Eurovision: Liverpool’s trendsetting musical icons
The Eurovision Song Contest is almost upon us, and the week-long competition will be held in Liverpool. Home to the Beatles and Cilla Black, the Scouse city has a rich musical history. Music and fashion often go hand in hand – and Eurovision will certainly deliver this. Onstage we’ll likely see all manner of sartorial statements, ranging from the glamorous to the slightly ridiculous. Perhaps contestants will take inspiration from some of Liverpool’s most fashionable musical icons for their costumes… The Beatles No list of Scouse musicians would be complete without The Beatles. The band’s music was influential beyond compare, and John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were trendsetters in their own right. Each era of their music had a dedicated aesthetic – from the sharp suits of the early Sixties, to the psychedelic fashion of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Cilla Black With her cropped red hair and dedication to Mod-style mini dresses, Cilla Black – who burst onto the scene with songs Anyone Who Had A Heart and You’re My World – was a Sixties trendsetter. She was unafraid to buck convention – such as wearing a red velvet minidress to marry in 1969. While less of a trendsetter in the decades that followed, Black remained stylish – wearing gowns on the red carpet, showing a commitment to sharp tailoring – and donning a shirt and tailcoat with no trousers on the runway in 2008. Elvis Costello Part of being a fashion icon is having a defining look, and that’s something Elvis Costello has honed to perfection. The Watching The Detectives singer wasn’t born in Liverpool, but has been claimed by the city after living there for a few years as a teenager. Costello is known to be a keen supporter of Liverpool FC. Costello first debuted his signature look of oversized glasses on the cover of his debut album – 1977’s My Aim Is True – and that has continued throughout his career, often paired with a fedora. Mel C As Sporty Spice, Melanie Chisholm – better known as Mel C – wasn’t originally seen as the fashionable one of the girl group. However, her commitment to sportswear was particularly prescient, long before the athleisurewear trend hit the mainstream. Nowadays, Chisholm is bang on trend by combining sportswear into her everyday outfits, while mixing things up with more grown-up accents of tailoring and more glam looks. Atomic Kitten With low-rise trousers, crop tops, butterfly motifs and blue sunglasses, Atomic Kitten’s fashion was the epitome of Noughties fashion – regardless of what combination of Kerry Katona, Liz McClarnon, Jenny Frost and Natasha Hamilton were in the line-up. The band’s fashion ticked almost every 2000s style box you can imagine – with chunky highlights in their hair, cargo pants, mini skirts, trailing scarf belts, flat caps, corset tops and more. And with the resurgence of Y2K fashion, you can now see trends Atomic Kitten championed all over Instagram and TikTok. Rebecca Ferguson Propelled to fame on the 2010 series of The X Factor, Liverpudlian soul singer Rebecca Ferguson will play a role in this year’s Eurovision. She will perform alongside Rita Ora in the semi-final at Liverpool ACC. In terms of fashion, Ferguson is a lover of extremely glamorous gowns – often with sparkles and standout detailing like capes. Her love of dramatic gowns was shown last year when she got married to Jonny Hughes in a sparkly, princess-style gown complete with a tiara and long veil. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 14 clever ways to make small rooms look bigger What’s in store at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show? Woman in ‘living hell’ with brain slipping down her spine after ice-skating accident
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80 years on, Danish Jewish girl recalls life in hiding
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National Burger Day 2023: The best burgers in London and where to eat them
It seems as though every type of food gets its own day of celebration but National Burger Day (24 August this year) has been a key date in our diary since 2013. While we’re certainly fans all year round, if you want to mark the occasion with your favourite stack – or try something completely new – we’ve rounded up some of our favourite spots in London where you can do just that. From beef and chicken options to plant-based patties and even a fishy newcomer, there’s something for everyone. For example, indulge in a dirty burger from Five Guys, an OG classic from Bleecker or one of the new additions that have joined the ranks specifically for the big day. Whatever you’re feeling, this list should have you covered. Burgers and Beats A newcomer to the scene, Burgers and Beats has only been around since 2021. However, in that short space of time it’s fast cemented itself as one of London’s best burger offerings. You may have seen that iconic tomahawk burger making the rounds on Instagram – and we can confirm it’s not just a novelty. Every bit of it (complete with a fried egg, pico de gallo salsa, chimichurri and more) is absolutely delicious. However, the standard menu is also worth considering with the smashed double cheese and “east meets west” (with sweet chilli syrup and chimichurri mayo) being two of our all-time favourites in London. Also, do leave some room for the chicken tenders and loaded fries as they’re both excellent and worth stretching your stomach a little more for. burgersandbeats.co.uk Burger and Beyond Ah, we remember Burger and Beyond back in the days of the Camden Market stall… then its residency at the Camden Assembly. Well, it’s quite a different kettle of fish now, with four permanent sites up and running. Dining at the OG bricks and mortar spot in London’s Shoreditch, one bite of the “bougie” burger takes us straight back to those early days, but also proves just how far this place has come. Other standouts include the mushroom raclette burger (demonstrating that burgers most definitely do not have to be beef) and the vegan “chicken” entry with Korean sauce and gochujang mayo. We did love the krispie chicken, too, though we wished the miso butter was more prominent. If you’re not a burger fan (weird), we’d also recommend the trio of tacos, or the stellar dirty tots and bone marrow gravy fries. burgerandbeyond.co.uk Bleecker Potentially London’s favourite burger joint, Bleecker is undeniably committed to its cause, with founder Zan Kaufman trying to recreate the moment of euphoria he experienced upon trying “the best burger he had ever eaten” in New York on this side of the pond. From a burger truck to its first kiosk in Spitalfields Market, then bricks and mortar restaurants, it’s been years but this burger joint is still going strong. Again, keeping things simple, the most adventurous it gets is adding blue cheese or Neil Rankin’s symplicity burger to the menu. Burgers can be at their best this way and at Bleecker, the double cheeseburger is more than enough to satisfy any craving. bleecker.co.uk Punk Chef You can find professional chef and TV presenter Scott Garthwaite’s food truck in East London’s Spitalfields Market, which not only serves mouthwatering burgers but also employs three members of staff from the deaf community. We got our hands (and mouths) on Punk Chef’s classic number “The Legend”, which is essentially a chicken parm burger (though plant-based escalopes are also available) with homemade bechamel sauce, melted cheese, gherkins and a special burger sauce. A standout among London’s already top burger offering. punkchef.co.uk Blacklock Known for its chops and iconic Sunday roast, we’d also heard great things about the Blacklock burger. If you’re dining there but don’t fancy chops or steak, the burger offers so much more. Potentially more enjoyable, in our opinion, the double cheeseburger is packed full of onions that have been caramelised in “a healthy glug of vermouth”. Beautifully rich – but not overly so – and also a decent size. We have to say that while the rising trend of “the bigger, the better” may suit some, it might be overreaching for the humble burger. Bravo, Blacklock – we’ll be back for this one. theblacklock.com Black Bear Another London burger staple and one whose market stall days we still remember, Black Bear proves it’s an oldie but a goldie. You can’t come here and not get the Black Bear with cheese, smoked bacon and onion jam. However, the brisket burger, with 12-hour braised meat, and the miso bacon burger, with miso honey butter mayo, are very good choices, too. Share two and take one home for later? Also indulge in the cheeseburger spring roll, one of the restaurant’s signature snacks. blackbearburger.com Shake Shack Yes, we know everyone is well aquainted with the New York burger chain, but Shake Shack has come a long way since its days of being a hot dog stand in Madison Square. Originally the class “roadside” burger, what we really love about Shake Shack is the size. Like we said earlier, bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better and whether you go for a single or double patty here, Shake Shack burgers tend to hit the spot every time. While our frontrunner remains the Shackmeister (with those perfectly crispy ale-marinated shallots), the vegan crispy shallot burger is another one of our favourites. shakeshack.co.uk Coqfighter We’ve been pretty focused on beef burgers up until now – although still acknowledging the delicious vegan versions those burger brands have to offer – but here’s a spot that knows its stuff when it comes to fried chicken. It seemed only fitting that we tried the variety of sides on the menu, with the laksa butter wings and classic buffalo options taking centre stage. Don’t worry – we left room for the burgers, and thoroughly enjoyed devouring the iconic green chilli cheeseburger, featuring chipotle mayo and pickled green chilli. The honey ginger buffalo (what better string of words or ingredients is there?) is also a strong choice – but beware, it’s a messy one. coqfighter.com The Beaumont Stepping away from the classic burger joints, there are many standard restaurants in London that serve up burgers to rival those whose sole purpose is to cook them. The Beaumont is one of these spots, with Gatsby’s Room, situated in the centre of the hotel, offering the perfect escape from the buzz of central London. The Beaumont cheeseburger features a juicy patty on top of caramelised onions and is slathered with a rich and moreish secret sauce – proving that a good old fashioned favourite can still leave a lasting impression. Served with thick cut chips, it’s ideal for anyone who fancies a more decadent setting when devouring such a meal. thebeaumont.com Five Guys Another American food chain to make a long-lasting impression on the UK burger community, Five Guys is exactly where our brain goes when we think of the ultimate dirty burger. Things are kept simple, with a hamburger, cheeseburger, bacon burger and bacon cheeseburger on that side of the menu (the chain also includes hot dogs and various sandwiches, too) and if you ever have that intense craving, this may be the place to satisfy it. While a tricky one for anyone with a nut allergy (the chips are fried in peanut oil), the burgers come with two patties as standard and can be washed down with one of the many milkshake flavours on offer. If you want to cement yourself as a firm fan, Five Guys has also released its own line of merchandise so you can fully embrace the burger brand. fiveguys.co.uk The Mayfair Chippy And then there are the establishments that don’t want to miss out on the action. The Mayfair Chippy has launched a fish and chips-themed burger especially for National Burger Day – proving that you don’t need to be a burger bar to celebrate the occasion. The luxe burger is set to include only the most premium fillings of a halibut patty, deep fried lobster tail, spiced caviar mayonnaise, truffle comte cheese, brioche and pickles. It’s a pricey one, coming in at £60, and includes a side of chips and salad, too. It’s only available Thursday 24 August so if this sounds intriguing, head to Mayfair pronto. mayfairchippy.com So we’ve covered food and now what about wine? 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When does the 2024 F1 season start?
The 2024 F1 season starts on March 2 with a unique Saturday night race in Bahrain. Formula 1 embarks on a record-breaking 24-race season next year, an increase from 22 races in 2023. The season is also longer in terms of duration, running from February-December as opposed to March-November. Pre-season testing takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit from February 21-23 before the opening race at the same circuit. Bahrain, which has hosted the season-opener since 2021, usually hosts its grand prix on a Sunday as is customary in the sport, but due to Ramadan next year’s race will be on a Saturday night. Sunday is considered a “feast day” during the Islamic festival, which sees the world’s almost two-billion Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset during the other six days of the week. The second race in Saudi Arabia will also be on a Saturday, meaning there will be three out of the record-breaking 24 races held a day earlier than usual, with Las Vegas set for a Saturday night lights out. The Chinese Grand Prix – not held since 2019 due to Covid-19 restrictions – is set to return in Shanghai on April 21, while there are no brand new additions to the calendar, with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps extending its contract for another season after potential plans for a race in South Africa fell through. The British Grand Prix at Silverstone will be held in its traditional slot on Sunday 7 July and the season will finish, as usual, with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina on December 8. 2024 CALENDAR IN FULL: February 29-March 2: Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir March 7-9: Saudi Arabia Grand Prix at Jeddah March 22-24: Australia Melbourne April 5-7: Japan Grand Prix at Suzuka April 19-21: China Grand Prix at Shanghai May 3-5: Miami Grand Prix at Miami May 17-19: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola May 24-26: Monaco Grand Prix at Monaco June 7-9: Canada Grand Prix at Montreal June 21-23: Spain Grand Prix at Barcelona June 28-30: Austria Grand Prix at Spielberg July 5-7: British Grand Prix at Silverstone July 19-21: Hungary Grand Prix at Budapest July 26-28: Belgium Grand Prix at Spa August 23-25: Netherlands Grand Prix at Zandvoort August 30-September 1: Italy Grand Prix at Monza September 13-15: Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku September 20-22: Singapore Grand Prix at Singapore October 18-20: USA Grand Prix at Austin October 25-27: Mexico Grand Prix at Mexico City November 1-3: Brazil Grand Prix at Sao Paulo November 21-23: Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas November 29–December 1: Grand Prix at Qatar Lusail December 6-8: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Read More Relegation and promotion in F1? An alternative reality to reinvigorate Abu Dhabi Christian Horner reveals talks with Lewis Hamilton’s father over Red Bull seat F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and times at Yas Marina
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The Best Fourth Of July Sales To Shop This Weekend & Beyond
Sure, there are fireworks and flag-waving, but the Fourth of July is also a solid holiday for sorting through the unbelievable deals being offered at the best online shops. Why waste time doing that when we can do it for you? With everything from furniture and mattresses to trending clothing styles and sex toys on sale, you can choose from a wide array of options while saving up to 80%.
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