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Their statement yesterday asserts their desire to “preserve what is beautiful and special about the band”, and who can argue with such sentiments – far too many bands don’t know when it’s time to call it a day, or simply can’t see when they’re compromising what made them great, Kings of Leon, we’re looking at you – but we can’t help but shed a tear, not for the fact we won’t get to hear their 7th studio album, but for the realisation that we’ll probably never again see the utterly electrifying freedom that Jack had when playing live with Meg.

You see, The White Stripes were quite simply the most compelling live act of our generation, whilst infamously not even close to the best of drummers, the relationship that Meg had with Jack, her unquestionable ability to instantly adapt to his every erratic demand, meant their audiences would have the rare honour of seeing the turbulence of rock and roll in it’s most primitive form. Every show was as if Jack was possessed at totally random moments, by a 1920s sideshow ringmaster, the devil, Robert Johnson, Jimi Hendrix… and it seemed Meg was the only one of us who could predict what would happen next.

I saw them some 10 times or so in the years between that night in Liverpool and their cancelled UK dates, including those iconic nights in Blackpool – even sinking a few pints of Guinness with Meg and Blanche, their support act that evening, in the hotel bar afterwards – and as their final word stated yesterday, “the beauty of art and music is that it can last forever if people want it to”, it’s those memories of delightfully unpredictable live music that will live with me forever.

Thank’s for the last 10 years Jack and Meg.”

James Davidson
We Heart

Inspired by a vintage pressure gauge, the ‘Under Pressure’ watch from super-cool brand 666 Barcelona is a delightfully minimalist nugget of industrial chic, with a single analogue second hand and subtle digital clock face delivering a stripped back refinement that oozes style. We love it and we’re sure you will too – so, if you want to be in with a chance to win this watch then make sure you’re signed up to our newsletters then simply sit back and await further instruction in Friday’s _Edition.

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Firstly, I’m not overly accustomed to first class plane travel, and let’s face it – unless your business is paying or you’re seriously wealthy – not many of us are, especially in times of ‘fly cheap, stay chic’ and, of course, when you’d be looking at paying around £6,000 for the privilege. That said, following this experience, I’ll be trying everything I can to ensure that I do in future, because needless to say, it’s an experience that you want to repeat. Again, and again. As with the whole Clubhouse experience, it really is the service which strikes you. Upon boarding I’m, again, welcomed with a never-ending glass of champagne, and after a week at Glastonbury this could spell danger, if of course it wasn’t for the bed. Oh, the bed, but I’ll come to that in a minute….

Because, well it would be rude not to experience the bar wouldn’t it – remember, there’s always the bed. Rude not to mention, as you don’t often see a cocktail bar on a plane, not unless you’re Roman Abramovich, and I’m always fond of a bar, wherever it may be. Olives, snacks, cocktails, champagne, beers – it was, perhaps, a good thing for Mr Branson’s profit margin that I had just come off the back of those 6 days in a field in Somerset and frankly just needed to sleep. So, that’s what I set about doing – once the ridiculously attentive steward had converted my 6ft 6″ bed for me, and at 6ft 4″ myself, and so used to contemplating amputation whenever I set foot on a plane, this was nice. Very nice…..

Hard to sleep on an empty stomach though don’t you agree? So, I sleepily nodded in agreement when asked if I would be dining from the “Freedom Menu” and was, as the name suggests, presented with a choice of thoroughly decent dining options – something else I’m frankly unfamiliar with at 30,000ft. Smoked salmon salad, ham hock and a respectable selection of cheese and biscuits were promptly delivered, along with more champagne and, well, some more champagne. This all took place whilst I finally got a chance to catch Banksy’s really quite brilliant ‘Exit Through The Gift Shop’ – one of literally dozens of brand new films to watch on my multi-directional 10.4″ screen. Then, it was finally time for my much, much needed sleep. Next stop, New York…..

Before I’m escorted towards what is possibly one of the most breathtaking VIP lounge’s in international air travel, you get a glimpse into just how much impeccable service is integral to Virgin’s Upper Class offering. Yes, the day begins with chauffeur service direct to Virgin’s very own entrance, at which I’m greeted by a luggage handler – this is the last time I see my bags until New York – and a charming member of staff who, whilst walking from the limo, checks me in – at which point I’m sent straight through to a personal security area and am shown towards the ridiculously lavish Heathrow clubhouse. This takes no more than 5 minutes. This could be very easy to get used to.

So, as you’ll see – the Heathrow Upper Class clubhouse is a rather splendid affair. Designed by award-winning London based architects, SOFTROOM, in conjunction with Virgin’s own design team, the sweeping, organic space blurs the lines between distinct areas, offering an imposing space with a grand scale that sits up and shouts “wow” right at you, whilst juxtaposing said wow-factor with a luxurious subtlety. The amenities are equally “wow”, and equally luxurious – yes, there’s free booze – in fact the champagne is virtually thrust into your hand the minute you check in – and yes, there’s free grub, and rather good it is too. But, this isn’t any old VIP lounge, because here we have designer cocktails, 3D TV, games room and pool table, a library stocked with design, architecture and fashion coffee-table tomes, a complimentary Bumble & Bumble hair salon and, a Cowshed spa complete with treatment rooms, steam room showers, a sauna and a circular hydro spa pool. One beautifully cooked full English breakfast, a few glasses of champagne and a Thai foot massage later, and I was just about ready for boarding…..