#Paddington in concert

[popcornforone]

hiya everyone, hope you all had a fab two week.

On this weeks episode, we have two reviews for you. Paddington in Concert & Monkey Man.

As well as that we look at what youve watched & what ive seen. We also finally complete the a to z of physical media. & it was also Popcorn for one day in the last 2 weeks so we chat about that too.

[lonelycowgirls]

get you a mutual bestie like my G 🥰

also the way I’ve been so uninspired to write and then one look at him 10 feet in front of me and suddenly I’m back on my bullshit 🤣🤣

Currently thinking about sweet wee nel who’s there just now and going to witness this

@lonelycowgirls I cannot wait for your full thoughts about this

[spector134340]

Hello I came from concert and finally I formulated my thoughts about Fenchurch

I don't really know what to think about Fenchurch cuz im not a big fan of romance (especially in h2g2 idk why) but I cant say that she is awful character or something(I still haven't finished reading the fourth novel and I'm drawing conclusions in advance)

on the one hand, I kept her first mention in my head from the first part and the fact that she was just a romantic interest upset me. On the other hand, some of the moments with Arthur and Fenchurch were kinda silly(AND FUCKING CRINGE OHMYGOOOD)

Anyway here's a little sketch of how I imagined her or whatever?? And while I was reading, I remembered Paddington Bear x)) I loved him sm in my childhood and he is named after British train station as well lol

i also have a plush toy of Paddington from UK(my sis bought him in camp a few years ago and gave him to me)

[riaaanna]

via Doyle:

An important 1969 letter and drawing from Freddie Mercury to Ibex bandmate Mick "Miffer" Smith

MERCURY, FREDDIE

Autograph letter signed and original drawing sent to Ibex bandmate Mick “Miffer” Smith. Paddington, London: 16 October 1969. A two-page autograph letter in dark blue ink from Freddie Mercury, signed "Fred," addressed to Mick Smith as "Miffer." The letter with Mercury's "40 Ferry Rd" address at the head. Each page 6 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches (17 x 13.5 cm). The letter in a framed display with a fine pencil portrait of Smith by Mercury signed "Ponce," this 6 3/4 x 5 inches (17 x 12 cm), the original postmarked mailing envelope in Mercury's hand addressed to Smith in Widnes, and an original ticket to the debut performance of Ibex at Honiton Hall (Penketh) dated 23 May 1969, the ticket with a scalloped edge in gold. The letter with a usual horizontal crease and a few faint spots to the second page, very fine and dark overall, the drawing with a few spots, the whole nicely framed together and the items have not been removed from the frame but does not appear laid-down; Together with the book Queen: As it Began, inscribed for "Miffer" by the fellow Ibex bandmates in 1992 (published after Mercury's death). Publisher's cloth in dust jacket, minor wear but a fine copy overall. Also offered in the lot is a Time Magazine publication offering early photographs of Mercury, Miffer and this early group of friends and bandmates.

A remarkable and rare letter from Freddie Mercury (1946-1991) dated 1969, in the salad days a year before the forming of Queen, with references to seeing Led Zeppelin, sexuality, songs he is writing, and upcoming performances. Freddie Mercury is best-remembered as a singer/songwriter but in the mid-1960s, Zanzibar-born Mercury was an aspiring student at Ealing Art College (Pete Townsend and Ronnie Wood also attended) and is known to have decorated his walls with drawings he made of Jimi Hendrix. Mercury was a very capable draftsman as attested by the detailed drawing offered with this letter which is published in Queen: As it Began. Graduating in the spring of 1969, Mercury bought a guitar, taught himself to play, and began writing songs. That summer he was introduced to the Liverpool-based heavy blues trio Ibex which comprised guitarist Mike Bersin and bassist John "Tupp" Taylor, both of whom have signed the volume here presented to the drummer, Mick "Miffer" Smith, who later recalled: "We auditioned Freddie to take over lead vocals from Mike ... we were all competent players, we could handle our instruments, but none of us was particularly good at singing. Freddie had a great voice, with a terrific range, but he didn't really know how to use it. Once we had Freddie, we were a little rough and ready, but we showed a lot of potential" (Queen: As it Began, p. 28). Ibex's first performance was at Honitan Hall in May of 1969 and a very rare artifact is a ticket to this debut concert framed alongside the drawing and letter. Mick "Miffer" Smith moved to the United States in late 1969 and Mercury briefly joined Sour Milk Sea before rejoining Bersin and Taylor to form Wreckage. Disbanded by March 1970, in April Mercury teamed up with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor to form Smile. Joined by bassist John Deacon in 1971, they renamed themselves Queen and the rest is rock 'n roll history.

But just before Queen was formed, in October 1969, Freddie Mercury wrote this remarkable letter to his friend and bandmate "Miffer," who had returned to Widnes to assist his family. The letter is a tour-de-force of descriptive thought and a growing passion for writing music. Penned in dark blue ink in Mercury's distinctive hand with looping letters and neat circles dotting i's and j's, the letter opens with Mercury hoping that "this finds you in the pink of health" and jokes that he doesn't need to ask about Smith's "sexual pleasures of late as your kinky perverted mind will have led you to obscenities and variations never before performed in Widnes." After mentioning moving into his new flat (that at 40 Ferry Road in London) and nearly being "sacked" from his job (possibly as a baggage handler at Heathrow?), Mercury eloquently describes seeing Led Zeppelin at the Lyceum. Robert Plant's performance is described as "orgasmic" and he goes into detail about the masterful drumming of John Bonham which would have appealed to "Miffer," Ibex's hard-hitting drummer. On his sexuality, Freddie Mercury writes that "I hear from several sources that you've informed them that I've turned into a fully fledged queer ... Meanwhile I'm making do with John." Personal statements such as those from Mercury are rife with research potential.

The next two paragraphs are devoted to music. He reports on the upcoming gigs with Wreckage at St. Mark and St. John and most notably another "with Smile on Dec. 6th (Definite)," this one of Mercury's earliest performances with Brian May and the band that would become Queen. Still between the two groups, Mercury mentions entering Wreckage into the "Melody Makers Group contest" noting that the "top group gets loads of equipment and money. So we definitely need a thorough practice." He continues "I've written the words to the new songs, titled 'Green' 'Cancer on my Mind' and 'Without you.' Smile are playing with the Taste on Saturday and I'm going to ponce along." The drawing of Miffer present here is also signed "Ponce," a term used playfully and frequently by Mercury to describe his stage presence although in British slang this term has a multitude of meanings. The letter closes by asking after friends and is signed "All the best, Fred."

We trace few letters from Freddie Mercury in the auction record and none from this pivotal early period, written to a bandmate, and before the success of Queen changed his life forever.

[wingzie]

The Mirrorring of Army: Then and Now

I didn't expect my previous post to gain some hate, so here goes my third post of the day: There are good and bad side to every fandom, but if you spend so much time with the negative. All you will see or feel is that negativity. Yes, some of my experiences with Army have been frustrating, but it's like a sibling relationship. I will still be there for other Army and A LOT of my experiences have honestly been life changing in a good way. I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels this... In 2019 BTS performed at the GMA. Spoilers: Jikook were very cute. Army there at the time were told to leave quickly and they did, but then returned to pick up their trash or belongings. Last year when Jungkook's concert, also at GMA, got cancelled there was a lot of confusion and fear. Army helped each other to get shelter and reach home. Especially those who were not from the area or who had flown in from South Korea. This is simular to what happened at Busan when the mobile network went down and some I-Army got stranded. K-Army helped them reach their destinations when they got turned down by local taxis. When BTS did their recent concerts, there were A LOT of complaints about Army not singing along enough. It was obvious that the sound wasn't coming through properly on the stream, because you could hear the chants in fancams. However, there was a delay. Now that we have the PTD Behinds, the members THEMSELVES mentioned about how bad the sound reverb was. There was a delay on the sound in the stadium, depending on where you stood. That's why in some clips it sounds like the fan chants are massively out of sync.

There was also the belief that certain members would get zero cheers whilst on stage. I still do not understand where this lie came from, but it spread very far and hashtags were started. All the members got the loudest cheers I have heard. They always will. It was started to create fear and it started a chain reaction for no apparent reason, because so many like to assume the worse before getting their facts right. Army also helped each other whilst waiting in lines. Again, simular to what happened at James Corden in 2020.

Back in 2019 there were a lot more scandals or hate aimed towards the members than some of you might know of. However, they were dealt with in GC's or in private to prevent those hateful words from spreading. Now it's almost like this hatred is used to get engagement. Paddington, a know anti back then, even said that they would say things to try to get on Report Pages because it would help get them more attention. Antis follow our report pages to know which posts or accounts to boost. Boosted accounts are harder to take down because of the Twitter algorithm and it's why so many do beg to not engage with such posts. This includes using their name, responding or quoting. Is there an easy solution? I don't really know. But if you ever start to feel unsure, please step away and remember those good times: When MMA 2020 Jikook happened. When we donated money to the Beyond the Rainbow Foundation in South Korea after Yoon won his election. The happiness each Bangton or Run Episode brings. The joy we'll feel once Jin is back...

[world-of-wales]

The Princess of Wales with Faustina Yang and the Paddington Bear at the Together At Christmas Concert at Westminster Abbey || 8 DECEMBER 2023

[jcs-singular-slut-strand]

Getting into the car to go to that concert because the world didn't end when I sobbed my eyes out at the pictures seeing Paddington 3 last night before leaving the building and almost immediately fucking up my ankle

[thepastisalreadywritten]

What does Paddington have to do with the Queen?

It can all be traced back to 1986, when Michael Bond wrote Paddington At The Palace.

In the story, Paddington Bear goes to Buckingham Palace, waves a Union Jack flag, gets to see the Queen’s Guard, and even supposedly spots Queen Elizabeth II herself through a window.

Paddington would visit the palace again in 2006, this time for a pantomime called The Queen’s Handbag, which took place as part of the children’s party at the palace as part of the Queen’s 80th birthday celebrations.

The most recent collaboration came this year as part of a tribute for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (2022). 

In a comedy sketch to launch her televised Jubilee concert, Paddington and Queen Elizabeth II sit down in Buckingham Palace together, sharing afternoon tea, some bear-induced clumsy chaos, and naturally, marmalade sandwiches.

Now considered one of the most memorable parts of the Jubilee celebrations, the video has just over 10.2 million views on YouTube.

“It used to be said that millions of people had dreams in which they had tea with the Queen,” remarked Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the writer of the sketch, after the Queen’s passing.

“Even our dream life is going to have to change. Watching her have tea with Paddington will have to do instead.”

This wasn’t Paddington’s only appearance during the Platinum celebrations.

Artist Eleanor Tomlinson created an image of the Queen holding hands with Paddington, alongside one of the Queen’s corgis, as they walk through what looks like the aftermath of a Jubilee street party.

This image has now become synonymous with the Queen’s passing, with the picture circulating widely with various heartfelt captions and even being turned into commemorative tattoos. 

https://www.stylist.co.uk/entertainment/queen-elizabeth-ii-paddington-bear-connection/707799

🤍💜🤍

[ijustwantedtobeoneofthestrokesuk]

Is That It?

New York

New York was energised, and it all coincided with a new ‘sound’. The Strokes had just released their debut album in Australia and the UK, September saw it come out in the US and the spotlight was on New York because of The Strokes too. The most hyped band in the world helped build a new movement in music that would last the decade.  

The Modern Age EP was 3 songs, the band had done 1 tour in the UK, they were the biggest band in the world, the pressure was on. Is This It came out, 11 songs, 36 minutes and 28 seconds but it could have easily been forgotten with 9/11. 

9/11 was unlike anything before, it happened live on TV, the first major moment in the age of 24/7 news. New York was mourning, everyone was empathic for New York and Is This It felt so New York (the USA release was pushed back and they replaced one song, New York City Cops with When It Started). The album could have been buried under the rumble of 9/11 but it was a tribute to New York, it made New York cool again. That band looked effortlessly cool, the messy hair, leather jackets, ripped jeans and Converse hi-tops, it was punk in the 21st Century and the album sounded just as cool, so different, so fresh and flawless.

Jay McAllister (Beans On Toast) “The Strokes felt like they emerged out of thin air and became everybody’s favourite band overnight. I was at Reading the year they were supposed to be the small band tent and they moved up to the main stage as everyone wanted to see them, the music matched up to that.” 

They were young, good-looking poster boys, girls wanted to sleep with them, boys wanted to be them (as Alex Turner sings on Star Treatment). The Strokes brought skinny jeans back from the seventies paired with vintage tees, and a don’t give a fuck attitude. It was punk, it was cool. Our parents might have seen this before but we hadn’t.  

Tom Atkin (The Paddingtons) “Everyone was waiting for The Strokes to come out, everyone needed this movement. They gave birth to that whole era, such an amazing time.”

That debut lived up to the hype that the NME had generated. In 2001 that hyped saw the band be upgraded to the mainstage at the Reading and Leeds Festival,  a year later, they headlined it, playing after icons Pulp. 

MTV played a key part in distributing music in the early 2000’s, videos gave an insight into “who” the band was, in an era before they would share everything on social media. The Strokes made some iconic videos (Somedayshowed the band hanging about at a bar, taking on Guided by Voices at a TV game show and just being cool dudes with Slash).

It was their MTV $2 Dollar Bill Concert that “sold” the band as it captured everything special and exciting about them. Julian stumbled on the stage in the iconic military jacket, Nick stands out in a white blazer while Fab doesn’t miss a beat. It was filmed to look vintage at the time, over 20 years later, it looks like a classic. 

The question everyone was asking was, can they do it again?

Yes.

Initially, they returned to New York to work with Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich for Room On Fire however those sessions were scrapped, both him and Julian clashed as they are control freaks. They went back to the tried and trusted Gordon Raphael.

London

Gordon “There was more time and a big studio (my small studio was gone by then.. as I was living in UK) when it came to recording Room On Fire. The band had been touring for two years and were SO SO tight and powerful. Nothing could have prepared me for that happy surprise.”  

It still had that same feel that everyone loved from the debut but it was polished, cleaner, and modern. Julian’s vocals had gone from muffled to slightly digitalised and, it wasn’t recorded “live”, it wasn’t raw, instead it was slicker. It was the same, but different. The songs weren’t as instant, they didn’t hit as hard but that was ok, they didn’t need to have attention-grabbing singles this time. They had already proved that they could do it and, which album is better is always a great argument.

Unfortunately, after releasing the album, the band admitted they weren’t exactly happy with it, It was finished with sleepless nights, arguments and stress to reach the deadline RCA had given. Is This It might have been important, but it wasn’t a big seller, RCA put heat on the band to deliver on Room On Fire which came out just over 2 years after the debut. 

Between those 2 releases, the band toured the world a few times, playing over 200 gigs while living under constant pressure to live up to the hype. The Strokes tried to avoid being labelled as “rockstars”, but they lived like them, never shy around drink and drugs, they were in their early 20’s, it was inevitable.  Julian had been a drinker from an early age, the band might have been a 5-piece but Julian was more than a frontman, the songs were his. Every day was full with duties, interviews, promoting, soundchecks and gigs, the afterparty was the relief. There wasn’t time, or energy to write new songs, so, when the tours were finished and it was time to go in the studio, the only thing they had were hangovers. Still, a decent effort!

NEXT CHAPTER

[duchessofostergotlands]

My 9th annual list of favourite royal moments: 2022 (Part 2/4)

My favourite royal child Pancake Ducruet gets cake for his fourth birthday celebrations, like he deserves  - 23rd April 

Crown Princess Victoria was the proudest wife in the world when her husband Daniel collected his honorary doctorate, even though he looked like a pepper pot - 29th April 

Princess Isabella continued her mission to make me feel elderly when she attended her confirmation in a full suit - 30th April 

Norway’s Crown Princely couple launch their comedy double act with a joint speech where they reference ABBA and Haakon revealed his wife purchased her dress on Ebay - 2nd May 

When I accidentally wore the same dress as someone at an event I had nightmares about it for years; when it happened to Letizia she gave the guest a huge hug and burst out laughing - 4th May 

Princess Gabriella hands out a fashion prize with her mother, managing to be both more productive and more fashionable than me at 7 years old - 24th May 

Princess Estelle continues the general theme of making me feel old when she unveiled her first official portrait despite still being a newborn baby to me - 25th May 

Move over Kate Middleton, there’s a new royal fashion icon in town! Mike Tindall kicked off his summer with the first of three events where he tried on his wife’s hats - 2nd June 

The Queen continues her side hustle as an actress by starring in a short film alongside Paddington Bear for her jubilee concert...and finally reveals what she keeps in her handbag - 4th June 

[wilmonsfolklore]

Hey Tina 💜,

4, 5, 16, 75 and 100 for the ask thingie

hi Sophia <33

4. last time i cried and why

i'm pretty sure the last time was at an olivia rodrigo concert just after she sang 'teenage dream' because that song always gets to me and just after they play videos of little olivia on the screen and i just started bawling

5. piercings i have:

technically i have gotten my ears pierced but i haven't worn earrings in like 6 years sooo

16. favourite movie:

notting hill, paddington and catching fire (sorry i can't choose)

75. have you ever sang karaoke:

actually, no. i was once in a karaoke booth but i deeply disliked it. i'm open to trying it again tho but i will need consume alcohol before lol

100. give us one thing about you that no one knows.

uhm. the first thing i'm thinking of is that i passed out in the bathroom on my like sixth or seventh birthday but i didn't tell anyone because i didn't want my party to get canceled lmao

[anonymoushouseplantfan]

I hate to bring it up after HM passing but you weren't around when it happens what did you think of the jubilee celebrations? I thought th RF really pulled it out of the bag, I still can't watch her skit with Paddington without crying.

Paddington and the light show at BP were amazing. I felt the impromptu fashion show at the concert could have been better. The designs were not as compelling as they could have been.

[noxexistant]

What happened looks concerned

several turns of events :’)

including a blur concert happening at wembley stadium, which is directly next to the newsies theatre, which let out at near the exact same time as newsies, so the trains were absolute chaos. hence me being unable to get back to paddington quick enough to get any of the last trains, and tomorrow it’s sunday service so the first train isn’t until 7am. so i’m waiting until 7am

also, if you’re curious, this was a small portion of the crowd getting out of wembley:

[phansterdam]

end of year joy list

was tagged by @deathclassic (like 2 days ago. sorry molly!) to make a little list of things that made me happy in 2023!! it's been a pretty big year for me with some ups and downs, but definitely a lot of ups!

big things:

i wrote my bachelor's thesis and successfully graduated! it was a lot of work and quite stressful but i'm really proud of myself

i started my masters degree in multilingualism in germany! it was my first time moving out of my parents' place and it's a long way away, but i'm so fucking glad i did it as it's been amazing so far!

in germany, i fell into a wonderful friend group, which has been so good for me as i was so fucking lonely before. i haven't known them that long yet, but all of them already mean a lot to me

got a girlfriend let's goooooooo!!! getting together was a literal hallmark movie lol so yeah that's been very exciting

dan and phil cam back!!!! (also i saw wad!) yes this is under big things fucking sue me

small things:

i didn't go to a lot of concerts but the ones i did go (eurovision in concert and froukje) were sooo good!!

i went on a lot of cool trips this year: berlin with my study association, solo interrailing through germany and denmark, and antwerp with my friends!

i read 36 books, most of which i would recommend, but the best ones were mexican gothic by silvia moreno-garcia, bunny by mona awad and giovanni's room by james baldwin

i watched around 40 movies this year! i was never that much of a movie person, but i guess i am now lol. best ones (in no particular order) were nimona, both paddingtons, both knives outs, bottoms, heathers, eeaao and barbie

don't think i watched that many shows this year but i did watch both succession and breaking bad and damn that's good tv

knitted so many things. my room is overflowing with knitted things. also i learned to crochet!

not tagging anyone bc idk who hasn't done this yet or if anyone even still wants to do it now we're in january proper, but if you see this and you want to do this then i want you specifically to do it

[wishicouldcrossthesea]

when i was in london this summer i wanted to go to evensong at westminster abbey but the line for the free concert immediately preceding the service was so long i went into the gift shop to loiter, was faced with a display of paddington meets the king memorabilia as soon as i walked in, and immediately turned around and got on a bus to saint paul's instead

[snowonthebeachmp3]

i need the royal family to get their hands off nationally beloved bear characters. first paddington at the platinum jubilee and now winnie the pooh at the coronation concert. get a job leave them alone!!