Ray's Gigs

 ☰

Daily news and reviews of gigs bars clubs restaurants product launches films theatre fashion shows books art galleries hotels competitions interesting places to visit ...and much more!

News and Reviews: 29th March 2004

28 March 2004 Travis + Keane ,Hammersmith Apollo, London.A perfect double bill of Warm Melodic Rock. Keane will headline this place within the year . Travis are hardly exciting but they do write catchy pop songs that everyone sings along to. 26 March 2004 Stiff Little Fingers ,Kentish Town Forum,London.New album Guitar And Drum has a couple of great tracks but most are wanting those classic oldies Tin Soldiers ,Barbed Wire Love, Alternative Ulster etc .Really good lively gig. 25 March 2004 Who ,Kentish Town Forum,London. Back again for a second time to see this great band play at this small venue .Started off brill then Roger said It is ironic we are playing benefit shows for cancer yet half of you are smoking and my voice feels weaker .They ended up finishing 25 mins earlier and leaving out 6 songs inc Pinball Wizard and the 2 new tracks .Still a cracking show with Baba OReilly and Wont Get Fooled Again just stunning and plenty of on stage banter between Pere and Roger. 24 March 2004 Earth Wind And Fire ,Hammersmith Apollo,London.This disco funk band were massive in the 1970s .They still have 3 original members inc Philip Bailey and livewire bassist Verdine White .Thankfully its a greatest hits set feat Fantasy ,Boogie Wonderland ,Lets Groove Tonight, September etc Very enjoyable show. 22 March 2004 Who ,Kentish Town Forum , London. Their first ever show at this 2000 capacity. First UK show since death of John Entwisle and Pete Townsend police investigation.Roger Daltrey is now age 60 and looks great .A fantastic 2 hour show from one of our greatest rock bands .First 3 songs were "Who Are You " ,"Cant Explain" and "Substitute" and it was a mainly hits set but with 2 totally new songs included.Pete was doing a few guitar windmills and the encore included a mega "Pinball Wizard" .Excellent stuff. 20 March 2004 Kraftwerk ,Brixton Academy,London. I went to the second show at midnight. First UK shows for over 10 years from these German electronica pioneers .The show was visually stunning with a huge backdrop that covered the entire stage with film clips and cool graphics . They came on stage at 12.30 and played for just over 2 hours. Older hits like Autobahn and The Model got the most cheers. The 4 members of the band stood motionless behind laptops on lecturns. How much was actually playing and how much was taped was hard to see but for one of the encores Robots they were replaced by robots.Great show. 18 March 2004 Diana Ross ,Wembley Arena ,London. Her first London show since her drink driving arrest but the sold out crowd love her .She still has the big posh frocks(5 or 6 tonight) and even bigger hair but so many great songs from this Motown legend.Her voice was best on the Billie Holiday song section and there was some great walking through the crowd for Im Still Waiting . Loads of uptempo classics in the excellent 2 hrs. 17 March 2004 Tony Hadley And Peter Cox ,Watford Colosseum .A huge UK tour by these 2 1980s pop stars on the back of the success of the Reborn In The USA tv show .The sung 2 or 3 songs at a time each in a show lasting over 2 hours.Plenty of on stage humour but far too many covers. In a 24 song set it was 5 Spandau ,4 Go West and 15 covers of Robert Palmer ,Billy Paul ,Tom Petty etc entertaining show but should have played more Spandau.Loads of adoring females down the front. 16 March 2004 Libertines + Buzzcocks + Eighties Matchbox B Line Disaster ,Astoria ,London. Totally rammed out LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM show. EMBLD did a good 30 mins of scuzz rock.Buzzcocks did a great 50 mins set of mainly greatest hits punk classics.Libertines were messy and shambolic as ever .65 mins set .They have a couple of great songs but still far too many average songs .Sadly Pete Doherty did not sing his superb solo single. Clash legend Mick Jones came on for the 3 song encore and he sung the Clash tune Should I Stay which was highlight of the evening. 15 March 2004 Bill Wymans Rythm Kings ,Royal Albert Hall ,London.Special charity show feat the cream of 1960s British Blues with guests Paul Carrack,Roger Chapman,The Zombies,Geno Washington, Jools Holland,Eric Clapton, Peter Green ,Bob Geldof ,Gary Brooker .Everyone did 2 or 3 songs each.Eric was highlight with 3 blues songs and Geno Washington was good fun.Everyone on stage for the encore but not Eric Clapton.Good show. 14 March 2004 Lulu ,Her Majestys Theatre, London. During the week this posh venue has P.O.T.Opera. This was Lulus first UK tour for around 20 years. For a women in her mid 50s she looked fantastic. She did an 80 mins set with a great mix of solo hits,cover versions and a few tracks from new album"Back On Track" with a great finale of "Shout" .Very enjoyable evening. 12 March 2004 Stranglers + Goldblade ,Shepherds Bush Empire ,London .Great sold out atmosphere for this tour to promote current EMI album Norfolk Coast.Plenty of the superb old hits like Peaches, Something Better Change and No More Heroes.The band have finally buried the ghost of Hugh Cornwall and the singer is due some credit for that. 11 March 2004 John Lydon + Starsailor ,BBC TV Studios ,Shepherds Bush ,London.Sex Pistols punk legend John Lydon gave a very entertaining 20 mins interview mainly discussing his Im A Celebrity stint a few weeks ago .Starsailor performed track Four To The Floor.John signed autographs and posed for photos after the show.Check my full review on www.sex-pistols.net Shown on TV the next evening. 08 March 2004 Steve Winwood ,Shepherds Bush Empire,London .Mainly an over 40s crowd for this 1970s Hammond Organ player from Traffic.2 sets lasting a lengthy 2 hours 30 mins but the first 2 hours were pretty boring and then it kicked in a bit for his best tunes in the last 30 mins. The band got into some Santanaish muso old tosh. 06 March 2004.999 + TV Smith + Pyschodrama , Kings Arms Pub ,Acton ,London .This was a sweaty hot pub punk rock gig just like the old days. Psychodrama did a good set with a wise crackin singer .TV Smith did a superb passion full 30 mins punk rock acoustic set.999 did a manic 50 mins that had everyone jumping around down front. Amazing i first saw them in 1977 and they are still loving it .Best track for me was Homicide. 05 March 2004 .Gary Numan ,Shepherds Bush Empire, London.Even though he plays London every 6 months these days his loyal fans have packed the venue. Really good 95 mins of industrial rock with a few hit singles thrown in as well. 01 March 2004.The Alarm , Scala ,London. Special St Davids Day show DVD recording .The band played 2 sets for their loyal fans .Loads of great Alarm classics mixed in with a few newies.

Posted 29th March 2004