News and Reviews: 14th November 2015
Saturday 14 November 2015.Ed Sheeran, one of the biggest artists in the world, has broken chart history. His 15 million-selling, second studio album ‘x’ has had the longest reign in the UK Top 10 Official Albums Chart for a British artist, ever, where it has now remained for 73 consecutive weeks.
Friday 13 November 2015....first news of this came in around 10pm tonight...
Nightmare situation in Paris as reports coming in that up to 100 hostages have been
taken at The Eagles Of Death Metal gig at Le Bataclan Theatre.
Early reports that people have been shot dead at the venue.
Our thoughts are with their family and friends.
As part of multiple terrorist attacks across Paris including at The Stade De France.
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Saturday morning update---looks like at least 87 fans killed at Le Bataclan by terrorists.
Members of Eagles Of Death Metal appear to be ok.
Members of The Deftones were at the concert but are all safe.
They were due to play Le Bataclan on Sat,Sun and Mon.
U2 were were due to play Bercy Arena on Sat and Sun.
These shows are now all postponed.
Thursday 12 November 2015...I went to three events tonight...
6.30pm to 8pm
SALONQP press/vip evening at The Saatchi Gallery,Kings Road,Chelsea,London SW3.
A stunning showcase of all the worlds top watchmakers under one roof.
The show brings together almost 100 brands from across the world. But it's not only the big brands attending. Household names like Audemars Piguet, Piaget and Vacheron Constantin will show alongside independent labels like Detroit-based Shinola, and Dutch brand Christiaan van der Klaauw.
Some stunning watches here with prices to match.
A big event as there must over 500 folks here in this huge venue.
This of course is where The Rolling Stones exhibition will be held which will be a big event next year.
I got a fun photo riding a motorbike on the Tudor Watches stand.
Complimentary English sparkling wines and canapés for all guests.
SALONQP on until Saturday 14 November 2015 and tickets are £20 plus booking fee.
www.salonqp.com
Visit their website for more info and to buy tickets.
then over to the Kings Cross area for two events.
8.30pm to 10.25pm
Drake & Morgan party at 6 Pancras Square,Kings Cross,London N1.
Massive restaurant and bar that opened a few weeks ago hosts a party
for those that attended the opening back then.
Lots of paying customers creating a nice buzzy atmosphere in the main area and we are at one end.
Complimentary cocktails,wines,beers along with burgers and fries for all guests.
www.drakeandmorgan.co.uk
Visit the Drake & Morgan website here.
then
10.30pm to 1.30am
German Gymnasium Grand Cafe launch party at 1 Kings Boulevard,Kings Cross,London N1.
Yet another restaurant and bar opens in this area which is having an amazing transformation.
Not that many years ago it was a wasteland and a no go area but now it's really buzzing.
Designed by Edward Gruning, the German Gymnasium was the first purpose-built gymnasium in England and was influential in the development of athletics in Britain. It was built in 1864-65 for the German Gymnastics Society. This sporting association established in London in 1861 by Ernst Ravenstein.
A few million quid has been spent on a total refurbishment.
It was a late start late finish here as they had paying punters in earlier for dinner.
Another massive venue over two levels and around 300 folks are here.
We have a dj playing tunes in the background and it's a cool buzzy atmosphere.
Faces here included singer Ella Eyre,Kimberley Garner,Jade Ewan,Diana Vickers and
Spencer Matthews and Jamie Laing(he was wearing a Megadeth t-shirt) from Made In Chelsea.
Complimentary Moët champers,vodka cocktails,gin cocktails,wines,beers and canapés.
www.germangymnasium.com
Visit their website here.
Another late boozy night so it's Friday indoors for me.
Thursday 12 November 2015...Another sad death in rock n roll.
Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, who played drums on Motörhead's iconic early catalog, has died. Guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke, who played in the same lineup with Taylor, announced the news on Facebook, claiming the drummer had been suffering from an unspecified illness "for some time." Taylor was 61.
I saw him play many times with Motörhead as i have seen them play live over 40 times since 1975.
He was in Motörhead from 1975–1984 and 1987–1992 recording ten studio albums and the live album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith. The classic mark IV Motörhead line-up consisted of Lemmy, Taylor, and Fast Eddie Clarke.
Wednesday 11 November 2015.
6.45pm to 7.15pm.
Things went a bit messy tonight after I overdid it last night booze wise.
Stomach and bum were rough and playing up all day.
Would have liked to have stayed in but had to pop up to The Classic Rock Roll Of Honour Awards
at The Roundhouse as although no inside access this year i was offered
Media Red Carpet Arrivals access if I got there by 5.30pm.
Finally dragged myself out an hour after i should have left the house.
Eventually got to the venue at 6.45pm but missed most of the folks going in.
I saw Motörhead going in (Lemmy looking frail and walking stiffly),Rick Wakeman,Mick Ralphs,
Rod Smallwood(Iron Maiden manager),Wilko Johnson,Thunder,Steven Wilson,
John Giddings(leading booking agent and Isle Of Wight Festival promoter)
Everyone was in by 7.15pm so I departed the venue.
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Here is the full list of Classic Rock Roll of Honour winners:
All winners were here to accept their awards unless mentioned:
Best New Band: We Are Harlot
Film/DVD Of The Year: Foo Fighters's Sonic Highways---band did not attend
Reissue Of The Year: Led Zeppelin---Jimmy Page accepted
Album Of The Year: Iron Maiden The Book Of Souls---Bruce Dickinson accepted
Band Of The Year: AC/DC---band did not attend
The Comeback: Europe
Classic Album: Alice Cooper Welcome To My Nightmare
The Showman: Noddy Holder
The Maestro: Joe Satriani
Tommy Vance Inspiration: Jimi Hendrix---accepted by his sister Jani
The VIP: Rod MacSween---leading booking agent who looks after KISS,Aerosmith and others
Outstanding Contribution: Nils Lofgren
Living Legends: Queen---accepted by Brian May
Europe and Blackberry Smoke played short sets during the event.
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then
7.30pm to 9.30pm
Microsoft Surface Pro 4 X Rudimental - party at Koko,Camden,London NW1.
Around 300 folks here on the ground floor of this music venue.
It's the moment Surface fans have been waiting for: Microsoft has finally lifted the lid on the Surface Pro 4
Thinner, lighter and more powerful than the Surface Pro 3, the Redmond company's latest 2-in-1 laptop makes numerous iterative improvements over its predecessor. Added together, they once again make Surface tablets a force to be reckoned with.
Dance band Rudimental who have had a great past couple of years play three of their biggest hits with a full
orchestra and choir so over 50 people are on stage.
A full free bar including Laurent Perrier champers and any drink you wanted plus canapés.
Wednesday 11 November 2015.
40 years ago today in 1975 i saw Lynyrd Skynyrd play a show for The BBC
Old Grey Whistle Test at The BBC Theatre which is now called The Shepherds Bush Empire.
Tuesday 10 November 2015...I went to two events in EC2./The City...
6.45pm to 8.45pm
Bar20 launch party at 20 Fenchurch Street,London EC2.
This contemporary and luxurious bar and restaurant is situated by the side of the 20 Fenchurch Street
skyscraper building known locally as The Walkie-Talkie building.
Bar20 is the newest offering from British business mogul, Robin Birley, owner of Mayfair’s most exclusive
private members’ club, Number 5 Hertford Street.
Birley’s new all-day ‘jewel of the city’ uniquely encompasses elegance and sophistication, within a refreshingly informal atmosphere. From coffees to cocktails, finger food to restaurant style dining, Bar20 caters to all requirements.
Around 100 well dressed folks here.
A random guest here was 1980s singer Marilyn.
He was pretty much a one hit wonder who was good mates with Boy George.
I asked him "are you doing any music or dj stints these days?" and he said
"Not really,I just want photographers to take nice pictures of me".
This was quite funny as his pr chap had to tell the photographers who he actually was.
A dj was playing in the background.
Complimentary Sarcey champers,a choice of two different gin cocktails,wines,beers
and some nice burgers and canapés.
www.bar20.co.uk
Visit the Bar 20 website here more info.
then
9pm to 12.30pm
SUSHISAMBA 3rd birthday party at Heron Tower,Bishopsgate,London EC2.
One of The City's top restaurant and bars holds it's annual mega bash.
Only at SUSHISAMBA will you find a unique blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine.
A massive crowd here of maybe 700 or 800 over the three floors.
I spotted goalkeeping legend David Seaman here,also Henry Holland and Julien Macdonald but could
have missed a couple of other celebs as so busy here over all three floors.
We are on the 38th,39th and 40th floors so we have incredible views of London at night.
Pam Hogg is the dj on one of the floors.
Last year they had Lily Allen play a short set and this year we have Grace Jones.
The room where Grace plays has a buzzing atmosphere and is rammed.
Before Grace Jones and after Grace finished there are four drag acts putting on a fun show
dancing wildly to 80s disco classics.
Grace Jones arrives on stage at 10.50pm for four songs over 20 mins.
She sings live and there is a live percussionist and the rest is backing tapes.
Each song has a very over the top costume to go with it.
Three of her biggest hits were played that got a great reception.
'Slave To The Rhythm','My Jamaican Guy' and 'Pull Up To The Bumper'.
Complimentary Bruno Poillard champers,a choice of three different cocktails,wines,beers
and loads of yummy food all through the evening.
This was a mega bash that must have cost a fortune to put on.
www.sushisamba.com
Visit the Sushisamba website here.
Monday 09 November 2015.
Jeff Lynne's ELO live at The Porchester Hall,Bayswater,London W2.
ELO were massive in the 1970s and 1980s when they had 27 Top 40 UK hits.
I first saw ELO in 1976 and then a couple of years later in 1978 when they had their famous flying saucer
stage production at Wembley Arena.
Jeff Lynne's ELO are in London for a week for tv and radio promo for their new album.
The new album 'Alone In The Universe' is released this week on Friday 13 November 2015.
Fuelled by the success of his comeback show headlining Hyde Park in Sept 2014 Jeff Lynne
has recorded a new album and will play a UK Arena tour in April 2016.
The Hyde Park show was the first ELO gig for over 25 years as Jeff focused on producing.
I did not get along to the Hyde Park show as it clashed with a Foo Fighters gig on the same day.
He headlined to 50,000 in Hyde Park but tonight it is just 500 standing.
Folks here included Brummie football legend and now BT Sport presenter Trevor Francis.
Also here was Neil Hannon from Divine Comedy and Professor Brian Cox.
The show was only announced a few days ago but the £50 tickets sold out pronto.
Always nice to be at this stunning Art Deco venue which dates back to 1929 with its chandeliers everywhere.
I have been here for a few parties and a few gigs.
I attended David Gilmour 'On An Island ' launch party gig here and The Sunflower Jam featuring rock artists
jamming with other musicians held their event here a couple of times which were great.
Jeff Lynne and the band arrive on stage at 8.18pm and play for 85 mins.
Along with the chandeliers of the venue there are 200 light bulbs hanging over the stage.
The band sounded great with 12 musicians on stage including a three piece string section and two
backing vocals.Most of the backing band were from the Take That touring band.
Great to see Richard Tandy on keyboards who has been with Jeff as his right hand man for decades.
Loads of great radio friendly pop rock songs that the crowd sang along to.
The on stage harmonies were fantastic.
The setlist was 75% hit singles from his heyday and a few new album tracks.
Now aged 67 Jeff still looks the same as the old days with his curly hair and shades.
Jeff said this was their first proper show for a year...since Hyde Park maybe...
Pretty amazing to Jeff and ELO in such an intimate setting.
An excellent gig.
Full setlist played tonight...
All Over the World
Evil Woman
Showdown
Turn to Stone
When I Was a Boy
Livin' Thing
One Step at a Time
Strange Magic
Don't Bring Me Down
Steppin' Out
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Can't Get It Out of My Head
When the Night Comes
Ain't It a Drag
Rock 'n' Roll Is King
Telephone Line
Mr. Blue Sky
Encore...
Roll Over Beethoven(Chuck Berry cover)(ELO had a hit single with this in 1973)
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As the show finished before 10pm we went for a drink at the pub opposite the venue.
From here we could see the 25 fans outside the stage door waiting for Jeff Lynne.
At around 10.30pm he came out and signed stuff for everyone there.
I had picked up a setlist earlier so I went over and got it signed by Jeff.
Sunday 08 November 2015.
Garbage live at Brixton Academy,London.
This was the first of two shows at this venue as part of their tour of North America and Europe.
These are 20th anniversary gigs for their debut album that sold over 4 million copies worldwide.
There is a deluxe 20th anniversary edition version out now.
Total album sales for their career have gone past 17 million.
I first saw Garbage in 1998 when they headlined Reading Festival with support from New Order.
I did not get along to any of their two London shows in 2012 when they regrouped after a seven year break.
Garbage take the stage at 9pm and play a full two hour show.
They have lots of lights along with half a dozen mini screens that are used every now and then.
They start the show with a 3 minute montage of video clips and photos from their career.
Shirley Manson is now aged 49 but looks and acts much younger with a healthy dose of attitude and fun.
She is still very much an icon to the bands many female fans.
After a couple of songs she remembered she was not wearing any underwear as the stage fan blew away
so she called for a roadie to get her a pair from her dressing room and she put them on side of stage.
She was wearing black tights anyway so not sure why all the fuss but it gave the crowd a giggle.
The band sound loud and great with the two guitars creating a nice wall of sound but this sometimes
drowned out Shirley's vocals.
The setlist is mostly the first album with the b-sides to the singles and tracks they covered back then.
They played a couple of new tracks from an album that will be out next year.
The first half ticked along ok but had a few obscure b-sides and rarities in it.
The second half was much livelier with their big hits including 'Stupid Girl' and 'Only Happy When It Rains'.
A good show.
Full setlist played tonight...
Alien Sex Fiend(20 Years Queer Video Intro)
Subhuman
Supervixen
Queer
Girl Don't Come
As Heaven Is Wide
The Butterfly Collector(The Jam cover)
Not My Idea
Trip My Wire
Milk
Fix Me Now
My Lover's Box
Sleep
A Stroke of Luck
#1 Crush
Stupid Girl
Dog New Tricks
Only Happy When It Rains
Vow
Encore:
Kick My Ass(Vic Chesnutt cover)
Driving Lesson
Automatic Systematic Habit
When I Grow Up
Sunday 08 November 2015.
Sex Pistol Glen Matlock will be joined by Stray Cat Slim Jim Phantom and lead guitarist Earl Slick
for an Australian tour in late Feb and early March 2016
The trio has been locked in for shows in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide and Melbourne.
GLEN MATLOCK, EARL SLICK & SLIM JIM PHANTOM
‘Men Of No Shame’ Australian Tour 2016
Tickets are now on sale.
Sunday 08 November 2015.
Some very impressive ticket sales from The Stone Roses who are now playing FOUR huge shows at
the home of Manchester City Football Club after the first two shows sold out pronto.
They now play 15,17,18,19 June 2016 with a capacity of 60,000 per show.
Friday 06 November 2015.
40 years ago today The Sex Pistols played their first ever gig.
The band's first gig as the Sex Pistols was arranged by Glen Matlock, who was studying at Saint Martins College. The band played at the school on 6 November 1975. The plugs were pulled before they finished their set. This gig was followed by other performances at colleges and art schools around London.
Friday 06 November 2015.
Motley Crue + Alice Cooper live at Wembley Arena,London.
A fantastic pair of classic rock bands at Wembley Arena.
Motley Crüe play their final UK show before they split up with special guest Alice Cooper.
Motley Crue are still playing Sex Pistols 'Anarchy In The UK' in their current set.
I have seen both bands many times over their careers.
I first saw Motley Crue in 1984 supporting AC/DC and Van Halen at Donington.
I first saw Alice Cooper in 1975 when he headlined Wembley Arena.
Canadian-American rock group Sain Asonia – featuring members of Three Days Grace and Staind – will open proceedings.
Mötley Crüe will be bringing over their biggest production and pyro show to date including Nikki Sixx's flame throwing bass and Tommy Lee’s “Crüecifly” drum coaster.
Speaking on their final ever European tour announcement, bassist Nikki Sixx said
"We're excited to come back to Europe with all the songs, bells and whistles and say goodbye during The Final Tour to the greatest fans in rock n roll."
The final Motley Crue show will be in Los Angeles on New Years Eve.
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Needless to say I was really looking forward to this show.
It's a superb Friday night atmosphere as the venue is totally rammed sold out.
Quite a few girls dressed up like they are hoping to be chosen for a Motley Crue video.
When you come in you look up and see the huge Motley 200 ft roller coaster track over the front half of the venue.
Everyone has arrived early to catch Alice Cooper who arrives on stage at 7.45pm and plays for 55 mins.
Both Alice Cooper and Motley Crue had two big screens showing live footage.
Alice Cooper has only the front half of the stage as the Motley Crue production is so huge behind him.
Alice is playing lots of classics in his set along with his usual theatrical show with props.
We have the blood,the snake,costume changes,a 12ft Frankenstein monster,straight jacket and guillotine.
Alice Cooper is always brilliant live.
Full setlist played tonight...
Vincent Price intro
The Black Widow
No More Mr. Nice Guy
Under My Wheels
I'm Eighteen
Billion Dollar Babies
Poison
Dirty Diamonds
Go to Hell
Feed My Frankenstein
Ballad of Dwight Fry
Killer(partial)
I Love the Dead(partial)
School's Out(with "Another Brick in the Wall Part 2" by Pink Floyd snippet)
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For Motley Crue i am floor standing 10 rows from the front on the right of stage.
Motley Crue arrive on stage at 9pm and play for 1 hour 50 mins.
Motley have a visually fantastic stage show with loads of lights,pyros and flames.
They have two female dancers in skimpy outfits helping them out on backing vocals on a few songs.
Most of the production is the same as when i saw them support Kiss at Download Festival in June.
Great to hear all the crowd singing along loudly to Sex Pistols 'Anarchy In The UK'.
Nikki Sixx brings out a bass guitar that spurts out huge flames.
After an hour we have the stunning Tommy Lee drum solo where his drum kit slowly moves along
the roller coaster track above our heads and rotates at 360 degrees while he is still playing...wow.
At the end of the main set Vince Neil and Nikki Sixx are in hydraulic cranes hovering over the crowd.
For the encore all the band are playing on a second stage in the middle.
A fantastic show.
Full setlist played tonight...
Tape---So Long, Farewell(Rodgers & Hammerstein song)
Girls, Girls, Girls
Wild Side
Primal Scream
Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.)
Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
Smokin' in the Boys' Room(Brownsville Station cover) (with Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll Pt 2" intro/outro)
Looks That Kill
Mutherfucker of the Year
Anarchy in the U.K.(Sex Pistols cover)
Tape---In the Beginning
Shout at the Devil
Louder Than Hell
Tape---O Fortuna(Carl Orff song)
Drum Solo
Guitar Solo
Saints of Los Angeles
Live Wire
Tape---T.N.T. (Terror 'N Tinseltown)
Dr. Feelgood
Kickstart My Heart
Encore:
Home Sweet Home
Tape---My Way(Frank Sinatra song)
Thursday 05 November 2015...6.45pm to 10.30pm...
Stonewall Awards 2015 --- 10th anniversary --- at The Victoria & Albert Museum,London SW7.
Over 500 folks at this awards event for the gay community.
Mainly men here but 10% are female and trans gender.
Most of them have paid £198 for their tickets and it's sold out.
I have been here a few times over the past decade.
This year Stonewall honour the individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions
to the lives of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people over the past decade.
Before and after the awards we are in the venue reception area and for the awards we are ushered in to
rows of unreserved seats in The Raphael Cartoons which is very impressive.
The Raphael Cartoons were commissioned by Pope Leo X in 1515 and are among the greatest treasures of the High Renaissance. Painted by Raphael (1483-1520) and his assistants, they are full-scale designs for tapestries that were made to cover the lower walls of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. The tapestries depict the Acts of St Peter and St Paul, the founders of the early Christian Church.
The host tonight is one of the UKs most renowned actors Sir Ian McKellen.
Sir Ian also got the Lifetime Achievement award tonight.
All the winners turned up...
Publication of the Decade --- The Guardian
Politician of the Decade --- Lord Alli (the first openly gay peer)
Writer of the Decade --- Sarah Waters
Journalist of the Decade --- Liz Mackean
Broadcast of the Decade --- Hollyoaks
Entertainer of the Decade --- Dan Gillespie Sells (openly gay singer with The Feeling)
Sports Person Or Team of the Decade --- Nigel Owens (openly gay referee of The Rugby World Cup Final 2015)
Trans Media Award --- Boy Meets Girl (BBC tv show)
Other folks here presenting awards or just hanging out included Louis Theroux who was nominated in the
Trans Media Award for his documentary on Transgender Kids.
Also here were Mary Portas,Diane Abbott ,Evan Davis and John Bercow and his wife.
Lots of complimentary Devaux champers flowing all through the evening for all guests along with
canapés before the awards and six different types of bowl food after the awards.
Always a good event.
Wednesday 04 November 2015...6.30pm to 9pm...
Feeneys Irish Cream Liqueur launch party at Soho Shebeen,26 Greek Street,Soho,London W1.
They are celebrating launching in the UK at over 700 Tesco stores nationwide.
The RRP will be £12.50 for a 70cl bottle and for the first week only it will be £12.
Feeney’s Irish Cream Liqueur is a smooth liqueur made with fresh cream from the heart of Ireland, blended with the finest Irish Whiskey. Feeney’s has won many awards including the much coveted Double Gold Medal from the San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition and its luxurious taste continues to delight around the world.
The Soho Shebeen Bar is a pop-up bar to celebrate three recently launched spirits - Dubliner and Oak Devil Whiskeys and Feeney’s Irish Cream Liqueur. Launching on Thursday 5th November, at 26 Greek Street, Soho, it will feature 3 differently themed floors, serving whiskey and cocktails. It's only open for 6 nights - 5th - 7th, & 11th - 13th -.
Three floors are dedicated to the Spirit of Ireland - with the Feeney’s experience on the Ground Floor, a Dubliner themed speakeasy themed pub on the First Floor and a cool Gothic style black bar to celebrate The Dublin Liberties Oak Devil on the Second Floor.
The drinks are prepared by professional mixologists, with great Irish music and nibbles.
Everyone will receive 1 x free drink and additional drinks are available to buy at £5 each.
Soak up the atmosphere on the unique three floors of a truly Irish experience."
A very cosy atmosphere as you could be in a Dublin pub here.
We had a choice of four different complimentary drinks all through the evening including
Fenneys On The Rocks and a yummy Fenneys Espresso Martini.
Also there were canapés and nibbles as the Irish music played in the background.
All guests got a goodie bag.
www.fenneysirishcream.com
Visit their website here.
Tuesday 03 November 2015.
U2 live at The 02 Arena,London.
U2 play the last of their six nights at The 02 Arena.
This is the third time i have seen them on this stint.
Scroll down to see my reviews of the two shows i have already seen.
We are lucky to see them indoors as U2 have been a stadium band for over 25 years.
Other major shows i saw U2 at included Live Aid in 1985,Cardiff Arms Park in 1987 and
Croke Park,Dublin in June 2005.
Tonight the show is 2 hours 25 mins long from 8.25pm to 10.50pm.
This includes the Patti Smith intro music as U2 arrive at the other end of the venue
by the second stage during this and walk down the catwalk to the main stage.
Tonight i am in Level 1 but a bit nearer the second stage end as the band and band members spend a
massive chunk of the middle section here or on the catwalk or in the screen/cage.
The fans in The Red Zone/Gold Circle by the main stage must feel a bit cheated as they have paid over £200
to be there but for this show the band are not on the main stage for maybe an hour in total.
Again the setlist is changed by two or three songs.
If you watch the show on the left of stage The Edge and Adam Clayton are as normal on the screen.
If you watch the show on the right of stage The Edge and Adam Clayton appear left handed on the screen.
The girl Bono picked to go on stage for a dance had green hair,many tattoos and was wearing a Ramones shirt.
Great to hear the crowd still singing the chorus to '40' long after the band have left the stage like the old days.
Four teenagers from Dublin who conquered the world and all four original members still there.
I have seen many great shows this year and there are a few more to come but none will have
the visual impact of this mega stage production and the wow factor of this U2 show.
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Thanks to the excellent U2 fan website U2GIGS for the following....
www.u2gigs.com
Statistics and setlist.
U2 performed their sixth and final show in London. It is just the second city this tour to crack the six-show mark, following New York's run of eight in July.
The last time U2 played six shows in London on a single tour was War, but that was across two legs: two shows on the pre-tour of December 1982 followed by four on the first leg in March 1983. For six or more shows on a single leg, you have to go back to U2's various English tours of 1979-80, when they played heavily throughout London and its suburbs.
The big surprise of the night was Party Girl showing up on the E stage. It had only been played twice previously this tour, once in New York and a couple of weeks ago in Cologne. It has now registered 190 known performances - ten more and it will be the first b-side to crack the 200 mark. Odds are it has already been played at least 200 times but a number of War and Unforgettable Fire Tour setlists remain unknown.
There were a few other setlist variations for the night. Gloria came into the set early, having missed two shows. Desire was the other E stage rotational number, returning after a single-show absence. The night was closed by Bad, back after missing two shows, and 40, back after missing five shows.
Chris Martin of Coldplay was in the audience tonight. Bono acknowledged him with a snippet of Yellow before the solo in With Or Without You.
The full setlist was:
The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)
Gloria / Van Morrison's Gloria (snippet)
Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio? (snippet) / Vertigo
I Will Follow
Iris (Hold Me Close) / Hold Me Close (snippet)
Cedarwood Road
Song For Someone
Sunday Bloody Sunday / When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)
Raised By Wolves / Psalm 23 (snippet)
Until The End Of The World / Love And Peace Or Else (snippet) / Words (snippet)
(Intermission - The Fly)
Invisible
Even Better Than The Real Thing
Mysterious Ways / Burning Down The House (snippet) / Young Americans (snippet)
Desire / 1969 (snippet) / Love Me Do (snippet)
Party Girl
Every Breaking Wave
October
Bullet The Blue Sky / Ode To Joy (snippet) / 19 (snippet)
Zooropa
Where The Streets Have No Name / California (There Is No End To Love) (snippet)
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
With Or Without You / Yellow (snippet)
encore(s):
City Of Blinding Lights
Beautiful Day / Live Forever (snippet)
Mother And Child Reunion (snippet) / Bad / 40 (snippet)
40
Monday 02 November 2015...6.30pm to 9pm...
C.E.W.(Cosmetic Executive Woman) Achiever Awards 2015 at The Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel,
Cadogan Place,Knightsbridge,London SW1.
Always nice to be at this very plush hotel.
I have attended this awards event every year bar one over the past decade.
Around 400 folks here with at least 75% female.
Must be great to be a female with a good job in this industry.
Complimentary presecco and canapés reception for an hour then everyone sits down in
unreserved rows of seating for an hour for the awards then more presecco after the awards.
They always give out a very nice goodie bag here with a dozen female items in so
i got a couple of those.
The six main awards went to...
Lifetime Achievement 2015---Mary Greenwell---celeb make-up artist who did the late Lady Diana.
Special Industry Award 2015---Stephen Quinn---Publishing Director of Vogue for over 20 years.
Achiever 2015---Geraldine Howard---Aromatherapy Associates
Achiever 2015---Vasiliki Petrou---Unilever
Achiever 2015---Margaret Attwooll---Parfums Christian Dior
Achiever 2015---Sarah Brown---Pai Skincare
Sunday 01 November 2015.
Donovan live at The Town Hall,Reading,Berkshire.
Donovan now aged 69 had seven UK Top 10 hits in the late 1960s is on a full 33 date UK tour.
Donovan, ‘60s legend, icon, poet and one of our most enduring singer-songwriters, is returning this year to mark his 50th year in the music business. This most auspicious anniversary will prompt a major renaissance for the man whose fingerprints can be seen throughout the last half century of popular music.
Donovan has recently been inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2012) and The Songwriters Hall of Fame (2014 ), and received The Mojo Maverick Award from Jimmy Page.
The last time i went to this venue for a gig was back in 2001.
It was Dead Men Walking feat Glen Matlock + Pete Wylie + Mike Peters + Kirk Brandon
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Back in the late 1960s Donovan was seen as a bit of a British Bob Dylan.
Donovan has chosen a perfect venue for his style as this 100+ year old town hall is more like a church.
Donovan was on stage for 95 mins over two sets of 40 mins and 55 mins.
The crowd is all seated and so is Donovan who sits cross legged on a cushion which is on a raised platform
and the only song he stands up for is his big hit 'Mellow Yellow' at the very end.
The first set is tracks from his first two albums that were released in 1965 and it opens with his first two hits.
He played all seven of his UK hits in the show tonight.
Donovan still has his longish hair and his voice is very clear.
Lots of great gentle stage banter about the 1960s including going to India with The Beatles in 1968.
He talked of his teenage years in Glasgow and moving down to London.
An older respectful crowd who listen very quietly during songs and there is nobody taking photos
with their cameras or phones.
An enjoyable show.
Full setlist played tonight...
Catch the Wind
Colours
Remember the Alamo
Guinevere
Little Tin Soldier
Josie
Jennifer Juniper
Donna Donna
interval then second set
Universal Soldier(Buffy Sainte-Marie cover)
Young but Growing
There Is a Mountain
The Promise
Hurdy Gurdy Man
The Intergalactic Laxative
Happiness Runs
Sunshine Superman
Mellow Yellow
Saturday 31 October 2015.
Despite the many rumours going around,Isle Of Wight Festival promoter John Giddings
has confirmed that U2 will NOT be playing IOW Festival 2016.
Friday 30 October 2015.
U2 live at The 02 Arena,London.
U2 play the fourth of six sold out shows at The 02 Arena.
I am back again after going to the show the night before.
Last night i had a great seat left of stage Level 1 and tonight i have a great seat right of stage in Level 1.
Like yesterday half the folks near me are wearing hospitality laminate passes around their neck.
Again all the floor standing areas are rammed.
Tonight the show was 2 hours 25 mins from 8.25pm to 10.50pm which was 5 mins less than
last night but maybe that was because we had no special guests join them on stage for an extra song.
The big screen/cage again looks stunning.
I forgot to mention it is of course double sided and when not used it is see through.
As expected a couple of songs are dropped and a couple are added.
Also 'snippets' are used a lot at U2 shows where Bono sings up to 60 seconds of a cover song
at the end of one of their songs.
Tonight it was great to see the crowd all sing along with Bono to the 1970s classic by
David Essex 'Hold Me Close'.
He pulled up another slender girl to dance along to 'Mysterious Ways' whose name was Clair and was wearing a cap.
Bono mentioned that there was a singer called Gilbert O'Sullivan who wore a cap like hers
and had a song called 'Clair' and Bono suggested the girl should check his music out
and she should visit County Clare in Ireland.
Gilbert O'Sullivan was very popular in the UK in the 1970s.
The highlights would have to be the stunning pairing of two of the greatest spine tingling songs
you will ever hear live in concert 'Where The Streets Have No Name' followed by
'Pride (In The Name Of Love)' with Edge and his perfect guitar riffs on both.
Perhaps yesterday had the edge as we had Patti Smith join them on stage but tonight
was still another 10/10 mega show that has so many fantastic songs and special moments.
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www.u2gigs.com
Thanks to U2 fan website U2GIGS for the following info.
They also have videos from the show.
Tonight U2 were in London for their fourth of six concerts in the city. This is the first time U2 have played four shows in London - or any English city - on a single tour since August 2001 on Elevation's second leg.
The big surprise of tonight's setlist was the return of All I Want Is You, making its European leg debut. This is just its sixth performance on the current tour; it was last played on 23 July 2015 in New York.
Elsewhere in the set, three songs returned after short absences. Early in proceedings, The Electric Co. returned after missing two shows; during the E stage rotations, Desire came back after missing one show; at the end of the night One returned after missing two shows.
Today, October set an interesting record. U2 have performed plenty of full tour concerts in the month of October over the years, but the last time October appeared at every full tour concert scheduled during its namesake month was way back on the first European leg of the Unforgettable Fire Tour in October 1984, when it was played at all ten shows. This year it has appeared at all twelve shows in October. It very nearly appeared at all shows in October 1987, but missed one out of fifteen: 29 October 1987, Rosemont. There are no other confirmed cases of October being played at every show scheduled in October; it was probably played at all shows in October 1981 on the first leg of the October Tour, but we cannot confirm this because of a number of missing or incomplete sets.
Another interesting record set today is for the most snippets. Bono smashed his previous record of 18 snippets, set recently in San Jose on 19 May 2015. Today's show featured 22. View our miscellaneous statistics page for more shows with a lot of snippets and for other interesting tidbits. One of the snippets tonight was not actually of another song, but a fan favourite verse: With Or Without You's extra live verse Shine Like Stars, which Bono has sung very infrequently this tour, the last instance being on 13 September 2015 in Amsterdam.
The full setlist was:
The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)
The Electric Co. / Send In The Clowns (snippet) / I Can See For Miles (snippet) / Live Forever (snippet)
Rock 'n' Roll High School (snippet) / Vertigo
I Will Follow
Iris (Hold Me Close) / Hold Me Close (snippet)
Cedarwood Road
Song For Someone
Sunday Bloody Sunday / When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)
Raised By Wolves / Psalm 23 (snippet)
Until The End Of The World / Love And Peace Or Else (snippet) / Words (snippet)
(Intermission - The Fly)
Invisible
Even Better Than The Real Thing
Mysterious Ways / Burning Down The House (snippet)
Desire / Not Fade Away (snippet) / Clair (snippet)
All I Want Is You / Into The Mystic (snippet)
Every Breaking Wave
October
Bullet The Blue Sky / Ode To Joy (snippet) / 19 (snippet)
Zooropa
Where The Streets Have No Name / California (There Is No End To Love) (snippet)
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
With Or Without You / Shine Like Stars (snippet)
encore(s):
City Of Blinding Lights
Beautiful Day / Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (snippet) / Blackbird (snippet)
Mother And Child Reunion (snippet) / One / Invisible (snippet) / Hold Me Close (snippet)
Thursday 29 October 2015.
U2 live at The 02 Arena,London.
U2 play the third of six sold out shows at The 02 Arena.
U2 on a massive European Tour after their huge American tour.
The tour is promoting the 'Songs Of Innocence' album that came out last year.
These shows are their first indoor UK shows for 14 years.
As part of their American tour U2 played eight nights at Madison Square Garden in July 2015.
Bruce Springsteen and Lady Gaga joined them on stage in New York.
Hopefully London will get the odd guest or two.
Update...Noel Gallagher joined them on stage for their second show.
There was a photo of Noel getting the tube on The Jubilee Line for that concert.
Very practical really as a limo or taxi from Little Venice where he lives would be a nightmare.
I hope he remembered to use his Oyster Card rather than paying the higher cash fare.
Really looking forward to seeing them play in London as have not seen them for a few years as their
only UK show on their last tour before this one was at The Glastonbury Festival in 2011.
The last time I saw them play a full gig was at Twickenham in 2005.
Having said that I did see them play four songs in Feb 2009 at a free gig for the BBC.
A crowd of around 5,000 watched the rooftop show, which capped off a day of promotion for the Irish band's 12th studio album No Line On The Horizon.
U2 had been special guests on BBC Radio 1 and rumours of the gig appeared on internet message boards during the day.
The band performed four tracks during the 20-minute gig, including new songs Get On Your Boots and Magnificent.
They also performed Beautiful Day and Vertigo, as onlookers danced, clapped and sang along in the street below.
I first saw U2 in 1980 when they supported Talking Heads at Hammersmith Odeon.
I also went to a Top Of The Pops recording in 1981 and U2 were on it.
Expect them to change the setlist a bit each night.
Looks like it will be one of the best gigs of the year I reckon.
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Needless to say i was really looking forward to this show as U2 are always mega live.
U2 are on stage for 2 hours 30 mins from 8.30pm to 11pm.
As expected it is a jaw dropping stage production that really has the wow factor.
The production is actually in the round as the seats behind the stage are taken.
The walkway to the second stage is the entire length of the floor standing area.
After around 30 mins the big screen/cage kicks in and this is where the production really lifts off.
This is not behind the stage as usual but sideways above the entire length of the walkway.
Most of the seats tonight cost a whopping £165 and £90 but there were a few £30 restricted views
on Level 1 and Level 4 as they could not see the big screen properly due to the angle of their seats but they
did have good views when the band went to the second stage.
Bono is a fantastic front man but all of U2 do a fantastic job.
An excellent reworked 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' is played with all four members under the screen/cage.
Bono gets a girl fan on stage to dance along to 'Mysterious Ways' as part of their set on the second stage.
A couple of songs see the band playing inside the screen/cage.
As usual there were a couple of cover versions and the setlist changed a bit from previous nights.
'New Years Day' was played for the first time on this stint in London.
Patti Smith came on stage for the last one and a half songs.
Stunning visuals and loads of stunning songs made for an incredible 10/10 show.
A dazzling show that is a must see.
I have seen over 100 great/good/average gigs this year but this was the best.
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The following info comes from the excellent U2 fan website U2GIGS
www.u2gigs.com
Check out their website for amazing facts and figures on U2 and video clips of the show.
Today U2 performed their third show of six in London. This is the first time the band have performed more than two shows in London on a single tour since their run of four shows in August 2001 on the Elevation Tour's second leg.
Reports from the soundcheck indicate that U2 have rehearsed New Year's Day, so far only played once this tour, and Gloria. This was a harbinger of some - but not all - surprises to come.
Early in the set, Gloria made it out of soundcheck and returned to the stage after missing six shows. This is the first time Gloria has been performed anywhere in England since 3 August 1987 in Birmingham, over 28 years ago. Its most recent performance in the British capital was a couple of months before that Birmingham show on 13 June 1987.
New Year's Day also made it out of the soundcheck to register its second performance of the tour. This means it missed eleven shows, for an absence of one month and one day. It was preceded on the E stage by Elevation, which returned after a much shorter absence of one show.
The biggest surprises, however, were kept for the encore. Bad returned to the set after missing two shows, marking only its sixth performance of the European leg. This is the first time this tour it has been played on the third night in a city; it was normally done on second nights in North America and on fourth nights in Europe, though has made occasional appearances on the first night and once on a fifth night. Tonight ended with Bono leading the crowd in singing a snippet of Patti Smith's Gloria - he sang the portion of Patti Smith's song that lifts from Van Morrison's song of the same name, and the manner in which he sung it (as Patti came on stage) indicates he was referencing her version rather than Van's.
The snippet was a harbinger of how the show would close: Patti Smith joined the band to cover her song People Have The Power. This song has been pre-show music at almost every show this tour and Bono has snippeted it 23 times in the past, but this is the first time U2 have performed it in full. Patti last performed with U2 for the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame's 25th anniversary concert on 30 October 2009 to cover Because The Night with the band and Bruce Springsteen. She has also previously joined U2 on stage at full tour concerts - on 21 and 22 November 2005 (after playing her own support set) she participated in covers of Instant Karma, with the second night ending in confusion. There was no such confusion tonight, with the band and Patti giving a tight and energetic performance.
Full setlist played tonight...
The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)
Gloria / Van Morrison's Gloria (snippet)
Vertigo
I Will Follow
Iris (Hold Me Close)
Cedarwood Road
Song For Someone
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Raised By Wolves / Psalm 23 (snippet)
Until The End Of The World / Love And Peace Or Else (snippet) / Words (snippet)
(Intermission - The Fly)....around 5 mins to set up equipment in the screen/cage and the second stage...
Invisible
Even Better Than The Real Thing
Mysterious Ways / Burning Down The House (snippet)....girl fan brought on second stage
Elevation
New Year's Day
Every Breaking Wave
October
Bullet The Blue Sky / Ode To Joy (snippet) / 19 (snippet)
Zooropa
Where The Streets Have No Name / California (There Is No End To Love) (snippet)
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
With Or Without You
encore(s):
City Of Blinding Lights
Beautiful Day / I Remember You (snippet)
Mother And Child Reunion (snippet) / Bad / Patti Smith's Gloria (snippet)....joined by Patti Smith
People Have The Power....joined by Patti Smith
Wednesday 28 October 2015...6.45pm to 9pm...
Terry O'Neill 'Bond and Beyond' book launch and private view at Ransom Gallery,105 Pimlico Road,London SW1.
One of the UK's most famous photographers of the 1960s and 1970s has a new limited edition book out.
On the walls are some great photographs from the book.
My fave photo would have to be a young Joanna Lumley in her underwear pointing a gun.
Joanna Lumley was a Bond Girl in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969).
A nice buzzy atmosphere here with the crowd spilling out on to the pavement.
A nice touch by the gallery to have outdoor heaters for those outside on the pavement.
Terry O'Neill is here and still looking in good shape.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers,wines and canapés for all guests.
The free exhibition is on until 11 November 2015.
Nearest tube is Sloane Square and then it is a 5 mins walk.
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Terry O'Neill now aged 77 is an English photographer. He gained renown documenting the fashions, styles, and celebrities of the 1960s. O'Neill's photographs display his knack for capturing his subjects candidly or in unconventional settings. His work has also been featured in numerous exhibitions. He was awarded The Royal Photographic Society's Centenary medal 'in recognition of a sustained, significant contribution to the art of photography' in 2011.
He took many famous photos of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in the 1960s.
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Bond and Beyond is an intimate, behind-the-scenes insight into the making of the Bond films, with portraits that Terry O'Neill has shot, from the 1960s to the present day. It features iconic Bonds: from Sean Connery to Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. Among the images are photographs of the stunning Bond girls, such as Ursula Andress, Honor Blackman and Joanna Lumley.
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