Welcome to the Ray's Gigs website!

Here's the latest - updated 30th September 2023

Saturday 30 September 2023.

Friday 29 September 2023.
HAWKWIND live at The Royal Albert Hall.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact starting point of Hawkwind, the seminal space rockers whose phenomenal career spans six decades. According to the internet, Dave Brock first formed the band in 1969. Since then, the band has released at least 35 studio albums, countless live releases, and a substantial number of compilations....expect a nice light show including lasers , and stage projections.
I have seen HAWKWIND over 20 times since 1976 as they were regulars at Hammersmith Odeon.
They are best known for their number 3 UK hit ' Silver Machine' in 1976.
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The circle is pretty much 90 % unsold tonight.
As expected it's mainly older folks here tonight.
Support tonight comes from The Crazy World of Arthur Brown.
He is best known for his number 1 UK hit 'Fire' from 1968.
I have seen him live a couple of times before.
Arthur and his band arrive on stage at 7.30pm and play for 45 mins.
Arthur and all the band are dressed up in crazy outfits.
Arthur looks in great shape for his 81 years.
Arthur had a few amazing costume changes.
The big screen is showing digital images.
His big hit ' Fire' was played early on in the set.
A very nice visual show.
During the interval i bump into ex work mate Ray and his wife Di.
They are the parents of comedian and tv presenter NOEL FIELDING.
HAWKWIND arrive on stage at 8.45pm and play for 2 hours 5 mins.
They have great lasers throughout the show, along with nice images on the big screen and behind.
Space rockers ticked along nice and some of their tracks have surprisingly catchy chorus singalongs.
Arthur Brown joined them for a couple of spoken word parts.
Highlights included ' Spirit of the Age' and 'Master of the Universe' but sadly they do not play 'Silver Machine'.
Always good to see HAWKWIND.
Full HAWKWIND setlist played tonight...
Levitation
You'd Better Believe It
The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke) / You Know You're Only Dreaming / The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke)
Arrival in Utopia (with William Orbit)
Rama (The Prophecy) (with William Orbit)
The Beginning (with William Orbit)
Spirit of the Age (with William Orbit)
Assault and Battery / The Golden Void (with William Orbit)
Peace (with William Orbit)
Right to Decide (with William Orbit)
Ten Seconds of Forever (with Arthur Brown)
Born to Go / You Shouldn't Do That / Born to Go
Encore:
Brainstorm / The Black Corridor / Brainstorm (with Arthur Brown)
Master of the Universe
Welcome to the Future

Updated 30th September 2023 Permalink

Thursday 28 September 2023.

Thursday 28 September 2023....I went to three events tonight...
6pm to 6.40pm
HOFA GALLERY - private view - 11 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Pioneering London-based contemporary art gallery, HOFA, are pleased to announce the highly anticipated 2023 solo exhibition of South Korean abstract expressionist artist Ilhwa Kim, who from 29 September to 11 October will unveil new works in her living architecture series at the Gallery’s Bruton Street flagship.
Titled Tactile Hands, the show will enthral viewers in the exquisite details of Kim's unique sculptural paintings, composed of tens of thousands of seed units. Each seed unit has a combination of straight lines and circles, which compose a tiny single universe. The Korean artist dyes each sheet of Hanji paper by hand with thousands of different colours cutting and rolling the layers of paper to make them rigid. It gives Kim an emotional bond with every single universe. Not a single universe has the same shape, look or colour in her work.
Complimentary Charles de Fere champers for all guests.
then
6.45pm 8.15pm
BEVERLEY KNIGHT - album launch party - Terrace Bar, May Fair Hotel, Mayfair, London W1.
Always nice to be at this cool five star hotel.
Beverley Knight releases her latest studio album, titled 'The Fifth Chapter ' via Tag8/BMG.
Relleased on 29 September 2023.....BBC Radio 2 have named it "album of the week'.
I have seen Beverley Knight several times on stage , and she is often referred to as
"The Queen of British Soul" and "The British Diana Ross".
An intimate event as maybe just 40 or 50 guests here.
BEVERLEY KNIGHT is here , along with Olympic Gold Medal Winner and tv presenter DENISE LEWIS.
Beverley is in good spirits as she dances to the vinyl playback of her album.
Beverley has announced a massive UK tour for 2023.
Compimentary prosecco, wines, beers, bowl food and canapes for all guests.
then
PAUL CARRACK live at The Royal Albert Hall.
I have seen Paul Carrack on stage around a dozen times over the years , solo and with others.
The first time was in 1975 , when his band Ace supported Yes at QPRs Loftus Road Stadium.
Also saw him when he was in Eric Claptons band.
Carrack sang some of his affiliated bands' best-known hits, including Ace's "How Long" (1975); Squeeze's "Tempted" (1981); and Mike + The Mechanics' "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" (1985), "The Living Years" (1988) and "Over My Shoulder" (1995). He also performed lead vocals on tracks from the Roger Waters albums Radio K.A.O.S. (1987) and The Wall – Live in Berlin (1990). He has released nineteen solo albums and achieved a major hit of his own with "Don't Shed a Tear" (1988). Carrack's songs have been recorded by artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Eagles, Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Michael McDonald and Jools Holland,and he has served as a session and/or touring musician for Roxy Music, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, B.B. King, the Pretenders, the Smiths and Madness.
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The venue is not sold out, but pretty full as maybe 95 % sold.
Lots of older folks here as expected.
PAUL CARRACK AND BAND arrived on stage at 8.55pm and played for 1 hour 45 mins.
His band featured two drummers, one was his son.
On a few songs he was backed by a superb 100 person choir who were sat in the choir seats.
Paul's lovely clear vocals ticked along nicely for the opening tracks.
Great to see Nick Lowe join him for a couple.
Pauls big classics were played on the bounce near the end, so we had superb versions of 'The Living Years' , ' Tempted' , 'How Long' ( all the crowd stood up) and the encore of ' Over My Shoulder', which featured the support act orchestra.
A great show.
Full setlist played by PAUL CARRACK AND BAND tonight...
Good and Ready
Satisfy My Soul
Life in a Bubble
Eyes of Blue
Shame on You, Shame on Me
Bet Your Life
Love Will Keep Us Alive (Eagles cover)( Paul Carrack co-wrote the song)
ACOUSTIC SET
Shelly's Winter Love (Merle Haggard cover) (with Nick Lowe)
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding (Brinsley Schwarz cover) (with Nick Lowe)
That's All That Matters To Me
Watching Over Me
Life's Too Short
BAND BACK ON
One in a Million
The Living Years (Mike + the Mechanics song) (with Choir)
Tempted (Squeeze song)
How Long (Ace song)
Encore:
Over My Shoulder (Mike + the Mechanics song) (with SWR Big Band)
Trust In Me (Etta James cover)
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Wednesday 27 September 2023.
KYLIE MINOGUE live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Kylie plays an intimate gig to launch her new album 'Tension', released 22 Sept 2023.
It is a free ticket via ballot only via The 02 phone network.
700 pairs of tickets for stalls standing, Level 2 and Level 3.
Level 1 will be entirely for guests and press.
Over 100,000 folks applied for tickets.
I can remember seeing her at the same venue in 1998 , as part of a comeback tour,
as Kylie had not toured for seven years.
I have seen Kylie around a dozen times , and her arena shows have been top notch.
Kylie has sold over 80 million records (albums and singles) worldwide.
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As it is a 02 Priority phone network show , their staff are everywhere.
They were giving out free cans of lager in the Level 1 area which was nice.
Support act were female djs GIRL POWER LONDON jwho warmed the crowd up with classic pop hits.
Several well known faces here , including GRAHAM NORTON, ALISON HAMMOND, LOUISE REDKNAPP,
ELLIE GOULDING, RYLAN CLARK, GAIL PORTER, RICHARD ARNOLD along with lots of folks from her record company and tonights promoters Live Nation , including Download Festival main rep ANDY COPPING.
KYLIE MINOGUE arrived on stage at 8.40pm and played for 80 mins.
Kylie still looks amazing at the age of 55, and still has that lovable smile and stage banter.
Kylie had three costume changes, and thankfully lots of best hits were played in the set.
There is a raised platform for her band, and there are dancers and backing vocals for many songs.
There is a big screen showing digital images.
Half a dozen cameras dotted around the venue are filming it.
A very lively atmosphere , as most folks were up and dancing from the start.
Most of the setlist was very similiar to her BBC tv show from Leicester 10 days previously.
The highlight was mega as Kylie performed 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' and
'All the Lovers'.
A fantastic show.
Full KYLIE setlist played tonight....
Spinning Around
In Your Eyes
On A Night Like This / Wow
Tension
Slow
Story (Live debut)
Say Something (acoustic version)
Dancing
Breathe
Hold On to Now
Love at First Sight
The Loco-Motion (Carole King cover)
Kids (Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue cover)
Encore:
Padam Padam
Can't Get You Out of My Head
All the Lovers ( with ticker-tape over the crowd)

Updated 28th September 2023 Permalink

Tuesday 26 September 2023.

Tuesday 26 September 2023....I went to two events today...
5pm to 7.30pm.
International Security Expo 2023 at Olympia, West London.
The doors to International Security Expo 2023 opened today, with thousands of security professionals from across the global security sector discovering the latest innovations on the market, whilst getting unbeatable insights from world-renowned speakers.
The Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MP, UK Minister of State for Security, made his second visit to the event, touring the exhibition and providing an inspiring keynote.
Must be over 200 stands here, covering all types of security related needs , including cyber security.
The Police and National Crime Agency have stands here.
Security is needed everywhere these days, including concert venues, nightclubs, stores, buildings etc.
I can remember NYE just gone where we went into McDonalds in The Strand, London at 4am.
Incredibly they had FIVE security on duty due to the nature of the customers there at that time.
All types of CCTV, scanning , barriers , bollards, X-Ray machines and much more.
K4 security are here , who i have seen at concert venues and sporting events.
From 5.30pm to 6.30pm there were complimentary wines and beers for over 500 folks.
The downstairs bar had a DJ , and the upstairs bar had a covers band.
From 6.35pm to 7.30pm was a short walk nearby to The Kensington Hilton Hotel.
EGNYTE.COM were hosting a drinks reception - gin & tonics, wines and beers.
I had a nice chat with one of their reps (Mike) who despite his young age is a lover of
60s and 70s music acts and has seen many of them in concert...both here and back home in USA.
EGNYTE gives IT a single access point from which to monitor and control files wherever they’re stored. This means full audit capability and data protection for content at end points, in transit, and in storage.
then
RAYE live at The Royal Albert Hall.
Following the success of her critically acclaimed debut album, 'My 21st Century Blues', RAYE has announced a special one-off show at The Royal Albert Hall.
“An invitation to the show of my dreams, for one night only. The live album recording ‘One Night in London’ at The Royal Albert Hall on the 26th of September. Featuring a majestic orchestra and gospel choir accompaniment, performing my album back to front. Come and melt with me. Lots of Love, RAYE.”
I saw Raye play a really good show at Shepherds Bush Empire in Nov 2021.
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The venue including the upstairs gallery standing is totally sold out.
It is stalls standing to create a better atmosphere.
RAYE arrived on stage at 8.30pm and played for 1 hour 40 mins.
An incredible 85 musicians on stage - 55 band & orchestra plus 30 in the choir.
Earlier i saw the recording trucks outside the venue, and inside the venue there are multi-cameras
filming the show, including a boom camera and zip-wire camera , both hovering over the floor standing.
Raye became an independent artist in 2021 after signing with Polydor Records for seven years.
The singer-songwriter from South London now has complete control over her artistic vision. The My 21st Century Blues- set was full of songs with raw and unfiltered lyricism, combined with her musical talent, reflecting the highs and lows of life. Raye does not shy away from tough topics in her music. She expresses that she feels liberated creatively, and it is the most content she has been in her career.
Throughout the concert, Raye was incredibly humble, regularly thanking fans for their support, and her gratitude shone through. In a poignant moment during the performance of “Body Dysmorphia,” Raye stripped down to a white bra and briefs, showing her physical and emotional vulnerability. She sang about her struggles with her body and admitted that she really hates it. Raye remained in her underwear for “Ice Cream Man,” written about sexual harassment, was another hard-hitting song that resonated with the audience.
The strings of the orchestra sounded fantastic throughout the show.
A section on asking the crowd whose birthday it was tonight, was a bit drawn out, as she
namechecked several members of the audience one by one.
After 75 mins, the nice lasers kicked in.
The encore was a highlight as it included The Royal Albert Hall organ playing with the orchestra ,
which was followed by her big hit 'Escapism', as Raye danced crazily barefoot.
You can clearly see how Raye can slip into the void left by Amy Winehouse.
A very enjoyable show.
The day after in the press, there were five star reviews of this show in The Standard, The Telegraph and The Guardian.
Full RAYE setlist played tonight....
Introduction.
Oscar Winning Tears.
Hard Out Here.
The Thrill Is Gone. (with orchestral introduction)
Five Star Hotels.
Mary Jane.
Environmental Anxiety.
Body Dysmorphia.(Extended Intro)
Ice Cream Man.
Interlude (Orchestra and Band Interlude)
Flip a Switch.
Happy Birthday To You (sung to several audience members)
Worth It.
Black Mascara.
Buss It Down.
Encore:
Orchestral Intermezzo featuring The Royal Albert Hall organ
Escapism.
Note: With the Heritage Orchestra and Gospel Choir conducted by Tom Richards
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Monday 25 September 2023...6pm to 10pm....
197 CHISWICK FIRE STATION - showcase - 197 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, London W4.
Previously an All Bar One, this reopened in April 2016 as a casual restaurant/bar concept operated by the same team who have three sister sites in other London "villages" including Ealing.There is a central bar with counter seating and an open kitchen. It's very much at the eating end of the gastropub spectrum, but you can still just sit at the bar and drink if you want to. There is one real ale, and various keg fonts for other draught beers. Fresh-cooked food includes breakfast seven days a week from 9 to 11.30. The courtyard has now been restored and refurbished to make an outdoor drinking and dining space until 7pm.
Historic Interest...
Former fire station. Imposing Victorian building c.1891. Fine detail on façade of upper floors. First fire station to have a hose tower.
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Another venue that are having a Christmas showcase, and they have a Christmas tree set up for tonight.
A lovely modern feel here, and good to see the open kitchen.
A great location in the middle of Chiswick High Road.
The event is at the rear of the venue, as paying punters are using the front area.
My band Gun Control used to rehearse and play at The Roebuck pub down the road in the early 1980s.
In fact the landlord use to let us leave our equipment ,including my drum kit upstairs.
Lots of complimentary drinks and delicious food, including top notch Pina Coladas, along with Aperol Spritz,
Prosecco, Wines, Peroni Beers and food including half size cheeseburgers, half size mushroom burgers,
calamari, fish & chips, canapes and desserts.
Very enjoyable here and well worth a visit or to book an event for up to 200 standing.
The event was due to finish at 9pm , but several folks were here until 10pm.

Updated 26th September 2023 Permalink

Sunday 24 September 3023.

Saturday 23 September 2023.
While huge current artists like Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Harry Styles etc can sell out stadiums
worldwide in a blink of an eye, there are other big names who sometimes struggle to sell tickets.
This report comes in from across the pond....
Beatles legend RINGO STARR performed in Ontario California’s Toyota Arena recently.
While normally, the venue holds up to a capacity of 11,000 attendees, far fewer came out to see Starr’s performance.....That number? A mere 2,000 tickets were sold.
David Allen over at the Daily Bulletin recounted his experience at the show, noting that things looked pretty bad upon arrival.”The upper decks were curtained off. The lower decks were half full,” Allen wrote.
Tickets for the event were not cheap either. According to Allen, tickets cost a base price of $80 each, plus $32.60 for a service fee. Parking, of course, was an additional $30.25 ontop of an already expensive ticket. All of this meaning, the barrier to entry to see a rock legend was pretty high, and clearly meant a lot of people weren’t willing to shell out that much money.
For what it’s worth, it didn’t seem to vex Starr, and he put on a pretty solid performance. His setlist consisted of a ton of covers, and eight of the eleven Beatles songs he sang on. Since it was a Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band performance, he had members of Men at Work, Toto and Average White Band playing alongside him, who all had their turns performing music from their own catalogs.
Ringo seems to like touring North America often these days, but avoids playing in the UK.
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Friday 22 September 2023.
THE ROLLING STONES STORY live at The Theatre Royal, Windsor.
The Rolling Stones played their first ever gig with Bill Wyman in Windsor on 14 Dec 1962.
The Stones played in the Windsor area over 40 times early on in their career.
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Always nice to be back at this cosy all seated venue. This was part of their week long stint of tribute acts.
Always interested in Rolling Stones related gigs since seeing the real Stones at four of their six Earls Court Arena shoes in 1976.
Have seen other Stones tribute bands but this is the first time seeing this lot.
A two hour show over two sets of 55 mins and 65 mins...the first set had Brian Jones then Mick Taylor and the second set was Ronnie Wood.
The Mick Jagger was totally spot on.
A big screen showing images and Stones info.
A great female backing singer and keyboard player.
All the classics played and a couple of rarities too.
The overall sound was just perfect.
The last song of the main set and the two song encore had everyone up and dancing.
Brown Sugar
Satisfaction
Jumping Jack Flash
Maybe just a tribute show, but it was really great.

Updated 23rd September 2023 Permalink

Thursday 21 September 2023.

Thursday 21 September 2023.
MICKY FLANAGAN live at Hammersmith Apollo.
Very popular Cockney comedian plays the second of two sold out pronto shows at this venue.
This is part of the second leg of his massive 2023 UK tour which mixes theatres and arenas.
Earlier in the year he played multi-nights at The 02 Arena.
Micky Flanagan has been a professional stand-up since 1997, Micky draws on his East End background as he ruthlessly deconstructs the Cockney myth with razor-sharp observational wit. He tells a comic tale of a working class upbringing, where alphabetti spaghetti is a luxury and a bottle of black tower the height of sophistication.
Micky’s unique brand of intelligent humour appeals to men and women equally, as he bemoans the lot of modern man in pursuit of the perfect idle day.
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The venue is totally rammed sold out, as there are rear stalls standing and circle standing too.
MICKY FLANAGAN arrived on stage at 8.45pm and performed for 80 mins.
Micky arrives on stage to massive cheers.
He moans about the aches and angst of recently turning sixty, but he was having comparable comedic growing pains in his fifties.
Intimate bits of his body are be becoming leathery but his wit is as silky smooth as ever, even when the targets are low-hanging fruit. Big laughs are prompted by a veritable bunch of gripes, from fellow sunbathers on the beach who are more irritating than sand in your sausage rolls to society’s obsession with new teeth and cartoon eyebrows.
As in previous shows Flanagan has plenty to say about the uneasy truce he has with his wife over everything from division of household chores to communicating with each other in their unashamedly big house. A beautifully-observed running gag about the varying volumes of “caller” and “callee” is the closest thing here to his legendary Out Out routine.
As ever, Flanagan is happy to be the fall guy throughout, very much playing the blokey male stereotype who prefers shirking to working. At one point he reveals that he recently went to a musical to placate his wife – “torture!” – and wonders if there could be a market for a musical about The Krays.
He might be a little traditional at times, but Flanagan is a fantastic stand-up with an ear for a relatable yarn.
The show had plenty of swearing , but they actually helped the joke get bigger laughs.
Micky landed his punchlines with laser-guided precision, grinning and swaggering around the stage.
Top notch comedy from this cheeky cockney.
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Wednesday 20 September 2023...I went to two events tonight...
6pm to 8.45pm
JUNKYARD GOLF CLUB - showcase - Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1.
What they say...
Experience four mashed-up crazy golf courses at Junkyard Golf Club's biggest location to date in Camden Market. The new home of crazy cocktails, even crazier golf and all things junk, each course is created from pre-loved and reclaimed items. Go face to face with creepy clowns, battle through tropical terrors, putt through the disco UV room and let loose in a distorted rave warehouse.
If you love things loud and flashy, you’ll be in the right place.
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This huge venue used to the home to SHAKA ZULU restaurant & bar.
The bar and the tables are upstairs, and the golf courses downstairs.
They have a very impressive range of cocktails and drinks.
They don't actually serve food here but bought in some full size pizzas from nearby for the showcase.
We had SIX different complimentary cocktails each here that were top notch.
We had a go on one of the Crazy Golf courses which were good fun.
In fact we were enjoying ourselves so much , that instead of leaving here at 7.45pm to
get to The Palladium for the Dexys gig, we left here at 8.45pm.
then
DEXYS live at The Palladium.
DEXYS are playing a UK & European tour to promote their new album 'The Feminine Divine'.
They will play the album in full, followed by their greatest hits.u
This year singer Kevin Rowland turned 70.
I have seen Dexys several times since 1979 , when they supported The Specials at The Lyceum.
Including two great shows at The Duke of Yorks Theatre on their last UK tour in 2013.
I saw Kevin Rowland solo show at Reading Festival in 1999 which was one of the most bizarre
performances i have ever seen...when he was promoting his 'My Beauty ' solo album....
Kevin Rowland singing 3 awful cover versions and Kevin wearing a dress with stockings with female
strippers gyrating either side of him.
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Due to an extended stay at the earlier event, we ended up missing them play the new album in the first set.
The venue is full of older folks that all could easily have been at Echo & The Bunnymen on Monday.
Singer BOBBY GILLESPIE from Primal Scream was sitting near us upstairs.
The second set saw DEXYS arrive on stage at 9.20pm and play for 60 mins.
The band includes sax, trombone and violin, to create a lovely big sound.
There was a big screen showing images on some songs, and some vertical stripped lighting.
This set featured all the classic tracks from Dexys first two albums.
Some on stage conversational banter between Kevin and his band mate was great.
The big hits were kept until last, with 'Come On Eileen' lifting the audience as one to their feet and a four song encore comprising their two classic tributes to soul music greats – the brass swagger of 'Geno' and the exuberant ' Jackie Wilson Said 'with the traditional comical nod during the latter to darts champ Jocky Wilson on the big screen – as well as the moving slow dance of 'Carrickfergus'.
A final encore of 'Tell Me When My Light Turns Green' was stunning.
A great show.
SECOND SET - Dexys Classics
Soon
Plan B
I'll Show You
All in All (This One Last Wild Waltz)
Until I Believe in My Soul
Free
Come on Eileen
Encore:
Geno
Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile) (Van Morrison cover)
Carrickfergus ([traditional] cover)
Tell Me When My Light Turns Green

Updated 21st September 2023 Permalink

Wednesday 20 September 2023.

Wednesday 20 September 2023.
Was it really 47 years ago.....I was there as an excited 17 year old...
There is a photo of the gig hanging on the back wall of the show with my face in it.
Thousands say they were there at this legendary gig, but there was only 500.
The 100 Club Punk Special (sometimes referred to as the 100 Club Punk Festival) was a two-day event held at the 100 Club venue in Oxford Street, London, England on 20 and 21 September 1976.The gig showcased eight punk rock bands, most of which were unsigned. The bands in attendance were each associated with the then evolving punk rock music scene of the United Kingdom. Historically, the event has become seen as marking a watershed moment for punk rock, as it began to move from the underground and emerge into the mainstream music scene.
The Sex Pistols
The Clash
Siouxsie and the Banshees (debut show and only time Sid Vicious played drums for them)
Subway Sect
The Buzzcocks
The Damned
Chris Spedding & The Vibrators
Stinky Toys ( from France)
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Tuesday 19 September 2023.
MATT CORBY live at Hammersmith Apollo.
Multi-award winning Australian singer-songwriter and producer Matt Corby is coming to the UK.
The ‘Everything’s Fine’ Tour will follow the release of his forthcoming album of the same name which will be his first album in five years.
Matt sold out the Roundhouse on his last visit to London.
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The rear circle has a couple of empty blocks, but maybe an impressive 4000 out of 5000 tickets sold.
Support act was singer-songwriter ELOISE who arrived on stage at 7.30pm for her 35 mins set, to
play some nice jazz pop tracks from her debut album...she had a great voice...
MATT CORBY arrived on stage at 8.40pm and played for 85 mins.
Matt is front of stage, and for some songs he plays guitar or keyboards.
His four piece band are on a raised platform behind him.
Matt has a nice gentle soul tinged voice, for his mainly laid back tracks.
It is stalls standing tonight, as folks sway and nod along to the tunes.
His biggest tracks seemed to be at the end , which included 'Souls A'Fire' and encores
of a cover of TLCs 'No Scrubs' and ''Miracle Love'.
There wasn't much real excitement on stage and Matt didn't really say much to the crowd.
Some of the show felt a bit samey, but it ticked along ok.
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Monday 18 September 2023.
Tonight was gig number 7500 seen by me since 1973.
ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN live at The Royal Albert Hall.
I have seen them over 15 times since 1979 , when i saw them at The Nashville Pub, West Kensington
and The Moonlight Club, West Hampstead.
They will be playing their 1984 classic album 'Ocean Rain' in full, with an orchestra.
This was their fourth studio album, which was released on 4 May 1984 and reached number four on the UK Albums Chart and number 87 on the United States Billboard 200. Ocean Rain includes the singles "The Killing Moon", "Silver" and "Seven Seas".
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Dont think it was fully sold out tonight, but the venue was very full as gallery standing upstairs all sold.
As expected it is mainly an older crowd of folks in their 50s and 60s who were there in the 1980s.
ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN arrived on stage at 8.25pm.
They were on stage for two sets of 35 mins and 60 mins.
Ian McCullouch is as cool as ever in shades, and as usual he muttered away a couple of times
in his Scouse accent ( including during Lips Like Sugar) that was hard to understand.
A big screen showed some basic images.
All their biggest hits were played during the show, which still sound fantastic.
A great show.
Full ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN setlist played tonight...
FIRST SET
Going Up
All That Jazz
Rescue
Bedbugs and Ballyhoo
All My Colours (Zimbo)
Nothing Lasts Forever / Walk on the Wild Side
Never Stop
Bring On the Dancing Horses
SECOND SET
OCEAN RAIN album in full with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Silver
Nocturnal Me
Crystal Days
The Yo Yo Man
Thorn of Crowns
The Killing Moon
Seven Seas
My Kingdom
Ocean Rain
Encore:
Lips Like Sugar
Heads Will Roll
The Cutter

Updated 19th September 2023 Permalink

Saturday 16 September 2023.

Friday 15 September 2023
MARC BOLAN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONCERT at Shepherds Bush Empire.
The number one Marc UK tribute act TREXTASY will be play their tribute to this glam rock legend.
They will be joined by several guest vocalists and musicians who will perform those T.Rex gems.
Including Marc Almond, Holly Johnson, Andy Ellison, Tony Visconti, Dana Gillespie, Howie Casey.
Neal (Neal X ) Whitmore ex Sigue Sigue Sputnik and now in Marc Almonds band and Glen Matlocks band,
will be on guitar duties.
Holly Johnson (FGTH vocalist) is a massive fan of Marc Bolan and David Bowie.
I worked front stage security for all six Frankie Goes To Hollywood shows at Hammersmith Odeon
in 1985 on their debut UK tour.
I was lucky to have seen the final Marc and T.Rex London show at The Rainbow in March 1977.
The support band were The Damned.
Six months later Marc was tragically killed in a car crash.
There were many glam rock legends in the 1970s, but Marc and T.Rex were always my number one faves.
Would explain why i have seen T.Rextasy around 20 times since 1992 ,which was one of their earliest gigs.
Included a trek in 1997 to The Corn Exchange, Cambridge for a special Marc 20th anniversary show,
where they were joined on stage by Mickey Finn and Rolan Bolan.
I named my eldest son Marc, after Marc Bolan.
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Needless to say that i was really looking forward to this show.
No sold out signs outside the venue, but all levels look pretty full.
Lots of the older folks here are wearing Marc Bolan / T.Rex t-shirts.
Accents from all over the UK and mainland Europe for this special one-off show.
TREXTASY and guests arrived on stage at 7.45pm for two sets of 65 mins and 75 mins.
As expected there is a lot of comings and goings on stage as the artists rotate.
Danielz as Marc, still sings, looks and acts like a perfect Marc Bolan , and does not seem to age.
Danielz sung half the songs, and the other half were sung by the guest vocalists.
Dirty Pretty Strings were on for several songs and were conducted by Tony Visconti and there were male and female backing vocals who also came on for some of the songs.
The main guest vocalists Marc Almond and Holly Johnson did a few songs each.
It was a fantastic event....
FIRST SET
Images of Marc and T.Rex on the big screen.
There Was A Time
Raw Ramp
Jeepster
Mambo Sun
Girl
Life's a Gas (with Dana Gillespie)
Light of Love ( with Marc Almond and Dana Gillespie)
Token of my Love
Ride A White Swan
Desdemona (with Andy Ellison)
Hot Rod Mama (with Andy Ellison)
Beltane Walk
Teenage Dream (with Marc Almond and Neal X )
SECOND SET
Images of Marc and T.Rex on the big screen.
Jewel (with Marc Almond)
By the Light of a Magical Moon (with Marc Almond)
The Visit (with Marc Almond)
Is It Love? ( with Marc Almond)
Telegram Sam
New York City
Ballroom of Mars ( Marc Almond and Neal X)
Metal Guru ( with Neal X)
Dandy in the Underworld
Cosmic Dancer (with Marc Almond and Holly Johnson)
Children of the Revolution ( with Marc Almond and Holly Johnson)
Dreamy Lady
20th Century Boy
I Love To Boogie
Get It On ( with all the artists on stage)
Hot Love ( with all the guests on stage for an extended sing-a-long)

Updated 16th September 2023 Permalink

Thursday 14 September 2023.

Thursday 14 September 2023....I went to two events tonight...
6pm to 8.15pm
INCA - showcase - 8/9 Argyll Street, London W1.
This basement venue next to The Palladium has had many different names over the years.
These days it is mainly used Wednesday to Sunday for Latin American inspired cabaret.
As you dine and drink there are dancers in full Latin American carnival wear on the centre stage.
It can also be used as a 250 all standing event, and it feels that many are here tonight.
Luckily we know to get there early to get our table for four.
Guests here included PHILIP SALLON and ANNE PIGALLE.
We have four floor shows of five mins each , with singers, dancers and fire.
Complimentary drinks and food included two different cocktails, wines, beers , bowl food and canapes.
then
STRAY live at The 100 Club.
I have seen Stray several times before , including four times during their 1970s heyday.
KISS Stray Hammersmith Odeon, London 15.05.1976 Debut UK tour by KISS
KISS,Stray Hammersmith Odeon, London 16.05.1976 tonight I had front row centre seats
Heavy Metal Kids,Stray,Dirty Tricks Roundhouse, London 11.07.1976
Rush,Stray Hammersmith Odeon, London 04.06.1977 Rush debut UK tour.
The members of Stray went to my secondary school Christopher Wren in White City , Shepherds Bush
as did Steve Jones and Paul Cook of The Sex Pistols
STRAY arrived on stage at around 9.10pm and played for around 90 mins.
Del Bromham is still fronting the band.
The setlist mixed older classics with tracks from the new album ' About Time'.
Highlights included '1600 Pennsylvania Avenue' , 'Black Sun' , 'Jericho' and 'Suicide'.
The main set ended with a stunning version of 'All In Your Mind' which was the opening track
from their debut album that was released way back in 1970.
A nifty encore of 'One Night in Texas' finished off a really good show.
Soon after the show finished , the band came out to the merch stand to chat etc to the fans.
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Wednesday 13 September 2023...I went to two events today....
2.30pm to 6.45pm
THE BIG CHRISTMAS PRESS SHOW at The Business Design Centre, Islington, London N1.
Around 50 brands are showcasing their products to journalists and influencers for Christmas gifting.
It is pretty much 90% females here, so handy to be with a couple of female friends for this event.
Well known celebrity hairdresser NICKY CLARKE is here promoting his AirStyle Pro hair dryer & styler.
Well known tv presenter RUTH LANGSFORD is promoting her products that she promotes uvia QTV.
RED LETTER DAYS/BUYAGIFT are showcasing their 4500 experiences via their gift card.
DISNEY LORCANA are showcasing their new collectable card game.
POKEMON are showcasing their new trading cards.
GEL BLASTER are here showcasing their outdoor fun shooter for teenagers.
RAVENSBURGER are showcasing their family puzzles & board games.
Many of the stands are giving out products to try, so we end up with a couple of bags of swag.
Catering company BERRY & BRIE are handing out their complimentary food boxes all day long.
Check out their website www.berryandbrie.com
The KOCKTAIL company have a bar with complimentary cocktails.
The EMISSARY bar is serving complimentary prosecco.
Also mulled wine and coffees with mince pies at another stand.
Lots of seating inside the main space and around the edges.
then
7.30pm to 11.30pm
FAZENDA - launch party - 100 Bishopsgate Tower, near Liverpool Street, London EC2.
We went to a preview dinner here a month ago ,( where we had the full Rodizio of 12 different meats ),
but tonight it is a full launch party in this huge 170 cover venue.
The ground floor is the main bar, and the upstairs is the main eating area.
Fazenda are popular up North in Liverpool and Birmingham, and this is their sixth UK restaurant.
Over 150 folks here and it is totally buzzing.
We had a nice chat with the Scottish couple whose farm produces the wagyu beef for here.
We chatted to a couple of female staff who were down from Liverpool, so had to mention
i was going to see Echo & The Bunnymen at The Royal AlbertvHall this coming Monday.
A full complimentary bar including Veuve Clicquot champers, 11 eleven different cocktails and more.
The reception was full of yummy canapes including caviar on churros and oysters.
In fact by the time we went upstairs for the dinner after 9pm , we were too full up the full Rodizio of 12 different meats, so this time we had the Fresh-water Scottish trout with sides.
Desserts were a plate of Brazilian Chocolate truffles.
Needless to say we had a great time here, and it be very popular with the city workers nearby.
We left just after 11.30pm and the party was still lively.
All guests got a steal plate cooking board on departure.
What they say about FAZENDA...
Set to continue the groups theme of “exuding century-old gaúcho traditions”, Fazenda serves a meat-forward rodizio menu: a classic Brazilian method of hanging meats by large skewers, which move through the dining room and are carved tableside, allowing diners to sample multiple meaty options.
Naturally, the meats will be abundant, but expanding on the rodizio menu in London, and inspired by trips to Brazil and Argentina, chef Francisco Martinez has developed a range of other dishes. These include gamba patagonica (a large king prawn with spicy chimichurri), caviar e churros (Cornish Baeri caviar with churros), and moqueca de mar, a classic Brazilian stew of cod, carabinero prawns, mussels, tomato and coconut.
Alongside the south-American food offering, guests can expect a multitude of Chilean, Argentinean wines, as well as lesser known Brazilian and Uruguayan bottles.
On the same day as the launch party The Standard paper gave the restaurant a big full page review.
The review was a tame 3/5 and said " it is like a Harvester and Gaucho had a baby"....which the reviewer
didn't care for them calling the sides buffet table "a market table".

Updated 14th September 2023 Permalink

Tuesday 12 September 2023.

Tuesday 12 September 2023....6.45pm to 10pm...
REBEL - 30 YEARS OF LONDON FASHION - launch party - The Design Museum, West London.
The show will feature nearly 100 innovative fashion looks from ground-breaking debut and early collections, many of which have entered pop-culture history — and launched global design careers.
Highlights include the swan dress controversially worn by Björk at the 2001 Oscars, Harry Styles’ Steven Stokey Daley outfit from his video for ‘Golden,’ a unique replica of Sam Smith's inflatable latex suit by HARRI from this year’s BRIT Awards. Collections and work by JW Anderson, Wales Bonner, Erdem, Molly Goddard, Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha, Russell Sage, and many more will also be featured.
These items will be shown alongside films, drawings, memorabilia and never-before-seen archive material from some of the most well-known contemporary UK-based designers.
It is on from 15 Sept 2023 to 11 Feb 2024...it is a paid ticket for entry,...
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Around 400 guests here tonight, including ALAN YENTOB (in shirt and braces),
HENRY HOLLAND and STEPHEN WEBSTER.
At 7.15pm we had speeches, then 7.30pm the DJ started playing some tunes.
Lots of stunning creations in the various rooms , which included 'Art School', 'Club Scene'
and a room dedicated to Alexander McQueen.
At 8.30pm we had a full fashion show for around 30 mins from around 20 mainly black male and female models, which very lively and entertaining, then they got a few from the crowd to strut the catwalk.
Complimentary Nyetimber English Sparkling Wines, Margeritas Cocktails, Peroni Beers,
canapes and desserts throughout the evening.
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Monday 11 September 2023...6.30pm to 9.15pm...
M - showcase - 60 Threadneedle Street, London EC1.
M is a stunning, multifaceted venue in the heart of the City, that houses a 130-cover GRILL restaurant, 130-cover private members lounge, a destination cocktail bar, a wine-tasting room and a secret den, in addition to flexible private dining and event spaces.
Serving the finest steak in London, their steaks, which range from South African Rib eye to Grade 10+/A5 Japanese pure Kobe fillet steak, have been carefully selected from six individual countries (USA, Argentina, Japan, France, South Africa and Australia). The rest of the menu and the wine list come from the same six countries. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, they serve the finest ingredients in their menus and match this food offering with the highest standards of hospitality.
Created by Martin Williams (CEO of Gaucho), M boasts an all-star line-up; their Executive Chef Michael Reid formerly worked with Gordon Ramsay, Shannon Bennett and Michel Roux Jr, and as a rising star of British Chefs, he is regularly seen at the highest profile events and cooking on TV.
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Another venue that is showcasing to get some business in from folks for Christmas bookings.
Indeed for tonight they have a Christmas Tree complete with lights and baubles in the corner.
We are in one of their many very plush rooms, all the 70 guests have cosy seats with tables.
We get a quick show round of this huge venue with their many different sized spaces.
They have curtains everywhere , for any groups that like a bit of privacy.
The £16 cocktails can be had for £8 during their happy hour....5pm to 7pm daily...
Certainly prices for food and drinks are on the expensive side here.
Complimentary prosecco , wines , lagers and some very tasty canapes for all the guests.

Updated 11th September 2023 Permalink

Monday 11 September 2023.

Sunday 10 September 2023...2pm to 8pm...
A nice full day out in WINDSOR including a press preview of a new restaurant.
The tourists are still everywhere and a nice shopping centre full of quality stores.
We saw Windsor Guildhall (built 1689) where Elton John and David Furnish got married.
We sat down by The River , as the tourist boats took crowds along.
I have done that a couple of times before.
We walked over the bridge to Eton, where many Prime Ministers and Royals went to school.
From 4pm to 6.30pm we had a press preview of the newly opened BANANA TREE.
It officially opened on Monday, September 4, the award-winning chain offers both chicken and vegan options of its katsu curry, coated in crispy panko.
The chain says it is the "best katsu in town" offering a "mouth-watering" sauce alongside chicken or vegan bites, Japanese rice, edamame and house pickles.
The brand-new restaurant, located at the site of the former Café Rouge on Thames Street, features 116 indoor covers, and a further 86 outside.
Anne Chow, Managing Director at Banana Tree, said: “We’re really excited to open a brand-new site in Windsor and can’t wait to show locals what we have to offer.
They have all-day 2-for-1 cocktail offer, (2 for £14) along with an express lunch menu, means they have got something for everyone, whether they’re looking for a light lunch or a Pan-Asian Feast.
Banana Tree hand-picks the best dishes from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia to feature on its menu, from soups and salads to wok-tossed noodles, stir-fries and curries, as well as South-East Asia-inspired desserts and cocktails.
The full menu will be available on Deliveroo to enjoy at home and a bottomless brunch will be available every day when eating in.
We had a full three course meal.
We got four different starters to share including Thai Calamari , Sticky Thai Wings and
Malaysian Chicken Satay Sticks.
My mains were their Crispy Katsu Chicken Curry and sides which was very nice.
For dessert i had banana fritters and vanilla ice-cream.
A very enjoyable meal here.

Updated 10th September 2023 Permalink

Saturday 09 September 2023.

Saturday 09 September 2023.
PAUL TAYLOR live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Paul Taylor (aged 38 ) is a British-Irish comedian.He moved to Paris in 2009 and started doing stand-up in 2013. Paul Taylor is known in France for his TV series on Canal+, What the Fuck France, What's Up France? and Stereotrip, but he got his onstage debut with his show #Franglais (2016-2019). Paul Taylor played his second show, So British (ou presque), from 2019 to June 2022. His third show, Bisoubye x, is scheduled for January 2023.
His videos are very popular on YouTube.
He has already played Shepherds Bush Empire in 2022.
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It is stalls seated , and Level 3 is half empty so maybe 800 folks here.
PAUL TAYLOR arrived on stage at 7.40pm and performed for 95 mins.
He asked the crowd where they were from...it looked like 75% French born folks
and 25% English folks who could understand French.
The stage is sparse, with a few lights, a stool and a microphone.
His set is fast paced, and is fully bi-lingual, as he fluently mixes French and English throughout the show
without coming up for air, which was very impressive.
He joked about English folks and their ways, and the same with the French.
At the end of the show he reminded folks to get their friends back in Paris to buy tickets for his biggest ever show in Jan 2024, at the 5000 capacity Le Zenith, Paris, as he joked he has so far sold only 500 tickets.
I saw The Sex Pistols at that venue in 1996.
An enjoyable comedy show.
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Friday 08 September 2023.
CHARLEY CROCKETT live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Charley Crockett (aged 39) is an American blues, country, and Americana singer, guitarist, and songwriter.
Charley's tour will cover the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe with 16 dates in total as Charley promotes his his 11th studio album ‘The Man From Waco’ , that was released in 2022.
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Level 3 is closed and Level 2 is half empty so maybe 1200 folks here tonight.
Many are in cowboy/cowgirl attire , including cowboy hats.
Support was singer-songwriter from Oxfordshire AGS CONNOLLY who arrived on stage at 8pm for 30 mins.
He is wearing a cowboy hat.
He had a very American country vocal sound that the audience really liked.
He is promoting his fourth studio album.
CHARLEY CROCKETT arrived on stage at 9pm and played for 1 hour 40 mins.
Charley is tall and slim, with bright white American teeth , and he is wearing a white cowboy hat.
His five piece backing band The Blue Drifters wear matching black & white shirts and are top notch.
A piano/keyboard player who also did some trumpet and accordion playing.
The bassist swopped between a double bass and a normal bass.
The bearded guy on pedal steel guitar was fantastic throughout the show.
Charley's boyhood hero was American singer-songwriter JAMES HAND.
When James Hand died in 2020, Charley brought out a tribute album of his songs, and played
three of those tracks today.
A nice country set with a hint of blues & honky tonk that got the crowd dancing and swaying.
An enjoyable show.
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Thursday 07 September 2023.
August is over , and September is when many venues hold showcase events.
Today we went to three events, spread out over a long day.
Noon to 4pm.
DE VERE GRAND CONNAUGHT ROOMS - showcase - 61/65 Great Queen Street, London WC2.
Standing on Great Queen Street, that connects Covent Garden with Holborn in the West End of London, is the Grade II* listed De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms. With a history dating back to 1775, the building has long been an important event venue, and was once home to the original Freemasons’ Tavern before becoming a hotel in 1909.
Since then, the venue has hosted some of the world‘s leading politicians, royalty and celebrities with its grand Georgian architecture and art-deco interiors offering 37 exceptional spaces for a wide range of conferences, exhibitions, meetings, training and weddings.
Archted ornate ceilings, beautiful wood-panelling and dramatic chandeliers, the Grand Hall creates an impressive event space for up to 750 guests theatre style and 1,500 guests for a drinks reception. For smaller events, there are a number of executive rooms, often with original features and oak-panelling, whilst a suite of modern training rooms is also available. Outside, on the 5th floor, an exclusive roof terrace, with views of the city, is available for summer parties and receptions.
We signed in ,got a goodie bag , then had a tour of several of their events spaces.
That was followed by a complimentary sit down lunch of different bowl foods and different desserts,
along with prosecco and wines....a really good magician entertained us at out table.
then
4.30pm to 7.30pm.
HAWK FURNITURE - showcase - 21/22 Great Sutton Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1.
Yorkshire based furniture company are showcasing in their new London showroom.
Made to order within 2-3 weeks from their manufacturing plant in the heart of East Yorkshire. They are powered by solar and all waste board heats the factory so you can be confident you are buying some of the most environmentally-friendly office furniture in the UK (they source 99% of raw materials from within the UK, too). They take the hassle out of buying office furniture so you can rest easy - you're in good hands.
They have installed a bar with barman , and a pizza van is outside in the street.
Complimentary drinks and food included three different cocktails, wines and a full size pizza.
then
8pm to 10.30pm.
GAUCHO BROADGATE - showcase - 5 Finsbury Avenue, near Liverpool Street, London EC2.
This popular meat based restaurant & bar sits between two of London's most dynamic
neighbourhoods, the financial hub of the Square Mile and the trendsetting East End.
The entire area is buzzing with city folks out drinking and eating at the many venues in the area.
This branch of Gaucho has a massive space downstairs, and indoor and outdoor seating outside upstairs.
We are at a table in one of the two nice outside areas, away from the paying customers.
Complimentary gin cocktails, prosecco, wines and steak chunks.
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Wednesday 06 April 2023.
ANDRES CEPEDA live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Now aged 50 - one of Colombias biggest singer-songwriters plays a London show.
He was the singer of Latin rock-pop group Poligamia for five years.....before he went solo in 1999.
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Levels 2 and 3 are closed tonight, and it is stalls seated so maybe just 600 tickets sold.
Maybe the £50 price tickets has put off some of Colombians that live in London.
The crowd is pretty much 75% female, who love getting their mobile phones out for photos.
ANDRES CEPEDA and his band arrived on stage at 8.20pm for a long 2 hours 20 mins set.
Everyone is dressed in black trousers and black shirt.
There is piano, double bass, electric guitar, sax, trumpet but no drummer.
All the lyrics are Spanish , and all the stage banter is Spanish for this mainly Colombian crowd.
The music is pretty laid back, and many are piano only ballads.
After 75 mins the sax player pooped up to Level 1 for a nice sax solo.
Andres himself went into the stalls seating for a wander that the crowd loved.
The crowd sung loudly along to his most well known songs, and the encores got everyone up
and the crowd rushed to the front as they were much more uptempo compared to the main set.
The show ticked along ok.

Updated 7th September 2023 Permalink

Tuesday 05 September 2023.

Monday 04 September 2023....I went to two events tonight...
6pm to 8.15pm.
THE ENDORPHIN SHOP - launch party - Gallery Different, 14 Percy Street, Fitzrovia, London W1.
Feel good TV personality Fred Sirieix is set to open Neilson Beach Clubs Endorphin Shop on Tuesday 5th September. The summer pop-up shop - taking place 5th-6th September - is being launched by the award-winning active holiday company and has been scientifically curated to give visitors a boost in endorphins with a wide array of activities...Neilson Beach Clubs are dotted around the Med.
The free experience will be hosted at Gallery Different on Percy Street from 9am-6pm, with Neilson Beach Clubs’ GEO (Good Energy Officer) Fred Sirieix on hand to welcome the general public into the Soho space to walk them through the different ways they can optimise the brain-chemical enhancing suite of energetic activities.
Visitors can expect the Endorphin Shop to boost their mood with offerings including Vitamin D drips, spin bikes, edibles made of endorphin-boosting superfoods, massages, an audio erotica booth, yoga sessions, and an indoor Pickleball court where visitors can challenge Andy Murray’s former tennis coach Mark Petchey to a game, to be in with the chance of winning a free Neilson Beach Clubs holiday in 2024.
The very likeable FRED SIRIEIX is here and is friendly and chatty to all.
He was playing Pickleball here, and he told me he has been into keeping fit all his life.
MARK PETCHEY is working up a sweat, as he is playing Pickleball non-stop with the guests.
Very interesting to see guests hooked up to a Vitamin D drip, with the trained nurse overseeing.
Complimentary Peach Bellinis, Aperol Spritz, Gin & Tonics, cans of Mythos lager, canapes
and chocolate orange brownies for all the guests.
The venue is near Tottenham Court Road station and i was told soft drinks and coffee and edible superfoods will be complimentary for everyone who turns up on the Tuesday or Wednesday.
then
KULA SHAKER live at The 100 Club.
Kula Shaker are an English psychedelic rock band, with Indian influences. Led by frontman Crispian Mills,the band came to prominence during the Post-Britpop era of the late 1990s.The band enjoyed commercial success in the UK between 1996 and 1999, notching up a number of Top 10 hits on the UK Singles Chart, including "Tattva", "Hey Dude", "Govinda", "Hush", and "Sound of Drums".The band's debut album, K, reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.
The venue is full of mainly folks in their 40s and 50s who remember the band from their 1990s heyday.
I have seen Kula Shaker just the once before, in 1997 supporting Sting at Glastonbury Festival.
KULA SHAKER arrived on stage at 8.35pm and played for 80 mins.
The band have been touring again after a few years hiatus since the release of their 6th studio album.
Last year they played Shepherds Bush Empire to promote it, so tonight is much more intimate.
It is hot and sunny in London today, so this iconic club is humid and sweaty inside.
The smell of incense is wafting heavily around the venue.
Crispin Mills is a good frontman , and the band have some nice wah-wah guitar sounds and pyschedelic keyboard and Indian sounds and for a couple of songs their mate wearing a turban comes on to bang his Bhangra drum.A solid set of old and new tracks with highlights including 'Tattva' , 'Hush' and 'Govinda'.
A very enjoyable show.
It is an early start early finish gig, so the band can chat and pose for selfies and sign stuff after the show.
Full KULA SHAKER setlist played tonight...
Hey Dude
Sound of Drums
Gaslight
Infinite Sun
Waves
Grateful When You're Dead / Jerry Was There
Natural Magick
Shower Your Love
2STYX
Narayan (The Prodigy cover)
303
Tattva
Hush (Joe South cover)
Encore:
Indian Record Player
Into the Deep
Govinda

Updated 5th September 2023 Permalink

Sunday 03 September 2023.

Sunday 03 September 2033.
Happy Birthday to SEX PISTOLS guitar hero STEVE JONES who is 68 today.
Tony James has hinted there will be more Generation Sex shows in 2024.
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Saturday 02 September 2023.
Sex Pistols and PIL punk legend JOHN LYDON has arrived in London for the PIL UK tour.
Today he is on BBC Radio 4 Loose Ends at 6.15pm for a 15 mins interview...listen later on BBC iPlayer.
Look out for more interviews this week , before the tour starts on Friday 08 Sept.
I will be going to to The Forum, London show on Sat 30 Sept.
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Saturday 02 September 2023.
BBC2 at 9.40pm - GIRLS ALOUD live at The 02 Arena 2008.
I was at this show...be very surprised at how good it was...an excellent production.

Updated 2nd September 2023 Permalink

Thursday 31 August 2023.

Wednesday 30 August 2023...11.30am to 5.30pm...opening day...
Wed 30 Aug to Sat 02 Sept - SALON PRIVE presents Concours d’Elégance at Blenheim Palace. Blenheim Palace is in the glorious countryside location of Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Celebrating 18 consecutive years of the Concours d’Elégance in 2023, Salon Privé offers an experience for entrants that is truly second-to-none. Gathered on the South Lawn will be the finest collection of classic automobiles available in the UK. Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Future. Welcoming more than 100 stunning cars across carefully curated classes, the Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance presented by Aviva has something for all. Treasured relics from the Edwardian era will return to Britain’s Greatest Palace, joined by some of the rarest and most valuable grand tourers, classic sports racers, era-defining icons and racing legends, alongside the world’s most jaw-dropping supercars and concepts from the present and future. An opportunity to witness manufacturers World, European and UK debuts. As a Concours, the reputation of Salon Privé precedes it, with no other event in the UK rivalling the sensational venue, hospitality, brands on display and show-stopping array of classic cars.
It’s also a day of spectacular debuts with the manufacturers unveiling their latest models to the media early in the morning before they too are paraded across the stage for the official opening parade.
Here are some quick highlights of what to expect....
Automotive Brands: Alpine A110 San Remo, Aston Martin DB12 Volante, Bentley Bentayga EWB Azure, Clive Sutton Shelby Cobra, Electrogenic 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, Ferrari Purosangue & Roma Spider, Lamborghini Revuelto & Sterrato, Lotus Eletre & i4 Emira, MST Cars 6R4, Theon 911, Totem GT-Electric and more……………..
Luxury Brands: 30 plus brands with boats, helicopters, motorbikes, fashion, accessories, sunglasses, jewellery, antiques, art, sculpture and much more – definitely something for everyone!
Morning and afternoon parades
Concours Class Winners announcement in the afternoon
Wednesday to Friday are tickets with hospitality only days which includes lunch, afternoon tea and all day Pommery champagne......Saturday is general admission to the public. This stunning venue is on the outskirts of Oxford...Lots of car parking space. Trains to Oxford then a 30 mins bus ride or taxi.
www.salonpriveconcours.com - Buy tickets here.
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The splendour of Blenheim Place was basking in sunshine for the 18th edition of Salon Privé Week.
Even before we get into the stunning venue, well over a hundred incredible cars lined up the driveway leading up to the Duke of Marlborough stately home.
Salon Privé sure know how to do it is style. The four-day automotive and lifestyle garden party is like no other, and this year was no exception. They had rolled out the red carpet for historic cars, classic cars and supercars - many manufacturers and brands had chosen to use the event as a platform for making World and UK debuts.
One of the special feature displays 'The Yellow Collection' included 16 automotive icons led by a stunning 1965 Ferrari 250 LM that famously led the Le Mans 24 Hours for 23 hours - before suffering a puncture, leaving its sister car to take the win (fortunately, it still finished second) Like all other cars in the line-up, it is resplendent in bright yellow - with the total collection valued at an incredible £30 million.
With a range of manufacturers to choose from including Aston Martin, Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alpine, Rolls Royce, Lotus, McLaren, Audi (to name but a few), on display, there was plenty to marvel at.
Whilst we were there, judging was under way for the world-class Salon Privé Concours presented by Aviva, one of the judges being Jamie Blandford, the Current Duke of Marlborough who resides at Blenheim Palace. 50 of the World's most desirable classic cars were all vying for the 'Best in Show' award, with categories including Pioneering Motor Cars, Pre-War Sports, Sports Racers and Supercar Icons. Several landmark anniversaries were also being celebrated, too. The Porsche 356 - Where it all Began celebrates 75 years of Porsche, and special anniversary classes for both Lamborghini and McLaren. As judges went over vehicles with fine toothcombs, many owners were proudly on hand to talk about their beloved vehicles and history. I subsequently found out that the 'Best in Show' was awarded the following day to a stunning 1937 Bugatti Type 57S owned by JCB's Lord Bamford!
As you would come to expect from Salon Privé, there was a luxury retail village displaying the latest boats, helicopters, motorbikes, jewellery, art, sculptures and much more. Naturally, all was complemented by the world-famous Salon Privé hospitality, including fabulous cuisine and free-flowing Pommery Champagne.
A personal highlight was seeing and hearing all the cars start up their engines for the daily parade which featured live commentary by aficionado's.
Our schedule included witnessing 6 new automotive launches, 7 brand presentations, a fabulous Supercars Manufacturers Parade the Concours Parade, plus full hospitality, Pommery champagne throughout the day.
It was an excellent day out, oozing class and style. Now I just need to get the right six numbers on my lottery ticket so I can get my cheque book out.
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Their sister event in London at The Royal Hospital , Chelsea returns 18-20 April 2024.

Updated 30th August 2023 Permalink

Tuesday 29 August 2023.

Tuesday 29 August 2023.
Another chance to see this classic mockumentary film from 1984.
BBC1 11.40pm - THIS IS SPINAL TAP
I have seen them play rare shows at The Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena.
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Monday 28 August 2023.
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL - Day 2 - 12.30pm to 8.15pm.
A lovely sunny day , and the crowd seemed much bigger than yesterday as its the main day.
I did pretty much the same as yesterday by visiting the two main stages that have live music.
First was The Powis Square stage in the gardens there....today were lively singers playing 30 mins each.
I was there 1pm to 3.30pm and had some complimentary CIROC VODKA cocktails here.
The mad walk to the second venue was busier than yesterday with some mental human crowd
bottlenecks in All Saints Road, as the sound systems there were all busy and lively.
Eventually got to Emslie Hornimans Pleasance Park stage at 4.30pm for backstage access and
complimentary CIROC VODKA cocktails, Red Stripe lagers, jerk chicken & rice & coleslaw
and Jamaican snacks.Nice to be seated at a table outdoors for an an hour, and away from the crowds.
We have our all important toilets without any queue here too, as it was funny seeing seeing all
the private flats and houses dotted around the carnival area letting out their toilets for £3 a go.
At 6.05pm LISA MAFFIA & ROMEO played a 25 mins set, with a dj as backing.
Both are ex members of UK garage outfit So Solid Crew.
So Solid Crew are a British UK garage and hip hop collective originating from Battersea, London, which achieved wide success in the early 2000s. The group consisted of many members, the most notable being Asher D (Ashley Walters), Lisa Maffia, Harvey and Romeo. So Solid have been credited for being pioneers in the UK music scene.By turning UK garage from a dancey-genre to one that was darker and more MC-oriented, and gaining mainstream success, they inspired London youth to experiment with their own darker sounds, leading to what would become known as grime music.
They performed a real good lively set that included Top 10 singles 'They Don't Know' and 'Haters',
along with their number one single in 2002 '21 Seconds'.
From 7pm to 8pm i watched the end of the floats & dancers parade at a very busy Ladbroke Grove.
I saw three lots of scuffles/fights today, the first two were black guys just being a bit aggressive in the
crowds barging through, and the third was two girls pulling each other's hair in a proper fight, where
some police had to get involved as they wouldn't let go of each other's hair.
Overall another great day at Carnival.
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Sunday 27 August 2023...I went to two events today...
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL - Day 1 - 11.15am to 5.30pm...
A million plus people will party each day for this world famous street festival.
Lots of floats and dancers in colourful outfits, and lots of great food stalls.
Acts will playing on some of the stages.
In 2017 at Carnival i saw Nigerian Afrobeats singer WIZKID play a 30 mins set in a park.
Just six years later on 29 July 2023 he headlined Tottenhams Football Stadium.
I have been to NHC many , many times since the 1970s.
I can remember the 1990s when i would do three days at Reading Festival Fri, Sat, Sun,
then come back Monday morning, have a quick shower then head to Carnival on the Monday.
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Picked up AAA press laminates at noon , which came in handy for complimentary CIROC VODKA
cocktails at their bar in the park for The Powis Square Stage as we listened to the dance systems.
We were there noon to 3pm then saw some of the amazing floats and other sound systems.
A few drops of rain, but that quickly stopped.
The noise and colour and atmosphere was fantastic, and we didn't see any trouble.
Bumped into a few friends, which was a bit random considering the big crowds.
From 3.45pm to 5.30pm we were at Emslie Hornimans Pleasance Park.
Our passes were valid for the artists area so more complimentary CIROC VODKA cocktails,
Red Stripe lagers , along with chicken, rice and coleslaw and Jamaican snacks.
SHAGGY was here as he was due to play 20 to 30 mins with DJ backing here at 6pm.
I ended up missing him to trek through the mental crowds to get to the Shepherds Bush area.
We had a great day here.
then
DELTA GOODREM live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Australian singer-songwriter is playing a UK & European Tour.
She is one of Australia's most popular singers, with multi-million album sales.
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Level 3 is closed and there is space in the stalls so maybe 1200 folks here.
Delta Goidrem and band arrive on stage at 8.10pm and play for a nice long two hours.
Delta looks the part in her red trouser suit , long blonde locks and big friendly Aussie smile and personality.
Delta played piano on several songs, and jumped in a couple of times too.
Delta kicked her high heels off halfway through the show.
Delta is a great performer who engages well with the crowd.
The songs are pretty much singalong soft rock.
During the show, two male fans were invited on stage , and it ended being a marriage proposal,
and he said yes.
A very enjoyable show.
Full DELTA GOODREM setlist played tonight....
Wings
Innocent Eyes
The Power
Lost Without You
In This Life
Keep Climbing
Almost Here
If I Could Turn Back Time (Cher cover)
Predictable
Solid Gold
Out of the Blue
Paralyzed
Smile (Nat King Cole cover)
Dear Life
Sitting on Top of the World
Neighbours Theme (Barry Crocker cover)
Together We Are One (Fan request)
Love Is in the Air (John Paul Young cover) (Snippet following onstage proposal)
Last Night on Earth (Fan request)
Butterfly (Fan request)
Not Me, Not I
The River (Fan request)
Hearts on the Run
Dancing With a Broken Heart / I Believe In A Thing Called Love (The Darkness cover)
Back To Your Heart
Encore:
Play
Born to Try
Believe Again

Updated 28th August 2023 Permalink

Saturday 26 August 2023.

Saturday 26 August 2023.
BOYCE AVENUE live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Boyce Avenue is an American cover band that was formed in Sarasota, Florida by brothers Alejandro Luis Manzano, Daniel Enrique Manzano, and Fabian Rafael Manzano. Boyce Avenue releases original music as well as covers of contemporary and classic songs. The band is named after a combination of two streets the brothers lived on as children. As of August 9, 2011, they are no longer signed to Universal Republic Records and have started their own independent record label called 3 Peace Records.
Their DIY style has seen them reach over 6 BILLION , yes 6 BILLION views of their videos on YouTube.
Over the past decade they have headlined London shows at The Royal Albert Hall,
Hammersmith Apollo and Shepherds Bush Empire on previous tours.
You never see the band mentioned in the music press or on tv etc.
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Level 3 is closed tonight , and there is space in the stalls so maybe 1200 folks are here overall.
Boyce Avenue are massive in The Philippines and half the crowd seem to be from those folks living here.
Support act was singer-songwriter HANNAH TRIGWELL who came on at 8pm for her 35 mins.
She is on the same record label as Boyce Avenue.
Some decent songs played, including covers of 'Hallelujah' and 'Never Gonna Give You Up'.
BOYCE AVENUE arrived on stage at 9.05pm and played for 90 mins.
Just the three brothers on stage with electric guitar, acoustic guitar and some basic percussion.
The setlist is pretty much half their own material, and half cover versions.
The crowd sung the cover versions louder than their own songs.
No photographers in the pit, and you can see why the music press do not touch them.
Early on were covers by Coldplay, The Police, Natalie Imbruglia , Tracy Chapman and others.
Way too many contemporary covers, but that's what this crowd wanted.
Always good to hear covers of 'Mr Brightside' , 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' and 'Sex On Fire'.
They were more like a good quality covers band , who delivered the songs well,
and the punters seem happy to be pay £35 , but i didn't really get why.
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Friday 25 August 2023.
Very sad news that guitarist BERNIE MARSDEN has passed away aged 72.
I saw Bernie play several times with Whitesnake in the late 1970s , early 1980s.
In a statement, Marsden's family said: "We are saddened to share that Bernie Marsden has passed away. "Bernie peacefully left us on Thursday evening, with his wife Fran and daughters Charlotte & Olivia by his side. "Bernie continued his love for music, writing, and recording until the end."
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Friday 25 August 2023.
BRUCE COCKBURN live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Bruce Cockburn (now aged 78) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist. His song styles range from folk to jazz-influenced rock and his lyrics cover a broad range of topics including human rights, environmental issues, politics etc.
He has released over 25 albums since 1970, and is very popular back home in Canada.
He released a 50 year compilation best of a couple of years ago featuring the years 1970 to 2020.
In 2011 Canada Post issued a stamp of Bruce Cockburn as part of their Canadian Recording Artists series.
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It is stalls seated tonight, and Levels 2 and 3 are closed.
A mainly older male crowd , and maybe only 300 folks here.
No surprise really as he usually plays much smaller venues like Union Chapel or Bush Hall.
BRUCE COCKBURN arrived on stage at 8.05pm and played for 1 hour 50 mins ,
over two sets of 50 mins and 60 mins.
Bruce arrives on stage , with his long white beard , walking stick and hunched back.
No stage production, just Bruce sitting on a stool with his acoustic guitar and steel guitar.
Judging by the audience reaction , his best known songs were in the second half of the show.
You could hear a pin drop during his songs, as the audience listened respectively.
Highlights included 'Lovers In A Dangerous Time', 'All The Diamonds In The World' ,
'Wondering Where The Lions Are' and the first encore was an excellent 'The End of All Rivers',
which featured some stunning guitar work....an enjoyable show.
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Thursday 24 August 2023.
I went to three events today.
Noon to 1.30pm
SOUND CAFE & BAR - showcase - The Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch, London W1.
I know this hotel well, as i worked in Marble Arch in 1975 with my first ever full time job.
It has recently reverted back to its original name after four years as The Hard Rock Hotel.
Most of the Hard Rock Cafe memorabilia has gone , but there are still many music pieces on the ground
floor area, which includes the spacious Sound Cafe & Bar, which must have 200 seats at tables.
We get shown around , and are given a complimentary burger & fries from their new vegan menu.
The Pretender ( normally £17.50) was passable , but the onion rings and skin-on fries were nicer.
We are inside a hotel that has boasted former guests such as Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and Jimi Hendrix,
who stayed there numerous times and gave his final interview there on 11 Sept 1970, just six days
before he was found dead in Notting Hill.
Live bands each night as you eat or drink , and a drag show on Sunday's.
Cocktails are a steep £14 , but happy hour is 5pm to 7pm daily for a 2 for 1.
then
2.30pm to 5.30pm...matinee...
TINA : THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL live at The Aldwych Theatre, London WC2.
The musical is based on the life & songs of music legend Tina Turner.
This was the second time i have seen it.
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical is a jukebox musical featuring the music of Tina Turner, and depicting her life from her youth in Nutbush, Tennessee, through her tumultuous relationship with Ike Turner, and comeback as a rock 'n roll star in her 40s.
Opening press night on 17 April 2018 got loads of great four and five star reviews.
Tina Turner and Rod Stewart turned up on the opening night.
Not many people in the UK can say they have seen Ike & Tina Turner on stage but I saw them
at Hammersmith Odeon in 1974 when i was aged just 15.
I saw Tina Turner several times as a solo artist including Live Aid in 1985 and when she headlined
a massive show at Wembley Stadium in 2000.
The musical has been incredibly popular since it opened, and this show today is a full house.
This theatre has a 1200 capacity theatre.
The show is on for around 2 hours 25 mins over two sets of 75 mins and 70 mins.
The first set is pretty much Tina's life with Ike and the second set is pretty much life after Ike.
Tina had massive luck by bumping into her Australian manager Roger Davies.
After Turner told Davies of her plans to fill in rock arenas like Rod Stewart and The Rolling Stones, Davies advised Tina to drop her old cabaret act and remodel the band into a modern rock outfit, taking the new band to perform in small clubs and bars throughout the U.S. and Europe. In 1981, Davies booked her a showcase at The Ritz in New York City.
Her comeback album 'Private Dancer' went on to sell over 20 million copies.
Tina formed a long term relationship with a guy at her record company, who became her husband.
Plenty of great songs from her career all the way through the show including
'River Deep Mountain High', 'Private Dancer' and 'What's Love Got To Do With It'.
A stunning finale with Tina in full rock show mode with live band, lights, staircases for
'The Best', 'Nutbush City Limits' and 'Proud Mary'.
An excellent show that got a full standing ovation from the crowd at the end.
then.....
INDIGO GIRLS live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Indigo Girls are an American folk rock music duo from Atlanta, Georgia, United States, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers.The two met in elementary school and began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area.
They have released around a dozen albums since 1987.
They were very popular in North America where two of their albums made the Top 10 in the 1990s.
They came out as gay many years ago, so have a strong LGBT+ following.
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It does not say sold out , but all the levels are very full tonight.
Half the crowd are middle aged gay women , who have come out in force to support their gay icons.
Support act HATTIE WHITEHEAD arrived on stage at 8pm for her mellow 40 mins set.
INDIGO GIRLS arrived on stage at 9.05pm for their 1 hour 45 mins set.
Five female musicians on stage , including playing keyboards and violin, but no drums.
A nice laid back sound, with lots of great harmonies.
Several songs had hints of Bob Dylan / Neil Young in them.
The biggest cheers came for songs in the second half of the show including a great
'Closer to Fine' at the end of the main set , that had all the crowd singing loudly along to.
An enjoyable show.

Updated 25th August 2023 Permalink

Wednesday 23 August 2023.

Wednesday 23 August 2023.
66 mins of classic VAN HALEN from The 1984 Monsters of Rock Festival has appeared on YouTube.
I was at this show , that was the last in the UK with David Lee Roth as their singer.
At 45 mins , there starts a 9 minute Eddie Van Halen guitar solo.
It was the sixth time I had seen that classic line-up...
Black Sabbath,Van Halen Hammersmith Odeon, London 01.06.1978 van halen debut uk tour
Black Sabbath,Van Halen Hammersmith Odeon, London 10.06.1978 van halen again blow Sabbath away
Van Halen,Battleaxe Rainbow Theatre, London 22.10.1978
Van Halen,St Paradise Rainbow Theatre, London 29.06.1979
Van Halen,Lucifers Friend Rainbow Theatre , London 24.06.1980
AC/DC,Van Halen,Ozzy Osbourne,Gary Moore,Motley Crue Monsters Of Rock , Donnington 18.08.1984 What a great day .What a great line-up .
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Tuesday 22 August 2023.
This is a great candid 16 mins interview on YouTube with Keef in Paris from 1982.
The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards on drugs & rock 'n' roll - Newsnight archives (1982)
Excellent quality as its via BBC Newsnight
Also shows some footage from their Paris show then where J Geils Band were the support act.
I saw that tour when it was at Wembley Stadium.
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Monday 21 August 2023.
TV GIRL live at Hammersmith Apollo.
TV Girl is an American indie pop band from San Diego, California, USA.
They are touring Europe to promote their recent studio album 'Grapes Upon The Vine'.
This show sold out two months in advance, and was upgraded to a bigger venue from The Forum.
They play Reading and Leeds Festivals a few days after this show.
TV Girl played two sold out shows at Shepherds Bush Empire in Nov 2022...I was not there.
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Like the Devo here show a couple of days ago, the venue is totally rammed sold out.
The crowd was pretty much all under the age of 30, with maybe 90% female.
Great to see so many of them buying the vinyl version of the new TV Girl album from the merch stand.
Several 'guardian ' dads are proudly wearing their band t-shirts including Iron Maiden,
AC/DC , Guns N Roses, Dead Kennedy's , Def Leppard and INXS as if to make a statement
" we are only here because of our children".
Indeed when i popped to the loo during the headliners, there were around 20 adults sitting
around in the circle bar on their phones and chatting waiting for the show to end, rather than actually watch it.
The circle bar is a lot quieter than the Devo show here a couple of days ago.
Support act COLLEEN GREEN arrived on stage at 8.10pm for her 35 mins.
Colleen Green (aged 38 ) is an American indie pop musician from Los Angeles, California.
Just her and her electric guitar and the drum machine.
She played some simple catchy indie-pop tunes from her albums.
TV GIRL arrived on stage at 9pm and played for 80 mins.
A pretty basic stage production, with just the four of them on stage and the bands logo.
Even the singer admitted "what do you think of our 130 dollar stage production?".
The band play dreamy, hypnotic simple indie pop tunes that the crowd sing loudly along to.
Indeed the female crowd seem to scream at anything that the singer said.
Lots of keyboard based songs, along with some samples.
The singer said "it was great to play this historic venue where the likes of Queen, Kate Bush,
Public Enemy and.......Peppa Pig" have performed.
An enjoyable show that ticked along nicely.
Full TV GIRL setlist played tonight....
Pantyhose
Hate Yourself
Louise
Cigarettes Out the Window
Birds Don't Sing
Daughter of a Cop
Not Allowed
The Night Time
99.5
Grapes Upon the Vine
Safe Word
Blue Hair
The Blonde
Loving Machine
Taking What's Not Yours
Heaven Is a Bedroom
Encore :
Lovers Rock
It Evaporates

Updated 22nd August 2023 Permalink

Sunday 20 August 2023.

Sunday 20 August 2023.
Women's World Cup Football Final in Australia.
SPAIN 1 ENGLAND 0 ...live on tv from 11am.
Over 10 million folks are expected to watch it live on tv in the UK.
Spain were the better team, but great England got to the final.
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Saturday 19 August 2023.
DEVO live at Hammersmith Apollo.
A London show on their farewell 50th anniversary world tour.
This show sold out over a month in advance.
I saw Devo twice in 1978 at Hammersmith Odeon when they were supported by The Members.
I bought their debut album on Marble Vinyl in 1978 when it was released back then.
That album reached number 12 in the UK charts, but other singles and albums did not make the Top 40.
They have played rare London shows at The Royal Festival Hall, Shepherds Bush Empire
and The Forum over the past 40 years , but this will be the first time since 1978 that i am seeing them.
DJ support comes from RUSTY EGAN (The Rich Kids, Visage, Skids etc)
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All the pubs near the venue were very busy before the show.
The venue is totally rammed solid sold out for tonight's show.
Most of the crowd seem to be males in their 50s and 60s, and Devo themselves are in their 70s.
Lots of different accents here tonight, as it is Devo only English show on their European Tour.
Several folks here i know, including those that have trekked from Bristol and Brighton.
The merch stand is selling their iconic red cone hats for £30.
DJ RUSTY EGAN is the support on stage playing some cool tunes , including Talking Heads, OMD,
Soft Cell and he even managed to sneak in 'Fade To Grey'.
Rusty told me that all his set will be up on MixCloud.
DEVO arrived on stage at 9pm and played for 85 mins.
The five members arrive on stage dressed all in black , and during the show we see them
wearing their iconic red cone hats, yellow boiler suits and some space jackets.
There is a massive screen along the entire back of the stage, showing great images.
'Whip It' is played fairly early on...Pearl Jam have covered it in the past.
Their quirky version of (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction ' is great as ever.
Devo classics 'Uncontrollable Urge' and 'Mongloid' were top notch.
Devo were well rehearsed and very tight, and it was a great show.
Full DEVO setlist played tonight...
Video - Rod Rooter Now
Don't Shoot (I'm a Man)
Peek-a-Boo
Going Under
That's Good
Girl U Want
Whip It
Planet Earth
Video - Carl Sagan
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones cover)
Secret Agent Man (P.F. Sloan cover)
Uncontrollable Urge
Mongoloid
Jocko Homo
Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA
Gates of Steel
DEVO Corporate Anthem Video
Freedom of Choice
Gut Feeling
Slap Your Mammy
Beautiful World (with Booji Boy)
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Friday 18 August 2023.
THE WEEKND live at Wembley Stadium.
Due to overwhelming demand, Canadian artist The Weeknd has added a THIRD London stadium show to the UK and Ireland leg of his After Hours Til Dawn Global Stadium Tour.
This European tour is in support of his 2020 LP, 'After Hours', and his 2022 album 'Dawn FM'.
The Weeknd has had three number one albums in the UK.
The Weeknd has had 15 x Top 10 singles in the UK, including a number one.
Support acts will be Kaytranada and Mike Dean.
It was 10 years ago in 2013 that The Weeknd played to just 1000 folks at The Electric Ballroom, Camden.
The show tonight is a massive 90,000 sold out, and the last night of The Weeknd European Tour,
that was an incredible 29 stadium shows.
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MIKE DEAN arrived on stage at 6.15pm for his 30 mins set.
DJ and producer played some tracks from his albums.
He was wearing a giant silver cape / coat , behind his keyboards.
A bit of vocals, but mainly instrumentals.
KAYTRANADA arrived on stage at 7pm for his 40 mins set.
DJ and producer played some tracks from his albums.
Again it was a bit of vocals, but the instrumental tracks were dancier.
THE WEEKND arrived on stage at 8.25pm and played for 1 hour 55 mins
We are in the gold circle ,that tonight is a huge three quarters of the pitch.
The extended stage extension to the b-stage is a full 90% length of the pitch.
The stage production looks incredible.
The set is a vast metallic cityscape, filled with over a dozen ruined landmarks – St Paul’s Cathedral, Toronto’s CN Tower and the Empire State Building among them – which belch out fire or shoot violet-coloured lasers above the crowd at strategic moments. But most of the action takes place on a runway that stretches nearly the full length of the pitch, which also belches out fire at strategic moments, and comes illuminated by dozens of spotlights that either point skywards or focus on the audience, illuminating huge sections of the stands, which are already illuminated by the crowd themselves, equipped with Coldplay-inspired flashing wristbands on arrival. The walkway is decorated with an immense inflatable moon/sun dangling over its far end and an even more immense model of the Hajime Sorayama-designed robot featured in the video for 2011’s Echoes of Silence. The song doesn’t feature in the setlist, but no matter: the model slowly rotates, shoots coloured lights from its eyes, and provides a focal point around which 20 female dancers, clad in white robes and veils , move in slow concentric circles.
Oddly they have even sold seats behind the stage, as so much action takes place on the runway.
Also the four screens are not in the usual front of stage places, but in semi-restricted view areas.
The main man wears a metallic face mask for the first half of the show.
The three or four songs i know including 'Call Out My Name' are played in the second half of the show.
I think it was 'House of Balloons ' that had a 60 seconds snippet of Souixsie 'Happy House'.
A few tracks appeared to be shortened versions.
Halfway through the show it started to drizzle, then for the last 30 mins it rained heavy , and got soaked.
The overall atmosphere was fantastic, and it was a very enjoyable show to watch ,
even though I didn't really know many of the songs.
Full setlist played by THE WEEKND tonight....
Tape & Video Intro - Dawn FM
Take My Breath
Sacrifice
How Do I Make You Love Me?
Can't Feel My Face
Lost in the Fire (Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd cover)
Hurricane (Kanye West cover)
The Hills
Rolling Stone (Played at the end of "The Hills")
Kiss Land
Often
Crew Love (Drake cover)
Starboy
House of Balloons
Heartless
Low Life (Future cover)
Reminder
Party Monster
Faith
After Hours
Out of Time
I Feel It Coming
Die for You
Is There Someone Else?
I Was Never There
Wicked Games
Call Out My Name
The Morning
Save Your Tears
Less Than Zero
Blinding Lights
Tears in the Rain
Creepin' (Metro Boomin cover)
Popular (The Weeknd, Playboi Carti & Madonna cover)
In Your Eyes
Moth to a Flame (Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd cover)

Updated 19th August 2023 Permalink

Thursday 17 August 2023

Thursday 17 August 2023....3.45pm to 7.45pm...
RACING LEAGUE at Royal Windsor Racecouse, Berkshire.
Jockey Frankie Dettori retires this season after a stunning career.
See him here on one of his last horse race meetings.
He will be there as team captain for London and The South, but not actually riding.
Doors open 3pm...seven races from 5pm to 8pm...
What is the Racing League?
Racing League is a competition between 7 teams, who will compete over 6 midweek evenings at ARC racecourses around the country, live on ITV and Sky Sports Racing. Teams will compete against each other over 42 races, fighting for valuable points to boost them up the league table. The team with the highest number of points after the final race will become the 2023 Racing League Champions.
The Teams are....
Ireland
Scotland
Yorkshire
The North
The East
Wales & The West
London & The South
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A nice and sunny day today.
Windsor is a small cosy racecourse so maybe 4000 folks are here today.
Easy to get from parade ring, to winners enclosure , to the winning line etc.
A pair of djs are playing disco classics before the first race starts at 5pm.
ITV and their pundits along with Frankie Dettori are here in the parade ring.
We saw the first six races, and left just before the last race started.
An enjoyable day out.
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Thursday 17 August 2023.
Very sad news that MICHAEL PARKINSON has passed away aged 88.
Sir Michael Parkinson CBE was an English television presenter, broadcaster, journalist and author. He presented his television talk show Parkinson from 1971 to 1982 and from 1998 to 2007, as well as other talk shows and programmes both in the UK and internationally. He also worked in radio and was described by The Guardian as "the great British talkshow host".
Those my age would remember him from his 1970s BBC1 Saturday night chat show where he would
interview all the big name A-listers from the UK, USA and elsewhere.
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Wednesday 16 August 2023.
Happy Birthday to MADONNA who is 65 today.
Reports say she has started rehearsing for her tour , which starts in London on 14 Oct.
That is a must see show, as Madonna is always top notch.
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Tuesday 15 August 2023.
GENERATION SEX European Tour finished in mid July.
I thought Steve Jones stayed in London for a week after, but looks like he is still in London ,
as he was at Stamford Bridge with Paul Cook on Sunday just gone for the Chelsea game.
That means he has been in London for a full month after the tour.
Steve Jones and Paul Cook support Chelsea.
Glen Matlock supports QPR.
John Lydon supports Arsenal.

Updated 16th August 2023 Permalink

Monday 14 August 2023.

Monday 14 August 2023.
HANS ZIMMER is part of a group that has bought the BBC’s storied Maida Vale recording studio, apparently saving it from closure. The BBC did not disclose the sale price in its official announcement, but reports indicate that the group paid £10.5 million (about $13.325 million).
Maida Vale went up for sale in 2018, prompting Nigel Godrich, Geoff Barrow, and many other artists to pressure the BBC to reconsider. The west London studio has, for decades, hosted illustrious artists including David Bowie, Beyoncé, and Led Zeppelin, who would typically record sessions to air on BBC radio and sometimes repackage them later for wide release, either as standalone records—à la the recent Broadcast set—or appended to reissues as bonus tracks. To what degree the studio will remain intact in its current form remains to be seen.
Zimmer bought Maida Vale with his business partner, Steven Kofsky, and Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, the co-chairmen of the British film studio Working Title Films. According to the BBC, the building will continue to operate as a studio space. There are also plans to create a nonprofit education facility. The BBC plans to open its own new BBC Music Studios in London’s East Bank in late 2025.
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Sunday 13 August 2023...1pm to 4pm...
LUCI - 136 Long Acre, Covent Garden, London WC2.
Restaurant & bar press preview.
Sharing the same heritage as the grand cafes of Milan, Luci brings the best of Italy from breakfast through lunch through dinner. Start your morning with Italian viennoiserie and freshly baked bread, accompanied with Luci’s own-roasted coffee. For lunch, make a quick pit-stop to the ‘bancone’ and choose from a variety of thin focaccia Genovese, delicious ciabatta and wood-fired pizza by the slice. With a tempting selection of Milanese cakes and homemade gelati and sorbetti your visit will definitely end on a sweet note!
Head upstairs for lunch or dinner to find sit-down dining alongside a menu that takes you through a journey of Italian classics and fresh pastas.
It is a relaxed buffet style here, where you pick up your tray at the counter and pick your own dishes.
We had a selection of starters , then a selection of mains, then a selection of the ten yummy desserts.
Also cocktails Old Fashioned Whiskey and Negronis, along with wines and beers.
Very enjoyable here , and well worth a visit , when in this very popular tourist area.
www.lucirestaurant..co.uk - Visit their website here.
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Saturday 12 August 2023
ALI WONG live at Hammersmith Apollo.
41 year old American female stand-up comedian & actress brings her comedy show to London.
She is in Europe for a few shows in the middle of her massive North American tour.
She has had three stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.
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Pretty amazing how popular ALI WONG is in the UK.
Two shows today at 5.30pm and 9pm....I ended up watching both of them.
Stalls seated so 4000 capacity tonight, not sold out , but both shows pretty full.
Lots of folks from Asia here.
Tickets not cheap either , as they ranged from £50 to £80.
No big screen or any other type of stage production here.
Signs everywhere...No Heckling , No Photos, No Videos.
Support act SHENG WANG was the American male comedian who supported her.
He did around 25 mins which was good , and he went down well with the crowd.
ALI WONG was on stage for around 60 mins for both shows.
She turns up on stage wearing a tracksuit and trainers.
She soon announces that she got divorced in 2022 , and is now a divorcee aged 41 with two kids.
Pretty much all her set was how she was enjoying single life, after her divorce.
Ali Wong talk about? Life post-divorce. Mainly getting dicked down and enjoying the gift of experience. She has been loved, has kids, and got married, so now the need for compromise and all the stuff she hated about a real committed relationship? F*** all that.
Now, does that mean she is against love? Absolutely not. But being 41, divorced, and desired in ways she wasn’t in her teens and twenties? You gotta be pretty special for her to give up this newfound freedom, men from 25 to 60 courting her, and her patience being lower than ever with men.
Lots of swearing throughout, and graphic description of sex acts.
It was from a females point of view, so the females in the crowd cheered loudly often.
She was very funny, even though 60 mins on stage felt a bit short.

Updated 13th August 2023 Permalink

Thursday 10 August 2023.

Wed 02 Aug 2023 to Wed 09 Aug 2023 - I will be up in Blackpool for a week.
Thursday 03 August to Sunday 06 August 2023 - REBELLION FESTIVAL is held in Blackpool.
The UKs biggest punk festival , which features over 300 acts over multi-stages.
Old and new punk , but also lots of other genres catered for.
Along with on stage interviews with many of the artists.
Along with lots of stalls selling punk vinyl , cds , clothing, art etc.
I have been many times before , and i was at all four days in 2022, and it was totally excellent.
I will be putting daily updates on my Facebook page with photos and videos of Rebellion.
Reminder that Blackpool has got hundreds of great value accommodation bed & breakfast hotels.
Also great value drinks and food offers outside of the venue.
No need to worry about scorching heat or if it is raining, as all the stages are indoors.
Thurs 03 Aug - Cock Sparrer have replaced The Damned due to band illness.
Penetration have replaced The Descendents due to band illness.
Big Country + UK Subs + The Members in Dub + Slady + Menace + plus many more.
I have seen The Damned over 40 times since The 100 Club Punk Festival in Sept 1976.
Fri 04 Aug - Henry Rollins + Neville Staple Band + Spizz Energi + Vapors + Mick Rossi's Gun St +
The Exploited + Anti-Nowhere League + Jo Jo & The Teeth + Desperate Measures plus many more.
Sat 05 Aug - New Model Army + Die Toten Hosen + The Only Ones + Rezillos + Ruts DC +
Bad Manners + The Meteors + Duncan Reid & The Big Heads plus many more.
I would say The Only Ones are the band i am looking forward to seeing the most, as they rarely play.
Saw them several times over 40 years ago, when they released three great albums before splitting up.
They have reformed for only odd shows every now and then.
I saw them in 2007, 2008, 2009, Rebellion Blackpool 2012 , and a short set free festival gig in 2019.
The Only Ones (1978)
Even Serpents Shine (1979)
Baby's Got a Gun (1980)
Sun 06 Aug - Steel Pulse + Dickies + Bob Vylan + Republica + Gaye Bykers On Acid +
TV Smith + Blue Carpet Band + Brix Smith + Tom Spencer plus many more.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW for Aug 2024 at an early bird reduced price ticket price.
www.Rebellionfestivals.com - Visit their website here.
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Thursday 03 August 2023.
A lovely sunny day in Blackpool, despite the gloomy weather forecast.
Quite an amazing sight to see several thousand punk rockers take over Blackpool.
A fantastic , friendly everyone here for a good time vibe.
Bumping into lots of friends here was great.
The organisation and staff were all top notch.
So many bands on different stages , so there is always a few clashes.
Sometimes when my old legs felt whacked, i would watch a few bands in the Opera room seats.
LAMBRINI GIRLS arrived on stage at 4.15pm and played for 35 mins.
This all girl band were first on at the recent Dog Day Afternoon concert headlined by Iggy Pop.
Again the singer is giving it 100% with her shouty punk attitude, as she jumps in and sings in the crowd.
MENACE arrived on stage at 5.50pm and played for 40 mins.
A really good set that included 'Screwed Up' and everyone singing along to their classic 'GLC'.
DAVE ROBINSON from Stiff Records interview was from 6.50pm to 7.35pm.
A very entertaining interview where Dave talked about promoting gigs in Dublin in the 1960s and
then setting up the legendary Stiff Records in the 1970s, whose releases included The Damned.
UK SUBS arrived on stage at 8pm and played for 60 mins...BEST BAND TODAY FOR ME.
UK SUBS pulled a massive crowd. and played a totally excellent set.
The Godfather of Punk, Charlie Harper on vocals is now aged 79, and everyone loves him.
All their classics played including ' Tomorrow's Girls', a mega 'Warhead' with everyone singing along,
and ending with 'Stranglehold' and 'Teenage'.
EATER..i saw the last 35 mins of their 50 mins set.
I saw Eater during the punk heyday back in 1977 and 1978 and singer Andy Blade is still on vocals.
A good set that included their classic single 'Thinking of the USA'
THE MEMBERS IN DUB arrived on stage at 10.10pm and played for 55 mins.
The Members are joined by Richard England from Cadiz Records on second guitar.
Lots of great gems played with a reggae tinge including 'Offshore Banking Business' ,
'Solitary Confinement ' and their classic hit 'The Sound of the Suburbs' .
BIG COUNTRY arrived on stage at 11.30pm and played for 60 mins.
I saw Big Country several times with Stuart Adamson (RIP) in the late 1980s and 1990s.
Bruce Watson has taken over lead guitar duties and he does a very nifty job on those great riffs.
Lots of their hits played including 'Look Away' , 'Harvest Home', 'Chance', 'In A Big Country'
and 'Fields of Fire'
SLADY arrived on stage at 12.45pm and played for 45 mins.
All female tribute to those 1970s glam rock legends
You cannot go wrong with all those Slade anthems.
The singer does a good job of sounding like Noddy , and they go down a treat.
A great opening day of bands.
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Friday 04 August 2023.
Another sunny lunchtime in Blackpool , and great to see the trams running along the prom.
MICK ROSSI'S GUN ST arrived on stage at 4.40pm and played for 45 mins.
Original Mancunian punk rock guitarist Mick Rossi was in Slaughter & The Dogs back in the 1970s.
Another band I saw back then.
They played tracks from their album and SATD classic 'Boston Babies' and a neat cover of that
punk classic 'Born To Lose'.
THE OUTCASTS arrived on stage at 5.40pm for their 40 mins.
Belfast punk band who formed in 1977 played a good set.
SPIZZ ENERGI arrived on stage at 6.45pm and played for 45 mins.
Always good to see Spizz Energi who had some great singles on Rough Trade back in the late 1970s.
We get pukka versions of 'Soldier Soldier' and 'Where's Captain Kirk ?' and his neat cover of
'Virginia Plain' that was on the b-side of 'Soldier Soldier'.
THE VAPORS arrived on stage at 7.50pm for their 45 mins set.
A nice collection of their new wave/power pop tunes.
NEVILLE STAPLE FROM THE SPECIALS arrives on stage at 8.55pm and plays for 50 mins.
All those classic Specials gems played one after the other , with a band that featured sax and trombone.
An excellent set to a huge crowd , that had them all dancing compulsively to the mega ska sound.
Neville was the best band today for me.
ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE arrived on stage at 10.10pm and played for 50 mins.
Lots of good tracks played including 'For You' , 'I Hate People', their cover of 'Streets of London',
'So What' , 'Woman' and ' We're The League'.
DESPERATE MEASURES arrived on stage at 11.15pm for their 35 mins set.
They are fronted by Vive Le Rock main man Eugene Butcher.
His band started up around 40 years ago back in his homeland of New Zealand.
His look and vocals and presence reminds me of Bon Scott...a good rockin' set.
THE RAMONAS arrived on stage at 1am and finished at 2am...yes 2am.
I have seen these all girl Scottish Ramones tribute the once before.
Sooo many great Ramones classics played , along with 15 mins of their own material in the middle.
I was lucky enough to see the real Ramones over a dozen times including their debut London show in 1976.
Day 2 at Rebellion was another corker.
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Saturday 05 August 2023.
EUGENE BUTCHER interview was from 1pm to 1.30pm....Eugene was interviewed by John Robb.
Eugene talked enthused about his love for British punk rock and British classic rock.
In his native New Zealand he would get the music papers, six weeks after they came out.
He had his own band there, Desperate Measures, and he now performs with them in the IUK.
He started up the great mag Vive Le Rock in 2010 , even though magazines were dying a death.
He is helping with the Charlie Harper docu film that is gonna be out in 2024.
DUNCAN REID AND THE BIG HEADS arrived on stage at 2.15pm and played for 40 mins.
Lots of catchy pop songs played from their upcoming album.
He was in The Boys many years ago , and we had a nice version of their 1977 gem ''First Time'.
Duncan said this was to be their third last ever gig.
PROTEX arrived on stage at 3.15pm for their 35 mins.
They were part of the first wave of punk bands from Belfast in 1978.
TV SMITH & FRIENDS arrived on stage at 4.15pm and played for 40 mins.
A really good set played including a pair of Adverts classics 'Gary Gilmores Eyes' and 'One Chord Wonders'.
BAD MANNERS arrived on stage at 6.30pm and played for 60 mins.
Singer Buster Bloodvessel is still a very oversize chap.
He had a great band, that included a four man brass section.
Lots of bouncy ska hits played including 'My Boy Lollipop' ,'Lorraine' and 'Lip Up Fatty'.
BAR SCHOOL PREACHERS on stage at 7.35pm for their 40 mins.
Didn't know much about this band, but they were better than expected, with a great singer.
RUTS DC on at 8.45pm...I saw the first 30 mins then dashed to where The Only Ones are playing,
Great versions of ' Kill the Pain ' and 'Jah War' were played.
THE ONLY ONES arrived on stage at 9.35pm and played for 60 mins.
Not really a punk or ska band, but for me they were the best band of the day.
It helps I have their three excellent albums all at home, so I know most of the tracks.
Here is the full setlist for their excellent set....
Miles From Nowhere
Programme
As My Wife Says
Why Don't You Kill Yourself?
Flaming Torch
The Big Sleep
The Immortal Story
Inbetweens
Prisoners
Trouble in the World
From Here to Eternity
Oh No
I'm Not Like Everybody Else (The Kinks cover)
Another Girl, Another Planet
The Beast
THE REZILLOS arrived on stage at 11.05pm for their 60 mins.
Scottish new wave band who I saw back in the late 1970s.
They are still fronted by Eugene Reynolds and Faye Fife.
They had a big hit with the classic 'Top of the Pops' in 1977, which went down well tonight.
Other goodies included 'Destination Venus' and 'Someone's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked in 'Tonight'.
Day 3 at Rebellion was another corker.
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Sunday 06 August 2023.
BLUE CARPET BAND arrived on stage at 1.30pm for their 30 mins set.
Not sure why they are on so early, as they are more well known than others on this stage.
A great set of uptempo garage rock n roll , with a hint of The Cramps.
ANDY ELLISON interview was from 2pm for 30 mins.
Andy was the singer with Johns Children, Jet and Radio Stars.
I saw him with Jet in 1975 and twice with Radio Stars in 1977.
Jet released an album on CBS Records in 1975, toured as support to Hunter-Ronson and then became Radio Stars,who had one UK Top 40 hit, "Nervous Wreck" in early 1978. It peaked at No. 39.The B-side to the single was a cover of Marc Bolan's "Horrible Breath", a John's Children staple.
Andy was a very lively stage performer , which included doing somersaults on stage.
This got Johns Children thrown off a German tour supporting The Who in 1967.
Andy finished his interview with an acoustic version of 'Nervous Wreck'.
CHARLIE HARPER interview was from 2.40pm for 40 mins.
Charlie confirmed there is an autobiograhy and film docu on his life due out in 2024.
He said he now resides in the sleepy town of Seaford, near Brighton.
Now aged 79, the punk legend confirmed their UK tour in Sept will be their last ever proper tour,
as Charlie is fed up with being in a van for up to six hours a day, but there will be odd gigs.
He said some squats in Europe they played and stayed in , were better than some dodgy hotels.
THE STITCHES arrived on stage at 3.45pm for their 35 mins set.
The Stitches is an American 1970s-style punk rock band formed in 1994 in Orange County, California.
Uptempo fast punk tunes , with a great Stiv Bators type singer throwing himself into the crowd.
Good songs played included 'My Baby Hates Me'.
RUTS DC ACOUSTIC arrived on stage at 4.50pm for their 50 mins set.
I see them for the second time in two days, and it's another great show.
Gems played included 'Something That I Said', 'Babylons Burning' , 'In A Rut',
'Kill The Pain', a cover of 'Police and Thieves ' and 'Staring at the Rude Boys'.
For me RUTS DC and TV SMITH were the highlights of today , as they both played brilliant sets.
TV SMITH AND THE BORED TEENAGERS PLAY THE ADVERTS on at 5.50pm for 50 mins.
TV Smith and band played an excellent set based around The Adverts debut album including
'No Time To Be 21' , 'Gary Gilmores Eyes', ' Bored Teenagers' and 'One Chord Wonders'.
WASPS arrived on stage at 7pm for their 50 mins set.
This London punk band were one of the lesser known bands from the 1970s punk heyday.
They played a good set.
BRIX SMITH and her all female band arrived on stage at 8.10pm for their 50 mins set.
Brix is happy to be here and is looking great for her age.
They played a bunch of good tracks from their album.
GAYE BYKERS ON ACID arrived on stage at 9.30pm for their 60 mins set.
Shall I call them pyschedelic dance rock punk? ...they played a decent set.
REPUBLICA arrived on stage at 11pm and played for 50 mins.
Republica sold 3 million albums worldwide between 1996 to 1999.
Some hilarious microphone problems during the first two songs were rectified.
Saffron on vocals with her happy to be here and her bubbly Lewisham accent is nice to hear.
They played 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' and their big hit 'Ready To Go'.
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Four long long days of watching bands at Rebellion was tiring , but totally excellent.
Reminder that early bird special price tickets are now on sale for Rebellion August 2024.

Updated 1st August 2023 Permalink

Sunday 30 July 2023.

Saturday 29 July 2023.
PULP live at Hammersmith Apollo.
Brit-Pop legends Pulp are back in London to play the second of two shows at this venue.
On the back of the success of their outdoor Finsbury Park gig to 45,000 folks on 01 July.
Both these shows sold out very quickly.
I have seen Pulp several times since 1996 , when they headlined Wembley Arena.
Several times I have seen Jarvis Cocker arrive at gigs, at venues like Shepherds Bush Empire
and park his push bike and lock it to the railings.
A summer where both Blur and Pulp reform for gigs.
Tonight is the last night of the Pulp reunion tour.
The last Pulp reunion was in 2011.
Support comes from Irish singer-songwriter LISA O'NEILL.
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I end up missing the support act.
The venue is totally rammed solid sold out tonight.
A few well known faces are in the circle...
TILDA SWINTON (actress)
NEIL HANNON (The Divine Comedy)
GEOFF TRAVIS ( Rough Trade Records supremo)
STEWART LEE ( comedian)
PULP arrived on stage at 9pm and played for two hours.
A stunning stage production that surely was the same as their massive Finsbury Park show.
There are different raised levels for band members and the string orchestra.
There is a big screen showing Pulp related images.
There is use of ticker-tape and lasers and lots of lights.
Jarvis Cocker is wearing his trademark corduroy jacket and trousers.
His tall slim body pulls those funny shapes, as he jumps on top of he two podiums front of stage.
His stage banter was as dry and droll as ever.
Plenty of top notch Pulp classics played including mega versions of 'Disco 2000' and 'Commom People'.
Lesser known tracks also played in the set.
An excellent show.
Full setlist played by PULP tonight...
Intro (Short film in memory of Steve Mackey, introduced by Antony Genn)
I Spy
Disco 2000
Mis-Shapes
Something Changed (Dedicated to Steve Mackey)
Pink Glove
Weeds
Weeds II (The Origin of the Species)
F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E.
Sorted for E's & Wizz
This Is Hardcore
Do You Remember The First Time?
Babies
Sunrise
Encore 1:
Like a Friend
Underwear
Common People (Marley Mackey, Steve's son, on guitar)
Encore 2:
After You
Razzmatazz
Glory Days
Hymn of the North (Jarvis Cocker song)

Updated 30th July 2023 Permalink

Friday 28 July 2023.

Friday 28 July 2023.
BEBE REXHA live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Global hitmaker Bebe Rexha announces that she'll be bringing her 'Best F'n Night of My Life' tour to the U.K.
Bebe Rexha has seen success with several collaborations including "Hey Mama" with David Guetta, Nicki Minaj and Afrojack, "Me, Myself & I" with G-Eazy, "In the Name of Love" with Martin Garrix, and "Meant to Be" featuring Florida Georgia Line, the latter of which had large success as a country crossover single, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. Rexha's debut studio album, Expectations (2018), reached number 13 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and saw the success of its lead single, "I'm a Mess", and brought Rexha two nominations for Best New Artist and Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the 61st Grammy Awards.Rexha released her second studio album, Better Mistakes, in 2021. In 2023, Rexha released her self-titled third studio album, Bebe, containing the David Guetta collaboration "I'm Good (Blue)", which peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in 22 countries.
Her tracks have totalled over 16 billion streams.
In June 2023 a man was charged with assault, after he threw a phone at her at a show in New York,
which left Bebe with facial injuries around her eye.
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Level 3 is half empty tonight, but the other levels are rammed full.
Lots of folks from the LGBT+ community here to support Bebe.
Support act LION BABE arrived on stage at 8pm to play a decent 30 mins set.
They have released three studio albums.
Lion Babe is an American R&B duo from New York City, consisting of singer Jillian Hervey and record producer Lucas Goodman (who plays turntable backing tracks duties tonight).
Lion Babe has knee length black patent boots and a long curly wig down to her bum.
Lots of dancing, and her big bouncing boobs nearly fell out of her bra.
She had use of the big screen for some basic digital images.
BEBE REXHA and band arrived on stage at 9.05pm for her 85 mins set.
Her personal security guy is front side corner of stage keeping an eye on things.
Bebe Rexha has better use of the big screen with videos and images of her, and lots of lights.
33 year old New Yorker Bebe Rexha is a plus size girl dressed all in black, with blonde hair flowing.
She was joined by two female dancers for several songs.
The crowd seem to know the lyrics to all of the songs, and sing loudly along.
Halfway through she brought a male and female on stage for a twerk-off , but they were so bad
she ended up getting another couple on stage, who fully got into it.
The last few songs went down the best, and the encore had everyone up and and dancing.
An enjoyable show.
Full BEBE REXHA setlist played tonight...
I’m Not High, I’m in Love
Miracle Man
Heart Wants What It Wants
Me, Myself & I (G‐Eazy & Bebe Rexha cover)
I'm a Mess
Atmosphere
Gateway Drug
Bad Bitch
Sacrifice
Call on Me
Hey Mama (David Guetta & Bebe Rexha cover)
Stars
Seasons
I'm Gonna Show You Crazy
Satellite
Take Me Home (Cash Cash & Bebe Rexha cover)
In the Name of Love (Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha cover)
Meant to Be
Encore :
I’m Good (Blue) (David Guetta & Bebe Rexha cover)
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Thursday 27 July 2023.
AIRBOURNE + BLACK SPIDERS live at The Forum.
Airbourne are on a massive three month tour of UK & Europe...June, July, August.
Austrailian uptempo rock band Airbourne have released five studio albums.
I have seen Airbourne a couple of times before.
If AC/DC had four crazy sons, they would be called AIRBOURNE.
UK rock band BLACK SPIDERS are promoting their fourth studio album 'Can’t Die, Won’t Die'.
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I end up missing the support band Black Spiders tonight.
Get inside the venue during the interval and the atmosphere is rowdy and totally buzzing.
The venue is not sold out upstairs, but otherwise it is very full.
In the upstairs VIP tables is Dante Bonutto, Spinefarm Records Head of A & R.
The 90% male crowd are drinking the bars dry.
Most are wearing band t-shirts and i see several jean jackets covered in band patches..
The two songs before Airbourne come on stage are rock anthems 'Run To The Hills' and
'Ace of Spades' which are being played loudly over the pa as the crowd sing along and mosh to it.
AIRBOURNE arrived on stage at 9.15pm and played for 1 hour 40 mins.
A nice stage production with loads of amps and lights and strobes.
Airbourne are straight into their no nonsense , heads down , simple , fast , heavy and loud rock sound.
The crowd are soon moshing and throwing beers in the air, and Joey the singer throws out beers later.
Joey has plenty of stage banter about "living and dying for rock & roll" and many of the songs have
"rock & roll" in the song title.
To quote an AC/DC song title, singer Joey is a total "Live Wire" throughout the show.
A bundle of energy as he moves around the stage ,sweating buckets, along with going into the stalls and
balcony to play guitar solos, during the stalls walkabout he cracked a can of beer open to spray over the crowd by banging it against his head. and during the start of the encore , he actually fell into the pit.
It looked pretty bad , but after a couple of mins , he was back on stage with bruised ribs, laughing it off.
Not sure how he performs like this every night...as it is full on 100% dedication to rock & roll.
A great proper rock & roll show for sure.
Full AIRBOUNE setlist played tonight...
Ready to Rock
Too Much, Too Youne , Too Fast
Rock 'n' Roll for Life
Back in the Game
Girls in Black (feat singer Joey with guitar on roadies shoulders through stalls crowd guitar solo)
Burnout the Nitro
Boneshaker
Bottom of the Well / Ghostbusters
Breakin' Outta Hell
It's All for Rock 'n' Roll (Pouring of Jack Daniels and Coke in tribute to Lemmy)
Stand Up for Rock 'n' Roll
Encore:
Live It Up (Joel fell off the stage and was motionless with bruised ribs for two mins)
Raise the Flag (feat Joey guitar solo in the venue balcony)
Runnin' Wild

Updated 28th July 2023 Permalink

Wednesday 26 July 2023.

Wednesday 26 July 2023.
Another great singer sadly passes...R.I.P.
Irish singer and activist SINEAD O'CONNOR has died at the age of 56.
In a statement, the singer's family said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad.
"Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."
Sinead was best known for her single 'Nothing Compares 2 U', released in 1990, which went on to hit number one around the world.
I was lucky enough to see Sinead perform around a dozen times.
First time was twice back in 1987 when she supported INXS at Hammersmith Odeon,
and her band featured two members of The Smiths.
Also in 1990 , when her band featured Marco Pirroni.
Most recent was Dec 2019 at Shepherds Bush Empire.
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Wednesday 26 July 2023.
Happy Birthday to MICK JAGGER who reaches the grand old age of 80 today.
I have been lucky enough to see The Rolling Stones on stage over 20 times,
since four of their six shows at Earls Court Arena in May 1976.
Also Mick Jagger Allstars Blues Band at Hammersmith Apollo in 1992.
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Tuesday 25 July 2023...6.45pm to 9.30pm...
FOUR HUNDRED RABBITS - launch party - 6a Battersea Rise, London SW11.
Top notch pizzeria opens another outlet.
The Four Hundred Rabbits pizzerias are all about that fermentation, with an official certificate to prove (pun intended) the authenticity of their 72-hour sourdough. The family-owned business features an assortment of toppings ranging from classic tomatoes and mozzarella to seldom-seen choices such as rhubarb or gruyere. You can complement your pie with craft beers, cocktails, wines, or soft drinks. The Battersea Rise branch offers outdoor seating as well.
A nice buzzy atmosphere here.
Complimentary wines, beers and lots of their different yummy sourdough pizza.
They have a 50% off pizza soft opening this weekend (Friday , Saturday, Sunday).
Happy Hour every day 4pm to 6pm...cocktails, wines, beers are all £5.
Pizza and drink combined special offers on a Tuesday.
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Monday 24 July 2023.
Sad news that Birmingham born singer-songwriter RAYMOND FROGGATT has passed away.
Raymond and his band were the first ever live band i saw when i watched them supporting WIZZARD at
Hammersmith Palais in Sept 1973....My first proper gig that has now gone past 7000 gigs seen by me.
In the 1970s, his band was managed by Don Arden, hoping to break into the United States music scene, but the experience led to the collapse of the band.
He later became an internationally recognised country music performer, releasing Here's to Everyone (1993) on his Red Balloon record label. Froggatt's autobiography, Raymond Who, followed in 1995.
Froggatt died at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on 23 July 2023, at the age of 81.

Updated 25th July 2023 Permalink

Sunday 23 July 2023.

Sunday 23 July 2023.
JON ANDERSON live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Jon Anderson plays the second of two shows at this venue.
I went back to see it again.
Level 3 is pretty empty so 100 plus tickets less sold for tonight's show.
Everything was exactly the same as the first night.
The band times on stage were exactly the same.
Both the band setlists were exactly the same.
Another very enjoyable show, that was pretty unique.
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Saturday 22 July 2023.
JON ANDERSON live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Jon Anderson (now aged 78) plays the first of two shows at this venue.
These are the only English shows on his European Tour.
Jon Anderson is the prog rock singing legend who founded Yes back in 1968.
I have seen Yes a few times including at QPRs Loftus Road Stadium in May 1975.
The tour is called 'The Classic Albums Tour'.
The show will feature the 1972 Yes album 'Close To The Edge' ,and other classic Yes songs.
Setlists from his mainland Europe shows include several cover versions.
An older crowd so the stalls will be seated for this show.
THE PAUL GREEN ROCK ACADEMY will be the support band tonight and Jons backing band.
Paul Green is an American record producer, film producer, director, screenwriter, singer-songwriter, music teacher, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who founded School of Rock (formerly known as The Paul Green School of Rock Music), a performance-based music program for kids.
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It is pretty full tonight, so as its stalls seated , there is around 1000 mainly older folks here tonight.
Lots of grey hair and bald heads in the audience.
PAUL GREEN ROCK ACADEMY arrive on stage at 7pm for their 45 mins set.
Paul Green himself introduces them and says to the crowd "all of the members are under the ago of 20,
so expect some mistakes tonight".
Not sure how a hardcore Yes fan would react to that , as they like top notch musicianship.
There must be at least 20 of them , rotating every song, with several plus on stage for each song.
Several different singers as well, as they performed all cover versions including 'Stay With Me',
'Stop Dragging My Heart Around', 'You Can Call Me Al' and 'Somebody To Love'.
JON ANDERSON was on stage for 2 hours 20 mins over two sets of 75 mins and 65 mins.
Not sure what Yes fans make of Jon when he says " we are going to play several mash-ups tonight ,
where we are mixing Yes classics with cover versions".
He is backed by tonights support band, and again there are several members plus rotating on each song.
Maybe some Yes fans are expecting Jon to be performing with a bunch of old musos, so respect is due
to Jon for fully supporting these younger musicians playing these tricky to play Yes songs.
They certainly gave those muso Yes songs a more fun and relaxed vibe.
A nice big sound as some tracks had three or four guitarists and others playing together.
The cover versions intros played were basically sung by the Paul Green Rock Academy singers,
as Jon stayed back playing guitar or did backing vocals and actually left the stage for a couple of songs.
The second half of the mash-up would be Jon singing the Yes part of the song.
Jons high singing and talking voice still sounds good, and he looks great for his age.
There are film cameras filming it all.
Some songs were a bit too proggy for this old punk rocker.
Yes anthem 'Roundabout ' was the final song where all the 20 plus musicians and vocalists were on
stage , as the stalls seats all got up and sang along.
A very enjoyable show.
Full JON ANDERSON setlist played tonight...
FIRST SET
Yours Is No Disgrace (Yes song) (with Heart Of The Sunrise intro)
I've Seen All Good People (Yes song)
Don't Kill the Whale (Yes song) (with Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) intro)
State of Independence (Jon and Vangelis cover) (with Lose Yourself (Eminem) intro)
South Side of the Sky (Yes song) (with Fly Away (Lenny Kravitz) intro)
Long Distance Runaround (Yes song)
The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus) (Yes song)
Owner of a Lonely Heart (Yes song)
Perpetual Change (Yes song)
Mood for a Day (Yes song)
Leave It (Yes song) (Without Jon)
SECOND SET Close to the Edge
Close to the Edge (Yes song)
And You and I (Yes song)
Siberian Khatru (Yes song)
Starship Trooper (Yes song) (with Let's Dance (David Bowie ) intro)
Roundabout (Yes song)
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Friday 21 July 2023.
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS live at Tottenham Football Ground, North London.
RHCP back for a massive London show as part of their huge 2022/2023 world tour.
RHCP have sold over 120 records worldwide (albums and singles combined) since 1982.
The Roots and King Princess will join them.
I have seen RHCP around a dozen times since 1999, including one of their THREE massive Hyde Park
shows in 2004...and when they played a free gig outside BBC Studios , Wood Lane, White City, London W12.
I saw both RHCP shows at The London Stadium, East London in June 2022
-----------
Always great to be at Tottenhams stunning stadium.
I read that 30,000 out of 43,000 tickets were sold for tonight, but it looks like more than that to me.
KING PRINCESS arrived on stage at 6.15pm for their 30 mins set.
King Princess and her band played a good set of songs, from their two albums.
King Princess dresses like a boy on stage tonight.
Both the support bands get to use the big side screens tonight.
THE ROOTS arrived on stage at 7.15pm for their 45 mins set.
The Roots have released several albums over the past 30 years.
On stage they mix hip-hop and jazz with lots of brass instruments to create a great big funky sound.
Band members are continually dancing and moving around the stage.
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS arrived on stage at 8.40pm for their 1 hour 40 mins set.
They have a stunning wraparound screen from top to bottom in the middle of their production.
No stage extension for them.
A great start as they get stuck into a jam , before the mega intro riffs to 'Can't Stop'.
Bassist Flea is doing his usual crazy dancing and stage antics.
He gave a good rant on when they first came to play in London, when they had to stay in a youth hostel,
as they begged radio stations to play their music.
The drummer has a lovely gold kit, and throws out drumsticks often,
The big screens used psychedelic digital images of the band members, that looked great in the darkness.
All their best songs are over a decade old now, and the crowd still love hearing them.
The band are super tight after lots of gigs , and their funky rock is still as fab as ever.
Full RHCP setlist played tonight...
Intro Jam
Can't Stop
Scar Tissue (Dedicated to Tony Bennett)
Snow ((Hey Oh))
Aquatic Mouth Dance
Suck My Kiss
Reach Out
Soul to Squeeze
Right on Time (with "London Calling" by The Clash intro)
Dreamboy (Cynthia & Johnny O cover) (John Solo)
Don't Forget Me
Tippa My Tongue
Tell Me Baby
The Heavy Wing
Californication
Black Summer
By the Way
Encore:
Under the Bridge
Give It Away
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Friday 21 July 2023.
Sad news that legendary singer TONY BENNETT has died aged 96.
I saw him a few times live including a great 2015 show at The Royal Albert Hall ,
where LADY GAGA toured with him to sing their duets album.

Updated 22nd July 2023 Permalink

Thursday 20 July 2023.

Thursday 20 July 2023...I went to two events today...
1.30pm to 4.30pm.
FAZENDA - press preview - 100 Bishopsgate , (near Liverpoool Street station ) London EC2.
Following restaurants like Six by Nico and Mowgli, another restaurant group that's made it big elsewhere in the country is heading to London for its sixth opening. This time it's the turn of South-American rodizio restaurant FAZENDA.
If you're unfamiliar with rodizio, it's all about having a parade of grilled meat delivered to your table. At the other Fazenda restaurants around the country, you pay a flat price that includes cuts like picanha, bife ancho (ribeye), Wagyu beef sausage, smoked gammon, chicken thighs and lots more. That's all accompanied by sides that include truffle and parmesan fries, piquillo roasted peppers and empanadas. Alternatively, you can go a la carte if that works better for you.
For dessert, they have dulce de leche-filled churros, the idea of which definitely piques our interest.
As for drinks, expect a wine list with a focus on Argentian, Brazilian, Chilean, and Uruguayan wines, and a cocktail list that's been created just for the London location.
The London restaurant will be on the large side at 10,000 sq ft, with three private dining rooms, fitting in 170 people, and for the first time, they'll also be opening a separate bar too. It's all in the 100 Bishopsgate building, which has recently seen the opening of Paradise Green ( I went to the launch of that one too).
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A huge venue, and nice to see they have lots of young British staff learning & serving here.
We have a yummy starter each and got a nice selection of sides and a plate each from the buffet table.
We both have 'The Rodizio Experience' where 12 meats (6 beef/ 2 pork/ 2 lamb/ 2 chicken) are given to you
one by one , every five minutes or so , or you can flip your table counter , when you need a break.
The pork and lamb chops was our fave , and the others were very nice....This normally costs £50 per person.
Very enjoyable here, and it will obviously be a hit with all the city folks working in the area.
then
5.30pm to 9pm.
WATHAMSTOW-ON-SEA - launch party - 1 Priestly Way, Waltamstow , London E17.
Many countries in mainland Europe are scorching hot, and the British seaside is rammed,
but you can come to Wathamstow for the 'at the seaside experience'.
The venue is a few mins walk from Blackhorse Road tube station on The Victoria Line.
We are the launch party of Walthamstow-on-Sea; the first-ever beach pop-up from the UK’s biggest beer hall, BIG PENNY SOCIAL, which has a massive drinks & food space inside, beside this outdoor space.
Yummy fish & chips from their new beachfront chippy - Penny’s - serving proper fish & chips.
A Walthamstow-on-Sea postcard and stamp to send to your loved ones (they can redeem it for a 2-4-1 drink here, or stick it on their fridge, ideally both!)
Sand beneath your feet (over 65 tonnes of the finest!)
Ice cold beer on tap, including the new Big Penny Table Beer
Also frozen cocktails, cocktails, spirits & mixers and wines
Soft serve ice creams, with sprinkles , smarties & flakes!
DJs playing perfect beach tunes
Custom Walthamstow-on-Sea bars of rock
Relax on deck chairs, benches and beach huts
We had lots of complimentary drinks and full size fish & chips and ice cream from the above list.
"Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside".
Very enjoyable here...it is on until 03 Sept 2023.
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Wednesday 19 July 2023....I went to two events tonight.....
6.30pm to 9.30pm.
TENDRIL - launch party - 5 Princes Street, London W1.
Tendril is a (mostly) vegan bar and kitchen near Oxford Circus.
It is next door to The Advocado Show ( I went to their opening as well).
A smallish venue so maybe just 50 guests here.
We found a table, so the great staff brought us the drinks and food.
Complimentary Margaritas, Negronis, wines, beers and the vegan food canapes
were much nicer than expected.
They have a 50 % off food soft opening offer this weekend - 22 July to 24 July.
then
10.15pm to 12pm.
Theatre afterparty at Browns, 82-84 St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2.
This was for the opening press night of THE CROWN JEWELS at The Garrick Theatre.
A big crowd here as there must be 200 or 300 guests.
Al Murray, Neil Morrissey and Mel Geidroyc are here as they are the main actors in the show.
The show is on until 16 Sept 2023.
Complimentary prosecco, wines, beers , cheeseburgers, calimari with sauce and chips, canapes.

Updated 20th July 2023 Permalink

Tuesday 18 July 2023.

Tuesday 18 July 2023...6pm to 9pm...
TAIWAN TOURIST BUREAU - showcase - Hammersmith , London W6.
Around 70 or 80 guests here.
Taiwan are always inviting me to their events as they kindly gave me a press trip there
in Jan 2018, with business class flights included courtesy via China Air.
Only downside was it was just the one ticket, so i went solo.
I paid for the three days accom in the capital Taipei , but they provided some top notch
hotels around the rest of the country for my two weeks there.
A lovely country ,that's very safe, they prefer food over booze.
We have some speeches and presentations from UK travel companies and Taiwan reps.
A raffle at the end , with three prizes, sadly nothing that included comp flights to Taiwan.
If you are thinking of going to the South East Asia region, it is well worth going there.
Complimentary spirits n mixers inc JD n cokes, prosecco, wines, beers, bowl food and pizza.
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Monday 17 July 2023.
TREMBLING WILBURYS live at The Camden Club, Camden.
Top notch tribute band....band member David Stark will also talk about his book...Admission is £12.
"It's All Too Much" is the memoir by music industry veteran DAVID STARK who grew up in north London during the 1960’s as a dedicated Beatles fan and was lucky enough to meet his musical heroes on various memorable occasions. From gate-crashing the Yellow Submarine film premiere in July 1968 (aged just fifteen) and ending up sitting directly behind the group, to meeting all of them individually in some extraordinary circumstances, David has some highly entertaining stories about his many Beatles encounters which he will be telling at this special event which marks the 55th anniversary of the Yellow Submarine premiere. The talk (illustrated with slides and videos on screen) will be hosted by Tony Moore, singer/songwriter and music curator of the Camden Club.
The second half of the evening features a special performance by the TREMBLING WILBURYS in a slightly trimmed-down version tonight. The top tribute band with David on drums will be playing songs by the Beatles, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty plus of course the legendary Traveling Wilburys. Joining David on stage will be Andy McNish (Bob Dylan/Tom Petty), Michael Goulding (George Harrison), Dzal Martin (lead guitar) and Steve Salvari (keyboards).
David will also have copies of “It’s All Too Much” to sign and sell at just £12 per copy (normally £14.99).
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It is my first visit to this 80 capacity all seated with tables venue.
It is just a couple of hundred yards from The Roundhouse.
Guests here included stand-up comedian and magician JERRY SADOWITZ , Beatles roadie
from 1968 to 1970 KEVIN HARRISON and Ringo Starr tribute act RINGER STARR.
The first hour from 8pm to 9pm was David Stark talking about his luck as a teenager getting into
the premiere of Yellow Submarine in July 1968, and sitting in the seats that were reserved for
Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithful...and more luck getting into 'The Rock & Roll Circus ' event featuring
The Rolling Stones and many other music legends back then...and other entertaining Beatles stories.
There were also some film slides showing that he was actually there too.
David got his first job in the music biz with Dick James Music in 1974.
DJM Records (also known as Dick James Music) was a British independent record label, set up in the late 1960s by British music publisher Dick James. It was distributed by Pye Records in the UK, and various other companies around the world, including the US.
At 9.25pm TREMBLING WILBURYS featuring David Stark on drums played a 60 mins set.
Lots of great songs relating to the five members of The Travelling Wilburys including...
Here Comes The Sun
I Won't Back Down
I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Got My Mind Set On You
Something
Taxman
Tweeter and The Monkey Man
If Not For You
Handle With Care
I Saw Her Standing Here

Updated 18th July 2023 Permalink

Sunday 16 July 2023.

Sunday 16 July 2023.
Very sad news that French singer & actress JANE BIRKIN has died aged 76.
A photo of me with her taken in Chelsea in 2019 is on my Facebook page.
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Saturday 15 July 2023.
TIM VINE + JOHN ARCHER live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Comedian Tim Vine, who is the king of the one-liner jokes, plays London on his UK tour.p
It is stalls seated tonight, but totally sold out.
In the VIP Level 1 seats are Tim's brother JEREMY VINE (tv and radio presenter) and HARRY HILL.
JOHN ARCHER arrived on stage at 7.35pm for his 30 mins set.
John Archer is a comedy magician.
He did an enjoyable set , and got a male punter on stage to help with a magic trick.
TIM VINE (now aged 56 ) arrived on stage at 8.25pm for his 75 mins set.
Tim arrived on stage in a very colourful golfing outfit.
The one-liner jokes soon arrive very quickly, one after the other.
A little bit of musical comedy too.
There is no bad language and no politics related jokes mentioned.
A very clever use on words , that made all the show very entertaining, and full of laughter.
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Friday 14 July 2023.
THE WHITE BUFFALO + L.A. EDWARDS live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Levels 2 and 3 are closed tonight so must just short of 1000 folks here.
L.A.EDWARDS arrived on stage at 8pm and played for 45 mins.
Nice to see the drum kit front of stage in the corner.
‘Out of the Heart of Darkness’ is the third album by California’s L.A. Edwards – main songwriter/ frontman, Luke Andrew Edwards, and his brothers.
Lots of good country blues /Americana songs that ticked along nicely.
THE WHITE BUFFALO arrived on stage at 9.15pm and played for 95 mins.
They are using the same drum kit and keyboard as the support band.
The three of them spread across front of stage.
The White Buffalo himself, energetic bass and keys from Christopher Hoffee (who is in his element), and the “machine” that is cowboy hat wearing Matt Lynott on drums who is certainly one of those entertaining drummers in the Clem Burke/Tommy Lee/ Slim Jim Phantom mould.The drummer has my attention for much of the evening as he is absolutely mesmerising and with him upfront on the stage it’s a treat to get such a clear view, when as we all know drummers are often hidden at the back.
They sing a couple of their songs which have been used in the tv show 'Sons of Anarchy'.
Some good songs played , and an enjoyable show.
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Thursday 13 July 2023....7pm to 10pm...
LANGHAM HOTEL - summer party - Portland Place, London W1.
Always nice to be at this luxury five star hotel directly opposite the BBC HQ.
Langham Hotel claims a history that dates back to 1865, when The Langham hotel in London opened as the then-largest building in London and Europe's first 'Grand Hotel'. Ten stories and 156 feet high, The Langham featured 15,000 yards of Persian tapestry, hot and cold running water in every guestroom, the world's first hydraulic lifts, known as 'rising rooms', and even an early form of air-conditioning. Upon opening The Langham, the then Prince of Wales hailed the hotel as having "everything a man, woman or child could desire under one roof".
The Langham has since hosted royal, political and cultural dignitaries and celebrities, including French emperor Napoleon III.
Around 300 guests here in the ballroom.
A trio of female strings were performing some cover versions before a couple of speeches.
At 8pm after the speeches, they opened up their nice garden area.
Complimentary prosecco, wines, beers, bowl food, canapes, desserts and a pic n mix cart.
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Wednesday 12 July 2023...I went to two events tonight...
5.30pm to 7.30pm.
SOCIAL4M - The Ashes Uncovered - at Coutts, 440 Strand, London WC2.
Social4M is not just a community; it is a hub of creativity, innovation, and leadership. The mission is to cultivate meaningful connections that drive culture, collaboration, and groundbreaking ideas committed to fostering a diverse and vibrant network where individuals can thrive, learn, and contribute to the ever-evolving landscape across all industries, across London, Los Angeles and New York.
Around 100 guests here in the upstairs function room of this famous private banking house,
next to their huge herb garden , that goes all around the top floor and roof space.
Complimentary wines,beers and a dozen different canapes that all featured herbs from
their own herb garden, which was a nice touch.
From 6.45pm for 30 mins, we had the great discussion on the future of cricket in the UK & overseas.
The Ashes Uncovered: Exploring the Path to Cricket's Bright Future.
Three well-known cricketers shared their insights into the sport and the industry:
Chris Jordan: England National Cricketer, 2022 T20 World Cup Winner
Luke Wright: Ex-Cricketer & Current England Squad Selector, 2010 ICC World T20 Winner
Rory Hamilton-Brown: Ex-Cricketer, Former Captain of Surrey Cricket Team
James Burridge: moderator, BBC Sports & News Presenter and Commentator
then
THE WHO with orchestra live at The 02 Arena.
THE WHO with orchestra are playing indoor and outdoor UK shows in July.
Elton John may have announced his retirement but the two original members of The Who are still rockin' as Roger Daltrey will be aged 79 when this tour happens, and Pete Townshend will be 78.
I have seen The Who around 30 times, which includes three times with Keith Moon.
Twice at Hammersmith Odeon in 1975 and the once at Charlton F.C. in 1976.
Also many of their Teenage Cancer Trust shows at The Royal Albert Hall, and most recently a 30 mins set
in Dec 2022 at The Royal Festival Hall for Sir Peter Blakes 90th birthday event.
Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and band will be performing music from throughout the band’s nearly 60-year career, including sections devoted to classic albums Tommy & Quadrophenia as well as other beloved Who tracks and songs from their 2019 WHO album, their first studio release in 13 years.
The 2023 UK tour will feature The Who’s full live band comprised of guitarist/backup singer Simon Townshend, keyboardist Loren Gold, second keyboardist Emily Marshall, bassist Jon Button, drummer Zak Starkey and backing vocals by Billy Nicholls, along with orchestra conductor Keith Levenson, lead violinist Katie Jacoby and lead cellist Audrey Snyder.
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As soon as i get to the venue i see DYLAN JONES (Ex GQ mag, now The Evening Standard),
STEVE DIGGLE (The Buzzcocks) and legendary music biz folks ROD MACSWEEN (ITB) and ALAN EDWARDS (Outside pr).
Nice to see the all the venue very full, for yet another legendary band playing London Town this summer.
The Standard paper reported that a million people went to 22 gigs in London the past week.
THE WHO arrive on stage at 8.15pm and play for 2 hours 15 mins.
The set is split into three sections...with orchestra, just the band, with the orchestra.
Roger and Pete are on top form tonight, as so many of their classic tracks are played.
Looks like we got a couple of extra tracks played compared to other shows on the tour.
An excellent show.
Full setlist played by THE WHO tonight...
WITH ORCHESTRA SECTION
Overture
1921
Amazing Journey
Sparks
The Acid Queen
Pinball Wizard
We're Not Gonna Take It
Who Are You
Eminence Front
BAND ONLY SECTION
The Kids Are Alright
You Better You Bet
Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere (Tour debut; first time since 2014)
Substitute
I Can't Explain (Tour debut; first time since 2017)
My Generation
Cry If You Want
Won't Get Fooled Again
Behind Blue Eyes (with strings, restarted as Roger was having ear monitor issues)
WITH ORCHESTRA SECTION
The Real Me
I'm One
5:15
The Rock
Love, Reign O'er Me (extended piano intro)
Baba O'Riley
Encore:
Tea & Theatre (Acoustic, Roger & Pete only)

Updated 13th July 2023 Permalink

Monday 10 July 2023.

Sunday 09 July 2023....I went to two events today...
2pm to 6.45pm.
JACKIE ST CLAIR and husband CARL summer garden party, Holland Park, London W14.
Ex Page 3 girl who dated Prince and Simon Cowell host their annual party at their stunning home.
Over 300 glamourous guests here including some well known faces....
GARY LINEKER
COLIN FIRTH
JULIEN MACDONALD
DON BLACK
PATTIE BOYD
RACHEL STEVENS
LEEE JOHN
RUTHIE ROGERS (owner of The River Cafe in Hammersmith where Jackie & Carl booked
Eric Clapton and his band to play Carl's 70th birthday party a couple of months ago)
BRUNO TONIOLI
LIZZIE CUNDY
ARLENE PHILLIPS
ELAINE PAIGE
PHILIP SALLON
MARK FULLER
CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS
RICHARD YOUNG (official photographer of the event for Rex Features)
KELLY HOPPEN
JONATHAN SHALIT
LADY VICTORIA HERVEY
NEIL FOX
BETTY BOO
TIM VINCENT
TOUKER SULEYMAN (Dragons Den)
ELIZABETH EMANUEL (co-designed Princess Diana wedding dress in 1981)
NOEL FITZPATRICK (Channel 4 tv series - The Supervet)
Jackie is always keen to support new artists she bumps into, so also here were....
AMIE TRUE - Harpist from Windsor who has played some nice venues.
Visit her website for more info...www.amietruemusic.com
JOSEPH LAWRENCE - he has a very cool tattooed look , and a great jazzy soul voice on his
new single 'No Good For Me' on Sony...and he has signed up with leading promoters Kilimanjaro.
SUSAN BLACK - performs as a Edith Piaf tribute - next show 25 July @ Boisdale Belgravia.
MOYSES DOS SANTOS - Brazilian singer.
At 6pm we had a couple of performers.
First was an Elvis Presley tribute for 25 mins.
Then TONY MOORE performed for 20 mins including a medley of 20 British hits from the 1960s,
and his hit single with Cutting Crew ' I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight'.
Complimentary champers, Pimms, Bacardi & cokes, wines, beers and a full barbecue
of different meats and veggie options...along with an ice-cream cart.
All guests got a goodie bag of XERJOFF Italian Luxury Perfume.
An excellent event...see my Facebook page for some photos and videos of the event.
then...
HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES + THE TUBES live at The 02 Arena.
Hollywood Vampires is an American rock supergroup formed in 2012 by Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, and Joe Perry , and played their first proper shows in 2015.
The band name derives from The Hollywood Vampires, a celebrity drinking club.
They have released two studio albums, and are playing a full European Tour.
Their last London show was at Wembley Arena , prior to covid...which i missed as a big clash that night.
A very nice pair of bands package are playing half a dozen UK arena shows including...
I have seen The Tubes live several tines since 1977 , when they headlined Hammersmith Odeon.
I got the 12 " inch version of 'White Punks On Dope' signed by singer Fee Faybill over 40 years ago.
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Upstairs in Level 4 is 75% unsold.
Nice to bump into Richard England (Cadiz Music) and Eugene Butcher (Vive Le Rock Mag).
I must admit i was really looking forward to seeing The Tubes tonight.
Just 40 mins on stage from 7.30pm to 8.10pm , but they played the wrong songs in such limited time.
'White Punks On Dope' and 'Talk to Ya Later ' were great , but why two lame cover versions and a drum solo
when you are only playing seven songs...totally bizarre...they should have been much better.
They didn't have use of the big screens either.
Full setlist played by THE TUBES tonight..
She's a Beauty
Mr. Hate
(If You're Looking For) Trouble (Elvis Presley cover)
Let There Be Drums
White Punks on Dope
Talk to Ya Later
I Saw Her Standing There (The Beatles cover)
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Legendary rock photographer Ross Halfin is here again in the pit for the entire show.
HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES arrive on stage at 8.55pm for their 1 hour 40 mins set.
They have a nice production, with all the big screens and lots of lights.
Seven musicians on stage including three guitarists.
The three main guys take it in turns to share the lead vocals.
Oddly Johnny Depp gets more cheers and higher billing in band introduction than Joe Perry.
Lots of the songs were related to dead rock stars...including two members of The Who,
David Bowie ,Jim Morrison, Bon Scott, Jim Carroll and great to see Johnny Thunders get a mention.
Alice Cooper is always a great frontman to watch on stage.
There is a extended catwalk that he uses every now and then.
Great to see RONNIE WOOD come on stage for a couple of songs near the end, also IMELDA MAY.
An excellent show.
Full HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES setlist played tonight....
I Want My Now
Raise the Dead
I'm Eighteen (Alice Cooper cover)
Five to One / Break On Through (to the Other Side) (The Doors cover)
The Boogieman Surprise
My Dead Drunk Friends
You Can't Put Your Arms Round a Memory (Johnny Thunders cover)
Baba O'Riley (The Who cover)
Who's Laughing Now
People Who Died (The Jim Carroll Band cover)
The Jack (AC/DC cover)
As Bad As I Am
Heroes (David Bowie cover)
Bright Light Fright (Aerosmith cover)
The Death and Resurrection Show (Killing Joke cover)
Walk This Way (Aerosmith cover)
Jeff Beck Tribute (with Ronnie Wood)
The Train Kept A-Rollin' (Tiny Bradshaw cover) (with Ronnie Wood) (with Imelda May)
Encore:
School's Out (Alice Cooper cover) ( with 20 huge balloons thrown into the audience)

Updated 10th July 2023 Permalink

Saturday 08 July 2023.

Saturday 08 July 2023.
BLUR play the first of two massive shows at Wembley Stadium.
The outing will see Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree come together as Blur to perform their iconic and much-loved songs in the band’s first ever Wembley Stadium shows.
These Brit-Pop legends will be playing their first tour this summer for several years.
I saw both Blur and Oasis live a few times during the heyday of the 1990s Brit-Pop explosion.
This was a great Blur gig I attended...
Oscars , The Pier , Clacton 17.09.1995
Part of a week long tour of seaside venues by Blur. So hot inside they had to open exit doors behind the stage which meant you could see the ocean while the band were on stage . Blur did a superb 85 mins set in the week that ""Country House"" was no 1 in charts.
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Tonight's show was an incredible 90,000 sold out show.
I saw actor SIMON PEGG here.
Pretty amazing how many under 30s are in the crowd.
Thankfully the early morning rain stayed away, and not too hot like the scorching previous day.
JOCKSTRAP arrived on stage at 5.55pm for their 30 mins set.
All the support bands get to use three big screens, and Blur get to use all five big screens.
A funny band name for this duo.
Georgia on vocals & violin and Taylor on moody electro keyboards for their Art Pop set.
A pair djs were playing tunes between all the acts.
SLEAFORD MODS arrived on stage at 6.40pm for their 30 mins set.
Just the two of them on stage , with their backing tapes.
They have released several albums, and the last three on Rough Trade have gone Top 10.
Abrasive sweary political anti-pop lyrics are pretty unique to hear and watch.
SELF ESTEEM arrived on stage at 7.25pm for their 30 mins set.
Their centre screen has in big letters ' DONT FUCK UP THE BLUR GIG' all through their set.
Six on stage , all dressed in white, which included three female backing singers/dancers.
Self Esteem headlined Hammersmith Apollo earlier this year...a good set.
BLUR arrived on stage at 8.35pm and played for 2 hours 5 mins.
The huge crowd were now all inside , and they looked pretty amazing.
It soon became darker, and the crowd often got their phone's out light up the stadium.
Blur have loads of great songs, with great lyrics that the crowd love singing along to.
Many songs had the fans dancing and bouncing away.
They were joined by Phil Daniels on 'Parklife' and The London Community Gospel Choir
on 'Tender'.
Damon seemed to be genuinely moved at the reception the crowd gave the band.
He wore a replica Fila tracksuit top, similiar to the one he wore in the 1994 video for
'Girls and Boys'.
An excellent show.
Full BLUR setlist played tonight...
St Charles Square
There's No Other Way
Popscene
Tracy Jacks
Beetlebum
Trimm Trabb
Villa Rosie
Stereotypes
Out of Time
Coffee & TV
Under the Westway (First time live since 2014)
End of a Century (Preceded by applause for Freddie Mercury)
Country House
Parklife (with Phil Daniels)
To the End
Oily Water
Advert
Song 2 (With false start)
This Is a Low
Encore:
Lot 105 (First time live since 1994; with "Wembley" intro and chant throughout)
Girls & Boys
For Tomorrow
Tender (with London Community Gospel Choir)
The Narcissist
The Universal
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Friday 07 July 2023.
SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY & THE ASBURY JUKES play Shepherds Bush Empire.
I saw them once before, which was in 1987 , when they headlined Hammersmith Odeon.
Little Steven from Bruce Springsteens band was a co-founder of the band before he joined Bruce.
By coincidence or is it planned?...Little Steven is in town for the two Bruce shows, and he has a rest day between those two shows tonight, so could turn up....maybe Bruce too?
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A good idea to play between Bruce shows, as the venue billboard outside says tonight is sold out.
We have a DJ support rather than a band, who is playing some cool tunes including
'96 Tears', 'Green Onions' , 'Roadrunner' and great to hear 'Funky But Chic' by David Johnansen.
SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY & THE ASBURY DUKES arrive on stage at 8.30pm and play for 2 hours.
Eight musicians on stage including a great three man brass section.
The setlist included his own songs and several covers from the likes of his friends
Bruce Springsteen and Little Steven...but sadly neither turn up tonight.
Southside Johnny asked the crowd "who went to see Bruce last night " and lots of hands went up.
Southside Johnny said " well, don't expect me to play for three hours tonight" .
At age 74, Johnny's voice isn't what it used to be as reaching the high notes was more difficult. But the vocal grit and often times intensity to the delivery made up for it. No one could say that Southside Johnny lacked passion and a love for the music.
The uptempo numbers were the best , when the brass section were at full tilt.
A really good good show.
Full setlist played tonight....
Better Days
Forever (Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul cover)
Love on the Wrong Side of Town (Little Steven cover)
Pretty Flamingo (Manfred Mann cover)
Walk Away Renée (The Left Banke cover)
Trapped Again
Broke Down Piece of Man (Sam & Dave cover)
Got to Be a Better Way Home
Talk to Me (Bruce Springsteen cover)
Coming Back
All the Way Home (Bruce Springsteen cover)
This Time Baby's Gone for Good
The Fever (Bruce Springsteen cover)
I Don't Want to Go Home
Encore:
Sherry Darling (Bruce Springsteen cover)
A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke cover)
Having a Party (Sam Cooke cover)

Updated 8th July 2023 Permalink