News and Reviews: 21st May 2016
Friday 20 May 2016.THE DAMNED live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
Original British punk rock legends play a sold out 40th anniversary show.
It's their debut show at this venue to celebrate 40 years of punk rock and their debut single.
Their classic debut track "New Rose" was the first single by a British punk rock group.
It was released on 22 October 1976 on Stiff Records.
I have seen these punk legends around 40 times since 1976.
I first saw them in Sept 1976 at the legendary 100 Club Punk Rock Festival.
In the punk heyday year of 1977 i saw them 10 times.
They still have two original members---Dave Vanian (vocals) and Captain Sensible (guitar).
Funny how times have changed...
The bands promoter Derek Block in 1977 tried to book them to play this iconic venue.
When punk pioneers The Damned asked to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in 1977,
the venue ruled that the band were wholly unsuitable for the plush auditorium.
-------------------------------
In a couple of interviews running up to the gig the band said "as it was such a special anniversary
we are gonna play the longest show of our career" and that's pretty much how it was as
the band played a mammoth 2 hours 45 mins over two sets of 70 mins and 95 mins.
The first set ticked along nicely with mainly lesser known tracks then the second set had all the classics
including 'Love Song','Smash It Up','Neat,Neat,Neat' and 'New Rose'.
Lots of my punk rock chums from Iggy Pop last week are here tonight.
The stage production was pretty basic like it always is with The Damned.
We have floor standing that gets very lively in the second set.
Captain Sensible is wearing a sparkly jacket and a bright beret.
The Damned started off as a traditional four piece but in the 1980s they added a keyboard player
and dabbled with goth rock,psychedelic rock and even a bit of Prog rock.
We also have a trumpet player for a few songs tonight.
A great extended version of 'Curtain Call' which featured a female violin player (Dave Vanians daughter Emily)
wearing black angel wings along with Dave Vanian who also was wearing them.
For the encore Captain Sensible wore a Crystal Palace football shirt as the following day his team would be
playing Man Utd in the FA Cup Final at Wembley.
It was pretty amazing to see The Damned in this iconic venue playing to a full house of hardcore fans.
A great show.
Full setlist played tonight...
FIRST SET
Nature's Dark Passion
Democracy?
Amen
Thrill Kill
Absinthe
Alone Again Or (Love cover)
Sanctum Sanctorum
Street of Dreams
Grimly Fiendish
Shadow of Love
Eloise (Paul Ryan cover)
Stranger on the Town
Under the Floor Again
Generals
Ignite
SECOND SET
Life Goes On
Disco Man
Limit Club
Wait for the Blackout
Twisted Nerve
The History of the World (Part 1)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Love Song
Machine Gun Etiquette
I Just Can't Be Happy Today
Plan 9 Channel 7
Smash It Up
Feel the Pain
Fan Club
Neat Neat Neat
See Her Tonite
1 of the 2
New Rose
Encore:
Curtain Call
Thursday 19 May 2016...7.45pm to 11pm...
May Fair Kitchen - VIP launch party - The Mayfair Hotel, Stratton Street, London, W1.
This bar & restaurant at this plush hotel has re-opened after refurbishment.
Refreshed interiors and new menu evoke an ambience to recreate the culinary delights of the Mediterranean,
showcasing an exquisite selection of Spanish and Italian small plates complemented with the finest wines.
Around 200 folks here over the three areas of this much improved bar & kitchen.
For an hour Henry Holland is the dj in the main front area.
Out the back is a huge room with lovely cosy sofas and another bar.
Upstairs is the new smoking terrace which also has it's own bar.
Lots of great staff here fussing over the guests so you never have to leave your seat.
It is now more casual dining of small plates with your drinks rather than a full on restaurant.
Lots of complimentary food and drinks including three different cocktails,wines and yummy
small plates of food including fresh pizza,lobster risotto with cherry tomato and seared scallop,
calamari with chilli lemon mayonnaise and others.
A really nice event.
www.mayfairkitchen.co.uk
Visit their website for more info.
Wednesday 18 May 2016....6.45pm to 11pm...
SONY Xperia X - phone launch party - 100 Wardour Street,Soho,London W1.
A big crowd of around 300 folks on the guest list here.
Guests included Ella Eyre, Professor Green,Henry Holland and Ortise Williams (ex JLS).
Djs on the night taking stints were Laura Whitmore and Bip Ling.
We had a hula hoop display as well as a footballer doing 'keepie uppie ' tricks.
Lots of SONY staff were here showing the phones features.
Lots of complimentary booze and food all night including presecco,different cocktails including
espresso Martinis,wines,beers and plenty of very nice bowl food and canapés.
A really good event.
The Xperia X features Sony’s most intelligent camera yet, going from standby to capture in less than 0.6 seconds. This fast capture, coupled with the Xperia X’s object tracking technology known as Predictive Hybrid Autofocus, means you can capture your most spontaneous moments from the night.
www.sonymobile.com
Visit their website here for more into.
Wed 18 May---This day in 1963 The Beatles played Slough...yes Slough.
The Beatles third UK tour began at the Adelphi Cinema in Slough, Buckinghamshire. Also on the tour were Roy Orbison, Gerry and the Pacemakers, David Macbeth, Louise Cordet, Tony Marsh, Terry Young Six, Erkey Grant and Ian Crawford.
Wed 18 May---This day in 1980 Ian Curtis lead singer of Joy Division sadly died.
Tuesday 17 May 2016...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 8pm
PHOTOGRAPHS - Private view - Phillips Gallery ,30 Berkeley Square, London W1.
A big crowd of over 200 folks here over the two levels of this huge gallery.
Lots to see here with some photographs blown up to a huge size.
Photographs here from famous photographers including Mario Testino,Helmut Newton,
Robert Maplethorpe and Peter Lindbergh.
The auction is held on Thursday 19 May at 3pm.
Complimentary Ruinart champers and gin & bramble summer cocktails for all guests.
www.phillips.com
Visit the Phillips website for more info and to view the photographs.
then
Manic Street Preachers live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
The Manics play the second of two shows at The Royal Albert Hall.
I went back to see The Manics again after seeing their great show on Monday.
On Monday i was stalls seating and tonight i am floor standing.
Monday was full but tonight was totally rammed sold out.
They came on stage again at 8.45pm but played five mins longer tonight as an extra song played.
The Manics know many of their hardcore fans will be going both nights so they change the set around
a bit as they dropped two songs and added three songs.
The dropped songs are 'Suicide Is Painless' and 'Ocean Spray' and the added songs for tonight are
'This Sullen Welsh Heart','Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head' and 'You're Tender And You're Tired".
See the setlist from the previous night to see the core of the songs played tonight.
I got covered in ticker-tape falling from the ceiling during the final song.
Another totally brilliant show.
The Royal Albert Hall is spoiling us this week with Iggy Pop,The Manics and to come on Friday The Damned.
Tuesday 17 May 2016.
Fact of the day...
The second album by The Damned 'Music For Pleasure ' was released in Nov 1977.
It was produced by Nick Mason...yes that Nick Mason from Pink Floyd.
Tuesday 17 May 2016.
40 years ago today i saw Patti Smith headline at The Roundhouse...support from The Stranglers...
It was her first London show and the first major punk gig in London.
The Sex Pistols and other UK punk bands were still playing small gigs.
Monday 16 May 2016...I went to two events in South Kensington tonight...
6.45pm to 7.45pm
The Man Booker International Prize - award ceremony - Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7.
Around 250 folks here at this very prestigious award ceremony.
Tv presenter Anne Robinson is here.
David Gilmour and his wife were on the invited list but did not turn up.
South Korean author Han Kang won the Man Booker International Prize for fiction with “The Vegetarian,”
an unsettling novel in which a woman’s decision to stop eating meat has devastating consequences.
She won from the 155 entries that were entered.
Complimentary Paul Langier champers during the reception then the main guests sat down for dinner.
then a few mins walk away...
MANIC STREET PREACHERS + Editors live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
The Manic Street Preachers will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of their fourth album 'Everything Must Go'.
Playing two sets on the night, the Welsh rockers will play the album in full followed by rarities and curios,
greatest hits and a few brand new songs.
Originally released in spring 1996, 'Everything Must Go' was the band’s first massive commercial success. The record was certified triple platinum in the UK and went on to sell over a million copies and bag multiple Brit awards. Hear top ten singles including A Design for Life, Everything Must Go, Kevin Carter and Australia, alongside album tracks which haven’t been played live since 1996.
Support act The Editors headlined Hammersmith Apollo last year.
I have seen The Manics around 20 times since 1991 when they were a hotly tipped new band.
This was a year before their debut album would come out in 1992.
'Together Stronger (C'mon Wales)', the Euro '16 anthem from the Manics, is out now.
---------------------------------------------
I managed to catch 25 mins of the 45 mins set by Editors.
Their set included their great track 'Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors'.
The Manics were on stage for around 1 hour 50 mins.
A nice production with three big screens showing pre-recorded images and lots of lights.
Bassist Nicky Wire had three costume changes ending up in a white suit.
Plenty of great guitar playing from James Dean Bradfield.
The Welsh trio are joined by second guitar and keyboards through the show and trumpet on a couple.
It is lively down the front as it is floor standing tonight.
The Manics played loads of great tracks including 'A Design For Life','Motorcycle Emptiness',
'You Love Us' and 'If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next'.
They showed video clips from their gig and trip to Havana,Cuba in 2001.
Cuban President Fidel Castro was the surprise guest at that gig.
That gig was a full 15 years before The Rolling Stones played there.
For one of their earliest tracks 'Nat West-Barclays-Midlands-Lloyds' they dedicated it to those fans that
were at early gigs at The Hibernian Club and The Marquee Club.
I was at The Hibernian Club show which was an Irish venue in Fulham Broadway...now gone...
An odd choice of cover played which was the 80s hit 'Feels Like Heaven' by Fiction Factory.
I saw them a couple of times supporting acts at Hammersmith Odeon.
Funny how fans wearing Manics t-shirts still call for encores at the end when any real fan
should know the band never play encores.
A great show as always from The Manics.
Full Manic setlist played tonight...
FIRST SET 'Everything Must Go' album.
Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier
A Design for Life
Kevin Carter
Enola/Alone
Everything Must Go
Small Black Flowers That Grow in the Sky
The Girl Who Wanted to Be God
Removables
Australia
Interiors (Song for Willem de Kooning)
Further Away
No Surface All Feeling (with streamers falling from the ceiling)
5 MINS INTERVAL WITH MANICS ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
SECOND SET
Suicide Is Painless (Theme from MASH)(Johnny Mandel cover)
Ocean Spray
Motorcycle Emptiness
Walk Me to the Bridge
Your Love Alone Is Not Enough
Nat West-Barclays-Midlands-Lloyds
You Stole the Sun From My Heart
Roses in the Hospital
Show Me the Wonder
(Feels Like) Heaven(Fiction Factory cover)
You Love Us
If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next (with ticker-tape cannons)
Monday 16 May 2916.
Yet another five star review of the Iggy Pop Royal Albert Hall show.
Today The Times critic Will Hodgkinson finished his review by saying
"Incredibly exciting and life affirming throughout.Iggy Pop at The Royal Albert Hall will go down in history".
Sunday 15 May 2016.
The stunning Iggy Pop gig at The Royal Albert Hall i went to a couple of days ago has got loads of
five star reviews from the major reviewers.
Neil McCormick has been Chief Music Critic for The Daily Telegraph since 1996.
McCormick is a close associate of rock group U2 as he went to school with them.
Neil in The Telegraph ended his review by saying...
But, even by his standards, something special seemed to happen with this rock imp in this venerable building.
“That felt personal,” he declared in the dying echo of encores, waving a triumphant fist.
Indeed it did. I have been going to gigs for a very long time and that was one of the best I have ever seen.
Sunday 15 May 2016.
I was just 16 and this was just before punk rock would kick off big time.
40 years ago i saw KISS play twice at Hammersmith Odeon on their debut UK tour.
15 May 1976---I was in the eighth row from the stage
16 May 1976---I was front row centre for the extra show.
Funny how I can remember so much about these fantastic shows.
I sprayed KISS on the side doors of the venue that would stay there for a couple of months.
I took a huge "Destroyer' 6ft cardboard promo from the foyer of the venue.
Friday 13 May 2016.
IGGY POP live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
This show sold out pronto when it was first announced.
Iggy is now aged 69 and it will be the first time this punk legend has performed at this iconic venue.
Only two Iggy UK shows as part of his European Tour...the RAH and The Isle Of Wight Festival.
The' Post Pop Depression' tour is an opportunity to see material performed live by the supergroup album lineup of Josh Homme and Dean Fertita from Queens Of The Stone Age and Arctic Monkeys’ drummer Matt Helders.
UPDATE on 02 May - As it is not a Stooges show it looks like Iggy will NOT be playing tracks such as
'I Wanna Be Your Dog', 'Search and Destroy' and 'No Fun'.
I have seen Iggy Pop play around 20 times since the first time at The Rainbow in 1977.
That 1977 show at The Rainbow featured David Bowie on keyboards.
Iggy has a lived a life of excess back in the day but is still out there alive and kicking.
---------------------------
There was a female guitarist from America as support but much more fun to bump into punk rock chums
and a few folks from other bands before the show.
Sex Pistols members Glen Matlock and Paul Cook were here.Paul was with Ray McVeigh who was in Paul's
post-Pistols band The Professionals who are playing gigs again together.
Also here were Bobby Gillespie ( Primal Scream) and Mani (The Stone Roses and ex Primal Scream).
Iggy and band take to the stage just before 9pm and play a full two hour show.
Iggy hurtled onstage with legs pumping, arms flailing and hair aswirl for a superb opening of 'Lust For Life'.
His lanky hair flying, his muscles are sinewy; his skin sags a bit. He punches the air.He is Iggy Pop.
Two songs later he tossed away his jacket and he remained bare-chested through the rest of his set.
The front rows storm to the front of stage and barge rock photographer Ross Halfin to the side corner.
All the band are dressed in shiny red cabaret type lounge jackets.
Iggy has not got much respect for the venue as he shouts “Can we turn the fucking lights on in this dump?”.
The new album songs are really good and from where I am (level 1 box on the right) the sound is perfect.
The floor arena seats are kept in i presume due to safety reasons as it gets manic down the front as Iggy is
stage diving into the crowd and going for walks into the tiered stalls seating.
The security guys are certainly earning their money tonight.
His energy level is unreal and puts more into his show than others half his age.
Women are hugging and kissing him at every opportunity they can.
The crowd singalong loudly to 'The Passenger' and 'China Girl'.
At the end of the main set he wanders through the crowd to the mixing desk at the back.
Despite no oldies played from The Stooges it is still a totally stunning show.
There were film cameras there so expect it to be out on DVD or on tv soon.
Full setlist played tonight...
Lust for Life
Sister Midnight
American Valhalla
Sixteen
In the Lobby
Some Weird Sin
Funtime
Tonight
Sunday
German Days
Mass Production
Nightclubbing
Gardenia
The Passenger
China Girl
Encore:
Break Into Your Heart
Fall in Love With Me
Repo Man
Baby
Chocolate Drops
Paraguay
Success
Thursday 12 May 2016...6.45pm to 9.30pm...
Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards at Fortnum & Mason,181 Piccadilly,London W1.
Around 300 folks here in their restaurant area on the fourth floor of this historic upmarket store.
Lots of well known celebrity chefs from tv and top notch restaurants are here.
I have been to this awards before so i know pretty much know what to expect.
From 7.15pm to 7.55pm Claudia Winkleman presented most of the awards.
The final one was presented by Stanley Tucci(Sex In The City actor) to Nigella Lawson for
TV Personality Of The Year.
Also giving out an award was Matthew Barzun who is the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
I had a chat with Tim Lovejoy from the Sunday Brunch Channel 4 tv show that always has a music guest on.
I said "well done for getting a great mix of music names on your show" and he said "sometimes it was
very hard getting their producer to agree to the bands they put forward to appear on the show".
Also here were Ainsley Harriot,Mary Berry,Nadiya Hussain,Michel Roux Jr,Marcus Wareing,
Rick Stein,Mark Hix,Lisa Snowdon,Jane Asher,Jay Rayner and Dylan Jones.
Complimentary Fortnum & Masons champers,wines and very nice canapés for all.
All guests got a goodie bag stuffed with Fortnum & Mason food,tea,coffee,chocs and a 20cl bottle of
Marmalade Vodka.
Always a very nice evening here.
www.fortnumandmasonawards.co.uk
Check their website for the full list of winners.
Wednesday 11 May 2016...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 8.30pm
THE TALE BAR at THE PLAYBOY CLUB - launch party at The Playboy Club,14 Old Park Lane,London W1.
This bar used to be called Salvadore's Bar but it is pretty much the same layout.
We are greeted by half a dozen bunny girls in their full costumes with trays of drinks.
There is a bar at the far end with great staff.
Lots of complimentary drinks and food tonight for the 150 guests.
We have half a dozen different cocktails with my fave being The 14 Old Park Lane.
Also wines,beers,bowl food,burgers,fish and chips,chicken sate on sticks and canapés.
The desserts were shaped with bunny ears which were a nice touch.
We had an acoustic duo singing a few cover songs and a dj was spinning some tunes.
All guests got a goodie bag.
A really nice event.
------------------------
The Tale Bar is a new cocktail lounge with a truly unique twist. On arrival you are immediately immersed in classic Playboy past. Vintage imagery and memorabilia, timeless cocktails, and iconic Bunny service celebrate the essence of Playboy’s heritage and innate sophistication.
A stunning addition to the club’s premium surroundings, The Tale Bar’s opulently styled teal, camel and gold décor offers guests – both members and non-members – a fascinating insight into the club’s famous history in London since the ’60s.
www.playboyclub.com
Visit their website here for more info.
then
ELVIS COSTELLO live at The Palladium,London.
Elvis Costello plays the second of his four shows at The Palladium.
None of his four shows at The Palladium are sold out.
Elvis Costello is on a UK and European Tour.
I have seen Elvis Costello perform live over 20 times since 1978.
He returns to the UK in the summer to play shows with his full band
Elvis now aged 61 is a prolific singer-songwriter who has released around 30 albums
that have covered many genres.
He pretty does what he wants these days rather than chase record sales.
He recently released his autobiography.
-----------------------
Elvis arrives on stage at 8.50pm and plays for 2 hours 20 mins.
Elvis plays in front of a giant retro tv screen that shows images during some songs.
For the first encore he would play a couple of songs from inside the tv screen.
Lots of chat between songs from Elvis.
For the first hour he was solo playing guitar or piano and then the second hour
he was joined by the two girls from support act Larkin Poe who also played instruments.
A nice mixture of recent tracks and his older gems from his 40 year career.
I think i preferred the show in 2013 at The Royal Albert Hall where he had the full band
and the 'spinning wheel of song titles' random list.
An enjoyable show but some songs would have been better with his band.
Full setlist played tonight...
Lipstick Vogue
Watch Your Step (Elvis Costello & The Attractions song)
Mystery Dance
Accidents Will Happen (Elvis Costello & The Attractions song)
Ascension Day (Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint cover)
45
I Want You (Elvis Costello & The Attractions song)
Oliver's Army (Elvis Costello & The Attractions song)
Shipbuilding - on piano
A Face In The Crowd - on piano
Walkin' My Baby Back Home (Broadway Syncopators cover)
Little White Lies
Ghost Train
She (Charles Aznavour cover)
Pads, Paws and Claws (with Larkin Poe)
Nothing Clings Like Ivy [with Larkin Poe]
Blame It On Cain - with Larkin Poe
Burn The Paper Down To Ash - with Larkin Poe, sung by Rebecca Lovell
Clown Strike - with Larkin Poe
American Mirror - with Larkin Poe, EC on piano
Encore:
Alison - Elvis playing inside the giant TV
Pump It Up - Elvis playing inside the giant TV
Encore 2:
Watching the Detectives (Elvis Costello & The Attractions song)
Man Out of Time (Elvis Costello & The Attractions song)
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding? - with Larkin Poe -
including Happy Birthday To You for Megan Lovell from Larkin Poe.
Wednesday 11 May 2016.
The mid-week sales positions are in.
Soul Sensation GREGORY PORTER's Brand New Album 'Take Me to the Alley’ on course for a
top 5 UK Album Chart position.
Scroll down to Friday 06 May 2016 for my review of this great album.
Tuesday 10 May 2016...7.15pm to 10.30pm...
TRAVIS - Absolute Radio gig - Hard Rock Cafe, 150 Park Lane, London, W1.
Travis are on a UK tour to promote their new album 'Everything At Once' that entered the
charts at number five last Friday.
On Monday night they played The Forum but tonight it is an invite only gig for 150 comp winners
via ABSOLUTE RADIO along with some VIPs and press.
You have to keep an eye on gigs at this venue as i have seen big bands including Aerosmith,
Deep Purple and Bad Company here over the past decade as well as many others.
Really great to see a name band in this intimate venue...and with freebie booze and food.
I have seen Travis play a few times before as they were very popular around 15 years ago.
I saw them headlining Glastonbury Festival in 2000 and headlining Reading Festival in 2001.
Travis take to the stage around 8.30pm and play for 70 mins.
A nice mix of new album tracks and plenty of older radio friendly singalong hits.
Singer Fran Healy offers funny and relaxed chat between tracks.
During 'All I Want To Do Is Rock' the guitarist downed a full bottle of beer as he played a guitar solo
with one hand.
Lots of complimentary Hard Rock Cafe food and drinks through the evening.
I have a wristband for spirits so have a few JD n cokes and Rum n cokes.
The comp winners wristband was only valid for beers and wines.
A dj played some Brit Pop and Classic Rock tracks loudly after the band finished.
An enjoyable evening.
www.absoluteradio.co.uk
The show will be on their website soon.
Full setlist played tonight...
Writing to Reach You
Sing
Driftwood
3 Miles High
Side
Animals
Closer
All I Want to Do is Rock
Idlewild
Turn
Flowers in the Window
Magnificent Time
Why Does It Always Rain on Me?
Monday 09 May 2016...6.45pm to 9.45pm...
PJ's Polo Party at PJ's Bar & Grill, 52 Fulham Road, London, SW3.
This annual party is to celebrate the start of the British Polo playing season.
Over 200 smartly dressed upmarket folks here over the two floors of this nice restaurant & bar.
I have been here to this event most years over the past decade.
Like last year BILL WYMAN is here with his wife as he lives nearby.
Drummer KENNEY JONES sometimes turns up here as he owns Hurtwood Park Polo Club in Surrey
but he is not here tonight.
Hurtwood Park was where i saw The Faces with Rod re-unite last summer for the first time in over 30 years.
At 8.10pm owner Brian Stein gave his traditional speech.
We raised a glass to folks who have passed away in the polo community...and the Queen for her 90th.
Always a nice buzzy party atmosphere here.
Complimentary Taittinger champers,different cocktails,wines,beers along with burgers and canapés.
www.pjsbarandgrill.co.uk
Check out the PJs website here for more info.
-----------------------
Polo is a very enjoyable afternoon of entertainment.
My fave venues are
Polo In The Park - Hurlingham Park, Fulham,London, - 03 to 05 June 2016
Windsor Great Park,Berkshire
Hurtwood Park,Surrey
Cowdray Park,West Sussex
Saturday 07 May 2016.
BRYAN ADAMS live at The 02 Arena,London.
Canadian rocker who lives in Chelsea near Mick Jagger is playing a UK arena tour.
I have seen Bryan Adams over 20 times since 1985.
The last time was a few months ago at The New Years Eve show that was live on BBC tv.
He is promoting his 'Get Up' album that was released in Oct 2015 that was produced by Jeff Lynne.
The venue is full tonight as groups of girls and couples have turned out in force as the
soft rock of the likes of Bryan Adams and Bon Jovi seems to float their boat.
Bryan Adams and band arrive on stage around 8.15pm and play for a nice long 2 hours 10 mins.
Bryan and the band are all wearing dark jackets and mainly jeans.
As usual he keeps the stage production pretty simple for an arena show.
The big screens shows live gig footage in black and white for half the show.
The lighting is red and white only for most of the show.
The photographers pit is not here tonight as the production has an extra bit of staging that's six inches
lower than the main stage and it means Bryan and the guitarist get up close to the fans on some songs.
He plays a few tracks from the new album which tick along ok but it is the older singalong hits
that everyone wants to hear tonight.
He whizzed through a lot of songs tonight and the crowd were soon up and standing on the floor.
Halfway through the show he puts the houselights up to find " a girl who can dance".
He finds one but not to come on stage but to dance by her seat.
She put on a nice "lap dancer" type dance for the whole song and was given a bag of swag for her efforts.
His lyrics are nice and simple and perfect for the communal singing we hear tonight.
Bryan Adams is always great to see live.
Full setlist played tonight...
Do What Ya Gotta Do
Can't Stop This Thing We Started
Don't Even Try
Run to You
Go Down Rockin'
Heaven
Kids Wanna Rock
It's Only Love
This Time
You Belong to Me
Summer of '69
When You're Gone (solo acoustic)
(Everything I Do) I Do It for You
On a Day Like Today
If Ya Wanna Be Bad Ya Gotta Be Good
Here I Am
Somebody
I'll Always Be Right There
Please Forgive Me
Cuts Like a Knife
18 til I Die
The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You
Encore:
Brand New Day
C'mon Everybody (Eddie Cochran cover)
All Shook Up (Elvis Presley cover)
She Knows Me (solo acoustic)
Straight From the Heart (solo acoustic)
Into the Fire (solo acoustic)
All for Love (Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart & Sting cover) (solo acoustic)
Remember (solo acoustic)
Saturday 07 May 2016.
AC/DC played their first show with Axl Rose on vocals in Lisbon,Portugal.
Check out YouTube for some videos of the show.
Friday 06 May 2016.
Donovan live at The Palladium,London.
Donovan plays a special show to celebrate his 70th birthday which is on 10 May.
Donovan has been performing for over 50 years with his heyday being in the late 1960s.
Donovan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.
Donovan had 7 Top 10 hit singles in the UK in the 1960s.
I first saw Donovan in 1996 when he played Dingwalls when he was promoting his Rick Rubin
produced album 'Sutras' which I got Donovan to sign on that night after the show.
I saw Donovan play The Town Hall in Reading last year.
That was a solo show where he sat cross-legged on a mat but tonight is part solo and part band.
Tonight the Upper Circle is closed off the venue is only 75% sold.
Sex Pistols bass player Glen Matlock is here.
Donovan and his three piece band arrived on stage at 9.15pm and played for 1 hour 40 mins.
Donovan looks great for his age and tells great stories from the 1960s between songs.
His gentle laid back voice still sounds great with nice and clear lyrics.
After around 30 mins the crowd all sang Happy Birthday to him.
His biggest track 'Mellow Yellow' was the encore with all the crowd singing along.
An enjoyable show.
Full setlist played tonight...
There Is a Mountain
Sunny Goodge Street
Lalena
Young Girl Blues
Catch the Wind
Universal Soldier(Buffy Sainte-Marie cover)
To Try for the Sun
Please Don't Bend
Jennifer Juniper
Remember the Alamo
Young but Daily Growing ([traditional] cover)
Josie
Colours
Beat Cafe
Where Is She
Barabajagal
Sunshine Superman
Season of the Witch
Atlantis
Encore:
Mellow Yellow
--------------------------------------------------
Show billed on ticket as : 70th birthday party 'beat cafe'.
Tracks 1 to 5 Donovan with his band
Tracks 6 to 13 Donovan solo with acoustic guitar
Tracks 14 to 20 Donovan with his band
Friday 06 May 2016.
40 years ago today in 1976 i saw David Bowie play for the first time at Wembley Arena.
A few years ago Uncut magazine gave it as 5th greatest gig of all time.
Friday 06 May 2016.
GREGORY PORTER releases his fourth album 'Take Me To The Alley' TODAY.
Grammy award-winning Gregory Porter returns with 'Take Me to the Alley', the much-anticipated follow-up to his 2013 Platinum album Liquid Spirit. The coolest guy in music, the album features a reworked version of ‘Holding On’, the track Gregory co-wrote with electronic act Disclosure, as well as autobiographical songs including ‘Don’t Lose Your Steam’ and title track ‘Take Me To The Alley’, both written with his family in mind.
Gregory's last three years has been pretty amazing as his hard work touring ethic is finally paying off.
In April 2016 he completed a full UK headline tour that included shows at The Royal Albert Hall and
Hammersmith Apollo that got rave reviews.
Just last week on his tv show Jools Holland described Gregory as "without doubt one of the greatest voices
of The 21st Century".
His smooth almost effortless jazz baritone voice really is top notch throughout the album.
Catchy melodies give some of the tracks a very radio friendly pop jazz crossover feel.
A great album that I would give 4 out of 5 rating.
It looks certain to storm into the Top 10 UK album charts in a week's time.
Full track-listing on the album...
Holding On
Don’t Lose Your Steam
Take Me To The Alley
Day Dream
Consequence Of Love
In Fashion
More Than A Woman
In Heaven
Insanity
Don’t Be A Fool
Fan The Flames
French African Queen
Thursday 05 May 2016...I went to FOUR events today...
4pm to 6pm
The London Motor Show - press view - at Battersea Evolution,Battersea Park,London SW11.
The sunshine has finally come out in London...hurrah...
Over 130 models from over 35 different car brands are on display.
Lots of stunning cars here from top names including Aston Martin ,McLaren,Morgan etc.
There are car simulators here which are great fun.
Prince Michael of Kent is here to make a speech and cut the ribbon.
Ex Formula 1 racing driver Nigel Mansell is here.
Boyzone member Shane Lynch is here as he is a bit of a petrolhead.
An enjoyable couple of hours down in a nice park down by The River Thames.
We had complimentary coffees and pasties in the afternoon (booze at the VIP evening event).
Nearest tube is Sloane Square and then 15 mins walk or so over Chelsea Bridge.
It is held over this weekend - Friday 06 May to Sun 08 May.
www.thelondonmotorshow.co.uk
Visit their website for more info and to buy £15 tickets.
then
6.30pm to 8pm
PAUL McCARTNEY : The Biography by Philip Norman - book launch party -
The Baglioni Hotel, 60 Hyde Park Gate, London, SW7.
Around 150 folks here in this nicely refurbished plush hotel.
Not many faces here but one nice surprise is Joe Flannery is here.
Joe is the Scottie Road-raised entrepreneur, music promoter, singer, one-time Adelphi waiter,
National Serviceman, Beatles’ gig booker and childhood playmate of Brian Epstein.
Although the book has the Paul McCartney seal of approval Macca is not here
as he is finishing off his American tour.
A bit surprising they did not hold it next week when Macca is back in London.
The first biography written with Paul McCartney's approval and with access to family members and friends
closest to him.
I have been reading quite a bit of the book as The Daily Mail has been serialising it.
There is a whole section on Paul's nightmare four year marriage to Heather Mills.
She would walk away with over £23 million worth of property and cash which worked out
to £700 for every hour she had spent with Paul.
Paul says "it is a prime contender for the worst mistake of his life but on the positive side
I got a beautiful daughter out of it".
R.R.P. is £25 but Amazon are selling the book for £17.
We have complimentary top notch Ferrari Italian Sparkling Wine and some yummy canapés.
“We are not afraid of being priced much higher than most Champagne,” asserted Matteo Lunelli, president of traditional method sparkling wine producer Ferrari, which has been managed by his family for three generations.
then
8.15pm to 9pm
Chestertons Polo in the Park - launch party - Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, London, SW1.
Around 150 folks here at this plush five star hotel.
We have a few of the polo players here in polo playing attire from the eight teams taking part.
Complimentary Lanson champers,gin cocktails,wines,beers,canapés and tubs of Haagen-Dazs for all.
This year promises another terrific instalment of fierce polo, as well as off-field entertainment and world-class hospitality, all located on the historic fields of Hurlingham Park in leafy Fulham. Kicking off another summer sporting and social season in the capital, this event has become one of London's greatest outdoor occasions. Get close to international polo players, riding some of the world's best polo ponies.
I went to the polo one day last year and it was an enjoyable day out.
It is held over the weekend of Friday 03 June to Sunday 05 June.
www.polointheparklondon.com
Visit their website here for more info to buy tickets.
then
As it was on our way we felt obliged to drive past the houses of Jimmy Page and his neighbour
Robbie Williams who live on Melbury Road in the Holland Park area.
9.15pm to 11.30pm
Film4 pre-Cannes Film Festival party - The Belvedere, Holland Park, London, W8.
A massive party with over 300 guests here at this lovely restaurant set within Holland Park.
I did not see any big name actors here but I presume it's mainly Channel 4 and Film 4 staff here with
lesser known actors that are in their current and upcoming productions.
A lively buzzy atmosphere with complimentary Pimms,wines,beers and lots of bowl food.
All guests got a goodie bag.
Wednesday 04 May 2016...I went to three events tonight...
5.45pm to 7.15pm
The London Original Print Fair --- press/private view at Royal Academy of Arts,Piccadilly,London W1.
Held at the Royal Academy of Arts, the London Original Print Fair offers an opportunity to view works from all periods of printmaking, from the earliest woodcuts of Dürer, to the latest editions by contemporary masters. The intimate, boutique Fair provides a friendly atmosphere for both budding collectors and seasoned print enthusiasts to engage with dealers and artists.
A massive event as around 800 folks are on the guest list with lots of great prints to see.
Worton Hall Studios in Isleworth have a nice selection of prints by SIR PETER BLAKE and are giving out
nice complimentary metal badges designed by him.
Complimentary Pierre Mignon champers and nibbles for all guests.
The fair is on this weekend---Thursday 05 May to Sunday 08 May.
www.londonprintfair.com
Visit their website here for more info and to buy tickets at £12 each.
www.wortonhallstudios.com
Visit their website here.
then
7.20pm to 8.15pm
ETRO - London Craft Week Party - 43 Old Bond Street,London W1.
LONDON CRAFT WEEK is an annual event that showcases exceptional craftsmanship through a journey-of-discovery programme featuring hidden workshops and unknown makers alongside celebrated masters,
famous studios, galleries, shops and luxury brands.
ETRO is an Italian fashion house founded in 1968. The label remains a family-run business, with the founder's children in executive positions with the company. Etro produces a menswear and womenswear line, in addition to accessories, fragrances, and other home products. The company is best known for its
paisley patterned designs, which it began producing in 1981.
This huge store is like a tardis when you go inside as this ex gallery is over three levels of luxury.
Around 200 cool looking folks here with a dj spinning some tunes.
Complimentary prosecco,Italian cocktails and pizza for all guests.
All guests got a cd of electro-experimental music when leaving.
www.etro.com
Visit the ETRO website here for more info.
then
8.30pm to 10pm
NOTCH - rooftop bar launch - 533/535 Oxford Street,London W1.
Rooftop bars are very popular in London over the summer months.
Around 200 folks at this venue at the Marble Arch end of Park Lane that has a secret entrance on Oxford Street.
Last year it was Roofnic, this year it’s an ‘industrial playground’. And that’s not just a jazzy term for slick uber trendy decor. The vibe’s Williamsburg Warehouse meets Berlin Yard Sale space, so think reclaimed school science tables, scaffolding and rooftop swings overlooking the street below.
This place is hovering up on the fourth floor of the London Marriott Hotel Park Lane.
Booze wise you’ll be ring pulling ‘cos Negronis come served in cans, slupring Uncle Wray rum slushies and getting hold of bags of wine and bottles of beer with ‘lil bites of Japanese street food from Fudo Shack.
A nice buzzy atmosphere with complimentary drinks and food for all guests tonight from the above list.
Tuesday 03 May 2016...I went to two events today...
4pm to 6.30pm
The 36th London Wine Fair at Olympia,London.
Today is the opening day of this massive three day event for trade and press.
Never seen so many exhibitors over the two floors of this huge venue.
Wines from around the world and a crowd of around 5000 folks expected each day to attend.
It is 95% wines here but a few stands have champers,prosecco,beers,ciders and spirits.
With so many restaurants & bars the wine business is bigger than ever.
All stands are are giving out sampler tastings so you can swallow or spit into the spittoons.
I am a big fan of NYETIMBER English Sparkling Wines who are here with their branded double decker bus.
The last couple of years they have sponsored many big events in London.
www.londonwinefair.com
Visit their website here for more info.
then
CHRIS CORNELL + Fantastic Negrito live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
Support act Fantastic Negrito are from Oakland,California.
They play a decent 35 mins set of delta blues.
Singer was preaching to the crowd " we got to work through the bullshit to get to the good shit".
Highlights of his set included 'Lost In A Crowd'.
CHRIS CORNELL is on a UK tour to promote his 5th solo album 'Higher Truth'.
I went to see his band Soundgarden in 1994 when they were the first band to play Shepherds Bush Empire
at an invite only event when the BBC sold the building off and it became the full gig venue it is today.
In The Standard paper on the day of the show Chris said "I used to walk past The Royal Albert Hall
when I was on tour with Soundgarden in my twenties and dreamed I'd one day play there".
The venue is totally sold out tonight including choir seats behind the stage.
Chris arrives on stage at 8.45pm and plays a nice long set of 2 hours 20 mins.
It is an acoustic show where he is joined by another musician on a few songs.
Despite the poshness of the venue he is still wearing a grunge type old t-shirt and jeans.
Plenty of women here swooning at his shaggy haired cool rock star looks.
As expected it is a set mixing solo material,Soundgarden tracks ,Audioslave tracks and cover versions.
He played a cover of the Led Zeppelin track 'Thank You' as Jimmy Page was here.
After 45 mins Chris says "my good friend Jimmy Page is in the house tonight".
Jimmy takes a bow from one of the lower level boxes.
Oddly enough a few minutes later he departed the box and never came back.
The re-workings of the cover versions he chose were really good.
For the Soundgarden tracks i would have preferred the full electric band against these acoustic versions.
A very enjoyable show overall.
The full setlist played tonight...
Before We Disappear
Can't Change Me
As Hope & Promise Fade
Nothing Compares 2 U (Prince cover)
Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart
The Times They Are A-Changin' (Bob Dylan cover)
Fell on Black Day (Soundgarden song)
Thank You (Led Zeppelin cover)
Call Me a Dog (Temple of the Dog song)
Doesn't Remind Me (Audioslave song)
Blow Up the Outside World (Soundgarden song)
Let Your Eyes Wander
You Know My Name
I Am the Highway (Audioslave song)
Misery Chain
One (U2 cover) (U2 chords with Metallica lyrics)
Rusty Cage (Soundgarden song)
Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden song)
Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog song)
Wooden Jesus (Temple of the Dog song)
A Day in the Life (The Beatles cover)
Encore:
Billie Jean (Michael Jackson cover)
Josephine
Seasons
Higher Truth
-----------------------------