Rita Ora at V Festival 2014

Just last weekend I was lucky enough to catch Rita Ora perform at V festival in Weston Park, Stafford. Since 2012, Rita has spent her summer on tour travelling the length and breadth of the UK. But this year Radio 1 Big Weekend and V were the only festivals in the UK lucky enough to be graced with the her presence. Fortunately, I was able to see Rita perform at both shows and this also gave me a chance to travel to Glasgow and ... Stafford. Mega bus or not, seeing Rita perform made the travelling on a smelly, stuffy bus well worth it.

Although Ora has only released one (chart topping number 1) single since her self-titled debut album ORA in 2012, her songs never grow old. FYI this was something crazy like my eighteenth time seeing her, I have seen these songs performed a million times. BUT! Every single performance is unique and that is one of the many things I love about seeing her perform. It sets every show apart from others and enables the fans to identify where and when it happened. This is why I choose to see her multiple times in a year because I know although I’ve heard the songs before, each time is like seeing Rita Ora for the first time.

Something that also sets each show apart is the outfit. This year at V festival, Rita wore a customised leopard print leotard by Katie Eary. This is not the first time Rita has wore designs by Eary, below are pictures from Wireless Festival 2013 and ironically V Festival 2013. The bold print, the tassels and long cape not only gave the photographers a good opportunity for some shit hot photos but it screamed confidence, vitality and freedom. Rita paraded around that stage like it was a catwalk and she owned it. The leopard in the leotard was alive and Rita looked gorgeous
                          

               
                                           Above - Rita wearing Katie Eary at Wireless and V Festival in 2013

Rita at V Stafford this year! 

Covers during a live set are always fun and reveal what the artist is currently loving and listening to. Rita has covered some of my favourite songs such as Swim Good, No Church In The Wild and Say My Name. At V and Big Weekend, the audience were treated to two covers. The first being Coldplay’s Magic – Rita actually said on her Instagram that this was her favourite song and it brought back memories from when she toured with them in 2012. The second cover was the infamous Drunk On Love by Beyoncé. When Rita covered this the first thing I noticed was her strong accent come through in the lyrics “can’t keep your hands off my fat arse, baby i want you”. Every lyric is equally articulated and it sends the crowd into a slow bounce with their arms waving above their heads.

Not only were the crowd treated to two covers but also two brand new songs - Get Closer and Black Widow. I have been obsessed with both songs since I first heard them. Get Closer is a catchy song that instantly makes you want to move. I found after hearing the chorus once, I was already singing a long! Black Widow - the collaboration track from Iggy Azalea and Rita is bound to make you throw your hands in the air and clap to the beat. The video was only released a week ago and has already reached over seventeen million views! It was cool to finally hear Rita sing her part as I had previously seen Iggy perform Black Widow alone at Wireless Festival.

I am extremely thankful for being able to see Rita at both festivals and it has been the best highlight of my year!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!

Results Day ew

I like starting my posts with setting the scene because usually I’m in a weird or random situation and Schrifle suddenly calls. Hence I am currently eating a bowl of bran flakes, whilst sipping a mug of peppermint tea and all of sudden I have realised something. Not only do I realise I am eighteen years of age and sat in on a Friday night BUT this time next week I will finally know what direction my future is taking. HELP.

As sad as it sounds since I finished my last exam on the 18th of June, I haven’t been able to have a day without thinking what if. People will undoubtedly think chill, stop worrying about it and cross that hurdle when you come to it. But I’ve recently learnt I’m somebody who focuses on the future, when I should probably pay more attention to now and live in the moment. It’s the little things that truly matter in life and getting myself worked up about something that is way out of my control is useless.

I hate that every time I put my head on my pillow at night, sociology theorists pop up in my brain and I start thinking about topics like State Crime. Annoying. I also really hate how I cant read a book without my thoughts floating to something literature related. I just want to enjoy the John Green goodness. Also stupid things like today for example, there was a thunder storm and as The Great Gatsby played in the background, my brain was in overdrive thinking about pathetic fallacy and how it portrays a sense of foreboding. Like what is going on Sophi? Its summer, and I am almost certain this is the longest summer I will ever experience in my life, therefore why has most days been spent thinking about the exams that I CANNOT change?

I guess it comes down to wanting something so badly; you cant stop thinking about it. I’ve always wanted to live/study in London and living in Manchester makes me feel like I’m missing out. Plus moving to London gives me little more hope ill finally see Adele live (gotta get her ticked off that death list). London, in my eyes, is the city of opportunities and staying in Manchester is not going to get me very far. I want to explore somewhere new and meet new people. Now I think about it, the idea of 3 letters determining your future is annoying. University should not only be based off your academic achievements but more so your passion and enthusiasm for a subject. Every subject is evolving and there is always going to be something new and fresh. I believe if you want something enough, you will do just about anything to get it. So what I’m really trying to get across here is that I hate that the 5 exams I took this summer have the power to make or break my future. No matter how hard you study and revise for each exam, it’s all down to how you feel on the day, in that hall and in that moment. Sometimes you don’t always perform they way you want and sometimes things don’t always go the way you want them to go.

At the end of the day I just hope for me, and you reading this that results day is worth the wait and if not there is always plan B. Good luck and just think of that giant weight which will be lifted from your shoulders at 00:00am as you read your UCAS track.

P.S – I’ve got tickets to V festival and I am also going on a little adventure next weekend, so I will have some interesting and hopefully more uplifting posts in the next coming weeks!

Here’s to hoping.