Friday 22 May 2026.

Friday 22 May 2026. RAYSGIGS exclusive discount code for 25% off Lakefest tickets is: RGLF25 It is held in early August , see the list of bands playing on my front page. -------------------------------- -------------------------------- Friday 22 May 2026. A double bill from South Africa live at Shepherds Bush Empire. Fokofpolisiekar are back. The band has been embroiled in controversy since inception around 20 years ago ,over their name and personal views. Initially radio stations were hesitant to play the band's tracks because of the profanity "Fokof" ("fuck off") in the band's name. The nicknames Polisiekar ("police car"), "FPK", and "Die Bende" ("The Band / Gang") was soon adopted by mainstream media who did not want to pronounce the full name in fear of objection from the public. They are bringing their Cape Town friends, Die Heuwels Fantasties as support. There is no better live combo showcasing the best of Afrikaans rock and Afrikaans alternative music than these two acts. It is going to be energetic, melodic, and full of nostalgia as these two legendary groups bring their A-game. I can remember seeing South African music legend Johnny Clegg ( RIP 2019) at Hammersmith Odeon a couple of times back in 1990. ------------- Levels 2 and 3 are closed tonight , and maybe only 500 or 600 tickets sold . A rowdy crowd of mainly ex pat South Africans . It is pretty much a co - headline gig. A basic stage production for both bands. Die Heuwels Fantasties arrived on stage at 8.15pm for their 60 mins set. They played a good set of pop rock tunes. The up for it crowd know the words to both the bands tunes. FOKOFPOLISIEKAR ( Fuck Off Police Car ) arrived on stage at 9.20pm for their 65 mins set. A very quick five mins changeover as they are using the same drumkit and amps as the first band , and one of the guitarist's is playing in both bands. They have a more punkier feel than the first band. The singer is swinging the mic like Roger Daltrey , and he along with the lively bass player are touching hands with those at the front many times. Both the singers tonight came on during the other bands set. Their notorious track ' Fokofpolisiekar' ends the main set as 15 fans are invited on stage to help them song it , which is the highlight of their set. An enjoyable evening ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ Thursday 21 May 2026. THOMAS DOLBY live at Shepherds Bush Empire. GRAMMY nominated English musician, producer and composer Thomas Dolby ( now aged 67) , heads out on his ‘Iconic 80’s Recollections Tour’, showcasing his wide range of musical styles. He has had a few Top 40 singles and albums. As an early MTV icon he blazed a trail for electronic music with his imaginative videos. His synth playing and production have graced the recordings of Foreigner, Def Leppard and Joni Mitchell. Thomas Dolby was in David Bowie's band at Live Aid. Dolby came to prominence in the 1980s, releasing international hit singles including "She Blinded Me with Science" (1982) and "Hyperactive!" (1984). He has also worked as a producer and as a session musician. I saw him perform at this same venue in 2024. With Support from: Martin McAloon (playing the songs of Prefab Sprout). Their best known track is ' The King of Rock n Roll' which was a number 7 chart hit in 1988. Which famously features the chorus, "Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque," Other hits include ' Cars & Girls' and 'When Love Breaks Down'. -------------- Level 3 is closed , so maybe around 1000 are here. Legendary producer TREVOR HORN is in the Level 1 VIP seats Most seem to be age 40 and over and who remember Thomas Dolby from back in the day. MARTIN McALOON arrived on stage at 7.50pm for his 45 mins . Always good to see a support act , that actually has hit singles . Martin is solo tonight , with an electric guitar and acoustic guitar . He performed 10 Prefab Sprouts tracks , and finished with the big three as above. A good set included some wry humour from Martin. THOMAS DOLBY arrived on stage at 9pm for his 1 hour 50 mins set. There is a big screen showing images and video clips. The first 30 mins is Thomas solo with his keyboards. He is then joined by his band , but due to immigration problems his female bass player from Ukraine is performing along on the big screen , as not allowed in the UK. I was a bit surprised that three quarters of the show was made up of medleys of cover versions , but they were reworked versions that really sounded great. A reworked ' Heroes' with Thomas Dolby performing with David Bowie at Live Aid on the big screen was excellent . His two big hits were played near the end. A very enjoyable show Full THOMAS DOLBY setlist played tonight... The Flat Earth (with snippet of “Lovesong” by The Cure) Evil Twin Brother (with snippet of “Bring on the Night” by The Police) One of Our Submarines ( with snippet of “Cars” by Gary Numan) "Heroes" (David Bowie cover) (with video of Live Aid performance) Iconic '80s Symphony, 2nd Movement / Comfortably Numb / Here Comes the Rain Again / Red Rain / Sign Your Name / Little Red Corvette / Billie Jean / This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) / I Love You Goodbye / With or Without You (with snippets of “Hounds of Love”, “The James Bond Theme” and “Thriller”) Iconic '80s Symphony, 3rd Movement / Bonnie / Libertango / New Years Day / The Killing Moon / The Things That Dreams Are Made Of / Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) / Ordinary World / Roam / All Around The World (with Martin McAloon for Bonnie, snippet of “Smalltown Boy”) Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun / How Soon Is Now? / Head Over Heels / Shout (with snippet of “Coming in the Air Tonight”) Don't Give Up (Peter Gabriel cover) Iconic '80s Symphony, 4th Movement / Woke Up This Morning / White Wedding / Love Will Tear Us Apart / Dancing with Tears in My Eyes / Vienna / Don't Dream It's Over My Brain Is Like a Sieve ( with Jason Mraz on video) Europa and the Pirate Twins She Blinded Me With Science Encore: Hyperactive! (with Martin McAloon) Airwaves

Posted 21st May 2026