News and Reviews: 29th February 2004

28 Feb David Lee Roth + Quireboys ,Hammersmith Apollo ,London. Quireboys started a bit slow but got better and better . This was DLR first London show for 10 years and as usual he was the perfect frontman .His hair is shorter but the big smile is still there .A superb set of solo and Van Halen classics inc "Just Like Paradise" ,"Aint Talkin Bout Love","Running With The Devil" ,"Jump" etc 27 Feb Brian Wilson,Royal Festival Hall,London. This week of shows will be one of the best of 2004 This was my 4th show out of 6 .As this was the last night he was presented with flowers at the end by his 2 daughters i think. 26 Feb Brian Wilson ,Royal Festival Hall , London. Brian is a bit frail but rarely have i been to a show with so much love for the artist playing. 25 Feb Keane + Ordinary Boys, Islington Academy, London. Both bands hotly tipped by NME .Support were ok and Keane were full of radio friendly songs but do we really need another keyboard led warm melodic rock band?? 24 Feb Brian Wilson ,Royal Festival Hall ,London. Back again to see this fantastic show for a second time.Paul McCartney and Beatles producer George Martin were here tonight.Pure class. 23 Feb Amen + Eighties Matchbox B Line Disaster, Islington Academy,London.Great double bill of 2 pretty wild bands.EMBLD did a cool Cramps/Damned style set and Amen were just great .Casey Chaos always gives 100% and trashing the equipment but he will need to make the vocals a bit better. 22 Feb Motorhead , Vilar Floral Hall ,Royal Opera House,London.Totally surreal venue to see rock legends Motorhead play. Invite only event for the Totally London week .Motorhead take the stage at 7.45pm and play a superb 75 mins set for the 400 here.Great to hear " God Save The Queen" and "Killed By Death" amongst others in these posh venue.They also gave everyone a couple of free drinks as well .Excellent stuff. 21 Feb Brian Wilson ,Royal Festival Hall,London. This was his 2nd of 6 sell out shows here.After the success of "Pet Sounds" shows in 2002 he is back with a set that featues the "Smile" lost album and loads of Beach Boys classics . A totally stunning 18 piece backing band and a great show lasting 2 hours 10 mins. 20 Feb Peter Frampton ,Shepherds Bush Empire , London.Back for his first London show in 9 years. Most of the crowd are hear to hear the classics from his 17m selling 1970s live album which he mixes in with newer material .Really enjoyable. 17 Feb BRIT AWARDS ,Earls Court Arena ,London. Always a great evening .Tonights live guests were Duran Duran ,Darkness ,Beyonce,Muse ,50 Cent ,Outkast who were all really good and a couple of others who were not so good.Darkness won 3 awards and it was their night really. A year ago to the day i went down to Portsmouth to see a hotly tipped band supporting Def Leppard. Who was it ?? The Darkness . Among those giving out awards included Justin Timberlake with lots of big names here tonight. See aftershow page for aftershow party info. 16 Feb Shania Twain + Bjorn Again ,Wembley Arena, London .Bjorn Again did a nice enough set of Abba tunes but the novelty is wearing a bit thin. Shania Twain is a huge country star. Great to see a huge "in the round" stage production with lots of fireworks but apart from 3 or 4 songs it all felt a bit boring to me. 12 Feb Libertines + Jet + Josh Homme + Franz Ferdinand + Scissor Sisters ,NME Awards,Hammersmith Palais ,london. All the above bands played one or two songs in this great night of the best new bands etc For more details check the aftershow page. 05 Feb Gene Serene ,Madame Jo Jos ,London. The " nu electro " scene is starting to take off and its great to see so many glammed up .Gene looked foxy and her 30 mins set was good stuff. A great version of Clash "Should I Stay" . 30 Jan Funk Brothers ,Royal Festival Hall ,London. Sold out show from these guys who played on loads of Motown soul classics in the 1960s .This was like The Commitments but with class .One great tune after another that had everyone dancing and smiling.Sadly only 2 guest vocalists who sung 4 songs each Billy Preston and Steve Winwood .The band recieve a Grammy Award next month in USA for Lifetime Achievement. 24 Jan Meat Loaf, Wembley Arena ,London . As this looks like his last UK tour i went back for another look. Still slurs his words on songs like " Mercury Blues " but overall its a very entertaining mix of theatre and rock n roll. 23 Jan Primal Scream ,Hammersmith Apollo ,London. Sold out show for these dance rockers.As usual they had plenty of strobe lighting going.Some great songs that really got the place jumping. "Rocks" "Loaded" etc in the 90 mins set. 22 Jan Meat Loaf ,Wembley Arena ,London.This was the replacement show for the gig here on 17 Nov where Meat Loaf collapsed on stage.Great entrance as he is wheeled in on a strecher pushed by 2 nurses . Sure his voice is not as good as when i first saw him live at Hammersmith in 1978 for The Bat Out of Hell tour but hes still a great showman . Loads of over the top rock anthems and a few crap ones in the 2 hours 30 mins set .Mega encore of " I Would Anything" and " Bat Out Of Hell". 21 Jan White Stripes ,Alexander Palace,London. Their biggest London headline show to date .Just the 2 of them and a few lights in front of around 7000 punters.A great overall noise with some great songs in the 80 mins set. 17 Jan 2004 Dream Theater ,Hammersmith Apollo , London .They are great musicians but their 10 mins plus workouts in the 2 hours 50 mins set got a bit boring but the amazing drummer and his gigantic drumkit still steal the show. 10 Jan 2004 Social Distortion ,Hard Rock ,Orlando, Florida ,USA .These Californian punk rock legends played a good 75 mins free show for 2000 people that was sponsored by Oneill clothing. The December 2003 issue of monthly music mag MOJO has a 2 page spread on Sex Pistols 2003 tour of America with some photos taken by me.

Posted 29th February 2004