Help me Lose my Mind (Disclosure Gig Review)

An Electrifyng Picnic

Had a ball of a weekend at Electric Picnic Music and Arts Festival. It is so much more than a music festival in that it has so much to do and see. The Body & Soul has a real relaxed vibe with hammocks, massages and yoga going on all weekend. There is also an crafts centre, paintballing area, comedy tent, fun fair, circus, reggae area and forest rave and that is all before you even get to the music which included Arctic Monkeys, Fatboy Slim, Bjork, Disclosure and Hurts to name but a few. 

My highlights of the weekend were Johnny Marr and Disclosure.Disclosure are relatively new and I sort of consider them to be a hidden gem. They performed after Bjork on Saturday at midnight. The main stage emptied out after Bjork and we managed to get ridiculously close to the top of the stage. Never have I been more elated during an hour long set than I was at Disclosure. Opening with the infectious 'When a Fire Starts to Burn', I just let loose and danced the night away. I was so euphoric following the set that I was buzzed until four in the morning from the adrenaline. Disclosure really know how to play to the crowd and its exciting to see a dance act not just hunched over laptops and turn tables but playing several different instruments each live as well as providing some vocals. 

American Apparel Dress
Topshop Crop Top
Penneys Bracelets

Hurts Live

Me (Right): Vintage Levis Jacket
American Apparel Dress
Hunter Wellies

Local Lads - The Strypes 
Debut Album Out This Week! And they are all under 18

The Strypes provided a fantastically theatrical performance. These young Irish boys have all the moves. Reminiscenet of an early Beatles, they took to stage in suits and shades. Their youth is pushed aside when they start playing, they are VERY talented and entertaining. The theatrics commenced with a bowler hat and cloaked Paul Weller sauntered on stage to introduce them naming them 'the most important band in Ireland.' The drama continued in the vein of a lot of hair swinging, jumping from the drums podium and casual chats amongst each other on stage. It could be argued that the band focus on style over substance, but luckily for them they have just enough talent to sustain the gimmicks. Let's hope they calm down the theatrics before they become inbearable. Blue Collar Jane is a gem and a real highlight.

Living Legend Johnny Marr

 I am a bit of a cliche in that I only went to Johnny Marr's gig in the hopes of him playing some Smiths songs and boy was I not disappointed. It seems I wasn't the only one. The crowd lost their minds whenever the familiar riff of a Smiths song flooded through the Electric tent. Just about coping with the euphoria of hearing 'How Soon is Now' performed by Marr himself, the delighted crowd applauded Marr assuming that was the last song. But instead Johnny thanked the crowd and stated 'f**k everyone else' and launched into 'There is a Light that will Never Go Out.' It sort of felt like taking in a piece of music history. Marr knows what the festival crowd want and doesn't mind giving them it at the expense of his solo material. 

Me Right: Topshop Sunnies

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Bruges, Belgium

The Cathedral and Tower. Salvador Dali museum on the left

Bruges Provincial Courthouse

Bruges is a tiny Belgian town near to Antwerp famous for its cobbled streets and large Cathedral and Tower. Recently, it has become more well known due to the hilarious film entitled 'In Bruges.' With Belgium renowned for two things, Beer and Chocolate, what better place to experience these luxuries in the popular tourist town that is Bruges.

The beer gardens and bars in Bruges are numerous. What is fascinating about the Belgians is that they really take their beer seriously. There are over 450 varieties of beer in Belgium and by law all beers must be served in their appropriate glasses. Each glass has the beer logo on it and has been specifically designed and shaped to add to the beers flavour, design and brand. 

Though I am not a beer fan myself, even I managed to find a beer that suited me. I aptly named it 'berry beer' as it is a fruit flavoured beer. Though it is in fact titled 'Hoegaarden Rose' (very glam). However this beer seemed difficult to get in some places and my second choice was entitled 'Kriek', a sickly sweet cherry flavoured beer that I would devour as if I was drinking a cocktail. 

Even Bruges has its very own beer. 

If you turn down the street to the left of the Cathedral, just before the bridge you will find a archway on the left. This is 2be Beer Wall and Garden. It is definitely worth a visit. Not only does it have its own beer shop but also has a 'beer wall' which claims to boast every one of the 450 varieties of beer in Belgium. It also has a beautiful beer garden overlooking the canal and serves nibbles with your beer. 

 On every second street corner you would find a sweet or chocolate shop and it is necessary to over supply yourself with chocolate before heading home to our less than mediocre mass produced chocolate brands.

Apart from food and drink, Bruges is a treat to simply walk around with its many beautifully architectural buildings, cobbled streets, canals and terraced houses. Make sure to walk the back streets to find beautiful old antique and thrift shops. 

Embracing the Beer Wall.
Boots: Equipet
Leggings & Bag: Primark
Top: New York
Leather Jacket: Harlequin
Fur Collar: Ebay
Camera: NIKON DS3100

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Amsterdam

Amsterdam: The Canal by Night

I would describe Amsterdam as quirky, liberal and beautiful. An amazing city to visit. I came away from my short visit there having decided that I would have to live there at some point in my life, even just for a summer. It is just such a mix mash of different cultures living side by side one another. There is, literally, something for everyone in this city. 

Rachel (left) and I on the Canal. I'm Wearing:
Black Leather Jacket: Vintage, Harlequin
Jeans: Topshop
Denim Shirt: Second Hand
Black and White Jumper: Forever 21
Fur Collar: Ebay
Black Boots: Riding Boots, Equipet

Central Station

Beware of the bikes! They will mow you down in Amsterdam

Gorgeous, quirky Cafe by day, music venue by night (raised platform doubles as a stage)

We visited the Dappermarkt which specialised in cheap clothes and food. It was good for some cheap items and we found a nice vintage store, but I would not recommend if looking for one of a kind or quirky items. 

My New Mantra