Sunday 23 February 2025

Sunday 23 February 2025. LOTTERY WINNERS live at Shepherds Bush Empire. Mancunian chart-topping indie-pop quartet Lottery Winners are back with their most adventurous album yet, KOKO, which follows their No. 1 album ART (Anxiety Replacement Therapy). 'KOKO' is their fourth studio album. As part of their UK and European Tour. -------------- Considering the headliners have had a number one album , it was a bit odd to see Levels 2 and 3 were closed tonight , although the stalls and Level 1 were rammed solid. THE VALLA arrived on stage at 7.30pm for their 30 mins. A decent set of pop rock from this London based band. THE COVASETTES arrived on stage at 8.20pm for 40 mins. Manchester based band played a good set of indie rock pop. They are grafting non stop with gigs galore everywhere. In April they support ZUTONS on their UK tour. Manchester based LOTTERY WINNERS arrived on stage at 9.20pm for their 90 mins. They are a bunch of unlikely looking pop stars who have been slogging away since they formed in 2008, slowly building a reputation for delivering a show full of great humour and catchy indie pop tunes and the charisma of front man Thom Rylance. Thom rightly said " he was more Alan Carr than Alex Turner". The vocals and band sounded really crisp and clear. Loads of really good good tracks , with the highlights being a lively half a dozen songs at the end. A really good show. Full LOTTERY WINNERS setlist played tonight .. Tape intro song Let Me Entertain You (Robbie Williams song) Superpower Worry 21 You Again Angels (Robbie Williams cover) You're Not Alone Favourite Flavour A New England ( Billy Bragg cover) UFO Letter to Myself Lanyard (Elevator Music) Let Me Down Much Better Start Again Encore: Turn Around Burning House ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ Saturday 22 February 2025....I was two events today... 4pm to 6pm ARIES - 31 Great Pulteney Street , Soho, London W1. This event was related to Day 3 of London Fashion Week. Sitting in a sweet spot in between streetwear and high fashion, Aries plays with allusions to the grandiosity of major fashion houses alongside expertly picked underground reference points. A huge 4000 sq ft space over two floors, with it's own cafe and seating at the rear of the ground floor, and in the basement. A female DJ was playing dance tracks. Complimentary Margaritas ( George Clooney's Casamigos Tequila ) for all the guests here. then 7.30pm to 11pm ALBA - press preview - 70 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge , London SW3. What they say about ALBA... Right across the street from Harrods, Alba is an Italian restaurant bringing a taste of the Amalfi coast to Brompton Road. At Alba guests will be able to enjoy the flavours and dishes of Southern Italy as well as being afforded the opportunity to try exemplary produce from the whole country. The space makes guests feel more like they are on a sea view terrace in Sorrento rather than a busy Central London Road. Real citrus trees line the space and are dotted among tables adorned by blue and stripey textiles that give the space a cool and coastal feel. The interiors are slick and elegant with furniture designed by a company that usually focuses on yacht design rather than restaurants. These elements work in harmony to bring a sense of luxury and elegance to the space. Alba’s menu features regional classics such as lemon risotto con gamberi and Sicilian gamberi rossi di Mazara. This focus on representing the regional cuisines of Italy also means that some unfamiliar ingredients feature on the menu. This includes mozzarella ‘zizzona’ from Campania which is essentially a giant mozzarella ball filled with buffalo milk. There are also other luxury items on offer, as expected given the location, with paccheri topped with white Alba truffle as well as caviar, truffle, wagyu and yellowfin tuna making an appearance on the menu. Desserts are served with a side of spectacle with tableside gelato and a tiramisu made with panettone. The wine list is expertly curated from their bespoke menu and the rest of the drink's menu features specialty cocktails with, of course, plenty of negronis on offer. ------- The restaurant opened this month on the first floor . The owners of the restaurant also own the luxury Italian furniture store on the ground floor, and you actually walk through the restaurant to the rear, then you walk up a stunning marble staircase. We have a nice window table . Lots of attentive Italian staff fussing over us. Lots of quality dishes and drinks were had. As it has a prime Knightsbridge location , it ain't cheap. For starter we shared a Truffle & Mushrooms Pizza (£49). For mains we each had a Creamy Lobster Linguini (£65 each). We shared the side dishes. For dessert we shared a large Panettone Tiramisu (£18 ) which was delivered with a full theatrical presentation. Luxury Japanese Toilets with heated seats. Drinks were Margaritas, Negronis, wines and Cappuccinos. A top notch dining experience . www.alba-ldn.uk - Visit their website here for full menu details etc.

Posted 23rd February 2025