Welcome to the Planet London Reviews page. You are welcome to comment on these reviews.
DownGirls linked up with Planet London in May to help raise money and awareness of women at Pride in London through their ProudPlanet campaign. Drinks were handed out on arrival by the gorgeous Ruby Fortune and event organiser Missy Downgirl.
The scene was set for a Pride fundraiser with balloons, posters and the also the funky mannequins from the launch were back! You also couldn't help but notice there was big birthday banners and decorations reserving an area for someone going by the name DjAmyB!
Leela, DownGirl's home grown talent performed and hosted the night encouraging as many guests as possible to donate and sign up to march with Planet London at Pride in London.
The first hour of the night was a social mingle hour where Ruby, Leela and Missy encouraged all the single ladies to get friendly whilst Planeteers rattled some money pots and spoke to the women at Pride and Planet London.
Pride in London also had a volunteer presence on the night to rally up some volunteers for the Pride Parade day.
The first main entertainment of the night was comedian Lou Sanders with her unique style of comedy. Once she left the stage, Downgirls changed the mood by sending Ruby out... and boy what a performance; she strutted as a cat and made the audience purr. Then she came out dressed like Red Riding Hood, slayed a wolf, and drank it's blood and managed to hand cupcakes out to the audience. Horror has never been this sexy!
The main act, Jade Ellis, performered 3 numbers and went down a storm. Jade stayed on after her set and partied with Missy and the DownGirls all night and even gave the garden area upstairs a special acoustic set. Missy Downgirl filmed Jade's and Ruby's performances and has promised to upload them so we can share the love!
Once the live entertainment was over, it was time for the DJs. DJ Poppy L Kav tore up the sounds and got everyone on the dance floor... People danced their way out the door at 3am.
To know where the DownGirls are and what they are up to follow them on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can also request Missy DownGirl as a friend on Facebook to stay up to date on what Missy gets up to the rest of the month.
The next event in June is going to be a sell out... Keep the 27 June free... That's all the DownGirls will tell us... but we did find their flyer which gives you a good idea of what to expect!
Review by a Planeteer
 |
Jade (right) with Planet London's Naomi.
Don't worry, Naomi doesn't sing. |
A gem of a night with Jade Ellis and The Trails.
From the sound check we could tell we were going to be in for a treat.
The acoustics of the venue providing the perfect space for this Labels Acoustic session, as Jade Ellis' unique silky sublime voice resonated around us - and this was before the gig had even started.
As the gaggles of fans turned up, ordering cocktail classics from the newly presented menu, the buzz for the sets grew to a hum.
Following a delightful main course of the tasty small plates of offer (happy to recommend the BBQ Steak, duck, asparagus, potato rosti), we took a front row pew to the acts.
With just guitar strings and voices, both acts supplied a choice acoustic vibe, with hints of RnB, jazz and modern urban chic.
The Trails, a two-piece, played a set of original material and then later some self-styled covers, with a moody, intense tone that drew listeners in.
Jade's set was an impressive and cohesive blend of covers and originals, with live guitar and guitar tracks. Each song bringing a now-established trademark Jade sound to it. With new maturity and personalisation of the songs, it was hard not to believe they weren't all her own to begin with. And with the added delight of a dedicated version of Ellis' rendition of 'Skyfall' performed for us, what else could we ask for on a cool Thursday evening?
By Katie
Venue: Candy Bar
Date: Friday 8 November
We chatted with the delightful Jade Ellis before her half hour set at Candy Bar. Jade was an X-Factor finalist in 2012. Since leaving the ITV show, she has been working on her music and this year has taken the plunge to establish herself as an artist.
Jade says she's been "gigging, gigging, gigging" up and down the country. She's recently been supporting Cover Drive on tour, and has learned a lot about music, performing and fan relationships and dedication - "those fans that will travel from one show to another just to see their favourite band".
However the highlight of the year for Jade has been the opportunity to spend much more quality time with her daughter Caiden, of whom she is clearly very proud. Caiden has kept Jade company on the road and has been enjoying the high life of hotels and travel.
As well as learning the guitar, Jade has been working with writers and producers to develop her own musical sound. She's settled on R'n'B as a style, which she feels is "organic" and reflects back to more old school "lyrics, voice and simple music"... but remaining flexible to different styles.
Jill Scott is a huge musical influence to Jade, who is someone that as an artist comes from their "voice and aura", she says, "Jill could play even if the electrics failed, even if there were no lights... she would still be able to stand on stage and mesmerise."
Jade has been co-writing with Sammy Nathan and really enjoys the collaborative process of writing with a partner and how that can bring out the best in an song. And yes, co-writing does mean that we will soon be treated to original material being released.
We asked Jade if she has any messages for her lesbian fans, and she says simply "Thank you", she genuinely appreciates all the messages of support she gets. She also contributed her coming out story to the Diversity Role Model's "It's Okay to Be Gay" collection as she was keen to show there are positive stories as well as the challenges people face.
We had a chance to cover the frivolous too. When asked what kind of biscuit she would be, Jade cheekily chose a certain cookie well known for being lickable... and proclaimed her favourite hairstyle of the year was that pink locks that accessorised the pink outfit on The X Factor (Ed's note: good choice) - she says "The hair has to match the outfit".
And to the gig... the first two numbers were acoustic, with Jade playing guitar and singing to a crowd of young lesbians that had been building steadily over the course of evening. A medley of contemporary pop songs followed by an original number relating to her recent break up from her long term partner.
Her voice resonates throughout the Candy basement, powerfully smooth soulful vocals with a devastating range - from deep to high.
R'n'B-Acousto stylings of I need you (re-rendered from that X Factor audition, and Naughty Boy's La la la complemented the powerhouse version of Amy Winehouse's Love is a Losing Game sung with a secret smile, and the stand out surprise, an exhilarating urban take on Adele's Skyfall that stopped the show.
Ellis is fan of the intimate venue, that Candy offers, and enjoys being able to "connect with the audience", and convey the emotions of songs directly to the crowd.
To find out what's happening next and stay in touch with Jade, follow her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialJadeEllis. New music is coming soon, she promises.
By Katie
