News and Reviews: 24th February 2015
Monday 23 February 2015.As I get older the thought of standing up all day at outdoor music festivals gets
less appealing as I would rather see my bands indoors to be honest but this bill looks like a must see.
Download Festival Sunday 14 June 2015.
KISS---currently their only UK show confirmed for 2015
Mötley Crüe---currently their only UK show confirmed for 2015
Slash feat Myles Kennedy---currently their only UK show confirmed for 2015
Billy Idol---no London show confirmed for 2015.
Sunday 22 February 2015...9pm to 11pm...
Today was Day 3 of London Fashion Week.
LFW a/w 2015 --- Kristian Aadnevik --- catwalk show at The Royal Horseguards,
One Whitehall Place,London SW1.
I went to this catwalk show last year and again it's at the same stunning venue.
Up an incredible marble circular staircase two floors to a huge room with marble pillars.
The amount of money,work,organising and effort that goes into some catwalk shows is staggering
when most only last 15 or 20 minutes.
Kristian Aadnevik aged 37 is a London-based Norwegian fashion designer, who graduated from
The Royal College of Art in 2002.
Kristian says “For me every collection is like a film starring the heroines I dress; plots and stories change, but my muse remains the same, she is the protagonists who evolves and explores life.”
There are around 200 seated in four rows here with the catwalk in the middle of them and 100 standing behind them.
A cool elegant crowd with lots of glammed up women.
I am seated opposite an older woman keen to show off the red soles of her Black Spiked Louboutins.
We have 12 models showing off some fantastic outfits that started with the short and sexy displaying plenty
of leg and arm flesh then it was the longer and more covered up creations.
All guests enjoyed complimentary Nyetimber English Sparkling Wines and got a decent goodie bag.
www.kristianaadnevik.com
Visit the Kristian Aadnevik website here.
Saturday 21 February 2015.
40 years ago this week,this classic single was Number One in the UK charts.
"Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, released as the lead single from the band's album 'The Best Years of Our Lives' in 1975. Written by Harley, it reached the number one spot on the UK chart and has sold around 1.5 million copies in the UK as of 2015.
More than 120 cover versions of the song have been recorded by other artists, most notably Duran Duran and Erasure.
As Steve Harley himself says "it's my pension song".
Friday 20 February 2015.
I went to two London Fashion Week events tonight.
6.45pm to 9.30pm
LFW a/w 2015: Prada: The Iconoclasts - private view at Prada, 16 Old Bond Street, London, W1.
A massive guest list of 600 people so there must be 400 or 500 fashion folks here.
Guests included Pixie Lott,Daisy Lowe and Corinne Bailey Rae.
Also here were Nicky Haslam and leading milliner Stephen Jones.
The Prada store over two floors is huge and looks very impressive and is full of quality items.
There is a dj playing upstairs.
Loads of staff fussing over the guests.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers,different cocktails and nice bowl food and canapés.
A really good event.
www.prada.com
Visit the Prada website here.
then
9.45pm to 12.15pm
LFW a/w 2015: VeryExclusive.co.uk - launch party at Watches of Switzerland, 155 Regent Street,London, W1.
Luxury fashion site which offers over 100 luxury and high end street labels.
Another massive party in the Watches of Switzerland store that is over three floors.
A dj is playing one floor and the basement is full of flowers and petals everywhere.
Must be at least 300 fashion folks here.
Daisy Lowe has followed us from Prada but has changed into a different dress.
Other guests included models Jourdann Dunn and Sigall Currie.Also Donna Air.
Complimentary champers,different cocktails,wines,beers and canapés for all.
A very lively party that finished after midnight.
www.veryexclusive.co.uk
Visit the VeryExclusive website here.
Thursday 19 February 2015.
Despite it raining all day and me feeling whacked from last night I still trekked in to three events.
6.45pm to 7.30pm
Favero Dental - clinic launch party at Favero Dental Clinic,18 Wimpole Street,London W1.
Wimpole Street,like Harley Street is a street in Central London associated with private medical practice and
medical associations.
A first for me as the party is actually held in the waiting room for the clinic.
A small event for maybe 70 or 80 folks.
A few glammed up girls here including Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace and Lizzie Cundy.
Complimentary presecco,wines and canapés for all guests.
then
7.45pm to 9.15pm
Christian Louboutin Tribalou Collection - launch party at Christian Louboutin, 17 Mount Street, London, W1.
With their sky scraper stilettos, lacquer red soles and bold designs, Christian Louboutin's shoes have become
a fashion item that is desired by women around the world.
I think the starting price for his shoes is £425.
Lots of glammed up women here with many of them wearing those Louboutin heels.
Henry Holland was the dj tonight.
Complimentary Ruinart champers,Lanson champers,rum cocktails and canapés.
then
9.30pm to 11pm
LFW a/w 2015: On / Off International Fashion Showcase at Cuckoo Club, Swallow Street, London, W1.
Back at this club where the NME Awards afterparty was last night.
Tonight was a party related to London Fashion Week that starts Friday 20 Feb.
Around 200 folks here over two floors with a dj playing some very loud tracks.
Complimentary whisky cocktails and vodka cocktails for all guests.
Thursday 19 February 2015.---35 years ago today Bon Scott was found dead after a night of heavy drinking
Wednesday 18 February 2015....8pm to 11.30pm...
The NME Awards 2015 live at Brixton Academy,London.
As usual a loud and messy awards evening for NME.
Around 1000 paying punters in the balcony who have a pay bar.
On the floor are 500 seated at tables and 500 floor standing in the pit,sides and back.
We are on the floor enjoying complimentary Titos vodka cocktails,Dead Crow beers and Dominos pizza.
It's fair to say this crowd are more interested in the booze rather than the food.
The awards and bands are on from 8.30pm to 10.30pm.
We had five bands playing.
Royal Blood---played one song---Figure It Out
Charli XCX---played one song---Doing It
Run The Jewels---played one song---Lie Cheat Steal
Vaccines---played one song---Dream Lover
Suede---played six songs over 25 mins
Killing of a Flashboy
Metal Mickey
Filmstar
What I'm Trying to Tell You (new song)
Animal Nitrate
Trash
Suede were great and singer Brett Anderson's slim frame was all over the stage.
Suede got the main award of the evening---The Godlike Genius Award.
Jimmy Page was honoured with a special one-off award, the Rock'N'Roll Soul Award.
The Rock'N'Roll Soul Award recognises the unique genius of Jimmy Page and celebrates one of rock's
most important and influential guitar players, writers and producers.
Kasabian and Jamie T were the main winners with three awards each.
MAIN WINNERS LIST:
Godlike Genius Award---Suede
Rock‘n’Roll Soul Award---Jimmy Page---presented to him by Royal Blood
Best British Band supported by Marshall Amplification---Kasabian
Best International Band supported by Austin, Texas – The Live Music Capital Of The World®---Foo Fighters
Outstanding Contribution to Music---Teenage Cancer Trust
Best Solo Artist supported by Pilot Frixion---Jake Bugg
Best New Band supported by REPLAY---Royal Blood
Best Live Band supported by Dead Crow Spirit Flavoured Beers---Royal Blood
Best Album---Kasabian –‘48:13’
Best Track supported by Tito’s Handmade Vodka---Jamie T – ‘Zombie’
Best Video---Jamie T – ‘Zombie’
Best Festival---Glastonbury
Best TV Show---Game Of Thrones
Best Film---Northern Soul
Best Music Film---Pulp: A Film About Life, Death And Supermarkets
Reissue Of The Year---Manic Street Preachers – ‘The Holy Bible’
Dancefloor Filler---Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX – ‘Fancy’
Music Moment Of The Year---Jamie T’s comeback
Small Festival Of The Year---Liverpool Psych Fest
Book Of The Year---Viv Albertine – Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys.
A bit odd that 1970s punk rocker Viv from The Slits was given the award by Tito Jackson of all people.
Tito Jacksons own Tito's Handmade Vodka cocktails were here so I suppose they had to let him give out an award.
Best Quote---for guitarist Kasabian Serge Pizzorno's reaction to headlining Glastonbury when he said:
"Five records, 10 years. We've earned our shot."
Most of the award winners turned up to collect apart from Foo Fighters who sent a video.
Folks here presenting or just hanging out apart from the winners above included Sex Pistol Glen Matlock.
Had a nice long chat with Glen who was not impressed but the current crop of new talent.
Also here were three members of The Libertines but not Pete Doherty,Kevin Rowland,footballer Peter Crouch,
Bernard Sumner from Joy Division/New Order,magician Dynamo,The Cribs,Frank Turner,La Roux,
Shaun Ryder and Bez from The Happy Mondays,Maccabees,Natt Weller,Zak Starkey,
Ricky Wilson from Kaiser Chiefs,Chrissie Hynde,Florence + The Machine and a few other indie bands.
Nice to chat to a few friends after the awards and those on tables got a goodie bag so we got a vinyl album
and cd featuring the best acts from Austin,Texas who were the main sponsors and other bits n pieces in it.
A really good event.
Check aftershow page for this event.
Tuesday 17 February 2015.
Katherine Jenkins with 30 plus piece orchestra live at The Royal Festival Hall,London.
Katherine Jenkins is on a UK tour to promote her recent album 'Home Sweet Home'.
Katherine Jenkins is one of the most successful classical music crossover artists in the world.
Her previous nine studio albums have sold in excess of eight million copies.
The show was around 1 hour 55 mins over two sets of 50 mins and 65 mins.
A nice stage production compared to some of the basic set ups I have seen here.
Both sets started with the orchestra on their own playing a medley of tunes for 5 or 6 mins then
Katherine now aged 34, enters the stage wearing a stunning flowing ball gown which made her look
every inch a Princess from a Disney fairytale.
Lots of friendly smiley stage banter from Katherine and of course she has an amazing voice.
A couple of mentions about Wales losing to England at rugby the past weekend.
Award-winning West End and Broadway performer John Owen-Jones appears as a special guest
where he sung a couple of songs midway through each set as Katherine changed dresses.
Owen-Jones has starred in stage productions of Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera.
An enjoyable enough show.
Highlights of the show included...
Hallelujah---Leonard Cohen cover
Anthem--- from Chess
Music Of The Night---from Phantom of the Opera---sung by John Owen-Jones
Thunderball---an old hit by Tom Jones that was a James Bond theme song---sung by John Owen-Jones
Time To Say Goodbye
Land Of My Fathers
Barcelona---Freddie Mercury cover---sung as a duet by Katherine and John
Rise Like A Phoenix---Eurovision 2014 winner cover---sung by John Owen-Jones
Bring Him Home---from Les Miserables---sung by John Owen-Jones
World in Union---Rugby anthem
Encore
We Are The Champions---Queen cover
Monday 16 February 2015...I went to two events tonight...
6.15pm to 8.15pm.
'Master of Motion' Dexter Brown - private view at Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, London, W1.
For many years now, Dexter Brown has been a favourite of automotive enthusiasts, largely due to his ability to convey a sense of speed in his paintings.The artist will hold an exhibition of new works at Bonhams’ New Bond Street HQ in London.
As well as racing drivers there was also actors featured in the exhibition.
A collection of paintings and drawings where 50% of the sale price goes to Combat Stress.
Combat Stress is the UK's leading Veterans' mental health charity.
Mental ill-health affects ex-Service men and women of all ages. Right now, they are supporting over 5,600 Veterans aged from 19 to 97. They are a vital lifeline for these men and women, and their families.
The treatment and support services are always free of charge, and are proven to work.
We have a couple of speeches and a short video showing footage from their three residential treatment centres.
Complimentary Pol Roger champers and canapés for the 200 smartly dressed folks here.
The exhibition is on until 27 Feb 2015.
www.bonhams.com
Visit the Bonhams website here.
www.combatstress.org.uk
Visit the Combat Stress website here.
then
9.15pm to 11.30pm.
A View from the Bridge - afterparty at The Portrait Cafe,National Portrait Gallery,London WC2.
This was the afterparty for the press night of this play held earlier at
Wyndham's Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London, WC2.
Around 300 folks here including Mark Strong and other cast members.Also popular actress Sheila Hancock.
Also here was actress Kristin Scott Thomas.
Scott Thomas made her film debut in the Prince-directed Under the Cherry Moon in 1986,and later gained international fame in the 1990s with roles in Bitter Moon and Four Weddings and a Funeral, before earning a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for The English Patient.Further film roles include the box office hits The Horse Whisperer and Gosford Park.
Complimentary prosecco,wines, beers and canapes for all guests.
A View from the Bridge is a play by American playwright Arthur Miller, first staged on September 29, 1955.
The play is set in 1950s America, in an Italian American neighborhood near the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.
Saturday 14 February 2015.
David Byrne (ex Talking Heads) will curate the 22nd Meltdown Festival at The Southbank Centre.
Byrne joins a notable list of former festival curators that includes Nick Cave, Ray Davies, Patti Smith, Morrissey and David Bowie. The full festival programme will be announced in the coming months, with the multi-talented musician admitting he is currently “still working on my wish list” for the festival, which will take place between 17 and 28 August.
Friday 13 February 2015.
Kaiser Chiefs + Public Service Broadcasting live at The O2 Arena,London.
The Kaiser Chiefs are on a UK arena tour in support of their number one album, 'Education, Education, Education & War'.
The Kaisers are in my opinion one of the best live UK bands of the last decade.
I think I have seen them at least once in each year in that period.
Before the headliners we catch the 40 mins set by Public Service Broadcasting.
Their debut album went to No 21 in the charts in 2013 and their new album is released soon.
They sound a bit Kraftwerk in places and use images on screens and neon lighting.
A decent set.
Kaiser Chiefs arrive on stage at 9pm and play for 1 hour 40 mins.
A nice stage production with big screens and loads of lights.
It is floor standing tonight so a great atmosphere down the front.
A couple of times they sprayed the crowd with ticker tape.
Their principal songwriter Nick Hodgson left the band before their last album but singer Ricky Wilson
pulled out a trump card by getting on tv as a judge on The Voice which was a great move.
It brought the band a whole bunch of new fans and are now more popular than ever.
Ricky Wilson is a very confident frontman as he runs all over the stage and teases the crowd.
A funny thing happened when he finished his stint in the centre stage as when he was running back
to the stage down the sides a gormless security guard tried to stop him as he thought he was a fan.
They have loads of mega uptempo tunes in their set including back to back versions of
'Ruby' and 'I Predict A Riot' which went down a storm.
A cover of 'Pinball Wizard' was really good.
The evening finished with a superb version of 'Oh My God'.
A great show.
Full setlist played by Kaiser Chiefs...
The Factory Gates
Everyday I Love You Less and Less
Everything Is Average Nowadays
Ruffians on Parade
Na Na Na Na Naa
My Life
The Angry Mob (Ricky runs to stage at centre during middle section of the song)
Cannons (Ricky performs this song from the centre stage)
The Occupation
Roses
Team Mate
Modern Way
Never Miss a Beat
Time Honoured Tradition (Peanut's choice)
Ruby
I Predict a Riot
Pinball Wizard (The Who cover)
Coming Home
Encore:
Dave Grohl Pep Talk on the big screen
Falling Awake
Misery Company
Oh My God
Check aftershow page for this gig.
Thursday 12 February 2015...8pm to 12pm...
Chez Chow - bar launch party - at North Audley Canteen Basement,41 Audley Street,Mayfair,London W1.
Named after the owners dog, Chez Chow is an intimate basement bar offering an impressive selection of cocktails.
Chez Chow has an Asian influence which is reflected in the decor and the bar snacks.
A superb Mayfair location a couple of hundred yards from Oxford Street and Bond Street.
It has a great Speakeasy drinking den feel to it as you pull apart the velvet curtains to enter.
It is very intimate with maybe just 30 seats and you would not even know it was here if walking past.
The staff were really nice and explained all their different infused cocktails as they made them.
We were propped at the bar all night and the owners let the party go on until midnight
when it was supposed to have finished around 10pm.
Complimentary cocktails,champers and some hot tasty food for all guests.
A really enjoyable intimate cocktail bar that's well worth a visit.
The North Audley Canteen itself on the ground floor is a French bistro.
www.naclondon.co.uk
Visit the North Audley Canteen website for more info.
Thursday 12 February 2015...Another sad death to report...
New Romantic pioneer Steve Strange has died of a heart attack in Egypt at the age of 55.
The Welsh pop singer found fame in the 1980s as frontman for Visage whose best known hit was
'Fade To Grey'.
Strange also managed the Blitz Club in London's Soho, a focal point for the New Romantic movement where acts such as Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Boy George started.
He was addicted to heroin in the 1980s so maybe that may have contributed to such an early death.
Wednesday 11 February 2015...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 7.45pm.
Francis Sultana - launch party at David Gill Gallery, 2-4 King Street, St James's,London, SW1.
Around 100 smartly dressed folks here as Francis Sultana launches his 'Celia Collection'.
Needless to say the furniture items look fantastic but are very expensive.
Complimentary Ruinart champers for all guests.
Francis Sultana is a furniture and interior designer based in London with an international client base covering Europe & Russia, USA and Asia. Sultana is the favoured designer of many of the world’s biggest art patrons, drawn to his use of noble materials, fine craftsmanship and luxurious finishes. Francis works across both residential and commercial interior projects.
In 2011 Francis designed his first furniture collection Homage to the Art Deco followed by Yana. Munira was a special collection designed for the French furniture company Marc de Berny. In 2014 Francis launched a capsule collection entitled Anita. 2015 sees the launch of Sultana’s latest full collection of furniture and accessories; Celia will be launched in the UK, France, Russia and in the United States.
Francis’s work honours his most favoured periods of the 1920s and 1930s with influences from the natural world. His work comprises cabinetry, tables, upholstery & lighting, combining classic lines and materials with a contemporary and sophisticated vision for the modern interior.
www.francissultana.com
Visit the Francis Sultana website for more info.
then
8.30pm to 10pm.
March of The Mods - launch party at The Gibson Lounge, 61-62 Eastcastle Street, London, W1.
March of The Mods is the spring/summer 2015 collection for Liam Gallagher's Pretty Green clothing label.
Pretty Green now have fourteen stores in The UK and five stores in Japan.
The party was also to re-launch the book 'Mod --- From Bebop To Britpop,Britain's Biggest Youth Movement'.
We are greeted by the author Richard Weight as we enter the venue.
Around 200 folks here including Sex Pistol Glen Matlock.
Complimentary gin cocktails,beers and hot dogs for all guests.
A nice lively buzzing atmosphere.
We have a dj at one end playing mod related tunes.
The other end is a mock stage with Gibson guitars and Marshall amps and band members as
mannequins wearing clothing from Liam Gallagher's mod inspired Pretty Green clothing label.
All guests got a Pretty Green tote bag with bits n pieces in it.
I got a complimentary press copy of the book which retails for £12.99 --- no doubt cheaper on Amazon etc.
-------------------------------------
A few words about the book from the author...
In Mod, Richard Weight tells the story of Britain’s biggest and most influential youth cult. He charts the origins of Mod in the Soho jazz scene of the 1950s, set to the cool sounds of Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. He explores Mod’s heyday in Swinging London in the mid-60s – to a new soundtrack courtesy of the Small Faces, the Who and the Kinks. He takes us to the Mod–Rocker riots at Margate and Brighton, and into the world of fashion and design dominated by Twiggy, Mary Quant and Terence Conran.
But Mod did not end in the 1960s. Richard Weight not only brings us up to the cult’s revival in the late 70s – played out against its own soundtrack of Quadrophenia and the Jam – but reveals Mod to be the DNA of British youth culture, leaving its mark on glam and Northern Soul, punk and Two Tone, Britpop and rave.
www.prettygreen.com
Visit the Pretty Green clothing website here.
Wednesday 11 February 2015.
AC/DC have announced that Chris Slade will be the drummer for AC/DC throughout 2015 therefore confirming Phil Rudd is out of the band. “Chris Slade will be on drums for the upcoming Rock or Bust World Tour,” the statement from AC/DC reads.
The Rolling Stones will be soon be confirming shows in North America for this summer.
Tuesday 10 February 2015...I went to two events tonight...
7pm to 8pm.
Fernando Botero - private view at Opera Gallery, 134 New Bond Street, London W1.
A well dressed upmarket crowd here tonight.
Guests here included Chelsy Davy(Prince Harry's ex girlfriend).
Nancy Dell'Olio was also here.
Complimentary Pommery champers for all guests.
About the artist...
A successful artist who became the most important young artist in Columbia through his painting.
At the age of twelve Fernando Botero, son of a Colombian travelling salesman, received training as a matador alongside his usual school education. Botero's first major subject in his early paintings was the ring. In 1948 the artist had his first exhibition with other painters from his home province of Antioquía in Medellín. In 1951 Botero moved to Bogotá, where he met the Colombian Avant-garde surrounding the Café 'Automatic'. After his studies at the 'Academia San Fernando' and the 'Prado' museum in Madrid, the artist went to Italy, where he studied art history from 1953. Two years later Botero returned to Bogotá.
www.operagallery.com
Visit the Opera Gallery website for more info.
then
Elbow live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.
Elbow play the first of three sold out shows at Hammersmith Apollo.
Part of a mini tour that included three shows in Manchester before these shows.
Elbow have had the same line-up for over 20 years.
Prior to this show singer Guy Garvey says the setlist will be slightly different each night.
I have seen them a few times before including their last London show at The 02 Arena.
That show was great but they are more suited to smaller theatres like Hammersmith.
Last year their sixth album, 'The Take Off and Landing Of Everything', hit the No 1 spot in the charts.
Elbow arrive on stage to huge applause and play for around two hours.
Guy Garvey's gentle manner is that of meeting your mate down your local boozer.
They are super tight as a band and have plenty of gems in their set.
Their usual end of set classic anthem 'One Day Like This' is played midway through the set.
Other goodies were 'The Birds','Lippy Kids' and encores including 'Grounds For Divorce'.
A great show.
Full setlist played by Elbow...
This Blue World
Any Day Now
Fly Boy Blue / Lunette
Fugitive Motel
The Bones of You
Mexican Standoff
One Day Like This
Bitten by the Tailfly
Real Life (Angel)
Switching Off
The Birds
Lippy Kids
The Take Off and Landing of Everything
Newborn
Encore:
Grounds for Divorce
My Sad Captains
Monday 09 February 2015.
That little ol’ band from Texas – the legendary ZZ Top have announced they will return to the UK
for one-off show at Wembley Arena on Wednesday 24th June, plus very special guests Thunder.
Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday 13th February priced £47.50 (subject to booking fees)
and are available from www.livenation.co.uk
Sunday 08 February 2015...11.45pm to 4.30am...
BAFTAs: Weinstein Company, StudioCanal & Entertainment Film - afterparty at
Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, London, WC1.
Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein holds his annual BAFTAs afterparty.
Some celebs only stayed for an hour or so but Harvey was still here at the very end.
We went to it last year and it was one of the best parties of the year with loads of big name celebs.
Tonight has got lesser A-list celebs but it was still a mega party for around 500 folks.
Most have been at the awards earlier and a few are carrying their awards around with them.
Kasabian,Noel Gallagher and Nick Cave were all here.
Weinstein,StudioCanal and Entertainment Film hosted a party for their award winners and nominees including Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley (with husband James Righton), Benedict Cumberbatch, Jack O'Connell, Steve Carrell and Amy Adams. The actors joined the crowd at Rosewood Hotel,celebrating the evening alongside stars such as Reece Witherspoon,Cuba Gooding Jr, Kristin Scott Thomas, Henry Cavill,Rosamund Pike,Douglas Booth, Tom Hiddleston, Ethan Hawke and Mark Strong. Host Stephen Fry unwound at the party, held in association with Grey Goose and Jimmy Choo, as he shared a drink with new husband Elliot Spencer and comedian Jimmy Carr.
Also here were Laura Whitmore, Luke Treadaway,Zoe Ball,Kelly Hoppen,Linzi Stoppard,Luke Evans,
Daisy Lowe,Andre Balazs(owner of The Chiltern Firehouse) and Alan Pardew(Crystal Palace Footie Manager).
Complimentary Perrier Jouet champers,Grey Goose vodka cocktails,other drinks and lots of food for all.
We had a dj here and the dance floor got nice and lively.
An excellent party.
Sunday 08 February 2015.
Sam Smith was the big winner at The Grammy Awards in America winning four awards.
Prince presented Beck with The Album Of The Year Award.
Saturday 07 February 2015.
Saxon + Hell live at Shepherds Bush Empire,London.
Tonights support band are Hell who are from Derbyshire and are what you would called goth black metal.
All of them dressed in black with all the songs about Hell,Death,Darkness etc.
They had some catchy riffs and a singer who had a way with words and the crowd liked them.
During the interval we get rockin tunes from Accept,Judas Priest,AC/DC etc.
I have seen Saxon over 20 times since 1979 when they were a support band.
They were regular headliners in the 1980s at Hammersmith Odeon when I worked front stage security.
Tonight is sold out and there is a really great crowd atmosphere with many fans from mainland Europe here.
There are half a dozen cameras filming the Saxon show.
Saxon arrive on stage at 9.05pm and were on stage for 1 hour 55 mins.
It is a perfect setlist with all their best songs played.
Singer Biff Byford keeps his long hair grey and headbangs away.
Plenty of brilliant catchy guitar riffs all night.
This show was postponed from 13 Dec 2014 due to Nigel their drummer pulling a sickie.
Tonight in his place is the son of German rocker Udo but Saxon drummer Nigel appears and takes a bow
and plays the drums for one song.
The guitarist from support band Hell joins them for one song.
For the last song German female rocker Doro helped out on vocals.
The best Saxon show I have seen in the last 10 years.Superb.
Full Saxon setlist played...
Motorcycle Man
Sacrifice
Power and the Glory
And the Bands Played On
To Hell and Back Again
I've Got to Rock (To Stay Alive)
Dallas 1 PM
Solid Ball of Rock
Forever Free
20,000 Ft (with guitarist from Hell)
Suzie Hold On
The Eagle Has Landed
Never Surrender
Heavy Metal Thunder
747 (Strangers in the Night) (with Nigel Glockler on drums)
Crusader
Princess of the Night
Encore:
Wheels of Steel
Strong Arm of the Law
Denim and Leather (with Doro)
Friday 06 February 2015.
Showaddywaddy live at The Beck Theatre,Hayes,Middlesex.
Showaddywaddy return to the same venue where I saw them play this time last year.
Their original singer left a few years ago but they still have two original members.
They are still wearing their drapes just like they did in their 1970s heyday.
They had most of their biggest hits with covers of songs from the 1950s and the early 1960s.
They had 23 Top 40 hit singles and they appeared on Top Of The Pops over 50 times.
In total they had ten Top Ten singles, a solitary number one ("Under the Moon of Love" in 1976), and spent 209 weeks in the UK Singles Chart. At the peak of their popularity, this tally included having seven successive Top Five entries. Their biggest-selling single was the aforementioned "Under the Moon of Love", which sold a million copies.
I saw them a few times back in the day including when they supported David Cassidy at White City Stadium
in 1974 when a girl fan was crushed to death and I saw them headline Hammersmith Odeon in 1975.
They were always a bit naff but I am a sucker for some 1970s nostalgia.
The band are on stage for 1 hour 55 mins over two sets of 50 mins and 65 mins.
I must admit i love coming to this cosy all seated 600 capacity tiered venue.
I wish more bands would play here but it's a venue for the older bands and folks really.
Showaddywaddy sound great and the band harmonies are top notch.
The new singer has plenty of cheeky chappy stage banter going on.
As expected 75% of the tracks played were cover songs.
All the crowd singing and clapping along and lots of dancing in the last 30 mins.
Most of the big hits came in the second half.
Highlights of the enjoyable show included...
I Wonder Why---No 2 hit single in 1978
Heartbeat---No 7 hit single in 1975
Blue Moon---No 32 hit single in 1980
Dancing Party---No 4 hit single in 1977
Rock n Roll Lady---No 15 hit single in 1974
Remember Then---No 17 hit single in 1979
You Got What It Takes---No 2 hit single in 1977
Pretty Little Angel Eyes---No 3 hit single in 1978
When---No 3 hit single in 1977
Three Steps To Heaven---No 2 hit single in 1975
Under The Moon Of Love---No 1 hit single in 1976
Encore
Hey Rock and Roll---No 2 hit single in 1974
www.showaddywaddy.net
Visit the bands website to check out dates and info on their massive UK tour.
Thursday 5 February 2015...6.45pm to 9.15pm...
A Strong Sweet Smell of Incense: A Portrait of Robert Fraser,Curated by Brian Clarke.
Pace Gallery, 6 Burlington Gardens, London, W1.
Robert Fraser (August 1937 – 1986) was a noted London art dealer of the 1960s and beyond. "Groovy Bob" was a pivotal figure in the London cultural scene of the mid to late sixties, and was close to members of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
The Robert Fraser Gallery became a focal point for modern art in Britain, and through his exhibitions he helped to launch and promote the work of many important new British and American artists including Peter Blake, Bridget Riley, Jann Haworth, Richard Hamilton, Gilbert and George, Harold Cohen, Eduardo Paolozzi, Andy Warhol, Jim Dine and Ed Ruscha. Fraser also sold work by René Magritte, Jean Dubuffet, Balthus and Hans Bellmer.
In 1966 the Robert Fraser Gallery was prosecuted for staging an exhibition of works by Jim Dine that was described as indecent (but not obscene). The works were removed from the gallery by Scotland Yard and Fraser was charged under a 19th-century law that applied to street beggars. Fraser was fined 20 guineas and legal costs.
Fraser became well known as a trendsetter during the Sixties – Paul McCartney has described him as "one of the most influential people of the London Sixties scene". His London flat and his gallery were the foci of a "jet-set" salon of top pop stars, artists, writers and other celebrities, including members of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, photographer Michael Cooper, designer Christopher Gibbs, Marianne Faithfull, Dennis Hopper (who introduced Fraser to satirist Terry Southern), William Burroughs and Kenneth Anger. Because of this, he was given the nickname "Groovy Bob" by the writer Terry Southern.He is also thought to be an inspiration for the character "Dr. Robert" in the song of the same name on The Beatles album Revolver.
A big buzzing crowd of 300 plus folks at this massive gallery that is over two floors.
We have some music folks here including Sir Bob Geldof,Bryan Ferry,Jarvis Cocker and Nick Rhodes.
1960s photographers David Bailey and Terry O'Neill are here and actor Rupert Everett.
Performance artist Pandemonia is here in her plastic/rubber blow up doll outfit looking like a tall Lady Gaga.
A decent music soundtrack played in the background included Sex Pistols 'Pretty Vacant'.
Complimentary Moët champers,vodka cocktails and canapés for all guests.
www.pacegallery.com
Visit The Pace Gallery website for more info.
The exhibition is on until 28 March 2015.
Wednesday 04 February 2015.
7pm to 9pm.
Ron Gorchov - VIP private view at S2, 31 St George Street, London, W1.
Sotheby’s S2, in collaboration with curator Vito Schnabel, will show paintings by the American artist Ron Gorchov (b. 1930, Chicago) to the UK public for the first time. For the artist’s inaugural London solo-show, Schnabel has selected works spanning the full scope of the artist’s career, from the 1970s to today. Gorchov emerged in the 1960s and 70s as part of a group of Manhattan-based abstract artists, such as Frank Stella, Richard Tuttle, Blinky Palermo and Ellsworth Kelly, who rejected the ubiquitous rectangular canvas in favour of new shapes and configurations. Painting on linen or canvas stretched across bespoke curved wooden frames (which Gorchov calls saddle-stretchers), the concave and convex structures have often been described as a hybrid between painting and sculpture. By warping the edges, corners and straight lines of the traditional flat canvas, these three dimensional works become perceptually disorientating when viewed.
Around 200 cool looking folks at Sotheby's new art space that is over two floors.
The artist Ron Gorchov and curator Vito Schnabel were here.
Guests here included Jerry Hall with son James Jagger and Christina Estrada.
Also Steve Parish(owner of Crystal Palace Football Club).
Also Sophie Ellis-Bextor and her husband Richard Jones who plays bass in The Feeling.
Complimentary Laurent-Perrier champers and cocktails for all guests.
www.sothebys.com/s2
Visit the Sothebys website for photos and more information.
It is on until 27 March 2015----Free admission.
Wednesday 03 February 2015.
As expected the Prince show at Koko I attended got glowing five star reviews from the press.
Tuesday 03 February 2015...I went to three events tonight...
6pm to 7.15pm.
Condé Nast Traveller Spa Awards 2015 at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, London, SW1.
A large crowd of over 300 folks in the ballroom of this plush five star hotel.
The awards start early at 6.30pm and most of the overseas winners are here to collect in person.
Complimentary Laurent-Perrier champers and canapés for all.
www.cntraveller.com
Visit the Conde Nast Traveller website for the full list of winners.
then a few minutes up the road to...
7.20pm to 9pm.
Chai Wu - restaurant launch party at Harrods, 5th Floor,Knightsbridge, London, SW1.
Chai Wu is described as a new modern Chinese restaurant in Harrods. In charge of the food is Chef Bihu Xie who comes here via Grand Imperial London and the whole thing will be overseen by Ian Pengelley who was the chef who launched E&O, runs Gilgamesh and has already opened two restaurants - Mango Tree and Pan Chai in the Harrods Food Halls.
Guests included Gok Wan and Lizzie Cundy.
Complimentary champers,whisky cocktails,wines and canapés for all guests.
then
10pm to 12pm.
Playtech - party at Gilgamesh, The Stables Market, Camden, London, NW1.
This event must have cost a fortune as there are 800 guests on the guest list and we have Clean Bandit
playing a live set and we have actor Idris Elba on dj duty spinning the tunes.
Lots of complimentary cocktails,wines,beers and different bowl food for all guests.
Playtech are the world’s largest gaming software and services supplier.
The party marked the technology giant’s participation at ICE Totally Gaming 2015 – a unique exhibition
taking place this week at the ExCel Centre in London aimed at the world’s online gaming industry.
The crowd is 90% male from the stands at Excel although the small amount of females here are all
nicely glammed up as they could be promotions girls from the various online gambling companies.
We have half a dozen female dancers wearing skimpy outfits posing in giant champagne glasses.
Clean Bandit are a electro dance band who use violins on some songs who have had a great 12 months.
They headlined Brixton Academy last year.
They finished their decent 50 mins set with their massive number one hit 'Rather Be'.
Tonight they had a fantastic light show and big screen that was used to great effect with neat graphics.
We left soon after the band had finished but folks were still turning up at midnight as
it was on for another couple of hours.
Monday 02 February 2015...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 8.45pm.
Sotheby's---private view---at Sotheby's ,New Bond Street,London W1.
All the major art galleries host big auctions this coming week.
Christies announced sales of £5.1 billion last year---the highest for any auctioneer in history.
Tonight we are at Sotheby's with a big crowd of 500 smartly dressed art folks.
Sotheby's are previewing auction lots for this week and next week.
Some nice items here by artists including Andy Warhol and George Condo.
Complimentary Ruinart champers,cocktails and canapés for all guests.
then
Prince and 3rdEyeGirl live at Koko,Camden,London.
Prince back in London for a private secret gig for Autism Rocks charity.
The venue is rammed solid even though this gig info was not mentioned anywhere via normal outlets.
Upstairs is £50 a ticket and the floor standing and boxes on the balcony sides are £200.
For £200 you get freebie Veuve Cliquot champers,whisky n cokes,wines and beers all night.
The Austism Rocks staff are walking through the crowd topping up our glasses while Prince is on stage...nice..
Wristbands are valid so I get in this area and there are a few celeb faces here.
Jonathan Ross is with Jimmy Carr.Also here is Alan Carr who is looking a bit drunk.
Even Noel Gallagher turns up half way through the show as he arrived from his own show
up the road at the 600 capacity Dome in Tufnell Park that was an early start early finish.
Other guests included Nick Clegg, Holly Willoughby,Meg Mathews,Leigh Francis, Dara O'Briain,
Michael McIntyre and Jon Culshaw.
Prince and 3rdEyeGirl arrive on stage at 10pm and play for 2 hours 10 mins.
Prince is wearing a shimmery silver outfit and the big Afro is still there.
Prince tells the crowd "we are gonna play 14 hits and then some other stuff" and that was pretty much
how it was with the first half full of hits and the second half was lesser known funky stuff.
Prince is playing great guitar and doing some funky dance moves.
Needless to say this was a mega show.
Next show for Prince is in Dubai on Wed 04 Feb which is also for Autism Rocks.
Purple Rain
Let's Go Crazy
Take Me With U
U Got the Look
Funknroll
Controversy
1999
Little Red Corvette
Nothing Compares 2 U (Prince song that was a big hit for Sinead O'Connor)
Kiss
Only Love Can Hurt Like This (Paloma Faith cover)
When Doves Cry
Sign “☮” the Times
Hot Thing
A Love Bizarre (Sheila E. cover)
Darling Nikki
Pop Life
I Would Die 4 U
Forever in My Life
Housequake
U Know
The Gold Standard
If I Was Your Girlfriend
Guitar
Plectrum Electrum
Encore:
The Breakdown
What's My Name?
Stratus (Billy Cobham cover)
Sometimes It Snows in April
Dreamer
Encore 2:
Let's Work
Cool (The Time cover)
Don't Stop Til You Get Enough(Michael Jackson cover)
Monday 02 February---Sid Vicious died on this day in 1979.
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