News and Reviews: 5th March 2014
03 March 2014.The Killers and Justin Timberlake have been confirmed as the headliners for this years V Festival.
Support acts include Chic feat Nile Rodgers,Lily Allen, Blondie,Human League,Strypes and others.
02 March 2014.
Noel Fielding has confirmed dates for a massive six week UK winter tour including shows at
Hammersmith Apollo and Brixton Academy.
01 March 2014.Albert Lee live at The Cadogan Hall,Chelsea,London.
Tonight was the first of two sold out shows at this venue to celebrate his 70th birthday( 21 Dec 2013).
This well respected guitarist is promoting his new album with the great title 'Frettening Behaviour'.
Albert Lee has played with Chris Farlowe,Heads Hands and Feet,The Crickets,Emmylou Harris,
Eric Clapton,Joe Cocker,Bill Wyman,Hogans Heroes and was in The Everly Brothers touring band
for over 30 years.
Albert was in the 'Concert For George Harrison' house band Royal Albert Hall show in 2002.
Albert Lee was on stage tonight for a mammoth 3 hours 10 mins where he was joined by a host of friends
from his 50 years of playing music.
Around 40 musicians,yes 40 musicians were on stage during the course of the evening with
a left hand drum kit,a right hand drum kit, a very nice sounding and looking YAMAHA AvantGrand piano,
two keyboards,various different guitar amps and the stage roadies really earned their money tonight
as they were on stage every few mins as a different set of musicians came and went.
The songs played during the evening were mainly 1950s/1960s rock n roll cover versions,
some blues,some country and some boogie woogie.
Old Grey Whistle Test host Bob Harris was compere tonight and he told a few Albert Lee
related stories but not everyone on stage got a name mention which was a shame.
Andy Fairweather Low sung one song.
Dona Oxford sung one song.
Gary US Bonds sung three songs including 'New Orleans'.
Shakin Stevens sung two songs.
The Shadows played two songs including 'Apache' with Albert Lee taking the place of Hank Marvin
who could not make it as he lives in Australia.
Marty Wilde sung two songs.
A few of his session musician mates played three songs with him.
Mike Berry sung three songs.
Gary Brooker sung two songs including 'Whiter Shade Of Pale'.
Joe Brown and Andy Fairweather Low sung two songs.
Second half started with three boogie woogie songs.
Ralph McTell sung two songs.
Bill Wyman came on for two songs.
Then half a dozen songs with Albert and his own band including an Everly Brothers track.
Another song with Gary Brooker joining Albert on stage.
Finale was everyone on stage singing 'Happy Birthday' to Albert and presenting a birthday cake.
An enjoyable evening.
The show was filmed for eventual DVD release and Bob Harris said possible tv.
Thanks to YAMAHA MUSIC UK for the review tickets,interval drinks and a nice goodie bag which
had a Albert Lee programme and t-shirt from tonight's show and an Albert Lee cd.
01 March 2014...Happy Birthday to Roger Daltrey who is 70 today...
Another rock legend joins the 70 club.
I have seen The Who over 30 times since 1975 including shows at
Hammersmith Odeon,Charlton Football Club,The Rainbow,Wembley Stadium,
Live Aid,Docklands Arena,Wembley Arena, Shepherds Bush Empire,
Greek Theatre Los Angeles,Royal Albert Hall,Hyde Park,Birmingham NIA.
27 Feb 2014.Denise Pearson live at The Jazz Cafe,London.
Denise was a member of Five Star who were brothers and sisters and were touted and compared
as the UK version of The Jacksons and like The Jacksons they were managed by their father.
Five Star were massive for a couple of years in 1986/1987 when they had six UK top ten singles.
In 1986 I was working front stage security when they played Hammersmith Odeon for five nights.
Tonight was a one off showcase where it was mainly paying punters downstairs and mainly press folks
in the balcony where our wristbands got some nice freebie drinks and food before Denice came on stage.
There will be a full UK tour when the album comes out in July.
Denise is on stage for 55 mins with a full band including a four piece string section and three backing singers.
Now aged 45 but looking much younger she has a strong soul voice with a lovely smile.
The set was mainly tracks from the new album and some Five Star hits near the end.
Tracks played included 'Pandoras Box',a cover of Steve Winwood 'Higher Love',
'Free Fall','Freak Dance','Here I Am' and a medley of Five Star hits including 'I Can't Wait Another Minute',
'Rain Or Shine' and 'System Addict'.
An enjoyable show.
26 Feb 2014...7.45pm to 12pm...
NME Awards live at Brixton Academy,London.
Indie bible hold their annual awards show.
NME is still a great place to find out who are the best new bands.
Arrived at the venue to see tonight's caterers Dominos Pizza handing out lots of boxes of
pizza to the photographers and autograph hunters outside the venue.
Even the ticket touts were having some too.A nice touch by Dominos though.
Around 2000 folks here with 750 seated at tables downstairs.
I was in the front pit standing area in front of the tiered tables with a great view.
Freebie Tequila Patron cocktails downstairs drinks reception.
A nice mix of folks presenting awards,accepting awards or just hanging out including
Lily Allen in a nice bright designer dress with her own personal security guy,
Jerry Hall,Jarvis Cocker,Delilah,The Orwells,Brodie Dalle,Eagulls,Daisy Lowe,James McCartney,
Edwin Collins,Carl Barat,John Cooper Clarke,Fat White Family,Disclosure,Zane Lowe,
Vaccines,Michael and Emily Eavis,Haim,Johnny Marr and no doubt a few more.
We have five live bands on stage with Blondie at the end playing the longest set.
Metronomy and MKS ex Sugababes played one song.
Belle And Sebastian played two songs.
The Horrors played one song.
Drenge played one song.
Arctic Monkeys were here to pick up five awards including Best Album and Best British Band.
Paul McCartney was here to pick up Songwriters Songwriter Award.
Damon Albarn was here to pick up The Innovation Award.
Blondie are here to pick up The Godlike Genius Award.
Great to see them get this award as they are another band I have a lot of history with.
I have seen them over 20 times since 1977 and their legendary shows supporting Television.
Blondie played a good set at the end with 50 mins of nine songs including three new songs.
One Way or Another
A Rose by Any Name
Atomic
Mile High
Rapture
(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)---Beastie Boys cover
Sugar on the Side
Call Me
Heart of Glass
A lively good event.
Check www.nme.com for full list of winners and photos.
25 Feb 2014.Wilko Johnson featuring Roger Daltrey live at Shepherds Bush Empire,London.
Wilko and Roger play a one off show together to promote their new album 'Going Back Home'
which comes out in a month and features Roger singing mainly tracks related to Wilko Johnson
40 year career including of course Dr Feelgood tracks.
The album consists of 10 songs written by Wilko Johnson and one by Bob Dylan.
The album was recorded in a week and comes out via Chess/Universal.
In the foyer they were selling a great boxing promotion type gig poster that looked very nice.
A great atmosphere as the venue is rammed for this sold out pronto show.
The first 30 mins tonight was Wilko and his great band with Norman Watt-Roy on bass and then
Roger was on stage with them on vocals for 60 mins and also arriving on stage were keyboard player
Mick Talbot and a harmonica player.
I saw Wilko when he played with Dr Feelgood in the 1970s.
In Jan 2013 Wilko announced he had terminal cancer and was unlikely to see out the end of the year
but he is still here playing more gigs than ever.
Wilko is a briliant guitarist to watch as he jerks across the stage and plays machine gun style.
Wilko is much more familiar and rehearsed with the songs but Roger Daltrey does a great job with all
these lyrics that are new to him and he says he finds it harder to remember stuff at his age(70 this weekend).
Lots of uptempo garage blues songs and a great show.
Full setlist played...
First six songs Wilko Johnson and band
All Right
Barbed Wire Blues
The More I Give (Dr. Feelgood song)
Dr. Dupree (Solid Senders cover)
When I'm Gone
Roxette (Dr. Feelgood song)
Then the rest of the set featuring Roger Daltrey on vocals.
Going Back Home (Dr. Feelgood song)
I Keep It to Myself
Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window? (Bob Dylan cover)
Keep on Loving You
Some Kind of Hero
Ice on the Motorway
Sneakin' Suspicion (Dr. Feelgood song)
Everybody's Carrying a Gun (Dr. Feelgood song)
Keep It Out Of Sight (Dr. Feelgood song)
All Through the City (Dr. Feelgood song)
I Can't Explain (The Who cover)
Encore:
I Keep It to Myself---second version played as it is the new single.
Lots of the main newspaper press folks here so keep an eye out for reviews in The Times, The Standard etc.
Check the IconicPix link on the right for some great photos of the show.
A few folks from other bands here so check aftershow party page for full info.
24 Feb 2014.
After another successful year, having just completed a US Tour promoting his latest EP release Laid Out and collaborations with the likes of BANKS and Jeremih, the LA-native Shlohmo is starting his European tour on February 27th in Berlin. Followed by a US Tour and a performance at Coachella, everything indicates that 2014 is going to a great year for Shlohmo.
Shlohmo is the creation of 22-year-old Henry Laufer, visual artist turned self-taught musician. As a founding member of the WEDIDIT collective (RL Grime, Groundislava, D33j, Purple, 2kwtvr, Juj, Nick Melons), Henry’s early work placed him at the forefront of a new wave of rising talent amongst west coast producers. With an effortless grasp on sound design, Laufer combines deceptively simple and emotive melodies, subtle bass drops and swinging slow motion drums. Receiving support from Pitchfork, BBC Radio, the New York Times, NPR, Resident Advisor and many others, Shlohmo leads the way in a new generation of promising young producers with his unique blend of dark and sensual R&B tropes.
TOUR DATES
27/2 Berlin - Gretchen
28/2 Brussels - VK
01/3 Paris - La Machine
05/3 Dublin - Twisted Pepper
06/3 London - The Laundry
07/3 Amsterdam - Paradiso
08/3 Milan - Tunnel Club
23 Feb 2014.The Magic Of The Beatles live at The Theatre Royal,Windsor,Berkshire.
Another tribute show for me with this one based on the songs of the Fab Four.
On stage for 2 hours 5 mins over two sets with over 30 Beatles classics played.
The front three members of the band look a bit like the originals and the bass player
was left handed just like the real Macca.
Three costume changes with suits and ties in the first half and Sgt Pepper outfits and
then casual wear in the second half.
Lots of fun cheeky stage banter from all the band members.
So many great songs so all the crowd are singing and clapping along.
The show ended with everyone on their feet for 'Hey Jude',Yellow Submarine'
and 'Twist And Shout'.
A really enjoyable show.
Check their website for other shows on their UK tour.
21 Feb 2014.Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac live at The Barbican,London.
Any regulars to this website will know I like going to see a good quality tribute act.
Tonight's band are the UKs most popular Fleetwood Mac tribute act who have played over 500
shows to over 500,000 punters over the last decade.
This was my first time seeing them which is part of another massive UK tour for the band.
A big venue for a tribute band to play but it is still three quarters full.
Mick Fleetwood approves of the band as he gives them a video introduction on the big screen.
On stage for a nice long 2 hours 20 mins over two sets which was pretty much the same length as
the real Fleetwood Mac show I saw last year.
Eight band members on stage all wearing Fleetwood Mac type attire and the two females do look and sound
a bit like Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie.
All the Fleetwood Mac classics played and the first 30 mins of the second half was Peter Green era songs
from their original British blues period as the girls were not on stage and they had a Peter Green soundalike.
Highlights of the set included...
Gypsy...Tell Me Lies...Sara...Songbird...Dreams...
Black Magic Woman...Need Your Love So Bad...Albatross...Shake Your Moneymaker...Oh Well...
Landslide...Big Love...Rhiannon...then all the crowd up and dancing for The Chain and Go Your Own Way
and they remained dancing for encores of Tusk and Don't Stop...
A really enjoyable journey through the entire Fleetwood Mac song history.
Wednesday 19 February 2014....10pm to 3am...
The BRIT Awards 2014 (BRITs) - Warner Music Group party at
The Savoy, Strand, London, WC2.
A very lively party in the ballroom of this famous five star hotel.
This year was the first time for around a decade I did not go to the main awards event.
Must be 700 or 800 here and it got rammed at midnight when folks arrived from the awards at The 02.
Guests here included Noel Gallagher,Kelly Jones,John Taylor and Roger Taylor from Duran Duran,
Katy Perry,Tinie Tempah, Jack Whitehall,Dannii Minogue,Alex James,Boy George,Nick Grimshaw,
Jonathan Ross,Peaches Geldof,Nicholas Hoult.
Some celebs also popped into the Universal party which was only 200 yards away.
Complimentary Moët champers,cava,Belvedere vodka cocktails,wines and beers.
The dj was playing some decent tunes.
Chic feat Nile Rodgers played a 55 mins set where he was joined by Kylie Minogue for two songs near the end.
Nile was singing with his guitar plugged in and two backing singers were helping out but there was no band
as he used a backing track.
Every track was a Chic gem or a track Nile had produced for another artist.
A perfect good time party act as everyone was dancing and singing along.
An excellent party.
Full setlist played...
Everybody Dance
Dance Dance Dance
I Want Your Love
I'm Coming Out
Upside Down
Greatest Dancer
We Are Family
Chic Cheer
My Forbidden Lover
Le Freak---with Kylie Minogue sharing vocals
Good Times---with Kylie Minogue and friends dancing on stage with Nile Rodgers
Get Lucky
18 Feb 2014 celebrates 40 years since KISS released their debut album on 18 Feb 1974.
The album contains some of their best tracks that still feature in their live show.
"Strutter", "Nothin' to Lose","Firehouse","Cold Gin","Let Me Know","Kissin' Time"
"Deuce","Love Theme from Kiss","100,000 Years","Black Diamond".
18 Feb 2014...I went to two events tonight...
6.45pm to 8.30pm.Tom Rob Smith:'The Farm' - book launch party at
Hix, 66-70 Brewer Street, London, W1.
Nice to be at this upmarket Soho restaurant.
The Farm is a psychological thriller from the bestselling author of international publishing sensation Child 44.
Complimentary Whiskey Sour cocktails,wines,beers and canapés for all guests.
The author gave a speech and dedicated the book to his mother.
About the book...
If you refuse to believe me, I will no longer consider you my son...Daniel believed that his parents were enjoying a peaceful retirement on a remote farm in Sweden, the country of his mother's birth. But with a single phone call, everything changes. Your mother...she's not well, his father tells him. She's been imagining things - terrible, terrible things. In fact, she has been committed to a mental hospital. Before Daniel can board a plane to Sweden, his mother calls: Everything that man has told you is a lie. I'm not mad...I need the police...Meet me at Heathrow. Daniel is immediately caught between his parents - whom to believe, whom to trust? He becomes his mother's unwilling judge and jury. Presented with a horrific crime, a conspiracy that implicates his own father, Daniel must examine the evidence and decide for himself: who is telling the truth? And he has secrets of his own that for too long he has kept hidden...
then
8.45pm to 11.45pm.London Fashion Week a/w 2014: KTZ - afterparty at
Sanderson Hotel, 50 Berners Street, London, W1.
Upmarket urban fashion brand Koton To Zai hold a party after their catwalk show earlier.
Lots of their male and female models are here wearing KTZ oversized jackets.
The venue got livelier and livelier as more folks turned up and the dj got them dancing.
Complimentary cocktails and wines for all guests.
16 Feb 2014...I went to two events tonight...
9pm to 11pm.London Fashion Week a/w 2014: Kristian Aadnevik - catwalk show at
The Royal Horseguards, 2 Whitehall Court, London, SW1.
A great choice of this historic venue that is rarely used for any type of event.
It is now a 5 star hotel with a stunning sweeping staircase.
Kristian Aadnevik is a London-based Norwegian fashion designer, who graduated from
Royal College of Art in 2002.
A nice upmarket crowd who included performance artist Pandemonia
in her striking 7 foot latex/rubber creation.
Also here was singer Lisa Stansfield.
Complimentary cocktails for an hour then a very nice catwalk show from a dozen models with
each having 3 or 4 different outfits.
Two rows of seats on each side and standing behind them.
Guests got a nice goodie bag of cosmetic items.
then
11.30pm to 4.30am.BAFTAs: Weinstein Company BAFTAs party at
Rosewood London Hotel,Holborn Dining Room, 252 High Holborn, London, WC1.
This was a mega no expense spared bash held by Hollywood film mogul Harvey Weinstein for
his nominated films 'Blue Jasmine','The Butler' and 'American Hussle'.
Around 500 glammed up folks here as most were at The BAFTAs earlier.
Some major names here including Harvey Weinstein,Leonardo DiCaprio,Oprah Winfrey,
Cate Blanchett,Naomi Campbell,Noel Gallagher,Lily Allen,Jessie J, Stephen Fry,
Matthew Williamson,Rita Ora,Michael Fassbender,Damien Hirst,Andrew Lloyd Webber,
Gillian Anderson,Sadie Frost.
I had a nice long chat with Noel Gallagher who was very nice and chatty.
Lots of security keeping a close eye on each of the main actors and actresses.
We have a nice surprise live act who is Rolling Stones regular backing singer Lisa Fischer
who sings five songs and was joined by Rita Ora on the last song which was a cover of
'Take Another Little Piece Of My Heart'.
Her set included a cover of 'Fever'' and the Stones track 'Gimme Shelter' which were
gentler reworked versions as she just had a guitarist as backing.
Lisa stars in the Weinstein produced film '20 Feet From Heaven'.
Loads of complimentary booze including champers and different cocktails and non stop yummy food all evening.
Pretty amazing that around 75% of the crowd stayed until the end.
Respect is due to Noel Gallagher and Matthew Williamson who were still on the dance floor at 4.30am.
All guests got a goodie bag with a large BVLGARI scented candle.
Needless to say this was an all boxes ticked 10/10 party.
15 Feb 2014...My fave new track...
Paloma Faith---Can't Rely On You---Released 23 Feb 2014.
Paloma Faith gets funky in her kitchen in tartan
Watch the clip here.
14 Feb 2014.
Circulation for iconic music magazine NME has dipped below 20,000, latest industry figures have revealed. The 62 year old magazine, which relaunched last year and in its heyday had a circulation of around 300,000, had an average weekly print sale of just 18,184 in the second half of 2013, and one industry source has described the figures as a 'death knell'.
At the grand old age of 54 I must be one of their oldest subscribers as I get it weekly in the post.
Sometimes you have got to support something as I do not want it to go the same way as other weekly
music papers from the 1970s and 1980s like Melody Maker and Sounds.
Sometimes they have themselves to blame of course with the latest relaunch taking away even the weekly gig guide.
Free music websites including their own will no doubt eventually make it not viable soon even though
NME say advertising revenues are up and the NME brand extends to more that just the magazine.
13 Feb 2014...I went to three events tonight ending up at Kaiser Chiefs at The Scala...
6.15pm to 7.30pm...Ayyam Gallery private view,First Floor,143 New Bond Street,London W1.
Ayyam Gallery London is pleased to announce C.D.R - Construction, Destruction & Reconstruction, Saudi Arabian artist Faisal Samra’s first solo exhibition in the United Kingdom, from 13 February - 29 March 2014.
Faisal Samra has long been intrigued by the process of creation, ‘living with it each moment of the day, even during sleeping, therefore [he] wanted to treat this subject in [the] artwork itself’. Thoughts on the process of creation reached new dimensions as Samra began to consider not only construction, but also destruction and reconstruction in relation to the Middle East, the concept of the ego, and the human body.
A nice space above one of the stores in this well known fashion street.
Nice complimentary Laurent-Perrier champers for all guests.
then
7.45pm to 8.30pm....Superdry London Fashion Week Pre Party, Regent Street,London W1.
Very popular worldwide fashion brand holds a LFW party at their massive flagship store.
They have a new Premium Lounge personal shopping experience.
A dj is playing tunes in one corner.
Complimentary mojitos and beers for all guests and a goodie bag with some Superdry items.
then
9pm.Kaiser Chiefs live at The Scala,London.
A sold out pronto small venue gig for The Kaiser Chiefs to preview some new songs off
their fifth studio album that comes out at the end of March.
From here they play club shows in Spain,Mexico,New York and Los Angeles.
I have seen them around a dozen times since before their debut album came out in 2005.
The Scala is rammed solid as they play a brilliant 80 mins of new songs and older gems.
Singer Ricky Wilson is full of energy as usual as he climbs over the amps and gets in the
crowd and even sings two songs on top of the sound mixing desk cage which was great to witness.
Ricky is now one of the judges-coaches on The Voice BBC tv programme.
An excellent gig from one of my fave live bands from the last decade.
They will be back in the summer for more UK shows.
Full setlist played...
The Factory Gates
Never Miss a Beat
Everything Is Average Nowadays
Everyday I Love You Less and Less
Bows & Arrows
Little Shocks
Coming Home (first single off the new album).
Modern Way
You Can Have It All
The Angry Mob
Ruffians On Parade
I Predict a Riot
Ruby
Misery Company
Encore
Cannons
Oh My God
12 Feb 2014...I went to two events tonight...
7pm to 8.30pm.Evening Standard ES Magazine Pre London Fashion Week Party at
The May Fair Hotel,Penthouse Suite,Stratton Street,London W1.
A mainly female fashion crowd at this very nice hotel penthouse suite.
All guests had very nice complimentary Bollinger champers,fish n chips and canapés.
All guests got a goodie bag with girlie items in.
then
8.45pm to 10pm.Claudie Pierlot Launch Party at 15 Bateman Street,Soho,London W1.
A fashionable crowd including Tuppence Middleton, Angela Scanlon, Lara Bohnic, Marama Corlett and Samantha Barks descended on Pertwee, Anderson And Gold as French designer Vanessa Pierrat launched her new fashion label Claudie Pierlot. Model Mary Charteris took to the decks to entertain guests as they sipped cocktails and had canapés while admiring Pierrat's designs at the Soho venue, which had been adorned with eye-catching, red lip-shaped balloons for the occasion.
There was also a fun photo booth.
All guests got a goodie bag with a scarf in.
10 Feb 2014....I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 7.45pm.George Condo 'Headspace' private view at
Simon Lee Gallery,12 Berkeley Street,London,W1.
An exhibition of new paintings by renowned American artist George Condo.
This is his first solo presentation of paintings in London since the critically acclaimed retrospective
George Condo 'Mental States ' which travelled to the Haywood Gallery in 2011-2012.
The exhibition is on until 22 March 2014.
Over 200 cool looking folks from the art world here with a nice buzzy atmosphere.
Guests included Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran,singer Paloma Faith,
Heather Kerzner and Simon de Pury.
Complimentary wines for all guests.
then
8.15pm to 12pm...Roka Mayfair, 30 North Audley Street,Mayfair,London W1
The pr folks did not want the full review up until the opening date of Mon 17 Feb.
Roka is a contemporary restaurant by celebrated chef Rainer Becker.
Offering a menu of contemporary Japanese dishes, Roka Mayfair specialises in dishes cooked on a robata grill.
This is situated in the middle of the venue and is very theatrical to watch.
We had a fantastic time at this warm and cosy bustling restaurant.
We shared a total of 12 yummy dishes including 4 desserts.
King Prawn tempura,black cod,lamb cutlets and more along with
complimentary cocktails,wines and coffee.
Lots of great staff fussing over us.
A totally excellent dining experience.
10 Feb 2014...Queen album first to sell 6 million copies in the UK.
The biggest selling album ever in the UK is Queen Greatest Hits Volume 1.
It has now sold over 6 million copies in the UK alone.
09 Feb 2014.Prince & 3RDEYEGIRL live at Shepherds Bush Empire.London.
Prince is playing short notice London shows through the month.
A few days ago he played Electric Ballroom and now he is in West London.
Prince last played the UK in 2007 when he played a staggering 21 nights at the 02 Arena.
The setlist was slightly different each night and played in the round.
I went to six of them plus two afterparty gigs at Indigo.One where he was joined by Amy Winehouse.
I have seen Prince over 25 times since 1986 and seen shows on every Prince tour since then.
2014 is the 30th anniversary of Prince 'Purple Rain' album and film that came out in 1984.
The show was announced around noon on the day but I get to the venue and there is a
monster queue going back to the Uxbridge Road so these 'Hit And Run' shows are getting folks to
turn up at very short notice for sure and cause a proper stir in the media.
Everyone is expecting to pay £10 on the door like the Electric Ballroom show.
In the afternoon I get emails and texts from friends.One said to me "tickets are £70'.
I said "there is no chance of them being that as it would not work at such short notice".
Oddly enough folks paid £10 on the door but the ticket stub
did say £70 so perhaps Prince was gonna charge that then changed his mind fearing a backlash.
I have a fantastic view five rows from the stage on the right of the stalls.
The three girls from his backing band 3RDEYEGIRL came on stage first to tell the crowd not to
take photos or get out their camera phones and security were keen nobody did.
Prince with his new afro looked even more like Jimi Hendrix than usual.
Prince and his band came on prompt at 8pm and played a nice long set to 10.33pm but they had FIVE
breaks to go off the stage and one of those lasted 8 mins so take 18 mins off and they were on stage for
2 hours 15 mins after the deductions.
The show was loud and funky with loads of great guitar playing from Prince.
We had lots of lights along with dry ice smoke machines and three fake flame machines and a big screen
showing pre-recorded images.
The venue did end up being full but folks up in Level 2 and 3 missed the first few songs as security could not get them in on time as Prince came on prompt.
Prince and 3RDEYEGIRL played almost 40 tracks during the performance with a setlist comprised of reworked hits, covers and new tracks from 'Plectrum Electrum' although a dozen or so tracks were in shorter medley form.
Needless to say it was a fantastic show.
Full setlist played...
Hannah Ford introduction speech
Pretzelbodylogic
Let's Go Crazy
Funknroll
She's Always in My Hair
I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man
Guitar
Plectrum Electrum
FixUrLifeUp
Marz (Incl. Johnny B. Goode)
Colonized Mind
Chaos and Disorder
How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore
The Beautiful Ones
Diamonds and Pearls
Purple Rain
Do Me, Baby
Adore
Forever in My Life
Thunderstorm
When Doves Cry
Sign “☮” the Times
Nasty Girl (Vanity 6 cover)
Housequake
A Love Bizarre (Sheila E. cover)
I Would Die 4 U
Hot Thing
777-9311 (The Time cover)
The Most Beautiful Girl in the World
Mr. Goodnight
Breakfast Can Wait
Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry cover)
Something in the Water (Does Not Compute)
Cause and Effect
Endorphinmachine
Dreamer
Screwdriver
I Like It There
Bambi
Pretzelbodylogic (Remix)
I spotted George Clinton and Sharleen Spiteri in the crowd.
My wristband was valid for drinks in the Level 1 bar after 10.45pm to 11.45pm but it was a tame event with
a pay bar for just 25 folks and nobody from Prince and his band or the guests I spotted turned up
as i presume they left the venue pronto or stayed in the dressing rooms area.
08 Feb 2014.Showaddywaddy live at The Beck Theatre,Hayes,Middlesex.
Showaddywaddy have extended their 40th anniversary tour from last year so this year is actually their 41st anniversary.
I saw them 40 years ago in 1974 when they supported David Cassidy at the now demolished
White City Stadium when a girl fan was crushed to death.
I also saw them headline Hammersmith Odeon in 1975 and 1977.
Showaddywaddy had over a dozen Top 20 hits in their 1970s heyday when they seemed to be on
Top Of The Pops every other week.
In the old days there had eight members but now there are six members in the group.
Five members at the front still wearing the trademark drape teddy boy attire.
Still with two original members including Romeo on drums but original singer Dave Bartram left in 2011
to focus on managing the band.His replacement is a dead ringer both in looks and his style of relaxed
and chatty fun stage banter.
They play a longer than expected show of 1 hour 55 mins over two sets.
As expected the set is mainly their take on 1950s and 1960s rock n roll cover versions.
Around 500 folks here at this 600 capacity cosy tiered all seater venue on the outskirts of West London.
The older crowd are up and dancing for most of the second half.
The band sound really good and one of the two guitarists is getting a great sound from his Gretsch guitar.
Some fab harmonies too.
They get half a dozen female fans on stage for a dance near the end.
Some of their hits played included
I Wonder Why
Heartbeat
Blue Moon
Dancing Party
Rock n Roll Lady
Remember Then
Pretty Little Angel Eyes
When
Three Steps To Heaven
Under The Moon Of Love
Encore
Hey Rock And Roll which was their debut hit single back in 1974.
An enjoyable evening and Showaddywaddy are the support act for The Osmonds/David Essex
UK arena tour in the summer of 2014.
07 Feb 2014.Del Amitri live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.
Reunion tour for Del Amitri who were very popular in the 1990s when they had five
Top 10 albums in the UK---four studio albums and one greatest hits album.
They also had a dozen or so Top 40 hit singles.
I saw them half a dozen times in the 90s including gigs at this venue and The Royal Albert Hall.
They broke up in 2002.
Tonight is the last night of their UK tour and the venue looks sold out.
Titled 'The A to Z Of Us' tour it was pretty much all their hits and some b sides etc.
On stage for 1 hour 50 mins they are one of those bands who have had more hits than you remember
and the crowd are keen to sing along to their very radio friendly catchy rock songs.
They have Kris Dollimore on guitar who was a provider of killer riffs when he was with The Godfathers
in their early days but his guitar is somewhat subdued tonight.
The highlights for me were
Always The Last To Know
Kiss This Thing Goodbye
Nothing Ever Happens
Roll To Me
Driving With The Brakes On
Spit In The Rain
Stone Cold Sober
And encores including Move Away Jimmy Blue.
Some of the lesser known tracks were a bit samey but overall a good show.
06 Feb 2014...Adele makes millions for doing nothing...
Adele's Melted Stone company posted a turnover of £30m in its accounts for the last year
with Adele paying herself a cool £12m even though in 2013 she did not release any singles or albums or play any gigs.
This was due to all the mega royalties still coming in from her two albums.
05 Feb 2014...I went to two events tonight...
6pm to 8.30pm.Bentley fragrance launch at The Langham Hotel,London W1.
The successful Bentley For Men's fragrance line is now being expanded with a new
fragrance composition : Bentley For Men Azure.
This expressive fragrance with a fresh twist is a modern creation that appeals to
sporty,smart and style-conscious men.
The new fragrance Bentley For Men Azure will be available from March 2014 exclusively in Harrods
and from April worldwide in selected perfumeries and department stores.
All guests enjoyed complimentary Laurent-Perrier champers,Bentley cocktails inspired by some of
the ingredients used in the making of the fragrance along with some lovely canapés in this luxury hotel.
All guests got a complimentary 100ml Bentley For Men Azure.
A very nice event.
www.bentley- fragrances.com
Check their website here for more info.
then
8.45pm to 10pm.Music Inc. launch at London Edison Hotel, Berners Street,London W1.
Launch party for this android phone app which allows players to guide emerging artists
through the challenges and opportunities of a successful music career in the 21st century.
Guests here included ex JLS member Oritse Williams and music manager Jonathan Shalit.
Complimentary wines,beers and an unusual rum punch slush puppy type drink for all guests.
also
Sadly i had to miss the ' Fifty Years Of The Who' by Colin James photos exhibition preview at
Proud Gallery,Camden,London as it was on at the same time as the Bentley fragrance launch.
A couple of friends who went said there were some great photos on display.
It is on until 23 Feb 2014.Free admission.