I’ve been a fan of Impractical Jokers since I started watching the show a few years ago. The idea of four friends playing good-natured pranks on unsuspecting people is fun, but the real twist is making the group the target of the jokes. And there’s been quite an array of jokes in the eighth season so far, with a ninth series booked, and a film in the works.
Is there a more important and more influential individual in music than Elvis Presley? ‘The King’ had everything. Looks, charm, sex appeal, the most wonderful voice and a love of music that always shone through. John Lennon himself said The Beatles would have never existed without him. That’s why demand was so strong for another Elvis exhibition at the 02, only two years after the last one. Below are eight of the most striking outfits worn by Elvis in the early 1970s, as shown in Elvis on Tour. Do you have a favourite? Can you ever imagine wearing any of them?
On my way into the 02 to see the Star Sixes tournament, I saw a photographic opportunity to capture something a little different. I’ve been there before to see music and tennis, but hadn’t spotted this angle.
As an odd number year, there hasn’t been a World Cup or European Championship this summer. While there has been a Confederations Cup and various youth competitions, there’s still been plenty of appetite for more football. And so the first Star Sixes competition was created. Hosted at the 02, it featured 12 countries, including half who come from a nation that have won the World Cup – Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. In China, Denmark, Mexico, Nigeria, Portugal and Scotland there was mostly solid representation too. The even ran for four days, with three groups of four teams. The top two from each group and then the two best third placed teams went through to the quarter-finals. Each team had 11 players in their squad, with only 6 allowed on the field at the same time.
Star Wars is a phenomenon that shows no sign of abating. Ever since its introduction with A New Hope in 1977 it has blown audiences away with its fantasy charm, good v evil battles, memorable heroes, sinister villains and, in the lightsabre, the best weapon ever. Even its recent spin-off was a huge smash. So when I saw there was an exhibition entitled Star Wars Identities at the 02 featuring over 200 props, models, costumes and artwork, I just had to go. Tosha Michelle who was in town, came along for the ride.
I’m putting up the photos from my Marvel Universe experience, but this piece of artwork at the 02 in Greenwich stood out so just had to put it up.
Last week I went with my sister to see a band I’d wanted to see for quite some time, Explosions in the Sky. I’ve been a fan ever since I heard their third album The Earth is not a Cold Dead Place, which just blew my mind. It really was one of the best things I’ve ever heard. So when tickets became available in November last year I just had to go and see them. I’ve been fortunate to see great performances from artists such as Depeche Mode, Coldplay, U2 and Duran Duran, and this was right up there. Like with Arcade Fire, I just had to write about the experience and share my photos.
Alex Raphael 