Tuesday 03 February 2026.

Tuesday 03 February 2026. JUST FOR ONE DAY - THE LIVE AID MUSICAL The Shaftesbury Theatre, London WC2. I went to see this excellent musical just three weeks ago , but am back again as it closes at this venue this coming Saturday 07 February 2026. It is very full, at least 95% tickets sold overall tonight. We have excellent seats, in the stalls a dozen rows back. The show is on for 2 hours 15 mins over two sets of 65 mins and 70 mins. There are around 20 actors /singers on stage. A live six piece band are on the raised stage at the back. The show starts with the complexities of recording the single ' Do They Know It's Christmas' and then getting the artists to perform at Wembley Stadium. Lots of great songs that were performed at Wembley and Philadelphia. Some acts that were at Wembley get no mention whatsoever. The actor playing Bob Geldof was again superb , with plenty of his trademark swearing. The actress playing Maggie Thatcher was also top notch . The actor playing Harvey Goldsmith was also really good. The original event in July 1985 was my number one best live gig event that i have ever attended. It is a really excellent and enjoyable feel-good musical. It will go on a major UK tour from March 2027. ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ Monday 02 February 2026...I went to two vents tonight.... 6.30pm to 7.30pm TV CHOICE AWARDS - The Hilton Hotel , Park Lane, Mayfair , London W1. TV Choice is a popular weekly TV listings magazine. I am here for the red carpet press arrivals for an hour. I was last at this TV awards event around a decade ago. Must be around 400 guests here. Lots of familiar faces from the TV screens here tonight. Many are here from the different TV soaps. JASON MANFORD is here as he is on hosting duties . Also Pete Wicks, Lisa Snowdon, James Martin, Brian Conley , Denise Van Outen, Shaun Wallace, Nicki Chapman, Don Warrington , Michelle Collins , Gaby Roslin, Matt Baker , Jenny Ryan, Alison Steadman , Anne Hegarty and musicians who have TV or radio side jobs, Shayne Ward , JB Gill, Duncan James and Harry Judd. Complimentary Silverhand English Sparkling Wine for all the guests. then THE MOLOTOVS live at The 100 Club , London. Certainly one of the best newish bands out there . I have seen them supporting The Libertines and The Sex Pistols. They have already sold out The Electric Ballroom. They have played over 600 gigs including youth clubs. They have a great look and sound that's draws influences from Mod and Punk Rock. Brother and sister duo (Matt and Issey ) , with a male drummer for live shows. This is the London date on their UK tour to promote their debut album ' Wasted on Youth' which was released last Friday on Marshall Records to several great reviews. Will be interesting where it ends up in the album charts come this weekend , as they have done full promo with with gigs, in store record store appearances and TV , radio and newspaper/magazine interviews . ------------- This iconic venue is sold out in advance. Oddly for such a young band , most of the crowd are middle aged blokes. THE FORTY FOURS arrived on stage at 8.30 for their 35 mins set. The Forty Fours are also a very young looking back. They have the 1960s retro look of suits and ties. They play a rock n roll set of 1960s and tracks from their upcoming debut album. They were enjoyable to watch. THE MOLOTOVS arrived on stage at 9.30pm for their 65 mins set. The band is incredibly tight, delivering high-speed songs with almost no breath between them. Blonde Issey on bass is magnetic on stage, possessing a strong, commanding presence, as she cannot stop moving and tossing her hair to the music , as she pouts and poses. Matt on vocals is a dead ringer for The Ace Face / Sting in Quadrophenia. They played tracks from the new album , along with some new tracks, and a cover of David Bowies ' Suffragette City'. Their dad loved The Jam and played them non stop at home , and saw them four times back in the day , so you can see why Paul Weller comparisons are made with Matt. Matt said they are in a battle with Lily Allen's album for the number one spot. They are a real bundle of uptempo energy, and really good to watch. Needless to say , bigger venues like The Forum Kentish Town are coming next time Sept 2026.

Posted 2nd February 2026