At the beginning of March, Diet Coke announced that designer Jean Paul Gaultier would assume the role of Creative Director for the brand.
Since this announcement, the collaboration has resulted in a series of minuscule fashion films, which feature both the Frenchman and the brand’s iconic Diet Coke puppet ambassadors.
Each piece of film, required the protagonists to solve a mélange of fashion disasters, with Monsieur Gaultier at the helm, as ‘The Serial Designer’.
Today, the campaign for the fashionable marriage, officially launched.
The campaign was lensed by Stéphane Sednaoui and captures models portraying a theme of ‘ Day and Night’.
Gaultier’s emblem of nautical stripes is given a prominent platform, in both the campaign and the freshly designed Diet Coke bottles.
Whilst one contour is irrevocably Gaultier, the second, a conical bustier of lace, is a definite nod to the Queen of Pop, Madonna.
With Jean Paul Gaultier’s infamous role in the musician’s ‘Blonde Ambition’ tour, the design is a fitting tribute.
The bottles will only be available it Europe, but do the designs compete with Karl Lagerfeld’s creations for the brand?
A review of the performances at the first day of Oxegen can be viewed here.
Leaving the main arena after the events and music of the first day, it would be hard to not notice the mass of litter and pollution which collated on the ground. Awaking on Saturday morning, I was amazed at the transformation and cleanliness of the same space, within such a short time frame. The staff and management at Oxegen deserve high commendations for their persistence in serving the needs of the weekend’s population.
To those outside the realm of popular culture, Brunker could be perceived as an unknown additive to the Oxegen setlist.
Others who regularly ingest information of a popular nature, would recognise Amanda as a mogul for her literature, television and radio credentials. The Dubliner is the author of the positively acclaimed novella ‘Champagne Kisses’, and has featured as a judge on RTÉ’s ‘The All Ireland Talent Show’.
Amanda Brunker’s appearance at this year’s musical festival proved controversial and sparked much public debate on the nation’s airwaves.
I commend Amanda for her use of initiative and opportunism. With Jessie J’s inability to perform, due to injury, Brunker was awarded a fifteen minute slot on the festival’s second largest venue; the Vodafone stage.
As Saturday’s morning first performance, it was inevitable that the audience size would be on a smaller scale. Amanda appeared on stage after an instrumental introduction from Gitano. For the performance she was attired in an ensemble which could only be described as festival chic. The relaxed fashion decision suited the occasion but a personal preference would have been for Brunker to take a bigger wardrobe risk.
Amanda performed a single track, a cover version of U2′s, ‘With or Without You’. The choice of song was a fitting tribute to the rock band’s lead vocalist. Paul Hewson, more commonly known as Bono, is a close friend of the Brunker family and also gave Amanda away at her wedding at New York’s Rockefeller Center.
Throughout the vocal performance it was difficult to hear Amanda. Brunker has soft voice and an increase in mic volume should be an included adjustment for her future music projects.
The disappointment in Amanda’s set was that it was not lengthy enough. Whilst on stage she commented that “I (she) didn’t have the bravery to do anymore” and merely danced for the duration of the performance. The movements were not choreographed with Brunker swaying to the rhythms of the Spanish accompaniment. It is without doubt that Brunker has rhythm and for future appearances she should risk learning choreography and providing her critics with vocals and movements to an up-beat or dance track.
Brunker faced much criticism before, during and after her appearance at Oxegen. Although this was Amanda’s first music performance – there is not a chance that this will be her last. My advice for her future appearances – do not be afraid to step outside of what is perceived as ‘normal’. When performing have the time of your life, present the unexpected and take risks – lots of them. If people are going to talk, be sure to give them something to talk about.
Saturday 9th July: The Pretty Reckless - Heineken Green Spheres Stage
Without doubt, the performance by The Pretty Reckless was one which I was most eager about viewing. The Pretty Reckless are an alternative rock band from New York. The band is composed of Taylor Momsen on lead vocals, accompanied by Ben Philips, Mark Damon and Jamie Perkins.
Although Momsen is merely nearing her eighteenth birthday, she has been a frequent visitor to film and television since early childhood. Some of Taylor’s most notable roles are as Jenny Humphrey in the CW‘s ‘Gossip Girl’, and Cindy Lou in Ron Howard’s ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’. Taylor Momsen has also fronted the first collection of Madonna and Lourdes Leon’s line ‘Material Girl’.
Image: FanPop
Taylor Momsen has earned a less than stellar reputation for her choice of stage ensembles. In comparison to her preppy attire in ‘Gossip Girl’, Momsen performs scantily clad.
For her Oxegen appearance, the songstress exhibited a look composed of a black brasserie and pants, covered in a mesh sheath. Accessories were limited with only a spiked leather collar and leather ankle boots for decoration.
Although the lead vocalist makes headlines for her risque attire, her vocal abilities and song-writing talents are far superior to many in her age profile. The group’s controversial track titles (such as ‘Make Me Wanna Die’, ‘Zombie’ and ‘Light Me Up’) should not dissuade listeners.
The band’s début album ‘Light Me Up’ provides the audience with an aural journey of thought-provoking lyrics, comparative harmonies and textured melodies. Regardless of your preferred genre of music, one will find at least one track on the album that will appease their sense of hearing.
The Pretty Reckless played to a medium sized audience on the Heineken stage. The fans present appeared extremely loyal with a significant number singing along to each lyric. Momsen was perfection in tone and attitude. She cares little for her critics and performs for her self-love of music.
Unfortunately, The Pretty’s Reckless’ set clashed with that of Bruno Mars. Their audience would have been significantly larger for the duration, had they of been timetabled differently. The New York rockers would be most welcome to perform in the Emerald Isle again soon.
Music Library Requirement: ’Make Me Wanna Die’, ‘Miss Nothing’ and ‘Zombie’.
Image: Peter Neill / Oxegen
Saturday July 5th: Bruno Mars - Vodafone Stage
Peter Gene Hernandez is a Hawaiian singer / songwriter. Hernandez is renowned within popular culture and music under his stage name of ‘Bruno Mars’.
Mars began his vocal career under the guidance and management of Motown Records. This professional collaboration was unsuccessful but in 2009 the signer was signed to Atlantic Records. Bruno Mars first gained popularity for his appearances and features on tracks by Travie McCoy and B.o.B.
Bruno Mars was welcomed to Punchestown Racecourse by a gargantuan crowd of Irish fans. The American star opened his highly anticipated Oxegen set with his current single ‘The Lazy Song’. To appease the festival attendees Mars adjusted the performance of his slow sets to a more up-tempo, retro-fused mix. Mars has frequently spoke of his interest and influences from the Reggae and Motown genres of music.
Vocal ability is not the only talent which the American superstar possesses. At Oxegen, a substancial segment of the set was dedicated to the showcasing of Mars’ dance moves.
Mars is a wonderful performer and is perceived as a charismatic if not cheeky personality. The open-air venue was not overly complimentary to Bruno Mars’ unique style and voice. The external environment often made it difficult for sound to travel and the choreographed routines were blurred from ground level.
This performance would come highly recommended if such act was taking place in an intimate venue or at least a location with overhead shelter. Bruno Mars cannot be faulted in relation to his natural talents but music festivals do not appear to be the most suitable ‘scene’ for him.
Music Library Requirement: ’Walking on the Moon’
Image: Peter Neill / Oxegen
Image: Peter Neill / Oxegen
Image: Peter Neill / Oxegen
Saturday July 5th: Arctic Monkeys - Main Stage
Previous to my experience at Oxegen, I could never have been described as a die-hard fan of the Arctic Monkeys. My opinions of them have since changed drastically.
From their first note, the Arctic Monkeys exuded a comfortable confidence in front of the eager Irish audience. The band had little interest in creative backdrops and lighting effects to excel their performance. They required only their instruments, natural talent and an excellent repertoire of songs to put on a stellar performance.
Nothing within their set could be described as a ‘gimmick’ or a quest for additional publicity. The group who hail from Sheffield, England sated their fans’ appetites with an uncomplicated performance that was solely based on the transference of music from artist to listener.
Front-man of the band, Alex Turner has an almost haunting quality to his voice that can send chills down the listener’s spine. My favourite track ‘Don’t Sit Down Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair’, from their new album ‘Suck It and See’, exhibits the polyphonic vocal textures which Turner is most renowned for.
The album is an essential additive to every music library. The thumping drum beats and guitar riffs will ameliorate the listener’s every mood.
Music Library Requirement: ’Don’t Sit Down Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair’
This week has been pretty hectic and involved a lot of travelling between my hometown and Dublin. One advantage was that it gave me numerous opportunities to listen to my music catalogue and pick tracks for this week’s playlist. Again this week there’s a mix of genres within the list and the improved weather definitely influenced an upbeat backing track for the playlist.
1. Lady GaGa – Hair
‘Hair’ is the fourth track released on YouTube by Lady GaGa from the ‘Born This Way‘ album. The track has an 80′s vibe and encourages the audience to be as free as their hair. The fast tempo and drum backbeat are the perfect ingredients for a summer hit. GaGa’s little monsters have come out in their droves to purchase the album. The online retailer Amazon has recorded a loss of nearly $3 million as they had been selling the album on offer at 99cents whilst paying Universal Records $9 for the privilege.
2. Her Majesty & The Wolves – Goodbye, Goodnight
‘Goodbye, Goodnight’ is a recent find of mine. It occurred completely by accident when trawling through music videos online. It has since become one of my favourite tracks. At first sight the band seems unknown but the lead singer is in fact Kimberly Wyatt from The Pussycat Dolls. Kimberly also appeared as a judge on the British television show ‘Got to Dance’. Wyatt also featured on the chorus of Aggro Santos‘ hit ‘Candy’. Her Majesty & The Wolves will be performing at Oxegen this summer – it’s one set which I am very much looking forward to.
‘Ooh Wee’ featured on the official soundtrack for the film ‘Honey’ which debuted Jessica Alba as both a reputable actress and dancer. Ghostface and Nate Dogg provide smooth rhymes and a chorus that you will learn within seconds. For me, nothing says summer like a Mark Ronson hit. The trumpet, horns and brass orchestration only compliment the moods that sunshine brings. In the coming weeks the sequel ‘Honey 2′ will hit the silver screen, that soundtrack has a lot to compete with.
4. Nicki Minaj – Girls Fall Like Dominoes (Explicit)
Nicki Minaj, a controversial artist amongst the music industry. Much like Marmite, you either love her or you hate her. Me, I am completely obsessed. Her latest track features a chorus previous released by ‘The Big Pink’ simply entitled ‘Dominoes’. From the album ‘Pink Friday’, Minaj has attempted to create an anthem for the ladies, calling out the female race from the four corners of the earth. One of the most iconic aspects of the track is that Minaj lists off several of her famous acquaintances. She mentions icons such as Lil Wayne, Drake, Madonna, Donatella Versace, Beyoncé, Grace Jones, the Kardashian sisters, M.I.A, Ciara and even Angelina Jolie. Lady GaGa proved the potency and value of product placement in her music videos, it seems Nicki is proving the effectiveness of enlisting your comrades within lyrics.
5. The Smiths – This Charming Man
The most archaic song on this week’s playlist remains to be one of my favourites. This track pre-dates my own birth but it is true, the music of the past inspires that of the future. Morrisey leads The Smiths in one of their most well known tracks which is essential for every music library this summer. The Smiths received a great wave of popularity when mentioned by Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the indie film ‘500 Days of Summer’. ‘This Charming Man’ will get everyone in the mood for the festivals and activities during the summer sunshine. It is an excellent choice when one’s palette is no longer appeased by the sweetness the popular music genre often has to offer.
Enjoy the sunshine and as always recommendations for next week’s Playlist are most welcome!
A blog which speaks of pop culture, film and fashion is today incomplete if it fails to mention the birthday of an icon. Norma Jeane Baker, known to the mass public as Marilyn Monroe was born in Los Angeles, California on June 1st 1926. Today would have been her 85th birthday.
With a childhood of foster homes and surrogate parents, the odds were against Baker for becoming the Hollywood star she dreamed of. Monroe freed herself from social conventions and lit up the silver screen in pictures such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) and the unforgettable Some Like It Hot (1959).
Marilyn Monroe may have passed but she continues to inspire the civilians and celebrities of the twenty-first century. Madonna, Christina Aguilera and Megan Fox are but three ladies who deem Monroe as their icon.
‘I am not interested in money, I’m just interested in being wonderful’
