Monday 29 June 2026.

Monday 29 June 2026. FAOUZIA live at Shepherds Bush Empire. Faouzia ( aged 25), is a Canadian singer, songwriter and musician. Born in Casablanca, Morocco, she moved with her family to Canada at a young age. During that time she learned how to play various instruments, and began composing her first songs. She has released many singles from her EPs and the one album. Shepherds Bush is the last date on her six city European Tour. ---------- The venue is rammed solid sold out. The crowd is pretty much 75% females under the age 35. Many young Arabian women here. FAOUZIA and band on at 8.35pm for her 90 mins set. Faouzia has long black hair , and a flowing white dress. Some very nice vocals , mixing pop and a bit operatic. Her fans are singing all the lyrics , and adore her. Lyrics were mainly in French and English , but a couple were in Moroccan . The only cover was an interesting version of Sting ' Desert Rose'. She played piano on a couple of tracks. Lots of graceful hand and arm twirling movements throughout . An enjoyable show. ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Sunday 28 June 2026. METALLICA live at Principality Stadium, Cardiff Wales Metallica will continue their M72 World Tour in 2026 playing in-the-round with a 360° stage and central Snake Pit at all stadium shows. The tour returns to Europe and the UK for 16 dates across May, June, and July 2026, including stops in London, Dublin, and Cardiff.The stage is in the center of the field, allowing for a 360° view of the band and featuring the signature "Snake Pit". Metallica 2026 European Tour will have an incredible 71 trucks production. I have seen Metallica over a dozen times with the first times when they played Hammersmith Odeon in 1986 and 1988. I was also at the launch event for their Black album which was also at Hammersmith Odeon. In May 2026 Metallica played to 88,000 at a stadium in Poland. They are breaking stadium attendance records in other countries too. The capacity for this concert at this Cardiff venue is 75,000. Cardiff is their first full UK performance since they headlined the Download Festival in June 2023. Additionally, the June 28, 2026 show at the Principality Stadium is historically significant for fans in Wales: it is their first-ever performance at the venue and their first time playing in Cardiff in 30 years, dating back to 1996 I saw Metallica play a few tracks at the Ozzy Osbourne Farewell Show at Villa Park in July 2025. I have seen Metallica around a dozen times. The first time was 40 years ago 1986 - Hammersmith Odeon with Anthrax supporting. 1988 - Hammersmith Odeon three shows with Danzig supporting. ---------- It is a massive 76,000 sold out show here for these rock legends. Record breaking as it is the biggest attendance for a live music show in Wales . The venue roof is closed tonight , which makes it feel like an arena . Local staff told me " if it is a loud rock band , they close the roof, but if it is a pop band like Take That , the roof is open"....All down to noise levels. The stage is a stunning in the round production, with The Snake Pit fans in the middle. There are eight lighting / video towers dotted around the stage. All the bands have use of the circular walkway and video screens. KNOCKED LOOSE arrived on stage at 5pm for their 40 mins set They played a good set of fast and heavy rock tracks. GOJIRA arrived on stage at 6pm for their 60 mins set. They played a good set of fast and heavy rock tracks. They had more of a light show than Knocked Loose. METALLICA arrived on stage at 7.45pm for their 2 hours 15 mins set. Sooo many crunching rock gems played by them, especially in the second half. Their traditional local song was Tom Jones ' Delilah'. The four members make great use of the circular walkway, as they move positions . Lars on drums had his drums in three different locations. Metallica had fire and pyros a few times during the show. James Hetfield and his usual banter " You Want Heavy? - Metallica gives you Heavy". Around 50 large black and yellow beach balls dropped during ' Seek and Destroy'. A fantastic show , and I will see them again in a London at the coming weekend. Full Metallica setlist played tonight... Tape - It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll) (AC/DC song) Tape - The Ecstasy of Gold (Ennio Morricone song) Creeping Death For Whom the Bell Tolls Cyanide The Memory Remains 72 Seasons The Unforgiven Fuel Kirk and Rob Doodle (cover of Tom Jones' "Delilah") The Day That Never Comes Wherever I May Roam Nothing Else Matters Sad but True One Seek & Destroy Master of Puppets Enter Sandman -------------------------------- -------------------------------- Friday 26 June 2026. Very sad news that Chris O'Donnell has passed away aged 76 . He was co-manager of Thin Lizzy as part of the Morrison - O'Donnell team. Later in the 1980s , Morrison - O'Donnell would manage Ultravox. More recently , he was working for Live Nation after Clear Channel rebranded their live music department. Two of the great shows i attended thanks to Chris. Chris worked with Carling Live and spearheaded their live music programme to promote the exclusive ' Pistols at The Palace ' at Crystal Palace in 2002 , and another exclusive when AC/DC played Hammersmith , to celebrate the renaming of the venue as The Carling Apollo in 2003.. When The Sex Pistols played Crystal Palace , he got me a poster of the event signed by all four members. The day before the AC/DC show , we were with 50 other lucky guests to watch a four song AC/DC rehearsal at the venue. Thanks for all the guest lists Chris...R.I.P. -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Thursday 25 June 2026..I went to two events tonight.. 4.30pm to 9pm. FESTIVAL OF BRANDS - summer showcase - Hilton Hotel , Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1. Around 300 guests in the ballroom of this famous five star hotel.i Maybe 80% females here . Over 60 hotels from across Hilton's global portfolio have stands here showcasing. There is some live entertainment. We have a young female dance troupe. A great female display from KIMMYBEATBOX A black guy with full length dreads , sang some nice operatic tracks. There was a F1 car simulator. A DJ played some tracks in the background. Lots of complimentary drinks and food as there are two bars and five food stations. Five different cocktails , any spirits n mixers , Baileys etc , prosecco ,wines , beers , teas and coffees . Lovely food including cheeseburgers, chicken curry , grilled pork chops , fish n chips , different bowl foods canapes and desserts . then.... 10.15pm to 12pm. CYRANO DE BERGERAC - press/VIP night party - The Londoner Hotel ,Leicester Square ,London WC2. The main event was held earlier at The Noel Coward Theatre. It stars Adrian Lester . Always nice to be in the ballroom of this five star hotel. Around 300 guests are here. Adrian Lester and the cast turn up. David Tennant was was one of the guests. A female DJ was playing tunes. Complimentary wines , beers and cokes with ice and slice of lemon went down nicely. Also canapes and desserts.

Posted 26th June 2026