News and Reviews: 21st June 2016
Monday 20 June 2016...8pm to 10pm...live on ITV1...EURO 2016---England play Slovakia in their final group game.
Wayne Rooney was left out at the start and Roy Hodgson has started with the strikers that came on
and did well against Wales.
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England dominated the game but somehow did not score.
Result = England 0 Slovakia 0
England finished 2nd to Wales in the group but still go through to the next phase.
Sunday 19 June 2016.
Day 2 of The Stone Free Festival at The 02 Arena,London.
Rick Wakeman + Marillion + Steve Hackett + Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here Symphonic Live
+ Wilko Johnson.
Yesterday was Classic Rock Day and today is Prog Rock Day.
As you know i am not a big fan of Prog rock but my press pass covers both days so I trekked
back over to The 02 Arena.
Tonight the floor area is all seating.
Like last night Level 4 is closed off as unsold but I presume the promoters knew that Alice Cooper
and Rick Wakeman are not popular enough to sell out this huge venue.
Keyboard Prog rockers like Yes and ELP were massive in the early 1970s and then in 1976
the punk rockers kicked that shit out of town......well for a few years anyway.
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WILKO JOHNSON was on the Indigo stage from 4pm to 4.50pm for a 50 mins set.
Always good to see this cancer survivor playing live with his mate Norman Watt-Roy on bass.
He still has that great guitar playing style as he machine-guns the audience every now and then.
They ended their 50 mins set with great versions of Dr Feelgood classics 'Back In The Night'
and 'She Does It Right'.
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Then over to the main 02 Arena.
Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here Symphonic Live were on from 5.10pm for a 30 mins set.
Around 50 musicians in the orchestra and two vocals playing classical versions of Floyd.
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STEVE HACKETT arrived on stage at 6.15pm for a 45 mins set.
I saw the ex Genesis guitar player at The Royal Albert Hall for a full show a couple of years ago.
Backed by a great band which included Nick Beggs ex Kajagoogoo on bass ,wearing a kilt.
From Kajagoogoo to Prog rock...wow that is a contrast.
A nice mix of solo and Genesis tracks.
Steve's parting words "Not bad considering we had no sound check".
Full setlist played tonight...
Every Day
Loving Sea
A Tower Struck Down
Shadow of the Hierophant
Dance on a Volcano (Genesis song)
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (Genesis song)
Firth of Fifth (Genesis song)
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MARILLION arrive on stage at 7.30pm for a 55 mins set.
I saw Marillion around 20 times in the 1980s when Fish was their great frontman.
I saw them with Steve Hogarth half a dozen times but have not seen them for over a decade.
I remember Marillion were one of the first bands who had an album financed by the fans donating.
Singer Steve Hogarth puts in a lot of effort as he moves around the stage a lot.
Hard to believe Steve replaced Fish over 25 years ago in 1989.
The highlight for me was a fantastic trio of Fish era gems (Kayleigh, Lavender ,Heart of Lothian).
The crowd gave them a full standing ovation at the end.
Full setlist played tonight...
The Invisible Man
You're Gone
Easter
Kayleigh
Lavender
Heart of Lothian
Power
Neverland
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RICK WAKEMAN arrived on stage from 8.50pm and played a 90 mins set.
I first saw Yes in May 1975 at QPR Football Ground but Rick had departed a few months before that.
I saw Rick perform his The Six Wives of Henry VIII album at Hampton Court Palace in 2009 which is out on DVD.
Tonight Rick is performing his 1975 album 'The Myths & Legends of King Arthur & the Knights of the Round Table'.
It has been performed only three times.... at Wembley Arena in 1975..ON ICE...that lost money.
The album went on to sell over 12 million copies worldwide.
He played it in full along along with some new pieces as the original album was only 40 mins long.
Rick is at the back of the stage on a podium surrounded with a bank of various keyboards.
Rick is dressed in one of his legendary emerald green capes.
In front of him there are 100 folks on stage including band,male and female vocals,orchestra,choir and narrator.
Not your normal kind of rock show but interesting enough.
The crowd gave them a full standing ovation at the end.
Saturday 18 June 2016.
Day 1 of The Stone Free Festival at The 02 Arena,London.
Alice Cooper + The Darkness + Apocalyptica + Blackberry Smoke.
I get to the venue around 4pm and watch bits of bands on the free stage in the foyer
and chat to a couple of friends who have stalls at the vinyl record fair there.
The layout is the same as the CTC country festival at this venue with full days of stuff going on from midday.
Then into the main arena for the headline bands.
It is floor standing tonight so a nice atmosphere.
BLACKBERRY SMOKE arrive 15 mins late on stage at 5.45pm as they said they had problems at Heathrow.
A nice 35 mins set of some Black Crowes type Southern Blues Rock tunes.
Full Blackberry Smoke setlist played tonight...
Fire in the Hole
Six Ways to Sunday
Let Me Help You (Find the Door)
Rock and Roll Again
Good One Comin' On
Sleeping Dogs / Your Time Is Gonna Come (Led Zeppelin cover)
Ain't Much Left of Me
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APOCALYPTICA arrive on stage at 6.40pm and play for 50 mins.
Apocalyptica are a Finnish cello metal band from Helsinki, Finland formed in 1993. The band is composed of classically trained cellists whose eight albums have sold over 4 million copies worldwide.
They brought out an album featuring all Metallica songs early in their career and played a couple of Metallica tonight.
A decent set.
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THE DARKNESS arrive on stage at 8pm and play for 45 mins.
Their planned 60 mins was cut short as the two previous bands arrived on stage late.
I have seen The Darkness headline Wembley Arena and Alexandra Palace a few years ago on
the back of the huge success of their 'Permission to Land' album.
Justin still has that great vocal pitch and still has his over the top stage wear.
He chats a lot between songs and still does not take things too seriously.
A good mix of old and new tracks finishing with their mega hit 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love'.
A very enjoyable entertaining set.
Full setlist played tonight,..
Barbarian
Growing on Me
Mudslide
Black Shuck
One Way Ticket
Love Is Only a Feeling
Get Your Hands Off My Woman
Stuck in a Rut
I Believe in a Thing Called Love
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I have seen Alice Cooper over 20 times since 1975 which was the classic band line-up at Wembley Arena.
It was only six months ago that i saw Alice Cooper supporting Motley Crue at Wembley Arena.
ALICE COOPER arrives on stage at 9.15pm and plays a fantastic 1hour 40 mins set.
As usual we have a full theatrical show with costume changes,a snake,
a giant Frankenstein roaming the stage,strait-jackets and guillotine.
Loads of his classic tunes played.
A brilliant four song tribute at the end of the main set to rock stars who have passed away.
Alice Cooper always puts on a stunning show.
Full Alice Cooper setlist played tonight...
Vincent Price Intro
The Black Widow
No More Mr. Nice Guy
Under My Wheels
Public Animal #9
Billion Dollar Babies
Is It My Body
Long Way to Go
Woman of Mass Distraction
Poison (w/Nita Strauss guitar solo at the beginning)
Halo of Flies (with drums solo)
Feed My Frankenstein
Cold Ethyl
Only Women Bleed
Guilty
Ballad of Dwight Fry
Killer (partial)
I Love the Dead (partial)
Under the Bed (Raise the Dead intro)
Pinball Wizard (The Who cover)
Fire (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)
Suffragette City (David Bowie cover)
Ace of Spades (Motörhead cover)
I'm Eighteen
School's Out (with Pink Floyd Another Brick in the Wall snippet )
Encore:
Elected (with Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton lookalikes having a mock fight on stage)
Saturday 18 June 2016.
Happy Birthday to Paul McCartney who is 74 today.
BBC2 9pm.....Hour long special on the new Tate Modern gallery extension.
40 years ago today in 1976 i saw Bob Marley & The Wailers play Hammersmith Odeon.
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Eighties pop-star Rick Astley new album has gone straight in at number one.
Rick Astley has achieved his first Number 1 in 29 years, after winning a closely fought chart battle against Tom Odell.
The singer achieved the top spot in the album charts with '50', his first record in 11 years - but faced stiff competition from Odell's second album 'Wrong Crowd', with the Number 1 spot changing several times over the last week.
He also outsold Paul McCartney 'Pure' which went in at number three.
Ricks single 'Never Gonna Give You Up' spent five weeks at number one in 1987.
Thursday 16 June 2016...I went to two events tonight...
6.45pm to 7.45pm
The Girls of Mayfair - magazine launch party - Platinum Lace,13 Coventry Street,London W1.
Paul Raymond Publications launch their new mens mag in this Gentlemen's Club.
A nice buzzy atmosphere as maybe 100 guests along with 30 girls floating around the club and
taking it in turn to dance on the podiums in their underwear and topless.
Complimentary presecco for all guests.
Fun for a short period but a bit of a pain when every five mins one of the mainly foreign girls is asking
"Would you like sexy vip dance for £20?"
All guests got a free copy of the magazine which is in selected outlets now for £5.99.
then i had a nice walk along The River Thames...
8.15pm to 11.30pm
TATE MODERN new space - VIP opening party - Tate Modern, Bankside, London, SE1.
Tate Modern launch their new 10 storey pyramid like extension...that cost £260 million.
This very popular contemporary art gallery expects 6 million visitors a year.
A truly massive event as some 4,000 folks have been invited so must be at least 3500 folks here.
As expected quite a few well known names here.
Artists Tracey Emin, Fenton Bailey, Pam Hogg and Grayson Perry were among guests at the VIP opening party at the new Tate Modern space. Henry Holland, Luke Evans, Paloma Faith, Bianca Jagger and Evgeny Lebedev were also in attendance and joined designer Stephen Jones and David Furnish. Guy Ritchie took a break from his legal battles with ex wife Madonna to enjoy an evening with his wife Jacqui Ainsley, where they were spotted admiring Ai Weiwei's tree sculpture. Russell Tovey, Zawe Ashton, Rachel Johnson, Billie JD Porter, Nick Hendrix, Dougie Poynter, Janet Street-Porter, Jenna Coleman ,Jeremy Irvine ,Nicky Haslam, Kanya King,Laura Whitmore,Nick Grimshaw,Amber Atherton and others.
The evening was dedicated to Jo Cox - the Labour MP who was killed in West Yorkshire earlier that day.
One eyewitness told the BBC they heard her attacker shout "put Britain first" at least twice beforehand.
We wandered around the huge spaces and floors as much as we could but you would need a couple of days
to see everything as there is so much viewing to be done here.
The lifts could not cope with the huge amounts of visitors tonight so that hindered some.
The complimentary drinks were a bit basic due to the huge crowd so just white wine, beers and canapés.
No red wine as spillages leave bad stains.
At 10.35pm Mercury Prize album winning musician and poet BENJAMIN CLEMENTINE performed a 5 song
25 mins set with a band and mini orchestra.
BBC RadIo dj Mary Jane Hobbs played a few songs at the end of the evening.
At 11.30pm when we departed it was pouring with rain.A nice touch was The Tate provided ponchos for all.
The colours were bright pink and bright blue so it looked an odd sight as hundreds of folks in the
area with these colourful ponchos looking like some sort of 'art statement' to the bemused cab drivers etc.
Tate Galleries are free admission but they ask for £4 donation.
www.tate.org.uk
Visit The Tate website for more info.
Thursday 16 June 2016.
Get well soon Rick.
Status Quo's Rick Parfitt suffers heart attack.
Status Quo's guitarist Rick Parfitt was hospitalised in Turkey last night after a suspected heart attack, for the third time. His son took to Twitter to give a statement 'I can confirm that dad is conscious yet still very seriously ill. We are all with him here in Turkey. Thank you for all the support'.
Wednesday 15 June 2016...I went to two events tonight...
6.45pm to 8.15pm
Holland & Holland - collection launch party - Holland & Holland, 33 Bruton Street, London, W1.
Situated just a couple of doors along from Stella McCartney's store this really is a 'tardis' of a store
which looks pretty average in size from the front but stretches out far to the back and downstairs.
Set in the heart of Mayfair, Holland & Holland’s flagship store is home to the prestigious gun room and an outstanding collection of sporting shotguns and rifles.
This hidden gem in the middle of Central London has been a shooter’s paradise for many decades. Visitors to the gun room can browse a full collection of new and preowned shotguns and rifles, as well as a selection of the best shooting accessories.
The London gun room has everything the discerning shooter desires with a range of services including gun storage, repairs and renovation. A comprehensive stock of shotgun cartridges and rifle ammunition is also available to purchase.
Prices are a bit mental as the rifles and shotguns range from £20,000 to £220,000.
They also have a full selection of quality 'country clothing'.
Around 200 smartly dressed folks here including miliner Stephen Jones who told us that next day he would be
on SKY tv and Channel 4 tv discussing the hats at Ascot Ladies Day.
Also here was author and journo A.A.Gill.
A couple of years ago SUNDAY TIMES columnist AA Gill won the Hatchet Job of the Year award,
presented by The Omnivore website for his scathing review of Morrissey's autobiography.
Fashion designer Lulu Guinness was also here.
Complimentary Perrier Jouet champers,gin cocktails and canapés for all guests.
All guests got a goodie bag.
www.hollandandholland.com
Visit the Holland & Holland website here for more info and images.
then 9pm to 11pm
Millennium Hotel 70s Party - Millennium Hotel,4-18 Harrington Gardens,Gloucester Road,London SW7.
This was a massive showcase for this hotel as part of 'The Meetings Show' that is held at Olympia this week.
Must be 300 or 400 folks here in this huge ballroom.
We have dj playing 70s classics and there is a live 70s covers band that get folks dancing on the floor.
The staff are all dressed in 70s iconic costumes.
Lots of complimentary food and drink including four different cocktails,wines,beers,Chinese buffet and
bowls of pasta.
There was a business card raffle with six nice prizes of overseas trips to their sister hotels but no luck for me.
A lively fun event.
Wednesday 15 June 2016.
Happy Birthday to Noddy Holder who is 70 today.
Noddy is the ex singer of 1970s glam rock legends Slade.
I was at all three of the Slade shows at Hammersmith Odeon in May 1974....just before my 16th birthday.
At this time they were one of the biggest bands in the UK.
They really were a great live band.
Tuesday 14 June 2016...I went to two events tonight...
6.45pm to 8.15pm
Eivissa: The Ibiza Cookbook - book launch party - Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, London, W1.
Always nice to be at this famous & historic store.
Anne Sijmonsbergen is a cook and Ibiza’s only organic tomato farmer. Ten years ago she moved there with her husband and they bought a 450-year old farmhouse. Her tenure there has coincided with this food revolution, and has led her on an odyssey to discover the food of the island and the people who make it.
Around 100 folks here in one of their fourth floor rooms.
We had speeches from the author and the publisher.
Complimentary Fortnum & Mason champers along with very nice canapés including a few from her Ibiza cookbook.
Also some yummy strawberry & cream desserts.
All guests got a small goodie bag.
The hardcover RRP is £20 but Amazon are selling it for £13.60.
then
8.30pm to 10.15pm
UNBLOCK Magazine - launch party - Contini Art UK, 105-106 New Bond Street, London, W1.
Around 200 folks over the two floors of this gallery.
Always nice to bump into the fully dressed up Daniel Lismore.
Standing 6-foot-4 and with waist-length raven hair, anonymity has never really been on the cards for the 31-year-old British artist Daniel Lismore. Not that he’d have it any other way. Rather than trying to fit in as a U.K. teenager in the conformist Midlands, Lismore took style cues from David Bowie and Marilyn Manson, evolving his own offbeat dressing-up box aesthetic. What began as an exotic assemblage of global, cultural, and historical influences has transformed into inspired, regal looks that have earned him a reputation as the most flamboyant dresser in England.
A great buzzy atmosphere as we have a dj either side of a band who play a few songs.
Lots of complimentary drinks and food including a choice of three different cocktails.
The Pogues Irish Whiskey with ginger ale & lemon went down a treat.
Also 1903 Chinese beers ,sushi and cakes from The Skinny Bakery.
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ABOUT UNBLOCK MAGAZINE
Debuting in June 2016, UNBLOCK is the new biannual magazine that comes with a fresh mouthful of the best that London has to offer in art, fashion and lifestyle for you to sink your teeth into.
The publication strives to directly build a bridge between its UK and Chinese audiences, thus creating
a platform for promotion to its global readers and consumers.
All guests got a copy of the magazine.
www.unblockmagazine.com
Visit their website here.
Tuesday 14 June 2016.
A horse named PRETTY VACANT is running at Ascot today at 5.35pm.
With a name like that how I could I not be interested.
Two runs out so far and has come 2nd and 1st so could be worth an each way punt.
Although a much bigger field of runners this time than it's first two races.
I put down £10 each way at 25/1 on Monday.
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Update - it came a decent 6th out of 22 runners.
One to keep an eye on for future outings.
Tuesday 14 June 2016.
Sad news that Henry McCullough who played with Paul McCartney & Wings has sadly passed away after
a long illness aged 72.
McCullough was with Wings from December 1971 to August 1973, appearing on the Red Rose Speedway album (1973) and numerous singles .
The first of these singles was the controversial "Give Ireland Back To The Irish" which was banned by the BBC.
Henry McCullough (21 July 1943 - 14 June 2016) was a Northern Irish guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. He is best known for his work as a member of Spooky Tooth, Paul McCartney & Wings, The Grease Band and Sweeney's Men. He has also performed and recorded as a solo artist and session musician.
Monday 13 June 2016...7.30pm to 11.30pm...
Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.
Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee, the two surviving members of Motörhead, will join Saxon on stage to play a special one-off set of Saxon and Motorhead classics in a unique Salute To Lemmy at this year's Golden Gods awards show.
Also playing short sets on the night will be Halestorm, Gorija and Amon Amarth.
The event will be host by Jamey Jasta from Hatebreed.
This is the first time the awards have been held at this venue.
They have chosen this venue because of the connection with Motörhead & Lemmy.
It is always held the day after The Download Festival so will attract a few big names.
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The main event started around 8pm but they showed Motörhead clips on the big screen before that.
Around 2500 folks are here with 2000 folks in the stalls standing area and 500 guests upstairs.
Respect is due to Metal Hammer who kept stalls standing ticket prices at just £6.66...a proper bargain...
Respect is also due to the hardcore metal fans who have come here straight from The Download Festival.
Upstairs there are 500 guests and press which is where i am with loads of space.
A few familiar faces including Steve Zapp (ITB booking agent who looks after Biffy Clyro,Baroness and others),
Dave Ling (Classic Rock Magazine) and the KISS UK Tour Manager whose name escapes me.
Upstairs there are complimentary drinks - Budweiser beers and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky shots
which they perfectly describe as 'Taste's Like Heaven,Burns Like Hell'.
We have four live bands playing between the awards...all sounded nice and loud.
Lots of tributes on stage from all the bands and presenters to Lemmy & Motörhead.
It is being filmed so will be on internet music websites or maybe even tv.
AMON AMARTH - Three songs in a 15 mins set with some growling vocals.
Their full Download Festival production with massive dog statues and flames.
HALESTORM - They played four songs that sounded pretty good.
Their female singer Lzzy looks the part and she can sing and play guitar too.
GORIJA - I saw Gorija play The Scala a couple of years ago.
Three songs mixing Prog and rock.
Former SLIPKNOT drummer Joey Jordison has revealed that he has been fighting transverse myelitis, an inflammatory disorder that temporarily robbed him of the ability to play drums.
Ever since SLIPKNOT parted ways with Jordison in December 2013, both sides were silent and evasive about the reason why the split occurred.
While accepting the the "Golden God" award ,Jordison gave an emotional speech in which he spoke about his exit from SLIPKNOT for the first time.
We have to wait until 10.55pm for the highlight of the evening as SAXON take to the stage to play six songs
in a 25 mins set which started with three Saxon classics then it was three Motörhead classics.
They were joined by Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee for the three Motörhead gems.
The floor standing was very lively with moshing for the Motörhead songs.
A short but sweet set that totally rocked and great to see Motörhead members on stage again.
Heavy Metal Thunder
Motorcycle Man
Princess of the Night
Ace of Spades (Motörhead cover) (with Phil Campbell) (with Mikkey Dee)
Born To Raise Hell (Motörhead cover) (with Phil Campbell) (with Mikkey Dee)
Overkill (Motörhead cover) (with Phil Campbell) (with Mikkey Dee)
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The full winners list from the 2016 Metal Hammer Golden God Awards:
Most turned up but i have listed who sent a video instead and who had a guest presenter.
Best New Band - Creeper
Best Underground Band - Enslaved
Best UK Band - Asking Alexandria...presented by Biff Byford
Best International Band - Ghost...not here tonight
Breakthrough - Beartooth
Best Live Band - Lamb Of God...not here tonight.
Best Independent Label - Prosthetic Records
Dimebag Darrell 'Shredder' - Lzzy Hale...presented by Dragonforce
Best Album - 'The Book Of Souls' Iron Maiden...not here tonight
Riff Lord - Phil Campbell...presented by Dave Mustaine
Inspiration - Anthrax...presented by Billy Gould from Faith No More
Icon - Nikki Sixx
Global Metal Band - Chthonic (from Taiwan)...presented by Sixx AM.
Golden God - Joey Jordison ex Slipknot drummer who has played with many bands
Best Video - Parkway Drive
Sunday 12 June 2016...I went to two events for London Collections Men tonight...
8pm to 9pm
LCM s/s 2017: SIR TOM BAKER - showcase - The 100 Club, 100 Oxford Street, London, W1.
Around 200 folks seated with the catwalk in the middle and 20 standing at this legendary venue.
The show started at 8.25pm and lasted for around 15 mins.
A dozen male models showcase his shiny & glam rock n roll jackets and trousers to loud music tracks that
included 'Neat Neat Neat','Anarchy In The UK' and 'Comfortably Numb'.
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Tom Baker specialises in both traditional and avant-garde bespoke tailoring. He trained for five years at Hardy Amies (Savile Row) until 1996 when he founded Sir Tom Baker in Soho, London. It was on Savile Row that he was taught to cut and fit in the most classical English way.
This traditional training combined with natural flair has put him at the forefront of bespoke tailoring today. His ability and willingness to work closely with each and every customer has earned him a loyal following, attracting television personalities, musicians, actors, artists, captains of the industry and politicians to the door. These include Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), Rhys Ifans, Jonathan Ross, Noel Fielding, John Cooper Clarke, Stephen Jones (milliner), Barry Manilow, Liam Howlett/Keith Flint of the Prodigy, Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) and Roger Taylor (Queen) to name but a few.
www.tombakerlondon.com
Visit the website of SIR TOM BAKER for more info.
then
9.15pm to 10.45pm
LCM s/s 2017: GANDHUM - launch - Claridge's, Brook Street, London, W1.
Always nice to be at this five star luxury hotel where the likes of U2 stay when in London.
GANDHUM opens the door to a new approach of menswear by encapsulating London's heritage within a contemporary canvas for the discerning modern gentleman.
Proudly GANDHUM designs and produces in London utilising the most skilful hands in the capital to craft each creation. Taking inspiration from classical fits, patterns, silhouettes and draping the collections combine into cutting edge ready-to-wear and made-to-measure selections.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers,Campari cocktails and canapés.
www.gandhum.com
Visit the GANDHUM website for more info.
Saturday 11 June 2016.
EUR0 2016---England and Wales play their opening games in the tournament....both live on tv...
ENGLAND are aiming to do something they have NEVER done in their history when they take on Russia at Euro 2016 on Saturday night – win their opening match of a European Championships.
Yes, you read that correctly, in all eight European Championship finals that the Three Lions have played in they have never won their first match – totalling four draws and four defeats.
99% of the 2.5 million tickets have been sold for 51 matches involving 24 teams across ten venues.
Hopefully the terrorists will not try anything to mess any of the games up.
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I stayed indoors with some drinks to watch all of both games live on tv.
5pm...Wales 2 Slovakia 1
8pm...England 1 Russia 1
England played well but Russia nicked a goal in injury time.
England players and fans are pretty gutted at the end.
Saturday 11 June 2016.
Visit the ICONIC PIX website link on the right for some nice pix from this weekends Download Festival.
Also recent London shows by AC/DC with Axl Rose and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.
Friday 10 June 2016.
Arise Sir Rod Stewart.
Rod Stewart thanked the Queen for the “monumental” honour of being knighted in the Queen’s 90th birthday honours list tonight as he became Sir Rod Stewart for services to music and charity.
Fri 10 June---U2 live in Paris 2015 is released on DVD.
Fri 10 June---Paul McCartney releases a new compilation today.
Pure McCartney is available as a two-CD set and as a four-CD deluxe edition that features a total of 67 tracks; a mixture of familiar hits, notable album tracks and a few fairly obscure selections (optimistically described in the press release “curios for the superfans”). A four-LP vinyl set will also be available (it has a similar, but not identical, track listing to the two-CD set).
Thursday 09 June 2016...I went to two 40th anniversary of punk related events tonight...
6.15pm to 8pm
LCM s/s 2017: Sir Paul Smith Celebrates Forty Years of Punk with Derek Ridgers - private view -
Paul Smith store, 9 Albemarle Street, London, W1.
Around 200 folks here with the main exhibition downstairs in the basement.
The images feature punk acts and fans from the book 'Punk : London 77' by Derek Ridgers.
I met up with Sex Pistol Glen Matlock at this event.
I introduced Glen to Sir Paul Smith.
After founding his company in 1970 with one shop, Paul Smith now has more than 300 shops worldwide
with an annual turnover of £200m.
Other guests here included Suzy Menkes (Vogue editor),Dylan Jones(GQ editor),
Stephen Jones (milliner who designs stunning hats for Ascot etc),
Harold Tillman (ex head of The British Fashion Council).
There were some basic white t-shirts for sale with an image from the book.
These were priced at a staggering £80...you get better at Primark for £8.
The free exhibition is on until Mon 13 June for London Collections: Men weekend.
Complimentary champers,cocktails and beers for all guests.
www.paulsmith.co.uk
Visit the Paul Smith website for more info.
then
8.15pm to 10.15pm
The Class of 76 - private view - Gallery Different,14 Percy Street,London W1.
Around 200 folks at this gallery just north of Tottenham Court Road with some standing outside.
Glen Matlock and myself went to this event straight from the other bash.
Nice to see lots of my old punk rock chums here.
My old mucker Frank Malone has put together some stunning collages of legendary punk bands.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Punk in the UK, PunkArt have put together 'The Class of '76', a mixed media exhibition of collage and prints featuring the first wave of bands that created what we now recognise as the last rebellion, where music and fashion youth culture collided. The groups featured in the show are the instigators of this movement. Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Damned, Siouxsie and The Banshees, The Buzzcocks, Generation X, and The Stranglers.
Artist Mal-One's work has been pulled together for the first time for this show.
A Punk Art Exhibition pop-up that will be here until Wed 15 June.
Prints available at very reasonable prices.
Complimentary presecco,wines and beers for all guests.
www.gallerydifferent.co.uk
Visit the Gallery Different website for more info.
www.punkart.co.uk
Visit the Punk Art website for more info.
www.eddielock.co.uk
Visit the Eddie Lock website for images of The Class of 76.
Wednesday 08 June 2016...6.15pm to 9pm...
Estiatorio Milos - Restaurant press review - 1 Regent Street,St James's,London SW1.
Recognized as one of the finest Mediterranean seafood restaurants in the world,
Estiatorio Milos has restaurants in Montreal,New York,Athens,Las Vegas,Miami and London.
The marble halls of Estiatorio Milos, sited in a grandiose listed building that was originally
British Columbia House, are busy and buzzy downstairs and we are seated upstairs.
A suitable stage has been set. Imposing wooden doors lead on to an amphora lying on the floor, giving the entrance the air of a stage set, and the white voile curtains in the large windows are kept in place by heads of garlic. Vast quantities of white marble have been used to create two different dining levels on the ground floor with a mezzanine above, which can host a further 80 customers, a private dining room, a raw fish counter and another for Greek cheeses.
They pride themselves in their fresh produce which is flown in daily from selected suppliers in The Med.
We had a full selection of bowls and small plates to taste which were very yummy.
Zucchini chips
Avgotaraho (Bottarga) & Aubergine
Greek Salad on a stick
Fried Baby Calamari
Raw Fish Platter
Oysters
Tzatziki with Cucumber
Taramasalata & Endive
Tirokafteri (Greek Spicy Feta Cheese) & Celery
Native Blue Oyster Pasta Bowls
Sea Salt Crusted Lavraki Mediterranean Sea Bass)
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Cheese Platter with Greek Honey & Nuts
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Loukoumades (Greek Honey Soaked Doughnuts)
Balsamic Marinated Strawberries
Fruit Skewers
Homemade Greek Yoghurt
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Drinks
Milos Royale Cocktails (includes Vodka,Ouzo,Blue Curaçao,Lemon Juice)
Greek Amalia Sparking Wine
Greek red & white wines
All guests got a nice goodie bag on departure.
The staff were first class as they fussed over us and explained the dishes to us.
My faves would have to be Fried Baby Calimari and the Native Blue Oyster Pasta Bowls.
The Loukoumades were amazing as they melted in your mouth.
The Milos Royal Cocktails certainly hit the spot.
A really enjoyable eating experience here and the high quality food and overall atmosphere could be
described as a Greek version of places like Sexy Fish and Chiltern Firehouse.
www.milos.ca
Visit the MILOS website for more info and reservations.
Wed 08 June---Gene Simmons Rock Show on BBC Radio 2...available on BBC iPlayer.
Wed 08 June---Gene Simmons has the front cover of The Big Issue magazine and the main interview.
Tuesday 07 June 2016...7pm to 10pm then afterparty to 12pm...
Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2016 - VIP preview/party - Royal Academy of Arts,Piccadilly,London W1.
A massive crowd of over 600 folks here with most paying £345 for their tickets.
A very smart crowd with lots of females in glamorous summer outfits.
This event is seen as the start of the summer season of social parties and events in London.
A jazz band in the stunning courtyard welcome us where all the photographers are gathered.
First person I see is Martin Fry who is the singer of great band ABC.
I went to the launch of their new chart album Lexicon Love || a few weeks ago and told Martin
about my website "he said tonight he loved it and that The Rolling Stones exhibition launch party looked good".
Martin said "Julien Temple who was at The Stones bash had done videos with ABC'.
Guests here included opera singer Katherine Jenkins wore a stunning gown.
Other guests here included Grayson Perry ( in full colour drag), Ron Arad, Gary Kemp(Spandau Ballet),
Alice Temperley, Nancy Dell'Olio,Henry Holland,Donna Air,Erin O'Connor,Alex James (Blur),
Ron Dennis (F1),Daisy Lowe , Nick Grimshaw, Jack Guinness , Jaime Winstone , Amber Le Bon,Kirsty Wark,
Matthew Williamson, while Princess Eugenie represented the royal family.
Lots of different rooms here full of art to look at and Charli XCX is the dj playing in one of the rooms.
An exhibition highlight for me was a stunning life size sculpture of IGGY POP...cost £92,000.
The main event finished at 9.30pm and then folks are in the courtyard.
Bands who have played in the courtyard in recent years included Beth Ditto and Kaiser Chiefs.
At 9.35pm ABC played a great five song 25 mins set in the beautiful courtyard.
1.All Of My Heart....my fave ABC song
2.Viva Love...the single off the new album
3.Viva Love...played again for the BBC tv cameras who are here
4.The Look Of Love
5.Poison Arrow
An excellent short but sweet set.
Really looking forward to seeing ABC play on their UK tour later in the year.
Lots of complimentary drinks and food for all the guests.
Drinks were Lanson champers,different cocktails and wine.
Lots of yummy food stations including a seafood one with lobster,oysters,crab,salmon etc.
Bacon butties from a van in the courtyard.
then
10pm to 12pm
Afterparty at The Keepers House Restaurant at The Royal Academy of Arts,Piccadilly,London W1.
Around 100 folks here for folks with afterparty wristband.
It got very lively with folks dancing along to the dj.
Complimentary Lanson champers,burgers and canapés for all guests.
A fun filled five hours at this great event.
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Tickets to the exhibition are £12 or £13.50 which includes a donation to The Royal Academy.
www.royalacademy.org.uk
Visit their website for more info and to buy tickets.
Monday 6 June 2016...6.45pm to 9pm...
DAVID BOWIE : Fame, Fashion, Photography - VIP private view - The Hub, Heddon Street, London, W1.
Three different photographers who took David Bowie photos host a joint collection.
Coinciding with the exhibition of the unseen images there will be an online auction of a selection of
27 prints taken by Chalkie Davies, Tony McGee and Denis O’Regan.
All proceeds raised will be donated to Cancer Research UK in David Bowie's memory.
The auction will be on until 6:30pm 19 June.
See the many sides to David Bowie at this Cancer Research exhibition of unseen photos. From the Thin White Duke, to Ziggy, David Jones and Aladdin Sane, Bowie's changing image is as much a part of music history as his music. Head to The Hub today to be one of the first to see the exhibition. Free, prebook a time slot, 11am, until 19 June.
A perfect location as it is opposite The David Bowie plaque to celebrate his famous album cover from 1972.
David Bowie was photographed in Heddon Street for 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the
Spiders From Mars' album cover in 1972, a record which catapulted him to fame.
The cover depicts 'Ziggy' (a jumpsuit-besuited, orange haired Bowie, with platform boots and a guitar slung over his shoulder) outside on a wet January night with his foot resting on a step outside 23 Heddon Street.
The late photographer Brian Ward, who was shooting pictures of the band in a makeshift photographic studio above the street, persuaded Bowie to step outside. The other band members thought it was too cold and declined to join him for the picture.
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Around 150 guests at this new gallery space.
Guests here included Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) and Gary Kemp ( Spandau Ballet).
Siouxsie Sioux arrived late at 8.15pm but she is still looking great.
I wished her a belated Happy Birthday as she shares the same day as me.
She said "Are you a May 27 Gemini as well?". I nodded.
I asked if she is bringing out any new material but nothing forthcoming from her.
I should have asked why she has not got involved in any of the 40 YEARS OF PUNK - LONDON
events as the girls from The Slits,The Raincoats ,Jordan and others are doing lots of stuff.
Spiders From Mars drummer Woody Woodmansey was here.
BBC Radio London Robert Elms is here(he gave Spandau Ballet their name).
Mike Pickering was here (ex M People and Manchester dj legend from The Hacienda ).
A couple of the big pr music folks are here...
Alan Edwards who looked after David Bowie and other big names like The Who.
He is going down to see The Who and Iggy Pop on Saturday at Isle Of Wight Festival.
I said i may see him down there as still thinking about that one.
He started 40 years ago looking after acts like The Stranglers and Johnny Thunders Heartbreakers.
Also here was Murray Chalmers who looks after Siouxsie Sioux,Kate Bush,Coldplay and others.
Complimentary prosecco,two different Grey Goose vodka cocktails and canapés from the nearby
Heddon Street Kitchen restaurant.
www.cancerressearchuk.org
Visit the images on the Cancer Research website and to book free tickets.
Monday 06 May 2016.
Today's widely read free newspaper The Standard reviews from the weekend of London gigs.
AC/DC got 4 stars
Bruce Springsteen got 5 stars
Sunday 05 June 2016.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND live at Wembley Stadium,London...sold out...
The Boss and The E Street Band will be playing 'The River' double album from 1980 in full.
UPDATE on 04 May 2016 --- Steven Van Zant has revealed they will NOT be playing the album in full.
I have seen Bruce Springsteen around 20 times since 1975 when i was at both his legendary
debut UK shows at Hammersmith Odeon and i have seen him at least once on every UK tour since.
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The sunshine has come out for The Boss today.
I have a great view in the gold circle area just a few rows from the front of stage on the right.
The big screens are here but I barely look at them I am so close.
Bruce and his incredible band take to the stage at 6.20pm and play a long set as usual with
them being on stage for a whopping 3 hours 30 mins.
It's not long before Bruce is down front of stage on the first of many walkabouts revelling in a mass of
reaching,clawing and grabbing hands from his adoring fans down the front.
He even goes out to the outer area of the gold circle to perform in front of general pitch standing.
Many have brought cardboard song requests for Bruce to select.
Tonight a young girl gets picked to go on stage with her song request 'Waitin' On A Sunny Day' and sing along.
He picked out a sparkly well presented sign for 'Tougher Than The Rest' and joked this is a good sign.
He then dedicated the song to boxing legend M.Ali who had died the day before.
So many fantastic songs played tonight and he is changing the set a bit for every show.
Bruce is a bundle of energy but longtime E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg must get a special mention
as at aged 65 he pounded the drums for 3 hours 30 mins...respect is due...
Bruce downs a pint during one of the sax solos.
Like Axl Rose and others he has a lyrics teleprompter which no doubt helped for the ragged spontaneity
of 'I'll Work For Your Love' which was played for the first time on this tour.
The last hour was remarkable with a stunning encore section of classics that made the stadium bounce.
It was an incredible night and the best gig of the year for me as it was just a perfect 10/10 live show.
Full setlist played tonight....
Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street? (Solo Piano, Tour Debut)
Seeds (Tour Debut)
Johnny 99
Wrecking Ball
The Ties That Bind
Sherry Darling
Hungry Heart
No Surrender. (Sign request)
Be True (Sign request)
Candy's Room (Sign request)
She's the One
My City of Ruins
I'll Work for Your Love (Solo Acoustic, Sign request, Tour Debut)
Spirit in the Night
Out in the Street
You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)
Death to My Hometown
American Skin (41 Shots)
The River
The Promised Land
Darlington County
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
Tougher Than the Rest (Sign request)
Because the Night (Patti Smith Group cover)(lyrics by Bruce and Patti)
The Rising
Badlands
Encore:
Jungleland (Sign request)
Born to Run
Dancing in the Dark
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Shout (The Isley Brothers cover)
Bobby Jean
Encore 2:
Thunder Road (Solo Acoustic)
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