Thursday 13 June 2024.

Interesting news. My security chums at Shepherds Bush Empire said that Wednesday 12 June The Foo Fighters were there having behind closed doors rehearsal's the day before their opening stadium show in Manchester Thursday night. ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Thursday 13 June 2024. CROWDED HOUSE live at Shepherds Bush Empire. This show sold out very quickly, which is no real surprise as their UK tour a couple of years ago featured four sold out shows at The Roundhouse. They are playing several big outdoor shows around the UK in June, including Blenheim Palace. I have seen them live a couple of times before. Crowded House have sold over 15 million albums worldwide.They will be promoting their 8th studio album 'Gravity Stairs' . Their leader Neil Finn is also a member of the current Fleetwood Mac line-up. --------- The venue is rammed solid with middle aged folks. LIAM FINN arrived on stage at 7.55pm for 30 mins. He is the son of Neil Finn. He was solo and played an enjoyable set. He mixed playing guitar with drum loops and playing some manic drums with guitar loops. CROWDED HOUSE arrived on stage at 8.55pm for their 1 hour 50 mins set. A very nice surprise to see MICK FLEETWOOD introduce the band, and support his Fleetwood Mac band mate. He played bongo for the first song and during the encore, he got on the drums. Six musicians on stage and a nice stage backdrop. Some songs plodded a bit , but plenty of hits played. Some songs rocked out really good, and the pop harmonies were top notch. They reminded me of Squeeze during several songs. Some nice humour from Neil Finn between songs. An enjoyable show. Full CROWDED HOUSE setlist played tonight .. World Where You Live ( with Mick Fleetwood) Teenage Summer I Can't Keep Up With You Fall at Your Feet Pineapple Head The Howl All That I Can Ever Own The Age of Aquarius (The 5th Dimension cover) (Impromptu snippet) Where Is Love? ( Lionel Bart cover) (Impromptu snippet) When You Come Private Universe Some Greater Plan (For Claire) (with Elias Dendias on bouzouki & Tryfon Baitsis on guitar) To the Island Oh Hi Something So Strong (dedicated to Jamie via paper airplane) Distant Sun Don't Dream It's Over Encore: It's Only Natural I Got You ( Split Enz cover) (with Mick Fleetwood) Not Like Other Men (Mick Fleetwood cover) (Acapella snippet) Weather With You (with Mick Fleetwood) (& Elias Dendias on bouzouki & Tryfon Baitsis on guitar) Four Seasons in One Day (with Elias Dendias on bouzouki) ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ Wednesday 12 June 2024. 7pm to 10pm. THE 256th ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS SUMMER EXHIBITION PREVIEW PARTY , Piccadilly, London W1. This is one of the ' Big Three' summer social soirees in Central London, that happen every June. Later this month , will be the V & A summer party and The Serpentine Gallery summer party. A massive crowd as around 1000 guests are here. Several well known faces are here , including..... Luke Morley from Thunder is the only rocker here. I saw him here a few years ago. Sir Grayson Perry, Sir Oswald Boateng, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, Jennifer Saunders, Daniel Lismore, Tom Odell, Nenah Cherry , Claudia Winkleman , Mabel, Clara Amfo, Joy Crookes , Cora Corre, Jackie St Clair, Miquita Oliver , Ben Cobb , Nick Grimshaw, Basia Briggs , Annie Mac , Fat Tony, Pixie Geldof,Amanda Wakeley, David Renfry, David Downton, Ron Arad. Lots of glamorous women wearing stunning outfits . See Getty Images for 200 nice photos of the guests . Female and male djs spinning tracks. SEKOU and his band performed in the courtyard later in the evening.In 2023, he performed on the BBC Two television show Later… with Jools Holland and Sekou was nominated for the Brit Award for Rising Star at the 2024 BRIT Awards. His five song 20 mins set included his singles ' Forgiving Myself' , 'Crying' and 'Better Man'. Lots of lovely complimentary drinks and food as the main sponsors are Fortnum & Mason , so Fortnum & Mason champers , three different cocktails, different bowl food, canapes , oysters, desserts etc. It is open to the public until 18 August 2024. See my Facebook page for some videos and photos.

Posted 13th June 2024