Ray's Gigs

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Tuesday 04 February 2025

Tuesday 04 February 2025....7pm... OEDIPUS - press/VIP night - The Old Vic , Waterloo, London SE1. It’s a cold case but, according to the Oracle, if the murderer of old King Laius is found and punished then all will be well. The people turn to their new King, Oedipus, the man who solved the riddle of the Sphinx, to hunt down the perpetrator and bring salvation. He vows to succeed whatever the cost and so begins an unstoppable pursuit of the truth through a harrowing labyrinth of fear and love. Starring Academy Award winner RAMI MALEK (Bohemian Rhapsody, No Time To Die) in the lead role. RAMI MALEK is excellent. Rami Malek’s air of having dropped from another planet has served him well on film as a Bond villain or Freddie Mercury. The show runs until 29 Match 2025. then 9pm to 11.15pm. OEDIPUS after-party at Skylon at The Royal Festival Hall, SE1. A lavish party as must be 300 guests here. RAMI MALEK and all the cast are here. Rami Malek spends a lot of time chatting to everyone. Several well known faces here including JOHN BISHOP, DAME HARRIET WALTER, BEN HARDY and Creative Arts Minister CHRIS BRYANT . A female DJ is playing tunes, and some folks are dancing. My phone died , so couldn't take a couple of photos . Lots of complimentary drinks and food, including Taittenger champers, two different gin cocktails , wines , beers and bowl food including rib-eye steak strips with chips , and cod and chips along with various canapes. We left at 11.15pm , but still busy as it was a 12.30pm finish. ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ Monday 03 February 2025. LEE ROCKER live at 229 Great Portland Street, London W1. His only UK show as part of a six city - six country European Tour.....expect Stray Cats classics mixed with his solo material . I have seen The Stray Cats around a dozen times from when they first came over to the UK in 1980 , when they supported Elvis Costello at The Rainbow. ---------------- My fourth gig at this venue in 2025. Support act The TR5s arrived on stage at 8pm for 30 mins. They are fronted by a female singer. One of Surrey’s best-kept secrets, The TR5’s have been ripping up stages for over two years, capturing hearts and minds with their highly charged retro blend of 50’s Skiffle and early 60’s Rock ‘N’ Roll!. They played a good set of tracks from their debut album 'A Triumph ' , including 'Everybody's Screaming ( Lord Sutch)' and a cover of Eddy Cochran's ' Twenty Flight Rock'. They play The Mascara Bar , London N16 on 15 Feb 2025... £8. LEE ROCKER arrived on stage at 9.05pm for his 80 mins. He was backed by a nifty three piece band. It was great to see his big double bass, front centre stage. It sounded fantastic throughout, as he slapped away. Plenty of really good foot tappin' rockabilly. A couple of songs in the middle he switched to acoustic guitar. Eight Stray Cats tracks played, including all the big hits . A really good show. Full LEE ROCKER setlist played tonight.... Runaway Boys (Stray Cats song) Built for Speed (Stray Cats song) Stray Cat Strut ( Stray Cats song) That's All Right / Blue Moon of Kentucky / Night Train Your True Love Honey Don't (Carl Perkins cover) Miracle in Memphis The Last Offline Lovers (dedicated to his wife) Memphis Freeze Ophelia (The Band cover) Love Me Good Bye Bye Johnny (Chuck Berry cover ) Graceland Auctions Bring It Back Again ( Stray Cats song) When Nothing's Going Right (Stray Cats song) I Won't Stand in Your Way (Stray Cats song) Bulletproof Rumble in Brighton ( Stray Cats song) Rock This Town ( Stray Cats song) Encore: Rockabilly Boogie