#DumpTrump: The anti-trump inauguration rally.

So it was a depressing day already, even after years of anticipation as we witnessed Donald Trump sworn into American presidency.

The more positive vibe of today was set when I arrived at Goldsmiths University to find this mural gathering a crowd outside in true anti-trump inauguration spirit.                           A creative display that summed up the theme of the day.

Inside the university Trump’s inauguration was being played live. Aside from a few disgusted students looking on, there was little interest. As I couldn’t attend the inauguration protest in Southampton, I decided to head to the one outside the American Embassy in Grosvenor square.

I am glad I did because the atmosphere was totally electric.

As I approached the embassy I could hear the music and a crowd already gathered outside with a party in full swing. There was a rousing speech and a festival vibe throughout as everyone shared their defiance of the harrowing developments of the day.

I heard singing and thought ‘that’s nice’ but didn’t realise until the next day it was Lily Allen singing in front of me:

 

Lily Allen’s new video

Lily used a lot of event footage for the video of her cover of Rufus Wainwirght’s ‘Going to a town. I couldn’t find myself in the vid but everythign loks much better in black and white/

 

 

I was only expecting some form of static picket line protest but then within half hour of being outside the embassy, the activist led us into a march that took us through Oxford Street to Piccadilly Circus before arriving back to the embassy.

It was one of the most active marches I can recall and there was strong reception and approval from the passing traffic with the majority of Bus and Taxi drivers honking their horns enthusiastically.

It was nice to feel the unity and realise not everyone had succumbed to that level of backward thinking. I met a few people were happy to be pictured getting involved.

Here’s a link to the complete route we took on the march to give you some idea of the activity. There’s another you can join on 18th March. #DumpTrump

Lily Allen Dancing at Bestival 2015

Strangely my crystallizing memories of Bestival this year were not the bands.

The Bollywood stage is a standard festival marquee tent  but with an amazing bright pink indian temple décor with constantly thumping dance music blaring out all weekend.I rushed down like a little love struck fan boy to see if the billing Lily Allen presents Funlord actually meant she was there.

She was, it was great.

Lily is stunning in person and equally as glamorous, seeing her smiling and dancing around reminded me of any happy go lucky lady on a night out.

A mixed crowd with teens to middle aged yet everyone loved it, nobody looking remotely unhappy or upset. My friend even commented how nice the atmosphere was in comparison to how Dance nightclubs are normally aggressive but there was no tension here.Everyone just dancing and enjoying themselves. People apologised when they brushed past you as they do at festivals.

Real mellow vibes.

I guess there was no competition to get to the bar, or get in, no competition means no potential for confrontation.

Some great music coming out, mainly of a grime/hip-hop nature and Lily performed one of her new songs.She spent most of the evening dancing on stage and hopping down to the adoring fans at the front crowd barrier. She kept firing the smoke gun out into the crowd with a big smile on her face, brandishing it like Katy Perry in her Californian Girls video.

Kudos Evening Standard

Here is a lovely pic from the Evening Standard pretty much summing up the joyous occasion close up

The Evening standard captured the event fairly well in their six photograph long sequence [without the need to add spurious gossip] published in the article below. Admittedly using the word ‘racy’ in their headline but still a very informed and unbiased piece reflecting the event well via things called ‘facts’.

http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/lily-allen-shows-off-dance-moves-during-racy-bestival-performance-a2946501.html

So where was the story?

The story reported should’ve been how much fun everyone was having [including Lily] but that wasn’t enough for the tabloids who have been obsessing on circumstances surrouding Lily’s personal life recently.

( if they even existed )

One article from the Mirror’s 3am girls rambled on outside of the parameters of her Bestival set:

“Lily Allen cosys up to DJ Hudson as shes lets her hair down at Bestival”

and another 3am article titled:

“Lily Allen shows off her raunchy dance moves as she parties at Bestival”

 . .before going on a tangient with speculation about her personal life.

  .  . . . . . .At least these headlines admit Lily was enjoying herself i suppose.

[See original articles online here]

www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/lily-allen-shows-raunchy-dance-6434385

www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/lily-allen-cosies-up-dj-6435493

In true Puritan spirit the good old Daily Mail reported on Monday her ‘VERY risqué’ dance moves . . 

but to be honest  it just looked like she was having fun to me.

[Checkout the misogynistic attempt of slut shaming from the DM photo]

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3233213/Lily-Allen-snaps-selfie-enjoys-low-key-end-Bestival-following-risqu-antics-onstage-just-hours-before.html

Now compare it to a pic published in the mirror from the same dance sequence, see how the DM has chosen the deeper angle to when she is bending over more.

I saw many other women dancing like that in the audience but that wasn’t in the article though.

** Click on all the links to compare the coverage in their original context to decide for yourselves**

If you google Lily at the moment you find numerous tacky tabloids articles about her personal life and speculation about her personal circumstances . . that shes  ‘falling apart’  and whatever.

She recently split from her management team a few weeks ago and ever since then shes has been hounded .

Days after Bestival Mirror’s 3am girls report shes seen ‘ leaving party in tears after fight with ex’ .

I do wonder if the tabloid’s gossip orientated coverage created tension which contributed or reinforced the very personal life issues they speculate on . . kind of like a self forfilling prophecy . .

www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/lily-allen-shows-pink-hair-6483936

I also partly wonder if theres a conflict of interest between the Mirror publication and her former management company?

I would imagine celebrities long in the public eye have learned to shut out this kind of unwanted attention by now but isn’t this kind of tabloid trolling reminiscent of Amy Winehouse or even Princess Diana . . we all know how that turned out.