News and Reviews: February 22, 2012

On the radar.
Wed sees The Wombats play Brixton Academy.
Thurs sees The Kaiser Chiefs play Hammersmith Apollo.
Fri sees Rammstein play The 02 Arena.
Sun sees Noel Gallagher play The 02 Arena.

21 Feb 2012.The BRIT Awards live at The 02 Arena,London.
A great atmosphere here tonight for the UKs biggest music awards.Hosted by James Corden.
Most of the acts put on massive productions apart from Ed Sheeran who keeps it simple.The roadies did a brilliant job of setting up each act so quickly.We had eight acts play a song each who were Coldplay,Florence And The Machine,Olly Murs,Ed Sheeran,Noel Gallagher,Adele,Bruno Mars,Rihanna and Blur finished with five gems "Girls And Boys","Song 2","Parklife"(with Phil Daniels),"Tender"(with choir) and "This Is A Low".We had video tributes to Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse.All the winners turned up apart from Foo Fighters.
Others here presenting or hanging out included George Michael,Kylie Minogue,Nicole Scherzinger,
Jenson Button,Boy George,Paloma Faith,Elbow,
Tinie Tempah,Katie Melua,Pixie Lott,Huey Morgan,
Jessie J,Brian May,Roger Taylor,Plan B,Rob Brydon,Alan Carr,Will.i.am,James Morrison,Professor Green,JLS,The Wanted,Jo Whiley and no doubt a few more.
See aftershow page for this event.
Critics Choice Award - Emeli Sande
Outstanding Achievement Award - Blur
Best British Female – Adele
Best International Male – Bruno Mars
Best International Female - Rihanna
Best British Male - Ed Sheeran
Best British Group - Coldplay
Best International Group - Foo Fighters
British Breakthrough Act – Ed Sheeran
International Breakthrough Act – Lana Del Rey
Best British Album - Adele
Best British Single – One Direction


Paul McCartney to play The Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 29 March 2012.
I keep hearing rumours U2 are to play Hyde Park.
KISS are to play The Sonisphere Festival,
Knebworth on Friday 06 July 2012.They said it will be their only European show of 2012.
I have been told that Kasabian are soon to announce a big headline show in Hyde Park.
Adeles "21" album has now sold over 19 million copies worldwide and is expected to hit the 20 million sales mark in the next month or two.

20 Feb 2012.7pm to 9.30pm.Orion Books 20th Anniversary Party at The Natural History Museum,London SW7.
Around 500 author types here at this stunning venue that looks amazing with lights and flames all over the entrance.Nice freebie champers and canapes for all.Some faces here including Julian Fellowes,Danny Baker and the two chefs from The Hairy Bikers tv show.A good event.


19 Feb 2012.Nicole Scherzinger + Mindless Behaviour live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.
Up first are boy band Mindless Behaviour who get an amazing reception as they are quite popular in America.These were the four teenagers chosen from 600 hopefuls at the auditions a couple of years ago.Frenzied screaming here as the crowd have all turned up early to see them.Think a younger JLS.Five songs from their debut album in the 25 mins set.Lots of energetic dancing.
They will no doubt headline this venue soon.
Nicole S was the singer of Pussycat Dolls.I saw them at The 02 Arena in Jan 2009 when the support was an up and coming act called Lady Gaga.Whatever happened to her?
This was the London show of her first solo tour to promote the "Killer Love" album.As expected the 85 mins set was most of that album and a few Pussycat Dolls hits.
She is a stunning looking girl.With hair most girls would die for she tossed it and stood in front of the wind machine showing it off as often as she could.Around a dozen raunchy costume changes by Nicole.Four female dancers too.Nicole is a great dancer.Tracks played included "Poison","Killer Love" then some slower ones as Nicole sat on a stool then "I Hate This Part","Stick With You" and "When I Grow Up".Her single "Wet" and "Right There" were two more goodies and the show finished with two big tracks the monster hit by Pussycat Dolls "Dont Cha" and her own UK number one hit "Dont Hold Your Breathe".
A good visually entertaining show.That F1 driver Lewis Hamilton is a lucky chap.