Monday 25 May 2026
Monday 25 May 2026.
MIDGE URE live at The Barbican.
Midge ( now aged 72) is playing a full UK tour .
A curated live experience that reimagines Midge Ure's career as one flowing narrative. Celebrating over 40 years of innovation, from glam and punk to synth pop and orchestral textures.
This bold new live concept offers a rare and deeply personal concert experience. For the first time, Midge Ure will seamlessly blend his iconic hits and fan favourites with the atmospheric instrumentals that have long featured on his solo albums — many of which have never been performed live. The result is a rich, immersive show designed to take the audience on an emotional journey, both visually and sonically.
From his early days with Slik and The Rich Kids( with Glen Matlock) , to defining the sound of the '80s with Ultravox and co-creating the global charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas?, Midge Ure has always challenged musical expectations. With Ivor Novello, GRAMMY and ASCAP awards to his name, he continues to push boundaries with this ambitious new show.
Midge Ure played with Thin Lizzy from July 1979 to early 1980. He stepped in as an emergency guitarist after Gary Moore abruptly quit midway through a US tour, and Midge was flown out on Concorde at very short notice.
I saw Midge with Ultravox over a dozen times , including at Live Aid in 1985 , and three times with The Rich Kids back in 1978.
Rich Kids Nashville Pub, London 26.01.1978 feat Glen Matlock -debut London show
Rich Kids,White Cats feat Rat Scabies Lyceum Theatre, London 26.04.1978
Mink DeVille,Rich Kids Hammersmith Odeon, London 22.06.1978
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The venue is full apart from a couple of rows at the back of the upper circle.
The alternative electronic duo Scenius are the support act.
The Anglo-French, dark synth-pop duo (formed by UK producer Steve Whitfield and French musician Fabrice Bellanger) is accompanying Ure on his 21-date "A Man Of Two Worlds" tour.
They arrived on stage at 7.30pm for their 30 mins set
The synth-pop duo were a bit quiet and not very exciting to watch.
The bemused crowd gave them some polite applause .
MIDGE URE and his band on stage at 8.20pm for their 90 mins set.
The band members were synth , drums and bass/synth.
A lovely light show and there were digital images behind Midge too.
Midge said he had a bit of a sore throat , and he did sound a bit rough when he talked.
The first half ticked along ok with no words from Midge , then the second half shifted up a couple of years as the crowd got up and danced to the well known tracks.
The 20 songs played included 11 Ultravox and 2 Visage , but sadly no Rich Kids.
A really good show.
Full MIDGE URE setlist played tonight ....
A Different View
Again We Love (Visage song)
Call of the Wild
Accent on Youth (Ultravox song)
The Ascent (Ultravox song)
Your Name (Has Slipped My Mind Again) ( Ultravox song)
Astradyne (Ultravox song)
Wastelands
Man of Two Worlds (Ultravox song)
Lament (Ultravox song)
Monster
Vienna (Ultravox song)
Reap the Wild Wind ( Ultravox song)
If I Was
The Voice (Ultravox song)
Fade to Grey (Visage song)
Dancing With Tears in My Eyes (Ultravox song)
Encore: ( did not actually leave the stage )
Yellow Pearl (Phil Lynott cover)
Hymn (Ultravox song)
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Sunday 24 May 2026.
The Artists Defining Spotify’s Streaming Era
Spotify’s all-time leaderboard shows how dramatically music consumption has shifted in the streaming age. Nearly every album in the top 20 was released after 2015, reflecting how streaming platforms accelerated global reach, playlist discovery, and repeat listening at massive scale.
Latin pop, hip hop, and crossover R&B dominate the rankings, with artists like Bad Bunny, Drake, and The Weeknd building audiences measured not in album sales, but in tens of billions of streams.
The data table below lists the highest-streamed albums in Spotify history as of late April 2026.
Look who has sneaked in at Number 10, with 15 billion streams...pretty amazing.
1 Un Verano Sin Ti 22.79 Bad Bunny 2022
2 Starboy 20.97 The Weeknd 2016
3 ÷ 18.99 Ed Sheeran 2017
4 SOUR 17.96 Olivia Rodrigo 2021
5 Future Nostalgia 17.74 Dua Lipa 2020
6 SOS 17.62 SZA 2022
7 Hollywood's Bleeding 16.37 Post Malone 2019
8 Lover 16.36 Taylor Swift 2019
9 After Hours 16.10 The Weeknd 2020
10 AM 15.22 Arctic Monkeys 2013
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Saturday 23 May 2026...I went to two events today...
1pm to 5pm.
NAMMOS - restaurant preview - 15 Berkeley Street , Mayfair, London W1.
They have a prime Mayfair location , just up the road from Sexy Fish.
Their other locations included Dubai , but this their first UK site.
No need to visit Greece , as they have transported Mykonos to Mayfair.
They have even flown in some staff from their Mykonos restaurant to help with the opening days.
Nammos Mayfair reimagines the iconic Mykonos beach-club aesthetic for an upscale, urban environment on Berkeley Street. The decor blends timeless Aegean elegance with coastal-inspired luxury, featuring bespoke hand-layered textured white finishes, curved architectural forms, and illuminated niches that evoke sunlit sand and stone.
Lots of staff fussing over the guests.
Some food we shared and some we had our own plates .
Homemade Arabic Pitta
Two plates of Prawn Tempura with four on each plate.
Grilled Octopus
Spicy Crab Tartare
Greek Salad
Lobster Linguine
Plate of four lamb cutlets to share with sides.
Desserts were..
White Chocolate & Strawberry Cheesecake each and a classic chocolate mouse to share.
They had an extensive drinks list and we each had five glasses of Ruinart champers and five cocktails.
It was a totally excellent four hours here , but it is expensive due to the prime location.
What they say about the restaurant ...
They'll be taking over from Il Borro on Berkeley Street and are planning something subtly different to their Mykonos venture, more suited to their new Mayfair location, an "urban expression" of the beach clubs they've become known for. The London opening will be the template for the brand rolling out in cities all over the world.
As for what to expect, the food will be hitting that current trend of Mediterranean cuisine, with a focus on seafood and sushi. We also hear that Black Angus steaks will be fresh off the Josper Grill, alongside signature dishes like aubergine mille-feuille with feta mousse and the spicy crab tartare finished with yuzu truffle.
If you've been in the building before, you'll know it's a two-storey affair. The main restaurant will be on the ground floor with a space for private events upstairs.
then
SOOSHI MANGO live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
I saw this Australian comedy trio at this same venue two years ago in 2024.
The trio consists of two brothers, Joe and Carlo Salanitri, and their best friend, Andrew Manfre. Sooshi Mango is best known for their comedy skits, acts, videos, series and live shows, paying homage to their experiences growing up in an Italian family, and around Italians, Greeks, Croats, and other ethnic cultures living in Australia. The comedic influences of the group include Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, the Marx Brothers, Laurel and Hardy, Benny Hill and many more. Being most strongly inspired by their European ancestry, their content is commonly rooted in humorously depicting the Italian and Greek ethnic and cultural diaspora and their role in Australian society, and its racial prejudice and social mechanisms of the modern-day world. This is the first of two shows at this venue.
They can headline big arenas back home in Australia, like renowned venues like Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne and Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
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It is stalls seated tonight .Levels 2 and 3 are closed tomight.Maybe only 400 tix sold out of the 1000 capacity. Mainly Aussies here, but also Italians and English . The show was on for 85 mins over two sets. There is a big screen to show some of their video clips. Brothers Joe and Carlo Salanitri along with best friend, Andrew Manfre created Sooshi Mango to honour and keep the memory alive of their parents as well as the European immigrants of the 50’s and 60’s. Coming to a new country not knowing the language and trying to establish a new life makes for lots of challenging and funny stories. The lads from Sooshi Mango have taken all those and rolled them into one funny comedy show in Off The Boat! All the well-loved characters made an appearance. How can you not love Sam, Vince and Johnny? We go back in time, forty years ago to learn how the three paesano’s met and became friends. Going back in time to also meet the young Greeks Stavros, Tasso and Kosta and the three ‘bella’s’ Carmela, Angela and Guiseppina was also hilarious.
The animated black and white silent films have all the comedy vibes of a Laurel and Hardy or Charlie Chaplin skit. Sooshi Mango have perfected the art of slapstick comedy and it highlights their comedic timing and abilities. The show takes us from yester-year to today where we find out what the characters, after a lifetime in Australia, are up to in 2026. There are court room dramas, crazy fiss and tsip shop (Fish and Chip Shop) antics as well as trying to get a bird cage up a tree. Oh, and tomatoes. There’s always an argument about who has the biggest tomatoes in their garden! The highlights for me were their two comedy lyrics and dance routines for AC/DC ' Thunderstruck' to the words 'Bring Cash Back' and some messing about for ' I Wanna Dance With Somebody '.
They’ve taken their life experiences and turned them into hilarious sketches. An enjoyable show.
Updated 24th May 2026 Permalink
Friday 22 May 2026.
Friday 22 May 2026.
RAYSGIGS exclusive discount code for 25% off Lakefest tickets is: RGLF25
It is held in early August , see the list of bands playing on my front page.
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Friday 22 May 2026.
A double bill from South Africa live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Fokofpolisiekar are back.
The band has been embroiled in controversy since inception around 20 years ago ,over their name and personal views. Initially radio stations were hesitant to play the band's tracks because of the profanity "Fokof" ("fuck off") in the band's name. The nicknames Polisiekar ("police car"), "FPK", and "Die Bende" ("The Band / Gang") was soon adopted by mainstream media who did not want to pronounce the full name in fear of objection from the public.
They are bringing their Cape Town friends, Die Heuwels Fantasties as support.
There is no better live combo showcasing the best of Afrikaans rock and Afrikaans alternative music than these two acts.
It is going to be energetic, melodic, and full of nostalgia as these two legendary groups bring their A-game.
I can remember seeing South African music legend Johnny Clegg ( RIP 2019) at Hammersmith Odeon a couple of times back in 1990.
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Levels 2 and 3 are closed tonight , and maybe only 500 or 600 tickets sold .
A rowdy crowd of mainly ex pat South Africans .
It is pretty much a co - headline gig.
A basic stage production for both bands.
Die Heuwels Fantasties arrived on stage at 8.15pm for their 60 mins set.
They played a good set of pop rock tunes.
The up for it crowd know the words to both the bands tunes.
FOKOFPOLISIEKAR ( Fuck Off Police Car ) arrived on stage at 9.20pm for their 65 mins set.
A very quick five mins changeover as they are using the same drumkit and amps as the first band , and one of the guitarist's is playing in both bands.
They have a more punkier feel than the first band.
The singer is swinging the mic like Roger Daltrey , and he along with the lively bass player are touching hands with those at the front many times.
Both the singers tonight came on during the other bands set.
Their notorious track ' Fokofpolisiekar' ends the main set as 15 fans are invited on stage to help them song it , which is the highlight of their set.
An enjoyable evening
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Thursday 21 May 2026.
THOMAS DOLBY live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
GRAMMY nominated English musician, producer and composer Thomas Dolby ( now aged 67) , heads out on his ‘Iconic 80’s Recollections Tour’, showcasing his wide range of musical styles.
He has had a few Top 40 singles and albums. As an early MTV icon he blazed a trail for electronic music with his imaginative videos. His synth playing and production have graced the recordings of Foreigner, Def Leppard and Joni Mitchell. Thomas Dolby was in David Bowie's band at Live Aid.
Dolby came to prominence in the 1980s, releasing international hit singles including "She Blinded Me with Science" (1982) and "Hyperactive!" (1984). He has also worked as a producer and as a session musician.
I saw him perform at this same venue in 2024.
With Support from: Martin McAloon (playing the songs of Prefab Sprout).
Their best known track is ' The King of Rock n Roll' which was a number 7 chart hit in 1988.
Which famously features the chorus, "Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque,"
Other hits include ' Cars & Girls' and 'When Love Breaks Down'.
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Level 3 is closed , so maybe around 1000 are here.
Legendary producer TREVOR HORN is in the Level 1 VIP seats
Most seem to be age 40 and over and who remember Thomas Dolby from back in the day.
MARTIN McALOON arrived on stage at 7.50pm for his 45 mins .
Always good to see a support act , that actually has hit singles .
Martin is solo tonight , with an electric guitar and acoustic guitar .
He performed 10 Prefab Sprouts tracks , and finished with the big three as above.
A good set included some wry humour from Martin.
THOMAS DOLBY arrived on stage at 9pm for his 1 hour 50 mins set.
There is a big screen showing images and video clips.
The first 30 mins is Thomas solo with his keyboards.
He is then joined by his band , but due to immigration problems his female bass player from Ukraine is performing along on the big screen , as not allowed in the UK.
I was a bit surprised that three quarters of the show was made up of medleys of cover versions , but they were reworked versions that really sounded great.
A reworked ' Heroes' with Thomas Dolby performing with David Bowie at Live Aid on the big screen was excellent .
His two big hits were played near the end.
A very enjoyable show
Full THOMAS DOLBY setlist played tonight...
The Flat Earth (with snippet of “Lovesong” by The Cure)
Evil Twin Brother (with snippet of “Bring on the Night” by The Police)
One of Our Submarines ( with snippet of “Cars” by Gary Numan)
"Heroes" (David Bowie cover) (with video of Live Aid performance)
Iconic '80s Symphony, 2nd Movement / Comfortably Numb / Here Comes the Rain Again / Red Rain / Sign Your Name / Little Red Corvette / Billie Jean / This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) / I Love You Goodbye / With or Without You (with snippets of “Hounds of Love”, “The James Bond Theme” and “Thriller”)
Iconic '80s Symphony, 3rd Movement / Bonnie / Libertango / New Years Day / The Killing Moon / The Things That Dreams Are Made Of / Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) / Ordinary World / Roam / All Around The World
(with Martin McAloon for Bonnie, snippet of “Smalltown Boy”)
Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun / How Soon Is Now? / Head Over Heels / Shout
(with snippet of “Coming in the Air Tonight”)
Don't Give Up (Peter Gabriel cover)
Iconic '80s Symphony, 4th Movement / Woke Up This Morning / White Wedding / Love Will Tear Us Apart / Dancing with Tears in My Eyes / Vienna / Don't Dream It's Over
My Brain Is Like a Sieve ( with Jason Mraz on video)
Europa and the Pirate Twins
She Blinded Me With Science
Encore:
Hyperactive! (with Martin McAloon)
Airwaves
Updated 21st May 2026 Permalink
Wednesday 20 May 2026.
Wednesday 20 May 2026.
THE LEMON TWIGS live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
The Lemon Twigs, the New York City rock band fronted by brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario, have been steadily capturing attention with their unique blend of youthful energy and seasoned songwriting.
Drawing on nearly a decade of experience since their debut as teenagers, they combine rock, California harmony, power pop, and baroque pop into a distinctive, joyously inventive sound. Their work is marked by intricate arrangements, multilayered harmonies, and adventurous instrumentation.
I saw them headline The Roundhouse in 2019.
They are promoting their sixth studio album 'Look For Your Mind'.
Their most widely known songs include the radiant pop anthem "My Golden Years", the upbeat "A Dream Is All I Know", and the breakout single "I Wanna Prove to You".
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Level 3 is closed but all the other levels are rammed solid .
A nice touch before the support band and during the interval were male and female djs in 1960s clobber playing cool 1960s vinyl singles .
THE STONES arrived on stage at 8pm for their 30 mins set.
This New York band are not to be confused with The Rolling Stones .
They played a loud set , with the singer playing some wacky keyboards .
THE LEMON TWIGS arrived on stage at 9pm for their 80 mins set.
They have basic images projected on to the rear curtain .
Brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario, sported heeled boots and shag haircuts à la The Ramones. Bassist/ keyboardist Danny Ayala and drummer Reza Matin — who join the D’Addario duo for their live performances — donned oh-so-stylish bell bottom jeans. Everything old is new again.
Hailing from the suburbs of Long Island, Brian and Michael grew up idolizing The Beatles, The Beach Boys, David Bowie, and countless other music legends of the 60s and 70s. The brothers’ shared adoration of classic rock.
Their cool retro look and sound was top notch.
24 songs with great harmonies whizzed through in 80 mins.
Many tracks sounded like The Beach Boys
A really good show.
Full Lemon Twigs setlist played tonight...
Look for Your Mind
My Golden Years
I've Got a Broken Hear
What You Were Doing
The One
In My Head
I Just Can't Get Over Losing You
2 or 3
You're Still My Girl
Church Bells
Any Time of Day
They Don't Know How to Fall in Place
In the Eyes of the Girl
Bring You Down
Nothin’ but You
Fire and Gold
Rock On (Over and Over)
Encore:
Joy (Brian solo acoustic)
Corner of My Eye (Brian solo acoustic)
How Can I Love Her More?
No Matter What You Don (Love cover
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Tuesday 19 May 2026...I went to two good events tonight ...
A restaurant launch party , then David Sinclair Four at The 100 Club.
7pm to 9pm....
MA/NA - launch party - 30 Upper Grosvenor Street , Mayfair, London W1.
MA/NA Mayfair is a luxury Japanese restaurant and cocktail bar opening in May 2026 at 30 Upper Grosvenor Street, London, created by Markus Thesleff (Los Mochis). It features a "three-act" experience with curated dining and late-night drinks, featuring dishes like Wagyu Ishiyaki and Kani Tartare.
MA/NA brings a refined interpretation of modern Japanese dining to Mayfair, rooted in craftsmanship and guided by pristine ingredients from across the world. The menu is designed by Executive Chef Leonard Tanyag and showcases elite technique across an evolution of dishes that have previously not been seen in London.
As the evening unfolds, MA/NA transitions into a late-night venue with a contemporary cocktail bar inspired by the storied Japanese bartending tradition, set to the sounds of a resident DJ.
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We went to a preview of this superb venue a fortnight ago , but tonight is the full on launch party.
We had a cosy table last time , but this time all the tables have been taken away , as twice as many people have been invited, so must be around 300 folks here ,and it soon gets very busy and lively. We arrived early so got nice sofa seating.
Guests here included ALISTAIR GUY and STEPHEN WEBSTER.
At 8.30pm we had a speech from the owner, then a Japanese drumming display.
There was a card magician , who was really impressive.
Lots of staff fussing over the customers.
Lots of lovely complimentary drinks and food , including Henriot champers, four different cocktails , wines , sake and a dozen different hot and cold Japanese canapes including my fave Black Cod .
An excellent event.
It was due to finish at 11pm , so still very lively , but I had to leave for some live rock n roll.
then
DAVID SINCLAIR FOUR live at The 100 Club, London.
Their first headline show at this iconic club venue.
Single ' Then ...Good Night' released Dec 2025..
New single ' Sonia's Late ' released April 2026.
They will be playing the best tracks from their albums.
Top notch British Americana with roots-rock storytelling.
David Sinclair was one of the main rock and pop critics at The Times newspaper for 30 years, serving from 1985 to 2015, and has contributed to Rolling Stone, Billboard, Classic Rock, Q magazine, Kerrang! and others. He began writing in the 1970s for technical magazines such as One Two Testing, while playing drums in London Zoo with the late Robert Sandall. He later joined TV Smith's Explorers, playing drums on their 1981 album The Last Words of the Great Explorer.
At the BBC, he worked on The Rock & Roll Years and the Wogan show before joining The Times. He has also published books on ZZ Top and the Spice Girls.
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Good to see regular gig going chums Andy Rawll and David Stark .
DAVID SINCLAIR FOUR arrived on stage at 9.30pm and played for 80 mins.
Tonight they are joined by a nifty harmonica player and two female backing singers in cowboy hats.
David Sinclair Four (DS4) deliver a storytelling-driven blend of blues, roots, and Americana. Fronted by Sinclair’s empathetic phrasing and warm, characteristically English vocals, the band live lean into a tight, mid-70s rock groove, with hints of Dire Straits/ Allman Brothers in many of the tracks.
The band sounded great , and it was a really enjoyable show with a setlist that included...
Sick of Being Good
World Turns Around
Perfect in Every Way
Southern State
Sonia's Late
Life Gone Cold
Eight Rounds Later
Updated 20th May 2026 Permalink
Monday 18 May 2026.
Monday 18 May 2026...7pm to 11pm...
VIP / PRESS DAY - THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW at The Royal Hospital , Chelsea , London.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London, set on the banks of the River Thames, is the world’s most famous flower show and aims to inspire, educate and excite visitors about horticulture.
Preparations for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show are an intense mix of meticulous planning, sustainable material sourcing, and precision timing to ensure plants bloom exactly for the event. The entire process spans almost a year and transforms the Royal Hospital Chelsea grounds into the pinnacle of the horticultural world.
It is held on the 11 acre showground at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
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A couple of friends were at the lunchtime session where Royalty and many celebs attended, including
King Charles and Queen Camilla , Princess Anne , David Beckham, Brian May, Cate Blanchett, Sadiq Khan, Alan Titchmarsh and over a dozen others.
We are at the evening session.
Pretty amazing the amount of work that goes into getting everything ready for this event.
The flower displays are just incredible .
A massive crowd here as must be at least 2000 guests here.
Lots of suits here as all the banks, and big names like Range Rover and Boodles have their own private entertaining areas.
Politicians Jacob Rees-Mogg and Jeremy Hunt were here.
Also Nick Ferrari and Fred Dune ( owner of gambling giant Bet Fred ) .
There are several acts performing , including a couple of good trios.
At 9.30pm we are in the UBS hospitality area.
All guests here got a bunch of flowers on the way out.
Complimentary Pommery champers , seafood counter ,cheese counter , oysters, canapes and desserts throughout the evening.
The show is on all this week , but it is all sold out in advance.
See my Facebook page for a few videos and photos.
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Sunday 17 May 2026.
50 years ago in May 1976 , I saw some incredible gigs in this one month.
Four Rolling Stones ( the 4th time was my 17th birthday ) , Two KISS , Two Elton John , Three AC/DC with Bon ,
David Bowie, Patti Smith , The Who with Keith Moon, Two Nils Lofgren , Alex Harvey Band and more.
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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 first time I saw David Bowie
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 debut uk tour
KISS,Stray Hammersmith Odeon, London 16.05.1976 tonight I had front row centre seats
Patti Smith,Stranglers Roundhouse, London 17.05.1976 debut Patti Smith London show
Rolling Stones,Meters Earls Court Arena, London 21.05.1976 my first Rolling Stones show
AC/DC Fulham Greyhound Pub, London 23.05.1976 played to about 100 people .
Rolling Stones,Meters Earls Court Arena, London 25.05.1976 I got down the front for 2 of the shows
Rolling Stones,Meters Earls Court Arena, London 26.05.1976 I went to 4 of the 6 Stones shows .
Rolling Stones,Meters Earls Court Arena, London 27.05.1976 my 17th birthday
The Who,Alex Harvey Band,Little Feat Charlton F.C. , London 31.05.1976
AC/DC Marquee Club, London 04.06.1976
Updated 17th May 2026 Permalink
Saturday 16 May 2026
Saturday 16 May 2026.
MADDOX BATSON live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Maddox Batson (he is aged a mere 16 ) is an American singer and songwriter from Nashville.
He went viral on TikTok in 2022, and caught the eye of record labels.
His debut single "Tears in the River" entered the top-twenty on Spotify's US Viral 50 chart and the song had approximately twelve million global streams by the end of 2024. He has released two EPs and and a dozen singles....despite his young age , he is on a world tour....USA /Canada/UK / mainland Europe .
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Not sold out tonight , but an impressive 1000/1200 are here.
Lots of teenage girls and under here , many are with parents .
For many of them it would certainly be their first ever gig.
HANNAH JANE LEWIS and band arrived on stage at 8pm for their decent 25 mins set.
MADDOX BATSON and band arrived on stage at 8.45 and played for 85 mins.
His set included his own material and a couple of cover versions.
He certainly gives the impression of someone a few years older by the way he talks, sings , dresses etc.
Batson sang with a poise and confidence not often seen in teenagers. He commanded the stage like a seasoned pro.
He wore a baseball cap with wing tips spreading beneath it, a haircut that recalls a young Justin Bieber. He strutted back and forth, occasionally reaching out to touch the outstretched hands of the teenage girls who showed up to admire him.
Most of his songs are about longing for some unnamed sweetheart. One gets the sense that, while listening to the high-pitched screams that erupt throughout his songs, many young girls wish his songs were about them.
A decent enough show , and will be interesting to see how his career developes.
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Friday 15 May 2026.
ALI WOODS live at Shepherds Bush Empire
Join Ali Woods, viral comedy sensation as he returns with his latest stand-up comedy show ‘Basher’.
Online, Ali has gained hundreds of millions of views and likes for his relatable and satirical sketches. With his unique blend of sharp wit and relatable humour, his performances are a must-see.
In 2024, Ali starred on Comedy Central Live and Stand Up Sketch Show. He also had a third sold out Edinburgh run with his show ‘At the Moment’ .
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Not sold out tonight, and stalls seated, so maybe 800 tickets sold.
Support acts Hamish Shepherd and Katie Buckingham did a decent 15 mins each.
ALI WOODS arrived on stage at 8.45pm for his 80 mins.
No production, just him standing by a stool.
There was a wide range of ages in the audience , and for the most part, the jokes landed across the board, getting big laughs throughout. Subjects covered included his parents, older folks habits , Ed Sheeran, Harry Potter, relationships and sex.
There were a few darker or more controversial moments that did not quite hit with everyone, but overall, it made for a really enjoyable evening.
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Thursday 14 May 2026...6.30pm to 11pm...
ARCADE COVENT GARDEN - launch party - 6 Bedford Street , London WC2.
This location used to be the first TFI Fridays in London , that opened back in 1987.
A big crowd of 300 or 400 guests here.
The main room is full , but we find a table in a side space by MANNA burgers.
Lots of complimentary drinks and food.
There was Pommery champers served until 8.30pm.
Four different cocktails, including Pina Colada Old Fashioned.
Sparling wines, wines and beers.
Very yummy full size cheeseburgers and waffle fries from MANNA.
Steak strips and fries, canapes and plates of desserts from SOLIO.
What they say about it ....
London-based food hall operator Arcade has revealed further details of its third outpost ahead of its launch in Covent Garden.
Opening in May, the 12,000 sq ft, 385-cover site on Bedford Street will feature two standalone restaurants, a central dining area showcasing several Arcade brands, as well as a listening bar and café.
The latest outpost will offer a mix of F&B outlets, including a chef-led Greek-Cypriot taverna, a Mexican taqueria and New York and New Haven pizza joint Gracey’s from Grace Surman and James Woodley.
In addition, it will host a number of brands from its in-house incubator, Arcade Create, which includes south American chicken and steak grill Solis, North Indian fast food brand Hero, smashburger concept Manna and its first Studio Coffee site, which serves drinks such as black sesame latte, gochujang hot chocolate and chocolate orange negroni.
Luke Farrell’s third Plaza Khao Gaeng will also be located within Arcade Covent Gardem.
Updated 14th May 2026 Permalink
Wednesday 13 May 2026.
Wednesday 13 May 2026...6.30pm to 9.30pm...
POLO IN THE PARK - launch party - Bluebird , 350 Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW3.
Around 150 guests at well known restaurant & bar.
Plenty of Sloane Ranger types here.
At 7.45pm , we had the speeches and a member of each team unveiled team colours.
Also the draw for the matches next month.
We were told some interesting facts..
Around 300 horses will be used over the weekend.
Matches are 3 a side.
Polo can only be played right handed.
Lots of nice complimentary drinks and food here , including Pommery champers , Margaritas, vodka n tonic , gin n tonic , wines, beers , bowl food, canapes and desserts .
What they say about it...
Friday 05 June , Saturday 06 June ,Sunday 07 June 2026.
The world’s biggest three-day polo and lifestyle event is held at Hurlingham Park , Fulham, London SW6.
There is something for everyone at Chestertons Polo in the Park.
Join us for all the amazing things to do at Chestertons Polo in the Park. Enjoy access to the Grandstand to watch the world’s best polo, The Fulham Food Festival for restaurants and street food, Champagne Pommery Garden, Polo Bar, Pimm’s Bus, gardens and bars, Luxury Shopping Village, The Kids Club and Pitch Invasion (Sunday only) and much more.
www.polointheparklondon.com - Visit their website here for more info and to buy tickets.
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Tuesday 12 May 2026....I went to two events tonight....
5pm to 8.30pm .
LA-YAM ROOFTOP BAR - showcase - 8th Floor, Kingsbourne House, 229-231 High Holborn London WC1.
I was at the launch of this venue in June 2025.
La-Yam is a hidden rooftop bar in London, created to offer an escape from the everyday. To capture the laid-back essence of a beach bar on the other side of the world, right in the heart of central London.
With warm wooden textures and a coastal-inspired design, they bring a tranquil, getaway feel to a hidden rooftop in Holborn, sitting right above the station.
A hidden doorway entrance opposite McDonalds and you take the lift up.
Around 150 folks here , with many faces i know.
A nice party atmosphere.
They have large table umbrellas and blankets in case of bad weather.
Complimentary drinks and food included , three different cocktails , wines , beers , ciders , bowl food, canapes and Baklava desserts .
then
9pm to 11.30pm .
1536 - press night party - Louie , 13-15 West Street , London WC2.
My first time at this French restaurant next to The Ivy.
There are three levels, so maybe around 300 guests.
BAZ LUHRMAN and MARGOT ROBBIE are here
QUENTIN TARANTINO was at the show , but not the party.
Maybe they were in town , on their way to The Cannes Film Festival.
The 1536 production was held nearby at The Ambassadors Theatre .
Set in Tudor England - hence the year 1536.
Complimentary wines, beers, bowl food, canapes and desserts.
Plenty of nice funky dance sounds playing over the pa.
The third floor was still lively when we left.
A dozen photographers outside the venue waiting , so maybe Margot Robbie still there.
Updated 12th May 2026 Permalink
Monday 11 May 2026.
Monday 11 May 2026.
BCB at Tobacco Dock , Shadwell , East London .
BCB London is where the bar and beverage community gathers to shape the future of drinks. Celebrating premium spirits, innovative products, and international trends, this vibrant event connects UK and global industry professionals through unmatched networking, cutting-edge education, and a showcase of the best in the world of beverages.
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2pm to 6pm .
This was day one of this two day event .
I went a few times when it was called Imbibe and held at Olympia.
Last year it moved to this huge venue, when it was held in early July.
It has moved to May , as the venue got too hot inside in 2025.
Despite the heat, the 2025 edition was still one of the largest gatherings on the drinks calendar – and the UK’s biggest – welcoming 3,650 visitors from 56 countries, with more than 140 exhibitors
Again there must be over 100 stands showcasing - venues and drinks brands.
Most are giving out samples and some are giving out complimentary full size drinks .
Cocktails in cans are getting more and more popular .
Lidl are here showcasing their cans.
5% alcohol cans including white rum and pineapple and coconut are just 95p in stores.
14% alcohol cans including espresso martinis are just £1.99 in stores.
BAR FABRIC was the best here i thought, as they had a full size bar here with sofas.
Six full size complimentary cocktails here , which were very nice , so was here three hours.
then...
8pm to 11.30pm
BAR FABRIC - Pub Take Over - The Marksmen , 254 Hackney Road, London E2.
We found a nice table .
Complimentary drinks and food included three of the six cocktails they had on offer at BCB.
Homemade sausage rolls and canapes.
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Sunday 10 May 2026.
Happy Birthday to both these musicians who reach 80 today .
DONOVAN
GRAHAM GOULDMAN ( 10cc)
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I have lost my mobile phone ending 346 , so need to get a replacement SIM and phone.
That number will be out of use for two or three days.
I can be contacted on my other mobile or by email.
When I get the new phone for 346 please leave your name.
Updated 10th May 2026 Permalink
Saturday 09 May 2026.
Saturday 09 May 2026.
LIGABUE live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
66 year old male singer-songwriter who is one of Italy's biggest rock stars. He has played the massive San Siro football stadium several times. I saw him headline The Royal Albert Hall in 2013, and at Shepherds Bush Empire in 2023.
Just a few days before this London show...
Italian rock star Ligabue gave the opening concert at Milan’s brand-new Unipol Dome.
The Unipol Dome in Milan, Italy, developed, built and operated by CTS Eventim, officially launched live operations last night with an exclusive concert by Italian rock star Luciano Ligabue.
The concert was attended by 16,000 fans.
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Like the last time he played here, the venue is totally rammed sold out.
Mainly Italians of all ages , but a few English folks too.
LIGABUE arrived on stage at 8pm and played for two hours.
The crowd are very excited to see this big name back home in an intimate venue.
They create a proper full on gig atmosphere of loudly singing along to all the songs.
LIGABUE and a five piece band .
Ligabue arrives on stage rockin' his David Ginola/Jon Bon Jovi silver fox good looks. He still attracts many female fans half his age, who are up and dancing & singing along from the start. It is a bit like French superstar Johnny Hallyday who plays stadiums back home, but smaller venues here. Only half a dozen words are in English as the chat is mainly in Italian and all the lyrics are in Italian. He has had over a dozen hit albums in the last 30 years or so. His band are really good with hints of Bon Jovi/Bryan Adams/ Bruce Springsteen as they are mainly uptempo catchy simple singalong rock tunes. You did not really need to know what he was singing about to make it a good rock show.
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Friday 08 May 2026...7pm to 10pm...
TIGERMILK - press preview - off Brushfield Street , Spitalfields , London E1.
So many nice restaurants in this area these days , so you gotta stand out a bit.
This is a massive 280 cover restaurant , to cater for all the many workers in the area .
As it is a preview , they want you to share dishes , and not order the same dish.
We shared three starters.
Pollock Tempura (Cabo San Tacos),
Tuna Turner" (marinated tuna tostada).
Truffle Quesadillas
We shared two mains with three sides .
T Bone-in Ribeye steak with agave-smoky chili marinade.
Smoky Mole Rojo ( grilled shredded chicken with BBQ sauce)
Desserts
We had a Biscoff Cheesecake each and shared a Maracuyá ( Passion Fruit) Tiramisu.
We were allowed one very nice cocktail each...I had a Pisco Sour.
Our waitress Christina ( from Madrid) was nice and friendly .
A very enjoyable three hours here .
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What they say about their own venue...opening May 2026....
Parisian group Tigermilk is opening a new massive 280-seat flagship restaurant in Spitalfields in April 2026, marking their second London location and 13th in Europe.
Capacity: 280 seats (230 inside, 50 terrace) - their largest site yet.
Menu: Latin American focus—tacos, ceviches, truffle quesadillas, and grilled sharing dishes.
Bar: A six-metre-high bar featuring over 250 tequilas and mezcals.
Design: "Hacienda" theme, with a courtyard, orangery, and intense interior styling, designed by Studio Leche.
After finding success on Tottenham Court Road, Nina and Alexis Melikov are opening a second London outpost of their Latin American restaurant Tigermilk, and it’s a whopper. The new 280-seater spot in Spitalfields is more like a hacienda than a restaurant. Inspired by the grand estates of Cuernavaca, Tigermilk Spitalfields will boast a number of interconnected spaces, including a courtyard, a dining room, an orangery and a six-metre-high bar stocked with over 2000 bottles.
Like the OG, the menu at Tigermilk features cochinita pibil tacos, truffle quesadillas, ceviches, large sharing dishes like lamb al brasero and beef barbacoa, and indulgent desserts like maracuyá tiramisu and dulce de leche cheesecake. And the drinks offering is just as strong, with more than 250 tequilas and mezcals on the list, alongside punchy cocktails.
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Thursday 07 May 2026...6.30pm to 8.30pm...
JIMMY CHOO - showcase - 27 New Bond Street , Mayfair , London W1.
No surprise it is mainly nicely dressed females here at this luxury store.
Half a dozen male models are serving the drinks from trays.
TV and Radio personality MIQUITA OLIVER is hosting.
Jimmy Choo flagship store offers a three-floor shopping experience. The store features the full range of products, including shoes, bags, and fragrances, with specialised services available.
Complimentary Perrier Jouet champers , Cosmopolitan cocktails , canapes and desserts.
Updated 7th May 2026 Permalink
Wednesday 06 May 2026
Wednesday 06 May 2026.
MIKE GRAHAM and friends live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Mike Graham and friends will bring the house down with their raucous humour and common-sense observations about the world we live in.
It’s an evening of startling revelations, crazy stories and laughs galore.
Mike Graham was a presenter on Talk TV and Talk Radio.
The presenter Mike Graham was dismissed from Rupert Murdoch’s digital channel TalkTV, after the company said he had failed to cooperate with an investigation into a racist post that appeared on one of his social media accounts.
Graham, was suspended by the broadcaster, owned by Murdoch’s News UK, after concerns were raised about the message, which was posted on his Facebook account.
The post featured a picture of a statue of Winston Churchill, alongside a picture of a packed London underground train. It had the caption: “Tell me we’re not fucked by multicultural bollocks. Why are we surrounded by non-white people?”
The former editor of the Scottish Daily Mirror deleted the post and said the racist comment had been the result of his account being hacked.
Graham, who also presents the Plank of the Week podcast, wrote on his X account at the time: “On Sunday night my Facebook was accessed and a vile message was posted on my page without my knowledge.
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All levels are open tonight , and the floor stalls is all seated.
Some empty seats in all levels , so maybe 600 or 700 tickets sold.
The show was on for 2 hours 20 mins over two sets of 65 mins and 75 mins.
The staging was a couple of sofas , and a big screen showing pre-recorded images and videos.
Mike had several guests on , for chats or routines of 15 to 20 mins each.
A big surprise was we had a couple of music guests for chats with RIGHT SAID FRED and CAROL DECKER from eighties hitmakers T' Pau.
Most of the evening was politically related , mainly slagging off Keir Starmer.
The crowd gave out several chants of ' Keir Starmer is a Wanker'.
First set ...
We had a couple of politicians on the sofa.
One of them was Reform Candidate for London Mayor 2028 Laila Cunningham.
Both just slagging off Labour , Keir Starmer and Sadiq Khan.
Then we had both the brothers from pop duo RIGHT SAID FRED .
A nice chat about the update and downs of their career.
The band has spoken about feeling "still cancelled" five years after drawing criticism for their outspoken opposition to COVID-19 lockdowns, mask mandates, and vaccines, which included attending protests and promoting anti-masking....being dropped from 80s festivals etc.
Then we had a female impersonator, who did politicians , including Angela Rayner.
Second set....
A comedian did a 20 mins politically related routine.
Then an Army Veterans charity chap gave a speech with video footage and said there would be bucket collections on our way out.
The best part of the show was a Donald Trump impersonator .
Over 20 mins of very funny Trump type chat , and he finished off with short impersonations of King Charles , Boris Johnson, David Attenborough and others....he was very funny.
Then CAROL DECKER from T'Pau came on to the video of their big hit 'China In Your Hand'.
They chatted about her career and her new album and tour.
Then we had a couple of chaps on , and they both gave Plank of the Year to Keir Starmer .
For the finale , everyone was on stage for a drink and chat.
This seemed a bit pointless , and folks started to leave.
A mixed show of good and not so good.
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Tuesday 05 May 2026...6pm to 11.30pm...
MA/ NA - preview - 30 Upper Grosvenor Street ,Mayfair, London W1.
Around 200 guests at this very swish new restaurant & bar venue in prime Mayfair.
It is the restaurant space next to Corrigan's .
We were early , so got a nice cosy table.
Looks like tables at one end for dining , and couches for the bar at the other end.
A DJ was playing tunes gently in the background.
Lots of staff fussing over the customers.
Lots of lovely complimentary drinks and food , including Henriot champers, four different cocktails , wines , sake and a dozen different hot and cold Japanese canapes including my fave Black Cod .
Also desserts .....we were here five and a half hours...
This event was was really good , so we were one of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave .
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What they say ....
MA/NA is a new luxury Japanese restaurant and late-night cocktail bar in Mayfair opening on May 2026 at 30 Upper Grosvenor St. Created by the Thesleff Group, it features refined Japanese cuisine, an extensive sake list, and a "dragon-shaped" banquette, offering a high-energy, immersive dining experience.
Concept: A fusion of modern Mayfair elegance with 1970s Tokyo soul, transitioning from dinner to a late-night bar with resident DJs.Food & Drink: Menu by Executive Chef Leo Tanyag features Wagyu Ishiyaki, Kani Tartare, and Avocado Aburi. The bar offers 80-100 premium sake labels and cocktails.Vibe: Designed with dark wood and amber lighting, featuring a 156-cover restaurant, a 20-guest private dining room, and a 300-person capacity for standing events.
Updated 6th May 2026 Permalink
Sunday 03 May 2026.
Sunday 03 May 2026.
TAJ FARRANT live at The Garage, North London.
Teenage guitar sensation is touring the UK to promote his debut album ' Chapter One'.
Taj Farrant is an internationally acclaimed Australian guitarist and recording artist recognised for his explosive blues-rock style, technical mastery, and commanding stage presence.
Emerging as a child prodigy, Taj has evolved into one of the most exciting young guitarists of his generation, blending fiery rock intensity with deep blues soul.
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Nice to be close up to the stage for this club show.
CHARLOTTE CARPENTER arrived on stage at 8pm for her 30 mins set.
Singer songwriter from Northampton with her electric guitar.
Charlotte played good tracks from her album ' A Modern Rage' , including ' Like a Hurricane'.
It is a family affair for Taj as his dad/manager introduced him , and his mum was on merch , and his sister played keyboards in the band.
TAJ FARRANT arrived on stage at 9pm for his 90 mins set.
Six musicians crammed on the stage tonight.
Taj ripped into a blistering guitar solo for every track played , as he mixed tracks from his album , along with covers in his set.
Covers of ' Ant No Sunshine' and his fave Stevie Ray Vaughn track ' Tightrope' were early highlights.
Taj also made easy work of the Steve Vai track ' For The Love of God'.
His own tracks including ' Crossroads' and ' Mumma Raised A Man' were really good too.
The second half of the show included incredible moments.
A cover of Jim Hendrix ' Red House' , had his friend Phil join them on stage , and we had several superb guitar solos as the three guitarists on stage trading licks.
The finale was two extended instrumental covers of 'Purple Rain' and ' Parisienne Walkways',
which showed what an amazing talent this young guy is.
See my Facebook page for the videos of those two tracks.
Bigger venues beckon on his next tour for sure .
A really enjoyable top notch show.
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Saturday 02 May 2026...I went to two events today ...
2.30pm matinee show.
THE PRODUCERS at The Garrick Theatre , London WC2.
We have a nice view in the stalls, 10 rows from the stage.
The show is on for 2 hours 15 mins over two sets of 75 mins and 60 mins.
Richard Kind is superb in the lead role.
Lots of great songs, dance routines and comedy .
The obvious highlight song was ' Springtime For Hitler'.
The mini orchestra are hidden upstairs above the stage.
Max Bialystock (Richard Kind) is a producer that is long past his prime – producing stinker after stinker, he has to resort to coddling with geriatric women in order to secure funds for his productions. That is, until strait-laced accountant Leo Bloom comes knocking on his door, and inadvertently comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme, involving obtaining massive funds to bankroll a musical that is destined to fail, and hence being able to pocket all the money after the production suffers an early demise. After much convincing, Max manages to rope Leo into the nefarious scheme, and the search for the world's worst script begins.
The two producers chance upon Franz Liebkin's incredibly ill-conceived pro-Nazi musical "Springtime for Hitler", and they also manage to convince the impossibly gay director Roger DeBris and his very "pink" posse to direct. In the meantime, the very sexy Ulla also comes knocking at their door, and after securing both a role in the musical and a job in the office, Ulla finds herself increasingly attracted to Leo. The entire venture seems destined for failure, but as expected, things do not go the producers' way, and they find themselves in an extremely sticky situation.
A very enjoyable top notch theatre production.
then
LOVE with JOHNNY ECHOLS live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
LOVE with Johnny Echols sees Arthur Lee’s ( RIP ) longest serving band set to tour the UK performing the classic songs from Love’s first three albums Love, Da Capo, Four Sail and of course the timeless Forever Changes.
2026 also marks the 60th anniversary of their debut album and the release of its follow-up Da Capo.
Released in November 1967, Love's Forever Changes is widely considered a cornerstone of psychedelic rock and a masterpiece of the era, balancing lush orchestral folk-pop with paranoid, introspective lyrics. Despite poor initial sales, it is now revered as a top-tier classic.
I saw Love with Arthur Lee at The Royal Festival Hall and The Guildford Festival just before he passed away.
I saw Love with Johnny Echols at Shepherds Bush Empire in 2024.
Johnny Echols is now aged 79.
Arthur Lee died in 2006.
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An older crowd tonight , so the stalls is all seated.
Level 3 is closed and not many in Level 2 , so maybe only 500 tickets sold.
BIG SKY arrived on stage at 7.30 pm for their 30 mins set.
A four piece with male and female sharing the vocals.
CRYSTAL TEARDROP arrived on stage at 8.25 for their 35 mins set.
The Crystal Teardrop is a British psychedelic garage rock band formed in Stoke-on-Trent, England, in early 2023. The band is known for a sound inspired by the mid-to-late 1960s, blending garage rock, folk-rock, and psychedelia.
They played a really good uptempo set , and the female singer was very lively as she moved around the stage .
The male bass player was also lively , as there were high kicks galore by him.
LOVE with JOHNNY ECHOLS arrived on stage at 9.30pm for their 85 mins set.
Six musicians on stage , with three guitarists , so a lovely 1960s wall of sound.
Their singer has an uncanny resemblance to Arthur Lee.
Sadly no brass section or strings tonight , which was part of their sound back in the day.
Highlights played included ' Alone Again Or' and the last song of the night ' 7 or 7 Is' , which was a great uptempo punky noise .
A very enjoyable show.
Full LOVE setlist played tonight ...
Maybe the People Would Be the Times or Between Clark and Hilldale
My Little Red Book (Burt Bacharach cover)
A House Is Not a Motel
Gazing
Can't Explain
Stephanie Knows Who
iQue Vida!
Your Mind and We Belong Together
You I'll Be Following
Orange Skies
Alone Again Or
And More
Andmoreagain
The Red Telephone
Live and Let Live
You Set the Scene
Encore :
Signed D.C.
Always See Your Face
Wonder People (I Do Wonder)
7 and 7 Is
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Friday 01 May 2026.
PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED (PiL) live at Watford Coliseum.
PiL play the first of two UK warm up shows before their mainland Europe Tour.
I saw PiL first ever ever UK show which was at The Rainbow on Christmas Day 1978.
I have them many times since then.
I recently saw a great PiL show at The Forum in Dec 2025.
PiL toured South America in April 2025.
Public Image Ltd (PiL) has announced an extensive 42-date "This Is Not... The Final PiL Tour" across North America, spanning September 2026 to March 2027, marking their first major run in the region in over a decade.
It is held over two legs...two months in 2026 and two months in 2027.
Support comes from Welsh indie rockers Trampoline , who are managed by music veteran legend Alan McGee.
PiL are also managed by Alan McGee - Creation Management .
This venue was closed for many years but reopened last year.
I have been there a couple of times before.
2003 - Human League + John Fox.
2004 - Tony Hadley + Go West .
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The journey took a bit longer than expected so missed the support act.
Nice to see my chum Matt , who had trekked up from Maidstone.
Not sold out tonight , so maybe three quarters full.
The standing area looks pretty much as it was 20 odd years ago , but all the other areas of the venue look nicely refurbished .
Easy to get to the front , just a few rows from the stage.
PiL arrived on stage at 9pm for their 1 hour 50 mins set.
John is in top form with his vocals and his facial grimaces are fun to watch.
Lu is pretty mesmerising with his very nifty guitar playing .
The band all sound fantastic .
It is pretty much a greatest hits set.
An excellent show , and well worth the trek from West London way.
Full PiL setlist played tonight..
Home
Know Now
Corporate
World Destruction ( Time Zone cover)
This Is Not a Love Song
Poptones
Death Disco
Flowers of Romance
Warrior
Shoom
Public Image
Encore:
Open Up ( Leftfield cover)
Rise
Annalisa / Attack / Chant
(followed by band introductions and Happy Birthday to band members)
Updated 2nd May 2026 Permalink
Thursday 30 April 2026.
Thursday 30 April 2026...7pm to 10.30pm...
FORTNUM & MASON Food and Drink Awards 2026 at Fortnum & Mason , The Royal Exchange , Bank, London EC3.
This well known historic store dates back to 1707.
This was their 14th year holding these awards.I have been to several of them.
Up until a few years ago it was held in their flagship Piccadilly store , but now it's in the City.
A big crowd as must be around 500 guests here , in this lovely venue with its huge central island bar.
Several faces from TV cooking shows are here , including tonight's two presenters ANDI OLIVER and ANGELA HARTNETT , along with JAY RAYNER, JOHN TORODE , SI KING, MATT TEBBETT and OLLY SMITH.
The awards started at 7.45pm and lasted for 30 mins. Visit their website for the winners list.
A DJ was playing tracks either side of the awards.
Complimentary Fortnums champers , gin cocktails , wines and very nice Fortnums food including canapes , quail scotch eggs , a seafood counter that included mini lobster rolls , two oysters stands , caviar and desserts including ice cream .
All guests got a small goodie bag on departure with three Fortnums items inside.
A box of 20 flavoured tea bags , 340g jar of Seville Orange and Passion Fruit marmalade and an 80g bar of Honeycomb Chocolate.
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Wednesday 29 April 2026...7pm to 9.30pm...
NIGO : FROM JAPAN WITH LOVE - private view - Design Museum , Kensington , London W8.
Around 300 folks on the guest list tonight.
It is held in the area where that great Blitz exhibition was until recently.
Nice surprise to see PHARRELL WILLIAMS here.
Oddly , he arrived riding a three wheeler electric trike , that looked like a mobility scooter , but
I was told he is very involved with a company in New York that produces electric bikes and trikes.
Pharrell Williams is the Men's Creative Director for Louis Vuitton, appointed in February 2023. A cultural icon spanning music, art, and fashion for over 20 years, his vision focuses on innovation and luxury streetwear. His debut collection was revealed in June 2023 during Paris Men's Fashion Week.
Also here were DANIEL LISMORE , WAYNE HEMINGWAY and STEVE DAGGER ( Spandau Ballet manager) .
At 7.30pm we had a couple of speeches.
NIGO and PHARRELL WILLIAMS posed for photos together .
Complimentary Nyetimber English Sparkling Wines , wines, beers , cans of Matcha Soda and nibbles.
See my Facebook page for a couple of videos and photos from the event.
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About the exhibition...which is a paid ticket for admission...
From the back streets of Harajuku, Tokyo, to the global stage, this is the first-ever museum retrospective and exhibition outside of Japan that will chart the career and life of the Japanese creative director, NIGO, one of the first creatives to bridge the worlds of streetwear and luxury fashion. Over a 30-year career, NIGO has helped define some of the most influential trends in contemporary fashion, successfully crossing fashion, music, architecture and interior design.
Open from 1 May 2026, this landmark exhibition will feature over 700 objects, with highlights including a recreation of NIGO’s teenage bedroom, rare designs, ceramics hand-thrown by NIGO himself, and a life-size glass tea house made especially for the exhibition. His work draws on influences spanning vintage Americana, streetwear, hip-hop, traditional Japanese craft and growing up in 1980s Tokyo.
Working across street style, fashion, music, and more, NIGO has been behind some of the most influential designs, ideas and trends in recent streetwear and fashion history. From founding his first fashion brand, A Bathing Ape, in the ‘90s to his current role as artistic director of KENZO, his impact remains as wide-reaching and relevant as ever.
Updated 29th April 2026 Permalink
Tuesday 28 April 2026.
Tuesday 28 April 2026...5.15pm to 7.30pm...
Venues showcase at Plaisterers Hall , 1 London Wall, Barbican , London EC2.
Around 150 mainly female guests here.
Over 20 venues are showcasing on their stands...including...
Polo In The Park
Hurlingham Club
Moxy Hotels
Balfour Winery ,Staplehurst, Kent
Electric Shuffle
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Sir Hotel @ Devonshire Place
Guildhall
Harrow School
Puttshack
Fairgame
The Biltmore Hotel
Mandrake Hotel
The Sheraton Hotel, Park Lane
Lambeth Palace
The Relais Hotel , Henley
Fishmongers Hall
The Stafford Hotel , St James's
L'Oscar Hotel , Southampton Row
Many have prize draws , where you put in your business card to win things like overnight hotel stays etc.
Fingers crossed for me to get a winners email .
Complimentary wines , beers and canapes for all the guests .
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Monday 27 April 2026
This should be interesting in a month's time.
Which venues do you miss most ?
V&A’s upcoming display ‘Lost Music Venues’. Opening 30 May 2026, the display will celebrate grassroots and independent music venues as centres of creativity, for musicians, promoters, graphic designers and photographers. Featuring around 50 ‘lost’ spaces across the UK from the 1980s–2010s, the display will shine a light on both their cultural contribution and the challenges they face.
Says from the 1980s , but what about the great lost venues of the 1960s and 1970s.
It is a free exhibition in South Kensington.
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Saturday 25 April 2026.
BIG THIEF live at Brixton Academy.
Big Thief play the third of four sold out Brixton shows, on their UK and European Tour.
Big Thief is an critically acclaimed American indie folk rock band formed in Brooklyn, New York, in 2015. The line-up comprises Adrianne Lenker (vocals, guitar), Buck Meek (guitar) and James Krivchenia (drums).[1] During live performances, the band is joined by bass guitarist Joshua Crumbly.
They will play tracks from their six albums , and a few brand new unreleased tracks.
Their sixth album is titled ' Double Infinity'.
I have seen Big Thief at Shepherds Bush Empire in 2022 and Hammersmith Apollo in 2023.
Pretty amazing how popular they are live , as the band quite happily tick along outside of the mainstream.
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All six of their vinyl albums are for sale on the merch stand.
BIG THIEF arrive on stage at 9.05pm and play for a 1 hour 45 mins.
There are five musicians on stage tonight for the first few songs.
All their minimal equipment is positioned to the front half of the stage.
Big Thief have a broad appeal of ages as there are folks here older than me and the cool young indie crowd are here as well. They all seem more polite and intelligent that most crowds. Big Thief always change their setlist around a bit each night. ' Words' was an early highlight , and halfway through ' Not' is played , with it's great vocals, and stunning guitar solos duel , a superb track.
Lovely female vocals from Adrianne Lenker singing gentle indie folk tunes .
A few tracks had some nice rockin out with nifty noisy guitar workouts from Buck Meet.
The crowd nod along quietly during each track , then burst into big applause at the end.
Another highlight was the first encore ' Simulation Swarm'.
A cool enjoyable show.
Full BIG THIEF setlist played tonight....
Incomprehensible ( with support act Laraaji)
Words ( with Laraaji)
Beautiful World ( with Laraaji)
anything ( Adrianne Lenker song) (with Laraaji)
Change (!with Laraaji)
Time Escaping (with Laraaji) (also with Dylan Meek)
Shoulders
Real House (Adrianne Lenker song)
Christmas Day
Not
Mr. Man
These Are the Days
Los Angeles
Vampire Empire
Forgive the Dream
Encore:
Simulation Swarm (Double Infinity was listed on setlist)
Red Moon ( with Laraaji) (also with Dylan Meek and Noah Lenker)
Updated 24th April 2026 Permalink
Thursday 23 April 2026.
Thursday 23 April 2026...7pm to 11pm...
MITSU - launch party - 10 - 50 Willow Street , Shoreditch, London EC2.
I was told a massive 600 were on the guest list tonight.
Several faces here including JAMIE WINSTONE , DAPHNE GUINNESS , GILLES PETERSON ,MARY CHARTERIS and her husband ROBBIE FURZE ( The Big Pink) , and ROCK STARKEY and LOUIS STARKEY ( their grandfather is RINGO STARR).
Mitsu is a lively Japanese izakaya-style restaurant and bar in Shoreditch (located in the former Nobu site at Aethos London) that blends East Tokyo soul with East London energy. Opened in April 2026, it features robata charcoal grilling, signature cocktails, a private karaoke room, and resident DJs for a late-night atmosphere.
A huge venue that includes an outside Japanese garden.
Cuisine & Menu: Focused on shareable Japanese robata dishes, featuring charcoal-grilled skewers, kamameshi rice pots, kushikatsu, and signature items like Wagyu sandos and Matcha tiramisu.
Lots of complimentary drinks and food tonight , including Laurent Perrier champers , several different Japanese cocktails , wines , beers , bowl food, canapes and Matcha tiramisu.
At 9pm LA ROUX and band played a 25 mins set.
Her last track was ' Bulletproof' , her number one hit from 2009 , that got the crowd singing loudly along.
We had male and female djs spinning the tunes.
We left at 11pm , but still lively as it was due to finish at 1am.
An excellent event .
See my Facebook page for a few photos of the event.
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Wednesday 22 April 2026.
COOPER ALAN + IAN HARRISON live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
I am back again to see this show for a second time at this venue .
Level 3 is closed , as tonight was the added show , after Tuesday sold out.
Pretty much exactly the same show by both artists.
Cooper Alan really does know how to work the crowd and entertain them.
He is a bundle of energy and enthusiasm , and the crowd love him.
No marriage proposals on stage tonight.
then
11pm to 2.30am
After the show was farewell drinks in the Level 1 bar.
Around 30 folks from the venue are here , as one of the regular staff at the venue is leaving for another venue.
A nice touch was they surprised her by getting tonight's support act Ian Harrison to sing her a song.
Complimentary drinks , including spirits n mixers , wines , lagers.
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Tuesday 21 April 2026.
COOPER ALAN live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
This is the first of his two shows at this venue on his UK tour.
Rising American country star, Cooper Alan ( aged 30) embarks on his ‘To The Pub Tour‘, following the release of his debut album 'Winston-Salem' , which was released November 2025.
Praised for his energetic live performances, Cooper Alan bridges country storytelling with rock energy and a signature down-home charm with a modern twist, fans can expect a night that reflects his journey from his small-town roots to becoming one of country music’s most electric new voices.
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A sold out show tonight , with a nice mixed crowd of all ages .
IAN HARRISON arrived on stage at 8pm for his 30 mins.
He is an American singer- songwriter .
Just him and his acoustic guitar playing some good songs.
Looks like his future is on the up as he has signed with Sony Music Nashville, following a signing with the major talent agency WME for global representation in 2025.
COOPER ALAN arrived on stage at 9.05pm for his 95 mins.
All four musicians on stage are wearing baseball caps.
As he just has the one album out , the set is padded out with covers and medley snippets .
Cooper is incredibly animated on stage, but what really stands out is how intentional he is about making the crowd feel like part of the show, not just watching it, but actually in it. At one point, he had fans show off their worst dance moves just for the chance to chug a beer with him....two guys got the beers.
Lots of uptempo country rock , and a few slower tracks in the middle.
Cooper has a song about getting married to his wife, and we got TWO marriage proposals on stage.
The crowd loved the cover versions, as they sang those louder than his own songs.
Cooper certainly knows how to entertain the crowd in his enjoyable show.
Full COOPER ALAN setlist played tonight...
Bitch of a Son
To the Bar
Jesus Saves
The Fridge
Can't Dance / Party In The USA / I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
Work
Colt 45
Drops of Jupiter / Drift Away / Holy Ghost / Tough Ones / Never Not Remember You / Hard Acre
Starting To Show
Suit and Tie (Sixteen Tons)
First Rodeo
Wake Me Up (Avicii cover)
Take Forever (Hally's Song)
Dale Dickens (RIP)
Feel Like Hell Today
Plead the Fifth
Encore:
Wonderwall / Don't Look Back In Anger / Hey Jude / You Can't Always Get What You Want / Sweet Caroline
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) ( The Proclaimers cover)
Updated 21st April 2026 Permalink
Monday 20 April 2026
Monday 20 April 2026.
MAGGIE LINDEMANN live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Maggie Lindemann ( aged 27 ) is an American singer-songwriter. She is best known for her 2016 breakout single "Pretty Girl", which peaked at number 8 in the UK.
Maggie is touring to promote her second album ' I Feel Everything '- released in 2025.
Her tour covers North America then UK then mainland Europe then Australia .
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Level 3 is 90% unsold , so maybe around 1400 here.
Many of the crowd have an Emo look to them, especially the females.
All three bands did really good sets tonight.
THE RUNAWAY CLUB arrived on stage at 7.30pm for their 30 mins set.
This new band hail from Glastonbury .
A lively female singer in sparkly bra and tiny shorts with very provocative posing.
The sounded good and were very enjoyable to watch .
AFTERDRIVE arrived on stage at 8.15pm for their 30 mins set.
This four piece must have good music biz connections , as I saw them supporting at this same venue just eight days ago. A lively male singer who kept moving around the stage.
Good songs played in their enjoyable set.
MAGGIE LINDEMANN arrived on stage at 9.10pm for her 80 mins set.
Maggie has long black hair , and a slim body and model girl looks.
Not much chat as she whizzed through her set , with 26 tracks in 80 mins .
The band had a nice crunching emo rock sound to many of the tracks.
Maggie got singer Julia Wolf from the front row on stage to sing a track with her .
A really good show.
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Sunday 19 April 2026.
CAT BURNS live at Brixton Academy.
Multi-BRIT and 2024 Mercury Prize nominee Cat Burns is playing a UK tour.
Following her greatly received top ten debut album 'Early Twenties', Cat returns with her second album, ' How To Be Human'.Spanning 16 tracks including singles “All This Love” and sapphic anthem “GIRLS!”,.
Both her albums made the UK Top 10.
Her breakthrough hit single ' Go' reached number 2 .
Cat Burns was an original Traitor in the first series of The Celebrity Traitors UK, which aired in October and November 2025. She reached the final episode, which aired on November 6, 2025, before being banished at the final round table, ultimately placing 5th.
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Nice surprise to see this 5000 capacity venue is fully sold out.
Lots of under 30's females here.
Her fellow traitor ALAN CARR was sitting a couple of rows in front of me.
NXDIA and her two member band arrived on stage at 8pm for their 35 mins set.
Nxdia is dressed in a full shiny silver outfit and oozes pop star quality .
Performing with a "riotous" confidence, the Manchester-based artist frequently engages directly with the crowd, engaging in banter, sharing personal stories, and performing hits like "Boy Clothes" with raw emotion.
Nxdia released the EP In the Flesh (2023); the single "She Likes a Boy" charted at No. 74 on the UK Singles Sales Chart. Nxdia next released their debut LP ' I Promise No One's Watching ' in June 2025 and by August it had amassed over 100 million streams on Spotify.
CAT BURNS and band arrived on stage at 9pm for their 75 mins set.
A nice stage production , with plenty of lights and lots of plants , trees , lampshades dotted around the stage and a cosy armchair where Cat sings a couple of tracks from .
Her voice and warm stage banter are great and the band sound is perfect.
The main set is her 16 track second album with highlights ' GIRLS' and 'Something About Her'.
Encores include ' People Pleaser ' and 'Go' which sent the crowd home happy.
A really good confident show by Cat Burns.
Full CAT BURNS setlist played...
Main set of 16 tracks was the ' How To Be Human' album in full.
Come Home
Can Time Move Faster?
I Hope It’s Me
Small Talk
Sad Forever
All This Love
I Love You, But
Today
Gemini
GIRLS!
There’s Just Something About Her
Lavender
Please Don’t Hate Me
I Wish You Well
When I’m With You
How to Be Human
Encore:
Ghosting
People Pleaser
Is It That Deep (Unreleased)
Go
Updated 19th April 2026 Permalink
Saturday 18 April 2026.
Saturday 18 April 2026.
ROBERT JON & THE WRECK live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Southern blues rockers from Southern California , are playing a UK tour.
They will be promoting their 10th studio album 'Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes'.
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Levels 2:and 3 are closed , and maybe just 700 or 800 are here.
A mainly middle aged crowd .
SAM MORROW and his band arrived on stage at 8pm for their 30 mins.set.
The Texan quartet played a good blues rock set
ROBERT JON & THE WRECK arrived on stage at 9pm for their 95 mins set.
Five of them on stage, playing a very nice set of Southern blues rock tracks.
I was bowled over by the talents of lead guitarist Henry James (or Henry James Schneekluth to give him his full name)and this impression was reinforced. On his Gibson Explorer his solos had the same fire that Allen Collins brought to the original Lynyrd Skynyrd, allied to the slide prowess of Duane Allman. With such jaw-dropping talent it would be easy to be arrogant but he was an endearing character with a cool seventies- inspired Afro and a youthful, modest smile.
Highlights came near the end as big cheer greeted the country rock style verses to ‘Oh Miss Carolina’, which resulted in a lusty chorus sing-along withe audience, and am extended jam for 'Cold Night'.which was great.
For the encore they were joined by the support band and a couple of friends for another extended jam.
Robert Jon & The Wreck evoke the sounds of the South, as fifty years on from their heyday, the spirits of The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd etc are kept alive for lovers of classic American Southern Rock.
A really good enjoyable show.
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Friday 17 April 2026.
Very sad news.
BBC radio DJ ANDY KERSHAW has died aged 66.
DJ spent almost three decades working for corporation and was best known for Radio 1 show from 1985 to 2000.
His long career working for the BBC began in 1984 as host of the rock music show The Old Grey Whistle Test. He co-presented the corporation’s television coverage of Live Aid.
He revealed in January that he was undergoing cancer treatment after tumours that had been severely limiting his mobility were discovered in his spine last August.
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Thursday 16 April 2026....I went to two events tonight...
1.45pm to 5.15pm
SALON PRIVE CHELSEA at The Royal Hospital , Chelsea.
From Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 April 2026, the heart of Chelsea will once again be transformed into the most spectacular motoring occasion. Salon Privé London at the historic Royal Hospital Chelsea promises a three-day celebration of automotive style and sophisticated living.
Picture immaculate lawns, stately architecture, and a luxury automotive brand showcase, alongside an extraordinary line-up of the world’s finest cars. Expect global premieres, captivating daily displays, luxury brands, chilled Pommery Champagne, and Salon Privé’s signature hospitality throughout this unforgettable springtime event.
Expect to see an incredible array of super and hypercars including Aston Martin Valhalla, Koenigsegg Jesko, Koenigsegg Regera, Koenigsegg Agera N, Pagani Huayra, Maserati MC12, Maserati MC20, Ferrari Enzo, Bugatti Veyron and Bugatti Chiron.
Also showcasing...
Austin Motor Company, with an advanced development phase of the Austin Seven.
Analogue Automotive, showcase of the VHPK
Clive Sutton, showcase of the first Chevrolet Suburban and Cadillac Escalade V supercharged .
Encor Design, presenting the Series 1, a remastered evolution of the Lotus Esprit .
Fiat, displaying the all-electric Fiat Topolino.
On Thursday 16 April, Salon Privé London opens with a special one-day-only celebration of Porsche Club GB's 65th anniversary. Spanning over six decades of design and performance, the display will feature an exceptional line-up of Porsche models from 1960 through to 2025. From rare early air-cooled examples to more contemporary icons, each car has been carefully selected and presented by passionate owners
More than a car show, this is the capital’s ultimate automotive garden party, where luxury lifestyle meets motoring excellence in the most elegant of settings.
Friday is ladies day.
www.salonprivelondon.com - Visit their website here.
for more info and to buy tickets.
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We have a lovely sunny Spring day for my first outdoor event of the year.
Over 100 stunning cars are on display, all are in immaculate condition.
All the legendary marques are here.
Over 1000 smartly dressed folks are admiring the cars.
At 2.30pm for an hour , we have a parade of around 25 cars that are all for sale.
Mainly super cars , but also a couple of older classics.
The purring of the engines sound fantastic.
A Rolls Royce from 1912 and a Bentley from 1928.
A Jaguar owned by Clark Gable for over 20 years.
A BMW owned by John Surtees for over 30 years.
Our press badges are valid for the afternoon tea in the hospitality tent from 3.30pm to 5.15pm.
Complimentary Pommery champers , spirits n mixers , wines, beers , finger sandwiches , deluxe sausage rolls , scones with jam and clotted cream.
It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
then
6.30pm to 9.30pm
HARROW SCHOOL - re-launch party - High Street , Harrow - on - the - Hill , Middlesex.
Around 150 guests at this very famous boys school.
Several well known folks have attended here including James Blunt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Curtis.
The school dates back to 1572, yes 1572.
The reception is held on their new outdoor terrace , with it's stunning views,
then we go inside and check out the new dining area and the older parts.
Harrow School is relaunching its venue hire, featuring a new dining complex and a "huge roof terrace" offering views of London. Part of a "A Year in the Making" relaunch, the space aims to host events, including corporate bookings and weddings, alongside a new dining complex.
Roof Terrace: Designed for high-end events, the terrace boasts views overlooking London.
Dining Complex: Part of a substantial refurbishment of the school’s facilities.
They are showcasing the space, which includes access to historic areas like the classrooms used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
The venue is intended for corporate events, weddings, and commercial filming, often supporting the school's charitable and community efforts.
At 7.15pm we had the welcome speeches.
A proper DJ and system was playing disco classics for the last hour.
Complimentary prosecco , wines , beers , canapes and cup cakes .
Updated 17th April 2026 Permalink
Wednesday 15 April 2026.
Wednesday 15 April 2026.
SUZI QUATRO live at The Palladium.
Glam Rock legend ( now aged 75), returns to play this venue again on another UK tour.
Suzi will.play all her classic hits and some tracks from her new album.
Suzi Quatro 18th studio album, ' Freedom', was released on March 27, 2026. Produced by her son L.R. Tuckey for Chrysalis Records, the album features a collaboration with Alice Cooper on a cover of MC5's "Kick Out The Jams". The 12-track project marks a return to her Detroit rock roots.
Suzi Quatro has sold over 55 million records worldwide throughout her five-decade career, which includes 18 studio albums and over 60 singles. Known as a pioneer female rocker, her major hits, including "Can the Can" and "Devil Gate Drive," which were number one UK hits in 1973 and 1974 respectively .
' Can the Can" alone sold 2.5 million copies worldwide .
' 48 Crash," "Daytona Demon," and "Devil Gate Drive" were also million-sellers.
I have seen Suzi Q several times before including The Royal Albert Hall in 2022, and at The Palladium in 2023 , when Glen Matlock and Boy George joined her for a track in the 2 hour 10 mins show .
Looks like this tour will be similar - two sets over two hours.
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Not sold out tonight , but the venue is very full.
Lots of older folks here my age , who remember those great glam rock days of the 1970s, and seeing Suzi Quatro on Top Of The Pops in her leather jumpsuit.
SUZI QUATRO was on stage for a nice long 2 hours 15 mins over two sets of 60 mins and 75 mins.
Suzi had eight musicians on stage with her , including a three man brass section and two female backing singers/dancers.
Suzi is around a tiny 5 foot tall these days , and her bass is nearly the same size as her.
For the second half , Suzi wore her black leather jumpsuit .
There is a big screen showing images of Suzi career at the start of both sets , which she has shown at previous shows. Suzi has plenty of nice stage banter , and tells us she played this venue in 1999 when Michael Aspel surprised her with the 'This Is Your Life' red book, and how Mickie Most took her to London back in 1971. Suzi said she had put out eight books, and mentioned her acting career , including Happy Days and that great Suzi Q documentary.
Suzi introduced BRUCE WELSH from the stage as he was in the crowd.
Suzi said she has now been in the music biz for 62 years, and is still rockin'.
All the crowd were up and dancing from Can the Can onwards.
A great show as usual from Suzi Quatro.
Full SUZI QUATRO setlist played tonight....
FIRST SET
The Wild One
I May Be Too Young
Daytona Demon
Tear Me Apart
Mama's Boy
I Bit Off More Than I Could Chew
Stumblin' In
48 Crash
Slow Down ( Larry Williams cover)
Rockin' in the Free World (Neil Young cover)
Can I Be Your Girl?
SECOND SET
Freedom
Little Miss Lovely
Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover)
She's in Love With You
Shine a Light ( Suzi Quatro & KT Tunstall song)
Too Big
Bass Solo & Drum Duet & band introductions
Can the Can
Devil Gate Drive
If You Can't Give Me Love
Sweet Little Rock & Roller (Chuck Berry cover)
Singing With Angels
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Tuesday 14 April 2026.
KIM GORDON live at Shepherds Bush Empire
Kim Gordon is an American musician, singer and songwriter best known as the bassist, guitarist, and vocalist of alternative rock band Sonic Youth.
Kim Deal will be 64 when she plays this show .
This is her only UK show on her six date UK & European tour to promote her latest solo album ' Play Me'.
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Level 3 is closed tonight, but other levels look pretty full.
A cool looking crowd are here for these two art rock bands.
Lots of accents from mainland Europe are here.
LONNIE GUNN arrived on stage at 8pm for her 30 mins set.
Five musicians on stage, with some nice vocals from Lonnie.
KIM GORDON arrived on stage at 9.05 for her 70 mins set.
Four musicians on stage , and a big screen showing pre-recorded images.
Kim is a seminal figure in art rock and alternative music, blurring lines between noise music, fashion, and visual art. Her career spans decades, characterised by an avant-garde approach and experimental industrial noise.
The best tracks were the loud ones , with a nifty distorted and fuzzy guitar noise.
20 tracks played with many under three minutes long.
The first 12 tracks were the new album , a highlight from it was ' Dirty Tech'.
Later on an oldie ' Paprika Pony' was good.
Not much stage chat from Kim , apart from a couple of thank you's.
No Sonic Youth tracks were played.
Too cool to do an encore , even though on stage for only 70 mins.
A good show.
Updated 14th April 2026 Permalink
Sunday 12 April 2026.
Sunday 12 April 2026.
THE ENTITLED SONS live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
The Entitled Sons are rapidly carving out their place in the alternative rock scene. The group is made up of four brothers Billy, Charlie, Raffey, and Laurie are joined by Graham Swift on the bass.
It is a family affair as the band are all the family of tv property presenter Sarah Beeny.
Her husband on bass and their FOUR sons...amazing.
Their set will feature tracks from their debut album , which was released November 2025.
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Level 3 is closed tonight , but must be over 1000 folks here.
Another show where it's around 75% excitable screaming females under the age of 25.
Lots of adults here with their teenage children .
I was speaking to a woman , and I asked her how come so many families here.
She said the band have been touring secondary schools , and gained fans from that .
She said they perform indie rock sets combined with Q&A sessions focusing on mental health, bullying, neurodiversity (ADHD/dyslexia), and social media impacts.
Their mum TV presenter SARAH BEENY is in the Level VIP seats.
AFTERDRIVE arrived on stage at 7.45pm and played for 40 mins.
Their set went down well with the crowd..
Oddly the singer moves around the stage like The Damned Dave Vanian.
THE ENTITLED SONS arrived on stage at 8.45pm and played for 75 mins.
The four brothers in the band look very young.
Frontman, Charlie, was great to watch and did a fantastic job of whipping the crowd up into a frenzy – most of whom knew the songs and sang them back to the band, which must have been an incredible feeling for the young lads, especially such a new band.
Rafferty on guitar was pulling every rock guitar pose going – he was clearly ‘at one’ with his guitar and loved being in the limelight during his many solos. He seemed comfortable owning the stage when it was his turn, and for the entire show he was a bundle of energy.
The singer jumped into stalls standing to bounce with the fans, and the guitarist played a solo on the bar .
It was a decent enough set , although their appeal is more to McFly an Busted fans.
Near the end of the show they said they would be a meet and greet in the stalls after .
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Saturday 11 April 2026.
THE DAMNED live at Wembley Arena.
Original punk legends The Damned play a special 50th Anniversary show with support acts THE LOVELESS featuring MARC ALMOND, PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT, The Courettes.
The Damned most recent release was an album of covers.
I have seen The Damned over 40 times since 1976.
Including 10 times in their 1977 punk heyday.
Hard to believe 10 years has flown past since i saw their great 40th anniversary show at The Royal Albert Hall....and another great show in 2019 at The Palladium.
Also i was at both the Hammersmith Apollo shows in 2022, where all four original members reunited.
Like The Sex Pistols, they currently have three original members.
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Needless to say really looking forward to this gig.
Lots of pink rockin' chums are here.
Footie legend and punk rock loving STUART PEARCE was here.
We have a perfect view in guest list Block N6, looking at the stage on the right.
JAMES McCARTNEY( son of Paul) is sitting in the row in front of us.
The rear blocks are unsold , and have the black curtains up.
It is stalls standing , so maybe 10,000 tickets sold out of the 12,500 capacity.
I ended up missing the first band on , The Courettes.
PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT arrived on stage at 6.55pm for their 40 mins set.
Just 40 mins for them as they play for over two hours when they headline .
Hooky as cool as ever , with his low slung bass.
A superb set , that was all Joy Division gems and was dedicated to Ian Curtis .
Full setlist played tonight....
Dead Souls
Digital
Isolation
Disorder
She's Lost Control
Shadowplay
Transmission
Ceremony
Love Will Tear Us Apart
THE LOVELESS arrived on stage at 7.50pm and played for 40 mins.
Six musicians on stage , including Marc Almond and Neal X.
The set was pretty much split into three parts.
First few songs were lesser known covers.
Second few songs was their material.
Third was well known covers.
A really good set.
Full setlist played tonight......
Wild in the Streets (Garland Jeffreys cover)
Putty in Your Hands (The Yardbirds cover)
You're Gonna Miss Me (The Spades cover)
Hot Hard and Ready ( Smokey cover)
Teenage Wildlife
Dark Side
Nothing At All
Under My Wheels (Alice Cooper
Love Missile F1-11 (Sigue Sigue Sputnik)
Hell Raiser (Sweet cover)
Tainted Love (Gloria Jones cover)
Heat (Soft Cell cover)
THE DAMNED arrived on stage at 9pm , and it was a two hour show , with a 10 mins intermission showing 1970s TV commercials.
They have three big screens screens mixing live footage with pre-recorded images.
They sounded great , and were very professional like, no fooling around.
All their classic tracks played in the nice long set.
We even had a punk gig with a drum solo.
An excellent show.
See my Facebook page for a couple of videos from the show.
Full setlist played by The Damned tonight...
FIRST SET
Street of Dreams
Wait for the Blackout
The History of the World (Part 1)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Stranger on the Town
Under the Floor Again
Eloise ( Barry Ryan cover)
Wake the Dead
I Just Can't Be Happy Today
Life Goes On
Is It a Dream
Smash It Up (Part 1)
Smash It Up (Part 2)
SECOND SET
Nasty
Love Song
Machine Gun Etiquette
Fan Club
Disco Man
Neat Neat Neat
Curtain Call
Drum Solo
New Rose
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Thursday 09 April 2026...I went to two events tonight...
7pm to 9pm .
WEEZIES - opening launch party - Eccleston Yards, Eccleston Place, London SW1.
Weezie's has taken over the old Biscuiteers site in Eccleston Yards, just around the corner from Victoria Station. The people behind it, Will and Abbie Sandbach, run the Amie Wine Studio, which is right next door in the Belgravia development. They're describing Weezie's, which is named after Abbie's grandmother, as a pizza-focused restaurant and wine bar.
On the menu will be a range of thin-crust pizzas in the London/New Haven-style, along with various small plates.
Around 100 guests in the complex of cool eateries and stores in Eccleston Yards.
Complimentary drinks and food included four different cocktails , prosecco , wines ,beers and different slices of their very nice pizza.
then
9.30pm to 11pm.
ENISH - opening launch party - 187b Wardour Street, Soho London W1.
Authentic Nigerian restaurant and bar open add another location to their impressive UK roster.
A small doorway leads us down to the basement area.
Around 50 or 60 folks here . Another couple and us are the only white folks here.
It is very lively as we arrived late , and loud Nigerian music is bring played over the pa.
Several Nigerian artists including WizKid and Bad Bunny have headlined The 02 Arena and Wembley Arena
They manage to find us a table for complimentary prosecco and a very nice Nigerian meal of Jollof Rice and Fried Chicken with Fried Plantains.
Updated 10th April 2026 Permalink
Wednesday 08 April 2026
Wednesday 08 April 2026.
DECEMBER 10 live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Simon Cowell's new boy band play an invite only via free ballot gig.
Just four months on from their reveal on Netflix’s global series Simon Cowell: The Next Act, and newly signed to EMI Records, December 10 are moving at a relentless pace. They’ve performed 13 sold-out live shows across the UK and Ireland and racked up millions of followers across socials and over half a million monthly listeners on Spotify. While the official music video for their debut single “Run My Way” (2.4m views) and their stripped-back take on NSYNC’s “Bye, Bye, Bye” (1.9m views) have tipped past 1.9 million and 1.8 million organic YouTube views respectively.
Their two singles have not really set the world on fire as ' Run My Way ' only got to 68, and ' Angel' didn't make the Top 75.
Simon Cowell is hoping they can get sone of the incredible success that One Direction received.
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No surprise it is sold out tonight, as it's well over subscribed free tickets via the ballot.
It is an early start early finish tonight ,as the 90% female fans under the age of 25 have been queuing a long time as no school or college due to Easter break....but plenty of mums and dads here with their kids.
I have never seen Simon Cowell at a live music event , and even though they are his protégées , he is not here .
Over 100 folks on the guest list in the Level 1 seats.
A DJ warmed the crowd up with tracks the crowd sang along to.
DECEMBER 10 arrived on stage at 7.35pm for their 60 mins set.
There is seven of them , including four white , two black and a Brazilian.
Most of the songs are acoustic guitar based , but a few tracks had electric guitar and drums.
They have personal security in each corner of the pit ,along with lots of venue security .
Lots of loud singing and screaming throughout the show.
The songs are simple and catchy enough , and they throw in some dance routines .
Midway they stop for a Q n A with each other for a few mins.
Multi cameras are filming all the show.
They certainly seem to be using some backing tapes as well.
' Angel' is played early on, and ' Run My Way ' is at the end.
There are covers of NSYNCs 'Bye Bye Bye ' and Bruce Springsteen's 'Dancing In The Dark'.
A decent enough show.
Will be interesting to see how popular they get , over the next couple of years.
Their UK tour this coming July includes two shows at Shepherds Bush Empire, but this time you gotta pay .
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Tuesday 07 April 2026.
6.45pm to 7.45pm
MOUTH FULL OF GOLDS - book launch - Patta, 6 Silver Place , Soho, London W1.
The new IDEA book is Mouth Full Of Golds, written by director Lyle Lindgren and Eddie Plein. A book of caps, fronts, slugs and grills — even diamonds and pearls. This is the illustrated history of New York’s ‘Famous’ Eddie Plein, the golden era of dentistry he ushered in, and the great big glittering smile he left on the face of hip hop.
A$AP Ferg provides the introduction in an extraordinary piece of writing — placing golds and grills in his personal history and the context of black creative culture. Also telling their own stories are, amongst many others, Va$htie, Goldie, A$AP Rocky, Just-Ice, Janette Beckman and, new for this second edition, Marc Jacobs.
Around 40 guests are here in this tiny streetwear store, with half of them outside.
GOLDIE is here as he is featured in the book.
He said he still lives in Thailand but is over here as he is going into hospital on Monday .
Complimentary rum n cokes and cans of lager.
then
8pm to 8.45pm .
Football on the big screens at The Hippodrome Casino .
We watched the first half here.
This is a pretty amazing place to watch football on the big screens.
It is in their basement area.
Free to get in , but ID will have to be shown to security if you look young.
Over 20 screen's are showing four games live , including both the Champions League games.
They are also showing some live cricket .
Around 40 or 50 cosy seats and you can order food and drinks from the waitress who will bring it to your seat.
then
9pm to 11.45pm .
INTER ALIA - press / VIP opening night party - St Martins Lane Hotel, St Martins Lane, London WC2.
The main event was held earlier at The Wyndham's Theatre nearby.
Following an acclaimed, sold-out run at the National Theatre, Rosamund Pike brings her Olivier Award-nominated ‘tour-de-force’ (Metro) performance to the West End in a ‘searing legal drama’ (Guardian) from the writer and director of the global phenomenon Prima Facie.
Around 300 guests at this very nice five star hotel, we get cosy seats .
All the cast , including Rosamund Pike eventually turn up.
Others here included, Sir Derek Jacobi ( by coincidence his comedy skit in Frasier was repeated on TV that morning, so i had to tell him how good it was , he replied " Bless you , thank you)..
Also Bianca Jagger, Brian Cox , Ruby Wax , Andrew Marr and Kathy Letts.
Lots of complimentary drinks and food , including Negronis , Americanos, spirits n mixers , prosecco, wines , beers , pulled pork burgers and canapes.
Updated 8th April 2026 Permalink
Monday 06 April 2026.
Monday 06 April 2026.
Most mornings when i am writing reviews and updates , I have Channel 4 TV on in the background , as i love watching the repeats of American sitcoms Everybody Loves Raymond and Frasier.
Everybody Loves Raymond was on for nine years ...1996 to 2005...
On YouTube there is a great 66 mins of Everybody Loves Raymond - The 30 Years Anniversary Reunion.
All the cast talking about their fave episodes , as they show classic clips.
Really enjoyable.
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Sunday 05 April 2026...2.40pm to 5pm...
CREAM documentary on SKY Arts TV.
The definitive story of 60s rock supergroup Cream, featuring concert footage and interviews with Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce.
Starts with the band members previous groups and career from 1963/64 leading up to the Royal Albert Hall shows in 2005.
I was at all four of those legendary shows.
Only Eric Clapton is still alive, as the other two members have sadly passed away since.
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Saturday 04 April 2026.
Happy Birthday to glam rock legend DAVE HILL who is 80 today.
A good excuse to blast out some Slade classics today .
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Friday 03 April 2026.
MUSE live at Brixton Academy .
Muse play an intimate one off show, as they usually play arenas and big outdoor venues these days.
I have seen them around a dozen times before.
The first time was supporting Bush at Shepherds Bush Empire in 2000.
The first band i ever saw using drones on stage were Muse at The 02 Arena in 2016 .
I was at one of their five shows there on their ' Drones ' world tour.
A pretty amazing show that was , as the stage was in the round,and it rotated slowly during the show and a few times drones flew around the stage , and then disappeared down a hole in the middle of the stage .
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This was certainly a hot ticket gig , that sold out pronto.
My security mates telling me fans were camping out by the venue the night before the gig.
BITTER PEARL arrived on stage at 8pm for their 30 mins set.
The four piece played an ok set , but were not really that exciting.
MUSE arrived on stage at 9.20pm for their 90 mins set.
The three members of Muse are joined by a keyboard player.
All four of them are very casually dressed in t shirts .
Lots of lights , including strobes.
A big screen showing pre-recorded digital images.
There was flames, streamers and confetti cannons.
For three blokes to make this much noise (with a little assistance from the keyboards chap) is impressive.
Top notch musicians and Matt is offering up soaring falsettos and incendiary guitar licks.
They are mixing rock , prog and funk which creates an awesome crunching sound.
Only two new songs played, and they played all their biggest tracks which sent the crowd into raptures.
Only a little bit of chat from Matt, who put on a space jacket for the encore.
An excellent show.
Full MUSE setlist played tonight...
Interlude ( First time ever as opening song)
Hysteria
Map of the Problematique
Cryogen ( world premiere)
Resistance
Unravelling (extended intro)
[Drill Sergeant]
Psycho
Kill or Be Killed
Be With You ( live debut)
New Born (with Deftones' "Headup" riff outro)
Plug In Baby
Unintended ( Matt and Dan only; Cryosleep acoustic version)
United States of Eurasia (extended intro)
Supermassive Black Hole
Uprising
Knights of Cydonia
Encore:
The 2nd Law: Isolated System
Undisclosed Desires (with band introductions)
Prelude
Starlight
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Tuesday 31 March 2026.....I went to two events tonight...
7pm to 9.45pm.
NAPAPIJRI x VINNIE JONES - showcase - Flannels , 161 - 167 Oxford Street , London W1.
Vinnie Jones is featured in Napapijri's Spring/Summer 2026 "Who Are You?" campaign, highlighting the brand's iconic Rainforest jacket. The collaboration emphasizes grit and urban style, specifically showcasing the new Rainforest Next anorak and packable summer smocks as versatile, durable, and stylish outerwear suitable for both terrace culture and urban environments.
They are an Italian fashion company with a Danish name.
Around 150 to 200 guests are here in Flannels basement area.
There are lots of tables and chairs, which was handy.
Football legend and actor VINNIE JONES was hosting tonight.
He chatted for 20 mins before the match and posed for selfies and signed autographs after.
We thought the match would be England v Japan , but as Vinnie Jones played for Wales they were hoping it was Wales playing , but they got knocked out, so we are watching Bosnia v Italy on the three big screens .
Bosnia won it on penalties.
Guests got a goodie bag , with a bucket hat with the company logo and a Vinnie Jones poster .
Complimentary prosecco , wines, beers and cheese & tomato pizza slices for the guests.
then
10.15pm to 12pm .
Press night party - QUAGLINO'S - Bury Street , St James's, London SW1.
This was the opening night party for Romeo & Juliet.
Starring Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) as Juliet and Noah Jupe (A Quiet Place, Hamnet) as Romeo in their West End debuts. Robert Icke (Oedipus) directs Shakespeare’s electrifying and timeless tragic tale of love and innocence, Romeo & Juliet, at the intimate Harold Pinter Theatre.
A big crowd of over 300 or 400 here.
The cast all eventually turned up.
A few faces here , including Ian McKellen, Will Young, Mark Strong and Bill Patterson.
Complimentary prosecco, wines , beers and canapes for the guests.
We left at midnight, but it was due to finish at 1am.
Updated 1st April 2026 Permalink
Monday 30 March 2026.
Monday 30 March 2026.
Very sad news that a legendary music pr has passed away
Keith Altham R.I.P.....age 84...
A successful rock and roll scarred author, broadcaster, and New Musical Express features editor, Keith Altham interviewed the likes of the Beatles, the Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Rod Stewart, Tom Jones, Frank Zappa, the Small Faces, Cliff Richard, Dusty, Cilla, Scott Walker, Ray Davies, Jim Morrison and The Beach Boys on innumerable occasions. In the early ‘60s he wrote for the legendary fan magazine Fabulous from its inception. Subsequently he became England’s most successful independent rock press agent for three decades from the early ‘70s representing most of those he had previously interviewed.
On radio, Altham was a major contributor as news reader and interviewer for three years on BBC 2’s "Scene and Heard" which was "the music paper of radio" during the ‘60s and early ‘70s, More recently he contributed to BBC Radio 2’s programme on "The Changing Styles of Music Journalism" "Music Hype" and Virgin FMs "Tribute to Jimi Hendrix."
Altham is also accountable for giving Hendrix the idea of setting fire to his guitar, and is recorded as being the last person to interview him before his death; for saddling Reg Presley of the Troggs with his surname and turning Slade into skinheads for publicity purpose in the early ‘70s.
His first book The PR Strikes Back in the form of open letters to his famous clients over many years including The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Van Morrison, Sting, The Beach Boys, Status Quo, Phil Collins and The Who revealing his true feelings about them was printed by Blake Publishing and serialised in the Daily Mail in 2002.
K.A. Publicity, which he founded in 1971, represented the cream of British rock music over two decades including for several years, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Beach Boys, Police, Slade, Status Quo, The Animals, Van Morrison, Rod Stewart, The Kinks, Scott Walker, Eddy Grant, Genesis, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC, The Jam, The Stranglers, Marc Bolan, The Moody Blues, Steve Marriott, Carole King, Joan Armatrading, Elkie Brooks, and Manfred Mann. Altham retired his Press Agency and in 1993 BBC Radio 4 made Altham the subject of a tribute programme "The Godfather of Music PR" on which Sting, Roger Daltrey and Jagger testified to his skill.
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Saturday 28 March 2026.
GARBAGE live at The Royal Albert Hall.
plus special guests PLACEBO (rare, stripped back performance).
This is show number 6 of the 7 TCT RAH shows.
I have seen Placebo more times than Garbage , so would prefer if they were the headliners.
Placebo are however down to play a 75 mins set.
2026 sees the 30th anniversary of the Placebo excellent debut album.
Oddly, even though they are headlining tonight ,later this year Garbage are headlining The Roundhouse , but tonight's support act Placebo are playing the much bigger Wembley Arena.
I first saw Garbage headlining The Reading Festival in 1998.
I first saw Placebo supporting Prodigy at Battersea Power Station in 1997.
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Everyone has come in early as Placebo are the support act.
The venue is rammed solid sold out.
There is arena floor standing again.
Again, the cameras are here , so Placebo are shown on the big screen , but Garbage are not.
PLACEBO arrived on stage at 7.30pm for their 60 mins.
The venue said they down to play for 75 mins , but it was actually 60 mins.
Placebo brought a “stripped back” set which still saw a 6 piece band (!including violin and keyboards) reimagine their acclaimed back catalogue. Singer Brian Molko “admitted to feeling a flutter of nerves" . But they launched into a good set that began with their cover of Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Jackie’ before hits including ‘Special Needs’, ‘Pure Morning’ ,‘Taste In Men’ and ' Special K'.
Several of their big songs not played as they played lesser known and rarely played tracks , and most tracks were reworked, so more slow paced laid back rather than their usual full tilt.
A good set , but not as mega as expected.
Full Placebo setlist played tonight....
Jackie (Sinéad O’Connor cover) (First time live since 2015)
Special Needs
Begin the End (!First time live since 2015)
Pure Morning (First time live since 2018)
Taste In Men
Blind
Follow the Cops Back Home (First time live since 2011)
Beautiful James
Slave to the Wage
Special K
Post Blue
Meds
Centrefolds ( First time live since 2004)
As usual during the interval , we had the videos of the TCT teenagers and around 20 took to the stage to great applause from the crowd.
GARBAGE arrived on stage at 9.15pm for their 1 hour 40 mins set.
Five of them on stage , all of them are dressed in black.
Shirley Manson is loud on vocals , and the band are nice and very loud , and overall they make a great noise.
Lots of lights , including strobes.
Shirley Manson was talking and swearing a lot.
She walked into the stalls seats a couple of times.
She gave thanks to Placebo for joining them tonight, when they could have headlined themselves.
All the songs rocked along nicely and the encore was their two biggest hits.
Before tonight , I thought Placebo may steal the show , but Garbage held their own as headliners , and
they were great.
Full Garbage setlist played tonight...
There’s No Future in Optimism
Hold
Fix Me Now
I Think I'm Paranoid
Vow
Run Baby Run
The Trick Is to Keep Breathing
Not My Idea
The Men Who Rule the World
Wolves
Lovesong ( The Cure cover) (Live debut)
Chinese Fire Horse
Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)
When I Grow Up
Push It
The Day That I Met God
Encore:
Stupid Girl
Only Happy When It Rains
Updated 28th March 2026 Permalink
Friday 27 March 2026.
Friday 27 March 2026.
SEX PISTOLS EXPOSE live at The 100 Club.
Top notch Pistols tribute band...with support from Latchicos, Healthy Junkies and Phobics.
Jeffrey Munday will playing some top punk and glam rock tunes.
Nathan as Johnny , i must have seen around 20 times when he was fronting The Sex Pistols Experience.
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Good to see several punk rockin' chums here.
PHOBICS arrived on stage at 7.25pm for their 30 mins set.
PHOBICS formed in Deptford in 1999 , and have played loads of gigs in London's punk venues.
They played some good tracks from their albums.
HEALTHY JUNKIES arrived on stage at 8.05pm for their 35 mins set .
They played some good tracks , including ' Bad Reputation' .
They had a lively foxy female who jumped around a lot and crawled on the floor.
LATCHICOS arrived on stage at 8.55pm for their 35 mins set .
They played a very enjoyable set of classic punk and new covers and a T.Rex gem.
Including Buzzcocks, Ramones , Clash , Only Ones , Magazine, Undertones etc.
SEX PISTOLS EXPOSE arrived on stage at 9.45pm for their 80 mins set.
They played a top notch set of Pistols classics , and tracks that the real Pistols never play
Nathan as Johnny has the look and all the mannerisms.
The Sid looks the part and acts the fool.
The Steve has the Les Paul Gibson and knotted handkerchief for some tracks.
Like last year , Nathan gave me shout out from the stage.
All the tracks from NMTB are played , along with a four song Sid sings segment.
Highlights included ' EMI', ' Pretty Vacant', 'God Save The Queen', and the final three classics 'Holidays in the Sun', ' Bodies ' and ' Anarchy in the UK'.
They really are a top notch Pistols tribute.
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Thursday 26 March 2026.
MANIC STREET PREACHERS plus special guests The Joy Formidable.
Teenage Cancer Trust Shows continue at The Royal Albert Hall.
This was show number 4 of 7 this week.
Tonight was the 150th Teenage Cancer Trust show at the Royal Albert Hall show since the first week of shows in 2000....I have been to around 50 of them.
I have seen The Manics over a dozen times , including a very early gig in August 1991 at The Hibernian Club in Fulham when Richie Edwards was still alive.
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The venue looks very full tonight.
It is floor standing again.
The show is being filmed again tonight , but oddly there is live footage of the support band on the big screen , but for The Manics , they are filmed , but it is not used as the band have their own pre recorded images and slogans on the big screen.
THE JOY FORMIDABLE arrived on stage at 7.30pm for their 40 mins set.
Like The Manics , this indie rock three piece come from Wales.
The male and female are sharing lead vocals.
They played some food rockin' tracks from their five albums.
Again we had the videos and parade of teenagers with cancer who have been helped by TCT.
A mention to Aldi we hi have donated over £13m to TCT overtime the years.
MANIC STREET PREACHERS arrived on stage at 8.55pm for their 1 hour 45 mins set.
The three main members are joined by two other musicians for all the show.
James Dean Bradfield playing some very nifty guitar on his white Les Paul Gibson.
Plenty of their big tunes played, along with rarely played tracks.
We even get a cover by The Cure.
See my Facebook.page for videos of ' A Design for Life' and ' You Love Us'.
The Manics always put on a great show.
Full setlist played tonight....
Motorcycle Emptiness
Futurology ( First time since 2014)
Roses in the Hospital ( First time since 2016)
You Stole the Sun From My Heart
Decline & Fall
Ocean Spray
Close to Me (The Cure cover) (First time live by Manic Street Preachers)
La tristesse durera (Scream to a Sigh)
This Is Yesterday
Hiding in Plain Sight (with Echo and the Bunnymen 'Bring On the Dancing Horses' intro)
The Secret He Had Missed
A Design for Life
This Sullen Welsh Heart (James Dean Bradfield acoustic solo)
Everything Must Go ( James Dean Bradfield acoustic solo)
The Everlasting (James Dean Bradfield solo into full band)
Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll (First time since 2015)
Your Love Alone Is Not Enough
This Is the Day (The The cover) (First time since 2017)
From Despair to Where
My Little Empire (preceded by band introductions, first time since 2019)
You Love Us ( Dedicated to Richey Edwards)
If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next ( ticker tape over the crowd)
Updated 26th March 2026 Permalink
Wednesday 25 March 2026.
Wednesday 25 March 2026...7pm to 9.30pm...
SCHIAPARELLI - Fashion Becomes Art - private view - V & A Museum , South Kensington , London .
Elsa Schiaparelli (1890–1973) was an influential Italian-born fashion designer famous for her surrealist designs and collaborations with artists like Salvador Dalí. She was born in Rome, Italy, on September 10, 1890, into a cultured and intellectual family before launching her avant-garde couture house in Paris in the 1920s.
Elsa Schiaparelli instilled a creative spirit in 20th-century fashion with her inventive imagination and revolutionary vision on sportswear, Haute Couture, art, fragrance, and ordinary elements turned into elaborate creations. Her iconic collaborations with artists like Dalí, Cocteau, Man Ray, and Giacometti became legendary.
Nowadays, the Maison Schiaparelli cultivates this incredible heritage, offering women of the 21st-century the essence of a bold style and timeless allure.
The UK’s first exhibition on Elsa Schiaparelli spans the 1920s to today, celebrating the innovative designer's influence. It traces the fashion house’s groundbreaking origins and its evolution under current creative director Daniel Roseberry.
At 7.40pm , we had a couple of speeches.
We had a 20 mins wander around the exhibition.
Loads of stunning dresses, including some that have been worn to the by well known names,
including Arianda Grande, Dua Lipa , Lady Gaga, Beyonce and others.
A big crowd here , as must be 700 or 800 guests.
A few faces here ,including Nick Rhodes , Andrew Logan, Dame Zandra Rhodes , Minnie Driver , Pixie Lott , Stephen Jones , Emily Maitlis , Marc Quinn , Jackie St Clair, Basis Briggs and lots of very nicely dressed females.
A female DJ s playing well known 70s and 80s dance tracks.
Complimentary Louie Roederer champers , three different cocktails and canapes .
It is on until 01 December 2026, and is a paid ticket for entry
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Teenage Cancer Trust Shows at The Royal Albert Hall.
This was the first show of seven.
Obviously not as lively as this time last year , when the opening TCT show on the Monday was The Sex Pistols with Frank Carter who played a stunning show .
Monday 23 March 2026
ELBOW live at The Royal Albert Hall.
Fans can expect performances of classic tracks such as 'One Day Like This' , ' Grounds For Divorce ' and ' Lippy Kids ' as well as tracks from their most recent studio album 'Audio Vertigo' from 2024.
I have seen Elbow a few times before.
Four of their albums have hit the number one spot in the UK.
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The venue is rammed solid sold out tonight.
A mainly middle aged crowd here tonight.
Support comes from MRCY.
I caught the last 15 mins of their 30 mins set.
A nice laid back soulful set .
Guy Garvey bigged them up a couple of times during the Elbow set.
In the interval was the videos of teenagers with cancer , and around 20 of them came on stage to big applause from the crowd ...must be terrible to get cancer as a teenager .
ELBOW arrived on stage at 8.40pm for their two hour set.
Ten on stage including three female brass and backing vocals, and two females violins and backing vocals .
A nice big light show, and a disco glitter ball , and it's floor standing tonight.
Cameras are filming the show , but no screens are here tonight to show it.
Guy Garvey is like your mate down the pub.
All their best tracks played , with highlights including ' The Seldom See Kid', ' Grounds for Divorce' and a stunning encore of the anthem ' One Day Like This ' which really is a corker of a tune.
A really good show.
Full ELBOW setlist played tonight...
Things I've Been Telling Myself for Years
Lovers' Leap
The Bones of You
Mirrorball
Empires
Fly Boy Blue / Lunette
Kindling
Her to the Earth
Balu
Great Expectations
The Seldom Seen Kid
The Birds
Lippy Kids
My Sad Captains
Magnificent (She Says)
Grounds for Divorce
Encore:
Station Approach
One Day Like This ( see my video on my Facebook page )
Updated 24th March 2026 Permalink
Sunday 15 March 2026.
Saturday 14 March 2026.
A pretty crap day to hear of two musicians passing away.
Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell has died age 64.
I was lucky to have seen all the Motorhead line ups since one of their earliest gigs in 1975 , at Hammersmith Odeon , supporting Blue Oyster Cult, and saw many great shows with Phil at the same venue.
I also saw him a couple of times with The Bastard Sons after Lemmy passed away.
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Nigel (Sid Vicious in The Sex Pistols Experience) has sadly passed away.
They really were a top notch outfit.
They even got to USA where they played a venue that the real Pistols played in Jan 1978.
Must have seen them over 20 times over the years, including a few of their superb Jubilee Boat Gigs down The River Thames .
R.I.P. to both of them.
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Tuesday 03 March 2026.
I have just come out of hospital after a fortnight's stay , due to a five hour operation on my colon.
Now is the recovery period of a fortnight or so.
Hopefully i can be back to normal late March / early April.
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Friday 13 February 2026.
Happy Birthday to PETER GABRIEL who is 75 today .
Happy Birthday to PETER HOOK who is 70 today.
Happy Birthday to ROBBIE WILLIAMS who is 52 today.
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Thursday 12 February 2026.
Happy Birthday to SHERYL CROW who is 64 today.
Updated 12th February 2026 Permalink
Sunday 08 February 2026.
Sunday 08 February 2026.
STARCAT live at The 100 Club.
An evening of adrenaline-soaked Rock ‘n’ Roll with STARCAT featuring the legendary Slim Jim Phantom, Phil Polecat and Neal X.
The show will feature tracks from their respective three groups - The Stray Cats , The Polecats , Sigue Sigue Sputnik - and classic covers from the 1960s and 1970s.
I have seen The Stray Cats over a dozen times, including three times in 1980 when they first came over , and they were the hottest new band in town.
I saw Sigue Sigue Sputnik at The National, Kilburn in 1986.
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Good to see several chums here tonight.
STARCAT arrived on stage at 8.20 for their 80 mins.set.
The highlight of the evening was a few classic hits of The Stray Cats .
The band look so cool on stage
Slim Jim and his stand up drums, Phil Polecat and his stand up double bass, and Neal X with a nice array of nice looking guitars , and all wearing cool stage wear .
They were joined by a fourth member on sax.
Nice to see a couple of special guests joining them for a couple of tracks each
TOBY LEE is a 21 year old blues guitarist , and it was great to see him dueling with Neal X
HOTOI is a Japanese guitarist , who is based in London, but has sold millions of records in Japan over his 40 year career.
An excellent show.
Setlist included several rock roll covers from the 1960s and 1970s , along with ....
Rumble in Brighton - The Stray Cats
Rockabilly Guy - The Polecats
Stray Cat Strut - The Stray Cats
TOBY LEE joined them for two tracks
Hey Jayne Mansfield Superstar - Sigue Sigue Sputnik
Tiger Feet - Mud
Runaway Boys - The Stray Cats
Love Missile F1-11 - Sigue Sigue Sputnik
and HOTOI joined them for the final two great tracks of
Rock This Town - The Stray Cats
C'mon Everybody - Eddie Cochran
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Saturday 07 February 2026.
GUITAR GANGSTERS plus support acts live at The Music Box , Bourne Avenue ,Hayes.
Note that the venue has moved from West Drayton Football Club.
This new to me venue , is putting on punk rock shows.
Hayes, Middlesex is out West London way , Zone 4 on the Elizabeth Line.
This launch gig is FREE ENTRY for all.
Get more info from the Old School Promoters website.
They also promote gigs at a couple of other small venues.
The London-based punk band Guitar Gangsters have been around for over 30 years, and are known for their melodic, late 70s power punk, and are influenced by bands like The Clash , The Jam and The Ruts, Guitar Gangsters gained recognition in the punk scene and solidified their reputation as a live act
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The venue is around 15 mins walk from the train station.
I walk past where EMI had their famous vinyl record pressing plant.
The EMI (originally Gramophone Company) record-pressing plant in Hayes, Middlesex, was a cornerstone of the music industry from the early 20th century, with major operations spanning from 1907 to the late 1970s.
The site is pretty much a mix of new housing blocks of flats and industrial .
Artists including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Cliff Richard, T.Rex and Pink Floyd – had their vinyl records produced at the site. Production reached its peak in the 1960s at the Hayes site, which covered 150 acres and saw a staggering 14,000 people in work there.The area is now known as The Old Vinyl Factory.
Around 50 or 60 folks are here.
WOKERATI PARTY arrived on stage at 8.35pm for their 40 mins set.
A duo making a nice racket.
Male drummer and main vocals, female guitar and backing vocals.
GUITAR GANGSTERS arrived on stage at 9.45pm for their 70 mins set.
A four piece who are dressed in black.
Lots of good catchy lively punk pop like "Turn The Tables," "Nothing To Shout About," and "That's When The Razor Cuts".
The final song of the night was the only cover ' Be My Baby's.
A good set.
Updated 7th February 2026 Permalink
Friday 06 February 2026
Friday 06 February 2026.
Congratulations to top notch young new band THE MOLOTOVS.
Their debut album has gone straight in at number 3 in the UK charts.
I saw them play a great gig at The 100 Club just a few days ago .
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Thursday 05 February 2026....6.30pm to 8.45pm...
PRESTIGE EVENTS MAGAZINE 23rd birthday at Kerb Social Club, Spitalfields Market , London E1.
Around 100 guests are here.
Prestige Events Magazine is a premier UK-based publication and resource hub serving 35,000+ senior event planners, corporate hospitality managers, and industry professionals. It provides insights into industry trends, event technology, and venue selection, featuring "cool" venues
Kerb Social Club. An inclusive neighbourhood sports bar for food, drinks, live sports and entertainment. A bold, open venue where sport, street food and good times collide. With big screens, buzzing bar energy, darts, karaoke, five private rooms and food that’s worth cheering for.
Later on there is some dodgy sounding karaoke by some female guests.
We ended up leaving an hour before it was due to finish.
Complimentary prosecco, wines, beers and a buffet of southern fried food.
They promised cocktails on the invite , but that did not happen , so I would have to say not as good as some of their previous events at other venues.
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Wednesday 04 February 2026...6.15pm to 11pm...
THE SUNDAY TIMES Sportswomen of the Year Awards 2025 at Nobu , Portman Square ,London W1.
Around 250 guests in this very nice restaurant and hotel.
Several well known faces are here to pick up awards or present or just to watch .
Sharron Davies , Lawrence Dallaglio, Ellie Simmonds, Baroness Karren Brady .
Emily Maitlis did the interviews after the awards.
Emily did that car crash interview with Prince Andrew.
We are seated in rows for the awards at 8pm for an hour.
The award winners were ....
Ellie Kildunne named The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year.
Ellie accepted via video message .
Michelle Agyemang is the Sure Young Sportswoman of the Year.
Michelle was here to accept .
Alice Tai wins the Disability Sportswoman of the Year.
Alice accepted by video message .
Sarah Perry receives the Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration.
Sarah was here to accept the award . A tiny car with big retention and even bigger list
Natalie O’Rourke MBE voted Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year.
Natalie was here to accept the award.
Lionesses coach Sarina Wiegman awarded the Editor’s Choice Award.
Sarina accepted via video message .
Mastercard Team of the Year awarded to England Red Roses.
A couple of the girls picked up the award.
Lots of very nice complimentary drinks and food before and after the awards , including Laurent Perrier champers ,spirits n mixers , Negronis , wines , beers , small plates that included their famous black cod , canapes and desserts .
Updated 5th February 2026 Permalink
Tuesday 03 February 2026.
Tuesday 03 February 2026.
JUST FOR ONE DAY - THE LIVE AID MUSICAL The Shaftesbury Theatre, London WC2.
I went to see this excellent musical just three weeks ago , but am back again as it closes at this venue this coming Saturday 07 February 2026.
It is very full, at least 95% tickets sold overall tonight.
We have excellent seats, in the stalls a dozen rows back.
The show is on for 2 hours 15 mins over two sets of 65 mins and 70 mins.
There are around 20 actors /singers on stage. A live six piece band are on the raised stage at the back.
The show starts with the complexities of recording the single ' Do They Know It's Christmas' and then getting the artists to perform at Wembley Stadium. Lots of great songs that were performed at Wembley and Philadelphia. Some acts that were at Wembley get no mention whatsoever.
The actor playing Bob Geldof was again superb , with plenty of his trademark swearing.
The actress playing Maggie Thatcher was also top notch .
The actor playing Harvey Goldsmith was also really good.
The original event in July 1985 was my number one best live gig event that i have ever attended.
It is a really excellent and enjoyable feel-good musical.
It will go on a major UK tour from March 2027.
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Monday 02 February 2026...I went to two vents tonight....
6.30pm to 7.30pm
TV CHOICE AWARDS - The Hilton Hotel , Park Lane, Mayfair , London W1.
TV Choice is a popular weekly TV listings magazine.
I am here for the red carpet press arrivals for an hour.
I was last at this TV awards event around a decade ago.
Must be around 400 guests here.
Lots of familiar faces from the TV screens here tonight.
Many are here from the different TV soaps.
JASON MANFORD is here as he is on hosting duties .
Also Pete Wicks, Lisa Snowdon, James Martin, Brian Conley , Denise Van Outen, Shaun Wallace, Nicki Chapman, Don Warrington , Michelle Collins , Gaby Roslin, Matt Baker , Jenny Ryan, Alison Steadman , Anne Hegarty and musicians who have TV or radio side jobs, Shayne Ward , JB Gill, Duncan James and Harry Judd.
Complimentary Silverhand English Sparkling Wine for all the guests.
then
THE MOLOTOVS live at The 100 Club , London.
Certainly one of the best newish bands out there .
I have seen them supporting The Libertines and The Sex Pistols.
They have already sold out The Electric Ballroom.
They have played over 600 gigs including youth clubs.
They have a great look and sound that's draws influences from Mod and Punk Rock.
Brother and sister duo (Matt and Issey ) , with a male drummer for live shows.
This is the London date on their UK tour to promote their debut album ' Wasted on Youth' which was released last Friday on Marshall Records to several great reviews.
Will be interesting where it ends up in the album charts come this weekend , as they have done full promo with with gigs, in store record store appearances and TV , radio and newspaper/magazine interviews .
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This iconic venue is sold out in advance.
Oddly for such a young band , most of the crowd are middle aged blokes.
THE FORTY FOURS arrived on stage at 8.30 for their 35 mins set.
The Forty Fours are also a very young looking back.
They have the 1960s retro look of suits and ties.
They play a rock n roll set of 1960s and tracks from their upcoming debut album.
They were enjoyable to watch.
THE MOLOTOVS arrived on stage at 9.30pm for their 65 mins set.
The band is incredibly tight, delivering high-speed songs with almost no breath between them. Blonde Issey on bass is magnetic on stage, possessing a strong, commanding presence, as she cannot stop moving and tossing her hair to the music , as she pouts and poses.
Matt on vocals is a dead ringer for The Ace Face / Sting in Quadrophenia.
They played tracks from the new album , along with some new tracks, and a cover of David Bowies ' Suffragette City'.
Their dad loved The Jam and played them non stop at home , and saw them four times back in the day , so you can see why Paul Weller comparisons are made with Matt.
Matt said they are in a battle with Lily Allen's album for the number one spot.
They are a real bundle of uptempo energy, and really good to watch.
Needless to say , bigger venues like The Forum Kentish Town are coming next time Sept 2026.
Updated 2nd February 2026 Permalink
Saturday 31 January 2026.
Saturday 31 January 2026.
Happy Birthday to punk legend JOHN LYDON who is 70 today .
I have seen him with The Sex Pistols and PiL many times.
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Saturday 31 January 2026.
THE ROTTYS live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Join the boys from The Screen Rot podcast for Content's biggest night as they once again give out the prestigious Rottys to the stars of your dirty little phone screens, with help from a load of special guests.
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The crowd tonight was 95% male...lots of rowdy drinkers too.
Stalls seated , and sold out , so must be 1000 to 1200 tickets sold.
The crowd have been asked to wear attire as it you are going to a real awards show...some do.
They must be doing something right as big guns Live Nation are their promoters.
The show seemed very short as on for only 75 mins over two sets of 35 mins and 40 mins.
They basically gave out awards to TikTok / Instagram etc folks they and the crowd like.
The big screen showed the three shortlisted for each category , and the winner was here to accept.
They have a few cosy armchairs on stage , and that's it.
The first half included...
Father of the Year and Viral Moment of the Year.
The second half included...
Waffller of the Year and Podcast of the Year.
Great to see Mike Parry to pick the Best Waffler of the Year award.
The evening finished with everyone on stage and all the crowd singing ' Wonderwall'.
There were several funny moments, and the crowd enjoyed it lots.
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Friday 30 January 2026.
NEW PURPLE CELEBRATION live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Top notch seven piece Prince tribute will be playing a two hour show of his hits.
I was lucky to have seen the real Prince live over 20 times, including a short notice gig at this same venue back in 2014....he really was an incredible performer , with so many great tracks.
The first times i saw Prince were two nights at Wembley Arena in 1986, then four of his seven nights at Wembley Arena in 1988 , on his ' Lovesexy ' tour.
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Level 3 is pretty empty, but must be 1200/1300 here.
Lots of folks are dressed in purple clothing.
Guests in the Level 1 vip seats included singer BEVERLEY KNIGHT and comedian BILL BAILEY .
Beverley Knight was the support act to Prince , when he played 21 nights at The 02 Arena....I went to six.
NEW PURPLE CELEBRATION arrived on stage at 8.10pm for their 2 hours 15 mins set.
The singer has bit's of Prince characteristics , and plays Prince type guitars.
Encore of ' Purple Rain' had everyone swaying along.
A great show.
Must around 25 tracks played , with many Prince classics, including....
1999
Raspberry Beret
Little Red Corvette
Gold
Diamonds and Pearls
The Cross
Sign of The Times
Let's Go Crazy
When Doves Cry
I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man
Kiss
I Wanna Be Your Lover
U Got The Look
I Would Die 4 U / Baby I'm A Star
Encore :
Purple Rain
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Thursday 29 January 2026.
I went to two events tonight .
6pm to 6.45pm .
PIPPY HOULDSWORTH GALLERY - private view - 1st Floor , 6 Heddon Street , Mayfair, London W1.
Artist KV DUONG is showcasing .
Around 100 guests here.
Complimentary wines and beers for the guests.
then
6.50pm to 9.15pm.
P.JOHNSON - celebration - 25 - 28 Old Burlington Street , Mayfair , London W1.
This cool upmarket Australian menswear store is located where the legendary nightclub The Embassy used to be....I had many great nights there back in the day .
Around 50 or 60 nicely dressed guests here.
They have pushed the boat out, as much better than expected .
Complementary Bollinger champers , Negronis , Gin n Tonics and canapes.
Updated 29th January 2026 Permalink
Wednesday 28 January 2026.
Tuesday 27 January 2026...7pm to 10.30pm..
RADIO TIMES COVERS PARTY at Claridges , Brook Street , Mayfair , London W1.
Always nice to be at this famous five star hotel.
I have been to this event a few times before , but it's my first time post Covid.
Around 300 guests here in the ballroom.
Always over a dozen well known folks from TV screens here.
At 8pm for an hour SIR LENNY HENRY hosted the main event which celebrates the best covers of 2025.
The winners get a framed copy of their Radio Times cover .
TRAITORS - the winners were here to collect.
DEATH IN PARADISE - Don Warrington was here to collect.
EASTENDERS 40th ANNIVERSARY - Jessie Wallace , Michelle Collins , Michelle Ryan and Gillian Taylforth are here to collect....hard to believe the youthful looking Gillian Talyforth is now aged 70.
CALL THE MIDWIFE - Megan Cusack was here to collect.
NOT GOING OUT - Lee Mack was here to collect.
MATCH OF THE DAY - Mark Chapman and Kelly Gates were here to collect.
STRICTLY COME DANCING - a few of the professional dancers were here to collect.
RIOT WOMEN - Tamsin Greig was here to collect.
MARY BERRY at 90 - Mary Berry was here to collect.
WALLACE & GROMIT - Nick Park was here to collect.
LIVE AID 40th ANNIVERSARY - Roger Taylor from Queen and Michael Buerk were here to collect.
There was a tribute to Alan Yentob from Armando Iannucci .
ALEX HORNE & THE HORNE SECTION helped out out with musical snippets during the main event.
Other guests here include Richard Arnold , Mark Gatiss , David Mitchell , Vernon Kay ,Alex Kingston,
and several more I could not put names to.
Complimentary sparking wines , wines, beers and canapes.
Guests got a very nice big bulky goodie bag with over 20 items inside.
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Tuesday 27 January 2026.
Happy Birthday to NICK MASON who is 82 today.
See my Facebook page for a photo of us together.
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Monday 26 January 2026.
Celebrity Mastermind BBC2 7.30pm.
Football legend and punk rock lovin' STUART PEARSE is a contestant .
His chosen subject was UK Punk Rock 1976 to 1979.
He got 9 out of 10 punk rock questions correct.
He did good in general knowledge and won it overall.
Well done Stuart.
Updated 26th January 2026 Permalink
Friday 23 January 2026.
Friday 23 January 2026.
DEAF DEVILS live at the Hope & Anchor, Islington.
SHAKE SOME ACTON #130. DEAF DEVILS, DESPERATE MEASURES, MORGELLONS,THE PHOBICS.
Shake Some Acton is hitting the ground running in 2026 with this red hot line up ! It also happens to be Mannie”s, Dave Ralf’s and Roger’s Birthday gig too!
From Valencia, Spain and hot off touring with G.B.H and The Baboon Show( in Europe), comes the loud,fast and dangerous merchants of mayhem, DEAF DEVILS!! Stoked, to welcome them back again. A tornado of incendiary Punk Rock. Death Action Rock 666! Lucyfyer and the lads are here to tear it up! Seeing is believing.
I saw them a year ago , and they were very lively indeed.
DESPERATE MEASURES. Christchurch NZ 80′ s Punks,reborn and sounding better than ever! Eugene is a great front man and the band back him up in fine Punk Rock n Roll style. The Stooges,Pistols,heavy Rockin .
I have seen them a couple of times before as support act.
MORGELLONS. A rare live performance. Lyrics that are witty, heartfelt and scathing and backed up by a Post Punk sound.
I have seen them a couple of times before.
THE PHOBICS. A firm favourite on the Punk circuit.
Fast,loud Punk n Roll.
I have seen them just the once before.
Tickets are £12 advance and £15 on the door...from WeGotTickets website.
It is many, many , many years since I last went to this venue.
I went there during its heyday .
I saw some big bands who played this tiny venue.
999 Hope And Anchor Pub, London 29.11.1977
Marseilles Hope And Anchor Pub, London 27.03.1978
Damned,Nipple Erectors Hope And Anchor Pub, London 10.01.1979
Protex,Innocence Hope And Anchor Pub, London 08.08.1979
Fabulous Thunderbirds Hope And Anchor Pub, London 03.03.1980
Specials Hope And Anchor Pub, London 31.10.1980
Skids Hope And Anchor Pub, London 01.11.1980
Only Ones Hope And Anchor Pub, London 03.11.1980 another in this week of special shows here.
Madness Hope And Anchor Pub, London 07.11.1980
Johnny Thunders Hope And Anchor Pub , London 20.04.1982
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No surprise this gig sold out in advance as only 80 capacity these days due to health and safety.
In the old days it was more like 150/200 capacity...still very small.
They would certainly squeeze them in then, as gigs were packed and very hot n sweaty .
Good to see lots of punk rockin' chums here tonight.
I have seen all four bands tonight at least the once.
THE PHOBICS arrived on stage at 7.15pm for their 35 mins set.
Deptfords finest garage punk rockers have been going for over 25 years.
They played a good set of songs.
MORGELLONS arrived on stage at 8.10 for their 35 mins set.
My old mucker Mannie (tonights promoter) is their drummer.
Lots of catchy tracks played tonight.
DESPERATE MEASURES arrived on stage at 9.10pm for their 40 mins set.
Eugene from Vive Le Rock magazine is their vocalist.
He knows how to work the crowd well.
Lots of good tracks played in their set including....
Back to the Rats
Thinking of England
Seven Sisters
Lost angels
1984
I Wanna Be Your Dog ( cover)
DEAF DEVILS arrived on stage at 10pm for their 50 mins set.
The handball arrivebon stage wearing white shirts , white trousers and black braces.
Their blonde female singer Lucyfer looks great , and does not keep still.
On stage the band are a whirlwind of 100,% uptempo garage punk rock.
Hints of Amyl & The Sniffers and The Hives give you an idea of their sound.
Great times like ' Too Much For You'.
.Lucyfer had a change of outfit halfway through the set.
Last two songs included a cover of ' My Generation ' and saw all the band in the audience area , including the full drum kit, for a wild and chaotic finish.
A great set.
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Thursday 22 January 2026....6.30pm to 10pm...
A Wild Night at The Crown and Sceptre with Prof Alastair Driver and Ben Goldsmith.
A talk on Rewilding and Conservation by two experts .
The Crown & Sceptre, 34 Holland Road , Holland Park , London W14.
£15.00 Per ticket from their events page.
www.crownandsceptre.uk - Visit their website here.
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This event was hosted by ex page 3:model JACKIE ST CLAIR and husband Carl.
Jackie's stunning house in Holland Park is just a few mins away.
She has an amazing garden full of wildlife as there are many bird boxes and a fox family and more.
The pub is packed solid sold out ..maybe 60 seated and 20 standing.
Many are Jackie's friends , so i know several people here .
Guests included LIZZIE CUNDY, BASIA BRIGGS and the mother of singer JOY CROOKES.
The talk was pretty much two hours over two sets of 75 mins and 45 mins.
The two main guests were joined by others for five mins each or so.
Some great images of before and after on the big screens.
Mainly about Rewilding , Conservation, Recycling and the Environment .
At 8.15pm there was a 30 mins interval.
A nice complimentary Greek buffet was laid on, including large kebabs .
At 9.30pm we had a female singer with a great voice sing three tracks .
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January Blues Festival continues at this venue.
Venue = 229 Great Portland Street, London W1.
Wednesday 21 January 2026 - TEN YEARS AFTER with original member Ric Lee.
Ten Years After are an English blues rock group formed in Nottingham in 1966. They had eight consecutive albums in the Top 40 on the UK Albums Chart between 1968 and 1973. They also had twelve albums enter the US Billboard 200.The band are best known for tracks such as "I'm Going Home", "Hear Me Calling", "I'd Love to Change the World" and "Love Like a Man" ( their only hit single from 1970).
Their guitarist Alvin Lee left in 1974, and passed away in 2013.
I have seen TYA a few times with various line ups , including in 1990 at Hammersmith Odeon when all four original members reunited for a tour.
With support from JOHN VERITY ex Argent.
John Verity (now aged 76) is an English guitarist and singer. He is best known as a member of Argent, a band formed by Zombies keyboardist Rod Argent. He joined the band alongside John Grimaldi, replacing Russ Ballard.
Argent were best known for their hits ' Hold Your Head Up ' ( 1972) and ' God Gave Rock n Roll To You' ( 1973) .
Thu 22 Jan 2026 - FANTASTIC NEGRITO
Fri 23 Jan 2026 - FANTASTIC NEGRITO
3 x GRAMMY Award–winner Fantastic Negrito, Blending hard-hitting guitar, soulful ballads, and his trademark twists, the record explores family, identity, and the tension between father and son. 2025 also marks the 10-year anniversary of Fantastic Negrito winning the inaugural NPR Tiny Desk Contest—an unlikely turning point in a remarkable career defined by resilience, reinvention, and unforgettable live performances.
Sat 24 Jan 2026 - BEN POOLE + KIRRIS RIVIERE
Venue capacity is 620 - visit their website for more info and to buy tickets .
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My second visit to this venue for their Blues Festival this month.
The venue looks pretty full on this gloomy rainy Wednesday evening.
Good to see regular gig-going chums here , including Mark Taylor , David Stark and Jon Tailor .
JOHN VERITY arrived on stage at 8pm for his 30 mins set.
Just John and his acoustic guitar tonight.
His set included ' Sand In My Pocket' , and covers of ' Stay With Me' and ' Love The One You're With ' and the Argent classic hit ' Hold Your Head Up'.
TEN YEARS AFTER arrived on stage at 9pm for their 95 mins set.
The band are a four piece , including keyboards.
On guitar is Sam C Lees, a British guitar virtuoso who joined in 2025 , and he was pretty incredible .
So many great guitar solos on many of the tracks played tonight.
He also handled the vocals very well.
The overall sound from the stage was top notch.
After 30 mins we had a three song semi-acoustic set.
Great to see RIC LEE perform a full five mins drum solo , at the grand age of 80.
Highlights included ' Love Like a Man' and ' I'm Going Home'.
A really good enjoyable show.
Straight after their set , all the band greeted fans at the merch desk..
Full TEN YEARS AFTER setlist played tonight..
I'm Coming On
One of These Days
Hear Me Calling
I'd Love to Change the World
Silverspoon Lady
Portable People
Don't Want You Woman
Losing the Dogs
Love Like a Man
The Hobbit
Good Morning, School Girl ( Sonny Boy Williamson cover)
I Say Yeah
I'm Going Home ( including rock & roll.medley)
Encore:
Choo Choo Mama
Updated 22nd January 2026 Permalink
Monday 19 January 2026.
Monday 19 January 2026...6.30pm to 9.30pm...
MAYFAIR TIMES COMMUNITY AWARDS at Claridges , Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Always nice to be at this famous five star hotel.
Around 400 guests are in the ballroom
The host was CLIVE MYRIE ( BBC News Presenter and Mastermind Host) .
Folks here included legendary showbiz photographer RICHARD YOUNG who is taking the photos , also BARONESS FLOELLA BENJAMIN, LADY VICTORIA HERVEY, STEPHEN WEBSTER, EWAN VENTNERS , KAREN MILLEN, ALISON JACKSON ,BASIA BRIGGS, STUART WATTS and a few more.
The dozen awards started at 7.30pm for 30 mins.
No acceptance speeches , so they went pretty quickly .
Good to see Joseph Haddad from The Guinea Grill win Doorman Of The Year .
THE PUPPINI SISTERS arrived on stage at 8.05pm for their 30 mins set.
The Puppini Sisters are a popular close-harmony vocal trio known for their vintage swing style, glamorous aesthetic, and clever rearrangements of pop hits, inspired by the Andrews Sisters.
Their cover versions included ' I Wanna Dance with Somebody', ' Kokomo' and ' Walk Like an Egyptian '.
There was a fun photo booth.
Complimentary drinks and food included Gusbourne English Sparkling Wine, two different , cocktails , wines , beers , canapes, selection of cheeses and desserts.
Caviar tastings from Caviar House 161 Piccadilly.
All guests got a goodie bag on departure.
See my Facebook page for a couple of videos.
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Sunday 18 January 2026.
I watched all this bonkers football game with a crazy ending Sunday evening.
Morocco 0 Senegal 1
After Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr had his goal disallowed early in injury time, referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty after El Hadji Malick Diouf brought down Brahim Diaz.
The AFCON final then descended into chaos as Senegal players walk off after controversial penalty.
Chaos ensued at the Africa Cup of Nations final, as Senegal's manager ordered his players to leave the pitch after hosts Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty deep into stoppage time.
Senegal's head coach Pape Thiaw told his players to leave the pitch .
The penalty kick by Morocco was a dreadful attempt that the goalie easily saved.
Senegal have won the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations after a hugely controversial final against hosts Morocco. Pape Gueye's sensational goal in extra-time proved to be the difference, but the real story was a 17-minute delay late on because of something which few have ever seen in professional football
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Sunday 18 January 2026.
GREGGS the bakers , have overtaken Starbucks, Costa Nero and the others to now become the number one coffee operator in the UK.
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Saturday 17 January 2026.
MARCUS & MARTINUS live at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Norwegian pop duo Marcus & Martinus head out on their 2026 UK & European tour.
They are 23 year old twin brothers..
The duo won Masked Singer Sweden in 2022, and represented host nation Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö with the song "Unforgettable".
They are promoting their fifth studio album ' The Room' ( released in 2025).
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January is always a quiet time for big name artists to play , so i always end up at 1 or 2 gigs I would not bother with , if it was any other time of year , and tonight is one of them.
Levels 2:and 3 tonight are closed , so maybe 700 or 800 here .
90% of the crowd are excitable females under the age of 30.
Many have their parents with them.
MARCUS & MARTINUS arrived on stage at 8pm for their 90 mins.
They have a big screen showing pre-recorded images, a three piece band and two Shakira lookalike type female dancers shaking their booty on several songs.
The two boys are singing catchy foot tapping dance pop tunes.
They certainly reminded me of British twins pop act Bros.
A few basic costume changes from the two boys.
Lots of screaming from their female fans throughout the show.
The boys and the girl dancers performed some nifty dance routines.
Highlights included a cover of ' Wicked Game' and the encore ' Unforgettable'.
A good pleasant show.