HARRY POTTER STUDIO TOUR!

On 19th December 2014 I turned 19 and got one of the presents EVER. Tickets to the Harry Potter Studio Tour! After 6 months waiting I was finally able to book it, and so on 11th June 2015 Alex and I finally went to Hogwarts. It was the most magical, fascinating day. We went in the afternoon after watching Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in the morning as preparation for the day. One underground, overground and tour bus later we finally arrived.

My mum bought us the digital guide to listen to as you go round along with the souvenir programme for after, which were both so worth it! The digital guide went into so much detail about every set we saw, all the props and even included video interviews with the directors and actors involved. The amount of work that had gone into these films is really unbelievable. It was the fine detail that really blew me away. So much love has gone into every set, prop, costume etc. 

Something new to the tour was the Hogwarts express which was pretty incredible. You're able to walk on the train and look into the carriages, which were laid out depicting scenes from the different films. You also get to sit in replica carriages and pretend you're on the train. 

We reached the half way point and of course I had to try some butter beer! I would love to say it was so tasty I couldn't stop drinking it but if I am honest with you it was quite the opposite. Alex loved it so at least someone was able to drink it. 

The second part of the tour wasn't as long but it probably had the most breathtaking parts in it. You first move through the make section full of all of prosthetic face masks and dead body doubles. The second part was also where you get to go down diagon alley. The insides of the shop had so many props and just looking so amazing. It is hard to imagine this was how it was when they were filming. That being said it is hard to imagine eveything within the tour was actually what they used. 

You also get to see all the beginning sketches, concept art and scale models of the sets. It was so interesting to see. 

The last room was be far one of the highlights of the whole tour. I felt myself welling up as soon as I stepped in, I had to stop and compose myself. I'm not going to spoil what is in this last room but trust me when I say it is so incredibly beautifully breathtaking. I think the music being played was also contributing to making me teary! It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

Of course we visited the shop and I may have bought some Bertie Bott's Ever Flavor Beans, which have been so fun (except for Vomit) to taste. I also bought the Newt Scamander's Fantastic Beast and where to find them by J.K.Rowling which I've nearly finished reading. It is soon going to be turned into a film and I'm really excited to go see it!

Altogether I think I had one of the best days and I would really love to go back again some day.

It would be great to hear of other Potter lovers experiences and I'm looking for more blogs to read so it would be great if you wanted to leave a comment.

Liv ♥

Music favourites for this week:
Hedwig's theme - John Williams
Oh had I a golden thread- Eva Cassidy

PENTATONIX

                                                             

                                                                   

Mitch Grassi

Kevin Olusola

 

Scott Hoying

Kirstin Maldonado

Avi Kaplan

Helloooo

So on Thursday 30th April I was lucky enough to go and see Pentatonix again!

Pentatonix are up there as one of my favourite music groups. If you don't know they're a 5 person a capella group that cover a range of different songs as well as original material. Individually they're such great vocalists so put them together is just incredible. 

Starting with Problem we get the real sass from Mitch Grassi in his version of Iggy's rap. Mitch is also known for the impossibly high notes he is able to reach. The crowd would roar whenever he whacked one of those out. His control in the higher register is so overwhelming especially in "Aha!" ( which I have a feeling is a personal favourite of Mitch's!)

Near the beginning Kevin, the beatboxer slash cellist slash incredible vocalist in general held the audience by himself with just his cello and beatboxing skills. I was blown away as I think the whole audience was by how captivating it was. 

Scott is kind of like the main spokesperson for the group and leads quite a few of the songs but he too can sing high (in problem) and low (in Standing By). He secretly has one of the biggest ranges and his riffs were always on point.

One of my favourite covers they do is Rather Be. I just think it's so clever and I LOVE how Kirstie takes the lead in this one. I think Kirstie is for me the most underated vocalist. She has this incredible voice and makes what would be soooo difficult for normal singers to just sound effortless. Her voice is just so pure and I could listen to it all day. 

Avi Kaplan. Boss of the bass notes with the most charm I think I have ever come across. Probably one of my favourite performers he is just so smooth. Possibly one of my favourite songs of the night was 'Standing By' which of course is led by Avi. I fell in love with him when I saw them last year in May and he did not disappoint second time round!

Coming back for the encore they asked the audience  to be keeping silent so they could sing 'That's Christmas to Me' without mics and of course after a few seconds of the audience shhing each other the place was completely quiet           and it stayed that way all through the song as everyone was                                                              so mesmerised. This was one of my favourite part last year also                                                                  when they did Run to you and I think it's such a great idea. 

The whole concert was a night to remember and I couldn't fault it if I tried. I could keep rambling about every single song but I'm afraid I may be here awhile!

Liv ♥ 

Music blog intro!

Hello!

Writing a diary was always something I wanted to do but the truth is I was never very good at committing to it. Now, at 19 years of age, coming to the end of my first year of uni as a music student I think it's about time I start blogging my music-y world! 

I can't really define my choice of music into just one genre - I know this is what a lot of people say but it's really true! I think it's great to listen to a lot of different music. I think for me it is going to be interesting to see my taste in music develop through this blog. 

RIGHT NOW

 So right now I'm loving the big voices that a coming through in the mainstream music scene. In past years I haven't really taken as much of an interesting because I don't feel like they were the best songs and those singing weren't necessarily the biggest vocal talents. Of course you still have a few of those slipping through, but I am loving artists like Sam Smith with his heart wrenching soulful voice, George Ezras' beautiful bass and the harshness of Jess Glynne's voice. Rather be being a favourite of mine for quite some time! One of my favourite groups of all time has  to PENTATONIX. Five individually incredible voices put together to create the most stunning a cappella arrangements, what could be better?

I listen to quite a lot of music outside of the charts and especially through uni next year I will be studying jazz to electronic to gospel and blues music. I can't wait to document all of this on here.

The content of my blog is going to range from what I've been listening to, reviews of gigs, projects I'll be working on and who knows we shall have to see!

Liv ♥