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Thankfully 25 Planet London umbrellas meant we didn't let the rain dampen our spirits at this year's Pride in London.
We were fortunate to be marching with our legendary #dyketrike & 50 or so other like minded women who wanted to raise the visibility of women in Pride - and have a fabulous time whilst doing so!
(more pictures on our Flickr site)
The mood was awesome and 30,000 LGBT Londoners took to the streets to shout about why they are proud and for what they are grateful to have the #FreedomTo do in the UK. There were many funny, poignant and unique messages.
Thousands of supporters came out to watch the biggest parade of recent times as it wound it's way through Oxford Street, Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus to Trafalgar Square.
After the Parade we joined Labels Soho who laid on a special Pride menu deal for Planet London marchers and packed the house out there.
We enjoyed the women's stage immensely, programmed by MissFit - and in particular caught buzzing sets from Adam All (joined by partner Apple Derrieres) and Lucy Spraggan (read our exclusive interview with Lucy). Photos of both performances here.
After a stint at a heaving Bar Titania (SHE Soho was already one in, one out) where there were even more live performances, we headed on down to the Main Stage to try and catch a bit of Heather Peace. It was running a bit behind schedule, which meant we didn't miss anything but did mean a few acts got cut short and Peace's headline performance ended the night with a rousing cheer. Fans had been waiting tirelessly all day to see Peace on the main stage, enjoying the likes of Drag Acts, Sir Ian McKellan, X Factor's Sam Bailey, Samantha Fox, Pink Singers & more, and were not disappointed.
(More photos of the Main Stage Acts)
By Katie
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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
