Robert Peston’s Surprise Street Band Performance
North London residents, take note: ITV political editor Robert Peston might just be serenading your street in the near future. Peston unveiled his new band, Centrist Dad, at a street party on York Rise in Camden. The band includes former Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls on drums, along with friends John Wilson and Chris Taylor on bass and guitar.
Unexpected Punk Vibes
Centrist Dad surprised the crowd by embracing a punk-rock style, playing hits from the 1970s, such as Blondie’s “One Way Or Another” and The Sex Pistols’ “Anarchy in the UK,” where Peston confidently sang, “I am an anti-Christ, I am an anarchist.” Quite a departure from political reporting! Their setlist also featured songs by The Clash and The Ramones. The band’s name, “Centrist Dad,” reflects the fact that all members have centrist political views and are fathers.
Keir Starmer’s Surprise Appearance
Even Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer made a surprise appearance on stage during the performance. While he’s somewhat of a “Centrist Dad” himself, he refrained from joining in the musical festivities.
Musical Rivalry in the Podcast World
Interestingly, Robert Peston and Ed Balls have become podcasting rivals, with Peston hosting “The Rest Is Money,” while Balls, along with George Osborne, launched “Political Currency.” Could their shared musical interests lead to a split in their podcasting endeavors?
Nicole Scherzinger’s West End Adventure
Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger has embarked on a new adventure in London’s West End, rehearsing for her role in Sunset Boulevard, featuring musical numbers by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Scherzinger, who hails from LA, made the most of London’s unexpected heatwave during her rehearsals. The show is set to open at the Savoy Theatre later this month.
Bernard Doherty’s PR Blunder
Amid The Rolling Stones’ age-defying antics, their longtime PR representative, Bernard Doherty, seems to be experiencing some forgetfulness. Doherty, nearing his 75th birthday, approached journalists for features without realizing they had changed jobs long ago. He even suggested interviews with journalists who hadn’t been at their respective publications for years. This blunder raised some eyebrows, with comparisons made to cold-calling Vogue and asking for Alexandra Shulman. Is this a sign of the times for Doherty?
King Charles’ NFT Anniversary
It has been a year since King Charles ascended to the throne, and to commemorate his coronation, the Standard created an NFT (non-fungible token) in collaboration with Apollo Entertainment. Created by crypto artist Trevor Jones, this NFT broke records as it was widely shared. Trevor Jones recently participated in a three-day Castle Party at the Château de Vallery near Paris, raising funds for Maggie’s cancer charity. This celebration of Charles’ reign surely aligns with his tastes.
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