News and Reviews: 15th July 2003

I have just came back from an amazing week in Paris , France catching The Rolling Stones . I caught 2 of their 3 shows there as well as both their aftershow parties which were mega . More details in the aftershow news page. After a stunning performance on Later With Jools The Darkness continue their amazing rise up the rock n roll tree by announcing a full UK tour in Oct that includes a major London show at the Hammersmith Apollo on 22 Oct 2003 . The Download Rock Festival was a total success A huge crowd 60,000+ on the hottest day of the year. Some great new bands but it was Iron Maidens 2 hour full production show that did it for me. Marilyn Manson did a really good hour set. Sat 31 May 2003 Iron Maiden + Marilyn Manson + Deftones + Ministry + Inme + Murder Dolls . Sun 01 June 2003 Audioslave + Zwan + Less Than Jake + Disturbed + Stone Sour + The Darkness. (Metallica played an 4pm Sunday secret show here) Lets hope it comes back next year . i was also at Paul McCartney show at Sheffield Hallam Arena on Thurs 29 May 2003. Paul McCartney at Sheffield was great but i was lucky enough to be at the Liverpool Docks Show on 01 June 2003 for the last night of his world tour and in his home city as well . His 3 hour set was fantastic and the atmosphere in the city was very special and Macca choked back the emotion as the crowd sand "Hes coming home , hes coming home , Maccas coming home " In the hospitality tent i saw soccer legends Peter Reid and Kenny Dagliesh and comic Frank Skinner. On Tuesday 13 May 2003 at Sothebys , London i attended the auction of The Who bass player John Entwistle collection of guitars and items which ranged from jackets and gold discs to trumpets and painted casts of various fish . This auction was not for the faint hearted with 200 Who fans and collectors in the room and a dozen more on the phone bidding .Three of his guitars went for £ 42,000 , £52,000 and a very rare 1958 Gibson Explorer went for £ 80,000 and the buyer pays 20% auction fees on top of that . Two framed posters of 1963 West London gigs as The Detours went for an staggering £15,000 each. Average price of gold discs was £1,200. There were nearly 400 items which included an amazing collection of nearly 200 guitars. One of bidders today was another great bass player Peter Hook from New Order .

Posted 15th July 2003

Aftershow News: 15th July 2003

The Rolling Stones in Paris , France July 7 to 11 2003.This was an amazing week. Of course The Stones in Paris is big news . Mon 07 July The Stones play a fantastic show at Bercy Arena . 2 hours 5 mins set indoors at this great venue. Tues 08 July 7pm we go to the launch party for the Ronnie Wood Art Collection . Nice set of drawings but Ronnie does not turn up even though its a rest day on the Stones tour and his hotel is just around the corner , anyway loads of free champers and food .9pm Stereophonics play a small invite only show for 400 fans at The Cafe De La Danse for Qui FM Radio .Much better set tonight too . Wed 09 July The Stones play to 70,000 at the Stade De France , tonight was more of a greatest hits show but not as mega as seeing them indoors. Afterwards its the party at The Manray Club for about 300 .Free champers all night and it lasted from 12.30 am to 3.30am . Ivana Trump is here with a few well known French actors / actresses etc. Marilou Regan whose book loveyouliverollingstones is a must for Stones fans is here . Mick Jagger turns up with his tall stylist girlfriend L'wren Scott and his watchful personal security guy .Although Ronnie ,Keith or Charlie are not here the rest of The Stones touring band are as well as their huge touring posse feat children of the band etc. It also happens to be a big week in Paris for fashion as its the haute couture period so there are 100 male and female models everywhere . Mick Jagger and girlfriend gets on the dancefloor so everyone now gets on the floor.His security guy intervenes anytime anyone gets too close or talks for more than 5 seconds . A great night. Friday 11 July 2003 The Stones play to 2000 at The Olympia but i do not manage to get a ticket . Luckily though the band have another party after at La Suite for about 500 people .There are a couple of huge ice versions of The Stones lips logo.There is loads of free drinks and posh grub. Mick Jagger and girlfriend turn up and again get on the floor dancing and Ronnie Wood turns up with his wife.Keith and Charlie do not turn up . We left the club at 5am , what a great week.

Posted 15th July 2003