News and Reviews: 21st August 2004

20 August 2004 Athlete ,Shepherds Bush Empire , London.Warm up show for V Festival .Athlete get the crowd singing to all the songs on their neat debut album and the hit singles go down a storm in the 70 mins set. A few new ones from next album out early 2005 are given an airing . Nice radio friendly tunes but hardly rock n roll. 19 August 2004 Madonna ,Earls Court Arena , London.Back again to see Madonna here.Thankfully i have another good view near the front .There are lots of couples here from Madonnas large and loyal gay following .Another really good show . Madoona in a kilt at the end dancing with a bagpiper is great fun. 18 August 2004 Madonna ,Earls Court Arena,London. First of 6 sell out London shows at Earls Court/ Wembley Arena for Madoona .Ticket prices are not aimed at those that shop at Lidl as its £150 for front block seats and £25 for a programme .Kylie Minogue and Geri Halliwell are in the guest area and as Madonna is late on stage Kylie is spotted and is mobbed by fans. Earls Court is a terrible venue but tonight i have a fantastic view 4 rows from the stage .Madonna looks fit and great for her 46 years and does lots of energetic moves to compete with her dozen dancers . The poor backing band play second fiddle to all the giant video screens here ."Vogue"was stunning and you could not keep your eyes off Madonna as the show was lively and colourful. I was not keen on the war images on "American Life" or the cover of "Imagine". A couple of songs inc "Die Another Day " looked like she was miming them. Thankfully there a lot more hits tonight than on the previous tour and she finished the show with her hit from 1984 "Holiday "with confetti cannons covering the front rows .So yes 3 or 4 dodgy songs but overall a huge enjoyable event. 17 August 2004 Lou Reed,Hammersmith Apollo , London . One off UK show by Lou Reed and band. A remix of "Satelite Of Love" was just in the charts and Lou has another greatest hits cd out but tonight he opted for mainly lesser known material in the 2 hour set .Overall it was not as well balanced as last years Barbican show .The crowd got on its feet for the encores of "Satelite Of Love " "Perfect Day " and "Walk On The Wild Side" but he should have played a few more oldies . 14 August 2004 Dio ,Astoria ,London. Yet another totally sold out classic rock show at this venue. Dio do a superb 1 hour 45 mins set feat the best of his solo material mixed in with some Rainbow and Black Sabbath classics."Mob Rules " "Man On The Silver Mountain " "Long Live Rock n Roll" "Rock n Roll Children" "Holy Diver ""Last In Line" .Great encores of " Rainbow In The Dark" "We Rock " and a stunning " Neon Nights " . Ronnie James Dio is still one of rocks best vocalists i reckon. Excellent show. 12 August 2004 Trextasy ,Yacht Haven ,Cowes, Isle Of Wight .This was a great day out . During the day we watch all the sailing then it was a Red Arrows display then a massive outdoor crowd to see one of my fave tribute bands .Trextasy do an excellent mainly greatest hits 80 mins set that gets this crowd dancing .So many great Marc Bolan tunes.The singer is fantastic. 08 August 2004 Finn Brothers ,Open Air Theatre , Regents Park ,London. Wow what an amazing venue to watch a live band .In the summer it is the venue for Shakespeare but tonight this 1000 seater amphitheatre with trees and woodland around the stage and fake grass covering it makes a quite unique place for live rock n roll. A bit like a smaller version of the The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. This show was a special warm up to generate publicity for their new album and the Autumn UK tour which includes Hammersmith Apollo so there are loads of media guest list .Finn Brothers were in NZ bands Crowded House and Split Enz and played a few of their hits as well as the new album material .Plenty of on stage banter in the 1 hour 45 mins set and an enjoyable night. 04 August 2004 Chas And Dave ,Olympia Beer Festival ,London.The perfect combination really. A massive hall full of real ale beer drinkers and those cockney pub rockers Chas And Dave . They played their 3 Top 10 hit singles "Rabbit " "Snooker Loopy " and "Aint No Pleasing You " as well as others like "London Girls " "Margate" and "Gercha " .It was a good fun evening. 03 August 2004 Air ,Royal Festival Hall ,London. Sold out show from these French purveyors of dreamy ,hypnotic chill out tunes. Their last 2 albums have not done as well as their big album hit " Moon Safari" but the fans are still here. Best tunes " Cherry Blossom Girl " and Moon Safari hits " "Kelly Watch The Stars " and encore " Sexy Boy " were superb but some of the other songs were a bit too chilled .The 90 mins set was good but nothing special . 01 August 2004 Twisted Sister ,Astoria ,London. This was their first London show for 18 years (i was there at Hammersmith Odeon in 1986) .Not in their wildest dreams could they have hoped for such a great reception as they took the stage .Tonight the venue is a rammed full sold out sweaty rock n roll cesspit .The band all look very Spinal Tap as the big hair and dodgy outfits are visually all very 1980s .Dee Snider is very entertaining with his over the top vocals and corkscrew hair .A lot of the songs are pretty average rockers but they have a few catchy shouty gems like "The Kids Are Back" "We're Not Gonna Take It " and "I Am ( I'm Me) ".Tonight is being recorded for a live DVD and the band are keen to point out that the band include all 5 original members. The crowd loved it and it was great to see them back on stage in this country again.

Posted 21st August 2004