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Scotsman
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Life with the Libertines: Carl Barat's big sister tells her story at the Edinburgh Fringe
For years Lucie Barât lived in the shadow of her famous brother. Now she's the headline act as she shares her story in a new theatre show Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Lucie Barât grew up on a council estate in Basingstoke. She also grew up in New Age traveller camps and communes. The duality of her upbringing led on to a plurality of professions - acting, writing, performance poetry, publishing, singing - for this self-declared 'artistic Del Boy'. Lucie Barât, older sister of The Libertines Carl Barât, is telling her story in Standing In The Shadows Of Giants | Traverse Theatre But if you think the name sounds vaguely familiar it is likely that you are thinking of her younger brother Carl, co-frontman of The Libertines, one of the most ardently adored bands of the 21st century. Thanks to his notoriety, Lucie's best known role in adulthood has been as 'Carl Barât's sister'. And yet…. 'I was the golden girl who won this scholarship to drama school,' says Barât the elder, 'and he was the black sheep getting into trouble.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's such a germane summation of affairs that she has used the line in her new autobiographical show, Standing in the Shadows of Giants, in which she gets to grips with her helter skelter existence, both personal and career-wise, her addictions, her sexuality, her experiences of misogyny in the arts and especially her siblings-on-steroids relationship with Carl. 'We ended up living together just after I graduated drama school,' she recalls. 'He dropped out of uni just after he started this band and he went up and I went down for lots of reasons. It's like a sibling love story of us dovetailing and coming back together and the pressures of where we gauge our success to be, the feelings of personal failure, everything it felt to have a little brother that overtook you to superstardom and the way that these young boys were held up and lauded by middle-aged music execs and stalked by celebrity cougars. The Libertines, including Lucie Barât's brother Carl, second from left. 'It was a fairly insane moment in time and throughout all of that I was having my own crumble. I was in the middle of these iconic figures and moments and instead of embracing it and thinking 'I'm at the centre of the universe', I felt I didn't belong here and was breaking inside. And then I go off to rehab. It's quite candid and confessional.' But in a funny way, and with songs. Director Bryony Shanahan is in full agreement. 'This one bares its heart clearly,' she says. 'The writing voice is very warm and funny so it leapt off the page. It struck me that the story is both incredibly relatable and totally extraordinary all at once. We all go through a coming of age where we're trying to work out who we are and there's probably a bumpy path anyway but for you to go through that in the pressure cooker that unfolded with your brother creates a pretty extraordinary experience.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lucie Barat's Edinburgh Fringe show tells the story of her relationship with rock band the Libertines. | Corinne Cumming Growing up, it was Lucie and Carl versus the rest of the world. Their parents split - hence the wildly contrasting joint custody existence - then found new partners and had more kids. 'So our attachments were to each other rather than to a parent,' says Barât. 'We would fight as kids but we were also mates. Then I left home and thought 'I'm my own person' and he would just turn up to my work and I'd be like 'this is so embarrassing'. We were either absolutely inseparable or just taking it out on each other because the only people that could understand this confusing environment we'd been in was each other.' As the older sister, Barât was the first to jump, attending drama school in the late 1990s, graduating and promptly making her way to the Edinburgh Fringe with her freshly formed theatre company. 'I loved that but it doesn't f***ing pay,' she laments. There were less liberating experiences along the way which poisoned the acting well for Barât. In the following years, she wrote and performed poetry, formed a publishing company and attempted to follow her brother into music but found it to be 'an impenetrable period for any woman. You were either viewed as a groupie or disregarded. I remember the boys when they were signed being swept up by what seemed to me to be middle aged men using them as an excuse to do shitloads of coke and living through these skinny boys with unwashed hair. I'm trying to do what you're doing so why do I have to go and work in Pizza Hut but you're getting a private jet?' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For a number of years, The Libertines were the toast of London, fronted by two likely lads tearing it up in ever ascending and then descending circles. Carl's equally charismatic co-frontman Peter Doherty was a one man rock'n'roll soap opera and tabloid target for his relationship with supermodel Kate Moss and the rather less glamorous matter of his spiraling addictions and their impact on band relations. Throughout this period, the Barât siblings were flatmates in London, only compounding the disparity in their fortunes. 'We were quite geeky,' she recalls. 'We used to get a jalfrezi and four cans of Stella and sat watching Pearl Harbor. I was almost mother to him but then they got signed, and he started coming home with insane amounts of cash. We were good friends essentially getting wrecked together going to afterparties.' She is at pains to point out that their sibling rivalry has long been put to bed in favour of stable family domesticity but admits that 'we did butt up a bit when Carl and Pete were having their thing, I'd charge at Pete on Carl's behalf so it got a bit messy. Then he was off doing his own thing and I had to sort myself out.' Sorting herself out included kicking her addiction to slimming pills and coming out. Both took several attempts, with the tipping point portrayed in the show. Barât's own music is also used as a conduit for her emotions. Some of her songs - including co-writes with Carl and Pete - will be performed live, while some were pre-recorded at The Libertines' Albion Rooms studio in Margate. There may even be some recorded cameos, but as Shanahan points out to Barât, 'it isn't a story about The Libertines or Carl. It's a story about you and they are the support act.'
Forbes
17-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Crypto: Searching For Salvation Or Scams
A psychedelic vision of crypto spirituality, where meditation meets decentralization. CoinStructive, Inc. Deep in a coastal pocket of Montenegro, fog lingers over a makeshift village where the morning stillness is broken by the sound of meditative chants, laptop keystrokes, and the occasional impromptu DAO meeting. This is Zuzalu: an ephemeral, invite-only enclave dreamed up by Ethereum's Vitalik Buterin, equal parts tech incubator and techno-spiritual crypto commune. Attendees sip mushroom tea, debate the metaphysics of decentralization, and chart a new world, one block at a time. There are no signs, no sponsors, and no set agenda. There is just the conviction that something sacred is being built. Something more than money. But these crypto enclaves are not completely fringe. They are multiplying. From jungles in Central America to Latter-Day Saints compounds in Missouri, blockchain believers are gathering for what often resembles a cross between a startup retreat, a Burning Man temple camp, and a 1970s New Age awakening. Ayahuasca ceremonies or iconoclastic rituals are paired with token launches. Yoga flows into pitch decks. And enlightenment now comes with a whitepaper. This raises an uneasy question: is this the dawn of a new techno-spiritual order, or is it just a very well-branded scam? Crypto has always attracted zealots. Not just traders or developers, but those with a near-religious belief that code can liberate humanity from corruption, surveillance, and mediocrity. Add psychedelics, utopian architecture, and a distrust of fiat reality, and you do not just get a movement. You get a 'mission.' These retreats and micro-communities, Zuzalu included, present themselves not as vacations, but as experiments in post-nation-state living. Participants pay in ETH or stablecoins, sometimes via NFTs that act as passports. Workshops oscillate between talks on zk-rollups and quantum healing. Even Ethereum itself has spiritual roots. Vitalik once mused about 'ether' as the invisible medium for decentralized connection. To some, this is not metaphor, but gospel. Crypto believers sometimes call this 'the alignment era,' or 'crypto alignment,' where code, consciousness, and capital converge. It is seen as a transitory movement designed to outgrow the old world. While it is easy to dismiss these spaces as woo-woo playgrounds for the rich and bored, sometimes, they can be tools for exploitation. Take NovaTechFX, led by a woman who called herself 'Reverend CEO.' She blended Pentecostal-style sermons with promises of 3% weekly crypto returns. The SEC called it a Ponzi scheme. By the time it collapsed, nearly $1 billion was gone. These 'sermon' tapes still circulate on YouTube. Then there is INDXcoin, a Colorado-based 'Christian crypto' that raised $3.4 million from churchgoers. Investors were promised divine favor and a safe return. What they got was an illiquid token and a founder who claimed, under oath, that God told him to launch it. Cult, Scam, or Prototype for the Future? Nevertheless, not all of these communities are fraudulent. Zuzalu is, by most accounts, earnest—idealistic, even. It birthed spin-off projects focused on digital identity, biotech, and governance. Its residents speak in a blend of code and philosophy, quoting Satoshi and Foucault in the same breath. Even the psychedelic retreats, for all their cultish aesthetics, sometimes leave attendees with genuine breakthroughs of emotional clarity, entrepreneurial direction, or otherwise. Yet, there is a case to be made that these are just the messy early chapters of what could be a new civic structure. If a nation-state was built on borders and banks, maybe a post-state emerges from wallets and vibes. But when do we start labeling these collectives as cults? Do we consider the rituals? The charismatic founders? The token-gated access? Or the certainty of an unshakeable belief that this is the path to collective salvation, and everything else is FUD? At the edge of a Zu village, one attendee lights sage over a hardware wallet. Someone else codes a smart contract barefoot in the grass. A startup founder with a shamanic tattoo explains how DAOs will replace democracy, and then invites you to a cacao ceremony. Is this a scam? A new faith? Just a very weird off-site Web3 meet-up? Maybe it is salvation. Or maybe it is a grift. Maybe, like most things in Crypto, it is both.
Sinar Daily
14-07-2025
- Sinar Daily
'The Malaysian Diddy freak-offs'? Marriage programme under fire for nude rituals
SHAH ALAM – What was marketed as a women's self-empowerment and marital motivation programme turned into something deeply disturbing. Held here in September 2024, this 'marriage motivation' event, spearheaded by a husband-and-wife team, has triggered national outrage following allegations of nude rituals, sexually charged activities and spiritual practices resembling religious deviance. Now, the authorities are stepping in. The event was alleged to have involved indecent displays and elements deemed un-Islamic. Photo: Masyitah Asyari's Facebook page The Malaysian Diddy freak-offs The core of the four-day event was a session known as the Queen Session, which attracted around 50 women. According to a former participant, the atmosphere became unsettling when the room was dimmed and the facilitators entered with romantic music playing. Several women dressed as 'Cleopatra' took the stage, followed by the programme's founder (the wife), who eventually danced naked in front of attendees. 'She invited others to join in. Many were stunned and uncomfortable,' the former participant wrote in a now-viral Facebook post. What followed was a sequence of events that reportedly resembled a cult-like initiation: Female facilitators danced provocatively and simulated intimate acts. Participants were allegedly given a strange beverage called 'Piya', said to invoke feelings of courage and desire. A symbolic ritual called 'Sacred Bath' or 'Rebirth' involved a nude woman being wiped with wet towels, allegedly representing spiritual cleansing. Attendees were instructed to discard symbolic burdens by throwing underwear and clothing onto the stage. Some participants stripped completely nude. The former participant described the ritual as a dangerous blend of New Age spiritualism and religious deviation, especially shocking in Selangor, a state with strict religious regulations. She stated that an official report with evidence had been submitted and this issue had been raised previously by education activist Cikgu Fadli Salleh, but without prior action. Police and religious authorities begin investigation Following a complaint filed in February by the husband of a participant, Shah Alam district police confirmed that an investigation was underway. Shah Alam district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim revealed that witnesses and the complainant's wife had been interviewed. Representatives from Jais (Selangor Islamic Religious Department) were present during questioning. 'We recorded statements from several witnesses who were at the scene. Anyone with information is urged to contact Shah Alam Police,' Iqbal urged. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, stated that he is aware of the public concerns. 'The approach used in the programme has caused considerable unease. I have instructed Jakim's Director-General to work closely with Jais to address this matter,' he said. Were these rituals rooted in other faiths? Some former participants claim the programme drew references from non-Islamic religious texts, including Hindu scriptures and that teachings were distributed through private Telegram channels. These allegations further fueled speculation that the programme was spreading deviant doctrines under the guise of women's self-help and marriage counselling. Reports indicated that the mysterious drink called, 'Piya' was given to participants before the bizarre rituals commenced. The drink allegedly caused altered emotional states and made attendees more vulnerable to suggestion. Politicians and religious leaders respond The programme's activities have received harsh criticism from both religious and political figures. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari confirmed that the event had no affiliation with any state agency. 'I am concerned about the allegations. I have instructed Jais to conduct a full investigation and to take firm action if the allegations are found to be true,' he said. Jakim Director-General Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said that this joint investigation is part of an ongoing effort to curb deviant practices and the spread of harmful ideologies that contradict Islamic teachings. He added that Jakim views this matter seriously and will work with state authorities to protect morality, family harmony and the sanctity of Islamic teachings. Offers of help for affected women In a more supportive response, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has offered counselling services to women affected by the incident. Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said that their Social Welfare Department and Women's Development Division are prepared to assist. 'In cases like this, we usually mobilise counsellors. We advise women to thoroughly verify the credibility of any programme before joining,' she said. Repercussions and public outrage Public sentiment has been unforgiving. Many on social media are questioning how such a programme with nudity, ritualistic elements and sexual content could have taken place without prior scrutiny from local authorities. The fact that the event occurred at a public convention centre in Shah Alam, so close to Jais headquarters, only intensified criticism. Calls are now mounting for criminal charges, a ban on similar self-help movements and a crackdown on unregulated motivational programmes masquerading as spiritual healing or family therapy. What is Next? The founders of the event allegedly a husband-and-wife team will soon be summoned by Jais for formal questioning. Investigators are also looking into potential violations of religious law, public decency laws and whether any psychoactive substances were used. Religious authorities have urged the public to report any suspicious programmes and avoid groups not recognised by Jakim or state Islamic departments. The case also serves as a cautionary tale, especially for those seeking help for marital or emotional issues. Always verify the legitimacy of any programme, especially those involving closed-door activities, unregulated rituals, or unverified claims of transformation. As of now, no arrests have been made, but authorities assure the public that appropriate action will follow once investigations conclude.
Times
12-07-2025
- Times
Former ‘hippy' hotel is sold to Saudi businessman
For half a century its guests — derided as 'hippies' — came in search of spiritual enlightenment and inner peace. The Cluny Hill hotel, on a slope above the town of Forres in Moray, served as a retreat and learning centre for the Findhorn Foundation (FF), Scotland's biggest and best-known alternative lifestyle charity. With its faded Victorian glamour, the 76-room former spa was once dubbed 'the Vatican of the New Age'. The building, first opened as a 'hydropathic establishment' in 1876, is now to be returned to its original purpose after Abdullah Alshiddi, a 27-year-old Saudi hotelier, bought the property as the FF winds up its educational work. The estate agent Christie & Co confirmed the sale of the building, which comes with its own woodlands.
Time Business News
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Time Business News
10th July Thursday's HSC exams under madrassah, technical, Cumilla boards postponed countrywide
The authorities on Wednesday night postponed the ongoing Higher Secondary Certificate examinations under the madrassah and the technical boards for Thursday due to inclement Thursday, all examinations under the Cumilla education board have been postponed for the same reason The educational institutions in these two upazilas are now being used as shelters for the flood this circumstance, the HSC exam on Thursday (July 10) under the Cumilla education board has been postponed and the date of the deferred exam will be informed later. The release mentioned that the HSC exam under eight other general boards would be held on Thursday as per Madrassah Education Board chairman Professor Miah Md Nurul Huq told New Age on Wednesday night that the madrassah board and the Bangladesh Technical Education Board postponed Thursday's exams across the country. 'As these boards are individual and we have same question papers so we have postponed the exams on Thursday,' he added. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
