Billie Marten on surviving the 'cesspit whirlwind of pop music'
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The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Europe's huge new indoor theme park is opening this year with river rides, rollercoasters and epic castle
A BRAND-new indoor theme park is opening with plenty of attractions, from rollercoasters to carousels, and tickets are already on sale. Bommelwereld is opening in Groenlo, a city in the Netherlands and it's very easy to get there from the UK. 6 6 The upcoming theme park is based on cartoon character Olivier B. Bommel from a popular Dutch comic book series by Marten Toonder. The park is set across 9,000 square metres and is set in the huge castle called Bommelstein. The castle be 23 metres high and will house over 20 attractions within its walls which visitors can explore when it opens on October 3, 2025. Bommelwereld will be split into different areas such as the Castle Gardens, City of Rommeldam, Inventors' Area, Black Mountains, Circus Grounds and Rivier de rommel. Of the 20 attractions, there are two rollercoasters including one called the Bulderbaaan. It's a runaway train rollercoaster that rides through the Black Mountains and will be 257 metres long with speeds up to 45km/h. There will also be a carousel, bumper cars, a drop tower, as well as smaller interactive games. Other attractions include a mini jet ride called Daverend Draken Spektakel. Families can enjoy the fun house and climbing adventure course. First look at new 'tallest of its kind' ride to open at English seaside theme park 6 6 Around the river in the park will be a water ride called the Razende Rommel. For food, visitors can head to the Restaurant Cant & Claer, where guests can order at the checkout or use QR codes on the tables. There's also a theatre where the comic book characters come to life. Families who want to spend more than just one day at the theme park can stay at the neighbouring accommodations. Marveld Recreatie is a 5-star holiday park full of luxury bungalows that have a private terrace, and modern kitchen. There's also the Havezate Hotel which is within walking distance to the park. From January 5, 2026, a bungalow and hotel stay at Marveld Recreation includes admission to Bommelwereld. 6 Another option is to pitch up at the campsite next door and combine a camping trip with a trip to the amusement park - with tickets at a reduced rate. Tickets are already on sale for €26 (£22.55) per person. The park also offers family tickets options for four people €96 (£83.26), five people €120 (£104.08), and six people €144 (124.90). For Brits visiting from the UK, visitors are best flying or getting the Eurostar to Amsterdam. From there, Groenlo is less than a two hour drive away. While you're waiting for that to open, check out this top European theme park that mums say is better than Disneyland. Plus, the top six UK theme parks you can easily reach by train this summer – and how to find the cheapest family fares. 6
Time Out
3 days ago
- Time Out
Bangkok set to welcome a new mega arena
Bangkok has long been hailed as a city of concerts with a steady stream of global acts to prove it. This year alone, the Big Mango has hosted megastars such as Mariah Carey and Blackpink, along with festivals like Summer Sonic. But while demand is sky-high, there's one problem: the city doesn't have enough large-capacity venues to keep up. However, that's about to change as Muang Thong Than welcomes a brand new stadium on a scale comparable to Rajamangala National Stadium. The project is led by Bangkok Land, the real estate developer behind the complex. The company has leased the plot containing Thunder Dome and Thunder Dome Stadium to the Sports Authority of Thailand since the 1998 Asian Games, under a 30-year agreement. With that lease expiring in three years, the land will return to Bangkok Land and they have big plans. Under a five-year development blueprint, the upcoming stadium will feature 45,000 seats, making it the largest in the area. Conveniently, the Lake Muang Thong Thani monorail station will sit right in front of the initiative, ensuring smooth travel for concertgoers and sports fans alike. Currently, Thailand's largest venue is the open-air Rajamangala Stadium, with a capacity of around 50,000. Built in 1998, it has hosted both major sporting events and blockbuster concerts. But after 27 years, it could use a worthy rival, giving fans more choices and promoters more flexibility. The stadium isn't the only upgrade in the works for Muang Thong Thani. The events complex recently signed a joint venture with Live Nation, securing a 20-year lease of Impact Arena worth B4.6 billion. This will mark the biggest revamp of the arena since its opening. Planned upgrades include state-of-the-art lighting, new VIP suites and faster event set-up systems to help organisers host more shows in less time. Beyond the arena, Impact has long-term plans for a lakeside retail hub, with interest from Hong Kong investors, as well as its own branded water park. With this new stadium, the Big Mango is poised to become an even bigger magnet for world-class performers and major sporting events. Who knows? One day, we might just see Taylor Swift lighting up the stage in Muang Thong Thani.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Mariah Carey reveals the unlikely requests she has for King Charles when she performs for him at Sandringham
Mariah Carey has shared what she plans to ask King Charles when she performs for him at Sandringham later this month - and the answer may surprise fans. The singing icon, 56, will play at one of the monarch's homes for the Heritage Live concert, which will also feature Nile Rogers and Chic and Eternal. During a radio appearance on Capital Xtra, Mariah revealed what requests she had for the king, which include sorting out tax and congestion charges. Mariah, who said she has never performed for King Charles before, initially said she didn't have any requests for the royal because she 'didn't want to bother him'. However, when pushed by the show's host Manny Norte to make some pleas on his behalf, she agreed to ask the questions when she performs. When asked if there's anything she wants to ask him, Mariah said: ''No, because I just want to leave him alone. I don't want to bother people.' Manny suggested: 'I'll ask him a few things. Like, no tax, no congestion, straight away, you know?' Mariah admitted she didn't really understand because she's not from this country, so Manny said: 'Okay. Fair, fair. That's what I want: No tax, no congestion, no parking [fees] for the rest of my life. You know what I mean?' Mariah quizzed: 'And you think he's just going to give that to you?' Manny then asked her: 'Well, if I was performing or DJing, I'd ask that. Would you ask for me?' Mariah suggested she would, but would be pinning it on Manny, saying: 'I'm going to say you told me to ask.' Mariah concluded by saying she was 'serious' about asking him. The American star also appeared on Capital Radio, where she admitted 'never knows what day it is' and has never experienced 'that Friday feeling'. Mariah revealed that this is because of her dedication to not acknowledging time. Chris Stark asked: Mariah, last time we chatted to you at the Ball, you confirmed to us that you don't acknowledge time. 'Now this clip went everywhere after that. But it really got us thinking, does that mean you don't get that Friday feeling?' She replied: 'I don't because I never know what day it is'. Chris added: 'That's such a shame.' While Jordan said: [Laughs] This is so good. We honestly love having you on the show! Right now, many of our listeners have got that Friday feeling. Mariah then asked the hosts if they had personally made up 'the Friday feeling' for there show, completely unaware it is globally known. While staying in the UK, Mariah reportedly paying over £250,000 for her hotel stay during her time here. She headlined Brighton Pride over the weekend after arriving on her private jet earlier in the week. And now The Sun has revealed she is staying at one of the top-floor suites at the Corinthia hotel on London's Embankment. Featuring a large terrace, wine cellar, private spa and living room lit with a real fire, the room costs around £20,000 per night. A source told the publication: 'She blocked out two weeks in the best suite. It's only the best for Mariah. 'Her royal gig is a huge deal, so naturally she is living like a queen.' Daily Mail have contacted Mariah's representatives for comment. After performing in Brighton last weekend, Mariah is taking to the stage at Sandringham's royal estate as part of the Heritage Live's large outdoor music concerts on August 15. And it seems Mariah is one of the Corinthia's best guests after Beyoncé reportedly 'bowed down' to the singer in June and 'packed up her £25k-a-night London penthouse for the diva songstress to move in.' Beyonve had booked a 12-night stay at the Corinthia while performing at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But she allegedly moved out at the weekend when self-confessed diva Mariah touched down to play at Capital's Summertime Ball. A source told The Sun: 'Superstars as big as Beyonce and Mariah want to stay in only the best hotels. 'Beyonce had been staying in Corinthia's penthouses. 'But when Mariah flew in, Beyonce packed up so Mariah could take over her suites. It was like Beyonce was bowing down to another music queen.'
