Welcome to the Ray's Gigs website!

Here's the latest - updated 5th July 2022

Tuesday 05 July 2022.

Monday 04 July 2022
TEARS FOR FEARS live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Tears For Fears are playing a full summer UK tour, with most venues being outdoors.
This show is actually the smallest venue on the tour, so no surprise it sold out pronto.
Their recent album "The Tipping Point" entered the UK charts at number two in March 2022.
They were massive in the 1980s and sold over 30 million albums worldwide, which included
8 million albums in North America alone, where they have just completed a full tour.
They had seven Top 10 hit singles in the UK between 1982 and 1985.
I saw them seven times at Hammersmith Odeon when i worked front stage security there.
Twice in 1983 and five times in 1985.
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No real surprise that the venue is rammed solid with a mix of hardcore fans and over 100 folks
on the guest list including....
VENUS WILLIAMS (the day before she was one of the 25 tennis legends paraded at Wimbledon).
MATTY HEALY (singer with The 1975)
IAN BROUDIE (Lightning Seeds)
STEVEN WILSON (singer-songwriter)
ROB STRINGER ( head of SONY MUSIC)
the band gave a shout out to a few past producers who all took a bow from seats in Level 1.
TEARS FOR FEARS arrived on stage at 8.30pm and played for 1 hour 50 mins.
They mentioned about playing indoors in London as it will be a better sound that the outdoor gigs,
but no big screens tonight, which the band seemed thankful that their facial images are not seen up close.
They play a couple of their biggest hits very early on, which was a surprise.
New album tracks and old album tracks ticked along ok.
The older fans were keen to dance to the older hits from the 1980s.
They said the last time they were at this venue was when it was a BBC tv venue in 1989,
to record the Wogan show.
A really good show.
Full TEARS FOR FEARS setlist played tonight...
No Small Thing
The Tipping Point
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Secret World (Snippet of Wings' "Let 'Em In")
Sowing the Seeds of Love
Long, Long, Long Time
Break the Man
My Demons
Rivers of Mercy
Mad World
Suffer the Children (Vocal by Lauren Evans)
Woman in Chains
Badman's Song
Pale Shelter
Break It Down Again
Head Over Heels / Broken
Encore:
End of Night
Change
Shout

Updated 5th July 2022 Permalink

Monday 04 July 2022.

Sunday 03 July 2022...I went to two very nice events today...
1.30pm to 6.30pm
JACKIE ST CLAIR SUMMER BBQ GARDEN PARTY - Holland Park, London.
Jackie and her husband Carl are hosting their annual BBQ for over 200 guests in their stunning house.
A small army of chefs, waiters , security and helpers are making sure everything runs smoothly.
A dozen or so well known names are here including...
ED BICKNELL - best known as manager of Dire Straits December 1977 to August 2000.
Had a great chat with him about when as an agent he got Dire Straits to support Talking Heads at The Roundhouse (I was there) and when Dire Straits played Hammersmith Odeon shows in 1983 (I was there) to promote a new electronic item called ' the compact disc" , and told me the whole story of how it came about.
ANDREW RIDGELEY ( ex Wham member with George Michael) (see my Facebook page for a photo)
LEEE JOHN (ex Imagination ) (arrived a bit late as he came direct from a gig in France the night before)
DON BLACK (legendary songwriter)
PATTIE BOYD (was married to both George Harrison and Eric Clapton)
JOHN LODGE (Moody Blues)
MARK FULLER (ex owner of The Embassy Club and now Karma Sanctum Soho Hotel)
KATIE MELUA (singer-songwriter)
ELAINE PAIGE ( musical theatre singer)
JULIEN MacDONALD (fashion designer)
AMANDA CRONIN (Real Wives of Belgravia and socialite)
PANDEMONIA ( 6ft plus in full pvc dress , including face, was very popular for selfies)
ELIZABETH EMANUEL (fashion designer who with her husband designed Princess Diana's wedding dress)
PHILIP SALLON ( fashionista who has been around since the punk rock and new romantic heydays)
JONATHAN SHALIT (music and entertainment manager)
KELLY HOPPEN (interior designer)
RICHARD YOUNG (celebrity photographer )
TONY MOORE (ex Cutting Crew)
TOUKER SULEYMAN (Dragons Den)
ROSS KING (ITV Hollywood Correspondent)
BRUNO TONIOLI ( choreographer and judge on tv dance shows)
ARLENE PHILIPS ( choreographer and judge on tv dance shows)
At 5.30pm we had some live performances.
A blonde female opera singer sung from the balcony.
Tony Moore performed Cutting Crew hit "I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight " plus a covers medley.
Then a male singer and female singer performed some of Jackies fave songs.
There was a full buffet BBQ lunch for all including beef, pork, chicken etc.
The ice cream lady had lots of yummy different flavours.
Champers, wines, Pimms, beers , coffees etc were all flowing throughout the afternoon.
A really lovely afternoon here.
www.jackiestclair.com - Visit Jackies website here.
Features photos from her modelling career in the 1980s to the current day.
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then
THE ROLLING STONES live at Hyde Park , London.
I have seen The Rolling Stones over 20 times since i first saw them five times in 1976,
which were four of their six shows at Earls Court Arena and a huge outdoor event at Knebworth.
Their current tour will be their first in Europe since the sad death of their drummer Charlie Watts.
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Hyde Park is a great central location, but the all standing situation is not really to my liking.
The Rolling Stones arrived on stage at 8.15pm and played for 2 hours 5 mins.
The main three swagger on like the proper rock stars they are.
The guitars kick in and the sound is really good, and the big screens here are fantastic.
Mick Jagger defies his age as he struts down the catwalk stage extension , moves and dances not stop,
waves his arms above his heads, and generally winds the crowd up with his jovial stage banter.
Plenty of classics played in the set, and it's great they are changing the setlist a bit each night.
Yep, The Stones are still rockin'...a great show.
"Angie’, ‘You Got Me Rocking and ‘Like A Rolling Stone’ made their SIXTY tour debut while the newest Stones song, the 2020 single ‘Living In A Ghost Town’ was removed from the set.
Full ROLLING STONES setlist for tonight...
Street Fighting Man (from Beggars Banquet, 1968)
19th Nervous Breakdown (single, 1966)
Tumbling Dice (from Exile On Main Street, 1972)
Out of Time (from Aftermath UK, 1966)
Angie (from Goats Head Soup, 1973)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want (from Let It Bleed, 1969)
Like A Rolling Stone (from Stripped, 1995)
You Got Me Rocking (from Voodoo Lounge, 1994)
Honky Tonk Women (single, 1969)
You Got The Silver (from Let It Bleed, 1969)
Happy (from Exile On Main Street, 1972)
Miss You (from Some Girls, 1978)
Midnight Rambler (from Let It Bleed, 1969)
Paint It Black (from Aftermath US, 1966)
Start Me Up (from Tattoo You, 1981)
Sympathy for the Devil (from Beggars Banquet, 1968)
Jumpin’ Jack Flash (single, 1968)
Encore:
Gimme Shelter (from Let It Bleed, 1969)
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (from Out of Our Heads, 1965)

Updated 4th July 2022 Permalink

Sunday 03 July 2022.

Fri 01 July and Sat 02 July - GUNS N ROSES play Tottenham Football Ground, North London.
Support acts are Gary Clark Jr and Michael Monroe.
Get there early to see the amazing 60 year old Michael Monroe, who is pretty
a 100 per cent uptempo rock n roll legend in the vein of early David Lee Roth.
Here is some mad information on these shows. To build the stage at this ground starts a
whole week before on Friday 25 June.
Never got around to seeing a footie game there, so this will be my first visit to Spurs new ground.
I first saw Guns n Roses back in 1987 when they headlined Hammersmith Odeon when their
classic debut album "Appetite For Destruction" started to take off.
I have seen them over a dozen times, plus i saw Axl Rose front AC/DC for that one tour.
Both shows are sold out...with a 50,000 crowd each night...
Not sure why tickets for concerts in stadiums are so expensive?
My security chums told me Guns n Roses Gold Circle was £160 plus booking fees,
and you could even pay £225 plus booking fees for early entry Gold Circle.
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I went to both shows by GUNS N ROSES...both times i was in the gold circle.
Friday was dry but we had a bit of rain on the Saturday.
The band have been posting set times of three hours but that is pure rubbish,
as they are always coming on late, and this venue has a 10.30pm curfew.
FRIDAY SHOW
Oddly i see Michael Monroe by backstage tonight , but he does not actually play for reasons unknown.
GARY CLARK JNR arrived on stage at 5.30pm for his 45 mins set.
Gary & his band did a really good set of uptempo blues rock, and had use of the big screens.
During the changeovers there were great tracks played over the pa including Sex Pistols, Sweet etc.
GUNS N ROSES arrived on stage at 7.45pm and played for 2 hours 30 mins.
There was a massive 90 mins changeover between bands, but it was even longer the next night.
American country pop singer CARRIE UNDERWOOD joined them each night for a couple of songs,
and she was great as she looked full on Sunset Strip rock chick and her vocals were top notch.
Those classic tracks from "Appetite For Destruction " still sound as utterly fantastic as ever.
There is no extended walkway from the stage but Axl, Slash and Duff make use of the
walkways in front of the big screens.
A great show.
Full GUNS N ROSES setlist played tonight...
It's So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Chinese Democracy
Welcome to the Jungle (Link Wray's "Rumble" intro)
Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
Better
Estranged (stopped midway due to sound problems then resumed)
Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
Double Talkin' Jive
Reckless Life
Rocket Queen
I Wanna Be Your Dog (The Stooges cover) (Duff on lead vocals)
Absurd
Hard Skool
Civil War (followed by band introductions )
Slash Guitar Solo (Albert King's "Born Under a Bad Sign" jam)
Sweet Child o' Mine (with Carrie Underwood)
November Rain
Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Bob Dylan cover) (Alice Cooper's "Only Women Bleed" intro)
Nightrain
Encore:
Patience (The Beatles' "Blackbird" intro)
Paradise City (with Carrie Underwood)
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SATURDAY
MICHAEL MONROE arrived onstage at 4.30pm for his 30 mins set.
He was on top form , as he played some great uptempo energetic rock n roll.
He jumped in the pit, and stood on the barriers to shake hands with fans.
Full MICHAEL MONROE setlist tonight...
One Man Gang
Last Train to Tokyo
Murder the Summer of Love
'78
Ballad of the Lower East Side
Malibu Beach Nightmare (Hanoi Rocks song)
Up Around the Bend (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover)
Dead, Jail or Rock 'n' Roll
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GARY CLARK JNR arrived on stage at 5.30pm for his 45 mins set.
It is staggeringly two hours , yes TWO HOURS wait until G N R arrived on stage.
GUNS N ROSES arrived on stage at 8.15pm and played for two hours 5 mins.
This meant they played 25 mins shorter than the night before.
There were a couple of tracks added, but obviously a few were dropped.
After Estranged, Axl said he was having issues with his singing so would change his approach, therefore resulting in a shorter show. First show without "November Rain" since April 1st, 2016. First show without "Rocket Queen" since April 23rd 2014
Plenty of classics still played though, so another great show.

Updated 3rd July 2022 Permalink

Thursday 30 June 2022..

Thursday 30 June 2022...7pm to 9.45pm...
SERPENTINE GALLERY SUMMER PARTY, Kensington Gardens, London W2.
Over 500 guests here tonight...a bit of rain early on but thankfully it stopped pretty quickly.
Lots of glammed up women here, and as usual a dozen or so well known names including...
THOMAS BRODIE-SANGSTER (plays Malcolm McClaren in PISTOL Disney tv series)
TALULAH RILEY (plays Vivienne Westwood in PISTOL Disney tv series)
I had a nice chat to them about the filming of it, and got a photo with them..see Facebook.
Also photos with of me with Damian Lewis and Sam Smith.
DAMIAN LEWIS (said he was going to see Pearl Jam in Hyde Park next weekend)
SAM SMITH
NICOLA ADAMS
MICHAEL BLOOMBERG
EDWARD ENNINFUL
OZWALD BOATENG
ARLENE PHILLIPS
ANNA WINTOUR
CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN
CIARA
IRIS LAW
RICHARD CARING
DAVID ARMSTRONG-JONES - 2nd Earl of Snowdon
JACKIE ST CLAIR and husband CARL
PHILIP SALLON
A DJ was playing some tunes.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers, Rose Wines, Mojito Cocktails, canapes & oysters.
The organisers did say in advance that there would be no big name music act playing this year and that it
would finish a couple of hours earlier than usual due to....."in light of the global context".
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Wednesday 29 June 2022...5.45pm to 9.30pm...
ALL STAR LANES - showcase - Ariel Way, Westfield, White City, London W12.
All Star Lanes is a luxury bowling venue matched with a modern American restaurant and Cocktail bar.
It is a massive venue, and we are in the space at the rear that they use for private events,
that can hold up to 120 people, and has exclusive use of two private bowling lanes.
Drinks, food and bowling packages start from £60.
The entire venue holds 350 and is available to hire as well.
They have four venues across London - White City, Stratford, Holborn, Brick Lane.
We had two rounds of bowling, one early on and one a bit later.
I won the second round with four strikes out of my ten bowls.
Photo booth specialists PHOTOBOT were here, so we had some fun photos taken.
There were a female duo singing with sax and keyboards playing 30 mins of cover versions.
Lots of complimentary drinks and food including Bellini's, different wines and different beers,
including our fave Blue Moon Belgium White along with mini-burgers and lots of different canapes.
A great evening here, and well worth a visit.
www.allstarlanes.co.uk - Visit their website here.
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Updated 30th June 2022 Permalink

Tuesday 28 June 2022.

Tuesday 28 June 2022....7.15pm to 10pm...
AFRICA FASHION - exhibition private view / summer party
Victoria & Albert Museum, South Kensington, London SW7.
Over 500 guests in the outdoor space here.
Guests included...
PATRICE EVRA (ex footballer)
EDWARD ENNINFUL ( British Vogue Editor)
OZWALD BOETENG ( Savile Row Fashion Designer)
MIA REGAN (Model)
ALAN EDWARDS ( legendary music pr for over 40 years)
JACKIE ST CLAIR (ex Page 3 girl ) and husband CARL
LADY VICTORIA HERVEY
KIMBERLEIGH GELBER
NAT WELLER (model who is Paul Wellers son)
PHILIP SALLON (dressed in what can only be described as wearing a giant nappy, and at
9.30pm he went for a waddle in the pond)
At 7.45pm we had a couple of speeches.
A DJ was playing some tunes by the pond.
Complimentary sparking wines, two different cocktails and lots of different canapes and desserts.
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Monday 27 June 2022.
JACK WHITE live at Hammersmith Apollo.
Jack White plays the first of two sold shows at this venue.
Jack White, founding member of The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and The Dead Weather, a 12-time GRAMMY® Award-winner and 36-time nominee, and Third Man Records founder, is set to release his fourth and fifth solo studio albums in 2022. FEAR OF THE DAWN (Third Man Records), featuring his latest single “Taking Me Back,” will be released on April 8th, 2022 and ENTERING HEAVEN ALIVE (Third Man Records) will follow on July 22, 2022.
I have seen Jack White on stage several times with his various bands over the past 20 odd years.
This will be a strict phone free show when Jack White is on stage.
Mon 27 June support act is CHUBBY & THE GANG.
Tues 28 June support act is YARD ACT.
Jack starts his European Tour at Glastonbury Festival, then two nights at Hammersmith Apollo.
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CHUBBY & THE GANG arrived on stage at 8pm for their 40 mins set.
The band are given a small space in front of Jack Whites velvet curtains covered production.
They played some decent tracks from their two albums.
A bit scuzzy punk rock in places,but the vocals were a bit muffled.
They would be a lot better to see in a small club rather than a big venue like this.
JACK WHITE & his top notch band took the stage at 9.15pm for their 1 hour 45 mins set.
Jack and all the band are playing on their own raised platform, with the band a bit higher than Jack.
After a few songs the big screen kicks in with a mix of live footage and pre-recorded images.
The blue-haired troubadour smashes through White Stripes, Raconteurs, Dead Weather and solo bangers,
as he mixes playing different guitars, piano and bass, and is constantly on the move.
Lots of nifty dirty blues rock n roll tracks played tonight.
He left his anthem "Seven Nation Army" to the final song of the evening.
The entire venue erupts and sing loudly along to that famous riff and chant.
A great show.
Full JACK WHITE setlist played tonight....
Taking Me Back
Fear of the Dawn
Black Math (The White Stripes song)
Sixteen Saltines
Hi-De-Ho
You Don't Understand Me (The Raconteurs song)
If I Die Tomorrow
Love Is Selfish
Clarabella (The Jodimars cover)
That Black Bat Licorice
I Think I Smell a Rat (The White Stripes song)
Apple Blossom (The White Stripes song)
A Tree on Fire from Within
I Cut Like a Buffalo (The Dead Weather song)
Cannon (The White Stripes song)
Fell in Love With a Girl (The White Stripes song)
High Ball Stepper
Steady, as She Goes (The Raconteurs song)
Encore:
Icky Thump (The White Stripes song)
The Same Boy You've Always Known (The White Stripes song)
What's the Trick?
I Asked for Water (She Gave Me Gasoline) (Howlin’ Wolf cover)
Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes song)

Updated 28th June 2022 Permalink

Monday 27 June 2022

Saturday 25 June 2022 and Sunday 26 June 2022.
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS play The London Stadium, Stratford, East London.
Saturday special guests Anderson Paak & The Free Nationals and Thundercat.
Sunday special guests ASAP Rocky and Thundercat.
RHCP are on a European Tour of stadiums and outdoor venues.
I have been to this stadium before....
2016 - AC/DC with Axl Rose
2017 - GUNS N ROSES
2018 - The Rolling Stones (two shows)
RHCP new album "Unlimited Love" went straight in at number one in the UK charts in April 2022.
The album has been number one in sixteen countries.
The reappearance of John Frusciante on guitar and producer Rick Rubin seems to have done the trick,
for the band as these shows are their biggest London gigs in over a decade.
All stadium gigs are always seem higher prices compared to normal venues...this show..
Gold circle standing is £150...general pitch standing is £95...seats are £125 , £95, £75 plus fees.
Anderson Paak is a member of excellent Grammy Award winning Silk Sonic soul supergroup.
I have seen RHCP around a dozen times before including the first time in 1999 when they headlined Reading Festival and two of their three massive Hyde Park shows in 2004, and intimate shows at The Roundhouse and The BBC Car Park , White City along with their Earls Court Arena shows in 2006.
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I went to both the RHCP shows here.
Must admit, i thought two stadium gigs by RHCP would be a bit ambitious , but I'm proved wrong
as both shows are an incredible 80,000 tickets per night sold out.
RHCP have sold more tickets in London than The Rolling Stones this summer.
Saturday 25 June 2022.
THUNDERCAT and his two band members arrived on at stage at 6pm for a 30 mins set.
He was in thrash band Suicidal Tendencies before going solo.
He is an amazing funky bass player who plays his six string bass, like a lead guitar.
All acts had use of the three big screens, but for RHCP the middle screen was fully enlarged.
ANDERSON PAAK & THE RADICALS arrived on stage at 7pm for their 45 mins set.
Anderson Paak is a great funky drummer and mixes playing drums with vocals and being
front of stage dancing like James Brown and vocals, along with a great 1970s funky soul sound.
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS arrived on stage at 8.15pm for their 1 hour 45 mins set.
The band start off with a huddled funky jam and then the packed floor standing dance madly for
big hits "Can't Stop" and "Dani California".
John Frusciante gets big cheers when he appears on the big screens.
A few tracks from the new album played, but it was the big older classics that the crowd wanted.
Flea did a nice 30 seconds bass snippet of PIL "Public Image".
Flea is happy to ramble on, and sound a bit eccentric.
It was pretty basic production for a stadium show, as there was no catwalk stage extension.
Their tight funk-rock still sounds fab, and the band are thankful to their British fans.
They were saying how excited they were , when they first came to London.
A great show.
Full RHCP setlist played tonight...
Intro Jam
Can't Stop
Dani California
Charlie
These Are the Ways
Scar Tissue
Aquatic Mouth Dance
Snow ((Hey Oh))
Emit Remmus (Tour debut)
Whatchu Thinkin'
Otherside
The Heavy Wing
Nobody Weird Like Me
Californication
Black Summero
Give It Away
Encore:
Under the Bridge
By the Way
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Sunday 26 June 2022.
As it was a Sunday, all the acts came on stage 30 mins earlier than yesterday.
THUNDERCAT arrived on stage at 5.30pm for their good 30 mins set.
ASAP ROCKY arrived on stage at 6.30pm for his 40 mins set.
American rapper had all his road crew in orange overalls as they blew up a huge orange I nflatable.
He is very popular in his own right, and a lot of the crowd know the words to his tracks.
There was a lot of swearing as he sang along to a backing tape, but not really my cup of tea,
and i much preferred the Anderson Paak funky soul support set from yesterday.
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS arrived on stage at 7.45pm for their 1 hour 45 mins set.
Again Flea did his 30 seconds bass snippet of PIL "Public Image" and tonight they also
played a 30 seconds snippet of The Clash "London Calling".
A couple of tracks changed in the setlist , which like their Manchester show had
"Soul to Squeeze" replace their big hit "Under the Bridge", during the encore.
Another great show , but i think the first show here had the edge for me.
Full RHCP setlist played tonight...
Intro Jam
Around the World
Dani California
I Like Dirt
The Zephyr Song
These Are the Ways
Snow ((Hey Oh))
Right on Time
Here Ever After
Don't Forget Me
She's a Lover
Tell Me Baby
Wet Sand (Tour debut)
Californication
Black Summer
Give It Away
Encore:
Soul to Squeeze
By the Way

Updated 27th June 2022 Permalink

Friday 24 June 2022.

Friday 24 June 2022.
THE BEACH BOYS live at The Royal Albert Hall.
Iconic American band are celebrating their 60th anniversary.
The Beach Boys are led by Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, who, along with Jeffrey Foskett, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill, Keith Hubacher, Christian Love and Scott Totten continue the legacy.
The Beach Boys co-founder MIKE LOVE is now aged 81.
I have seen them around a dozen times before including in 2003 in Arizona, USA when they played the
day after i saw The Sex Pistols play Tempe , Arizona...I saw half a dozen Sex Pistols shows on that tour.
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The arena floor and stalls are full tonight, but the circle is only 50% sold.
THE BEACH BOYS as usual play a long set of 2 hours 30 mins...two sets of 75 mins.
Sixteen musicians on stage including a five man brass section, to give a lovely big sound.
The younger members of the band made sure the harmonies were top notch.
Half a dozen palm trees are at the rear of the stage.
The two main senior members remain standing for the entire show, which was very impressive.
A big screen showing vintage video clips and photos from their heyday.
A nice touch was The Ramones cover of "Rockaway Beach".
Over 40 songs played including all their many hits.
The second half had all the crowd up and dancing for most of it.
Good vibrations indeed...a great show.
Full Beach Boys setlist played tonight...
FIRST SET
Do It Again
Surfin' Safari
Catch a Wave
Little Honda
It's OK
California Sun (Joe Jones cover)
Rockaway Beach (Ramones cover)
Surfin' U.S.A.
Surfer Girl
Please Let Me Wonder
Kiss Me, Baby (with Ambha Love)
Getcha Back
When I Grow Up (to Be a Man)
Darlin'
Here Today
You Still Believe in Me
Good to My Baby
Caroline, No (Brian Wilson song)
Be True to Your School
Don't Worry Baby
Little Deuce Coupe
409
Shut Down
I Get Around
SECOND SET
California Dreamin' (The Mamas & the Papas cover)
Sloop John B ([traditional] cover)
Wouldn't It Be Nice
California Girls
Disney Girls
Forever (with John Stamos on vocals)
Dance, Dance, Dance
Why Do Fools Fall in Love (Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers cover)
All I Wanna Do
All This Is That
Then I Kissed Her
God Only Knows
Pisces Brothers (Mike Love song)
Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles cover)
Cotton Fields (Lead Belly cover)
Do You Wanna Dance? (Bobby Freeman cover)
Rock and Roll Music (Chuck Berry cover)
Help Me, Rhonda
Kokomo
Good Vibrations
Barbara Ann (The Regents cover)
Fun, Fun, Fun
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During the show Mike Love said "thanks for choosing us tonight, as there is a lot going on".
He is not kidding....tonight had a full quota of big acts playing.
Beach Boys - The Royal Albert Hall
Green Day - London Stadium
Ed Sheeran - Wembley Stadium
Diana Ross - 02 Arena
Elton John - Hyde Park
I chatted to a few nice guys from Norway who are in London the weekend for some quality shows.
Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones and Eagles.
Elton John at Hyde Park had some rain , so a reminder to them and others that Hyde Park
has no cover or shade so if it rains or gets really hot...you need to be prepared.
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Thursday 23 June 2022.
ABC with orchestra live at The Royal Albert Hall.
ABC celebrate 40 years since the release of their lauded and timeless debut album " The Lexicon of Love". ABC will perform the iconic album in its entirety , including a return to this venue where their first orchestrated show won the hearts of critics and fans alike....I was at that show.
Martin Fry’s masterpiece "The Lexicon Of Love" went straight to number one upon release. Fusing dance floor finesse with a post-punk attitude, the album spawned timeless tracks such "Poison Arrow", "The Look Of Love", "Tears Are Not Enough", and "All Of My Heart". The album saw ABC enchant the world with their own unique brand of pop and remains one of the best albums of all time.
Worldwide hits and six studio albums later; ABC demonstrate that even now 40 years on from "The Lexicon Of Love", Martin Fry’s song-writing and musicianship is still as contemporary as it was in the beginning.
ABC will be joined by the Southbank Sinfonia and longtime collaborator Anne Dudley who will conduct the evening.
I have seen ABC live a dozen times over the last 40 years, including all three nights at
Hammersmith Odeon in 1982 when "Lexicon of Love" originally stormed the charts.
I have also seen them play with an orchestra three times at this same venue...in 2009, 2017 and 2019.
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The venue is a near sell-out, with maybe 95% per cent of tickets sold.
ABC with orchestra are on for 1 hour 50 mins, over two sets of 55 mins each.
With band and orchestra added together, there must be around 50 musicians on stage.
The songs with the orchestra backing them sound fantastic, especially with the stunning string section.
Singer Martin Fry must be the Bryan Ferry of the 1980s as tonight he is wearing a very smart white tux,
bow tie and black patent shoes.
The first set has plenty of gems and the second set has the tracks from that classic album.
Martin brings us back to the 1980s by talking about turning the vinyl over to side two.
Martin brings out his iconic gold lame jacket for the reprise of "The Look of Love".
The hit singles are superb and i sing all the words to my fave song of theirs "All Of My Heart".
A great show.
Full ABC setlist played tonight....
FIRST SET
Intro - The Lexicon of Love medley (Southbank Sinfonia Orchestra only)
When Smokey Sings
Viva Love
The Night You Murdered Love
(How to Be a) Millionaire
The Flames of Desire
The Love Inside the Love
Ten Below Zero
One Better World
Ocean Blue
SECOND SET - The Lexicon of Love album
Show Me
Poison Arrow
Many Happy Returns
Tears Are Not Enough
Valentine's Day
The Look of Love
Date Stamp
4 Ever 2 Gether
All of My Heart
Play Video
Encore:
The Look of Love (Part Four) (Southbank Sinfonia Orchestra only)
The Look of Love (with band and orchestra) (reprise)

Updated 24th June 2022 Permalink

Wednesday 22 June 2022.

Wednesday 22 June 2022...I went to two events today.
2.30pm to 5pm
EUROPEAN PIZZA & PASTA SHOW at Olympia, London.
A massive event with a couple of thousand here visiting.
Lots of pizza and pasta companies from Italy are showcasing their food & equipment.
Lots of tasty complimentary slices of fresh pizza etc from the stands , along with Italian wines and lagers.
Top Italian chef Georgio Locatelli was here signing copies of his latest book.
then
6pm to 8.15pm.
BACK TO EARTH - private view - MAGAZINE ,ex Sackler Restaurant & Gallery, Serpentine Galleries,
Kensington Gardens, London.
"Back to Earth" is Serpentine’s long-term, interdisciplinary programme addressing the ongoing climate emergency. This multi-year project invites over sixty leading artists, architects, poets, filmmakers, scientists, thinkers, and designers to respond to the environmental crisis. With the support of partner organisations and networks, these collaborators are devising artistic campaigns, protocols and initiatives that act as catalysts
Around 200 guests are here.
Music legend BRIAN ENO was here as he is one of the artists involved.
I got a photo with him, which is on my Facebook page.
Brian Eno (now aged 74) is a British musician, composer, record producer and visual artist best known for his contributions to ambient music and work in rock, pop and electronica.A self-described "non-musician", Eno has helped introduce unconventional conceptual and recording approaches to contemporary music.He has been described as one of popular music's most influential and innovative figures.
He has worked with Roxy Music, David Bowie, U2, Coldplay and many more.
At 6.50pm we had a couple of speeches.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers and Gin & Tonics for all guests.
It is open to the public from 22 June to 18 September.
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Tuesday 21 June 2022.
SHAGGY live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
I saw Shaggy play a great show with Sting at The Roundhouse a few years ago.
Shaggy played The Isle of Wight Festival a few days before this show.
Shaggy has had four number one hits in the UK...
Oh Carolina - 1993
Bombastic 1995
It Wasn't Me - 2001
Angel - 2001
-------------------
Level 2 and 3 closed tonight as only 700 tickets sold.
No support and early start early finish which was handy when there is a train and tube strike.
SHAGGY & band arrived on at stage at 8.15pm and played for 1 hour 50 mins.
Nice to hear plenty of good times reggae vibes tonight, and the crowd are all dancing from the start.
A very enjoyable show.
SHAGGY setlist played tonight included...
Bombastic
Oh Carolina
Reggae covers medley
Angel
Frank Sinatra covers medley done in a reggae style
Electric Avenue (Eddy Grant cover)
It Wasn't Me

Updated 22nd June 2022 Permalink

Tuesday 21 June 2022.

Tuesday 21 June 2022.
KISS are playing shows in Europe June/July 2022
THE ROLLING STONES are playing shows in Europe June/July 2022.
I have seen KISS over 40 times since 1976.
I have seen THE ROLLING STONES over 20 times since 1976.
Check this amazing month back in 1976 , when i saw AC/DC, David Bowie,
KISS ,Patti Smith and The Rolling Stones all for the first time.
AC/DC,Captain Video Nashville Pub, London 26.04.1976
National Flag Marquee Club, London 30.04.1976
Neil Sedaka,Barbara Dickson Hammersmith Odeon, London 02.05.1976
Strife Marquee Club, London 05.05.1976
David Bowie Wembley Arena, London 06.05.1976
Nils Lofgren,Unicorn New Victoria Theatre, London 09.05.1976
Nils Lofgren,Unicorn New Victoria Theatre, London 10.05.1976
Elton John Earls Court Arena, London 11.05.1976
AC/DC,Back Street Crawler Marquee Club, London 12.05.1976
Elton John Earls Court Arena, London 13.05.1976
KISS,Stray Hammersmith Odeon, London 15.05.1976
KISS,Stray Hammersmith Odeon, London 16.05.1976
Patti Smith,Stranglers Roundhouse, London 17.05.1976
Rolling Stones,Meters Earls Court Arena, London 21.05.1976
AC/DC Fulham Greyhound Pub, London 23.05.1976
Rolling Stones,Meters Earls Court Arena, London 25.05.1976
Rolling Stones,Meters Earls Court Arena, London 26.05.1976
Rolling Stones,Meters Earls Court Arena, London 27.05.1976 my 17th birthday
Who,Alex Harvey Band,Little Feat Charlton F.C. , London 31.05.1976
AC/DC Marquee Club, London 04.06.1976

Updated 21st June 2022 Permalink

Monday 20 June 2022.

Sunday 19 June 2022.
HARRY STYLES live at Wembley Stadium.
This is the second of his two massive outdoor stadium shows here.
Ex One Direction member is on a world tour of stadiums and arenas.
His solo success has been stratospheric.
After the UK shows he plays North America arenas, including 15 (yes FIFTEEN ) shows at Madison Square Garden in New York and 15 shows at the newly named Kia Forum in Los Angeles.
In support of new third solo album "Harry’s House", which was number one in the UK in June.
Styles' will be supported by MITSKI, a Japanese-American singer-songwriter who has a large following on social media, and her 2022 album "Laurel Hill" went Top 10 in the UK and other countries.
-----------------
My first gig at Wembley Stadium since the summer of 2019, which was a great year for gigs here.
I went to the following shows here...
BTS - 01 June 2019
SPICE GIRLS + JESS GLYNNE - 14 June 2019
SPICE GIRLS + JESS GLYNNE - 15 June 2019
FLEETWOOD MAC + PRETENDERS - 16 June 2019
FLEETWOOD MAC + PRETENDERS - 18 June 2019
BON JOVI + MANIC STREET PREACHERS - 21 June 2019
BILLY JOEL - 22 June 2019
EAGLES + SHERYL CROW - 23 June 2019
PINK - 29 June 2019
PINK - 30 June 2019
THE WHO + EDDIE VEDDER + KAISER CHIEFS - 06 July 2019
Much more enjoyable watching a live music event in a stadium than a park like
Hyde Park or Finsbury Park as those two have just basic facilities and no rain cover or seats
unless you are in mega bucks hospitality.
MITSKI arrived on stage at 7pm for her 40 mins set.
Mitski had use of two big screens showing live footage , and Harry had use of three big screens.
Mitski Miyawaki and her five-piece band played the synths and snares of her multi-genre oeuvre, from indie-rock to dream-pop, she danced along with heavily stylised choreography that mimicked the lyrics – and the feelings – of her songs. It felt very Kate Bush at times...very theatrical dance movements during her set.
HARRY STYLES arrived on stage at 8.20pm for his 1 hour 40 mins set.
The venue is a rammed 80,000 sold out capacity by the time Harry comes on stage.
There are three pod areas for big spending fans at the front between the walkways.
Behind that is the front pitch area, which is like a second gold circle.
Early entry to front pitch standing was a whopping £170 plus £15 booking...yikes...
There are rainbow colours and feather boas everywhere in the mainly female audience.
The atmosphere is fantastic, as this is a proper communal gathering.
A little bit of rain on those standing on the pitch, but nothing too heavy.
The scorching Friday heat a couple of days before would have seen many fainting.
Harry bounds on to the stage to thousands of screams and cameras going off.
An attentive host as well as a magnetic charismatic frontman, Harry repeatedly checked in on the audience between songs and paced every inch of the stage and extended, U-shaped catwalk so that everyone got a chance to glimpse his mischievous grin and heart-covered Gucci one-piece up close.
Styles is an utterly modern pop star. He’s a vocal, if vague, champion of the LGBTQ community, teasing at the boundaries of mainstream music with his frocks, fluffy jumpers, big beads, and painted nails. Blurred gender lines are nothing new in pop, of course, and Styles’ fondness for flamboyant suits and bouffant hair owes plenty to Brandon Flowers of The Killers, who has sported that sartorial stadium look for at least the last decade.
Harry uses the walkways well, and in the middle of the set performs a few songs there.
He got the crowd to sing along to a Freddie Mercury type call and answer.
Weighted heavily towards the new album, the setlist also included a rendition of the One Direction hit "What Makes You Beautiful" : a neat move that showed Styles is neither embarrassed nor snooty about his boyband roots. But an encore comprised of the three biggest singles of his three albums – "Sign of the Times", "Watermelon Sugar", and "As It Was" , which has recently spent 10 weeks at number one – ended the night on a note of firm solo triumph.
His success has been pretty incredible as Harry said "he first went to London 2012 for his
X Factor boot camp auditions, which ended up him enjoying the mega success of One Direction".
It was a great show.
Full HARRY STYLES setlist played tonight...
Music for a Sushi Restaurant
Golden
Adore You
Daylight
Cinema
Keep Driving
Matilda
Boyfriends
Lights Up
Satellite (Helped a make Italian fan come out during intro)
Happy Birthday to You (Mildred J. Hill & Patty Hill cover) (Sang to Elin)
Canyon Moon
Treat People With Kindness
What Makes You Beautiful (One Direction song)
Late Night Talking
Love of My Life
Encore:
Sign of the Times ( lots of fireworks for this track)
Watermelon Sugar
As It Was
Kiwi

Updated 20th June 2022 Permalink

Sunday 19 June 2022.

Saturday 18 June 2022.
BECK live at The Forum.
I have seen Beck live several times before, with the first two times in 1997, when i went to a recording
of BBC tv show Later with Jools Holland ,and when he headlined Glastonbury Festival.
Beck has released over a dozen albums since 1993.
Beck plays two sold out London shows on his European Tour.
Thurs 16 June Brixton Academy and Sat 18 June The Forum.
---------------
JAWNY arrived on stage at 7.45pm for their 30 mins set.
Jawny and his two band mates performed a decent set of songs.
Jawny is an American singer, songwriter, and producer. He first received recognition after the release of his 2019 single "Honeypie", and was signed to Interscope Records in January 2020. He made his major-label debut with the mixtape For Abby in late October 2020.
The venue is totally rammed sold out by the time Beck hits the stage.
BECK and his band arrived on stage at 8.55pm for their 90 mins set.
The band are all on a raised platform at the rear of the stage.
The first half is excellent indie dance pop from Beck, and the second half is much more laid back.
He’s barely graced the stage before ‘Devil’s Haircut’ is unleashed to a rapturous response.
It’s disarming how easily he slips from slacker rock to full-on pop star.
Over 30 songs played but many were shortened versions of two mins or less.
Highlights included "Loser" and "Where's Its At ".
Overall a great show.
Full BECK setlist played tonight....
Hyperlife
Mixed Bizness
Devils Haircut
Dreams
Colors
The New Pollution
The Valley of the Pagans (Gorillaz cover)
Wow
Hollywood Freaks
Qué Onda Guero
Nicotine & Gravy
Debra
Girl
Loser
Hotwax
Dear Life
Cycle
Morning (Abandoned)
Hollow Log
Stratosphere
Chemtrails
Turn Away
Lost Cause
Missing
Earthquake Weather
Night Running (Cage the Elephant cover)
Go It Alone
Black Tambourine
Up All Night
E-Pro
Encore:
Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime (The Korgis cover)
True Love Will Find You in the End (Daniel Johnston cover)
Morning
Where It's At
Encore 2:
One Foot in the Grave

Updated 19th June 2022 Permalink

Saturday 18 June 2022.

Sat 18 June - Happy Birthday to PAUL McCARTNEY who is 80 today.
Mon 20 June - Happy Birthday to BRIAN WILSON who is 80 today.
Two music legends born just two days apart.
I have seen both of them over 20 times live on stage, which includes an amazing lunchtime show
by Paul McCartney at The 100 Club in Dec 2010.
Reminder that train and tube strikes next week will certainly mess up going to gigs,
as any trains running will finish around 6pm, so getting back after gigs will need planning.
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
Friday 17 June 2022.
A very nice three act package at Kenwood House, Hampstead Heath, North London.
CULTURE CLUB + BANANARAMA + LULU...all three acts have had many big hits over the years.
plus an opening set by celebrity DJ FAT TONY.
Culture Club have sold over 150 million records worldwide - singles and albums combined.
Culture Club have had 12 x Top 40 hits in the UK, including two number ones.
Bananarama have had more Top 40 hits (count 32!) in the UK than the Spice Girls managed, and gained entry in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest girl group since The Supremes, impressive stuff.
Lulu has had 19 x Top 40 hits in the UK, including a number one.
www.heritagelive.net - Visit their website here to buy tickets
for this show, and others they are promoting across the UK this summer.
-----------------
Here we are , on the hottest day of the year so far, in this fantastic outdoor venue.
Must be a few thousand here, with three blocks of seats in front of the stage and standing around them.
June and July sees many similiar venues around the UK host a week or two of top notch shows.
LULU & band arrived on stage at 6.15pm for their 45 mins set.
We have three big screens mixing live footage with the middle screen showing old video clips.
Hard to believe that the ever youthful looking Lulu is now aged 73.
It seemed a bit odd she started with her biggest hit "Shout", but then you realise the setlist
is in decade by decade order of her career...really good.
Full LULU setlist played tonight...
Shout (The Isley Brothers cover)
The Boat That I Row
To Sir With Love
Run to Me / To Love Somebody (Bee Gees cover)
Boom Bang-A-Bang
The Man With the Golden Gun (John Barry cover)
Teardrops (Womack & Womack cover)
I Don't Wanna Fight
We Don't Fall
Relight My Fire (Dan Hartman cover) (Lulu had a hit with Take That for this track)
I'm Still Standing (Elton John cover)
------------------
BANANARAMA and band arrived on stage at 7.30pm and performed for 60 mins.
The two girls always seem to enjoy themselves on stage, with their arm dancing routines.
They played a couple of songs from their upcoming album and lots of hits including...
Nathan Jones
Shy Boy
Cruel Summer
I Heard a Rumour
He Was Really Sayin' Somethin'
'Tain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It)
I Want You Back
Robert De Niro's Waiting
Venus (Shocking Blue cover)
Love in the First Degree
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye (Steam cover)
-------------------
DJ FAT TONY played 30 mins of eighties anthems during the changeover.
-------------------
CULTURE CLUB arrived on stage at 9.05pm and performed for 90 mins.
Ten musicians on stage including three original Culture Club members and three backing vocalists.
An excellent percussionist sounded great alongside the drummer.
Original drummer Jon Moss is not here as George says "he is having a strop" .
Big cheers as National Treasure Boy George takes to the stage after the band.
Lots of his big personality banter before pretty much every song , which went down well with the crowd.
Boy George is now aged 61, but is just as flamboyant as ever.
It is a local gig for Boy George as he has lived in Hampstead since the 1980s.
All their classic hits got folks dancing and singing along.
At 10.30pm we had a nice fireworks display but as the set was running over, it ended up
with George singing the final song with the fireworks going off at the same time.
All three quality acts made for a great evening of live music.
Full CULTURE CLUB setlist played tonight...
Next Thing Will Be Amazing
It's a Miracle
I'll Tumble 4 Ya
Move Away
Hold Back
Everything I Own (Bread cover)
Eyeliner Voodoo
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me
Victims
Planetary Karma
Drop the Needle
Church of the Poison Mind / I'm Your Man
Time (Clock of the Heart)
Miss Me Blind
The War Song
Sympathy for the Devil (The Rolling Stones cover)
Karma Chameleon
The Man I Love (George Gershwin cover)

Updated 18th June 2022 Permalink

Friday 17 June 2022.

Thursday 16 June 2022.
PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED (PIL) live at The Forum.
John Lydons PIL are playing a UK tour.
Widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential bands of all time, PiL’s music and vision earned them five UK Top 20 singles and five UK Top 20 albums. John Lydon, legend, icon and one-time front man and lyricist of the Sex Pistols, changed the face of music and led a cultural revolution, guiding the band from their debut album First Issue in 1978 to major global success.
I have seen John fronting The Sex Pistols 29 times since 1976 and have seen PIL many times,
including their debut show at The Rainbow Theatre, London - 25 Dec 1978.
John Lydon, Lu Edmonds, Scott Firth and Bruce Smith continue as PiL. They are the longest stable line-up in the band’s history and continue to challenge and thrive.
BRIX SMITH is the support act in London and some of the other shows on the tour.
------------------
It is not sold out , but a decent enough 1700 out of 2000 tickets sold.
BRIX SMITH and band arrived on stage at 7.45pm for their 45 mins set.
I saw Brix a couple of months ago supporting Killing Joke at Hammersmith Apollo.
Blonde rock chick Brix played some good tracks from her upcoming Youth produced album.
PIL arrived on stage at 9pm and played for around 1 hour 40 mins.
John Lydon arrives on stage wearing a very baggy suit.
John says "I haven't got Monkeypox, but I do have the flu".
They are using the same large PIL circular logo and stage curtain as previous tours.
The band are top notch as usual, and Lu on guitar is playing some very nifty sounds.
The band really do create a great dance groove.
The first half of the show was more for the hardcore fans and the second half had the big hits.
There hasn’t been a new studio album for nearly 7 years, their last being ‘What The World Needs Now…’ which saw the light of day on 4th September 2015.
A great "This is Not a Love Song" and a superb "Public Image" finished the main set.
His ever present manager/personal security Rambo is side of stage nodding away,
and even gets a name check at the end during the band introductions.
Final song "Rise" had all the crowd chanting "Anger is an Energy ".
A great show.
Full PIL setlist played tonight....
Religion II
Memories
The Body
Warrior
Corporate
The Room I Am In
The One
Death Disco
U.S.L.S. 1
Bags
Chant
Disappointed
This Is Not a Love Song
Public Image
Encore:
Shoom ( dedicated to working class traitor Danny Boyle)
Open Up (Leftfield cover)
Rise

Updated 17th June 2022 Permalink

Thursday 16 June 2022.

Wednesday 15 June 2022...I went to two events tonight...
5pm to 6.30pm
CONCOURS ON SAVILE ROW, Savile Row, London W1.
This famous tailoring street is closed off to traffic, and there is a full red carpet all along the street.
An event celebrating the best of British tailoring and showcasing over 30 classic cars.
A nice atmosphere in the sunshine as the crowds are looking at all the stunning cars
from all the iconic names, and included incredible prototypes from McLaren and Bentley.
Several of the stores are giving out complimentary drinks, so nice to have Bowmore Whiskey
Old Fashioned drinks at J.P Hackett and Negronis at Cad & The Dandy.
There was a jazz & swing band playing on the main stage.
then
7pm to 10.15pm
THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS SUMMER EXHIBITION PREVIEW PARTY 2022, Piccadilly, London W1.
Must be at least 700 or 800 folks here, and sold out even though tickets for most cost £525.
Around 20 photographers taking pictures of any well known faces when they arrive in the courtyard.
Guests included...
GRAYSON PERRY
NENEH CHERRY ( recieved The Icon Award at The NME Awards earlier this year)
EDWARD ENNINFUL (editor of British Vogue magazine)
JACKIE ST CLAIR
NICK GRIMSHAW ( also played a DJ set at the party )
MIQUITA OLIVER
Celebrity DJ FAT TONY
DAVID DOWNTON (fashion illustrator)
RON DENNIS (From 1981 to 2009 he was team principal of McLaren Formula One team)
ANNE-MARIE (singer)
LUKE EVANS (actor)
Lots of females in glamourous outfits, and Grayson Perry looked amazing.
Over 1400 works on display , and we had a naked black male model sitting astride one of them.
At 9.35pm SIGRID performed a four song set, with just piano for backing in the courtyard.
Her set included "A Driver Saved My Night" and her hit "Strangers".
Lots of complimentary drinks and food including Fortnum & Mason champers, three different cocktails,
Food from Fortnum & Mason including lobster rolls, fresh salmon, oysters, different bowl food and
canapes along with a very nice pastry selection.
There was also a Mac & Cheese van in the courtyard from 9pm for when Sigrid was performing.
It is open to the public from the weekend.

Updated 16th June 2022 Permalink

Tuesday 14 June 2022.

On the day postponements and cancellations of gigs can be a right pain in the Arsenal.
Seems to be catching at the moment as this week we had....
Monday 13 June - THE ROLLING STONES live at Amsterdam Stadium.
The gig was pulled as 6pm on the day as Mick Jagger tested positive for Covid.
Many Stones fans will have spent big money on travel and hotels, so you feel a bit sorry for them all.
Monday 13 June - BUSH live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
The gig was pulled at 1pm, with no reason given, even though the band played Download Festival.
Tuesday 14 June - INTERPOL at The Roundhouse.
The gig was pulled at 7pm , as band members had illness.
No doubt many irate fans who would turn up at the venue unaware , due to the late announcement.
If you have tickets for their Wednesday show, it will be a good idea to keep checking if it is still on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday 13 June 2022...I went to two events today...
3.15pm to 7.30pm
GOFF'S LONDON SALE, Perks Field, Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8.
Around 500 guests here outside in the lovely sunshine.
From 5pm to 6.15pm - around 25 horses are paraded for the auction...some went for over a million...
Several of them are running at Ascot this week.
A few well known faces here including...
JACKIE ST CLAIR (ex Page 3 girl from the 1980s)
Still looking fantastic at age 62, always friendly and chatty...she told me how in the 1980s as a model
she went on 188 overseas modelling assignments, to many glamourous locations.
BARRY FRY (ex football manager, now involved with horse racing)
JOHN GOSDEN ( legendary British racehorse trainer with over 3000 winners worldwide)
A jazz trio , an opera singer and a covers band all played sets of around 30 mins.
Complentary Rose wines, Pimms, Gin & Tonics, lagers, lobster rolls, egg and crisp buns???,
canapés, cream cakes, doughnuts.
then
8.30pm to 11pm.
ESTRELLA DAMM - Top 100 Restaurants in the UK - The Hurlingham Club, Putney Bridge, London SW6.
Around 500 guests here at this huge private members club that backs on to The River Thames.
Multi-tennis courts, bowls, croquet, squash,golf, skittles, ,swimming , wooded areas, lawns and lakes.
The Hurlingham Club is an exclusive private social and athletic club located in the Fulham area of London, England. Founded in 1869, it has a Georgian-style clubhouse set in 42 acres (17 ha) of grounds. It is a member of the Association of London Clubs.
We arrived during the awards ,which are always very lively.
The awards were inside but all the food and drinks were outside.
A jazz trio were playing after the awards.
Lots of complimentary food and drinks as there are half a dozen food trucks including
Burger & Beyond, Koko Doo Korean Fried Chicken , Tacos, Pizza, etc...chocs and desserts.....
along with Rathfinny sparkling wines from Sussex, vodka cocktails, Estrella Damm lagers.
All guests got a goodie bag on departure.
Here's the top 10 restaurants....(several are in London)
Ynyshir
Moor Hall
Brat
The Ritz
BiBi
The Ledbury
A Wong
Core by Clare Smyth
Ikoyi
L’Enclume
------------------------------------
Sad news that well known gig-goer in Bristol BIG JEFF is in hospital after a fire at his home.
A few years ago i did a radio interview with him, about the massive amount of gigs we have both seen.
A man famous for attending record numbers of music performances around Bristol has been "very seriously" injured in a house fire.
Jeff Johns, or 'Big Jeff' as he has affectionately become known, was caught in a fire at his own home in Totterdown.
The 39-year-old was taken to a hospital in Swansea where he is in stable condition at a specialist burns unit.
His family have asked for people to keep Jeff in their thoughts and prayers at "this very difficult time."

Updated 14th June 2022 Permalink

Sunday 12 June 2022.

Saturday 11 June 2022.
MICHAEL HEAD & THE RED ELASTIC BAND live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Michael Head (now aged 60) is an English singer-songwriter and musician from Liverpool, England. He is most famous as the lead singer and songwriter for Shack and The Pale Fountains, both of which also feature his younger brother John Head.Though the bands never achieved mainstream success, they have a strong following and NME have described him as "a lost genius and among the most gifted British songwriters of his generation".
The day before this show his new album "Dear Scott" entered the UK charts at number six.
Produced by Bill Ryder-Jones and already reaping a rich harvest of 4 & 5 star and 9/10 reviews, Dear Scott looks like it’s going to fit right in amongst the best of Head’s glorious body of work. The ‘Scott’ in Dear Scott is F. Scott Fitzgerald, the great biographer of the US Jazz Age. After going through what could generously be described as a lean period, Fitzgerald tried his hand at becoming a Hollywood screen-writer. On checking into the famous Garden of Allah Hotel that was to be his base, he picked up a postcode and wrote to himself, ‘Dear Scott, How are you? Have been meaning to come and see you…’. With the obvious parallels between the two artists careers – early success, fallow years, over use of drugs/alcohol, and resurgence – it is easy to see how Fitzgerald’s story becomes a source of inspiration for Head.
-------------------
Levels 2 and 3 are closed tonight,so maybe just 700 folks here.
Many in the crowd are Liverpudlians who are supporting one of their own.
RIANNE DOWNEY & BAND arrived on stage at 8.15pm for their 30 mins set.
They played a decent set of country tinged songs.
MICHAEL HEAD & THE RED ELASTIC BAND arrived on stage at 9.05pm for their 1 hour 40 mins set.
There are eight musicians on stage including a cello player and a two man brass section who
loved pulling some lively dancing whenever they could.
The set ticked along nicely with many tracks from the new album and great to hear several
Shack songs in the second half of the set, including "Undecided", "Meant To Be",
and encores ""Pull Together" and "Comedy".
Constant chants of "We Love You Mick" throughout the show from the loyal audience.
Any enjoyable show.
------------------------------------------------------
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Friday 10 June 2022
ROACHFORD live Shepherds Bush Empire.
Roachford had a great hit single called "Cuddly Toy" back in 1988.
He is currently co-singer in Mike & The Mechanics when they tour.
I have seen both these acts a few times.
Roachford will be promoting his most recent album "Twice In A Lifetime"
Andrew Roachford's 11th solo album comes after a solo hiatus of seven years.
-------------
Level 3 is closed and Level 2 is half empty so maybe only 700 or 800 tickets sold.
PRESIDENT STREET arrived on stage at 8pm for their 30 mins set.
They hail from Australia but start off badly as the drum machine they are using fails.
Ruby the singer is a complete stunner, in her glittery short silver dress and thigh high boots.
The songs were decent enough breezy pop tunes.
ROACHFORD arrived on stage at 9pm for his 1 hour 40 mins set
Odd that the main set was a short 60 mins, and the encore was a long 40 mins.
Roachford spent much of the show behind his trademark keyboards.
I love his Brit Soul voice and his friendly stage banter throughout the show.
The main set featured half a dozen tracks from the new album and a cover of "Ain't No Sunshine".
Encores included the sole Mike & The Mechanics gem "Over My Shoulder".
The two best songs of the night were at the end of the night , which were a stunning extended
version of "Cuddly Toy" and his other big hit "Only To Be With You".
A very enjoyable show.

Updated 11th June 2022 Permalink

Friday 10 June 2022.

Thursday 09 June 2022...I went to two events tonight...
7.15pm to 8.45pm.
THEO FENNELL - new store launch party , 2 Garrison Square, Chelsea Barracks, London SW1.
Due to rising rents, THEO FENNELL has left his iconic store in The Fulham Road and moved
to this huge new development of luxury flats.
If you were to drift through the Theo Fennell storefront all the way to the upstairs studio, you may find yourself ogling at silverware by the bushel and ornaments fit for the parlours of Gallic royalty. You may also catch a glimpse of a pair of brooches emblazoned with the faces of Henry VIII and Elvis Presley, the two kings of varying qualities; custom-made plectrums for the guitarist SLASH.
THEO FENNELL is now in his 70th year and celebrating 40 years in business.
Around 150 guests here as they have been given use of the show flat and rear garden for the party.
A very nice upmarket older crowd here including several well known faces including...
ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
LULU
DAVID FURNISH (Elton Johns husband)
JACKIE ST CLAIR
BARRY HUMPHRIES now aged 88 (Dame Edna Evarage and Sir Les Patterson)
MIKE RUTHERFORD ( Genesis / Mike & The Mechanics)
NICKY HASLAM
MARK AUSTIN (Sky news presenter)
Photos of me with Barry Humphries and Mike Rutherford will be on my Facebook page soon.
Complimentary prosecco, Theo Fennell wines and canapés for all guests.
then
9pm to 10.30pm
DOLCE & GABBANA LFW PARTY , 6-8 Old Bond Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Their Old Bond Street store is the London flagship and encompasses six magnificent floors, displaying menswear, womenswear, accessories, fine jewellery and watches. Three of the floors are private spaces dedicated to the brand’s Alta Gioielleria, Alta Moda and Alta Sartoria couture collections. Appointments can be made to visit the collections and arrange fittings. The space has an elegant black and white theme, a reflection of the classic and refined style of the West End.
The aim is to give customers a taste of the dolce vita no matter where in the world you’re from. The fashion house was founded in 1985 in Milan.
FOUR of the well known designer stores in the West End are having London Fashion Week parties tonight.
Over 200 guests here and a much younger crowd here tonight, compared to the previous event.
We are feeling a bit old here as we are wearing suits, but we bump into a couple of older media friends.
It was very lively here, as the DJ was pumping out loud dance tunes.
Lots of glammed up females and many are wearing D & G.
Much talk in the UK on the cost of living crisis these days but the designer stores still seem to
have enough customers to pay £700 plus for a pair of trainers.
Complimentary prosecco and two different cocktails for all guests.

Updated 10th June 2022 Permalink

Thursday 09 June 2022

Wednesday 08 June 2022...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 8.45pm
RADA SUMMER PARTY - Sotheby's , 34/35 New Bond Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Famous acting academy has produced many well known names over the years.
Around 200 guests here.
We had half a dozen RADA graduates perform some Shakespeare in front of the art.
Actress FIONA SHAW was here - she was in Harry Potter films and Killing Eve BBC tv series.
She was at RADA and she also gave a full five minutes performance from one of her scenes, in the pew.
Singer TIM BOOTH from James was here....a band i have seen many times live.
Had a nice chat with him..he told me he now lives in Los Angeles and is over for the UK &
Europe summer festival season..I asked him if he is looking forward to the big Kenwood show?
He told me...that he still gets very nervous in the hour before each show.
See my Facebook page for my photos with both of them.
Speeches at 7.15pm.
Complimentary Sotheby's champagne, Cosmopolitan cocktails, Gin & Tonics and canapés.
then
9pm to 12pm
BETTING SPORTS EUROPE SUMMER PARTY - Swingers, 15 John Prince's Street, London W1.
BETCONSTRUCT are sponsoring this event for over 200 guests.
This huge venue actually has capacity for 800 guests, so can easily handle big parties.
We have a fun go at the nine hole crazy mini-golf here.
Lots of complimentary drinks and food including five different spirits with mixers,
wines, beers, ciders, cheeseburgers, pizza, cod in tempura tacos, fries and Crosstown Donuts.
It was still very lively when we left at midnight.
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KISS drinks brand had a showcase at The Hard Rock Hotel in Marble Arch.
The band did not turn up but the Hotter Than Hell KISS tribute band played.
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KISS singer Paul Stanley spent Wednesday night having dinner with guitar legend Jimmy Page.
They usually eat at Nobu, Mayfair.

Updated 9th June 2022 Permalink

Wednesday 08 June 2022.

Tuesday 07 June 2022.
6pm to 9pm
SERPENTINE GALLERY - Black Chapel private view - Kensington Gardens, London W2.
Around 400 folks on the guest list for this outdoor event, and thankfully no rain.
Lots of big names from the architect world are here.
Always nice to see JACKIE ST CLAIR ( ex Page 3 model and philanthropist).
Fashionista DANIEL LISMORE is here, fresh from the catwalk at Buckingham Palace on Sunday.
Rapper TINIE TEMPAH was here....In October 2021, Tempah presented the four-part Channel Four documentary Outrageous (Extraordinary) Extensions.
Serpentine Pavilion 2022 "Black Chapel" by Chicago based artist Theaster Gates.
The tolling church bell has joined the summer sounds of birdsong and tinkling fountains in Kensington Gardens, announcing the arrival of an unusual sacred space. Standing among the trees as a brooding black cylinder, this year’s Serpentine pavilion, titled Black Chapel, is one of the more sombre structures built for the annual commission so far, designed as a place for quiet contemplation, meditation and sacred music (and a bit of raucous dancing, too).
“I want it to be somewhere where people can be together in silence, be with their thoughts and rest,” said Theaster Gates, the Chicago-based artist behind this year’s pavilion. “But it can also be an amplifier and a resonator, a place where great music can happen, where we can sing together and dance.”
Part industrial, part spiritual, the pavilion feels like a funerary chapel built inside a converted gasometer. A narrow black boardwalk slices across the freshly laid lawn outside the gallery, leading towards a tall thin doorway cut into the momentous timber drum, beckoning visitors within. Inside, a continuous bench runs around the edge of the vast cylindrical volume, while vertical wooden trusses support plywood panelled walls, rising to a shallow domed roof punctured by a single gaping oculus.
At 7.45pm we had the speeches.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers, gin cocktails, gin & tonics and rose wines.
The Pavillion is open to the public from the coming weekend.
then
9.30pm to 11.30pm
SERPENTINE GALLERY - afterparty - The Twenty Two, 22 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London W1.
The Twenty Two, this new hotel with an all-day public restaurant and a private members’ club has only
recently opened, so really great to be at this luxurious venue.
This striking Edwardian Manor house is being redesigned into a Westside hideaway for creative cohorts, local residents and international guests in London.
The 42,500 square foot property has 31 bedrooms and suites, including a mews house as well as an all-day restaurant and private members’ club.
A DJ playing some reggae tunes in the background.
Complimentary Ruinart champers, different cocktails including whiskey sours and espresso martinis,
as well as lots of very tasty bowl food and canapés.
A glass of Ruinart champers here on a normal night costs a hefty £21.

Updated 8th June 2022 Permalink

Monday 06 June 2022.

Sunday 05 June 2022.
SEX PISTOLS overkill day as i was at The Southbank for over 10 hours today.
Every day the past week has been interviews and articles in the media regards "Pistol".
STEVE JONES biography "Lonely Boy" six-part adaption for tv starts on Disney+ on 27 May.
It is titled "PISTOL" and has been directed by Danny Boyle.
John Lydon tried to get Sex Pistols music banned from being used in it , but he lost the court case.
This surely means The Sex Pistols will never reform for another tour.
From noon to 6.30pm around 200 folks watched ALL SIX 50 minute episodes on the big screen.
Two episodes shown at a time , then a break.
Great to see it on the big screen in The Purcell Room with no distractions, and quality sound.
Disney have obviously spent a fortune on this six-part series.
Overall the actors do a great job, and it is very enjoyable to watch.
Obviously it is not a real docu , so it has been "Disneyfied" for dramatic effect in certain places.
Why is the Chrissie Hynde character in it so much?
There are a couple of timeline errors that a Sex Pistols trainspotter like me noticed.
They show the band playing "Bodies" at The 100 Club...that song was never in their 100 Club sets in 1976.
Episode 5 includes The Notre Dame Hall gig footage from 1976 where i am jumping around front of stage.
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THE FRANKLYS played in the foyer from 6.30pm for 45 mins.
The all female band did a lively set of their own uptempo material that sounded great.
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When they finished we looked at the huge The Sex Pistols Mural (1984) by Jamie Reid.
It has been exhibited around the world, as a defining statement on the Pistols era.
Jamie Reid did the artwork for "NMTB", "Anarchy in the UK" and "God Save the Queen".
The mural includes the "Dance To The Sex Pistols" poster which includes my face from 1976.
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7.30pm to 8.30pm - DANNY BOYLE IN COVERSATION at The QEH at The Southbank Centre.
Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle discusses "Pistol" , his new series, and the punk revolution with Julien Temple, John Cooper Clarke, Maisie Williams (who plays Jordan in "Pistol" ),
Celeste Bell (Poly Styrenes daughter) and chair Andrew O'Hagan.
Danny Boyle talked about the making of "Pistol" and Julien Temple talked about filming
The Sex Pistols in the 1970s punk heyday.
John Cooper Clarke read out one of his poems.
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VANITY ROSE played in the foyer from 8.30pm for 45 mins.
Female fronted singer-songwriter and a male drummer, who played a good mix of punk covers
and their own material.
We then celebrated punk artist/author/collector MAL-ONE 60th birthday in the bar.
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Very sad news...
ALEC JOHN SUCH , the founding bassist for Bon Jovi, has died at age 70. The band announced his passing on their social media platforms today (June 05).
He was in the band during their best years, until he left in 1994.
This included those amazing "Slippery When Wet" album shows, when Bon Jovi were on fire.

Updated 6th June 2022 Permalink

Saturday 04 June 2022.

Saturday 04 June 2022.
This has gone in the UK singles charts at number 20 " Prince Andrew is a sweaty nonce" by The Kunts.
Sex Pistols "Original Recordings" Best Of album has gone in the charts at number 19.
Sex Pistols "God Save the Queen" release has been postponed a week to Friday 03 June.
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Friday 03 June 2022.
NEAL MORSE BAND live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Neal Morse is the keyboard player formally of Spocks Beard, now plays with his own band. He is also a member of "Transatlantic" and "Flying Colors".
The line up for the Neal Morse Band is :
Neal Morse - Vocals guitar keyboards
Eric Gillette - Guitar
Randy George - Bass
Mike Portnoy - Drums (excellent drummer who founded Dream Theater)
Bill Hubauer - Keyboards
NEAL MORSE BAND are promoting their fourth studio album "Innocense & Danger".
This will be Neal's twelfth prog rock studio album with his various bands.
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It is stalls seating tonight, and level 3 is unsold.
Maybe around 700 tickets sold for the 1000 capacity.
NEAL MORSE BAND on stage at 8.05pm for a lengthy 2 hours 25 mins set.
Neal Morse sings all the songs via the microphone piece attached to his face.
Not all long muso workouts tonight, as there were some shorter tracks.
The crowd listen respectfully during the songs, and give them a standing ovation at the end of each song.
Most songs ended with a few smoke flumes going off.
A big screen shows the logo and digital images.
The band are more a prog rock band with melody and harmonies.
Some songs are in three parts, with some epic power crescendos.
A good show.
Full NEAL MORSE BAND played tonight...
Innocence Intro
Do It All Again
Bird on a Wire
Your Place in the Sun
Another Story to Tell
The Way It Had to Be
Breathe (Reprise) (Pink Floyd cover)
Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel cover)
Waterfall
Danger Intro
Not Afraid, Pt. 2
Beyond the Years
Long Day
City of Destruction
So Far Gone
The Ways of a Fool
Welcome to the World
The Great Adventure
A Love That Never Dies
Broken Sky / Long Day (Reprise)

Updated 4th June 2022 Permalink

Friday 03 June 2022.

Thursday 02 June 2022.
THE FLAMING LIPS live at The Forum.
Pyschedelic rock band who have released over a dozen albums since 1986.
I have seen them live several times before, with the first time at this same venue back in 1999.
They always put on a stunning live show.
Support comes from HEARTLESS BASTARDS.
The name of the band came from a question on a Mega Touch trivia quiz game at a bar. A question asked the name of Tom Petty's backing band, and one of the options was "Tom Petty and the Heartless Bastards".
The singer thought it was funny, and used it when she later formed a band.
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The venue looks sold out tonight.
Punky reggae DJ DON LETTS and BBC Radio DJ JO WHILEY were on the VIP tables upstairs.
HEARTLESS BASTARDS arrived on stage at 7.45pm for their 45 mins set.
They hail from Ohio, USA , and have released six studio albums.
They are fronted by a female on vocals.
Some good songs but with that band name, i expected them to be a bit more livelier.
FLAMING LIPS arrived on stage at 9pm for their 1 hour 50 mins set.
From the start, this was one of their typical incredible live shows.
They pretty much threw everything bar the kitchen sink at their stunning production.
Singer Wayne Coyne sang half the songs inside his giant human bubble balloon,
there was a massive digital screen showing images and lyrics all across the stage,
we had lasers, lights, strobes, inflatables, they had two drummers, confetti and streamers
non-stop left a huge mess all over the venue, a bubble machine, and a wind up bird that
he successfully got to fly around the heads of the crowd, and it fell a couple of times.
Leonine frontman Wayne Coyne was zipped into his now signature Zorbing bubble from the start – a prescient idea which the band also developed for audience members in order to allow for a handful of Covid-safe concerts during lockdown.
However, with social distancing hopefully now a thing of the past, Flaming Lips fans were returned to their natural state – in massed communion with this most imaginative and community-minded of bands.
Every song was a theatrical event. The ecstatic " Do You Realize?? " needed no embellishment but was still accompanied by a huge rainbow and ticker tape shower; another of their most lustily received hits, "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt.1", by a cartoony inflatable monster.
But their delivery was just as brilliant on their darker proggy reveries such as "How??" and the suitably lysergic " Mother I’ve Taken LSD".
Regardless of some of the darker sentiments, the show was a riot of light, colour and hope, as expressed on one of their poppier gems, "Waitin’ for a Superman", and the psychedelic gallop of "Always There, In Our Hearts" and a superb finale of "Race for the Prize".
This show really had the wow factor , from start to finish it was a stunning visual treat.
Full FLAMING LIPS setlist played tonight...
Silver Trembling Hands
Do You Realize??
How??
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1
Mother I've Taken LSD
Waitin' for a Superman
Always There, In Our Hearts
Dinosaurs on the Mountain
Red Right Hand (Nick Cave cover) (with Nell Smith)
She Don't Use Jelly
Love Yer Brain
My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion
Moth in the Incubator
Encore:
Enthusiasm for Life Defeats Existential Fear
All We Have Is Now
Assassins of Youth
Race for the Prize

Updated 3rd June 2022 Permalink

Thursday 02 June 2022.

Wednesday 01 June 2022.
LORDE live at The Roundhouse.
New Zealand singer-songwriter LORDE is on a world tour to promote her third studio album.
This is the first of three sold out shows at this venue.
She had incredible worldwide success with her debut single "Royals".
The YouTube video for "Royals" is approaching 900 million views on that platform.
"Royals" received widespread acclaim from music critics, who praised its songwriting, production, and Lorde's vocal performance. Since its release, the track has appeared on critics' year-end and decade-end song lists. The single attained international chart success, reaching number one in Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In the US, "Royals" spent nine weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It sold 10 million units worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time. It also was the second-most consumed song of 2013 in New Zealand and is certified nine-times platinum in Australia, seven-times platinum in Canada, and six-times platinum in New Zealand. In the media, the song has been credited for inspiring some artists to adopt its minimalist sound, and has been called an anthem for millennials.
Her debut album "Pure Heroine" was released to critical and commercial success.
Her second studio album Melodrama (2017) received widespread critical acclaim and debuted atop the US Billboard 200. For her third studio album, Solar Power (2021), she ventured into indie folk and psychedelic styles. The album reached number one in Australia and New Zealand and charted inside the top-10 in
numerous countries.
These are intimate shows for her , as last time in London she headlined Alexandra Palace.
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Support act MARLON WILLIAMS arrived on stage at 7.30pm for his 30 mins set.
LORDE has invited one of her chums from her home country New Zealand to tour with her.
The singer and actor played a few songs on guitar and keyboards.
He is given a tiny postage stamp space in front of the huge black curtain of Lorde stage production.
A lengthy 55 mins between acts seemed an eternity, compared to the usual 30 odd minutes.
LORDE arrived on stage at 8.55pm and was on stage for 1 hour 50 mins.
From the second the black curtain shrouding her artful stage production drops, it feels like we’ve been whisked off to another planet. It’s fitting that the set begins with ‘Leader Of A New Regime’, a song that imagines life in the future when we’ve destroyed the earth and had to flee to a distant sanctuary – the effervescent, colour-changing sun that lights the whole show and the rotating ladder centre stage,
that she climbs and sings on for many of the songs.
All the band are dressed in the same loose pastel coloured suits.
There are two video screens showing live footage, which is rare for this venue.
Three acts with three costume changes, for the second act she performs in her bra.
It is a very arty and well thought out meticulous stage production.
There is a lot of stage banter from her between songs, and she knows exactly what to say.
She has her own personal security in the pit following her every move.
There was ticker-tape fired into the stalls at the end of the main set.
Lorde has many hardcore fans who know all the lyrics to the songs and sing them loudly.
Many seem to be from the LGBTQ community.
It was a great show, much better than expected.
Full LORDE setlist played tonight....
ACT 1
Leader of a New Regime
Homemade Dynamite
Buzzcut Season
Stoned at the Nail Salon
Fallen Fruit
ACT 2
The Path
California
Ribs
Hard Feelings (Lorde ate a banana on stage)
Dominoes
Loveless
Liability
Secrets From a Girl (Who’s Seen It All)
ACT 3
Mood Ring
Sober
Supercut
Perfect Places
Solar Power
Green Light
Oceanic Feeling
Encore:
Helen of Troy
Royals
Team

Updated 2nd June 2022 Permalink

Wednesday 01 June 2022.

Tuesday 31 May 2022...I went to three events tonight...all had complimentary champers.
6pm to 6.40pm.
HOFA Gallery - private view - 11 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Eser Gündüz is an Istanbul-based artist. After a couple of years in architecture, he pursued his career in spatial painting in Bauhaus movement. After 2019, he worked on the morphology of Artificial intelligence with his super-science series (retrospective). In collaboration with Franck Muller, his works have been exhibited in Spain and in England also Italy Expressionism was an early passion in his work. Afterwards, he worked on mechanised human figures (art mechanical) and artifical intelligence is currently one of the main themes of his works....on display here from 01 June to 14 June.
Complimentary champers for all guests here.
then
6.45pm to 9.15pm
TATLER - Platinum Jubilee Party for The Queens Commonwealth Trust,
Sothebys , 34-35 New Bond Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Upmarket magazine Tatler are hosting a party for around 300 guests at this large well known gallery.
Lots of glammed up women with lovely outfits here.
The Queen features on the front cover of the July issue of Tatler.
Guests included...
Golda Rosheuvel ( Bridgerton tv monarch)
Edward Enninful (Editor of British Vogue )
Sir John Madejski
Alan Edwards (legendary music and fashion pr including David Bowie)
Complimentary Moët champers, gin & tonics and canapés for all guests.
All guests got a goodie bag on departure.
then
9.45pm to 11pm
THE GLASS MENAGERIE , Duke Of York's Theatre, St Martin's Lane, London WC2.
Afterparty in the stalls bar and seating area for around 150 guests for the press/VIP opening night.
Well known American actress AMY ADAMS is here as she stars in the lead role.
She has been in many films over the past 20 odd years.
Known for both her comedic and dramatic roles, she has featured three times in annual rankings of the world's highest-paid actresses. She has received various accolades, including two Golden Globe Awards, in addition to nominations for six Academy Awards and seven British Academy Awards.
Others here included...
DANIEL MAYS who has done many tv and film projects including playing Ronnie Biggs in the
five part tv drama Mrs Biggs.
DAISY EDGAR-JONES who played Marianne in tv series "Normal People".
Complimentary Veuve Clicquot champers and salted caramel popcorn for all guests.

Updated 1st June 2022 Permalink

Monday 30 May 2022.

Monday 30 May 2022.
JEFF BECK + SHARON CORR live at The Royal Albert Hall.
Jeff Beck plays the first of two shows at this iconic venue.
Guitar legend Jeff is playing nine UK shows just a few weeks before his 78th birthday.
Double Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Beck will start his UK Tour in Cardiff on 27 May 2022.
Universally acknowledged as one of the most talented and significant guitarists in the world, Beck has played with some of the greatest in rock, blues and jazz, collecting eight Grammy Awards in the process.
Beck replaced Eric Clapton as the Yardbirds’ lead guitarist in 1965 and later went on to form The Jeff Beck Group, which featured Rod Stewart on vocals and Ron Wood on bass. Their two albums – Truth (1968) and Beck-Ola (1969) – would become musical touchstones for hard rockers in the years to come.
Jeff Beck will be joined on tour by Grammy Award Nominee singer-songwriter Sharon Corr of The Corrs.
I have seen Jeff Beck live several times since he headlined Hammersmith Odeon in 1981.
JOHNNY DEPP joined forces with Jeff Beck for his 2020 album "Isolation".
Johnny Depp joined Jeff Beck on stage in Sheffield on Sunday 29 May.
He played a few songs including three classics from Lennon, Gaye and Hendrix.
Certainly a possible that Johnny Depp could turn up at The Royal Albert Hall shows.
Support act SHARON CORR was part of the very popular Irish family band The Corrs.
They had six Top 10 hits in the UK, including a number one between the mid 1990s and mid 2000s
Sharon will be promoting her third solo album, "The Fool and the Scorpion" which was released in 2021.
I have seen The Corrs a couple of times, including headlining The Royal Albert Hall in 2001.
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Arrived at the venue and saw URIAH HEEP guitarist Mick Box sitting down by the entrance.
The circle corner blocks are unsold, but a decent 90 % of tickets have been sold tonight.
I have a great view, left of stage on the venues swivel seats in the stalls.
SHARON CORR & her band arrived on stage at 7.30pm for their 40 mins set.
Sharon looks super slim in her tight black shirt and trousers.
She played a good set that featured new album tracks along with hits from The Corrs,
"Radio" , "Runaway" and "So Young".
JEFF BECK & his band arrived on stage at 8.40pm for their 85 mins set.
A mere 85 mins on stage seemed very measly for someone with a 50 year plus career.
On the plus side JOHNNY DEPP came on stage for eight songs, which were
six songs in the main set and the two song encore.
He is not the best singer or guitarist , but it was great to see him.
Jeff Beck does not sing, so it is all nifty guitar based instrumentals.
Jeff still has his dark hair, looks like a wig?
Three out of the four band members are females, and they are great.
It was a good show, but way too short at 85 mins.
Full JEFF BECK setlist played tonoght...
Star Cycle
You Know You Know (Mahavishnu Orchestra cover)
Stratus (Billy Cobham cover)
Nadia (Nitin Sawhney cover)
Rumble (Link Wray & His Raymen cover)
Mná na héireann (Ceoltóirí Chualann cover) (with Sharon Corr)
Big Block
Heddy Lamar (with Johnny Depp)
Isolation (John Lennon cover) (with Johnny Depp)
(Unknown) (with Johnny Depp)
What's Going On (Marvin Gaye cover) (with Johnny Depp)
Little Wing (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover) (with Johnny Depp)
The Death and Resurrection Show (Killing Joke cover) (with Johnny Depp) (Live debut)
Cause We've Ended as Lovers (Syreeta cover)
Corpus Christi Carol (Benjamin Britten cover)
Encore:
Brush With the Blues (with Johnny Depp)
A Day in the Life (The Beatles cover) (with Johnny Depp)
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Monday 30 May 2022.
JOHN LYDON is in London.
Today Monday ITV at 11am..John is a live guest in the studio.
His PIL UK tour starts next Monday.
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Sunday 29 May 2022.
COMEDY WAREHOUSE presents Jamaica v The World live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
It is stalls seated tonight, and the venue looks pretty full so maybe 800 to 1000 tickets sold.
We had a DJ warm the crowd up before the 8pm show start.
The show was pretty much two sets of 70 mins and 90 mins.
Eight comedians performed sets of between 10 mins and 20 mins.
The crowd is 75% black folks as the talent are Jamaica v the likes of Nigeria, Somalia etc.
There was the one white (Jamaican ) comedian who i have seen before named "White Yardie".
KANE BROWN is the MC and host tonight and performs bits between the acts.
He is a name which has become associated with fearless and bold comedy. He is honest, energetic, quickwitted and hilariously funny.
The comedians all had funny routines , although last time for this show i was in the stalls,
and this time i was Level 2 , and some comedians sounded not so clear up there.
At the end there was a Roasting Battle and a Soundclash Battle which were both good fun.
Overall, an enjoyable evening.

Updated 30th May 2022 Permalink

Saturday 28 May 2022.

Saturday 28 May 2022.
NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS live at The Roundhouse.
This is the second of two shows at this venue on their UK tour.
Nathaniel Rateliff is an American singer and songwriter based in Denver, Colorado, whose influences are described as folk, Americana and vintage rhythm & blues.Rateliff has performed with a backing band called the Night Sweats for an R&B side project he formed in 2013. He has released three solo albums, two solo EPs, and one album as Nathaniel Rateliff and the Wheel.
The video of their track S.O.B. Son Of A Bitch (Official) has had over 80 million views on YouTube.
He got his first major UK exposure on the Later with Jools Holland tv show in 2011.
On his last UK tour in 2019 he headlined Hammersmith Apollo.
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Tonight is not sold out, but maybe a healthy 90% of tickets sold.
BRITTNEY SPENCER arrived on stage at 8pm for her 45 mins set.
Brittney Spencer is a black American country singer–songwriter with a fantastic powerful voice.
She has also released several singles, including the excellent 2021's "Sober & Skinny", which she performed tonight along with a couple of covers "9 to 5" and "These Boots Were Made For Walking".
NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS arrived on stage at 9.15pm for their 95 mins set.
The band arrive on stage , and it looks like they use old style 1970s amps and microphones.
The band sound tight as they mix rock & soul with the three man brass/horn section and keyboards.
Hints of Van Morrison type vocals and the band hints of The Commitments.
The singer also gives some nice white boy dance move shuffles every now and then.
Lots of good songs played including "You Worry Me" and "A Little Honey" and the last 30 mins
certainly went a bit more uptempo as "Intro" and "I Need Never Get Old" got folks dancing
and encores including "Out On The Weekend" and everyone raised their glasses and sang loudly to an extended version of their most well known track "S.O.B."
A really good show.
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Friday 27 May 2022.
TOM ROBINSON BAND live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Tom Robinson is 72 on 01 June but this show was an originally a show for his 70th birthday.
Tom Robinson is s British singer-songwriter, bassist, radio presenter and long-time LGBT rights activist, best known for the hits "Glad to Be Gay" and "2-4-6-8 Motorway", with his Tom Robinson Band. He later peaked at No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart with his solo hit "War Baby".
I have seen Tom Robinson over a dozen times since the late 1970s.
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Only around 800 folks here tonight, as level 3 is closed and there is spare space in the other levels.
TOM ROBINSON arrived on stage at 7.40pm to thank everyone for coming to his belated
70th birthday party gig and he played a couple of songs "The Winter Of 79" and
"Fifty now Eighty " before the four supports performed.
His BBC 6 music DJ colleague Steve Lamacq is the compère for the evening.
At 7.50pm EMILY BARKER performed three acoustic songs.
At 8.10pm IAN MCNABB performed three acoustic songs, including two of his hits he had with
The Icicle Works back in the 1980s "Birds Fly - Whisper To A Scream" and "Love Is A Wonderful Colour".
At 8.30pm LISA KNAPP performed two acoustic songs.
At 8.45pm TV SMITH performed three songs with a band who featured Tom Robinson on bass.
As it was a special show , there were no big punk classics from his 1970s punk band The Adverts.
TOM ROBINSON BAND arrived on stage at 9.25pm and played for 85 mins.
As expected it is mainly an older audience here, who remember Tom from 40 years ago.
Peter Tatchell and Tom Robinson were campaigning for human rights , racism and the gay community
long before the term LGBT was even thought about.
Tom pulled out a double spread from The People newspaper expose on him from the 1980s.
The hard to believe title said "Britain's Number One Gay Man Falls In Love With A Woman".
Tom was a gay man for many years, then married a woman and had children.
Tom is looking good for nearly 72 and has a lovely relaxed stage manner and banter that we all love.
At the start of the encore , Tom was presented with a birthday cake with the TRB logo on the
front as all the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to him.
Loads of top notch songs with superb lyrics played in his great set including...
Atmospherics - Listen To The Radio
Grey Cortina
Martin
Too Good To Be True (Dedicated to original TRB guitarist Danny Kustow RIP)
War Baby
Glad to be Gay
Up Against The Wall ( with Ian McNabb)
2-4-6-8 Motorway
Encore :
Only The Now
Power In The Darkness (with all support acts joining him on stage)

Updated 28th May 2022 Permalink

Friday 27 May 2022.

Friday 27 May 2022.
One of the greatest tracks of all time was released 45 years ago today.
27 May 1977 - SEX PISTOLS "God Save The Queen".
I bought it on the day of release....my 18th birthday.
Visit YouTube to view ---- Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen Revisited
Julien Temple has put up a new video that mixes the original video footage from The Marquee Club
along with footage of the bands legendary Jubilee Boat gig in June 1977.
Sid Vicious told me about this secret event a couple of days before the event at a Ramones gig.
We went down there but it left earlier than expected so we went to see Queen at Earls Court Arena.
The June edition of Record Collector has a 12 page special on The Sex Pistols.
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Thursday 26 May 2022.
BRIAN FALLON & THE HOWLING WEATHER live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
BRIAN FALLON is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and main lyricist of the rock band the Gaslight Anthem, with whom he has recorded five studio albums. He is also a member of the duo the Horrible Crowes alongside the Gaslight Anthem's guitar technician and touring guitarist, Ian Perkins. Since 2016, Fallon has released four solo albums.
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A near sold out show, as the venue is full apart from a half empty Level 3.
JESSE MALIN arrived on stage at 7.25pm for his 35 mins set.
Jesse plays guitar, and is helped out by a great keyboard player.
Tonight was one of those rare gigs when i wanted to see the opening act instead of the headliners.
Jesse Malin has been around for some 20 years now, and i saw him supporting Ian Hunter
at this venue in 2007.
He has that great New Yorker vibe like Willie Nile and has recorded with Bruce Springsteen.
He is promoting his 9th solo album "Sad and Beautiful World".
He returns next month to play more shows including The Strummerville Stage at Glastonbury.
A great set.
Full JESSE MALIN setlist played tonight...
Cigarettes and Violets
Revelations
Hotel Columbia
If I Should Fall From Grace With God (The Pogues cover)
Room 13
She Don't Love Me Now
Broken Radio
Meet Me at the End of the World Again
CHRIS FARREN arrived on stage for his 40 mins set.
Chris Farren popped onto the stage, immediately transforming into the wonderfully self-absorbed character he plays on stage. His first song was slightly marred by some projector malfunctions, but after the mishaps were addressed, the audience had the privilege of watching his homemade-graphics synced up to every song. Two highlights: a looped illustration of Farren him eating smaller versions of himself, and slides that simply read “GUITAR SOLO” when he began his guitar solos.
He jokes with the crowd " don't go home after watching me, and to give Brian Fallon a chance".
BRIAN FALLLON & THE HOWLING WEATHER arrived on stage at 9.30pm for their 90 mins set.
He played a good set, with the last 30 mins having the best more uptempo tunes.
Looks like he didn't play any The Gaslight Anthem songs.
Full BRIAN FALLON setlist played tonight...
When You're Ready
Forget Me Not
Watson
Among Other Foolish Things
Nobody Wins
Painkillers
If Your Prayers Don't Get To Heaven
Sleepwalkers
I Don't Mind (If I'm with You)
Long Drives
Vincent
You Have Stolen My Heart
Behold the Hurricane (The Horrible Crowes song)
Rosemary
A Wonderful Life
Etta James
Smoke
Steve McQueen

Updated 27th May 2022 Permalink

Thursday 26 May 2022.

Wednesday 25 May 2022... I went to two events tonight.
6pm to 7pm
MICHAELANGELO PISTOLERO - private view - Simon Lee Gallery.
12 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London W1.
This artist gained prominence in Italy back in the 1960s and 1970s.
Here he is presenting a series of mirror paintings that reflect on themes of captivity,
isolation and restriction at a fractured moment in contempory history.
Complimentary wines and beers for all the guests.
It is on here until 02 July 2022.
then a hop on the tube at Green Park to...
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ALICE COOPER + THE CULT live at The 02 Arena.
Another great classic rock pairing are playing a co-headline UK arena tour.
I have seen both band's many times over the past 40 odd years.
I saw two shows by Alice Cooper at Wembley Arena back in May 1975.
First band on will be CREEPER
Fri 27 May – Manchester, AO Arena
Sat 28 May – Glasgow, The SSE Hydro
Mon 30 May – Birmingham, Resorts World Arena
Wed 01 June – Leeds, First Direct Arena
This year is the 50th anniversary of Alice Cooper UK number one hit classic "Schools Out" 1972 - 2022.
Alice Cooper continually delivers live, not just incredible music but awesome spectacle with guillotines, monsters and gore - wreaking havoc on stage nightly. Classics like “Under My Wheels,” “I’m Eighteen,” “Schools Out,” “Poison,” “Billion Dollar Babies,” and “No More Mr Nice Guy” are staples and there are surprises every night, effortlessly drawn from one the greatest catalogues in rock and roll.
Co-headling this once-in-a-lifetime event, The Cult has revelled in a controversial and storied career. Emerging from the darkly romantic UK post-punk scene; Ian Astbury (vocals) and Billy Duffy (guitar), debuted with the album “Dreamtime” in 1984 and have embarked on a sonic exploration from post punk to goth, to psychedelia, through hard rock.
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Level 4 is closed off as unsold, so maybe Alice is touring the UK too often these days.
A few of the blocks at the rear of Level 1 are only half full.
Maybe the promoters had guessed it, hence no big video screens showing live footage.
THE CULT arrived on stage at 7.45pm and played for 75 mins.
I have a great seat on the stalls floor ,a dozen rows in front of guitarist Billy Duffy.
The stalls seating blocks all stand up as plenty of The Cult fans here.
Lots of stage chat from Ian Astbury as he tries to get the crowd hyped up.
Ian still seems to have a wild streak in him, but he is still a great frontman.
Billy Duffy plays killer guitar riffs all through the set, and is just mesmerising.
Plenty of classic The Cult songs played including "Rain" and "She Sells Sanctuary".
A great set.
Full setlist played by THE CULT tonight...
Sun King
Automatic Blues
Sweet Soul Sister
Soul Asylum
Edie (Ciao Baby)
Aphrodisiac Jacket
Lil' Devil
Wild Flower
Fire Woman
Revolution
Rain
She Sells Sanctuary
Love Removal Machine
ALICE COOPER arrived on stage at 9.30pm and played for 85 mins.
It is a co-headline tour but Alice Cooper has certainly got a headliners production ,
as the stage is a full monty polystyrene castle, plus his usual macabre theatrical stunts as
he has three different 12ft monsters, the guillotine, the face paint, the top hat, the cane,
a few costume changes, the straight jacket and more.
His daughter helped him out on a couple of songs ,with acting roles.
Not much chat from Alice as he whizzed the many songs played.
Only time he really spoke to the crowd was during the band introductions at the end.
The band are meticulously rehearsed are they pull every rock pose cliche going.
Blonde stunner guitarist Nita Strausse certainly went down well with the crowd.
Alice Cooper always delivers a top notch show.
A great show...a superb pair of rock bands playing together.
Full ALICE COOPER setlist played tonight...
Feed My Frankenstein
No More Mr. Nice Guy
Bed of Nails
Hey Stoopid
Fallen in Love
Shut Up and Rock
Go Man Go
Under My Wheels
Guitar Solo (Nita Strauss)
Roses on White Lace
I'm Eighteen (John Lydon sung this song for his Sex Pistols audition)
Poison
Billion Dollar Babies
Devil's Food (band vocals only)
Black Widow Jam (with Drum Solo)
Steven
Dead Babies
I Love the Dead (band vocals only)
Escape
Teenage Frankenstein
Encore:
School's Out (with Chris Wyse) (with Another Brick in the Wall part 2 snippets)
Giant balloons thrown out as Alice stabs them , to cover the crowd in ticker-tape.

Updated 26th May 2022 Permalink

Wednesday 25 May 2022.

Tuesday 24 May 2022...I went to three events tonight, all three had complimentary champers.
6.15pm to 7.45pm.
FORTNUM & MASON - Platinum Jubilee Product Showcase - Fortnum & Mason, 3rd Floor Bar,
181 Piccadilly, London W1.
Always nice to be at this Iconic historic store that has been here since 1707.
They are showcasing all the special products to celebrate the Queens special anniversary in June.
Complimentary Fortnums champers, wines and canapés for all guests.
All guests got a goodie bag on departure.
then to the next event, which only 100 yards away.
7.45pm to 8.45pm
NIC FIDDIAN GREEN "Sculpted in Stone" - private view -
The Sladmore Gallery, 57 Jermyn Street, St James's, London SW1.
Nic Fiddian-Green (born 1963) is a British sculptor, who specialises is making lifelike models of horses heads, both smaller and larger than life-sized....and tonight he is showcasing his new carvings.
"Still Water" is a 2011 outdoor bronze sculpture of a horse's head by Nic Fiddian-Green,
located at Marble Arch corner.
A very upmarket crowd here.
Complimentary Dericbourg champers, wines and canapés that were from Sticky Pig catering.
The exhibition is on here until 24 June 2022
then...
9pm to 10pm.
K-9 ANGELS - 10th anniversary party - 28 to 50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen, 350 Kings Road, London SW3.
Dog shelter charity are hosting a lively party, with a DJ in the background.
Lots of glammed up Chelsea girls here , and around a dozen have brought their cute dogs with them.
JO O'MEARA was a guest and she is a former member of pop band S Club 7 (they had four number one hits in the UK), and it was great when she took the microphone off the DJ and sang along to two of their big hits
including "Reach For The Stars".
Complimentary Ayala champers, Negroni cocktails, wines, beers and canapés and slices of cake.
All guests got a goodie bag on departure.

Updated 25th May 2022 Permalink

Tuesday 24 May 2022.

Monday 23 May 2022.
PISTOL - UK Premiere - Odeon Luxe , Leicester Square, London WC2.
There are loads of big name tv series on the likes of Netflix , Amazon and Disney,
but not many have full on launch events like this one.
It is held in the same cinema that Top Gun : Maverick was last week when Tom Cruise and royalty turned up.
A full red carpet with punk tunes playing loudly and security barriers keeping the crowds back.
Pre-reception at the venue with complimentary wines, beers and popcorn.
Steve Jones arrived with Chrissie Hynde and Paul Cook is with his wife.
It was attended by the show’s Director Danny Boyle and key cast including Maisie Williams, Anson Boon, Louis Partridge, Jacob Slater, Talulah Riley, Emma Appleton, Sydney Chandler, Christian Lees, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Dylan Llewellyn and Iris Law.
The show’s creatives joined Danny Boyle on the evening, including writer Craig Pearce, and other Executive Producers including Tracey Seaward, Gail Lyon and Anita Camarata.
Other guests included Ian Brown, John "Boogie " Tiberi, John Giddings, Alan Edwards,
DJ Fat Tony, Tony James , Philip Sallon, Eddie Lock and Tallia Storm amongst others.
At 7.10pm - Danny Boyle introduced the cast and producers on the stage, and dedicated
the evening to Jordan , who sadly recently passed away.
At 7.20pm - we were shown the first two full episodes and highlights of three to six.
Not perfect, but much better than expected.
All guests got a complimentary GSTQ t-shirt on leaving the venue.
9.30pm...half a dozen coaches are laid on for those that want a lift to the afterparty so
we got on one from Haymarket to Camden.
10pm to 1am...afterparty at PowerHaus (ex Dingwalls) in Camden.
They have dressed the venues walls in photocopies of legendary early Sex Pistols gig posters.
At 10.45pm HOLLIE COOK & her band played a really good 35 mins set of her tropical pop.
Hollie was introduced on stage by her dad who chatted to all, but Steve stayed upstairs in a private room.
She is playing loads of indoor and outdoor gigs over the coming summer.
Ian Brown was one of the last to leave.
We stayed to the end, and we each took a couple of the posters off the walls to take home.
Non-stop complimentary drinks and food until the end at 1am.
Veuve Clicquot champers all night, Harvey Wallbanger cocktails, Tom Collins cocktails,
wines, lagers, Guinness...along with cheeseburgers, fish n chips , pizza etc.
An excellent event as Disney certainly splashed the cash for the screening and party.

Updated 24th May 2022 Permalink