Sunday 15 December 2024.

Sunday 15 December 2024. Happy Birthday to PAUL SIMONON who is 69 today . I was lucky to have seen The Clash 20 times between 1976 and 1984, including Boston , USA in Sept 1979 , when they were supported by Sam n Dave and The Undertones . This weekend also sees the 45th anniversary of their album ' London Calling'. Check my Facebook page of a photo of Paul and myself. --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- Saturday 14 December 2024. TRAVIS live at Shepherds Bush Empire. Travis play the second of two sold out shows at this venue. The venue is rammed solid sold out again. HAMISH HAWK and his band played another really good 30 mins set of tracks, with an 80's vibe. They are definitely a good band to keep an eye on. TRAVIS arrived on stage at 9pm for their 1 hour 40 mins set . The setlist was the same , but was five minutes longer as they showed a video at the start of the encore section , in tribute to a friend who recently died . (Video of Another Guy played in memory of Director Wolfgang Becker). Again , they played a few tracks from their 10th album, 'L.A. Times' , and the big hits went down a storm. Again, during the encore, Fran thanked the crowd for spending their money on gig tickets, and keeping live music going. Another great show. ----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- Friday 13 December 2024. TRAVIS live at Shepherds Bush Empire. Travis play the first of two sold out Shepherds Bush shows. Travis are playing a 48 date ' Raze The Bar' 2024/2025 world tour .... starting in mainland Europe , then South America, then this UK tour , then North America, which starts in the new year. I have seen Travis a few times before, including headlining Glastonbury Festival in 2000 , and headlining Reading Festival in 2001. Breaking through in 1999 with their second album ' The Man Who' , the band’s fortunes improved considerably and after a slow burn, the album spent 11 weeks at Number 1, sold over 2.6 million copies and won Best Album at the 2000 BRIT Awards as well as Best British Group, an award they’d also win again in 2002. They have had six Top 10 hit singles in the UK. ------------------ A mainly middle aged crowd tonight , who remember how huge Travis were 20 odd years ago. The bar is stocking cans of Travis beer. HAMISH HAWK arrived on stage at 8pm for his 30 mins set. I was expecting a pretty forgettable solo artist , but I got a great singer and band who were really good. A pukka set of 1980s type post punk tunes, featuring tracks from his third album 'A Firmer Hand'. They have a headline show at Koko on 16 Feb 2025. TRAVIS arrived on stage at 9pm for their 95 mins set . They have a great backdrop as a three sided curtain from floor to ceiling covers the entire space behind them, as it shows pre-recorded images . Singer Fran Healy now sports a garish coloured hairstyle. Lots of easy going stage banter from Fran during the songs. Lots of catchy radio friendly hits. Some think they are a bit 'vanilla' , but Fran said " there are three fuck you songs in the set tonight". The encore started with a cover of Britney Spears which they recorded for a BBC radio session in the past, which was then followed by a marriage proposal on stage ...she said "yes". Lots of hits had the crowd singing along, in a great show. Full TRAVIS setliat played tonight.... Bus Driftwood Love Will Come Through Alive Good Feeling Writing to Reach You Re-Offender A Ghost Side Closer Sing Selfish Jean Raze the Bar Gaslight Naked in New York City Turn Encore: ...Baby One More Time ( Britney Spears cover) Flowers in the Window Why Does It Always Rain on Me?

Posted 13th December 2024