News and Reviews: 29th August 2012
28 Aug 2012.8pm to 10.30pm i was at the preview evening for Wahaca,19 Charlotte Street,London W1.Tonight was invite only for friends,family and press.
Wahaca is very popular in London and hardly needs any advertising but this warm up is also used for staff training before the paying customers start coming in at the weekend.
Mexican street food chain Wahaca will open their Charlotte Street restaurant on September 1st. The new Fitzrovia site will feature the UK's first dedicated Mezcal bar, as well as a deli and a takeaway shop offering Wahaca's first breakfast menu. Locals will be able to swing by for takeaway burritos, tacos, salads and more.
It is quite a big place with maybe 80 seats on ground level and a nice bar on the first floor.
We had some nice food and some nice mojitos.
It was lively here with lots of staff running around.
See www.wahaca.co.uk
27 Aug 2012.Monday was the main day of The Notting Hill Carnival,London.
Major Lazer Soundsystem took over the hallowed space under the Westway at the junction of Portobello Road/Acklam Road to host the annual Red Bull Music Academy Carnival party with djs and live acts including Sean Paul,Rita Ora and Skrillex.
Europe's biggest street party with over a million on the streets of West London.Too much to see really so you cannot get everywhere.Loads of floats and 27 soundsystems.I sadly could not get to two of my regular stops at Gaz's Rockin' Blues and Solution Soundsystem who have taken over from Jah Observer.
2pm to 8pm i was at The Red Bull Music Academy Party.Over 800 people here for this invite only event for comp winners and press folks.
The venue is perfect for this type of event with the flyover above us and graffiti everywhere.
Its open air so you can still get the carnival vibe and sounds.
Freebie jerk chicken,burgers and hot dogs for all as well as loads of free booze and of course Red Bull.
Its a bit packed in the main area as the place is rockin for sure so we head for the VIP area left of stage which is a bit quieter and yuu have more space along with some comfy sofas along with the all important no toilet queues.Here there is a freebie nail bar for the girls and t-shirt company www.thehitandrun.com are printing on the spot.You pick two of the eight designs for the front and back and it is all done in five minutes.
Around half a dozen acts on stage with lots of dancers and hula hoop girls.Skrillex did a 30 mins set then Jamaican dancehall star Sean Paul did a 30 mins set that sent this crowd totally wild.
Special guest Rita Ora was dancing in front of me left of stage for an hour before she came on.She did just two songs including her number one hit "Hot Right Now".
Major Lazer Soundsystem kept the crowd jumping.
Red Bull was noisy,chaotic and great fun.
See www.redbull.co.uk
Sunday is the birthday of the oldest punk rocker in town as Stranglers drummer Jet Black is 74 today.
Yes 74....Get well soon Jet.
25 Aug 2012.8pm to 11pm i was at the preview evening for Bubbledogs,70 Charlotte Street, London W1.
Another new eating place/bar with a funny name.
"Champagne"(Bubble) and "Hot Dogs(Dogs).
This one has the unlikely coupling of hot dogs and champagne as its theme.
A smallish place over two rooms.We had complimentary hot dogs and sides along with some nice cocktails and champers.
Bubbledogs will offer a menu of ten hot dogs served on traditional steamed buns, including the BLT dog, wrapped in bacon and served with truffle mayo and caramelized lettuce; the Jose dog with guacamole, sour cream, salsa and jalapenos, and a regularly changing guest chef’s special. Prices will start at £6. A short menu of sides, including Tater Tots, will add a further taste of classic Americana.
Bubbledogs will offer a concise list exclusively of Grower Champagne and sparkling wines.A changing list of five cocktails will feature updated versions of classics, priced from £9, such as the Old-Fashioned made with bacon-infused bourbon and maple syrup, and a gin and tonic mixed with homemade tonic. A selection of American and British draft beers will also be available by the bottle.
Bubbledogs’ design, created by Knappett and Chang, will incorporate an anaglypta ceiling; original reconditioned flooring; a copper-topped bar; reclaimed pine wall cladding; exposed brick, and Georgian wire windows.
See www.bubbledogs.co.uk
Charlotte Street is a well-known street just north of Oxford Street.Nearest tube Goodge Street.
The southern half of the street has many restaurants and cafes including Roka and Gaucho, and a lively nightlife during the evening; while the northern part of the street is more mixed in character and includes the large office building of the advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi and top live music booking agents ITB.
23 Aug 2012.Glen Matlock And The Philistines live at The Half Moon,Putney,London.
Considering this venue has been hosting gigs since 1963 i have only been here a few times.
Sadly no big gigs with The Sex Pistols or The Faces this year for Glen but he is not one for sitting around as over the past 12 months he has been playing in various bands including The Philistines that have included tours in Australia and America.
The Philistines have not played for a while but you would not know as they tear into "Born Running" at the start of their 75 mins set.
Its a superb selection of Philistines material mixed in with Sex Pistols and Rich Kids classics and a couple of covers.
James Stevenson shoots off brilliant guitar riffs on every song and David Donley(drums) and
Jim Lowe(bass) provide a nice meaty backing.
Glen is on top form working the crowd and getting them to sing along loudly all night.
It really was one fine song after the other.
Full setlist was
"Born Running","Somewhere Somehow","Get What We Get","Burning Sounds","Rock Chick","Idiot",
"Hey Mister","White Knuckle Ride","Ghosts Of Princes In Towers","Yeah Right","Steppin' Stone","On Something","Rattle Your Cage","Pretty Vacant" and encores of "Timebomb" and "All Or Nothing".A really great little gig.
Just a quick mention that the tree where Marc Bolan died is just five minutes from this venue and well worth a visit as his 35th anniversary is coming up.Go google this "Marc Bolans Rock Shrine" for the exact location and you will see a picture of none other than Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler by the tree.
Also coming up on Sat 15 Sept there is a Marc Bolan celebration evening at Shepherds Bush Empire that is headlined by Trextasy and Glen Matlock is down to sing a couple of Bolan songs.
21 Aug 2012 would have been the 60th birthday of punk legend Joe Strummer.He was a few years older than other members of The Clash and The Sex Pistols.
Hellcat Records are releasing re-mastered special editions of Strummer’s finest solo work on CD and Vinyl.
‘Global A Go-Go’ and ‘Streetcore’ were recorded between 2000 and Strummer’s untimely death in 2002, it was during this period that Strummer wrote, recorded and toured with the band he dubbed “The Mescaleros.” These records capture the one time Clash front man amidst an undeniable creative resurgence. In a review of Streetcore, The Guardian called the record Strummer’s “best work since the Clash's London Calling.”
Sat 18 Aug/Sun 19 Aug 2012.
The Rewind 80s Festival at Henley-on-Thames.
The UK's number one 80s festival returns for the fourth time to this stunning location by the river with two glorious days of sunshine.
24 different name acts over the two days.
Most headlined Hammersmith Odeon in the 1980s when i worked there on front stage security.
20,000 sold out crowd on each day.
Lots of folks in 80s fancy dress outfits.
The best thing about this festival as i am in the press/hospitality area left of stage where you can see the stage without leaving the area which is what you have to do at most festivals.
Lots of space here with deckchairs and a covered area when it gets a bit too hot.One area is giving out free Pimms,beers,wines and snacks so that is very handy and the toilets are nice and clean too.Also half the acts who are playing turn up here to sign autographs and pose for photos.Perfect really.
I saw 11 of the 12 acts on each day.
The sets are from 15 mins to 60 mins each.
Some 30 or 40 hit tunes played each day.
The first four acts use their own bands then seven acts use the house band then the final band use their own band.It works great.
Sat = Day 1 of The Rewind 80's Festival. Kool And The Gang,Rick Astley,Jimmy Somerville,Five Star,Heather Small,Starship,Sinitta,Dr And The Medics,The Bangles,Soul To Soul,Right Said Fred.
Right Said Fred played their hits including
"Im Too Sexy" and great to see Soul To Soul play "Keep On Moving" and "Back To Life".
Only UK show by The Bangles on their current European Tour.They were second headliners but came on early as they had their own band.Still looking and sounding good.Their 45 mins set included "Manic Monday","Eternal Flame" and "Walk Like An Egyptian".
Then a couple from Dr And The Medics including their monster 1986 hit "Spirit In The Sky" that sold 23 million worldwide and was number one in 18 countries.
Sinitta did a few then Starship did a few including "We Built This City" then Heather Small did a few then Five Star who are playing their first UK show for many years i think. Still lots of dancing by them on stage.Jimmy Somerville did 30 mins of hits and then Rick Astley did 30 mins of hits.
Headliners Kool And The Gang played lots of dance hits including the biggies "Ladies Night","Get Down On It" and "Celebration".
A full firework display after their set.
Sun = Day 2 of The Rewind 80's Festival. OMD,Tony Hadley,Marc Almond,Roland Gift,Midge Ure,TPau,John Parr,Wang Chung,Adam Ant,Lightning Seeds,The Straits.
Up first we have The Straits who feature a couple of Dire Straits members.They play the tunes but without their leader its not the same.
Lightning Seeds play a really good 30 mins of catchy pop gems.
Adam Any easily has the most fans here this weekend.Adam plays a 40 mins set with lots of goodies including "Stand And Deliver" and "Prince Charming".
Wang Chung are average then John Parr does three songs including "St Elmos Fire".
TPau play a few hits then Midge Ure plays a few hits.He sung the first song all the way through before finding out the crowd could not hear a thing as PA was playing up.
Roland Gift played six songs.Three good and three boring.
Marc Almond was good.His 30 mins finished with "Tainted Love".Next was Tony Hadley who this crowd really love.Great versions of "True" and "Gold" in his 30 mins.
Headliners OMD are the same age as me so i have a lot of history with them.I first saw them in 1979 at The Nashville supporting Joy Division.
In the 80s all their shows were at Hammy Odeon.
Lots of "dodgy dad dancing" by their singer as
usual but the crowd all love him for it.Lots of synth pop hits including "Enola Gay","Joan Of Arc" and "Electricity".A good 60 mins set.
A full firework display after their set
Both days at Rewind Festival were great.
So many hit songs from the 1980s.
16 Aug 2012.8pm to 11pm i was at the launch of Puma with Professor Green Joint Apparel Collection at One Marylebone.Marylebone Road, London.
UK white rapper Professor Green has had a very impressive past couple of years with some hit singles and crossed over to the mainstream.
A lively younger crowd here and i do feel the oldest person in da house.Lots of freebie cocktails, beers and full size burgers flowing along with a lively dj who really gets the crowd dancing crazy for the last hour.
Professor Green is here is introduce the fashion show and hangs around all night being chatty and posing with the punters under the eye of his personal security guy.
The collection will be out in October.
Everyone got a goodie bag with one of his t-shirts in it.
15 Aug 2012.7.30pm to 11.30pm.The UK film premiere of "The Rise and Fall of The Clash" at The Portobello Pop Up Cinema,junction of Portobello Road/Acklam Road,London W10.
90 mins long.Director Danny Garcia.
Perfect venue as it is in the Clash heartland under The Westway.Around 200 folks here.
The definitive biography of the group's fall from grace after Mick Jones left the band.
Three years in the making, The Rise and Fall of the Clash explores the evolution of the punk icons, from their early days gigging at small clubs in London in the Seventies, to their famed run at Bond's International Casino in Times Square in 1981, to their downward spiral after their legendary Shea Stadium(supporting The Who) concert in 1982. Mick Jones is the sole original Clash member to be interviewed in the film, while Vince White and Nick Sheppard (Mick Jones replacements) and replacement drummer Pete Howard all appear to offer their perspectives on the band's tumultuous latter years.
Also ex Clash drummer Terry Chimes.
The Clash line up of Mick Jones,Joe Strummer,Paul Simonon and Topper Headon were one of the greatest live bands ever.I was lucky enough to see that line up loads of times as well as the line up when Mick Jones left which of course was not the same.
The film is an honest "warts n all" inside story of brilliance,rivalry,and the internal band dynamics and managerial interference from Bernie Rhodes that ultimately led the band to self destruct.A must see film.
There was a reception for an hour before the film then 8.30pm was the film then a 10 mins Q n A with director Danny Garcia then after a reception nearby at The Sporting Club.
Some faces here including Sex Pistols members Paul Cook and Glen Matlock.Also Tony James(Gen X/BAD/Carbon Silicon),Norman Watt-Roy (Blockheads/Wilko Johnson Band), Kermit(Sham 69),Don Letts and quite a few of the main music paper journo's from the
period covered in the film.
Also lots of folks here i know like Steve and Bill from Gosport,Lewis,Frank and Faith,Darrell,Mark H and many more so overall a really great night.
14 Aug 2012.This should be interesting if you have a few quid spare to visit America.
Guns And Roses have have announced they are to play a 12 show stint in Las Vegas from 31 Oct 2012.
12 Aug 2012.BT London Live Hyde Park - Closing Ceremony Celebration Concert with
Blur + The Specials + New Order.
A massive sold out crowd of 65,000 plus here for this "Best Of British" event.
First its a hats off to sponsors BT as BT London Live has been a huge success with a total of over a million sport and music fans attending the events in Hyde Park and Victoria Park over the past fortnight and visitors have enjoyed free performances in Hyde Park from name acts including The Temper Trap,Feeder, McFly,Levellers,Noisettes,Rebecca Ferguson, Alexandra Burke and others as well as appearances from Team GB Olympic medallists including: Chris Hoy, Jessica Ennis, Bradley Wiggins and Nicola Adams.
New Order play a really good 60 mins set that included a couple of Joy Division classice.
Tracks played included "Ceremony","Isolation",
"True Faith" and superb versions of "Blue Monday" and "Love Will Tear Us Apart".
The Specials are on stage for some 65 mins.
So many great songs to dance to.They were a perfect support to the headliners Blur.
Full Specials setlist...
Do The Dog...(Dawning Of A) New Era...
Gangsters...It's Up to You...Monkey Man...
Blank Expression...Doesn't Make It Alright...
Rat Race...Stupid Marriage...Concrete Jungle...Friday Night, Saturday Morning...Do Nothing...Stereotype...Man At C&A...A Message To You Rudy...Nite Klub... Little Bitch...Too Much Too Young...
At 9pm the big screens show the first dozen minutes of the closing ceremony from The Olympic Stadium in Stratford then we have Blur.After half a dozen warm up shows over the past couple of weeks including a tiny gig at The 100 Club this is the big one.
On stage for a full two hours they play a perfect set of hits,rarities,b-sides and new tracks.More than once tonight Damon seems overwhelmed with the whole thing as he stares out into the gigantic crowd.Phil Daniels came on to sing a brilliant "Parklife" and comedian Harry Enfield came on dressed as a tea lady to give the band some cups of tea.
Damon even got the crowd to do the "Mobot" with him and praised The Olympic Games.
During "Tender" Damon gave Graham Coxon a kiss on the cheek.Many times Damon jumped into the pit area near the fans.A fantastic show.
Full Blur setlist...
Girls & Boys...London Loves...Tracy Jacks...
Jubilee...Beetlebum...Coffee & TV...Out of Time(with Khyam Allami)...Young & Lovely...
Trimm Trabb...Caramel...Sunday Sunday...
Country House...Parklife (with Phil Daniels....Colin Zeal (with Harry Enfield)...
Popscene...Advert...Song 2...No Distance Left to Run...Tender...This Is a Low...
Encore:
Sing...Under The Westway...Intermission...End of a Century...For Tomorrow...The Universal
This month Blur released "Blur21" which is a massive box set collection that has 18 cds and 3 dvds in it.
11 Aug 2012.Noon to 8pm.Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Horse Racing and "Here And Now 80s Concert" at Ascot Racecourse,Berkshire.
A massive crowd here on a lovely sunny day.
While most music festivals ban you from bringing your own booze in these racecourse events let you bring in a much as you like so we had a nice picnic first before the racing with food,wine and beers.
We had six races.Jockeys here included Frankie Dettori and Kieran Fallon.
I was in the Premier area by the finish post.
A really nice atmosphere here.
Most racecourses have two or three live music events on these days to attract extra punters.
4.30pm to 8pm we had seven acts from the 1980s play short sets of 15 to 40 mins of their hits.A great format as that means over 30 hit songs are played tonight.We get a good view three rows from front stage left.
Katrina And The Waves play three songs including "Walking On Sunshine".Then Tpau play four songs including "Heart And Soul" and "China In Your Hand".Then Midge Ure plays four songs "Fade To Grey","If I Was","Vienna" and "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes".A good finish to the first half.Quick five minute stage changeovers.
Howard Jones played four songs including "Get To Know You Well","What Is Love" and "New Song".
Then Belinda Carlisle played five songs including "Circle In The Sand","Leave A Light On" and "Heaven Is A Place On Earth".
Rick Astley was one of the naffest acts of the 1980s but the females still love him it seems.
"Never Gonna Give You Up" was good but the rest was Westlife type tosh.
Headliners Bananarama were one of the biggest selling female acts of the 1980s and their 40 mins set had nine or ten hits on the bounce including "Cruel Summer","I Want You Back",
"Robert De Niro's Waiting" and Venus".
A really enjoyable day out.
10 Aug 2012.Lou Reed live at The Royal Festival Hall,London.
New York legend back in London as part of
his usual summer UK and European Tour.
Tonight was part of Antony Hegarty's Meltdown Festival at The Southbank.
This show was billed as "From VU to Lulu" as he played Velvet Underground songs along with solo album tracks and tracks from the "Lulu" album from last year he recorded with Metallica that got some pretty bad reviews.
Lou Reed is now aged 70 and shuffles on to the stage slowly with the help of a roadie.
On stage for one hour 45 mins with a great backing band.Most songs reworked a bit and even the "Lulu" album tracks sound much better live than on record.
Oldies like "Waiting For The Man","Walk On The Wild Side" and "Sad Song" went down a treat and the crowd rushed down the front for a really good encore of "White Light/White Heat".
Always good to see this legend play live.
Full setlist played....
Brandenburg Gate (From the Lulu album)
Heroin (Velvet Underground)
I'm Waiting for the Man (Velvet Underground)
Senselessly Cruel
The View (From the Lulu album)
Mistress Dread (From the Lulu album)
Street Hassle
Cremation
Think It Over
Walk on the Wild Side
Sad Song
Junior Dad (From the Lulu album)
Encore:
White Light/White Heat (Velvet Underground)