Latest news with #CommonPeople


Vancouver Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Vancouver's beautiful people get suited and booted for a day at the races on Saturday
Vancouver's cool set descends on Hastings Park on Saturday for the 15th annual Cup Day, a gathering described by organizers as, 'A day at the races, where old-world elegance meets a debaucherous day party'. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend and, if the weather holds, it promises to be an afternoon more akin to an Ibiza day club than a celebration of the 'Sport of Kings' — although there will be hats aplenty and some of the smartest-dressed folks seen this side of Royal Ascot, as Vancouver's party people vie for the $1,000 on offer for the best dressed person. There are also plenty of food and drink options, including the return of the Cocktail Jockey, a 1970s-inspired pop-up speakeasy, melding top mixologists with classic DJ sets. Music plays a central role in making sure Cup Day goes with a swing. This year sees British hitmaker Jonas Blue headline with a live DJ set. Edmonton party band, Brasstactics and Vancouver powerhouse DJ duo, Common People, are also on the bill. Dealing with a rise in decibels apart, it's business as usual for Hastings' horsemen and women, although there remains some irony that B.C.'s racing industry will, over and above its normal cut of the betting revenue, earn nothing from the event. B.C. racing's relatively small cut of that turnover is significantly larger on the portion bet on-track (approximately 16 per cent on track, versus just three per cent of 'offtrack' money bet on Hastings), so the more partygoers bet on the tarmac at Hastings, the more the racing industry benefits. However, while the cash boost is certainly welcome on an afternoon that traditionally generates one of the year's biggest betting 'handles' of the Hastings' season, it is another perfect example of how the sport, by the way it is structured in B.C., is not the master of its own destiny. Cup Day is run by a marketing company which pays track operators Great Canadian for the privilege of hosting what is essentially a private event. The people and horses putting on the show, receive nothing extra. 'It's frustrating,' admits Gary Johnson, chair of Thoroughbred Racing British Columbia. 'We put on the show, but we don't share in its success — a success racing has helped to create.' Cup Day has grown into one of the summer's social highlights in Vancouver and, in the 15 years since its inception, that growth can be seen clearly through the rise in betting on the big day. Ten years ago, horse players generated just over $500,000 in betting turnover. In 2024, the figure was nudging $974,000, with almost $250,000 of that bet by people attending the event. However, cold hard cash aside, Cup Day remains a positive experience for the backstretch community and one it looks forward to. Trainer Steve Henson agrees that, from the horsemen's side, Cup Day remains one of the year's highlights. He said: 'I love Cup Day. It's a great, fun day out. We live for the excitement this sport generates, and that excitement is certainly heightened when the grandstands are so full. It's also a day when we get to show people, who may not be regular racegoers, what the sport is all about.' First race Saturday , (2:30 p.m.) Hastings Race 1 (2:30pm PT): Tex Hanley made merry at this level just two startsago and he can get the Cup Day party swinging early. Hastings Race 4 (5:27 p.m.): Run Rudolf, who returns to action for the first time since beating today's rival Lucky Force over this distance back in June, can land The Cup.


The Herald Scotland
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams and 'hard launch summer'
Rodrigo had subtly posted photos of British actor Louis Partridge in previous photo dumps, but never his face. But towards the end of a Glastonbury recap post on July 2, Rodrigo shared a clip of her dancing on Partridge's shoulders, smiling and singing along to Pulp's "Common People." The comment section exploded. "The hard launch I was waiting for I'm so happy," one fan wrote. Abrams also shared a photo of herself dancing on Irish actor Paul Mescal's shoulders over the weekend on her Instagram stories, followed by a selfie in a photo dump on her feed on July 2. "I'm so happy for two people I don't even know," one fan commented. "Both you and Olivia hard launching on the feed is really special to me," wrote another. So what is the art of the "hard launch"? The term made waves last summer when Taylor Swift finally posted Travis Kelce on her Instagram feed. Both Abrams and Rodrigo's rumored relationships have also been in the spotlight already. Early kisses caught by paparazzi, gossip circulating social media, songs seemingly written about their partners (have you listened to Rodrigo's "so american"?). But the "hard launch" is about telling the world you're together, on your terms. Therapists say celebrities have myriad reasons for pulling that proverbial trigger. But whether it's a carefully curated moment or an impulsive expression of love, you can't unring that bell. "Every aspect of the relationship can become fodder for public consumption and scrutiny, putting a spotlight on the couple and creating pressure to be seen as a healthy match," Jeff Guenther, licensed professional counselor and author of "Big Dating Energy," previously told USA TODAY. "You're also leaving yourself open to increased criticism." The 'hard launch' and controlling the narrative Dating is tricky no matter who you are, especially early on before you decide to start telling people. With celebrities, not only are they opening themselves to scrutiny from their family and friends, but often the whole world. In the beginning stages, it may also seem too good to be true, and shouting your love from the rooftops can feel like jinxing it. Last summer, when Sabrina Carpenter featured then-rumored beau, Irish actor Barry Keoghan, in the music video for "Please, Please, Please," the song begged him not to "embarrass" her. We can't speculate how Carpenter feels after that allegedly fizzled, but her newest single, "Manchild," may give listeners a clue. "When we introduce someone as our partner, there is an expectation that we've vetted this person," Kimberly Vered Shashoua, a licensed clinical social worker, previously told USA TODAY. "It can be embarrassing to have to go back to friends, family and Instagram and update them with a breakup." Think about all the couples, celebrities or otherwise, who never announce a thing. Often, it's a matter of self-preservation. All that said, it's easy to see why celebrities might want to shout about their relationships anyway. They're just like anyone else. It feels good to be in love. "When we feel confident in our partner, it can feel great to show them off," Shashoua said. "It's a lot easier to be honest with our friends and family than sneaking around. If we're active on social media, it can feel strange to have such a big part of your life hidden." Sabrina Carpenter, hookup culture and why the way we talk about sex is changing Risks, benefits of authenticity People must weigh the benefits and risks of authenticity when publicizing a private relationship. These "depend on what celebrities are getting out of it, the impact on their personal and professional lives and whether their choices are in line with their personality and core values," Cecille Ahrens, a licensed clinical social worker, previously told USA TODAY. No matter who you are, you give up pieces of yourself during a hard launch. Ahrens adds you may receive "unwanted attention" or face "constant boundary violations." Just ask Abrams, who faced criticism as rumors swirled about her and Mescal's relationship after his apparent breakup from Phoebe Bridgers. But with enough time passed, Abrams' "hard launch" has been met with support. The "hard launch" can even be a business strategy: "By being open about their relationships, celebrities can connect more deeply with their fans, boosting their parasocial relationships and most likely leading to more sales or followers," Guenther said. It's a decision that requires care and conversation. But at the end of the day, at least the decision is theirs. Contributing: David Oliver

Leader Live
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Shipping Forecast provides ‘oasis of calm'
Produced by the Met Office on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the Shipping Forecast was first aired on BBC radio on July 4 1925. To celebrate the anniversary, Pulp frontman Cocker recorded a forecast that will be broadcast to an audience at the Crossed Wires: The Podcast Festival in Sheffield. The singer said the Shipping Forecast is 'something you absorb unconsciously if you live in the UK'. 'It's been on the airwaves for over 100 years,' he added. 'Now technically speaking, it's a weather guide designed to help sailors on the high seas. 'But it helps people navigate in other ways than that. 'For instance, for insomniacs, it's a mantra that hopefully helps them drift finally off to sleep.' The singer added: 'I think it's known around the world as a go-to chill-out thing – before chill-out things were invented, probably.' Asked why he felt the Shipping Forecast was important, Cocker said it was 'comforting'. He added: 'I think because even though sometimes it's talking about bad weather conditions and storms and stuff, it's actually an oasis of calm in the day. 'There's no musical backing to it, it's just a human voice talking to you. 'Some words, which you don't really know what they mean at all, but the sound of it is comforting and will put you into a nice place.' Cocker said German Bight was among his favourite Shipping Forecast place names, adding: 'For some reason I always think of a cocktail sausage there. 'I suppose it's because a frankfurter cocktail sausage is a small frank.' Asked how he imagined the Shipping Forecast may sound in 100 years' time, the frontman said: 'It may be a robot who is saying 'north to northwesterly, occasionally poor'. 'I hope not. 'I think it would be better to keep it as a person. Who knows? 'We don't know what the world's going to look like in 100 years, or whether people will even be in it. 'If people are still in it, it might all be water. 'So everybody will be listening to it. 'It'd be like the number one programme, because everybody will be in a boat.' Cocker's band Pulp made a surprise appearance at Glastonbury Festival last week, performing under the pseudonym Patchwork. The secret set came 30 years after their headline performance at the festival when they stood in for The Stone Roses after the Manchester band's guitarist John Squire was injured in a cycling accident. The Sheffield group formed in 1978 and are best known for hit song Common People. In June, the band released More, their first studio album since 2001's We Love Life.


South Wales Guardian
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Shipping Forecast provides ‘oasis of calm'
Produced by the Met Office on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the Shipping Forecast was first aired on BBC radio on July 4 1925. To celebrate the anniversary, Pulp frontman Cocker recorded a forecast that will be broadcast to an audience at the Crossed Wires: The Podcast Festival in Sheffield. The singer said the Shipping Forecast is 'something you absorb unconsciously if you live in the UK'. 'It's been on the airwaves for over 100 years,' he added. 'Now technically speaking, it's a weather guide designed to help sailors on the high seas. 'But it helps people navigate in other ways than that. 'For instance, for insomniacs, it's a mantra that hopefully helps them drift finally off to sleep.' The singer added: 'I think it's known around the world as a go-to chill-out thing – before chill-out things were invented, probably.' Asked why he felt the Shipping Forecast was important, Cocker said it was 'comforting'. He added: 'I think because even though sometimes it's talking about bad weather conditions and storms and stuff, it's actually an oasis of calm in the day. 'There's no musical backing to it, it's just a human voice talking to you. 'Some words, which you don't really know what they mean at all, but the sound of it is comforting and will put you into a nice place.' Cocker said German Bight was among his favourite Shipping Forecast place names, adding: 'For some reason I always think of a cocktail sausage there. 'I suppose it's because a frankfurter cocktail sausage is a small frank.' Asked how he imagined the Shipping Forecast may sound in 100 years' time, the frontman said: 'It may be a robot who is saying 'north to northwesterly, occasionally poor'. 'I hope not. 'I think it would be better to keep it as a person. Who knows? 'We don't know what the world's going to look like in 100 years, or whether people will even be in it. 'If people are still in it, it might all be water. 'So everybody will be listening to it. 'It'd be like the number one programme, because everybody will be in a boat.' Cocker's band Pulp made a surprise appearance at Glastonbury Festival last week, performing under the pseudonym Patchwork. The secret set came 30 years after their headline performance at the festival when they stood in for The Stone Roses after the Manchester band's guitarist John Squire was injured in a cycling accident. The Sheffield group formed in 1978 and are best known for hit song Common People. In June, the band released More, their first studio album since 2001's We Love Life.

USA Today
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams and a new dawn of 'hard launch summer'
We've made it past blistering heat waves and landed in July, which can only mean one thing – 'hard launch summer' is back in full force. Glastonbury, the British music festival, was ripe with romance this year. Pop singers Gracie Abrams and Olivia Rodrigo both more than hinted at their respective relationship statuses on Instagram with photos from the weekend's festivities. Rodrigo had subtly posted photos of British actor Louis Partridge in previous photo dumps, but never his face. But towards the end of a Glastonbury recap post on July 2, Rodrigo shared a clip of her dancing on Partridge's shoulders, smiling and singing along to Pulp's 'Common People.' The comment section exploded. 'The hard launch I was waiting for I'm so happy,' one fan wrote. Abrams also shared a photo of herself dancing on Irish actor Paul Mescal's shoulders over the weekend on her Instagram stories, followed by a selfie in a photo dump on her feed on July 2. 'I'm so happy for two people I don't even know,' one fan commented. 'Both you and Olivia hard launching on the feed is really special to me,' wrote another. So what is the art of the 'hard launch'? The term made waves last summer when Taylor Swift finally posted Travis Kelce on her Instagram feed. Both Abrams and Rodrigo's rumored relationships have also been in the spotlight already. Early kisses caught by paparazzi, gossip circulating social media, songs seemingly written about their partners (have you listened to Rodrigo's 'so american'?). But the 'hard launch' is about telling the world you're together, on your terms. Therapists say celebrities have myriad reasons for pulling that proverbial trigger. But whether it's a carefully curated moment or an impulsive expression of love, you can't unring that bell. "Every aspect of the relationship can become fodder for public consumption and scrutiny, putting a spotlight on the couple and creating pressure to be seen as a healthy match," Jeff Guenther, licensed professional counselor and author of "Big Dating Energy," previously told USA TODAY. "You're also leaving yourself open to increased criticism." The 'hard launch' and controlling the narrative Dating is tricky no matter who you are, especially early on before you decide to start telling people. With celebrities, not only are they opening themselves to scrutiny from their family and friends, but often the whole world. In the beginning stages, it may also seem too good to be true, and shouting your love from the rooftops can feel like jinxing it. Last summer, when Sabrina Carpenter featured then-rumored beau, Irish actor Barry Keoghan, in the music video for 'Please, Please, Please,' the song begged him not to 'embarrass' her. We can't speculate how Carpenter feels after that allegedly fizzled, but her newest single, 'Manchild,' may give listeners a clue. "When we introduce someone as our partner, there is an expectation that we've vetted this person," Kimberly Vered Shashoua, a licensed clinical social worker, previously told USA TODAY. "It can be embarrassing to have to go back to friends, family and Instagram and update them with a breakup." Think about all the couples, celebrities or otherwise, who never announce a thing. Often, it's a matter of self-preservation. All that said, it's easy to see why celebrities might want to shout about their relationships anyway. They're just like anyone else. It feels good to be in love. "When we feel confident in our partner, it can feel great to show them off," Shashoua said. "It's a lot easier to be honest with our friends and family than sneaking around. If we're active on social media, it can feel strange to have such a big part of your life hidden." Sabrina Carpenter, hookup culture and why the way we talk about sex is changing Risks, benefits of authenticity People must weigh the benefits and risks of authenticity when publicizing a private relationship. These "depend on what celebrities are getting out of it, the impact on their personal and professional lives and whether their choices are in line with their personality and core values," Cecille Ahrens, a licensed clinical social worker, previously told USA TODAY. No matter who you are, you give up pieces of yourself during a hard launch. Ahrens adds you may receive "unwanted attention" or face "constant boundary violations." Just ask Abrams, who faced criticism as rumors swirled about her and Mescal's relationship after his apparent breakup from Phoebe Bridgers. But with enough time passed, Abrams' 'hard launch' has been met with support. The 'hard launch' can even be a business strategy: "By being open about their relationships, celebrities can connect more deeply with their fans, boosting their parasocial relationships and most likely leading to more sales or followers," Guenther said. It's a decision that requires care and conversation. But at the end of the day, at least the decision is theirs. Contributing: David Oliver