London Housing Turns Into a Buyers’ Market – Against All Odds
Jun 23 2025- Great Indoors
- Last Updated on 23 June 2025
- Monica Costa
The UK / London housing market has been on a wild ride over the last few years. The turn of the decade had rural and coastal properties surge with people looking to escape to the country. After that, people began to get called back to the cities. Then came Liz Truss and her mini-budget, which did a greatly outsized amount of damage to the housing market and the UK economy. Then came council tax increases and stamp duty increases.
There’s been a lot going on, but with most of the headline-making potential hits to the market now having settled into the background, it’s heating back up again. However, the most expensive part of the country, London, has seen such an influx of listings that it’s become a buyers’ market. This isn’t to say that houses aren’t selling, more that each buyer has plenty of options, giving them leverage.
Gig Review: Kid Creole & The Coconuts at the Roundhouse, Camden
Jun 22 2025- Attractions
- Last Updated on 23 June 2025
- Monica Costa
There are concerts, and then there are celebrations. The Roundhouse in Camden became the latter on 21 June 2025, as Kid Creole & The Coconuts returned to a city that has loved them since the early ‘80s – this time for a glittering, bittersweet goodbye as part of the Bye Bye Birdy Tour.
From the photographers’ pit – just me and one other lucky lens-holder – I watched as ‘Kid’ August Darnell bounded onto the stage like a man half his age. At 74, he was pure energy, commanding the stage with the same charisma I remember from 1999 when I saw him in London’s What a Night! musical – my very first musical in the UK and the night of my first date with my future husband. Seeing August again, same city, same flair, was like stepping into a time capsule infused with sequins and soul.
Gig Review: Benson Boone’s American Heart Album Launch at O2 Academy Brixton
Jun 17 2025- Attractions
- Last Updated on 18 June 2025
- Monica Costa
On Monday 16th June, I had the privilege of witnessing a rising star cement his place in modern music history. The setting: O2 Academy Brixton. The event: the official London launch of American Heart, the long-anticipated debut album from American singer-songwriter Benson Boone.
Boone, whose career took off after his standout appearance on American Idol (where he withdrew early to carve his own path), has since performed on global stages including Coachella and the GRAMMYs. His recent collaborations, notably with Queen legend Brian May, are a testament to the sheer range and respect he has earned in the music world – even at the tender age of 22.
