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New Statesman
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Statesman
Stereophonic: all the sex, drugs, tears and boredom of true rock 'n' roll
Photo by Marc Brenner The Fleetwood Mac model is the only one you can use to tell the story of a fictional band these days, because there are two women at its core, they're allies, and they both write songs: all the problems of the Seventies rock world are sidestepped right there. And so, in Stereophonic, we watch five men and women, Brits and Americans – all of whom could potentially be shagging each other, though some are also married to each other – slinking around looking dazzling, making a Rumours-style masterpiece, in the wondrous days when everything was brown. Arriving from Broadway fizzing with five-star energy, the show looks just like Amazon Prime's Daisy Jones and the Six, which was carried along by Elvis's astonishing granddaughter Riley Keough. But the challenges chosen by the writer David Adjimi, who took five years to do this script, are more eccentric: how to make two of the dullest settings – the windowless recording studio, and the circular, drug-fuelled diatribe – into something you actually want to see. The play is set entirely behind the mixing desk, over a period that should have been a month and ended up a year, and it asks the question I have always wondered about: how the hell is this setting conducive to creativity? The music starts and is instantly stopped, because there's not enough EQ on the mike, because people are arguing, and because each day begins with every band member completely trashed from the night before. The coffee machine is broken, but coke's the 'same thing', and the 'bag', as it's referred to, is a character of its own – around 2lbs of white powder swung about like a medieval mace. My throat tickled from the smell of earthy faux fags onstage. The problem with fictional bands has always been portraying songwriting and recording on stage or screen. It is impossible to make it interesting, unless it's Get Back and you're the Beatles. It is an internal wonder, a mental process: too often directors resort to what I call the 'Hey guys, what do you think of this' moment, when a deathless hit emerges in three spontaneous chords. Stereophonic is more realistic than this, and its realism is the heart of its success – at one point, six days' of studio time are given over to getting the sound of a snare right. The realism extends to a script that I found fresh in ways I can't fully explain. The characters – high, emotionally wounded, or giddy with cabin fever – talk nonsense as well as sense, and Adjimi exploits the originality in coke-fuelled language: bassist Reg is a 'sad man in a blanket'; English toff drummer Simon is trying to clean him up but, equally stoned, proposes going home to make dinner and try out his grandmother's recipe of a 'chicken smashed by a brick'. Band members start a speech in puffed up arrogance or make a desperate bid for creative independence – then find their ideas derailing mid flow, and shrink back and forth between self-expression and conformity in a way that feels truly psychological. At the heart of the web is the coercive singer-guitarist Peter (Jack Riddiford) – the Lindsay Buckingham to Diana's Stevie Nicks: she, played by Lucy Karczewski, has five songs on the album, more than anyone else, but her husband can't handle it, and whenever she presents something, he stares off with hate into the middle distance. He sold her guitar seven years ago ('I was going to learn it!' she sobs) and she's never had anything to do with her hands: all Peter can suggest is a Nicksian wave of the fingers. Arcade Fire's Will Butler, who wrote the music, probably wishes he'd been working in the Seventies – many musicians do. I thought Stereophonic was an immersive album experience, a kind of West End gimmick, and I was looking forward to it, but the music is more incidental than that, though it fleshes out in increasingly long studio sessions as the album gets written, flopping or firing up depending on what kind of day they're having. It's quite a thing to see the cast playing their instruments live: vocal takes are done in real time and laid on backing tracks right there in front of you. The real star is probably Eli Gelb, who plays the engineer schlub Grover, with a voice like Jonah Hill. He got the gig pretending he'd worked for the Eagles: his partner, the gnome-like Charlie, is only there because he's 'cousins with the main Doobie Brother'. Together, backs to the audience, all tight buttocks and flared jeans, they provide bemused commentary on the peacocks behind the glass. In the unseen outside world, the band's previous album goes to number one. 'I think we're really famous,' says someone. It doesn't look that great from here. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe [See also: The search for queer cinema] Related
Buzz Feed
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
27 Affordable H&M Finds To Solve Your Wardrobe Woes
A boxy Wicked tee if you're holding space for "For Good" and wanna stay hyped all year long while you wait for part two to hit theaters. Who doesn't need a ~wicked cool~ tee to make getting dressed a breeze? Price: $19.99 (available in sizes XXS–XL and four styles) A pair of denim pull-on pants that are as comfy as they are versatile. Get all the glam and classic vibes of denim but without the buttons and zippers digging into your skin the second you sit down to enjoy some TikTok scrolling. Price: $29.99 (available in sizes XXS–XXL and two colors) A textured jersey vest that is perfect for layering or wearing all on its own. Plus, it's a great transition piece, so it'll come in handy now and then again when summer turns back into fall. A win-win down the calendar year. Price: $17.99 (available in sizes XXS–XXL and three colors) A linen button-down for those days when you need to look Official (TM) but still want to feel comfy and like yourself. Cuff the sleeves, layer with a graphic tee, or put it over a dress to choose your own outfit adventure for the day. Price: $32.99 (available in sizes XXS–4XL and nine colors) A smocked strappy dress because sometimes you need the perfect throw-on-and-go outfit, and this is certainly it for summer! Price: $24.99 (available in sizes XXS–4XL and two colors) A pair of linen-blend shorts so you can have a new fave go-to all season long. Gotta run errands? Linen-blend shorts. Need to run into an office for some paperwork? Pop on a button-down and your linen shorts, and you'll be good to go. Price: $19.99 (available in sizes XS–4XL and six colors) A pair of drawstring twill trousers if you're pretty sure the world (and your wardrobe) could use more stripes (and twill). Price: $24.99 (available in sizes XS–4XL and six colors/patterns) A colorful embroidered strappy top to give yourself the gift of a new favorite quirky staple in your closet. Whether you want to layer it or pair it with a skirt, you can't go wrong with this serotonin-boosting pintuck top! Price: $34.99 (available in sizes XXS–XXL) A lace-trimmed crop top if Daisy Jones and the Six is your fashion inspo for the summer. You'll never wonder "what would Daisy do?" again when you open your closet, because you know she'd snag this in a heartbeat! Price: $29.99 (available in sizes S–XL) A cable-knit cardigan that you'll be so happy you brought along on your next movie theater outing because you *know* it's going to be freezing cold in there, no matter what the thermometer says outside. Beat those sneaky summer chills with this snuggly, easy-to-throw-in-your-tote cardi! Price: $29.99 (available in sizes XXS–4XL and three colors) Or a bouclé-knit cardigan if you want the warmth of an extra layer but with a touch more fuzziness to give you the teddy bear 'fit of dreams. Price: $42.99 (available in sizes XXS–4XL and in two colors) A slip skirt for the perfect go-to-work basic upon which you can build your outfit kingdom. This one can match all your tops and be ready to conquer those emails, crunch those numbers, and do whatever else you've got to do in an office setting. Price: $34.99 (available in sizes XXS–4XL and three colors) A linen-blend blazer so you can have an "I'd be the man" moment without sweating to death. Made of linen, you have all the structure of a heavier blazer without it weighing down your spring looks. Pair with graphic tees, over a dress, or with your fave tank and some jeans to get a whole new look from an old standby. Price: $44.99 (available in sizes XXS–XXL and three colors) A scalloped mini dress if you're never quite sure what to wear to those more-than-casual but not *quite* formal events. This can be dressed up, down, and win all-around best dress no matter the vibes! Price: $39.99 (available in sizes XXS–XXL and three colors) A playful printed resort shirt to give a pop of warm-weather spunk to your wardrobe. Great for layering over swimsuits or tanks, and just looking at the cheerful boho sunshine print is a guaranteed mood boost. Price: $19.99 (available in sizes XXS–XL and four colors) A pair of high-waisted joggers because athleisure isn't going anywhere as a viable outside-the-house outfit option, and why should it? Life is too short not to be on-trend and comfy. Price: $24.99 (available in sizes XXS–XXL and four colors) A textured short-sleeve jersey cardigan for the humans still mourning the end of sweater season. You can have your cake it, too? Well, you can still have sweater vibes even without sleeves, and that's basically wardrobe dessert. Price: $24.99 (available in sizes XXS–4XL and three colors) A pair of drawstring linen shorts that feel like your fave pajamas without the pajama look. The plot? Sunny days, perfect outfits, and you looking stellar. Price: $19.99 (available in sizes XS–XXL and five colors) A cute-as-can-be tie-front denim jacket so you can get that vintage layering look without having to break your piggy bank to get it. (Plus, you'll look straight out of a vintage Coca-Cola ad if you sling this over your swimsuit this summer.) Price: $39.99 (available in sizes XXS–XXL and three colors) Or a denim shirt if you want a similar look with a little less warmth and fabric bulk, but still want a classic Western-ish feel. Price: $34.99 (available in sizes XXS–XXL and six colors) A tie-belt jumpsuit because warmer weather means all kinds of celebratory reminders pinging your phone for months, and you're going to want a go-to Big Event (TM) outfit to take the outfit anxiety out of the equation. This can be easily dressed up with chunky earrings and strappy heels. Or dressed down with your comfiest pair of sneakers and your new denim jacket!Price: $20.99 (available in sizes XS–XXL and two colors) A pair of straight ultra-high jeans to ensure you've always got the perfect bottoms to match literally all of your tops. These have metal chain details at the belt line to give you a little extra outfit ✨pizzazz.✨ Price: $39.99 (available in sizes 0–20 and three colors) A sheer pleated skirt for ~the drama~ of having a long maxi skirt but with the delight of letting your legs show (and breathe!) while doing it. Price: $54.99 (available in sizes XXS–XXL and three colors) A ribbed polo shirt if you found yourself jealous of all the fashion at the Masters this year and want to keep that golf green aesthetic going throughout the summer. Price: $17.99 (available in sizes XXS–XXL and three colors/patterns) A crinkled tunic dress that's been in style since before Julius Caesar was cruising the streets, so you know this purchase will be an evergreen go-to fashion piece in your wardrobe. Price: $24.99 (available in sizes XXS–XXL) A hooded zip-up sweatshirt because this closet staple deserves an upgrade, and you'll be surprised how often you reach for it even in the warmer months. Post swim, late-night summer hangouts in chilly evening air, or spring sporting tournaments where the wind is just *this* side of chilly, you'll love having this basic at the ready. Price: $19.99 (available in sizes XXS–XXL and four colors) And finally, a denim jumpsuit that will have you jumpin' for joy with how easy it is to style. Plus, this one has a tie waist, so you can sub in a belt of your choosing for a whole new ~look.~ Price: $59.99 (available in sizes XXS–XL and two colors)
Cosmopolitan
27-05-2025
- Cosmopolitan
Hydra is the laidback, stunning and walkable Greek island you need to book for your next summer trip
With hundreds of islands, it can be slightly overwhelming to know which of the picturesque Greek paradises to spend your precious annual leave at. However, after spending a week on the calm, sunny and car-free island of Hydra, it's safe to say it's at the top of my list of recommendations. The small island is located less than an hour away by ferry from the city of Athens. Spend a night in the city and soak up the lively atmosphere before heading over for a week of true relaxation in Hydra. The island was beloved by Leonard Cohen, and recently featured in an episode of Prime Video's Daisy Jones and the Six. But despite its fame, the vibe is lowkey and relaxed. Cars aren't allowed so everyone travels by foot, boat or donkey. The town itself is easily walkable, and you can see it all within a day, which leaves plenty of time for the highlight - the beaches. Dotted around the island are a number of gorgeous coves, mainly rocky, that took my breath away on multiple occasions. There are so many, you'll want to spend a good week on the island hopping from place to place, picnic and books in tote bags, ready to spend afternoons swimming in the crystal clear sea followed by Spritzes and games of Uno. And when the day is over, make sure to pay attention to the unreal sunsets as you get ready for a chilled out dinner in the marina. Ready to plan a week in Hydra? Here's everything you need to know about the Greek oasis. One of the biggest reasons I love Hydra is how the buildings have been maintained, with many restrictions stopping the development of big hotels taking over. Instead, hotels are boutique and intimate, like the Hotel Miranda where we stayed. It's located just a minute's walk up a side street from the main port, and was originally a sea captain's mansion built in 1810. There are just 14 rooms in the hotel, some with balconies looking out to sea, and others with garden views. The small number of rooms and relaxed nature of the hotel makes it feel like you're staying at the house of a great family friend. And this in part is due to the fact the hotel is run by Miranda - hence the hotel's name - and her lovely family. Breakfast is served each morning in the hotel's courtyard, surrounded by lemon, orange and jasmine trees, where you can tuck into freshly made pastries and local jam, while chatting away with other guests. Simply heavenly. Over the years it's played host to a number of artists and exhibitions, and this is reflected in the walls of the hotel, which are decorated in a very classical style but with all the modern facilities you could want. Book your stay at Miranda Hotel here Hydra is the island to come to if all you want to do is relax on the beach, catch-up on your reading list and swim in crystal blue waters. However, knowing which beach to go to is crucial. Many of them are accessible by water-taxi only, so you do need to slightly plan ahead - however the ones I've listed below are all accessible on foot. The journeys to them are so picturesque, it makes the stroll all the more enjoyable. Spilla beach Located less than a five minute walk from the centre, the Spilla beach is less of a beach and more of a series of plinths to rest and dive in from. It's set between two beach bars - the Hydronetta and Spilla beach bar - which are built into the rocks. It's the sort of place you go for a proper swim and then get out for a much needed Aperol. Avlaki beach This is just a 10 minute walk from the port and is located down a long set of steps. It's a very small beach with crystal clear blue water. It's a spot for a morning swim, where it's pretty much deserted, and then heading back for breakfast. There are no toilets or facilities, just two ledges to rest on. However there is a very nice restaurant, Téchne, at the top, which is open for lunch and dinner. Kamini If you're looking for a beach to spend the whole day on then I'd head to Kamini. It's about a 20 to 25 minute walk from the port, or you can get a water taxi. You can either lay a towel out on the beach for free or there are a few rows of sun beds and umbrellas you can rent for the day. They're part of the Castillo restaurant, which is truly stunning,and you can either eat in the restaurant, or order to your sunbed. We ended up taking sandwiches with us and ordering rosé while playing Uno all afternoon. Honestly, it doesn't get better than that. Mandraki Located to the right side of the port, this is either a five minute water taxi or 20 minute walk. There are two beaches, one that belongs to the Mandraki Hotel where prices for the sunbed a day are pretty spenny, or there's the public beach which has sun beds at a more affordable rate, restaurants, toilets and a beach bar. There's a number of yachts docked around this beach which makes for some great people watching. To note: apart from the beach at the Mandraki Hotel, the rest of the beaches on the island are made up of stones and not sand, so while not essential, next time I'd definitely bring a pair of water shoes. While you can get a water taxi to one place, there are also plenty of boat tours that will arrange to take you to many of the best beaches on the island in one day. Ideal if you're only there for a long weekend and want to pack as much in as possible. If you need a bit more activity in your day, then start the morning off with a horse ride. Harriet's Hydra Horses company leads group riding treks across hydra, visiting monasteries and beaches dotted across the island. She keeps the groups small and every trek is personalised to that group. Hydra is a small island with a small main town, but it's still packed with plenty to keep you entertained. As well as the shops lining the main port, there's also a number of galleries, the Hydra museum, and Leonard Cohen's house (you can't go into his old house but you can walk past and take pictures) to keep you busy. A classic no frills Greek taverna which easily had some of the best food we ate on the island. It's all about the salads, fresh fish and peppers stuffed with feta, and it's located in the most gorgeous square with live music playing. In the same square is Kafeneio, which is a more modern and elevated take on classic Greek dishes. It kind of felt like if you picked up an east London restaurant and dropped it onto a Greek island. This seafood restaurant elevated above the port is the best place to go for good food and unmatched views in the evening. While they specialise in seafood (order the king prawn linguine - you won't be disappointed), they also do plenty of Greek classics. You can't really leave Greece without having gyros, and this was our favourite place on the island to get them. The gyros are super fresh, have a variety of toppings available and the come in very large portions. There are plenty of places to drink along the main port, however our favourite place for cocktails was at Amalour. It's set in a lively square and looks out on a number of bustling restaurants. They do an unreal margarita and from around 11, you can start dancing until the early hours. Hydra isn't the island to come to if you want to go out partying every night - Amalour and Red Club are the only two venues to play late nice music. Amalour is perfect if you just want to let you hair down for one night while you're there. For more low key and intimate evening drinks head to the L'Americano. It's just down the road from the Miranda Hotel and does an incredible cocktail menu. With relaxed jazz music playing you could easily spend a few hours here. Oh and be sure to try the spicy white negroni. The best (and basically only) way to get to Hydra is to fly into Athens and from there take an hour and a half ferry from the port, which you should book ahead. Lydia Venn is Cosmopolitan UK's Senior Entertainment and Lifestyle Writer. She covers everything from TV and film, to the latest celebrity news. She also writes across our work/life section regularly creating quizzes, covering exciting new food releases and sharing the latest interior must-haves. In her role she's interviewed everyone from Margot Robbie to Niall Horan, and her work has appeared on an episode of The Kardashians. After completing a degree in English at the University of Exeter, Lydia moved into fashion journalism, writing for the Daily Express, before working as Features Editor at The Tab, where she spoke on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour and Talk Radio. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of Gilmore Girls and 00s teen movies, and in her free time can be found with a margarita in hand watching the Real Housewives on repeat. Find her on LinkedIn.
