the hype surrounding the new Banksy expo - where have you been?!

The infamous graffiti artist is showcasing his work in his home town so we asked one of the Style Advisor's from our Bristol store to check it out: 

We were so excited to hear about Banksy’s exhibition at the Bristol City Museum, we had to get down there!

Previously wanted for vandalism by Bristol’s police and Council, Banksy's exhibition opened on June 13th in a shroud of secrecy (even museum bosses didn't know it was happening until opening day!)

Banksy is as witty, provocative and subversive as ever! From animatronics (there's a policeman in riot gear furiously riding a carousel horse), installations (a rabbit in a cage wearing pearls and putting on make-up), to his more recognisable stencil-style graffiti, there's plenty of food for thought at his latest exhibition!

Our favourite piece had to be a reworked Venus de Milo, dessed in a Grecian gown and updated sartorially with essential accessories - oversized sunnies and handfulls of shopping bags! Paris Hilton, Victoria Beckham, in plaster anyone?

Open until August 31st, this is a must see. Expect queues at the weekend but during weekdays you should be in within ½ hour! Whatever the queue, we promise it's worth the wait...

GET TO JEANETTE'S!

We first read about Jeanette's in ES magazine a while back and then followed Susie Style Bubble's hunt for more info! As usual, she asked around and solved the mystery and all we can say is you better get down there...

Jeanette - one of Boombox's most famous hostesses - is hoping to offer one-off and hard-to-get wears from some of the most exciting designers around at her east-end shop!

To start with, Richard Nicoll, Louise Grey and James Long have designed one-off pieces which most of us could only dream of buying, but will certainly make for a nice browse. As will pieces from previous collections by Giles Deacon, Judy Blame and one of our favourite designers, Christopher Kane!

A one-time model, stylist, and more recently a Giles-Deacon clad Selfridgette, Jeanette has picked up some pretty cool friends along the way. Turner prize nominee Mark Titchner has designed limited edition tees while Benjamin Alexander Huseby has created sculptures and furniture and the shop has been built by acclaimed set designer Tony Hornecker.

Brimming with pieces that Jeanette loves, we're pretty sure you'll love it too!

You'll find Jeanette's on 64-66 Redchurch Street, E2. Open Wed - Fri 11 am - 7 pm, Sat - Sun 11 am - 5 pm.

SNAP SHOT

Last week some of the buyers turned their hands to styling for a shoot they we're doing - enjoy your sneak peek!

Models 1 new faces star Jodie Giles. Uber cool hair stylist, Roistone Nadin from Daniel Hersheson. Up and coming talent photographer Susan Campbell.

DUBLIN HOT SPOTS

As there's loads of great stuff happening in our Dublin stores over the weekend - Topshop Arnotts, Stephens Green and Jervis Street - we thought we’d get one of our Dublin Style Advisors to share her city hotspots with you!

Here's her list:

The Cake Cafe is a gorgeous organic cafe, serving up amazing treats, located just off Camden St - get down to one of our Dublin stores to sample their mini cupcakes over the weekend.

The Monster Truck Gallery is one of my favourite places to visit in Dublin - it’s a great gallery run by a co-op of artists for non profit. They put on amazing shows and are based on Francis St.

Green 19 on Camden St is a great dinner/bistro serving lovely food at great prices, with a great cocktail menu to boot, street art on the walls and trip hop on the speakers! What's not to love?

Hogans Pub on Georges Street is a really cool boozer and has a great mixed crowd, from skateboarders to suits and an amazing set of Djs at the weekend.

IFI cinema on Curve St is the only place to go to catch that new Indie flick or a matinee showing of a Hitchcock classic. Favourite Sunday hangout!

The Bernard Shaw Pub on South Richmond Street is over 100 years old and is run by a group of young Djs - loads of amazing Djs from all over the world play here and they also host the infamous monthly Toe Jam car boot sale - a must do!

To find out what's going on in Dublin over this weekend, take a look at Le Cool - one of our favourite city guides!

The Toe Jam Car Boot sale.