Bongo’s Bingo: A thrilling night of fun and mayhem

Emma-Jane Bennett on 29 October 2024

Emma-Jane Bennett unleashes the mayhem of Bongo’s Bingo in this club night review at their O2 Academy Leeds event.

Looking for a place to unleash your madness in a sing-along, by dancing on the tables or shouting “Bingo”? Well, Bongo’s Bingo is the place for you, and I truly mean it. Believe me, I know what you’re thinking, bingo is a game for retirement homes. Well, I hope this encourages you to think again. Bongo’s Bingo has completely revolutionised the game with its rave-like atmosphere and high energy tied with the traditional game of bingo.

In recent years, Bongo’s Bingo has turned into a phenomenon, sweeping through the major cities across the globe – we have Johnny Bingo and Joshua Burke to thank for that! Now, this is no ordinary game of bingo; it’s interactive and so immersive as you are yelling out numbers, participating in dance-offs on stage, singing along to 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s classics. And of course, expect confetti, balloons and coco-pops (if you know, you know). Let me put this plainly: play bingo, you sing, and you dance. The unpredictability of the experience keeps everyone on their toes, you never know what is going to happen next! The flamboyant dancers and performers really steal the show with their eccentric hosting skills and the spontaneous bursts into song.

But it is not just about winning cash money. The fun lies in the bizarre and funny rewards handed out for smaller wins. You could walk away with disco helmets to a Henry Hoover, a mobility scooter to a cut out of Freddie Mercury (I am still mourning that I didn’t win that).

Image Credit: Supplied by Damo Jones from Bongos Bingo Leeds at O2 Academy Leeds

You might still be thinking that it isn’t for you, but I promise, it is accessible fun for all ages. The hosts guide you through each round with laughs and having been to bingo at the O2 Academy in Leeds, I can confirm it is probably the best place to spend your Saturday evening. The O2 is such a staple part of the Leeds city centre, so why not grab your pals and bring them along for a weekend playing bingo with a drink in hand? The hilariously chaotic evening will send you into hysterics and you will be yearning to go again.

Surely I have convinced you by now? Well, if you are interested, you are in luck! Here are the dates for the O2 Academy in the city centre: Friday 1^st, Saturday 2^nd, Friday 8^th, Friday 12^th, and Friday 22^nd of November. Finally, if you’re ready for the Christmas spirit, the ‘Bingo All The Way Christmas’ shows start from Friday 29^th of November. So, buy your tickets as soon as you can! Tickets here: https://www.bongosbingo.co.uk/city/61/leeds/

Words by Emma-Jane Bennett

TikTok Star to Pop Icon: How Addison Rae transformed into the internets It Girl

Emma-Jane Bennett on 14 October 2024

Emma-Jane Bennett dissects Addison Rae’s single ‘Diet Pepsi’ and the pop phenomenon behind how a short 15 seconds of TikTok fame propelled her into a successful music career and frequent collaborations with Charli XCX.

In July of 2019, a cheerleader from Louisiana, Addison Rae, rose to fame through her trending dances, dating troubles, and internet scandals. The ex-honorary Hype House member amassed a whopping 88.7 million followers on the platform, making her the fifth most followed influencer on TikTok. However, like many viral TikTok creators (and I mean many), Addison endured much scrutiny and was eventually labeled as ‘cringe’ and ‘famously talentless’, specifically after starring in the Netflix film He’s All That. Caught in the age-old debate of style and substance, Rae has been thrown under the microscope of the general population to be scrutinised or scrap-heaped.

2021 rolled around and Addison stunned in all black latex for her first single ‘Obsessed’. Though the LP wasn’t released until 2023, ‘Obsessed’ had everyone, well, obsessed! Referred to as “the new Britney”, Addison’s solipsistic debut surprised the internet with pop girlie vocals and a Madonna-esque music video. Now, online fanatics know the pipeline from TikTok influencer to ‘serious’ musician too well, seen with Dixie Damilio, Loren Gray, Chase Hudson, and more. Backlash, consequently, was present rising up against ‘Obsessed’ and her reputation suffered.

The bizarreness of her single surprised all as she was never really known for her vocal talent, more so for her dance moves. This shaped the way for her as she then collaborated with the biggest brat of them all, Charli XCX, on new song “2 die 4” (2023). Now this tune, let me tell you, absolutely changed the game for Addison, with Twitter lauding the sardonic pop seductress aesthetic it enjoyed. Addison Rae Tumblr It Girl Era? In the summer of 2023, AR’s summer, the edgy, eclectic, and alternative aesthetic took Tumblr by storm. Lana Del Rey was reviving Americana with the single “A&W” (2023), messy eyeliner and smudged lipstick was smeared on everyone’s faces, and cigarettes became a three-meal-a-day diet plan (what’s new?). The pop girlies were killing it and Addison started to carve a space in the pantheon, claiming the title of the internet’s newest It Girl.

Image Credit: Henry Redcliffe via Addison Rae’s Instagram

Flash forward to 2024, Addison Rae entering her brat era featuring on Charli xcx’s “Von dutch a.g. cook remix”. Neon green (specifically #8ACE00) had (actually still has, because brat girl autumn is here) the gay sons and thought daughters in a chokehold. The SWEAT tour was announced with Charli xcx and Troye Sivan, and fans hoped and prayed for Rae to appear as surprise guest. And well, she did!

But “Diet Pepsi” (2024), Addison Rae’s breakout single, skyrocketed to #50 on the charts and shows no sign of slowing down. With the song’s Lana Del Rey-esque energy, the track has captivated those on TikTok. Fully embracing herself in her newfound artistic path, Rae has confidently stepped into the spotlight as a pop girlie, defying critics with her effortless and nonchalant cool on social media. Now, her unreleased track ‘Give Me More’, is doing numbers on TikTok, SoundCloud, and YouTube, with fans eager to hear more (they are taking the title of the tune quite literally).

Her transformation to cool girl has been a big change for the TikToker-to-popstar pipeline and, on behalf of her fans, it’s safe to say that everyone is glad that this has worked out for her. The writing is on the wall: the world is finally prepared for Addison Rae to dominate the pop scene.