Latest news with #FlorenceandtheMachine
Metro
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
British popstar's £1,900,000 house could be concealing 'human remains'
Florence Welch's £1,900,000 country mansion could quite literally be hiding a few skeletons in the closet. The Florence and the Machine star, 38, plans for extensive building work at her Somerset home could uncover 'human remains.' The Dog Days Are Over singer purchased the sprawling 12th-century estate four years ago to realise her dream of living in a 'gothic' setting away from London. She recently snapped up the fourth property in the ground and plans to re-unify all the buildings in plans that have been approved by the local council. However, The Sun reports that an archaeological survey has warned the homes could be concealing medieval skeletons. Submitted to Somerset Council by John Moore Heritage Services, the report says there 'is clear potential for archaeological remains dating to the medieval period.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video It adds: 'If human remains are encountered and have to be removed, they will be cleaned, recorded and lifted in accordance with a Ministry of Justice licence. 'Exhumation and post-excavation treatment will be carried out in accordance with published. All associated deposits, e.g. pyre sites, mausolea and mortuary enclosures, will also be fully investigated and excavated.' The publication claims Florence has agreed to give any historical artefacts to the Somerset Museums Service. More than a decade ago, the Shake It Out singer revealed her plans to live in a historical setting. She told Vogue in 2011: 'I really want a Gothic castle. Or a church, but I haven't had time. I've only been home for about two weeks in the last two years.' Florence is not the only celebrity to have spooky happenings in their home. This Country star Daisy May Cooper, 38, revealed she was forced to move out of her Wiltshire home after enduring supernatural encounters for three years. Guests recounted strange noises, the smell of cigarette smoke and even seeing 'shadow figures', while Daisy's housekeepers revealed pictures kept being mysteriously taken down and found in weird positions on the landing. The Am I Being Unreasonable star also said she saw children's severed legs running past her bed. 'I cant remember what happened first, whether it was the sound or the security light that comes on on my landing, but the sound is actually the thing that scares me the most,'she told Danny Robins on his hit BBC podcast, Uncanny. It was the sound of feet running on a wooden floor and what I can only describe as a pair of children's legs, a 7 or 8 year old, and it had these white shorts on, and these legs ran around the bed and me and my son both tracked it for a matter of seconds then it was just gone. It completely vanished. More Trending 'It was the most extraordinary thing I've ever seen.' Daisy then learnt that a boy had drowned in the nearby lake, which was visible from the window to the spare room, in 1959. She continued: 'It's so funny and it's so ridiculous, and I know what people think when I say it and how stupid it sounds, but I saw what I did and the sound of that thing coming in was terrifying. I can't ever get the sound out of my head. It was horrible.' Metro has contacted Florence's rep for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
The tiny hidden gem Scottish island home to 'excellent pub and café'
Nothing says 'holiday' quite like an island trip. Fortunately, you don't need to travel halfway around the world for a stunning island getaway. Scotland is home to more isles than you could possibly count. While many are uninhabited, there are a few that are worth a proper visit. One of these hidden gem Scottish islands is Easdale. The tiny isle has an area of just 62 acres and is home to a population of around only 60 people. Easdale is one of the Slate Islands in the Firth of Lorn. It is separated from the nearby island of Seil by a thin channel that can be crossed on a five-minute ferry journey from the village of Ellenabeich. The island was formerly home to major slate quarries, and was even considered a centre for Scotland's slate industry. However, following the death of commercial quarrying in the 20th century, Easdale's population began to dwindle and its future was in doubt. However, in the years since, the island has undergone a regeneration. The population has grown, and today it is one of the smallest permanently inhabited islands in Scotland. Popular music act Florence and the Machine even filmed two music videos on Easdale. The beautiful island can be seen as a backdrop in the visuals for their singles Queen of Peace and Long and Lost on the island—with local residents appearing as actors. When arriving on Easdale yourself, you will quickly realise that the best way to see the island is simply by walking around. In fact, the entire circumference can be traversed in around an hour. In terms of things to do on the island, the fascinating Easdale Folk Museum should be your first port of call. Housed in an old workers cottage, the museum will teach you about everything from the local slate industry to geology and boats. When it comes to food and drink, The Puffer is pretty much your only option. Fortunately, the family-owned pub, café, and restaurant has earned rave reviews. The Puffer's café menu includes a homemade soup of the day and sandwiches served with dressed salad and rainbow coleslaw. Among the fillings on offer are cheddar and ham, venison, halloumi, and haddock. Meanwhile, its dinner offerings include Loch Fyne Jarl battered haddock with twice-cooked chips and panko breaded halloumi sticks. You can also enjoy meat and veggie burgers, as well as various sharing platters. The Puffer has an average rating of 4.6 out of five on Google based on 89 reviews. Customers have praised it as "fabulous", "excellent", and "friendly and welcoming". Elsewhere, Easdale itself has also received positive reviews from visitors and tourists. The island has an overall score of 4.8 out of five based on 96 reviews. One traveller posted: "I absolutely loved visiting Easdale. Walking the whole circumference only takes about an hour and the views are so stunning. "There are plenty of places to take seats and contemplate nature too. Thank you to all the residents especially, your warm welcome made my trip all the better." A second echoed: "Excellent walk around old slate workings. Lunch in pub excellent as was the boat trip from the mainland." A third Google user shared: "A wonderful place. Ideal for lowering the revs and enjoying the days simply by being there."
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Chelmsford artist Erin LeCount to play Radio 1's Big Weekend
A singer-songwriter who began performing live around Essex as a child said it was a "lovely surprise" to be selected to play at Radio 1's Big LeCount, from Chelmsford, will perform on the BBC Introducing stage during the three-day festival at Liverpool's Sefton Park in 22-year-old said she was "speechless" when Matt Plumb, BBC Introducing presenter for Essex and Cambridgeshire, told her she had been selected to represent the area."Looking at the Saturday line-up, with the likes of Sam Fender and Wolf Alice - people I've seen live in concert many times - its such an honour," she said. "I've never been to Liverpool either, so I'm looking forward to a nice weekend."LeCount said she had been fully focused on a show in London next week - her first for some time - so it was a "nice surprise" to learn she had a slot on such a big stage in the latest single, Silver Spoon, released on Friday, was about "the ways you grow up" and how that affects relationships, she said. 'Embrace the madness' She counts Florence and the Machine and Kate Bush among her influences, along with Sampha, FKA twigs, and The xx."I love artists who produce their own music, of anyone who goes all-in and embraces the madness," she credited the Hermit Club in Brentwood for supporting her from a young age and allowing her to perform at open mics."I got into the habit of doing live music and I just wanted to keep performing as time went on," she said."I felt comfortable sharing it online when I was 17 or 18, and it's ended up here, which is quite nice."It feels I've had a nice break and now I'm back in full force, I've got the show, and lots of writing to do and lots of live prep for Big Weekend."I think I'll have to pull something special out of the bag."Radio 1's Big Weekend runs from 23 to 25 May, with a line-up including Tom Grennan, Mumford & Sons and Lola will appear on Saturday, 24 can hear Erin LeCount's interview with BBC Essex on BBC Sounds. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
It's Not Weird To Go To Concerts Alone. Here's Why You Should Try It.
The thought of attending a concert alone may seem strange or even anxiety-inducing. Isn't it awkward to stand there without a buddy to talk to? Won't people gawk at you for being such a loner? Won't be it boring if you don't have a loved one to share the experience with? According to evangelists of the solo concert lifestyle, no — and you might be surprised just how fun and fulfilling the experience can be. Natalia K., who lives in Lublin, Poland, attended her first concert by herself at age 18 when she went to see Florence and the Machine at Orange Warsaw Festival. She told HuffPost she went into the experience 'incredibly anxious,' as it was also her first time traveling to another city without parents or other adults accompanying her. 'I was also slightly socially anxious at that point in life, hated meeting new people,' she told HuffPost. 'But I wanted to see Florence and the Machine so badly I was willing to push myself out of my comfort zone, and it was so worth it.' Natalia says she considers the experience a turning point in her life because it pushed her to 'confront all [her] insecurities.' She discovered she enjoyed exploring new places and meeting new people along the way. 'I had to wait for hours for the main event, running from gate to gate to get the best possible spot, closest to the band,' Natalia said. 'I met so many people, exchanged water and snacks and stories while we waited. When someone would need to take a bathroom break, we would hold their place so they could return to the same spot.' Because she wasn't surrounded by people she knew, she was able to be 'completely care-free' and had a blast, she said. Leisa Canter, who lives in Los Angeles, first started going to concerts by herself when her kids were young. She found it was easier this way — she didn't need to find a babysitter because her husband could stay home with the kids (he didn't really want to go anyway, she said). Plus, Canter discovered you can generally score a better seat if you're only buying one ticket. Now she much prefers going to concerts by herself, she said. And even though Canter is often flying solo at shows these days, she never feels lonely. 'I feel like I'm never alone at a concert,' she told HuffPost. 'People are like, 'Oh, but you went alone?' I go, 'No, there were like 7,500 people there.' I embrace community.' Below, Natalia and Canter share some of the overlooked benefits of the solo concert experience. If you're going to a show by yourself, you can buy a ticket on a whim without waiting to hear back from friends about who is interested and available. 'If I suddenly find that the band I like is visiting the other side of the country next weekend, I can just buy tickets without considering friends' schedules and plans,' Natalia said. 'Anyone who [has] ever organized travel with groups knows that the planning phase can take weeks. So going alone makes that problem go away.' And once you're there, you get to call the shots without having to take anyone else's preferences into account or worry that you're inconveniencing them. 'Do I want to eat dinner before the concert, but potentially lose a good place at the stadium? Or maybe I care so much about this specific gig, that I'm willing to stand for hours in the queue?' Natalia said. 'Do I want to be close to the band, but would have to stand the whole event, or do I take a ticket with a seat? What if one of your friends is really short? Or if your friend wants to take their kid? Suddenly fighting for the first row where you can jump around is not an option,' she added. 'If I'm alone, it's just up to me to decide.' Canter also appreciates the freedom of not being beholden to anyone else's schedule. She Googles the setlist before the show and heads toward the exit when the last song starts to avoid the post-concert mayhem. 'And I don't want to have to explain that to anybody,' she said. 'I just like to leave when I want. I like to come when I want. It's kind of like an oasis for me. It's my time, it's my solo adventure.' Have you ever dragged a friend out to see a band you love, but they're not necessarily a big fan? Maybe they politely bob their head to the music, but their lack of enthusiasm can be a bit of a bummer. When you go by yourself, you can really be in the moment without feeling responsible for someone else's enjoyment. 'I've noticed that if I'm with someone else, I'm repeatedly checking if they also have fun, looking for any signs of their boredom,' Natalia said. 'So I'm constantly being brought back to the 'reality.' But when I'm alone? I'm completely in the zone, I can just immerse myself completely in the experience.' Canter really enjoys moving around the venue throughout the show — something she says she probably wouldn't do if she was there with a friend. 'If I was with somebody, we're gonna sit in our seats,' she said. 'I love roaming. I love going, 'Now I want to see the concert from this vantage point as it was intended as a production.' Or 'I want to be as close to Adele as I can.'' When you go to a concert with friends, you're probably going to chat amongst yourselves while waiting for the band to come on. But when you're going by yourself, you're 'all the more observant of your surroundings,' Natalia said. 'Other 'alone' people will probably notice you, and make their way to you to introduce themselves,' she said. 'So you're more likely to make new acquaintances this way because you're more approachable.' Natalia recalled a moment at a Courtney Barnett show when a fellow concertgoer spotted her in the front row. 'A complete stranger squeezed herself through the crowd to join me, and we jumped together for the rest of the gig,' she said. 'I have no idea what her name even was, but I'll cherish that memory forever.' If you're driving to the show yourself, be sure to park in a populated, well-lit area near the venue so you don't have to walk too far to your car. Same goes for public transportation — make sure there's a stop close by and you know how to get there. Or you can always take an Uber or get a ride from a friend. 'Drop a pin or send your address to a friend or family member, or multiple, so they know where you are,' writer Gabriela Herstik previously wrote for Nylon. 'Let them know around what time you expect to leave the show. Text them updates about when you're leaving.' Having a drink is fine (as long as you're keeping a watchful eye on it) but don't overdo it on the alcohol — or any other substance that could impair your judgment. You want to make sure you're staying aware of your surroundings. It's also a good idea to make sure your phone is fully charged before you head out. Consider bringing a portable charger in case you need some extra juice while you're there, Herstik advised. It's kind of like an oasis for me. It's my time, it's my solo Canter Natalia said she likes to keep her wallet and phone in a neck wallet to ensure she doesn't lose it while dancing and moving through crowds. Canter's advice: Don't be the last one out of the venue. 'I'm always out in time, so there's always people around. I'm not the last one to leave. I don't dilly-dally,' she said. 'I want to be the first Uber out.' Maybe after reading this, you're toying with the idea of going to a concert alone but you're still hung up on what other people might think. You assume you'll be judged for showing up solo. But you might find people actually admire you for it. 'I remember being at an xx concert, and this super young girl goes, 'Are you here by yourself?'' Canter said. 'I go, 'I am.' And she goes, 'Oh, my God, that's so cool. I'm gonna do that when I grow up.' And it wasn't insulting or weird. She was just like, 'Wow, that's amazing.'' 'Gig-Tripping' Is The Latest Travel Trend You'll Probably Want To Try 15 Reasons You Should Live Alone At Least Once In Your Life The Rudest Things You Can Do At A Concert
The Independent
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
On Hurry Up Tomorrow, The Weeknd delivers a spectacular final chapter in his ‘After Hours' trilogy
'All I have is my legacy,' Abel Tesfaye sings over the funereal opening bars of 'Wake Me Up'. It's a scene-setting moment for what, it soon emerges, is the Canadian artist's most ambitious project to date – a feature film-length album that supposedly serves as the final chapter for his enigmatic alter-ego The Weeknd. Later this year, he'll star opposite Wednesday actor Jenna Ortega and Saltburn 's Barry Keoghan in an actual feature film inspired by this record – a psychological thriller underpinned by his restless, sprawling score. A noted cinephile, Tesfaye has always incorporated film influences into his work. His debut album, 2013's culture-shifting Kiss Land, tapped into the kind of jittery, menacing paranoia that directors such as John Carpenter or David Cronenberg made their calling card. Hurry Up Tomorrow' s predecessor, 2022's Dawn FM, enlisted Jim Carrey as a creepy radio host and borrowed the tagline of 1987's Less Than Zero ('It only looks like the good life') for his track of the same name. Hurry Up Tomorrow, though, is the first album of Tesfaye's that actually feels like a movie, scored by his trademark maelstrom of electronic and R&B. The third and final installment of his After Hours 'trilogy', it has supporting characters (Brazilian superstar Anitta, Florence and the Machine, rappers Future, Travis Scott and Playboi Carti), props (the abrupt ring of a telephone and rattle of ice in a whisky glass on 'Reflections Laughing'), and a character arc that casts Tesfaye in his preferred role: the brooding, mysterious anti-hero. The 34-year-old has previously suggested Hurry Up Tomorrow was inspired, in part, by a traumatic incident that took place in 2022. Emerging onstage in Inglewood, California, he called out to the crowd: 'Hey, Los Angeles!' His voice cracked. When Tesfaye tried to sing his next line, nothing came out. Footage of the moment shows the stunned artist, looking close to tears as his fans erupted into their own howls of dismay. The show was cancelled. Those screams can be heard here in the transition from a brief interlude ('I Can't F***ing Sing') into the juddering 'São Paulo', likely inspired by last year's triumphant live-streamed stadium show in Brazil. Half the time, you don't know if Tesfaye is singing to a lover or personifying his tricky relationship with fame, that cruel mistress. 'Are you real or are you illusion?/ Cos I feel your love's my delusion,' he asks on 'Wake Me Up', then, on 'Reflections Laughing', alludes to the pressure on his shoulders: 'I won't make a sound/ Blood on the ground/ When they take my crown/ If they take my crown.' Though born and raised in the Toronto suburbs by his mother and grandmother, Tesfaye has always seemed magnetised by the dark allure of Los Angeles – its hypocrisies, its vanity, its strangeness. He delayed the album's release due to the recent wildfires, with proceeds from the track 'Take Me Back to LA' going towards a charity providing emergency food assistance to those affected. The song in question nods again to that doomed Inglewood show ('my voice cracking when we scream'). It's certainly deliberate that his voice, with its Michael Jackson-influenced melisma, is at its most supple. Meanwhile, Tesfaye seems to yearn for those House of Balloon days of releasing mixtapes from a place of anonymity: 'Take me back to a place/ Where the snow would fall on my face/ And I miss my city lights/ I left too young.' The transitions here are remarkable; skipping a single track feels akin to jumping three chapters in a novel. The Giorgio Moroder-indebted synths of 'Take Me Back to LA' melt into, well… Giorgio Moroder on the synths for 'Big Sleep'. Tesfaye pushes the pedal down on 'Drive' and sends himself plummeting into 'The Abyss', an ornate flurry of glissando piano notes that fall like the snow of his beloved Toronto. Fast-forward and you risk missing a surprise cameo, from Lana Del Rey's spectral cries to the gorgeous sample of Nina Simone's 'Wild is the Wind' on 'Given Up on Me'. It would be easy to dismiss this album as indulgent – particularly after Tesfaye gave everyone the collective ick in HBO's ludicrous misfire of a series The Idol – but Hurry Up Tomorrow is impressive for its ambition alone. So many pop stars in Tesfaye's multi-billion-streaming, Grammy-winning, stadium-selling position would have tried to placate fans with an album stuffed full of ready-made hits. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members) 'Fame is a disease,' he declares on 'Drive', having earlier confessed: 'I just wanna die when I'm at my f***ing peak.' By the title track, closing out the album on brighter (still Eighties-coded) piano chords, he sounds resolved: 'So burn me with your light/ I have no more fights left to win.' Then, a truly startling moment as Tesfaye offers the most personal lyrics of his career to date: 'I took so much more than their lives/ They took a piece of me/ And I've been tryin' to fill that void that my father left/ So no one else abandons me, I'm sorry.' If this truly is the last Weeknd album, you could hardly hope for a better finale. Roll credits.
