Sunday 27 October 2024.

Sunday 27 October 2024. JOHNNIE WALKER last show is today on BBC Radio 2. Legendary BBC Radio presenter , now aged 79, retires due to his ill health, after an incredible 58 years. His Sunday afternoon show was the only radio show I listened too these days. Walker’s final episode of his show, Sounds of the 70s, will air today 3pm to 5pm. He will be replaced on the programme by former The Old Grey Whistle Test presenter Bob Harris from 3 November. ------- Sunday 27 October 2024. GUN CONTROL are rehearsing this evening. We will be in Brentford , as our usual rehearsal space in North Acton has closed down My band from the 1980s (with me on drums) bash out a dozen tracks in readiness for our gig at The Rocket Pub in Acton on Saturday 02 November . ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ Saturday 26 October 2024. ABSOLUTE BOWIE + DONT STOP QUEEN NOW live at Shepherds Bush Empire. Two top tribute bands perform. I have seen them both before. I have been lucky enough to have seen the real David Bowie and Queen with Freddie Mercury many times since the 1970s. -------- Levels 2 and 3 are closed tonight, so maybe 700 here. Both hands played full length sets. Not the real thing of course, but great to hear all the many classics that both these bands have. DONT STOP QUEEN NOW on at 7pm for 1 hour 40 mins....The Freddie Mercury was on good OTT form. Near the end of their set the David Bowie tribute came on to sing their duet ' Under Pressure' which was a nice touch. They finished with ' We Will Rock You' and 'We Are The Champions'. ABSOLUTE BOWIE on at 9.15pm for 1 hour 45 mins . For the first half he was dressed as Ziggy Stardust and second half was the smart suit 1980s period. Highlights included 'Starman' , 'Changes', 'Jean Genie', ' All The Young Dudes', 'Lets Dance' and the last two songs played 'Heroes' and 'Rebel Rebel'. An enjoyable pair of tribute acts. ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Friday 25 October 2024. RICHARD ASHCROFT with Four Piece String Orchestra live at The Royal Albert Hall. He first came to attention with The Verve, with who he released one of the biggest albums of the era in the shape of Urban Hymns (the UK’s 18th biggest selling album of all-time) as well as a succession of anthems which remain staples of his live set today, including ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’, ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’, ‘Lucky Man’ and ‘Sonnet’. His most recent album, Acoustic Hymns, was released in 2022 and reached No.2 in the UK Album Chart. He has been confirmed as the main support act on most of the Oasis UK stadium shows in the summer of 2025. I have seen him a few times with The Verve and solo. ------------------- The venue is fully rammed sold out . As expected it is a proper drinking crowd. Legendary live music booking agent ROD MacSWEEN ( Richard Ashcroft , The Who , KISS, Aerosmith , Pearl Jam , Guns N Roses and many more ) was here with The Who's legendary manager BILL CURBISHLEY . The DJ support was Wayne Griggs , but his obscure tracks didn't warm up the audience at all. RICHARD ASHCROFT arrived on stage at 8.55pm and played for 1 hour 45 mins. It is floor standing tonight , and this crowd are singing loudly along to the many hits played. Lots of gems by The Verve in the set. The four person string section sounded lush. The light show got bigger and better. RA is super cool as ever , as he works the crowd. Lots of songs extended with great guitar workouts. Final track of the night was a stunning 8 mins version of the clasdic ' Bitter Sweet Symphony'. A great show. RA is the main support act for many shows on the Oasis 2025 UK Stadium tour , an ideal pairing. Full RICHARD ASHCROFT setlist played tonight... Sonnet (The Verve song) Space and Time ( The Verve song) Music Is Power They Don't Own Me Weeping Willow ( The Verve song) Velvet Morning (The Verve song) A Song for the Lovers Break the Night With Colour Hold On The Drugs Don't Work (The Verve song) Lucky Man ( The Verve song) Encore: C'mon People (We're Making It Now) ( Dedicated to Liam and Noel) History (The Verve song) Bitter Sweet Symphony ( The Verve song) (Dedicated to friend in audience)

Posted 26th October 2024