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Live Review: The National, Alexandra Palace, London [26th & 27th September 2023]

Home » Live Review: The National, Alexandra Palace, London [26th & 27th September 2023]

After releasing two albums this year, The National finally arrived in London for two sold out shows at Alexandra Palace that show why this band are so special. Repeating no songs, the band play for just short of five hours across the two nights playing a total of 58 individual tracks.

Then onto The National. Hitting the stage at 20:20 both nights, night one was a set that was hit after hit. Opening with ‘Once Upon A Poolside’, Matt Berninger is centre stage and hit with a spotlight as he sways behind his mic stand. Kicking into life after the piano backed opener, ‘Tropic Morning News’ is the burst of energy to really start of gig.

If you ask any fan of the band what their favourite song is, chances are it was played at this gig. A run of ‘Don’t Swallow The Cap’ into ‘Demons’ followed by ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’ has the whole venue singing as the band announces for the first time that no songs will be repeated the following night.

A staple of any National show is Berninger’s showmanship. When he’s not frantically pacing around the stage, you can find him on his knees, sat on the edge of the stage, hitting his head with his hand or even stood next to you in the crowd. One thing to take away from it though is someone needs to let him know wireless microphones exist, with him needing multiple crew members following him through the crowd at all time keeping an eye on the cable.

28 songs played and taken off 8 different albums, the band hit every part of their back catalogue. Scott Devendorf again showed why he is one of the best drummers in indie rock, while the Dessner twins remain the soul of the band with their duelling guitars.

‘Abel’ had the whole place rocking with Berninger and the crowd all screaming “my minds not right” in harmony. New songs ‘Smoke Detector’ and ‘Space Invader’ stand out and feel like they’re going to become guarantees for most future shows before Berninger puts down the microphone and the crowd sings ‘Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks’ in full voice to end night one.

Night two had far less big hits than night one given no song was being played twice, however for long-time fans of the band it was possibly better. Playing deep cuts and rare songs, they stayed true to their word and played 30 completely different songs. ‘Eucalyptus’ shows up early and might be the best song from across the two nights. Instantly upon hearing the track as a single, I knew it would be given a huge kick of life when performed live and I was right. The added heavier tones and Berninger screams take it up a whole level.

This time the band took tracks from 10 different albums. ‘Available’ and ‘Turtleneck’ are outright bangers with the band giving every bit of energy they’ve got, even if the crowd seemed to not know ‘Turtleneck’.  With them playing most of their hits the night before they still had huge songs up their sleeve with both ‘I Need My Girl’ and ‘Graceless’ being played, the latter involving Matt disappearing into the crowd for most of the song.

The second night featured a lot more slower songs, not that any fan of The National would complain about that though. ‘Sorrow’, ‘Carin at the Liquor Store’, ‘Light Years’ and ‘Send For Me’ all feature throughout the night for a release of sad euphoria. And with Vanderlyle being played on night one they end with ‘About Today’ which featured yet another mass singalong and a huge extended outro.

These two gigs were something else. To play 58 songs across two nights, taken from 10 albums is insane and they did it effortlessly. With two new albums this year, it was obvious the band was on a current high however seeing them at these two gigs has just solidified that. The band are at the top of their game, and you never know what songs they are going to play. Whether you are a fan or not, seeing The National live is something you have to experience.

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The National at Alexandra Palace

Don't Swallow the Cap, Cherry Tree, Mr November

“Band learns how to have fun after 24 years,” The National’s guitarist jokes 40 minutes into the band’s two-and-a-half-hour set at Alexandra Palace in North London.

It is the first stop of two at the iconic venue for the self-professed “Sad Dads” of indie music. Performing to a sold-out audience of passionate fans, the American quintet and their backing band deliver a stellar selection of songs new, old, and very old. Celebrating 20 years together, the band are seasoned performers, playing up to the crowd and presenting an emotionally charged and intoxicating show. Their fanbase, spanning generations, lap it up.

Roaring into life as The National takes to the stage, the audience’s energy rarely falters throughout the 28-song setlist. An impressive lighting and video setup build the atmosphere, as a collection of squares illuminate the ceiling and stage alongside a video screen backdrop. The group may have chosen a smaller and more intimate venue for their London appearances than the rest of the tour, but the production remains fit for arenas.

Releasing two albums just this year, there is plenty to choose from as the evening showcases the band’s deeply adored discography. Some numbers evoke a stronger audience reaction than others, but all are delivered with the care of a fan favourite. Sombre track Once Upon a Poolside contrasts nicely with the mellow Don’t Swallow the Cap , while brass-heavy Cherry Tree highlights the band’s versatility. Jokes and musings from members fill in the gaps, including a birthday shout-out to one of their first UK fans and the reminiscing of a gig in East London two decades earlier that resulted in the band’s first record deal, and keep the energy light. After all, they’re having fun.

There is an intimacy to The National’s music that translates beautifully into a live setting. Frontman Matt Berninger takes several opportunities to get up close to his audience, whether singing directly to members of the front row from the stage, or physically climbing onto the barrier. “Tell me how to reach you,” the singer croons, hand stretched out to teary-eyed fans. It isn’t long before he’s running through the stunned crowd for Day I Die .

Mr November follows not long after as another joyous highlight of the night, ending with Berninger walking through the venue and out the exit. Yet, just as it seems the show is over, the Ohio natives launch into a thrilling finale of Space Invader followed by a feel-good singalong of Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks . The set closes with a stunning display of togetherness, as crowd vocals take centre stage with the band instead providing the backing track. It is a fitting finish for an evening of melancholic euphoria.

Katherine Parry Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit The National’s website here .

Watch the video for the single Space Invader here:

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What time are The National on stage at London’s Alexandra Palace?

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American rockers The National will perform at the iconic Alexandra Palace tonight as part of a UK tour.

The indie favourites from Ohio will take to the stage in the capital on Wednesday, September 27, to perform a medley of hits spanning nearly two decades.

The band consists of Matt Berninger, twin brothers Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner , as well as brothers Scott Devendorf and Bryan Devendorf.

Fans have been to see The National already at Alexandra Palace , and they have also played the OVO Hydro and First Direct Arena on their world tour. There have also been stops in Ireland as well as mainland Europe.

The band is on tour until March next year, and will visit Europe, the US, Australia and New Zealand.

When will The National be performing?

The band will perform at the Alexandra Palace tonight, on Wednesday, September 27.

What time will The National be on stage?

Doors will open at 6.30pm, with the concert set to begin at 7.30pm. The National will be on later, though, as first up are support act Soccer Mommy, who will perform before the headliners take to the stage.

During the US leg of the tour, The National’s set typically began at 9pm local time, but this is yet to be confirmed in the UK.

Are there tickets available for The National gig?

Unfortuately no, these were all snapped up pretty quickly when the band announced the series of dates for performances back in January.

The gig at the Alexandra Palace is sold out, but fans who want to be added to the waitlist can register interest here .

Where are the The National playing for the rest of 2023?

Tonight’s gig will be the last show in the UK for the rest of the year but the band is playing other dates for the rest of the year. European dates with ticket availability at the time of writing are:

• October 1 — Zenith, Munich 
• October 4 — WiZink Center, Madrid 
• October 6 — Campo Pequeno, Lisbon

Visit the band’s website for full details of tour dates and availability.

What is the setlist for The National gig?

There is no official setlist that has been made public but, judging from other gigs around the world, we can hazard a guess that the indie heroes will be playing a mix of their best and most-loved hits including Eucalyptus, Squalor Victoria, Green Gloves, Cherry Tree, and Available.

The National – Laugh Track album review: a dash of fresh energy

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27 September 2023 11:33 AM

The National live in London: indie icons hit ecstatic new peak

Though they released two albums in 2023, the ohio band’s first of two london gigs is a career-spanning triumph littered with deep cuts..

By Will Richards

‘Smoke Detector’, the final song from The National’s new album Laugh Track , was written spontaneously at a soundcheck earlier this summer. On the back of April’s First Two Pages Of Frankenstein LP, the band felt a continued creative rush, and wrote the seven-minute epic album closer on the spot. Matt Berninger’s improvised, rambling vocals melted together with screeching guitar work from the Dessner twins on a song that’s as free and loose as the band have ever sounded.

The band take this new energy and commitment to evolution into their first of two gigs at London’s Alexandra Palace. Emerging with their pair of new albums from a well-documented period of writers’ block and a near-breakup has given the band a new lease of life, and they have never sounded more engaged or vital. Across a mammoth 28-song set, the band dip into rarely-seen corners of their expansive discography, dusting off 2004 track ‘Cherry Tree’ and remembering their first London gig at 93 Feet East, when they were discovered by Beggars Banquet. Elsewhere, they mark a decade of their beloved Trouble Will Find Me LP by playing its gorgeous, sweeping highlight ‘Pink Rabbits’ and debut the sweet title track from Laugh Track .

The National’s live shows have always been defined by the unique yet unsteady chemistry between Berninger and the Dessners, where everything feels like it could fall apart any moment. On this new tour, the fizzing back-and-forth between the band continues, but they lock into a new and simply unstoppable groove with bassist Scott Devendorf and his drumming brother Bryan. Many have scratched their heads at how a band without a bona fide radio or streaming hit have headlined festivals and played arenas worldwide, but when ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’ reaches an ecstatic, horn-assisted conclusion or ‘Fake Empire’ induces a spine-tingling singalong, it’s clear that the band have the chops to fill rooms like these, and have deserved their place at the top table for a decade now.

Even more exciting is how they seem to be having more fun with the platform than ever, not playing within themselves but using it as an opportunity to evolve even further. Across the set, Bryce Dessner adds new wailing guitar solos into old favourites, adding arena rock panache into songs previously defined by their introversion and moody atmospheres, while Berninger’s voice sounds better and more alive than it has in decades.

During the set, the band promised that their second Ally Pally show will feature an entirely different setlist, an undeniable sign of a band who have never been more comfortable with themselves, or willing to push the boundaries of their live show. This enjoyment radiates back onto the crowd at a show that’s simply euphoric, and sees the band reaching a new peak.

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• November 14, 2013 Setlist

The National Setlist at Alexandra Palace, London, England

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Tour: Trouble Will Find Me Tour statistics Add setlist

• Don't Swallow the Cap Play Video
• I Should Live in Salt Play Video
• Anyone's Ghost Play Video
• Bloodbuzz Ohio Play Video
• Demons Play Video
• Sea of Love Play Video
• Slipped Play Video
• Afraid of Everyone Play Video
• Squalor Victoria Play Video
• I Need My Girl Play Video
• This Is the Last Time Play Video
• All the Wine Play Video
• Abel Play Video
• Slow Show Play Video
• Sorrow Play Video
• Pink Rabbits Play Video
• Humiliation Play Video
• England Play Video
• Lean Play Video
• Graceless Play Video
• Fake Empire Play Video
• Exile Vilify ( Tour debut ) Play Video
• Mr. November Play Video
• Terrible Love Play Video
• Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks Play Video

Edits and Comments

8 activities (last edit by Jerbo , 17 Nov 2013, 00:14 Etc/UTC )

Songs on Albums

• Don't Swallow the Cap
• Humiliation
• I Need My Girl
• I Should Live in Salt
• Pink Rabbits
• Sea of Love
• This Is the Last Time
• Afraid of Everyone
• Anyone's Ghost
• Bloodbuzz Ohio
• Terrible Love
• Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks
• Fake Empire
• Squalor Victoria
• Mr. November
• Exile Vilify
• All the Wine

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The National Gig Timeline

• Nov 12 2013 O2 Apollo Manchester Manchester, England Add time Add time
• Nov 13 2013 Alexandra Palace London, England Add time Add time
• Nov 14 2013 Alexandra Palace This Setlist London, England Add time Add time
• Nov 16 2013 Vorst Nationaal / Forest National Vorst / Forest, Belgium Add time Add time
• Nov 17 2013 Vaudeville Theater / Théâtre du Vaudeville Brussels, Belgium Add time Add time

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<div style="text-align: center;" class="setlistImage"><a href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-national/2013/alexandra-palace-london-england-6bc48226.html" title="The National Setlist Alexandra Palace, London, England 2013, Trouble Will Find Me" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.setlist.fm/widgets/setlist-image-v1?id=6bc48226" alt="The National Setlist Alexandra Palace, London, England 2013, Trouble Will Find Me" style="border: 0;" /></a> <div><a href="https://www.setlist.fm/edit?setlist=6bc48226&amp;step=song">Edit this setlist</a> | <a href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/the-national-53d69b79.html">More The National setlists</a></div></div>

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The National is an American indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, in 1999, and currently based in Brooklyn, New York.

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Fontaines D.C. announce 2024 European ‘ROMANCE’ tour with Wunderhorse

The Dublin band will hit Europe before performing across the UK and Ireland later this year

Fontaines D.C. have announced a 2024 European ‘ROMANCE’ tour. Find all the details below.

• READ MORE:  Fontaines D.C.’s daring comeback single ‘Starburster’ is their most experimental work yet

The Dublin band’s new dates come after they announced their 2024 ‘ ROMANCE ’ UK and Ireland tour in support of their fourth album of the same name, which is due for release on August 23 via XL Recordings ( pre-order/pre-save here ).

The European leg is due to kick on November 1 in at Sagres Campo Pequeno in Lisbon, followed by dates in Madrid, Berlin, Paris and more, before they wrapped up at AFAS Live in Amsterdam on November 16.

From there, the band will continue on to their remaining dates, which includes two nights at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Wunderhorse will be joining as special guests across the European dates.

Tickets for the European shows go on sale this Friday (May 3) at 9am BST/10am CET from here . Any remaining tickets for UK dates can be purchased here .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fontaines D.C. (@fontainesband)

Fontaines D.C.’s 2024 European tour dates are:

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NOVEMBER 1 – Lisbon, Portugal, Sagres Campo Pequeno 2 – Madrid, Spain, WiZink Center 4 – Milan, Italy, Alcatraz 5 – Zurich, Switzerland, X-TRA 7 – Munich, Germany, Zenith 8 – Berlin, Germany, Verti Music Hall 9 – Frederiksberg, Denmark, K.B. Hallen 11 – Hamburg, Germany, Sporthalle 12 – Cologne, Germany, E-Werk 13 – Paris, France, Zénith De Paris 15 – Bruxelles, Belgium, Forest National 16 – Amsterdam, Netherlands, AFAS Live

Along with their headline tour, Fontaines D.C. are also scheduled to make appearances at Glastonbury ,  Reading & Leeds , Pukkelpop and  Sziget  among other festivals across the season.

Their forthcoming new album has so far been previewed by new single ‘Starbuster’ . In a five-star review of the track ,  NME said the song was “their most experimental work yet”, adding that they’d “taken a perfect left turn” to usher in the next chapter.

Elsewhere, last week footage resurfaced of a pre-fame Fontaines D.C. performing a cover of   The Strokes ‘ ‘Reptilia’ in 2014.

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Sampha takes a risk at Alexandra Palace — review

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Ludovic Hunter-Tilney

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

The sophistication of Sampha’s recordings and the long gap between them suggest the work of a perfectionist. But the Londoner’s show at Alexandra Palace portrayed him differently. Here was a risk-taker unafraid to shake things up in a room filled with thousands of people, his biggest headline gig to date. The boldness was striking, although the gamble didn’t quite pay off.

Sampha Sisay, to use his full name, had sold out the 10,250-capacity venue. The gig was in support of last year’s album Lahai , the unhurried follow-up to 2017’s Mercury prize-winning Process . Both records are elaborately layered, musically rich affairs with instrumentation ranging from kora and piano to electronic beat-making. You can sense the questing spirit of Stevie Wonder in them. Sampha cites Wonder’s 1976 masterpiece Songs in the Key of Life as a key influence when he was growing up in a south London suburb in the 1990s.

The packed venue showed that the appetite for imaginative music remains high amid the degradation of streaming algorithms and TikTok. But Alexandra Palace’s scale also presented a challenge. Amplification and spectacle were required as well as finesse — and that was where the staging stumbled.

Sampha stood towards the back of the stage behind a set of keyboards. Four musicians were arranged in a ring around him, facing the singer so that their backs were to the audience. They resembled a watchful jazz troupe, alert for cues from their bandleader. Indeed, drummer Blake Cascoe had a T-shirt with the word “jazz” printed on it. Flanking him was an electronic percussionist by the name of Ruthven. Elsa Hackett was on keyboards, while Rosetta Carr played bass and electronics. Sampha made a point of introducing them all at the start of the show.

The careful studio production of his recordings was jettisoned in favour of a rawer live sound. Opening tracks “Suspended” and “Can’t Go Back” were blended into a 10-minute piece of music with stuttering drums and fast keyboard runs, capped by an appearance from trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey of jazz and Afrobeat ensemble Kokoroko. Sampha’s voice rang out amid the action, vigorous and emotive but not melodramatic. 

He sang well, although he also cut a distanced figure at the rear of the stage. An obtrusive cameraman filmed him in close-up for murky black-and-white visuals on a backing screen. His band played well too, but the amplification required to fill the big space gave the music a rather thuddy quality. Meanwhile, a guest spot by the rapper Ghetts on “Still” was sabotaged by his microphone cutting out. 

The atmosphere was respectful but flat. Sampha tried to raise it by liberating himself from his keyboards and bounding to the front from time to time. However, it took a surprise appearance by the rapper Little Simz to lift energy levels with a charismatic cameo on “Satellite Business”. A strong sequence of songs followed, including the appearance of another unannounced guest, Jessie Ware, for a stripped-down piano version of the duet “Valentine”. The set ended with the resonant choral harmonies of “Can’t Get Close”, an aptly titled finale. It had been a bit of a struggle, but connection was ultimately made.

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International Edition

The ultimate royal travel guide to Britain, from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle

T he British landscape is awash with royal properties, from stately palaces to historic castles. These include three of the monarch’s official royal residences; Buckingham Palace , Windsor Castle , and Edinburgh’s Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

But while these historic buildings may have the level of grandeur you might imagine when you picture the Royal family at home, in truth, royals are only ‘resident’ in these buildings on occasion. For some, they are even considered business premises – though they rather put the rest of our offices to shame. 

When it comes to days off from official business, members of the Royal family are more likely to be found in their private homes, such as the King and Queen’s Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, or the Prince and Princess of Wales’s family home of Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park. 

While the private homes are exactly that – private – there are plenty of places around Britain where you can walk in the footsteps of the Royal family and get a small glimpse into their lives. Here are some of the best. 

Buckingham Palace, London

Let’s start with the most famous of all royal residences: Buckingham Palace. Elizabeth II largely regarded it as her office, spending weekdays there attending to official business before retreating to Windsor at the weekends.

Now, of course, the palace – whose origins can be traced back to the reign of King James I in the early 17 th century, but which has been the London home of British monarchs since 1837 when Queen Victoria moved in – is the King’s official London residence.

Buckingham Palace is the setting for royal and national celebrations and commemorations; who can forget catching a glimpse of Royal family members from the famous balcony? It’s also where the monarch hosts dignitaries and official banquets – on September 18 2022, the King held a reception for world leaders at the palace on the eve of his mother’s funeral.

As it is a working palace, Buckingham Palace is only open to the public at set times. For 10 weeks each summer, its grand state rooms are opened up. During this time, visitors can see the crimson-and-gold Throne Room, the Royal Mews, and the enormous Ballroom, where all those extravagant state banquets are held. In addition, there are exclusive guided tours at select dates throughout the year.

Those without a ticket or travelling at the wrong time of year can still watch the spectacle of the Changing of the Guard, which takes place outside the palace several days a week at 10.45am (weather dependent but check the schedule ). 

The ceremony has its roots in the reign of King Henry VI and sees the New Guard of soldiers – wearing the customary bearskin hats – march to Buckingham Palace from St James’s Palace and Wellington Barracks accompanied by music. They parade in front of the palace and relieve the ‘Old Guard’ (the soldiers on duty). 

If you are lucky and the King is in residence (the Royal Standard flag will be flying) then there will be an even higher number of sentries than normal taking part in the ceremony.

How to do it

Buckingham Palace (0303 123 7300) is open for 10 weeks each summer (July 14–September 24 2023). The Goring (read our review here ) has double rooms from £710 including breakfast.

Windsor Castle, Windsor

At the start of the Covid pandemic, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip retreated to this castle on the banks of the River Thames to shield with 22 staff members in what became known as ‘HMS Bubble’. After Prince Philip’s death in April 2021, the late Queen remained at Windsor; indeed, she never spent another night at Buckingham Palace.

The castle was originally built for William the Conqueror to defend London from western approaches, but it became a royal palace under King Henry I. Subsequent monarchs extended the palace with its most ambitious makeover undertaken by King Charles II who wanted to emulate the opulence of his cousin Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles.

As well as seeing the rich interiors of the castle, visitors can pay their respects to the late Queen by visiting her final resting place within the King George VI Memorial Chapel inside St George’s Chapel.

In 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales moved to nearby Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park with their three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – who attend school locally. It may well be that they will eventually move into the castle itself.

Windsor Castle (0303 123 7300) is open daily (summer). Castle Hotel Windsor (read our review here ) has double rooms from £132 including breakfast.

Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh

The King’s official residence in Scotland, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a rather grand building that sits at the opposite end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to the castle. The palace has links with many famous figures from Scottish history – including Bonnie Prince Charlie, who set up court here in 1745 – but the person most visitors want to hear about is Mary, Queen of Scots. Her bedroom can be reached via a winding staircase in the north-west tower of the palace, and is a delight to discover with its low doorway (despite Mary being around 6ft-tall), decorative oak ceiling and painted frieze.

The reigning monarch stays at the palace every year during Holyrood Week (or Royal Week) from late June to early July. During this time they take part in the symbolic Ceremony of the Keys in which the monarch is handed the keys to the city of Edinburgh by the Lord Provost amid much pomp and ceremony.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse (0303 123 7306) is open daily July-Sept; it’s closed Tue-Wed in all other months. Cheval Old Town Chambers (read our review here ) has double rooms from £190 including breakfast.

Highgrove House, Gloucestershire

When they are not on official duties, the King and Queen love nothing better than to return to their countryside home of Highgrove in the Cotswolds. As the house is a private home, you can’t peek behind its neoclassical façade, but tours of the exquisite gardens – which Charles has dedicated himself to creating since buying the property in 1980 – are lovely. 

An experienced guide will take you through the gardens, which are a real passion project of His Majesty. You will then be led to the Ante Room, where bespoke Highgrove products – including food and drink made from produce grown here – can be bought and artworks by the King himself admired. This is all followed by cream tea in the Orchard Room, making it an idyllic way to spend an afternoon.

Highgrove is open on select dates for tours between April and September. Calcot & Spa (read the review here ) has double rooms from £364 including breakfast.

Llwynywermod, Llandovery

The Royal family also has a Welsh home. When he was Prince of Wales, Charles bought the 192-acre estate of Llwynywermod in Carmarthenshire, Wales, in 2006. Comprising a farmhouse building, where he and Camilla would regularly holiday, and three cottages, Charles soon set about renovating the house and its adjoining properties in a greener way, using locally sourced materials. 

On Charles’ ascension to the throne, the property was passed on to William, the new Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who also have a strong affection for the Welsh countryside, having spent some of the early years of their marriage living in Anglesey.

What’s special about here is that two of the cottages are available for holiday lets – North Range, for instance, is a beautiful whitewashed converted barn that sleeps six guests across three bedrooms and comes with a flagstone floor, open fire, Welsh furniture and lots of character. The smaller West Range sleeps four guests.

North Range and West Range can be booked through the Duchy of Cornwall (01579 346 473) and cost from £1,225 per week.

Balmoral, Aberdeenshire

Elizabeth II spent her final weeks in Balmoral and this palace in the Highlands was reputedly her favourite home. 

She is not the only royal to have felt an affinity for the place. Queen Victoria, who fell in love with the Highlands during her very first visit in 1842, was the first monarch to call it home. She and Albert loved to escape public life here, embarking on expeditions incognito through the Highlands. 

The late Queen spent every summer at Balmoral (August–October) and she would regularly be joined by other members of the Royal family. When the monarch is not in residence, the site is open to visitors. 

Although you can only see a small section of the castle’s interiors – including the ballroom where Ghillies Balls have historically been held – it’s the majestic setting amid acres of greenery with views across to the Cairngorms that makes a visit here worthwhile. 

The Royal family are considered locals in the nearby village of Ballater and are regularly seen attending services at nearby Crathie Kirk. Indeed in April 2023, Charles and Camilla surprised residents by making an unexpected visit to a new fishmongers and restaurant in the village during a pre-Coronation holiday at Balmoral.

Balmoral (01339 742 534) is open for pre-booked self-guided tours every summer (1 April to 16 Aug 2023). The Fife Arms (read the review here ) has double rooms from £250 including breakfast.

Read more about where the Royal family like to holiday here .

Sandringham, Norfolk

The Royal family traditionally spends Christmas at the sprawling estate of Sandringham. The private country retreat has been a popular haunt since 1862, when the Jacobean house was built for King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra while Edward’s mother was still on the throne.

It was also a favourite of King Charles III’s grandfather, King George VI, and great-grandfather, King George V, who both died here. The house and gardens are a joy to explore. Norfolk is also where Anmer Hall, another of William and Catherine’s homes, is located.

Sandringham (01485 544 112) is open Sat-Thu (summer). The Brisley Bell (read the review here ) has double rooms from £133 including breakfast.

Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh

Until 1997 the Royal family would take annual holidays around Scotland’s Western Isles aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia . After the yacht was decommissioned, it was docked in the seaside Edinburgh suburb of Leith in Edinburgh and has since become one of Scotland’s most popular attractions.

A tour of the yacht allows you to peer into the bedroom that Queen Elizabeth II slept in while on board and reveals a glimpse of what life in the Royal family is like when the eyes of the world are not upon them. The late Queen clearly missed her days on board; after the yacht was no longer available to her, she chartered the Hebridean Princess , which offers small-ship cruises, on two separate occasions for special celebrations.

The Royal Yacht Britannia (0131 555 5566) is open daily (summer). Fingal (read the review here ) is a luxurious floating hotel nearby. It has double rooms from £300 including breakfast. The Hebridean Princess (01756 704 704) offers cruises from March to November with prices from £4,420pp for seven nights).

Read more about the travels of Elizabeth II here .

Kensington Palace, London

This west London mansion was the beloved home of Princess Diana and both the Diana Memorial Fountain and the Diana Memorial Playground can be found in its gardens. Apartment 1a is still the London pad of the Prince of Wales and his family. 

For many years, Kensington was known for the magnificent balls that were held across its ornate interconnected rooms and began in the late 17 th century during the era of King William and Mary. The already grandiose interiors were later added to by the Georgians when Kensington became the hub of high society. Elaborate decoration, such as the painted walls around the King’s Staircase which features many characters from George I’s court, were also added. 

As well as standard tours of the palace, regular exhibitions draw on its rich history, telling the stories of past and present royals in new and dynamic ways. Victoria: A Royal Childhood tells the story of one of the palace’s most famous residents. Queen Victoria was born here and the exhibition includes personal items such as her doll house. Other rolling exhibitions let visitors see precious items from the palace’s archive; often including iconic outfits worn by various members of the Royal family.

Kensington Palace (0333 320 6000) is open Wed–Sun (summer).  Baglioni (read the review here ), opposite Kensington Gardens, has double rooms from £494 including breakfast.

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28 Sep 2024

Doors open 18:30

The Great Hall

The The will be gracing the stage at Alexandra Palace in September 2024 as part of their much-anticipated Ensouled World Tour 2024, the band’s first run of shows since their hugely successful The Comeback Special world tour in 2018.

The legendary band, led by singer-songwriter Matt Johnson, has been a driving force in alternative and post-punk music for decades. With a remarkable catalog of hits like This Is the Day and Heartland , they’ve captivated audiences worldwide with their thought-provoking lyrics and mesmerizing melodies.

This event promises to be a night of musical excellence for fans old and new.

Age restriction 16+

BAG POLICY : For events at Alexandra Palace, we encourage you to attend without bags. Should you need to bring a bag, we encourage you to bring the smallest one possible for your needs. For live music events in the Great Hall at Alexandra Palace visitors are only permitted to bring in one small bag with them, which must not be bigger than A4 in size. More information here .

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18 Jul 2024

Suede + Manic Street Preachers

FESTIVAL VILLAGE & PHOENIX BAR & PIZZERIA

You can’t have an incredible night out on an empty stomach.

Get here early and head to our all-day Neighbourhood pizza pub the Phoenix Bar & Pizzeria for delicious Italian stone-fired pizzas or soak up the atmosphere of our legendary Festival Village, featuring a line-up of the finest names in London street food and an eclectic bill of bands and DJs. Whatever your tipple, start your gig the right way!

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• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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Participants

These were the 24 candidates from 15 countries who participated in the YPF European Piano Competition 2022 – Grand Prix Youri Egorov! The 24 candidates have been selected by the pre-selection jury, consisting of Thomas Beijer, Ton Demmers, Christiaan Kuyvenhoven and Hanna Shybayeva, from the 48 applications (19 countries) that YPF received for the YPF European Piano Competition 2022.

Aarón Ormaza Vera

Aarón Ormaza Vera (1995, Ecuador) began playing the piano at an early age. He took lessons at the Conservatorio Sergei Rachmaninov for most of his

Alexander Jansen

Alexander Jansen (2005, The Netherlands) has been enchanted by music since he was 3 years old. He was barely 3 years old when he first

Alexandra Kaptein

Alexandra Kaptein (1999, The Netherlands) started piano lessons at the age of 5. At the age of six she already won her first prize at

Antoniu Nagy

Antoniu Nagy (2000, Romania) is currently studying piano at the National Music Academy ‘Gheorghe Dima’ under the guidance of Daniel Goiti. At the same time he’s

Augustinas Eidukonis

Augustinas Eidukonis (1995, Lithuania) has been learning at the National M.K. Čiurlionis School of Arts since 2002, in professor Vida – Emilija Prekerytė’s class. In 2011, he

Brecht Valckenaers

Brecht Valckenaers (2000, Belgium) likes to make people part of his passion for music. Playing existing music and creating new music are important elements in

Carlos Marín Rayo

Carlos Marín Rayo (1994, Spain) is currently studying with Frank van de Laar at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Previously, his main mentors were Mariana Gurkova,

Dora Petkovic

Dora Petkovic (1996, Croatia) is currently is studying a Master program specialized in solo piano performance at Musik-Akademie FHNW Basel with professor Filippo Gamba. In 2019, she

Florian Verweij

Florian Verweij (1997, The Netherlands) studies as a master student with Naum Grubert at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, where he graduated with the highest remarks

Francesco Maccarrone

Francesco Maccarrone (1997, Italy) studied piano from an early age, having inherited a passion for music from his uncle Domenico Clapasson, a pianist and composer. 

Germán García Pérez

Germán García Pérez (1996, Spain) began his musical career in Granada with the teachers Andrei Reznik and Javier Herreros. His studies continued in Badajoz at

Jacopo Giovannini

Jacopo Giovannini (1997, Italy) starts playing the piano at the age of 4, at 5 wins his first competition with international jury and at 6 he

Juan Pedro García Oliva

Juan Pedro García Oliva (2001, Spain) began studying piano at the age of eight in the music school in his hometown. In 2013, he started

Leah Nicholson

Leah Nicholson (2001, United Kingdom) began studying with Galina Sandovskaya in St Petersburg, Russia, before continuing her musical education at Chetham’s School of Music in

Marta Mata (1997, Portugal) started playing piano at the age of eight and one year later she entered the Conservatory of Palmela, in Portugal. She

Noah Zhou (2001, United Kingdom) began learning piano at age 5 with Tra Nguyen before moving on to study with Hilary Coates. Since initially being awarded

Noora Ylönen

Noora Ylönen (1995, Finland) is currently doing her second Master’s degree in Folkwang Universität Der Künste under the guidance of Prof. Henri Sigfridsson. Earlier she has

Pavel Tesík

Pavel Těšík (1996, Czech Republic) studied piano at the Pavel Josef Vejvanovský Conservatory in Kroměříž with Ondřej Hubáček. Then he continued his studies at the Janáček

Pavle Krstic

Pavle Krstic (1998, Bulgary) is an Austrian-based pianist. He is currently a post-graduate student of Prof. Pavel Gililov, as well as a PhD candidate at

Radu Ratering

Radu Ratering (2004, The Netherlands) started taking piano lessons at the age of 7 after he heard Radu Lupu playing in the Royal Concertgebouw of Amsterdam. He

Rakhadin Yarmetov

Rakhadin Yarmetov (1996, Russia) was educated at Music College named after A.Scriabin, Elektrostal, Moscow Region (2011-2015), Gnesins Academy of Music, Moscow (2015-2017, Bachelor’s degree with teacher Vladimir

Shane van Neerden

Shane van Neerden (1999, United States) has appeared as soloist on stages in Europe as well as in the United States. In the Netherlands, he

Tom De Beuckelaer

Tom De Beuckelaer (1999, Belgium) is regarded as the leading young pianist of his generation in Belgium. He began performing in public since age six

Victor Naranjo Pérez

Victor Naranjo Pérez (1996, Spain) began studying piano at the age of 7 with his mother. He continued his studies at the Conservatory of Music of