Friday 12 April 2024.

Friday 12 April 2024....6.50pm to 11.20pm... VIVE LE ROCK AWARDS at The Islington Academy. Feat SHAM 69 + RUTS DC + THEATRE OF HATE + TOYAH WILLCOX + JIM JONES + SAFFRON from REPUBLICA + CHRIS SPEDDING + CASINO STEEL + host BEKI BONDAGE and many more. -------- I always look forward to this great music awards event. Nice to see so many gig-going chums here. There was a lot going on , as the bands played between the awards , so here goes. THE VIVE LE ROCKERS house band did a fantastic job , as they backed different singers throughout . They start with ALAN CLAYTON guesting ,then a couple of Pogues tracks , in tribute to Shane. CASINO STEEL joined them for a couple, ' Thank God This Bar Is Closing' and The Boys classic ' Brickfield Nights'. CHARLIE HARPER joined them for The UK Subs classic ' C.I.D', and Charlie was presented with a cake for his 80th birthday , which is next month . A few awards were then given out... NEAL X to CHRIS SPEDDING for Guitar Legend. EUGENE VLR to GRADE 2 for Best New Band. SPIKE to THE DAMNED for Album Of The Year. Monty accepted it , but Dave and Captain not here . RUTS DC to KIRK BRANDON for Voice of a Generation. SAFFRON to TOYAH WILLCOX for The Icon Award . Again BEKI BONDAGE, did a grand job of hosting . THE VIVE LE ROCKERS came back for a few more songs...and it was superb to see CHRIS SPEDDING play 'Silver Bullet' and his classic 'Motorbikin'. SAFFRON performed a nifty ' Ready To Go'. TOYAH performed her classic ' I Want To Be Free'. EUGENE VLR joined them for the AC/DC classic 'Whole Lotta Rosie'. With his sleeveless jean jacket and hairstyle and voice , Eugene was Bon Scott. BEKI BONDAGE sang a great ' Nutbush City Limits'. JIM JONES sang a very lively' Kick Out The Jams'. At 9.05pm THEATRE OF HATE played a six song 30 mins set inc neat versions of 'Do You Believe In The West World' and 'The Hop'. At 9.55pm RUTS DC were on stage for 30 mins. First they received Best Live Band Award from BARRY CAIN....they then performed a great five song set, including ' Kill The Pain' ,'Jah War' and a nice surprise to see them joined by current The Who drummer ZAK STARKEY on guitar for stunning versions of ' In A Rut' and 'Babylons Burning' . I saw bass playing legend NORMAN WATT-ROY here. At 10.50pm SHAM 69 whizzed through a superb nine song 30 mins set....Jimmy Pursey on top form... So many great songs that had the crowd singing loudly along to. What Have We Got? Tear Gas Eyes I Don't Wanna Borstal Breakout That's Life Angels With Dirty Faces If The Kids Are United Hersham Boys Hurry Up Harry Overall , another fantastic Vive Le Rock Awards. ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- Thursday 11 April 2024....6.15pm to 8.30pm..... GILBERT and GEORGE CENTRE - private view - 5a Heneage Street , London E1. Celebrating a year since opening, we are thrilled to announce the second exhibition to take place at The Gilbert & George Centre will be Gilbert & George’s ‘LONDON PICTURES’ – opening 12 April 2024. “London is the most important part of our inspiration. It is all that surrounds us. And so we have been able to include all this remarkable surface of thoughts and feeling that we find in these posters…” – Gilbert & George -------- This was my first time to this gallery which is off Brick Lane.The area is buzzing , and The Jack The Ripper tours for the tourists are all over the place. Decent weather, means we can stay outside in the courtyard of the gallery. Over 100 guests here including GILBERT and GEORGE. Also TRACEY EMIN, celebrity chef ANGELA HARTNETT who lives around the corner, PHILIP SALLON and performance artist PANDEMONIA who is 6' 6" in head to toe in black latex and heels. Complimentary Jean - Noel Haton champers, gin & tonics and beers for all the guests

Posted 11th April 2024