Ray's Gigs

Daily news and reviews of gigs bars clubs restaurants product launches films theatre fashion shows books art galleries hotels competitions interesting places to visit ...and much more!

Wednesday 01 May 2024.

Wednesday 01 May 2024. I went to two events tonight. 6.15pm to 7pm. JD MALAT GALLERY - private view - 30 Davies Street , Mayfair, London W1. Around 100 folks at this cool gallery space. 'Above the Surface' is an exhibition by Australia based painter Michael Muir....on until 01 June. Complimentary wines and beers for the guests . then 7.30pm to 10pm. LUCKY VOICE - launch party - The Sidings, Waterloo Station, London SE1. Lucky Voice open another of their karaoke bars. I went to the launch party for the Liverpool Street one last year....a 75 % female crowd here. From nights out with friends to work dos, Lucky Voice is the perfect place to visit if you’re after something a little bit different. With several pods , each private karaoke room fits between 6-20 singers and provides touch screen technology, access to the ever growing catalogue of an impressive 10,000 plus songs (which include several different languages). I had a go at two of my fave to sing along to which were ' Livin' On A Prayer' and ' Mr Brightside'. Complimentary vodka cocktails, wines , beers and canapes for all the guests . --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- Wednesday 01 May 2024. ITV 1pm Loose Women Punk rock icon JOHN LYDON is today's guest as he promotes his spoken word UK tour which starts today. ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Tuesday 30 April 2024. TRAIN live at The Royal Albert Hall. San Francisco pop-rock band are massive back home in America. They have sold over 10 million albums worldwide. Their 11 studio albums include one entirely based on Led Zeppelin covers. Their big tracks include 'Hey ,Soul Sister', ' Drive By' and 'Drops of Jupiter'. They are on a 30th anniversary world tour. ------- The venue is fully sold out tonight. Lots of middle aged folks. Ilsey was on at 7.45pm for 30 mins , but missed her , as we opted to stay in the bar. TRAIN arrived on stage at 8.45pm for their 1 hour 40 mins set. The floor seats were up from the start. A nice light show , as it was being filmed,and the vocals and band sounded clear and fantastic . The singer knows how to work the crowd perfectly. He three several t-shirts into the crowd, and took photos of himself for fans at the front , and threw several beach balls out. He said how he had walked past this venue over 200 times, and now finally they are playing here . Catchy pop rock tunes had everybody singing along. The big hits were played near the end , and one of the cover versions was a stunning note perfect version of 'Hotel California' with all the guitars soloing away. A really good show...much better than expected Full TRAIN setlist played tonight... AM Gold Calling All Angels Get to Me Save Me, San Francisco Meet Virginia / The Joker ( Steve Miller Band snippet ) If It's Love Bruises (with Ilsey) Marry Me When I Look to the Sky Lose Control ( Teddy Swims cover) Angel in Blue Jeans Parachute Play That Song Long Yellow Dress 50 Ways to Say Goodbye Hey, Soul Sister / Come and Get Your Love Drive By / Hey Jude ( The Beatles snippet) We Were Made for This Hotel California ( Eagles cover) Drops of Jupiter Note: This show was recorded for a DVD ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Monday 29 April 2024...6.15pm to 9.30pm... In The Spotlight: Conversation with MJ the Musical Star MYLES FROST at Kingsley Napley , 20 Bonhill Street , London EC2. Social 4M and law firm Kingsley Napley are hosting. Around 60 folks are here , and we are seated for the interview . At 7.30pm the interview and Q & A with Myles Frost started and lasted for around an hour. The 24 year old American was a good talker. A full run through his life story , from as a young child doing Michael Jackson routines , along with other good and bad experiences in music and theatre. There were video clips of him performing MJ routines, and he sung a few MJ snippets . His mother was a big part of his life and career. Myles is the winner of the 2022 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance in MJ. He made history, becoming the youngest solo actor to ever win the award. He is a nominee for the 65th Annual Grammy Awards Best Musical Theater Album as principal vocalist for MJ’s cast album. After the interview , he chatted to guests and posed for selfies I was lucky to have seen Michael Jackson perform four times, and will soon get along to this musical. MJ The Musical is on now at The Prince Edward Theatre. Complimentary wines, beers , canapes and desserts. P.S....Nothing was said about MJ private life. ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Sunday 28 April 2024. This month the UK’s largest indoor arena will eventually open in Manchester. Called the Co-op Live, it apparently cost a whopping £365 million and has space for 23,500 gig-goers – vastly dwarfing London’s O2 Arena, which has a max capacity of 20,000 If you’re a Londoner looking enviously over at the swish new venue , well, we may have some exciting news. American entrepreneur Tim Leiweke – the guy behind the Co-op Live and owner of Oak View Group – has revealed that he wants to build ‘the greatest arena in the world’ in London....and the location he has is eye is.....Hammersmith.. Should be interesting to see how that progresses.