News and Reviews: 26th October 2011
25 Oct 2011.Cliff Richard live at The 02 Arena,London.First of two shows at this venue to promote his recent album "Soulicious".Level 4 is closed as unsold as no doubt to the hefty ticket prices of £70 and £60.
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE looks amazing for age 71. He has has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide over his 50 plus years of making music. His 1958 hit single "Move It" is often described as Britain's first authentic rock and roll song, and John Lennon once claimed that "before Cliff and the Shadows, there had been nothing worth listening to in British music.".
A nice big production with over 20 people on stage including dancers and backing singers.A long show of 2 hours 40 mins over two sets.There was loads of hit singles and he had some guests on to promote tracks from the recent album.They all did a duet with Cliff and then one of their own hits.They included Percy Sledge,Freda Payne,Lamont Dozier,Jaki Graham and James Ingram.
Tracks played inc "From A Distance","Carrie","Devil Woman",Percy Sledge sang "When A Man Loves A Woman",
then "Young Ones","Summer Holiday","On The Beach",
then second half had "Living Doll",then Freda Payne sang "Band Of Gold",then "Some People","Dreaming",
"We Dont Talk Anymore","Miss You Nights","Wired For Sound" and then all the guests on for "Peace In Our Time".Encore was Cliff on his own for a cover of "Always And Forever".
Of course it is all middle of the road stuff for an older crowd but Cliff has brought out loads of good tunes over the years and is always enjoyable live.
24 Oct 2011.Q Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel,Park Lane,London W1.Noon to 5pm at the venue then to the pub and then to the afterparty.A full ten hours.
I have been lucky enough to have attended this mega event the past few years and yet again some really big names have made time to be here for this well respected monthly music magazine.
Free cocktails for an hour then 18 awards which are again presented by comedian Al Murray who is very funny.Those here presenting or getting awards inc
U2(Won Greatest Act Of The Last 25 Years),Coldplay(Won Best Act In The World Today),Noel Gallagher(Won Q Icon),Biffy Clyro(Won Best Live Act),Pam Hogg presented Siouxsie Sioux(Won The Inspiration Award),great to see QPR player and big music fan Joey Barton present Kaiser Chiefs(Won Innovation Award),Gary Barlow(Won Classic Songwriter Award),Kasabian,Snow Patrol,Jessie J,Bon Iver,Pierces,Tinie Tempah,Brian May and Roger Taylor from Queen(Won The Hall Of Fame Award),Example,Ed Sheeran,djs Carl Cox and Fat Boy Slim,Chase And Status,Manic Street Preachers,WU LUF,Glasvegas,David Arnold,Russell Kane,Matt Cardle,Lana Del Ray and no doubt a few more i forgot.
After the awards is three course lunch for the 450 people seated.There are 50 press folks standing at the back.
After lunch i have a few words with Joey Barton,Noel Gallagher,Siouxsie and Bono.
I mentioned to Bono i saw U2 as a support band to Talking Heads some 30 years ago.He then spoke really warmly for ages about how great David Byrne and Talking Heads were and how lucky they were to get on that tour.Bono was on good form posing for photos with pretty much anyone that asked.
A guy who i know who was Sex Pistols personal security on their last world tour was here as personal security to Jessie J.I also know Noel Gallaghers personal security.Noel gets all his Manc mates on the payroll.
Each presenter or award winner got given a VIP goodie bag with some Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 trainers,a Merc shirt and Atomic Floyd headphones.The personal security guy that i know who looks after Noel Gallagher said to me "did i want them as they are too bulky for Noel to carry".So yep i
have Noels swag at home.Quite a few people here i knew.
4pm to 5pm was drinks in the awards room.
After the awards some folks go to two pubs behind the venue.The first i popped in to had Noel Gallagher with his gang,Serge from Kasabian,Biffy Clyro and the two pretty girls from The Pierces.
Then to the other pub five minutes away had The Kaiser Chiefs,Joey Barton,Siouxsie and Pam Hogg.
Then 6.15pm to 10pm i was at the official afterparty at Cafe De Paris,London.Lots of freebie cocktails and beers all night but the artists avoid coming here as its full of folks that were not as the awards.I saw Al Murray but that was it.A lively party atmosphere with djs.All in all quite an amazing day.