News and Reviews: 8th July 2016
Thursday 07 July 2016...3pm to 11pm...House Festival 2016 at Marble Hill House & Gardens,Richmond Road,Twickenham,Middlesex.
Private members club SOHO HOUSE hold their annual summer party where around 8000 folks have paid
£228 each that includes 12 bands split between 6 name bands on the main stage and 6 new acts
on the smaller stage as well as free booze and food from all the many stands here.
The sets are from 30 mins to 60 mins each.
Also included in the ticket was a full funfair including dodgem cars.
Like Glastonbury the tickets sell out pronto without the bands being confirmed until nearer the date.
Most of the bands do not even mention they are playing here on their websites.
The drinks included Collet champers,prosecco,a choice of different cocktails,wines and beers.
Also Jaxe Coconut drinks,a full range of coffees.
Food included lobster,grilled chicken,pork pies,Churros,Gelato Gusto ice-cream,waffles,
Neil Rankin duck wraps,tacos,hot dogs and Dirty Burger.
Girls can get complementary nails done and hair makeover.
Half the folks are not even that bothered about the live music.
Lots of corporate entertainment tents from the likes of YouTube,Google,Samsung,Yahoo,UKTV,
ITV,Conde Nast,TalkTalk,Sky tv,BBC Worldwide and others.
I spotted Sophie Ellis-Bextor walking around with her hubby Richard Jones from The Feeling.
ROISON MURPHY was on from 3.20pm for a 30 mins set.
This is the third time I have seen her this year and she gets better and better.
Each song has a different wacky head-dress and is visually great to watch.
A nice electro pop set including Moloko hits 'Forever More' and 'Sing It Back'.
JOHN NEWMAN was on from 5.25pm for a 35 mins set.
He has the full band with three member brass section and two female backing vocals.
He has a stunning white boy soul voice and finished his set with three big hits
'Blame','Come And Get It ' and 'Love Me Again'.
JESS GLYNNE was on from 6.40pm for a 45 mins set.
She finished with her big hit 'Rather Be' and the crowd loved her set.
Jess plays a UK arena headline tour later in the year.
NOTHING BUT THIEVES were on from 7.25pm for a 35 mins set.
They are the only band I see on the second stage.
I saw them support Muse earlier in the year and again they play a rockin' show.
TINIE TEMPAH is on at 8pm for a 50 mins set.
There is no band ,just a dj and backing tracks.
He played big hits including 'Pass Out' and 'Written In The Stars'.
Each act had a guest presenter from tv or radio including Ant and Dec,Jo Whiley,Dave Berry
Nick Grimshaw but a nice surprise that James Cordon is back in the UK to introduce Kylie.
KYLIE MINOGUE was the headliner and she played an excellent 60 mins set from 9.35pm.
Kylie has a full production with big screen and dancers.
Kylie looks stunning for the age of 48 and is such a professional performer as she gets stuck into
the stage routines with that amazing smile of hers.
Full Kylie setlist played tonight...
Better the Devil You Know
What Do I Have to Do?
Wow
Step Back in Time
Spinning Around
Slow
Can't Get You Out of My Head
I Should Be So Lucky
The Loco-Motion (Carole King cover)
Kids (Robbie Williams cover) (with John Newman)
Love at First Sight
Celebration (Kool & The Gang cover)
All the Lovers
Into the Blue
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If only all festivals were like this one.
Wednesday 06 July 2016...7.30pm to 12pm...
The Serpentine Gallery Summer Party - Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, London, W2.
Tommy Hilfiger is tonight's host and is here the entire night.
One of the hottest tickets in the London social summer season with most here paying £375 to be here.
As usual a superb mix of folks from music,theatre,film,sport,tv,models,etc.
A big crowd as there are 1200 folks on the guest list with loads of glammed up females in stunning dresses.
They had a big screen at the back showing the Wales v Portugal game.
I watched the second half with around 100 other folks including tennis legend Boris Becker.
Music folks here included Sir Tom Jones,Dame Shirley Bassey,Sharleen Spiteri and i had chats with
Gary Kemp from Spandau Ballet and Alan Edwards who is head of Outside music pr whose clients include David Bowie.
Late arrivals included Rita Ora and ex The Clash bass player Paul Simonon.
The annual Serpentine Gallery summer party drew a predictably A-list crowd with Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Ellie Goulding, Georgia May Jagger and Thandie Newton joining this year's host and sponsor Tommy Hilfiger. Fearne Cotton, Noomi Rapace, Laura Bailey, Laura Whitmore, Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams and Australian director Baz Luhrman (in town to promote his new Netflix series The Get Down) also turned out to the anticipated party, where this year's temporary 'unzipped wall' pavilion was unveiled. Models Lily Donaldson, Immy Waterhouse, Toni Garrn, Arizona Muse and Erin O'Connor mingled with London's society girls Chelsy Davy, Charlotte Dellal, Cressida Bonas and Donna Air, while 2 Many DJs took to the decks to provide the night's entertainment. Turner-prize winning artist Grayson Perry put in a late appearance, after a quick stop at the Art Fund Prize, and other VIPs spotted in the grounds of Kensington Gardens included Alice Temperley, Jackie St Clair, Amanda Wakeley,Lady Victoria Hervey,Stephen Webster,David Furnish and Bella Freud.
Within the new structure there are 100 giant balloons which were fun to walk through.
There was a fun photo booth as well.
We had a calypso band playing for 30 mins who got folks dancing.
Lots of complimentary food and drinks here including Laurent Perrier champers,
a choice of half a dozen cocktails, wines,beers,bowl food,small plates,canapés and ice-cream.
An excellent event.
Tuesday 05 July 2016...another sad death to report...
Ron Watts - 100 Club Promoter, R.I.P. aged 73
Very sad to hear news that legendary promoter Ron Watts has passed away. He was pivotal in original punk scene, being the first to spot the Sex Pistols potential when he saw them as support group at Wycombe art college and booked them for his 100 Club in London. He went on to put on the famous first punk festival there in Sept 1976 ( I was there).
Also many fantastic groups like The Jam, Clash, Damned, Banshees etc have him to thank for putting them on first.
Ron brought out a biography which i got signed by him at the launch event a few years ago.
Tuesday 05 July 2016...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 8.30pm
Still: ALAN SILFEN & LIONEL RICHIE - launch party - 45 Park Lane, Park Lane, London, W1.
Around 100 folks here in the posh first floor bar of this five star hotel.
Alan Silfen has taken many photos of Lionel over the past 40 years since meeting Lionel at a
Commodores concert in North Carolina.
They are all over the walls of this cosy plush bar.
Photos include Lionel with Frank Sinatra,Muhammed Ali, Lenny Kravitz,Elton John and Princess Diana.
Lionel Richie is here for an hour and is super friendly and chatty to all.
Lionel Richie is in London this week to play three shows at The 02 Arena...I went on Saturday.
Alan was there on stage taking photos of Lionel at The 02 Arena.
In an interview here recorded for tv Lionel said ' I've known Al for many years and he has become part
of the family. He's an amazing artist as well as a friend and godfather to my kids'.
I get my photo taken with Lionel Richie.
Surprisingly no other musicians here as it was more Lionel's inner sanctum of managers and pr etc.
Lionel's wife was here.
His UK promoter Barrie Marshall from Marshall Arts is here.
52 year old banking heir Matthew Mellon was here.
Mellon's drug usage increased according to his ex-wife, who said in a story she wrote for The Daily Mail that he would go missing for days at a time and suffered from 'paranoid delusions of cocaine psychosis.'
He had already used huge amounts of the 13 trust funds he inherited aged 21 on cocaine and parties before he met his wife and was found during their marriage at points freebasing cocaine in the kitchen and once in a crack dens in Notting Hill.
The American heir to a £4 billion oil and banking dynasty was "totally incapable" of dealing with his money and "missed planes like other people missed buses", his ex wife said.
All guests enjoyed complimentary Laurent Perrier champers and nice food including mini-burgers,
crab sandwiches and canapés.
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An exclusive collection of unseen photographs by US photographer Alan Silfen chronicling Lionel Richie’s career will be exhibited at Bar 45 from July 4 – 29. The photographs by Silfen show the close relationship he has experienced with Lionel from the 80’s to the present day, depicting iconic moments such as Lionel’s recent Glastonbury performance as well as candid shots with Princess Diana, Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner and LL Cool J.
Exhibition is on from July 4 – July 29, 2016.
The photos are for sale for a hefty £2000 upwards.
then
8.45pm to 11.30pm
Tramp London - summer party - Tramp, 40 Jermyn Street, London, SW1.
Around 300 folks at this famous nightclub that opened back in 1969.
Peter Sellers, Joan Collins, Liza Minnelli and Ringo Starr have all had their wedding receptions at the glitzy club. Infamous stories that took place under the Tramp chandeliers include a young Shirley MacLaine falling asleep on top of a table overnight, The Who's Keith Moon dancing naked on the dance floor, and comedian Mel Brooks getting on all fours and running around under the tables barking like a dog.
A nice buzzy atmosphere with a dj and folks dancing and a live sax player walking between the crowd.
All guests enjoyed complimentary Louis Roederer champers,gin cocktails,wines and canapés.
We always have a fun time at Tramp.
As well a nightclub you can have dinner here and hire out an area just for yourselves.
www.tramp.co.uk
Visit the Tramp website for more info.
Monday 04 July 2016.
Win tickets to see The Glen Matlock Band this Saturday at The Brooklyn Bowl @ The 02 Arena.
See the above upcoming highlights page entry for Saturday 09 July for how to enter.
Monday 04 July 2016.
July 2016 is 60 years since the first UK album chart was put together.
Here are the top 25 best selling albums of the past 60 years in the UK.
1. Greatest Hits – Queen
2. Gold: Greatest Hits – ABBA
3. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – Beatles
4. 21 – Adele
5. What’s the Story Morning Glory – Oasis
6. Thriller – Michael Jackson
7. The Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
8. Brothers in Arms – Dire Straits
9. Bad – Michael Jackson
10. Greatest Hits II – Queen
11. Rumours – Fleetwood Mac
12. The Immaculate Collection – Madonna
13. Back to Black – Amy Winehouse
14. Stars – Simply Red
15. Come On Over – Shania Twain
16. Legend – Bob Marley & the Wailers
17. Back to Bedlam – James Blunt
18. Urban Hymns – Verve
19. Bat Out of Hell – Meat Loaf
20. 1 – Beatles
21. Bridge Over Trouble Water – Simon & Garfunkel
22. Dirty Dancing – Original Soundtrack, Various Artists
23. Spirit – Leona Lewis
24. Crazy Love – Michael Buble
25. No Angel – Dido
Monday 04 July 2016.
I saw The Ramones play their first ever London show 40 years ago today.
Flamin' Groovies + Ramones + Stranglers live at The Roundhouse 04 July 1976.
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SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE is due to finally re-open after roof renovation.
It has been closed since Dec 2015......The first show will be Band of Horses on Tues 05 July.
Saturday 02 July 2016.
Lionel Richie + Corinne Bailey Rae live at The 02 Arena,London.
Lionel Richie plays the first of three shows at The 02 Arena.
Lionel is back in the UK after the massive success of his Glastonbury Festival show last year.
I first saw him live in 1978 at Hammersmith Odeon when he was with The Commodores.
I have seen him solo a dozen times with the last time being at The Henley Music Festival last year.
Expect lots of hits from the Lionel Richie solo career and from his time with The Commodores.
He has sold over 100 million records.
He was one of the biggest acts in the world in the 1980s.
Support comes from Corinne Bailey Rae whose comeback album 'The Heart Speaks In Whispers' has gone
straight in at number 31 in the American Charts and hit number 14 in the UK charts.
She is best known for her number two hit from 2006 'Put Your Records On'.
She has been all over the tv and radio in the UK promoting the album.
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Tonight this huge arena is rammed solid with a buzzing Saturday night atmosphere.
CORINNE BAILEY RAE is on from 8pm to 8.30pm for 30 mins.
She has been given two of the five big screens.
Just six songs played including her big hit 'Put Your Records On'.
Corinne oozes charisma and has a kind of Sade vibe about her.
She said she would be signing her album by Block 110 in the interval.
Full setlist played by Corinne Bailey Rae tonight...
Been to the Moon
Paris Nights/New York Mornings
Stop Where You Are
Put Your Records On
Like a Star
The Skies Will Break
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LIONEL RICHIE is from 9pm to 10.45pm for 1 hour 45 mins.
Lionel has five big screens across the entire back of the stage.
As the loud announcement of “Hello” predictably echoes out through the arena as an introduction, Lionel Richie struts onstage to a thunderstorm of flashing lights and sound effects.
This tour promises “all the hits” and from the off that’s what is delivered.
He's not just a singer – he's a showman pure and simple. Richie's beaming smile and charisma has a blast radius that reaches the furthest corner of the arena and leaves every single person in the crowd dancing,
singing and feeling great about life.
The middle aged folks love Lionel as he has had so many big songs over the past 40 years.
Lots of fun & friendly banter from Lionel with the crowd...a bit too much sometimes...
Funny how there are more black people working at the venue than black folks who have bought tickets.
Pretty much every song we have a 'people cam' catching folks unawares in the crowd.
I remember buying 'Three Times A Lady' for my girlfriend way back in 1978.
Lionel Richie is always great live.
Full Lionel Richie setlist played tonight...
Running With the Night
Penny Lover
Easy (Commodores song)
Ballerina Girl
You Are
Still (Commodores song)
Oh No (Commodores song)
Stuck on You
Brick House / Fire (Commodores song)
Three Times a Lady (Commodores song)
Sail On (Commodores song)
Lady (You Bring Me Up) (Commodores song)
Endless Love (Diana Ross & Lionel Richie cover)
Angel
My Destiny
Say You, Say Me
Dancing on the Ceiling
Hello
We Are the World (U.S.A. for Africa cover) (written by Lionel Richie & Michael Jackson)
Encore :
All Night Long (All Night)
Saturday 02 July 2016....another sad death...
Comedian Caroline Aherne has died from cancer at aged 52, her publicist has confirmed.
The star and writer of The Royle Family and Mrs Merton was diagnosed with lung cancer last year having previously recovered from eye and bladder cancer. She passed away at her home in Timperley, Greater Manchester.
Aherne was married to Peter Hook of the rock band New Order from 1994 until 1997. During their marriage, he appeared in her TV series as leader of Hooky & the Boys, the house band of The Mrs Merton Show.
Friday 01 July 2016.
AEG BARCLAYCARD BRITISH SUMMER TIME.
Massive Attack + Patti Smith Band live at Hyde Park,London.
Massive Attack are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their 1991 classic album 'Blue Lines'.
I first saw Massive Attack in 1996 supporting Bjork(Phoenix Festival) and The Sex Pistols (Milan,Italy).
To be honest i am here mainly to see Patti Smith rather than the headliners.
I first saw Patti Smith at The Roundhouse 40 years ago in May 1976 which was pretty much the first
major punk show in London.
PATTI SMITH BAND are onstage for around 60 mins.
Her band still features Lenny Kaye and her son.
Patti is now aged 69 but is still full of pure passion as she rants on Governments,Corporations,
Pollution,Freedom,Gun Control and even Julian Assange.
The last 15 mins was mesmerising as she got stuck into 'Because The Night', 'Land' and 'Gloria'.
A great set.
Full Patti Smith setlist played tonight...
Footnote to Howl (Allen Ginsberg cover)
Dancing Barefoot (Patti Smith Group song)
Frederick (Patti Smith Group song)
Free Money
Ghost Dance (Patti Smith Group song)
When Doves Cry (Prince cover)
Summer Cannibals
Beneath the Southern Cross
Pissing in a River (Patti Smith Group song)
Because the Night (Patti Smith Group song)
Land
Gloria (Them cover)
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We get some drops of rain during the interval but then a perfect rainbow arrives over the stage.
MASSIVE ATTACK arrive on stage at 8.45pm and play for 1 hour 40 mins.
It is not a 65,000 capacity sold out crowd but it looks a decent three quarters full.
They have a nice set of big screens with the main centre screen showing images and slogans
and the side screens showing live footage.
As you can imagine the band are not happy about the UK voting to leave the EU.
They have half a dozen guest vocalists including Young Fathers and Tricky.
The first hour ticked along ok as they sounded good but wasn't really that exciting.
The highlight of their set was the two big tunes at the end with Deborah Miller on vocals
which were 'Safe From Harm' and 'Unfinished Sympathy'.
Good to see them again but Patti Smith got my vote tonight.
Full Massive Attack setlist played tonight...
United Snakes
Risingson
Ritual Spirit (with Azekel)
Future Proof
Eurochild (First time live since 18th September 1998)
Pray for Rain (with Babatunde Adebimpe)
Angel (with Horace Andy)
Voodoo in My Blood (with Young Fathers)
White Men Are Black Too (Young Fathers cover) (with Young Fathers)
Sing (Young Fathers cover) (with Young Fathers)
He Needs Me (with Young Fathers)
Inertia Creeps
Take It There (with Tricky)
Safe From Harm (with Deborah Miller)
Encore:
Unfinished Sympathy (with Deborah Miller)(with string section)
Friday 01 July 2016.
EURO 2016.
Wales 3 Belguim 1
An incredible result by Wales as they march into the semi-finals.
Thursday 30 June 2016...I went to two events tonight...
5.30pm to 6.30pm
Sainsburys Christmas Press Show - London.
This time of year many of the big stores and brands showcase their upcoming Christmas products.
Sainsburys have done an amazing job of transforming this space into a mini Sainsburys store at Christmas.
Tv presenter Gok Wan is here as he has a clothing range with them.
We have a drinks display ,food displays,beauty room, home furnishings room,fashion room,gift room.
Lots of really nice food tastings with my fave being the salmon infused with beet root.
A bar had complimentary drinks including Sainsburys champers and Negroni drinks.
Visit the SAINSBURYS website for more info.
All guests got a goodie bag with Sainsburys items in.
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then
8pm to 12pm.
US Ambassador's Independence Day Party - Winfield House, Outer Circle, Regent's Park, London, NW1.
Winfield House is a mansion set in 12 acres of grounds in Regent's Park, the second largest private garden in central London, after that of Buckingham Palace. Since 1955, it has been the official residence of the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. It is Grade II listed as an "exceptional ambassador's residence and as a notable Neo-Georgian town house containing numerous features of note.
The host tonight was US Ambassador Matthew Barzun and his wife Brooke who are big music fans.
This really was a major event.
I arranged the guest list for the four of us which included SEX PISTOLS drummer Paul Cook
and his daughter Hollie.
We get to the venue 7.45pm and there is a massive queue. I thought guest list was 1000 but it is 4000.
As you can imagine top level security so it is photo ID and metal body detectors and armed police.
You get to the garden which has the wow factor as it is pretty much a mini music festival with tents.
There is complimentary food and drinks everywhere with cartons of food,burgers, hot dogs along with
American classics such as Krispy Creme Donuts,Ben & Jerrys ice-cream and Starbucks coffee.
Around 10 different cocktails here along with wines and beers.
We have an introduction from Matthew then we have a singer sing the UK National Anthem
then another singer sings the U.S. National Anthem.
We have a dj playing tunes between the acts.
On the main stage we had the big names and a big screen showing their videos as they played.
SQUEEZE were on from 8.55pm to 9.40pm for a 45 mins set.
I have seen Squeeze over 20 times since 1978.
Their show from Glastonbury Festival was a tv highlight.
When they first came out they were called the next Lennon & McCartney due to their sharp brilliant lyrics.
They played a great set with lots of classic oldies and a couple of good new tracks.
Political tv presenter Robert Peston was down the front for Squeeze.
Full Squeeze setlist played tonight...
Nirvana
Up The Junction
Is That Love
Cradle To The Grave
Open
Tempted
Cool For Cats
Happy Days
Slap And Tickle
Goodbye Girl
Take Me I'm Yours
Encore
Pulling Mussels (with the US Ambassador on tambourine)
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BASTILLE were on from 10.10pm to 11pm for 50 mins.
They are mainly for the younger females here and play a decent indie pop set which included a couple of
cover versions and ended with their big hit 'Pompeii'.
It drizzled a bit with rain during their set but nothing too much.
After their set finished we had a massive firework display that lasted several minutes.
A pretty amazing garden party.
Wednesday 29 June 2016.
HEART + FM live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
Heart with the 67 piece The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra play The Royal Albert Hall.
Heart are playing their first UK tour for 12 years with support from 80s British melodic rockers FM.
Heart are one of those American bands that rarely play the UK but i was at their last London show
which was at Hammersmith Apollo in June 2004.
Heart had eight Top 40 hits in the UK in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
They have sold over 35 million albums worldwide.
Heart's 16th album,' Beautiful Broken' , has been officially scheduled for a July 8 release date.
Expect a couple of Led Zeppelin covers at the end of their set.
I saw FM five times as a support act at Hammersmith Odeon in the late 1980s and as a headline act
at Hammersmith Odeon in 1989.
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I have a nice box seat in Level 1 on the left of stage.
By the time Heart come on the venue is full.
FM take the stage at 7.30pm for a mere 35 mins set.
They played seven good catchy radio friendly rock tunes.
None of their singles made the Top 40 so the big hit always eluded them.
Full FM setlist played tonight...
Digging Up the Dirt
I Belong to the Night
Life Is a Highway
Let Love Be the Leader
That Girl
Burning My Heart Down
Bad Luck
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HEART take to the stage at 8.35pm and are on stage for 90 mins.
90 mins felt a bit short for a band who have been away from these shores a long time and
have loads of material to choose from.
Lots of couples and rock chick looking females here in the crowd.
Heart are still led by Ann Wilson on lead vocals and Nancy Wilson on a couple of lead vocals.
The orchestra come on at the second track and are there for around half the set.
Ann's vocals are still nice and strong and Nancy still has that cute blonde look.
Really great to hear the classic hits again but the new album tracks plodded a bit.
Although there was no big screen the show was filmed by half a dozen cameras so
could easily be a live DVD in the future.
A good show but it felt too short.
Full Heart setlist played tonight...
Magic Man
Heaven (with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
Dreamboat Annie (with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
What About Love (Toronto cover) (with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
I Jump (with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
Sweet Darlin' (with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
Two (Ne-Yo cover)
These Dreams (with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)
Alone (I-Ten cover) (with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) (Acoustic)
Beautiful Broken
Mashallah
Crazy on You
Encore:
Sand (Lovemongers cover)
No Quarter (Led Zeppelin cover)
Barracuda
Encore 2:
Kick It Out
Wednesday 29 June 2016.
One of the things that really spoils live concerts these days is that half the people there don’t seem to want to watch it live at all – they’d rather watch it through their phone screen, holding the device up and blocking the view of those behind them. This is a problem Apple is seeking to solve in a patent first applied for in 2011 and granted today …
The patent describes the camera detecting an infrared signal and interpreting the data. One signal could be used to disable both still photography and video recording.
For example, an infrared emitter can be located in areas where picture or video capture is prohibited, and the emitter can generate infrared signals with encoded data that includes commands to disable the recording functions of devices. An electronic device can then receive the infrared signals, decode the data and temporarily disable the device’s recording function based on the command.
The same approach could be used to prevent video recording in movie theatres, and to block photography in sensitive locations.
Tuesday 28 June 2016...6.45pm to 11.30pm...
HEIST BANK - bar & pizza restaurant launch party - 5 North Wharf Road,Paddington,London W2.
This huge venue is by Paddington Basin which is a few mins behind the famous St Mary’s hospital.
Like the Kings Cross re-generation the part of Paddington where the canal starts has been
getting a facelift the past few years with many great bars & restaurants.
Vodafone moved their HQ to the area and more are coming.
Its name may suggest that it's some sort of themed restaurant - but that doesn't appear to be the case
with this Paddington restaurant that comes from the same people as Coin Laundry.
Instead, it's an all-day bar and restaurant - with a speciality in pizza - and a florist for good measure. Food wise, they'll have a big wood-fired pizza oven which will mainly feature local cheeses, cured meats and seasonal toppings. As well as these, there will be slow roasted lamb, steak and trout, all cooked in the wood burning oven too. And there's soft ice cream for dessert, courtesy of a "Mr Whippy" machine. And they'll have an in-house artisan florist from Botanique, who also have a flower shop on Exmouth Market.
It's a big old place at 6,000 square feet and there will be seats for 50 by the canal too. And if you're holding a party - they have a room in the basement for 45, with karaoke, old Nintendos and self-service beer kegs.
We get there early and find a nice table in the corner before it got busy.
A nice buzzy atmosphere with tunes playing fairly loudly in the background.
There is a pool table and table football.
The in-house florist was popular with the girls as they made their own flower headbands.
There was lots of great food and drinks here.
We tasted slices of all their pizza with my fave being the mushroom and garlic.
We had some nice ice-creams for dessert with my fave being the Pimms flavour.
Half a dozen different cocktails for all guests until midnight.
My faves were the espresso martini ,gin & bramble and a yummy bourbon cocktail.
An extensive choice of draft beers---I counted around 20 of them...
Even though it was a busy large crowd the staff did a great job.
It was a very enjoyable evening here.
We left at 11.30pm and it was still buzzing and the drinks were still flowing.
www.heistbank.com
Visit the Heist Bank website here for more info.
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I was on the guest list for another event but sadly could not make as it was at the same time as the above.
HARVEY NICHOLS and OXO has created an exclusive cocktail menu with BLOOM Gin that is the
perfect accompaniment to a warm summer’s day.
Head up to the 8th floor and enjoy one (or more) of our exclusive gin cocktails, created by bartender Sophie Bratt in partnership with BLOOM Gin and inspired by English country gardens.
Six different cocktails priced at £13 each.
BLOOM Gin is a delicate and floral London Dry Gin which blends three botanicals: honeysuckle, chamomile and pomelo. It’s the perfect base for creating a refreshing and light cocktail menu that can be sipped throughout summer.
The BLOOM Gin cocktail menu will be available at the OXO Tower Bar from Monday 20 June till Sunday 21st August.
Come rain or shine. But hopefully shine.
www.harveynichols.com
Visit the Harvey Nichols website for more info on Bloom Bar at OXO Tower.
Tuesday 28 June 2016....another sad death...
Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty Moore has died at his home in Nashville. He was 84.
Moore was teamed up with Presley by Sam Phillips, boss of the singer’s record label Sun,
and played guitar on Presley’s first single ‘That’s All Right (Mama)’ in 1954.
He played on many tracks after that and also appeared in Elvis Presley films at the time.
I saw Scotty a couple of times with his own band with the first being in 1999 at The Mean Fiddler.
Tuesday 28 June 2016.
Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis said of this years festival
"I've never seen mud like this in my whole life.This is worse than in 1997".
"In my 46 years,it hasn't been as bad as this".
1997 was previously said to be the worst ever for mud.
1997 was the last time I attended Glastonbury.
Monday 27 June 2016...6.15pm to 9.45pm...
SUSHI and ROBATA - restaurant launch party - The Barkers Building ,63 Kensington High Street,London W8.
This restaurant is on the first floor of WHOLE FOODS where there is half a dozen restaurants.
Sushi and Robata is the synthesis of the Genji journey to date. They employ the traditional methods with a thoroughly modern approach using the freshest, locally sourced sustainable ingredients.Japanese style barbecue and signature sushi.
At Sushi and Robata the traditional and the new is intertwined in the bustling heart of West London.
Found in the heart of Kensington's heralded Whole Foods store, Sushi and Robata will be serving up a top selection of robatayaki bites and Asian plates alongside a roster of specially curated craft beers and other drinks.
While a health food store may not be the most obvious place for a restaurant sitting, Sushi and Robata will be transforming their clean and minimalistic plot into a sought after space for Japanese fare, and sushi yakitori at its finest.
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Around 100 folks here who are all seated in this brand new restaurant.
Lots of complimentary food & drinks.
The hot and cold food here including black cod really was top notch and tasted great.
Drinks were presecco, Aperol Spritz, Vodka/Sake/Elderflower cocktails,wines and Japanese beers.
The staff were great as they fussed around us and brought all the food & drink to us so we never
had to leave our seats.
A really enjoyable evening.
Monday 27 June 2016.
EURO 2016...England 1 Iceland 2.
England suffered their worst humiliation since they were knocked out of the 1950 World Cup by USA in Brazil as Iceland shocked them in the last 16 of Euro 2016.
Manager Roy Hodgson resigned after the abject embarrassment of losing to a nation ranked 34th in the world - and with a population of just 330,000 - despite taking the lead through Wayne Rooney's fourth-minute penalty.
Two years ago in the World Cup we were awful and yet again our football team is a total disgrace.
Sunday 26 June 2016.
A friend and visitor to this site from Israel has put together a great collection of rock tracks on his new album.
"Very Heepy Very Purple V":
Highlights include 'Wanna Play Like Richie Blackmore'.
DEEP PURPLE URIAH HEEP Rainbow Iron Maiden influenced new album
listen to it here
All the tracks are up there in full.
Sunday 26 June---Happy Birthday to punk legend Mick Jones ex The Clash who is 61 today.
Saturday 25 June 2016.
Beck + Chic featuring Nile Rodgers live at Fulham Palace,London SW6.
Chic’s Nile Rodgers has announced the launch of a new pan-genre London festival, FOLD, with the first event set for June 2016 and featuring acts such as Labrinth,Beck and John Newman co-headlining with Chic on each of its three nights.
Taking place at Fulham Palace in SW London, the historic home of the Bishop Of London, from June 24-26, the event promises to be a genre-spanning event over themed nights and booked personally by Rodgers, inspired by an eleven-hour ‘tribute’ show he performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2012.
The outdoor venue will have a capacity of 5000 each day.
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This historic venue is normally used for wedding receptions and private events.
We had a bit of rain going in and as soon as Nile Rodgers appeared the rain stopped and the sun came out.
Despite the small venue there is still a Gold Circle so we are in there the entire evening.
There is a big screen mixing live footage and pre-recorded images for all the acts.
I first saw Chic in 1979 at Hammersmith Odeon during their disco heyday.
CHIC featuring NILE RODGERS were on from 6.30pm to 7.50pm for an 80 mins set.
Nile is smiling away and it is clear everyone is in a party mood as many Chic classics are played mixed in
with tracks that Nile has produced for other artists.
Nile gave an emotional speech on how he kicked cancer five years ago and made a pledge to himself
to play as many shows around the world as he could as life is too short.
A great set.
Full Chic setlist played tonight...
Everybody Dance
Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)
I Want Your Love
I'm Coming Out (Diana Ross cover)
Upside Down (Diana Ross cover)
He's the Greatest Dancer (Sister Sledge cover)
We Are Family (Sister Sledge cover)
Soup for One
Notorious (Duran Duran cover)
I'll be There
Get Lucky (Daft Punk cover)
Chic Cheer
My Forbidden Lover
Let's Dance (David Bowie cover)
Le Freak
Good Times (with Sugar Hill Gang rap)
---------------------------------
Beck has had 10 Top 40 hits but has been very quiet the past few years.
His classic album 'Odelay' celebrates 20 years since it's release in 1996.
It sold over 2 million copies worldwide.
I first saw Beck in 1997 when he played The Glastonbury Festival.
Even Beck said he was a bit shocked when he arrived at the festival to find out he was coming on after Chic.
"How Do We Follow That?" he asked the crowd.
BECK was on from 8.50pm to 10pm for a 70 mins set.
Beck arrives on stage in a pink jacket and black hat.
No messing about as the first and third songs played are two of his biggest tracks.
He still has that cool for a white boy vibe with some funky indie pop and a great band.
He plays a hits based festival set tonight with a longer set promised for Brixton on Tuesday.
He has his own fans here so his set goes down great.
Highlights played tonight included...
Devil's Haircut
Black Tambourine
Loser
Billie Jean (Michael Jackson cover)
Ghettochip Malfunction (Hell Yes)
Qué Onda Güero
The New Pollution
Think I'm In Love (with Donna Summer - I Feel Love snippet)
Dreams
Sexx Laws
Encore:
Where It's At (with David Bowie - China Girl, Good Times - Chic, Prince - 1999 snippet)
Saturday 25 June 2016.
FU 2 number plate sells for an extraordinary sum
The “rather cheeky” private number plate FU 2 sold at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale
for the extraordinary sum of £152,700 yesterday.
Friday 24 June 2016.
A Tribute To Prince live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.
Autism Rocks, the UK-based charity, is honoring Prince with a tribute show featuring CeeLo Green,
Mark Ronson (dj set) and Morris Day & The Time and Larry Graham & Graham Central Station.
Just two years ago Prince performed as the headliner at the launch of the Autism Rocks charity in London.
This special concert is part of Autism Rocks ongoing effort to raise awareness and funds for autism research, while commemorating the late musical legend who did so much for the Autism Rocks charity.
--------------------------------
Still hard to believe that Prince is longer with us.
I am wearing a purple Prince t-shirt in tribute that i got at his last UK show.
We have wristbands for the vip/press area and AUTISM ROCKS have put on a full complimentary bar
so we have Moët champers,JD n cokes etc all the through the evening while watching the show...very nice...
The only face I saw here was soul singer Lemar.
We have a nice big screen showing images during acts and Prince videos between acts.
LARRY GRAHAM & GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION
In 2011, Graham Central Station opened for Prince on Prince's "Welcome 2 America" tour.
Larry Graham also attended the funeral of Prince.
Larry Graham is dressed all in white and looking a cool dude.
He is on early at 7.05pm for a mere 25 mins.
He played Prince songs including '1999','Alphabet Street' and 'Baby I'm A Star' and
Sly And The Family Stone 'Dance To The Music'.
CEELO GREEN is on from 7.50pm to 8.35pm for 45 mins.
A couple of weeks ago he headlined the London Palladium.
His set included his own hits 'Crazy' and 'Forget You/Fuck You' and 'Take Me With U ' (Prince),
'The Beautiful Ones' (Prince),'I Feel For You ' (Chaka Khan and written by Prince).
MORRIS DAY & THE TIME were on from 8.55pm to 9.55pm for 60 mins.
Morris Day was part of the Prince inner sanctum in the 1980s and was in the 'Purple Rain' film.
I saw Morris Day headline Hammersmith Odeon way back in 1988.
He is still super cool with his assistant bringing on a mirror to 'check his look'.
They played their own funky dance tunes including 'Jungle Love'.
MARK RONSON (DJ SET) is on from 10.10pm to 11pm
With a big light show behind him and the big screen showing images he plays Prince classics
and his own hit 'Uptown Funk' and classics by the likes of James Brown,Chaka Khan and Amy Winehouse.
Lots of dancing done tonight and a very enjoyable evening.
Thursday 23 June 2016.
The Rich Kids and The Professionals live at The Academy,Islington,London.
FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY - First Time Ever They Have Played On The Same Bill.
The Sex Pistols may not be playing this year but how about this for a one-off double header
special featuring two Sex Pistols members.
The Rich Kids featuring GLEN MATLOCK and The Professionals featuring PAUL COOK.
Two post-Pistols bands from the late 1970s.
For the first time since the Steve New Testimonial in 2010, which was The Rich Kids first show for over
30 years,Midge, Glen and Rusty will take to the stage again to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the birth of Punk.
I attended the Steve New funeral in North London as we shared hotel rooms a couple of nights
when I toured with Glen Matlock & The Philistines when Steve New was playing guitar in the band.
UPDATE on 15 May - Gary Kemp from Spandau Ballet will be playing guitar with The Rich Kids.
The Rich Kids line up will be - Midge Ure vocals and guitar, Rusty Egan Drums,
Glen Matlock Bass and vocals, Gary Kemp guitar and James Hallawell keyboards.
The Professionals played their first London gig for over 30 years in 2015 at The 100 Club.
Like for that show Steve Jones has opted to stay in Los Angeles.
I was at both the above shows.
-----------------------------
Needless to say I was really looking forward to this show and got to the venue at 7.30pm
to catch all of both bands.
At the front was a female friend Ally ...so I stayed FRONT ROW right of stage with her the entire evening.
Respect to Ally who came all the way from Norwich and others who had come from Bristol , Brighton and Gosport.
Really nice to chat to so many friends here tonight who had braved the rain for this special event.
The Professionals take to the stage just after 8pm for a 12 song 50 mins set.
Loads of great catchy tunes from their heyday material and we have a new track called 'New Generation'.
This was first played at a couple of shows earlier in the year but it's the first time ever played in London.
Tom Spencer did a great job on vocals and hinted of more new material as Steve Jones has been sent
an MP3 to add some guitar parts too.
Ray McVeigh was prowling the stage with some trademark low slung guitar playing.
Paul Cook on drums and Paul Myers on bass both really seemed to be enjoying it.
A great set.
Full setlist played by The Professionals tonight...
Just Another Dream
Northern Slide
Payola
Too Far to Fall
Crescendo
New Generation
Friday Night Square
The Magnificent
Join the Professionals
1,2,3,
Kick Down the Doors
Silly Thing (Sex Pistols cover)
------------------------------
The Rich Kids arrive on stage just after 9.30pm for a 12 song 60 mins set.
Midge Ure in the middle flanked by Glen Matlock and Gary Kemp who are both wearing white jackets.
Through the show the main vocal duties are shared by Midge and Glen.
The Rich Kids have put in a lot of work for this one-off reunion show.
Drummer Rusty Egan has barely picked up his sticks since the last Rich Kids gig six years ago.
He has spent most of the past three weeks getting up to speed with rehearsing for tonight.
Really great to hear these songs again.
Gary Kemp played some nifty guitar solos.
Very funny when Glen introduced him as "A real Rich Kid"...with a nod to his Spandau riches..
Another great set and a very special evening overall.
Full setlist played by The Rich Kids tonight...
Strange One
Hung on You
Cheap Emotions
Marching Men
Burning Sounds
Put You in the Picture
Here Comes the Nice (Small Faces cover)
Empty Words
Only Arsenic
Bullet Proof Lover
Ghosts of Princes in Towers
Encore:
Rich Kids
------------------------------
10.45pm to 12pm
Around 50 folks are upstairs in the balcony bar area.
All members from The Rich Kids and The Professionals turn up and are very happy with how things went.
Other guests include Soho Radio punk dj Gary Crowley,Chris Musto,Spizz Energi and Nick Reynolds.
Nick Reynolds is a member of Alabama 3 and the son of Great Train Robber Bruce Reynolds.
A nice buzzy atmosphere with a pay bar.
Kevin Rowland was at the show but did not go upstairs after.
Thursday 23 June 2016.
The public have voted on the EU.
The Leave campaign won by a majority of 52%-48% against the Remain alliance to quit the EU. The result has triggered huge financial uncertainty, with the Pound at its lowest level since 1985. Residents of Scotland and Northern Ireland voted in favour of Remain, leaving political leaders in those countries to state that they could be seeking further referenda on voting to become independent.
Leave got 17.4 million votes
Remain got 16.1 million votes
I voted to leave.
Thursday 23 June 2016.
Hard Rock International, which operates 23 hotels around the world, has announced that it’s opening its first London property on the site of the Cumberland Hotel in Marble Arch.
The Hard Rock Hotel London is due to open in the summer of 2018. It will feature a vast lobby lounge with live music, an on-site Hard Rock Cafe, Rock Spa and 900 bedrooms.
Details of its event spaces are yet to be released but you can expect to entertain guests among an impressive collection of music-themed memorabilia.
Wednesday 22 June 2016...I went to two events today...
2pm to 4pm
Press launch for BLUES SMOKEHOUSE SLOUGH, William Street,Slough,Berkshire.
This venue is 3 mins from the main train and bus station and on the edge of the main shopping area.
The large 140 seat bar restaurant is the third Blues Smokehouse in the UK.
Other branches are in Twickenham and Bracknell.
It will open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks, whilst also including a coffee and bakery bar. The look and atmosphere will be in line with the other Blues Smokehouses, relaxed American deep South, featuring stripped wooden floors, packing cases, brick walls and a mix of booth and freestanding up-cycled seating.
A feature of the interior will be an open servery where customers can see the preparation and smoking of all the fresh produce daily. The coffee bar and bakery will also be an Italian/ American ice cream bar serving milkshakes, smoothies and sundaes, along with hot waffles.
The meat is all smoked by The Blues Smokehouse team, with wood sourced to create the perfect taste. Sauces and rubs, such as hickory, applewood and mesquite are prepared to special recipes created by executive chef, Jackie Weight, the only Brit, as well as the only woman, to have won the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue. The meat is cooked using authentic American smokers along with grilled cuts on the churrasco grill and rotisseries for the chicken, giving genuine BBQ flavours. Jackie plans to give tips and masterclasses on BBQ cooking and will offer tours of the smoking kitchen. And for salad lovers, there’s a selection of super food salads, packed full of goodness.
Some nice nachos for starters.
For mains i had a very nice massive Blues Smokehouse Burger with extra cheese and bacon along with tasty
Baby Ribs.
We had a full range of sides including Onion Rings Bundle.
We each had a different American cheesecake for dessert.
Drinks were Mojitos and Tiramisu Shake with a shot of Bourbon.
Well worth a visit when you are in the area.
www.bluessmokehouse.com
Visit BLUES SMOKEHOUSE website here for more info.
then
5pm to 6pm
then on the way back we popped into a couple of little pubs in Colnbrook Village.
A nice bit of olde England.
Amazing to see a couple of pony and traps here which i presume were local gypsies.
then
7.45pm to 11.15pm
Victoria and Albert Museum Summer Party - The John Madejski Garden, Victoria and Albert Museum,
Cromwell Road, London, SW7.
The V & A tonight are hosting a massive party to rival The Royal Academy Summer Party
i went to a couple of weeks ago and The Serpentine Gallery Summer Party which is in a couple of weeks.
A very lavish party with over 500 glammed up guests here which is mainly outdoors.
I had a nice chat with Gary Kemp from Spandau Ballet about The Rich Kids gig the following night
where he is the guest guitarist.
John Madejski was here as he has sponsored the new garden structure.
Kylie Minogue turned heads in a bright yellow Stella McCartney gown as she joined Jenna Coleman, Dame Joan Collins, Twiggy Lawson and Brix Smith at the V&A's inaugural star-studded 'Met Gala' style fundraising benefit. Kate Moss and fellow committee member Nicholas Coleridge were on hand to greet London's fashion elite including models Edie Campbell, Erin O'Connor, Arizona Muse, Xenia Tchoumi and Jade Parfitt as well designers Patrick Cox, Amanda Wakeley and Sabine Getty. A-listers Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Fry, Sir Jeremy Irons and David Furnish were also among recognisable faces sipping champagne and tucking into the Harrods macaron tower at the soiree. Other VIPs spotted taking selfies against a Botticelli inspired floral wall included Donna Air, Yasmin Mills, Bip Ling, Alice Naylor-Leyland, Lady Violet Manners and Lady Alice Manners.
Soho club legend Philip Salon was here dressed up in a typically wacky costume as usual.
Also Janet Street-Porter,Suzy Menkez,Peter York and Charlotte Tilbury were here.
At 8.50pm ROISIN MURPHY and her band played a 30 mins set.
Roisin is playing a warm-up tonight for her Glastonbury Festival set on Friday.
Roisin is like an Irish version of Bjork/Kate Bush with lots of quirky costume changes.
A dj is playing tunes before and after Roisin.
HARRODS were the sponsors tonight so lots of complimentary drinks and very nice food.
Harrods champers,mojitos,gin cocktails,different bowl food,small plates,crab with black caviar
and loads of different desserts.
All guests got a small goodie bag.
An excellent event.
Wednesday 21 June 2016.
EURO 2016....Italy 0 Eire 1...An amazing win by Eire with a goal near the end.
They join England,Wales and Northern Ireland in the next phase.
Tuesday 21 June 2016...I went to two events tonight...
6.15pm to 8pm
SUZI NASSIF - Viva La Vida,Viva El Amor - private view at Coya,118 Piccadilly,London W1.
This very smart Peruvian restaurant & bar is around 100 yards from The Hard Rock Cafe.
VIVA LA VIDA, VIVA EL AMOR is Suzi Nassif’s stunning new exhibition of Latin American inspired paintings, opening at COYA restaurant, 118 Piccadilly, on June 21st and running until mid-September.
The vivid collection includes depictions of Latin American spirits, faces and backgrounds, in an artistic manifestation of Latin American culture through which you can almost read a special dialogue in each work, about themes such as Love, Art, Life, Challenge, Culture and Differences. Many include famous historical faces from different eras like Fernando Botero, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali and “Che” Guevara, who, in a one way or another portray the Latin American world.
All guests enjoyed some very nice complimentary Pisco Sour cocktails,wines and nibbles.
www.suzinassif.com
Visit the Suzi Nassif website for more info and images.
www.coyarestaurant.com
Visit the COYA Restaurant website here for more info.
then
8.15pm to 10pm
See The New JW Marriott Grosvenor House - garden party - JW Marriott Grosvenor House, 86-90 Park Lane, London, W1.
Around 300 guests here at this well known five star hotel in Park Lane.
X Files star Gillian Anderson is here as is Bip Ling.
Others here included Linzi Stoppard,Alistair Guy and Camilla Rutherford.
Over the past few months many areas of the hotel have been refurbished.
This hotel is the main awards venue in the UK as the main ballroom holds 1000 seated and this room holds 500.
This is the room where i attend The Q Magazine Music Awards every year.
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