Ray's Gigs

Daily news and reviews of gigs bars clubs restaurants product launches films theatre fashion shows books art galleries hotels competitions interesting places to visit ...and much more!

News and Reviews: 26th June 2018

Monday 25 June 2018...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 8pm
KENNY SCHARF : BLOBZ - private view - Opera Gallery, 134 New Bond Street, London W1.
Kenny Scharf makes a come-back in London this summer, bringing his street artistry and pop-up surrealism
through works that haven't been seen before.
Complimentary Pommery champers and soft drinks for all guests.
www.operagallery.com
Visit their website here for more info on visiting this free exhibition.
then
UB40 live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
There are two versions of UB40 these days as the at war Campbell brothers have rival bands.
I saw one version at this venue a few months ago and now the other version play this venue.
I first saw UB40 in 1980 when they were the support act to The Pretenders.
Eight members in the original band with five in this line-up and three in the other line-up.
---------------------------
The venue is hot and humid as it is a totally sold out show.
Floor standing for those who want to dance to the gentle pop reggae sounds of UB40.
UB40 arrived on stage at 9pm and played for a full two hours.
Nine musicians on stage including the five original members.
I would imagine many fans are still confused by the two bands using the same name.
Both bands can play big venues like this so everybody is happy i suppose.
Great to hear the big hits but tracks in the middle felt a bit average as they plodded along.
Great to see Paul Young join them for one song.
The last half a dozen songs were good as they got all the rest of the crowd up and dancing.
An enjoyable show.
Full UB40 setlist played tonight...
Food for Thought
Maybe Tomorrow
Come Back Darling
Cherry Oh Baby (Eric Donaldson cover)
Midnight Rider (The Allman Brothers Band cover)
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (Roy Acuff cover)
Sing Our Own Song
Love of the Common People ( with Paul Young who had a hit with it in 1983)
Impossible Love
Sweet Sensation (The Melodians cover)
I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Reggae Music
Baby (The Heptones cover)
Boom Shaka Lacka (U Roy & Hopeton Lewis cover)
Johnny Too Bad (The Slickers cover)
Here I Am (Come and Take Me) (Al Green cover)
Red Red Wine (Neil Diamond cover)
Encore:
Don't Break My Heart
Kingston Town (Lord Creator cover)
Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley cover)




Another milestone for me as this was my 6800th gig.
Sunday 24 June 2018.
THE CURE live at The Royal Festival Hall, London.
CUREATION - 25 is the name of this special evening to celebrate the end of Robert Smith
as curator for this years Meltdown Festival at The Southbank Centre complex.
I have seen The Cure over a dozen times since 1979 when they were the support act to
Siouxsie & The Banshees at Hammersmith Odeon.
Also shows at a Hammersmith Apollo and Wembley Arena in recent years.
During the interval the loyal hardcore fans all stand at the front and security do not move them so
i pop down there and i end up in the second row from stage on the right side with a perfect close up view.
THE CURE arrived on stage at 8.32pm and played for 2 hours 30 mins.
There are five big screens that cover the entire back of the stage , showing images and live footage.
Robert Smith keeps a low profile these days but The Cure are still a massive live atraction.
Roberts vocals are still great and his facial expressions are the same.
Simon Gallups rumbling dirty bass lines from his low slung instrument are fantastic.
The band create a superb wall of sound in their own unique way.
The show ended with 'A Forest' and 'Boys Don't Cry' which were fab.
More hits will no doubt be played at their massive Hyde Park show in a couple of weeks.
Really great to see them up nice and close.
Full setlist played by The Cure tonight...
FROM THERE TO HERE section.
Three Imaginary Boys
At Night
Other Voices
A Strange Day
Bananafishbones
A Night Like This
Like Cockatoos
Pictures of You
High
Jupiter Crash
39
Us or Them
It's Over
It Can Never Be the Same
FROM HERE TO THERE section.
Step Into the Light
The Hungry Ghost
alt.end
The Last Day of Summer
Want
From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea
Disintegration
If Only Tonight We Could Sleep
Sinking
Shake Dog Shake
One Hundred Years
Primary
A Forest
Boys Don't Cry





Saturday 23 June 2018.
BILLY IDOL + THE PROFESSIONALS live at Brixton Academy, London.
This was the last of three UK shows by Billy Idol...this show sold out in April...
I have seen Billy Idol several times with Generation X and several times as a solo act.
I last saw Billy Idol at Download Festival in 2015 when he supported KISS and Motley Crue.
I saw Generation X four times in 1977 before their debut album came out in 1978.
With support from The Professionals who include Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook.
I saw The Sex Pistols three times in 1976 and many times since.
Earlier this year Vive Le Rock magazine gave their Best Album award to
The Professionals 'What In The World' album.
--------------------------
I was really looking forward to seeing both bands tonight.
It is hot and humid inside the venue as it is fully sold out.
THE PROFESSIONALS arrived on stage at 7.55pm and played for 35 mins.
I am front right of stage in stalls standing with a good view.
Not sure how many of the crowd know the history of The Professionals.
It was the band Steve Jones and Paul Cook started when The Sex Pistols split up.
Steve is committed to his dj work in Los Angeles so Paul has got the band up and running.
Great to hear older Professionals gems along with newer ones from the current album.
They finished with a great version of 'Silly Thing' that got the crowd singing along.
They definitely made a few more new fans tonight.
Full Professionals setlist played tonight...
Payola
Good Man Down
Join the Professionals
Going Going Gone
Just Another Dream
Rewind
Hats Off
Let Go
Silly Thing (Sex Pistols cover)
--------------------------
BILLY IDOL arrived on stage at 9pm and played for 1 hour 40 mins.
Billy Idol is looking incredibly youthful for his 62 years.
It does not take long for him to expose his chest for his female fans.
He still has many female fans half his age screaming for him.
Guitarist Steve Stevens is wearing a dodgy looking bacofoil suit.
The second guitarist is Billy Morrison.
Great to hear Generation X hits and his solo hits but some of the tracks plodded a bit
and Steve Stevens had too many guitar solos during the evening which lost the vibe.
Also the overall sound quality could have been a lot better.
Very good overall but the Hammersmith Apollo show in 2014 was better.
Full Billy Idol setlist played tonight...
Shock to the System
Dancing With Myself (Generation X song)
Pumping on Steel
Can't Break Me Down
Cradle of Love
Scream
Prodigal Blues
Eyes Without a Face
Guitar Solo
Don't Need a Gun
King Rocker (Generation X song)
Blue Highway
Instrumental Jam (Possibly Top Gun)
Rebel Yell
Encore:
White Wedding
Mony Mony (Tommy James & the Shondells cover)
--------------------------
After-show party from 10.45pm to 11.30pm.
Around 70 or 80 guests are here in the backstage bar.
It is a pay bar here.
All The Professionals are here.
Sex Pistols/Professionals drummer Paul Cook told me they were driving straight down to
Isle of Wight Festival after as they were due on stage Sunday afternoon.
Also here was Tony James who was in Generation X with Billy Idol.
Billy Idol & band were doing meet & greet stuff in the dressing rooms area so not sure
if they made it here...my sore throat & chesty cough was playing up so headed off home...




Friday 22 June 2018.
THE FOO FIGHTERS live at The London Stadium, Stratford, East London.
The Foo Fighters play the first of two massive sold out stadium shows at the same venue
where i saw The Rolling Stones twice in the previous month.
I have seen The Foos over 20 times since 1998 when they were support at a Milton Keynes Bowl
show that featured headliners Black Sabbath (featuring Ozzy and all original members)
and Ozzy Osbourne Band (yes Ozzy sung with both bands on the same day).
Also a few secret gigs including at The Underworld , Camden in June 2006.
The Foos are one of those great rock bands that always put on a fantastic show.
THE FOO FIGHTERS arrived on stage at 8.08pm and played a nice long set of 2 hours 40 mins.
No gold circle today but i am still on the pitch standing right with a good view.
The Foos have some nice big screens to keep those at the back happy.
The lasers came out in the final hour when it got darker.
There is no doubt that singer Dave Grohl is a perfect rock frontman who has every box ticked.
The energy, enthusiasm and charisma from Dave is pretty incredible.
He knows how to work the crowd throughout the evening.
Drummer Taylor Hawkins is a great drummer who gets the most screen time footage after Dave.
I saw Taylor play three times with Alanis Morissette in 1995/1996 when her classic debut album came out.
In 1997 Taylor would join The Foo Fighters.
Rock photographer Ross Halfin is here and Taylor Hawkins is wearing one of his t-shirts.
This world tour is to promote their recent album release 'Concrete and Gold' so some of the stage equipment
is a gold colour and three female singers join them for the few tracks they play from that album.
A blistering start as they tore into 'All My Life', 'Learn to Fly' and 'The Pretender''.
Some very entertaining cover versions in the middle of the set including 'Jump' by Van Halen
sung along to the piano of John Lennon's 'Imagine'.
Then back to more uptempo older classics including 'Monkey Wrench' , 'Breakout' ,'Best of You' and
encores of 'Times Like These' and 'Everlong'.
An excellent show that finished with a fireworks display.
Will surely be in with The Rolling Stones in my Top 10 gigs of the year.
Full Foo Fighters setlist played tonight...
All My Life
Learn to Fly
The Pretender
The Sky Is a Neighbourhood
Rope
Sunday Rain
My Hero
These Days
Walk
Under My Wheels (Alice Cooper cover) (Chris Shiflett on lead vocals)
Another One Bites the Dust / It's So Easy / You're the One that I Want / Foreplay (snippets played during band intros)
Jump (Van Halen cover) (mashed up with John Lennon's "Imagine")
Blitzkrieg Bop (Ramones cover)
Under Pressure (Queen cover) (Taylor Hawkins on vocals, Dave Grohl on drums & vocals)
Monkey Wrench
Wheels
This Is a Call
Breakout
Dirty Water
Run
Best of You
Encore:
Times Like These
Everlong





Thursday 21 June 2018...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 7.45pm
MISS EUROPE CONTINENTAL - press launch - Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Marble Arch, London W1.
We are here for the Official Press Launch of Miss Europe Continental United Kingdom and
to celebrate the UK arrival of one of Europe’s most exciting, glamorous and professional pageants, that is already well established in over 40 European countries, with a big International final in Naples, Italy.
This event has been very popular over the past six years in mainland Europe and now for the
first time , the UK is taking part.
Some of the judges are here as well as some of the glamour girls who attended interviews that day.
They told us auditions will be held at all the major cities around the UK over the coming months.
Complimentary prosecco for all guests.
www.misseuropecontinental.com
Visit their website here for more info.
then
8pm to 9pm
THOMAS SABO CHARM CLUB - collection showcase - 65 South Molton Street, London W1.
Since 2006 a new Charm Club collection has appeared twice a year with lovingly designed creations.
Silver charms are more popular than ever these days and Thomas Sabo are one of the leaders.
They are showcasing their latest collection.
A dj is playing tunes in the background.
Complimentary vodka cocktails and prosecco.
All guests got a goodie bag with a silver charm inside that they retail for £69.
www.thomassabo.com
Visit the Thomas Sabo website here for more info.




Wednesday 20 June 2018...7.30pm to 10.30pm...
V & A SUMMER PARTY - Exhibition Road Entrance ,South Kensington, London SW7.
Victoria & Albert Museum hold their third summer party in their new outside space.
Another busy night of events in London including gigs by The Hollywood Vampires,
Public Image Limited, Deftones, David Bryne and others but i have chosen this party as it's always good.
This is one of the BIG THREE summer parties along with the Royal Academy and The Serpentine Gallery.
I have been to all three of them for each of the past three years.
A big crowd here as I was told some 900 are on the guest list.
Lots of well known faces here including David & Samantha Cameron, Jeremy Clarkson, Janet Street Porter.
A day after the Serpentine Summer Party, Ciara stepped out again with her American footballer husband Russell Wilson to attend the annual V&A Summer Party, joining an A-list crowd including Gwendoline Christie, Ellie Bamber, Arizona Muse, Erin O'Connor, Claudia Winkleman and Laura Bailey. Armed with a camera, Brooklyn Beckham turned photographer before heading to the John Madejski (he was here) Garden to join Edward Enninful, Grayson Perry, Lisa Snowdon, Amber Le Bon, Charlotte Tilbury, Princess Beatrice, Gary Kemp, Stephen Webster, Basia Briggs,Peter York, Corinne Bailey Rae,
Camilla Rutherford, Alice Naylor - Leyland, Amanda Wakeley, Caprice Bourret, Lady Victoria Hervey,
Lady Kitty Spencer, Lady Mary Charteris, Lady Emilia Windsor , Harold Tillman and no doubt a few others.
There was an official photographer by the glittery V & A sign by the red carpet entrance who took some
quality photos of us and emailed them over during the night which was a nice touch.
At 9pm TOM GRENNAN and his band performed a 30 mins set on the stage structure on the water here.
Tom played tracks from his upcoming album 'Lighting Matches' due for release in 06 July 2018.
The rising star will perform in 10 small towns on July 11 - is yours on the list?
Tom Grennan has announced that he’s going for a Guinness World Records title – attempting to perform the most live shows in 12 hours across various small towns.
The rising artist is set to release his debut album ‘Lighting Matches’ next month. Ahead of appearances at Reading & Leeds, Y-Not Festival, and Kendal Calling, the singer has given himself quite the challenge to celebrate his first LP.
The sponsor tonight was HARROD'S so we had complimentary HARROD'S champers, gin cocktails , beers
and lots of bowl food, canapés and desserts from HARROD'S.
Lots of people here i knew and it was a great party.




Tuesday 19 June 2018...7.30pm to 11.15pm...
SERPENTINE GALLERY SUMMER PARTY - Kensington Gardens, London W2.
One of those June nights with many mega clashes on including The Rolling Stones at Twickenham.
I saw The Stones twice at The London Stadium from the gold circle area three weeks ago so decided
to opt to go here as it is one of the BIG THREE of the summer parties for London's social crowd.
The traffic is gridlock outside the venue as they have closed one lane of traffic for arrivals.
Must be at least 50 photographers outside and inside the venue.
Around 1000 guests here with most of them paying £450 a ticket.
A nice mix of guests from art, fashion, design, music etc.
Lots of women in very glamourous designer dresses.
Mick Jagger and L'Wren Scott were here in 2013, just a few months before her shock suicide.
Like last year the main sponsor and host is CHANEL.
It is a perfect sunny evening which is handy as the event is outdoors.
Guests included Adwoa Aboah and fellow model Lara Stone along with Ciara, Jenna Coleman, Natalie Dormer, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Edward Enninful, Ellie Goulding, David and Samantha Cameron, Alexa Chung, Suki Waterhouse, Charli XCX and Edie Campbell among further guests. Michael Bloomberg, Hans-Ulrich Obrist and Yana Peel were on hosting duties and welcomed Nile Rodgers and his band Chic to stage, along with rising stars Cosha and NAO.
Also here were Bianca Jagger, Jon Snow, Lady Kitty Spencer, Lady Amelia Spencer,Basia Briggs,
Russell Tovey, Tamara Beckwith, Lorraine Pascal, Ella Purnell, Ellie Bamber, Clara Amfo ,
Yasmin & Amber Le Bon , Suzi Menkez , David Linley and others.
Architect Frida Escobedo, celebrated for dynamic projects that reactivate urban space,
has got the commission to design the Serpentine Pavilion 2018.
There is also a great floating sculpture in the nearby Serpentine itself.
Like last year there is Coco's pop restaurant at the back so at 7.45pm we have a two course sit down meal
of Courgette Flowers with truffle honey and a Roast Cod dinner.
They always have a good live act and this year they deliver again as at 9.15pm
NILE RODGERS & CHIC take to the stage for a brilliant 75 mins set.
I first saw Chic at Hammersmith Odeon for two gigs in 1979 at the height of the disco boom.
I am front row leaning on the left of stage with a glass of Laurent Perrier champers in my hand.
It doesn't get much better than that.
It is a full stage production with a big screen and Niles & band all dressed in white.
The setlist is a mix of Chic hits and the many bands he has produced over the years and a couple
of new songs with up and coming singers that will be on his new album.
Niles has been involved with a staggering 300 million records sales wise.
Full CHIC setlist played tonight...
Everybody Dance (Chic cover)
Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah) (Chic cover)
I Want Your Love (Chic cover)
Medley : I'm Coming Out / Upside Down / He's the Greatest Dancer / We Are Family
Notorious (Duran Duran cover)
Boogie All Night (with Nao)
Till The World Falls (with Cosha)
Get Lucky (Daft Punk cover)
Let's Dance (David Bowie cover)
Le Freak (Chic cover)
Good Times / Rapper's Delight (Chic cover) (with Niles and backing singers in the crowd)
A dj played tunes after the show.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers, vodka cocktails, gin cocktails, wines, bowl food ice-cream etc.
On departure all guests got a print of a painting by Karl Lagerfeld.
An excellent party.





Monday 18 June 2018...I went to two events today...
3.45pm to 6.45pm
GOFFS LONDON SALE - Perks Field, Kensington Palace Gardens, London W2.
Over 500 guests here outside in the sunshine by Notting Hill Gate/ Queensway tube stations.
Many horse racing owners and trainers that will be at Ascot are here.
Golfer Lee Westwood was here as he owns horses.
From 5pm for an hour we had the auction of the 33 horses who were all here in stables.
There was a big screen showing live footage of the auction.
A jazz quartet were playing cover versions.
Complimentary Pimms, Rose wines, beers, cheeseburgers, chicken burgers, canapés and strawberries & cream.
Guests got a small goodie bag with half a dozen items inside.
then
PEARL JAM live at The 02 Arena, London.
First of two totally sold out shows at this venue, and their only UK shows on their European Tour.
Pearl Jam have sold over 60 million albums worldwide and in 2017 they were
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
I have seen Pearl Jam around a dozen times since 1992 when they supported The Cult in Finsbury Park
when Pearl Jam debut album 'Ten' was out.
Pearl Jam arrived on stage at 8.25pm and played for around 2 hours 30 mins.
There is 360 seating tonight as there are seats behind the stage...the place is rammed solid...
The floor standing area is full up with their loyal fans.
Tonight's massive crowd must surely rival Metalica's 21,000 record breaking attendance here.
The two big screens are high up in the ceiling as to not get in the way of folks view behind the stage.
There are a dozen circular lanterns that hover up and down throughout the evening.
Going into a Pearl Jam show, you never know what to expect, and that mystery mostly stems from their uncanny setlists.
Their loyal hardcore fans sing along to obscure album tracks and between songs it is very quiet as they listen to Eddie.
It's like Eddie Vedder is the grunge version of Bruce Springsteen as he moans about Donald Trump and
even stuffs a wine cork in a rubber face mask of Donald Trump to the delight of the crowd.
He knows exactly what to say to the crowd as he mentions the first two Pearl Jam gigs in the UK
which were a small club in Southend and then The Borderline Club in London in Feb 1992 and i would see
them a few months after that for the first time.
His Seattle drawl seems more laid back rock & roll than ever.
Many flags from countries around the world are held up during a couple of songs.
The last two songs played were highlights, 'Alive' and 'Rockin' in the Free World'.
A great show.
Full Pearl Jam setlist played tonight...
Of the Girl
Low Light
Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town
Animal
Brain of J.
Even Flow
Wishlist
Deep
Severed Hand
Love Boat Captain
Can't Deny Me
Do the Evolution
Down
Daughter (with "W.M.A." tag)
You Are
Parting Ways
Porch
Encore:
Off He Goes
Sleeping by Myself (Eddie Vedder song)
Footsteps
Mind Your Manners
Why Go
Better Man
Last Kiss (Wayne Cochran cover)
Black
Alive
Rockin' in the Free World (Neil Young cover)





Monday 18 June 2018.
Happy Birthday to SIR PAUL McCARTNEY who is 76 today.




Saturday 16 June and Sunday 17 June 2018.
THE STONE FREE FESTIVAL returns to The 02 Arena complex in London.
The main stage is at The 02 Arena in the evenings.
Second stage at Indigo and two smaller stages during the afternoons.
Sat 16 June---Day 1 of The Stone Free Festival at The 02 Arena.
Scorpions + Megadeth play their only UK shows on their European Tours.
A very nice triple bill of rock acts from promoters KILIMANJARO as Buckcherry open the show.
I first saw Scorpions in 1979 and have seen them play around 15 times since then.
I first saw Megadeth in 1987 and seen them play around 10 times since then.
I first saw Buckcherry in 1999 at Paris Bercy and Wembley Arena when they supported KISS.
On the Saturday afternoon there is record fair in the foyer of The 02 Arena complex.
Sun 17 June---Day 2 of The Stone Free Festival at The 02 Arena.
Yes feat Anderson-Rabin-Wakeman + Roger Hodgson (Supertramp) (his only UK this year).
I saw Yes feat ARW at Hammersmith Apollo in 2017 and i also saw Roger Hodgson play last year
at The Royal Albert Hall.
Joanne Shaw Taylor will play a powerful guitar based blues set.
A great full weekend of quality bands....and no need for camping or wellies.
www.stonefreefestival.com
Visit the STONE FREE website here for full info on the line-up and to buy tickets
-----------------------
DAY ONE - Saturday 16 June 2018.
I get to the venue at 4.30pm and mooch around at the record fair and all the great vinyl rarities.
ORANGE GOBLIN arrive on stage at 5.15pm and play for around 45 mins.
They are headlining The Indigo stage.
Orange Goblin are a good rock band from London that have hints of Motörhead and Sabbath.
Their singer Ben Ward is a great frontman with a big voice and big stage charisma.
Their set included a couple of tracks from their ninth studio album 'The Wolf Bites Back ' ...out now.
----------------------
I then head into the main arena and have a great seat in the guest/press block right of stage.
Live music booking agent legend Rod MacSween is here as he represents Scorpions and Megadeth.
It is floor standing tonight which creates a great atmosphere.
BUCKCHERRY arrive on stage at 6.25pm and play for around 40 mins.
Back in the late 1990s Buckcherry were one of the hottest new bands when their debut album came out.
Their great single 'Lit Up' with its upfront reference to cocaine made them the new Guns & Roses.
When they split up after two albums singer Josh Todd was on the shortlist to be singer for
Velvet Revolver with Slash but was pipped at the post by Scott Weiland.
All three bands get to use the 25ft catwalk extension but Buckcherry only have a backdrop, no screens.
Singer Josh Todd is still full of rock & roll swagger and great to see them play gems including
'Ridin', 'Lit Up', 'Say Fuck It (Icona Pop cover)' and 'Crazy Bitch'.
---------------------
MEGADETH arrive on stage at 7.30pm and play for 75 mins.
Dave Mustaine arrives on stage with his trademark Flying V guitar and the crowd clearly still adore him.
They have one big screen which has some nice pre-recorded images.
They are of course one of 'The Big Four ' thrash metal bands that put the genre on the map.
More of a fast brutal riffing guitar based sound rather than catchy rock tunes.
A nice mix of newer tracks with some older classics that went down well with the crowd.
Full Megadeth setlist played tonight...
Hangar 18
The Threat Is Real
Rattlehead
Wake Up Dead
In My Darkest Hour
The Conjuring
Sweating Bullets
Take No Prisoners
Tornado of Souls
Dystopia
Symphony of Destruction
Mechanix
Peace Sells
Encore:
Holy Wars... The Punishment Due
----------------------
SCORPIONS arrive on stage at 9.20pm and play for 1 hour 40 mins.
Scorpions promised their full stage production and boy did they keep to their word.
A stunning visual treat with big screens and small screens across the whole of the stage showing
live footage and pre-recorded images along with a ton of lights...it was mega...
German rock legends Scorpions are still going strong , 50 years after their formation.
It was not an obvious greatest hits set but there were plenty of gems in there along
with tracks that do not get played that often.
There were three songs semi-acoustic in the middle of the set which were played on the catwalk.
You kinda forget that ex Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee is now in their line-cup and a highlight
of the show is a tribute to Lemmy with a great version of Motorheads classic 'Overkill'.
A nicely paced show with most of their big songs in the second half of the show.
Nice simple singalong lyrics and catchy guitar riffs are the backbone of their songs.
An excellent show.
Full Scorpions setlist played tonight...
Going Out With a Bang
Make It Real
Is There Anybody There?
The Zoo
Top of the Bill / Steamrock Fever / Speedy's Coming / Catch Your Train
We Built This House
Delicate Dance
Follow Your Heart / Eye of the Storm / Send Me an Angel
Wind Of Change
Tease Me Please Me
Overkill (Motörhead cover) (dedicated to Lemmy with pictures of him on the big screens)
Drum Solo by Mikkey Dee
Blackout
Big City Nights
Encore:
Still Loving You
Holiday (Chorus and 1st verse only)
Rock You Like a Hurricane
--------------------
DAY TWO - Sunday 17 June 2018.
Like yesterday i managed to catch the headline act on the Indigo stage.
RICHIE KOTZEN and his band were on stage from 4pm for 45 mins.
Richie Kotzen is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer. Kotzen has a prolific solo career, with a back catalogue of more than twenty album releases, was a member of the glam-hard rock band
Poison from 1991-1993 and Mr. Big from 1999-2002.
Richie & his band are a powerful rock trio that feature Richie's strong vocals and plenty of nifty
guitar solos played with his fingers only style.
You can see his sound is influenced by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
---------------------
then over to the main arena.
It is floor seating tonight for this mainly older Prog crowd.
ANATHEMA arrived on stage at 4.50pm and played for 40 mins.
All four bands on the main stage tonight have use of the big screens for live footage
which was odd as Megadeth and Buckcherry did not use the live screens yesterday.
They played some Prog based songs with male & female vocals that the crowd liked.
---------------------
JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR arrived on stage at 5.45pm and played for 40 mins.
Joanne Shaw Taylor is a British blues rock guitarist and singer who was discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at the age of 16. The British music publication Blues Matters! called Taylor "the new face of the blues".
Joanne played some cool blues guitar with her band.
---------------------
ROGER HODGSON arrived on stage at 6.45pm and played for 60 mins.
Roger Hodgson normally plays a two hour show including solo material when he headlines so tonight's
shorter set works very well as a greatest hits for the gems he wrote for Supertramp.
I saw Supertramp twice at Hammersmith Odeon in 1975 when Melody Maker voted then
'Band of The Year'.
There are plants and foliage on stage between all the equipment.
Clever lyrics with great vocals and a nice stage sound meant his set was perfect.
Full Roger Hodgson setlist played tonight...
Take the Long Way Home (Supertramp song)
School (Supertramp song)
Breakfast in America (Supertramp song)
Hide in Your Shell (Supertramp song)
The Logical Song (Supertramp song)
Lord Is It Mine (Supertramp song)
Dreamer (Supertramp song)
Fool's Overture (Supertramp song)
Give a Little Bit (Supertramp song)
It's Raining Again (Supertramp song)
---------------------
YES feat ARW arrived on stage at 8.15pm and played for 2 hours 5 mins.
They have a big stage production with big screens and loads of lights.
Some of it was used in the Scorpions show last night.
Like last time Rick Wakeman is wearing a huge sparkly cape.
Singer Jon Anderson is on the short side so sings on a platform several inches off
the ground that is hidden behind his sound monitor.
The overall sound quality is perfect and all the musicians are top notch
The first hour was great with many good tunes then it went a bit proggy for a bit.
All the crowd were up and dancing for the last three songs.
Halfway through 'Owner of a Lonely Heart' , Rick Wakeman and Trevor Rabin went for a wander
in the front stalls while still playing their instruments.
The big stage production really suited their sound and I think this made it a better
show than the Hammersmith Apollo gig I saw last year.
A vey enjoyable show.
Full Yes feat ARW setlist played tonight...
Cinema (Yes cover)
Hold On (Yes cover)
Perpetual Change (Yes cover)
I've Seen All Good People (Yes cover)
And You and I (Yes cover)
Changes (Yes cover)
Rhythm of Love (Yes cover)
I Am Waiting (Yes cover)
Heart of the Sunrise (Yes cover)
Awaken (Yes cover)
Owner of a Lonely Heart (Yes cover)
Sunshine of Your Love (Cream cover)
Encore:
Roundabout (Yes cover)
---------------------
STONE FREE FESTIVAL was a great weekend of live music...see you there next year...





Saturday 16 June 2018.
At The Scorpions gig i bumped into my Russian mate Iggy.
He was at The Jeff Beck show at The Royal Hospital, Chelsea gig on Fri 15 June.
He told me he spotted Jimmy Page and Joe Perry watching the show from the right of stage.




Friday 15 June 2018.
PSYCHEDELIC FURS + THE CHURCH live at The Royal Festival Hall, London.
This was the opening show of Robert Smith 'Meltdown Festival' at The Royal Festival Hall.
The line-up for this years Meltdown Festival is the best for many years.
Robert Smith said that he asked The Rolling Stones to appear...but they knocked him back.
I have seen Psychedelic Furs over 15 times since 1979 when they were a support act.
The Furs only had two Top 40 hit singles in the UK and a few that made the Top 75.
Their albums on CBS in the 1980s were great , with many good tracks on each album.
The Furs are one of those bands from the 1980s that are still popular in America.
Original members Richard Butler (vocals) and Tim Butler (bass) are still there.
Mars Williams on sax has been with them since 1986.
Support act The Church are an Australian psychedelic rock band formed in Sydney in 1980.
I saw them twice in 1982 when they supported Duran Duran at Hammersmith Odeon.
-------------------------
THE CHURCH arrived on stage at 7.30pm and played for around 45 mins.
My seat is in front of the mixing desk for The Church and then head down the front when
Psychedelic Furs fans all stand up at the start of the fourth song.
Great to see The Church play live again. They played a couple of tracks from their new album
and it was good that some of the audience knew a couple of their older tracks.
They finished nicely as halfway through the last song the roadies started to dismantle the
equipment so that they finished the song acoustically.
Full setlist played by The Church tonight...
Block
Myrrh
Another Century
Reptile
Day 5
Under the Milky Way
Miami
------------------------
PSYCHEDELIC FURS arrived on stage at 8.45pm and played for around 95 mins.
The band played a perfect setlist that included all their best known songs.
Richard Butler looks fantastic for age 62 and still has hints of Bowie mannerisms.
With his wide-lapelled tailcoat, oversized shades and impressive repertoire of vaudeville hand twirls, Richard Butler looks every inch the regal new wave rock singer.The band sound tremendous, a seamless six-piece creating a dense wall of noise reinforced by righteous saxophone from the seemingly indefatigable Mars Williams that is featured in many songs.
These art- rockers were always under-rated but just like The Forum show i saw last year they
are better than ever as they played great track after great track, an excellent show.
Full Psychedelic Furs setlist played tonight...
Dumb Waiters
Into You Like a Train
Highwire Days
President Gas
The Ghost in You
Mr. Jones
Sister Europe
Heartbreak Beat
No Easy Street
Love My Way
Only You and I
Don't Be a Girl
Angels Don't Cry
Imitation of Christ
Heaven
Encore:
India
Pretty in Pink
-------------------------
10.30pm to 11.20pm.
Afterparty for around 80 guests in one of the many bars here.
It is a pay bar but all the band turn up after they have towelled themselves down.
No sign of Robert Smith so perhaps he is only going to certain shows.
Jordan was here .She is an English model and actress noted for her work with Vivienne Westwood and the SEX boutique in the Kings Road area of London in the mid-1970s, and for being a fixture at many of the early Sex Pistols performances.
She also was in the punk film ' Jubilee ' that came out in 1978.
She went AWOL by the seaside for 30 years but since the 40th anniversary of punk in 2016 she
has been going to loads of gigs again.
Singer Richard Butler left at 11.15pm and i left a few minutes after him.





Thursday 14 June 2018...I went to two events tonight...
6.15pm to 8.15pm
MOUNT STREET GARDENS - summer garden party - Mount Street, Mayfair, London W1.
A perfect sunny evening to be outside.
Most of the 300 guests have paid £50 to be here.
A nice relaxed atmosphere with several of the local residents bringing their dogs with them.
This garden space is hidden behind all the buildings on all four sides.
There are two live acts playing 30 mins sets...a jazz/swing band and a soul covers band.
There was a fun casino from Crockfords in one corner and at 8pm the raffle was drawn.
There is lots of complimentary food & drinks from some of the top notch restaurants & bars in the area.
Bouvet sparkling wines, cocktails, wines and beers.
Cheeseburgers from Morton's, Oysters from Wilton's, Desserts from Annabel's, Doughnuts from
The Mount Street Deli and various canapés from The Connaught Hotel and Delfinos.
Chocolates from The Westbury Hotel.
then
8.30pm to 9.30pm
TOY ROOM CLUB - showcase - 8/9 Argyll Street, London W1.
This club is situated next door to The Palladium and has had various names including Movida.
With room for only 180 people at capacity it is a club at the weekend and can be hired out at other times.
From the team behind Chakana in Mayfair and Project close to Oxford Street, Toy Room is a R&B only club.
There is graffiti style art with toy themes on the walls of the rooms here....a dj is playing tunes loudly...
Complimentary cocktails, JD n cokes, wines and beers for all guests.
We missed the food as it was a 6pm start.
www.toy-room.com
Visit their website here for more info.





Thursday 14 June 2018.
Google these two versions of Toto 'Africa' for your viewing pleasure.
1...Weezer 'Africa' Jimmy Fallon Live....(with guest Steve Porcaro)
2...Young Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake Sing "Africa" At Summer Camp





Wednesday 13 June 2018...7pm to 9.15pm...
FRIDA KAHLO : Making Her Self Up - private view - V&A Museum, South Kensington, London SW7.
Frida Kahlo (July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954) was an iconic Mexican artist who painted portraits and self-portraits.
Clothes including her trademark dresses,jewellery, personal letters, lottery tickets, makeup and a defiantly red-leather-booted prosthetic leg with bells on to announce her arrival belonging to Frida Kahlo, which were sealed in her house for more than 50 years, are to be shown at the V&A in London, the first time they will have been seen outside Mexico.
A lot of advance publicity for this exhibition with a full page review in the Metro on Tuesday
and a full page review in The Standard on the Wednesday.
A lengthy queue here when i arrived at venue at 6.45pm , but eventually got in at 7pm.
I was told there were a massive 800 folks on the guest list.
Many of the women here are dressed Latino style like Frida was back in the day.
Guest of honour is the actress SALMA HAYEK (who played Frida in 2002) who is given the full rock star treatment with personal security and is in a private roped off area with all the photographers.
At 7.15pm we had speeches from The V & A spokesperson and SALMA HAYEK.
Biopic of the bold and controversial life of artist Frida Kahlo. Set in Mexico City, this visually evocative film traces her lifelong, tempestuous relationship with her mentor, along with her illicit affairs with Trotsky and various women. Her forward-thinking artistic, political and sexual attitudes are explored as we witness a hard-drinking, passionate woman of the early 1900s, which earned an Oscar nomination for Salma Hayek.
Also here were ANNIE LENNOX , Philip Treacy , Alice Temperley and the Mexican Ambassador to the UK.
Also David Downton, Basia Briggs, Donna Air and Holly Vallance were here.
A female dj was playing Latin tunes in the background.
Complimentary Luc Belaire sparkling wines, four different cocktails including Patron Tequila and canapés.
A very nice event although with such a big crowd they should have had a 10pm finish.
www.vam.ac.uk
Visit the V & A website here for more info and to buy tickets.
It is on until 04 Nov 2018...tickets are £15...
--------------------------
www.vamos-london.com
Visit the Vamos website here for a full list of Latin gigs and events held in London this summer.





Tuesday 12 June 2018.
TRAVIS + TURIN BRAKES live at The Royal Festival Hall, London.
Travis play the first of two shows at this venue.
Scottish indie rock band Travis will play their second album 'The Man Who' live in full for two limited runs this
June and December as part of a UK tour. The album was released 19 years ago in 1999.
The album would eventually spend a total of 11 weeks at number one on the UK Albums Chart, and went on to give the band international recognition. The album has sold over 2.5 million copies in the UK alone.
Travis have had 18 Top 40 hits including 6 that made the Top 10.
This would lead to the band headlining Glastonbury Festival (2000) and Reading Festival (2001).
I have seen Travis several times including the two massive headlining shows above.
Support act Turin Brakes are an English band, comprising original duo Olly Knights and Gale Paridjanian, and long term collaborators Rob Allum and Eddie Myer. They had a UK top 5 hit in 2003 with their song "Painkiller (Summer Rain)".
Since starting out in 1999, the band have quietly sold around 1 million records worldwide.
Turin Brakes have had 7 Top 40 hit singles.
---------------------
TURIN BRAKES arrive on stage at 7.30pm and play for around 45 mins.
Turin Brakes played a good set that featured their hits and a couple of tracks off their new album
that is called 'Invisible Storm'.
They are an ideal support band to Travis as they have a similar sound.
Full Turin Brakes setlist played tonight...
Wait
State of Things
Lost In The Woods
Last Chance
Keep Me Around
Pain Killer (Summer Rain)
Fishing for a Dream
Black Rabbit
Underdog (Save Me)
-------------------------
TRAVIS arrive on stage at 8.45pm and play for around 1 hour 55 mins.
A nice full stage production at this venue with loads of lights and a huge backdrop.
Fran on vocals is wearing a skirt/kilt and has plenty of fun and easygoing stage banter.
The guitarist is much more animated on stage these days , pulling some cool guitar poses.
Their catchy radio friendly songs were played all over the radio back in the day and everyone
knows the lyrics and sings along loudly and the crowd stand up after half a dozen songs.
A fun cover of a Britney Spears classic that they originally did for a radio show in their early days.
A great show.
Full Travis setlist played tonight...
THE MAN WHO album played in full for the first part of the show.
Writing to Reach You
The Fear
As You Are
Driftwood
The Last Laugh of the Laughter
Turn
Why Does It Always Rain on Me?
Luv
She's So Strange
Slide Show
Blue Flashing Light (final track on The Man Who album)
-------------------------
Love Will Come Through
Last Train
Good Feeling
Side
Re-Offender
Closer
My Eyes
Flowers in the Window
All I Want to Do Is Rock
Sing (guitarist played part of the song in the crowd)
Encore:
...Baby One More Time (Britney Spears cover)
Happy (with 50 fans on stage for a dance)





Monday 11 June 2018...6.30pm to 11.30pm...
NATIONAL RESTAURANT AWARDS 2018 at The Hurlingham Club, Putney Bridge, London SW6.
Always great to be at this venue that dates back to 1869 which is a world away from the outside hussle & bussle.
The Hurlingham Club is an exclusive sports and social club located in Fulham.
It has a Georgian clubhouse set in 42 acres of grounds.
It is one of the venues in the world that polo was first played.
Sports played here include croquet ,lawn tennis, cricket, bowls, skittles, squash and swimming (with both indoor and outdoor pools) as well as fitness facilities and a gymnasium. Games such as bridge, backgammon and chess are popular indoor pursuits.
There are peacocks walking around the grounds.
The club has 13,000 members and has a 30 year waiting list to join.
---------------------
A lovely sunny evening so the event as always is held outdoors before and after the awards.
Around 500 guests here with most of them paying £250 to attend.
Lots of restaurant owners here and a couple of well known chefs including Pierre Hoffmann.
Raymond Blanc was here as he picked up The Lifetime Achievement Award later.
At 8.20pm we are sat down indoors for an hour as they count down the Top 100 list.
Lots of complimentary drinks and food all throughout the evening including Devaux champers ,
half a dozen different cocktails,wines, Estrella Damm lagers and several food trucks giving out
cheeseburgers, wood fired pizza, seafood, fried chicken, tacos, churros, ice- cream and more.
All guests got a presentation box of beers and glasses from the main sponsors ESTRELLA DAMM.
An excellent evening.
The Top 10 were...
1---Kiln,Soho, London
2---Sabor, Mayfair, London
3---A Wong, Victoria, London
4---Core by Clare Smyth, Notting Hill, London
5---L’Enclume, Cartmel, Cumbria
6---Moor Hall, Aughton, Lancashire
7---Lyle’s,Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
8---Restaurant Sat Bains,Chelsea, London
9---The Sportsman, Seasalter, Kent
10---Nathan Outlaw, Port Isaac, Cornwall
www.nationalrestaurantawards.co.uk
Visit their website here for the full Top 100 list.






------------------------