Friday 16 January 2026.

Friday 16 January 2026. SUNNY AFTERNOON - press night - live at Alexandra Palace Theatre North London. Following a phenomenal two years in the West End and a sensational first UK and Ireland tour, the “indisputably terrific” (The Times) OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING BEST NEW MUSICAL, charting the euphoric highs and agonizing lows of THE KINKS, is back and heading to Alexandra Palace Theatre, in the neighbourhood where the Davies brothers grew up! Sunny Afternoon celebrates the raw energy, passion, and timeless sound of one of Britain’s most iconic bands, telling their story through an incredible back catalogue of chart-toppers, including ' You Really Got Me', ' Lola' , and ' All Day and All of the Night' , and many more. www.thekinksmusical.co.uk - Visit their website here for more info and to buy tickets for London and other 2026 UK dates It is on here until 31 January 2026. I was fortunate enough to first see The Kinks at Hammersmith Odeon in 1978 , and seen a few Ray Davies solo shows, and a rare Dave Davies show at The Barbican. The Kinks had 13 Top 10 hits in the UK , which included 3 number ones , with the first being ' You Really Got Me' back in 1964. ------------------------- I saw this great show in Wimbledon in 2017, so really good to see it again. The choice of venue is superb. This is where I saw Later with Jools Holland TV show a couple of times. Press folks get a couple of tokens each for drinks. I was told Kinks drummer Mick Avory was going the following night...Saturday 17 Jan... We have superb seats seven rows centre from the stage. The show was around 2 hours 40 mins over two sets, which included a 20 mins interval. We get the story of four working-class lads from Muswell Hill who become a band, get screwed over by their management and fall out with each other. So many bands seemed to have had managerial issues in the 1960s. The rivalry between Ray ( played by Danny Horn) and Dave ( played by Oliver Hoare ) is there for all to see. Great to see all those 1960s clobber on both the males and females on stage . Ray getting married to a Lithuanian women in 1964, and tying the knot in Bradford, and juggling the bands constant touring , with the wife looking after the kids at home. The Kinks caused a ruckus on their first tour of America and actually got banned from visiting the country for four years ( 1965 to 1969). The actor who plays Dave Davies steals many scenes with his crazy rock n roll antics. Some songs were played twice....an acoustic version and an electric version. There was a fantastic drum solo from the drummer . Plenty of dancing throughout from the cast members. The Ray and Dave story featured a lot , but the other two members of The Kinks had plenty of involvement . So many great Kinks tracks are played throughout the show, including :' You Really Got Me', ' Lazy Sunday Afternoon', ' All Day and All of the Night ' , 'Days' ' A Well Respected Man', ' Waterloo Sunset ' and the finale of ' Lola' with all the full house standing up and grooving was a real joy. A joyous, feel-good show that's a great night out, especially if you love The Kinks. ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ Thursday 15 January 2026....I went to three events tonight .. 6.15pm to 7.50pm . Private View - Paul Smith Store , 9 Albermarke Street , Mayfair London W1. Artist Nick Jenson is showcasing his solo exhibition ' Driftwood Dragon'. We can browse the designer clothes in the store too. Over 100 guests here , and it's nice and lively . Complimentary prosecco, wines and beers for the guests. then 8pm to 9pm. Private View - Modern Art Gallery , 7 Bury Street , St James's ,London SW1. It is a group showing of Modern Art. Around 70 or 80 guests here Complimentary wines and beers for the guests. then 9.45pm to 11.15pm. GERRY & SEWELL - press / VIP opening night party at The Waldorf Hilton Hotel, Aldwych , London WC2. Around 300 guests in the very nice ballroom of this four star hotel. Gerry & Sewell is that rarest of things: a fringe theatre hit from outside London that’s made it all the way to the West End. Based on Jonathan Tulloch’s novel The Season Ticket – later adapted into the cult film Purely Belter – this story about two unemployed lads from austerity era Gateshead with a single minded desire to score Newcastle United season tickets began life in North Tyneside pub Laurels in 2022, and has now worked its way up to this, a two-week-stint at the Aldwych Theatre. It’s adapted and directed by Olivier-winning north east theatre maker Jamie Eastlake. Several guests are wearing black and white Newcastle football scarfs. My friend saw ROBERT FRIPP and wife TOYAH WILLCOX at the show , but I didn't see them at the party after. All the cast eventually turn up. As it is only a two week stint , the party was pretty basic , so just complimentary wines , beers and canapes for the guests, so we left well before the 1am finish. ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Thursday 15 January 2026. I am in total shock today to hear that PAUL ENDACOTT has died suddenly of a heart attack He invited me on to one of his excellent 1960s related bus music tours a couple of years ago. He was so enthusiastic about the music of the 1960s. See below.... Bus tours visiting iconic locations from the 1960s. On these award-winning tours, you'll see London locations that helped to launch The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Mary Quant, Genesis, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Jimi Hendrix, The Kinks, Vivienne Westwood and many other 60s icons. You can pick a day and time to suit you. www.60sbus.london - Visit their website here for info and tickets. -------------------

Posted 15th January 2026