Latest news with #Mania
Times
14 hours ago
- Times
Party on the beach? You need one of these high-end portable speakers
We have come a long way from the days when the only viable option for portable music was a ghetto blaster. Their clunky speakers and even clunkier cassette tapes — not to mention short-life alkaline batteries — made portable music listening a chore. MP3 players eventually shifted us away from needing physical media for recorded music. But the arrival of Bluetooth and wi-fi meant you could control a speaker wirelessly. Durable lithium batteries likewise avoided the need for a speaker to be shackled to a power outlet. So now enjoying your favourite tracks in any location has never been easier. And wherever you are heading — beach, mountain or city — we have selected some of the best portable speakers to take with you. • Read more luxury reviews, advice and insights from our experts All the devices in our list include Bluetooth connection and healthy battery lives, therefore defining them as portable. Luxury speakers are better suited to packing away in luggage and then unleashing at a party on a destination yacht deck or villa parterre. Alternatively the compact grab-and-go devices are perfect for throwing in a knapsack or beach tote. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue Bang & Olufsen has always taken pride in blending aesthetics with utility, no less so with its finely finished Beosound A5 wireless speaker. At first glance it's reminiscent of a retro countertop radio. But the Danish manufacturer transports the device into the 21st century with stylish aluminium frame trims and components crafted from real oak. There are four optional removable grilles available, depending on your mood or how the interior space dictates. When in wi-fi range you can stream with Airplay or Google Cast. Go out on to the deck and Bluetooth will keep the tracks spinning, amply supported by 12 hours of battery life. The four speaker drivers concealed behind the grilles ensure a wide cast acoustic presence. B&O's Beosound A5 exhibits powerful and articulate sonic chops for such a small speaker. £1,400 Devialet's beautiful Mania is both orbital in shape and its auditory presentation. A 360-degree stereo mode creates a sense of immersion from whichever listener's vantage point. The four-microphone array uses real-time acoustic mapping technology to optimise the sound for each environment. The result is a confident, bass-infused sound that defies the Mania's modest footprint. The full-featured app control allows streaming from Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2, and you get ten hours of battery playtime. The Mania exudes luxury with its woven textile exoskeleton and watch-grade carrying strap. An optional Cocoon carrying case is a must for regular travellers. If you are holding out for a more exclusive version, we particularly like the tobacco brown and gold Fendi edition for £2,250. £790 The French maker Cabasse has also conceived a globe shape for its Pearl Myuki. Built in the tradition of the Brittany company's La Sphère loudspeakers, the luxurious device's radial geometry mitigates wave diffraction. Transport this luxurious 2kg three-cone hailer with push-pull bass drivers from room to room with the bowling ball-type integrated finger grip. Or use the nifty twin-handled carrying case that is also provided. The Pearl Myuki is available in a matte white or black housing and sports elegant chrome accents. Connect over wi-fi or Bluetooth and stream from your favourite music platforms with the Cabasse mobile app. Then indulge yourself with 12 hours of uninterrupted battery playback. £999 If the above solutions are a little too bulky for your travel needs, why not try one of these super-portable options? These mini devices are ideal for slinging into a valise or backpack. The Germany luxury TV and hi-fi maker Loewe even turns its hand to producing sumptuous coffee makers. But it cuts no corners either when it comes to portable devices. The We. HEAR Pro is a snazzy compact speaker with a shoulder strap and available in striking denim, neon or black cotton shrouded colour schemes. Developed in collaboration with the footballer Kylian Mbappé, the passive bass radiator end caps aptly carry the French striker's initials as a stamp of approval. There is no need to worry about the battery lacking juice. You get 24 hours of continuous play from a super-speedy two-hour top-up. Partiers will revel in the We. HEAR Pro's ability to go loud when it needs to, but musical clarity and mid-range punch are among its other notable £249 Bang & Olufsen gets a second shout on our portable speakers list, and for good reason. The hockey puck-shaped Beosound A1 is only 13 cm in diameter, making it easy to slip into a neat travel bag. The accomplished Danish designer Cecilie Manz has ensured the finest materials have been deployed in the manufacture of the device. Take the speaker section's outer coating, cast from a tactile pearl blasted anodised aluminium, for example; or the hard-wearing leather strap, which is also waterproof. Indeed, the entire product carries an IP67 rating, meaning it can be dunked in a metre of water for up to half an hour. The battery will play out for 18 hours after a charge and is even replaceable. With its poolside credentials, sustainability and gorgeous design, the little disc from B&O provides spacious 360-degree stereo sound with full-bodied bass. £259 Do you ever wonder at the stacks of stage amps at old Jimi Hendrix or Led Zeppelin gigs? Or were you perhaps a budding guitarist strumming away in student digs? If the answer to either question is yes, then you may want to get your hands on Marshall's Emberton III. The 16cm long speaker plays on the iconic brand's heritage with its knobbly surround and lattice grille, reminiscent of the company's professional cabinets. Furthermore, the Marshall is part crafted from recycled electronic devices and CDs. The Emberton III comes with an IP67 dust and waterproof rating and multidirectional sound, but this time you get a mammoth 32 hours of battery use from a single charge. Marshall includes the latest Bluetooth Auracast tech for broadcasting to multiple devices without individual pairing. The oblong enclosure achieves a balanced and rich audio panoply, with improved low-frequency response over its Emberton I and II forebears. £149 There are few audio household brand names as universal as the Massachusetts-based Bose. The Soundlink Max portable speaker pulls in ingredients from the company's unmistakable house sound and pleasing looks. Available in blue dusk or black, the speaker brandishes a premium powder-coated silicon finish. It's also built to take some knocks, so bringing it along for outdoor adventures or gatherings is not a problem. Plus it has an elegant and comfortable carrying handle fashioned from a two-tone weaved rope. With Qualcomm's Snapdragon Sound for audio quality, a waterproof rating (it can also float) and excellent app control, the Soundlink Max is awash with features. The Bose renders audio with clear details, bulky, forthright mids and grounded bass. It can also get plenty loud for off-the-cuff parties. £299
NDTV
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Brock Lesnar On WWE's 'Ban List' After Scandal? Major Details Emerge
Major details have emerged on the status of Brock Lesnar after UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier's comments on the WWE superstar caused a massive stir. Cormier appeared on the Demetrious Johnson's podcast and said that Brock is currently on WWE's 'Ban List' following the massive sex-trafficking scandal that also involved Vince McMahon. Lesnar has not appeared on WWE TV for a very long time and although reports emerged about his possible return, nothing has come to fruition. In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, journalist Dave Meltzer revealed that Lesnar's absence was a direct result of the lawsuit and it was a decision taken by the WWE Legal. 'There is nothing new on the Lesnar front,' Meltzer wrote. 'WWE legal made the call at the time Janel Grant filed her lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE to not allow Lesnar to be used.' The lawsuit brought WWE under the scanner once again and Meltzer revealed that although Brock was scheduled to return at Royal Rumble 2024, all the plans were scrapped. 'He was pulled from the 2024 Royal Rumble at the last minute after it had been scripted and Breakker was called into the Rumble to take his spot,' Meltzer wrote. The report further claimed that following the Royal Rumble appearance, he was supposed to start a program with Gunther. There were also plans that involved Dominik Mysterio. 'The plan was for him to then beat Dominik Mysterio on a PPV and face Gunther at Mania.' However, Meltzer made it clear that the plans regarding Brock Lesnar have not changed. 'Nothing has changed and the situation remains the same. There is nothing other than that,' he wrote.
Glasgow Times
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Bay City Rollers star talks about new Pavilion musical in Glasgow
'The theatre is just across the road from where Glasgow's most famous music venue, the Apollo, once stood,' says Woody, with a smile. 'We played the Apollo three times, and I have so many good memories of the place and the city.' The Bay City Rollers – tartan-clad, generation-defining teen idols - had nine top 10 hits between 1974 and 1976, have sold 300 million albums worldwide and (with a few line-up changes along the way) are still touring. Bay City Rollers fans outside the Apollo in Glasgow in 1973 (Image: Newsquest) During their heyday, Rollermania swept the nation, and the band's fans were well-known for their enthusiasm in greeting their heroes wherever they performed. Glasgow was no exception, says Woody, who has been part of the band since the 70s. 'We had to get shipped in, round the back of the Apollo, in this big white van with no windows,' he recalls, with a laugh. 'We never saw the fans outside, but we heard them. And on stage, seeing their faces, the sheer delight – it was quite something.' (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) He adds: 'The nicest part of being in the Bay City Rollers is the fans. They are very loyal, very loud – some of them have been with us since the beginning and are in their 60s and 70s now. And what's really magical is they're bringing their kids and their grandkids, who have grown up listening to our music.' Joe Gill, Chiara Sparkes, Stuart 'Woody' Wood, Dani Heron and writer Danny McCahon (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) Rollers Forever, which runs from August 19 to 30 at the Pavilion Theatre, stars Dani Heron and Chiara Sparkes as Jenny and Susan, two lifelong fans who reconnect one Saturday night and relive their teenage obsession with their favourite band. Written by award-winning playwright Danny McCahon and directed by acclaimed theatre-maker Liz Carruthers, the production marks the 50th anniversary of the Bay City Rollers' first number one hit, Bye Bye Baby, in 1975. Woody, who recently published his memoir, Mania, is the show's 'artistic consultant' and he says it has been a fantastic experience. 'It's great that the story is being seen through the eyes of the amazing BCR fans … it's their turn to shine,' he explains. 'I'm really chuffed to be involved – it's all about the songs, and these songs have stood the test of time. 'If you'd have told us 50 years ago that our songs would still be being played on the radio, and in theatres, and that we'd still be touring – well, we'd have been very surprised.' Cast members Joe Gill, Chiara Sparkes and Dani Heron with Stuart 'Woody' Wood (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) He adds, smiling: 'It's a great feeling, to know that even when us lot are no longer here, something of us will still be going strong.' Despite growing up in Edinburgh – he now lives just outside the city with his wife Denise and their labradoodle Elvis - Woody has close links with Glasgow and the west of Scotland. His mum is from Clydebank, and he remembers childhood visits to the city at Christmas time. 'She'd take us to George Square to see the lights, it was lovely,' he recalls. He grew up 'surrounded by music', he says. 'My family had a piano in the house and my mum used to wake us up by singing opera,' he grins. 'Pals at school wanted to be in a band, so I thought, why not? I couldn't play guitar, I played trumpet and clarinet back then, I was a real jazz fiend. 'But at 15, I got into pop music and it all just happened from there. I just loved hanging about playing music with my friends. And that has never really changed.' It's the best reason for being in a band, Woody points out. 'If you're doing it for the fame or the money or because you want hits then you'll come a cropper,' he says. 'You've got to do it because you have a passion for it – and I still do.' He pauses. 'The day I no longer have that is the day I retire.'
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Exclusive: John Cena's heel run feels 'forced' and 'fake', says WWE expert Dave Meltzer
John Cena, who is set to retire at the end of the year, is halfway through his 'farewell tour. And, things have been anything but predictable. 'The Last Real Champion' turned heel for the first time in over 20 years at Elimination Chamber 2025 in a moment that shocked the world. However, many in pro wrestling circles are not happy with the way the run has shaped up so far. One of them is veteran journalist Dave Meltzer. Speaking to Indiatimes, the veteran analyst said that the heel run hasn't made the desired impact as it feels 'forced'. Dave Meltzer slams John Cena's heel run John Cena turned heel at the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event when he assaulted Cody Rhodes on The Rock's orders. This changed the very landscape of the WWE and garnered plenty of mainstream attention. However, Dave Meltzer– the founder of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter– is not too happy about the way things have unfolded since. 'Cena is a big draw no matter what role he plays. To me, the heel thing feels forced and fake. It shocked people and for two weeks made a big difference in viewership. I didn't think the build for Mania was the best, but Mania is always going to be a success,' he said Cena missed the Raw after Elimination Chamber before eventually appearing on the Red Brand during the European tour ahead of WrestleMania 41. He then spewed venom on the audience and said that fans have been 'terrible' to him. He went on to capture the Undisputed Championship from Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 with help from Travis Scott. The match received negative reviews, with critics panning the finish. Cena beat Randy Orton at Backlash to retain the title. He then beat CM Punk at Night of Champions in his second title defence. He was cheered during these bouts despite resorting to trademark heel tactics. 'Cena vs. Orton at Backlash didn't have as much interest as most WWE shows. Cena vs. Punk did. I don't think it's worked out well. People want to cheer him and do,' added Meltzer. The Rock's absence from WWE programming during this run too has not worked in its favour as 'The Final Boss' was the catalyst behind Cena embracing the dark side. What's next for John Cena? Cena is set to defend the title against Rhodes at SummarSlam. 'QB1' earned the right to face the veteran when he beat Randy Orton in the finals of the King of The Ring tournament at Night of Champions. He plans to wrestle his final match sometime in December. However, there is no clarity on the identity of his last opponent.
NZ Herald
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Media Insider: Taxpayer-funded Jacinda Ardern movie ‘Mania' scrapped
The New Zealand-produced film, titled Mania, had been originally expected to go head-to-head this year with the New Zealand/US-produced and Ardern-backed Prime Minister movie. Mania producer Emma Slade, of Auckland-based Firefly Films, confirmed on Wednesday that the film had been scrapped. 'Once we heard that another project was underway and further advanced than we were, we decided not to pursue the project further,' Slade said in a brief email response to a list of questions. Former NZ Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern. Media Insider revealed in March last year that the NZ Film Commission board had agreed to $800,000 in taxpayer funding for Mania. The film would likely have received a further $1.2 million in public support through the Government's screen production rebate. According to a synopsis provided by the NZFC at the time, the documentary would explore the 'mania' that propelled Ardern's rise as a young political leader and how that 'later collided with a backlash of hate'. The movie was neither authorised nor endorsed by Ardern, who threw her support instead behind Prime Minister. 'The producers have not sought or used Film Commission funding and that was important to me.' Nevertheless, Mania had received 'significant foreign investment and international interest', NZFC chief executive Annie Murray said earlier last year. At that stage, film bosses did not seem worried about two Ardern movies potentially being in the market at the same time. '[Production company] Madison Wells appear to be doing an authorised biopic on Dame Jacinda Ardern's political career, while the independent Mania documentary explores quite different social and political issues in New Zealand society arising out of her tenure as Prime Minister,' said Murray last June. 'It will be good for the NZ viewing public to have the contrasting stories available at about the same time. Each work will likely benefit from this as well. 'The success of Mania is not undermined by the Madison Wells' doco; NZFC is not reviewing funding and we remain confident that it can proceed as planned.' Prime Minister, which featured at the Sundance festival in January, opened in the US last month and will feature at the NZ International Film Festival in Auckland on August 2 and in Wellington on August 16. The movie Prime Minister featured at the Sundance festival in January - in attendance, from left, Gigi Pritzker, Clarke Gayford, Lindsay Utz, Dame Jacinda Ardern, Michelle Walshe and Rachel Shane. Photo / Getty It has been produced by New Zealand's Dark Doris and American firms Madison Wells and Divergent Pictures. It has been produced with Ardern's full support, including interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. The NZFC issued a statement last December saying it was delighted Prime Minister had been accepted at Sundance. In a footnote to that press release, the commission said the producers of Mania had 'informed the Film Commission that the production is on an indefinite pause, and no Film Commission funding has been drawn down'. Murray told this week's Media Insider podcast that taxpayer money committed to projects had a deadline. Producers would have to reapply for any funding should they want to resurrect the Ardern project. 'I think the fact that this new film has come out now... that would be a factor that we would take into account,' said Murray. 'But we'd have to look at it on its merits like we do with any other funding decision.' Original distributor pulled out The film was promoted at Cannes in 2023, with Auckland-based Ahi Films listed as the distributor in marketing materials. Ahi later withdrew from the project. Last July, Murray said a new distributor was now attached, but neither she nor Slade would disclose their name. 'It is not unusual for market partners to change,' said Murray at the time. 'The Film Commission is not party to the commercial negotiations between producers and distributors, but we do require producers to have a distribution partner as a condition of funding. 'The name of that distributor remains confidential for now for commercial reasons.' She said when commercial negotiations were complete, the distributors would make an announcement. Slade said at the time: 'We are currently focused on making the film. There is no need for them to be named at this stage.' Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand's most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME. Watch Media Insider - The Podcast on YouTube, or listen to it on iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
