News and Reviews: 28th August 2018
Tuesday 28 August 2018.A pub in hipster area Hoxton, East London is selling a pint of beer for over 20 quid.
A trendy pub is selling possibly the country's most expensive draft pint - that costs an astonishing £22.50.
The Craft Beer Co, which has bars across the UK, sell pints of Speedway Stout for more than FIVE TIMES the cost of an average beer.
But drinkers certainly do get a bit more bang for their buck, because the US-brewed stout is a pokey 12% ABV.
Per millilitre, the stout works out as more expensive than a bottle of luxury Belvedere vodka - which cost £45 each.
A barman in the chain's Old Street pub said that the beer, which they are happy pouring as a third of a pint for £7.50, is pricey because of the ingredients.
The beer, which is made in California by San Diego-based AleSmith Brewing Company, contains Blue Mountain Coffee from Hawaii, as well as other expensive ingredients.
Monday 27 August 2018.
Happy Birthday to original Sex Pistols bass player GLEN MATLOCK who is 62 today.
Glen and his band featuring Earl Slick on guitar play The 100 Club this coming Friday to
promote his new solo album 'Good to Go'.
Sunday 26 August 2018...1pm to 7.15pm.
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL...Day One...
Given that an estimated two million people each year, Notting Hill Carnival totally deserves its reputation as
Europe’s biggest street festival....second in size worldwide to the famous festival in Rio , Brazil...
The annual event is a vivid and thrilling spectacle.
Look out for RED BULL MUSIC x MANGROVE FLOAT on Monday.
and my fave sound systems Mighty Jah Observer and Gaz's Rockin' Blues on both days.
FREE ENTRY GIG on Sunday 26th August / 12pm-7pm
Location: Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park
Nearest tube : Westbourne Park (exit only on Carnival days)
Line up for the RED BULL SOUND SYSTEM STAGE
KONSHENS
MALEEK BERRY
AFRO B & TEAM SALUT’S AFROWAVE SOUND
HOODCELEBRITYY
LISA MERCEDEZ
TRILLARY BANKS
SEANIE B’S BRUK OUT
ALICAI HARLEY
IQ
SIR DJ COREY
plus many more acts to be announced on the day...
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At 1pm we get off at Notting Hill Gate tube and slowly walk past the floats,costumes, colour
and loud sounds blaring out and eventually arrive at the RED BULL SOUND SYSTEM STAGE.
It is drizzly rain for most of the day but the crowds are still everywhere.
Despite the 'not very Jamaican weather' the crowd soon fill up the RED BULL stage standing area.
We are right of stage in the RED BULL hospitality area for their guests and press.
We watch half a dozen (see the above list) very lively dancehall acts perform.
Konshens' (who stepped in for Popcaan) dancehall anthems made sure the carnival spirit leaped to an all-time high. His high-octane set-list constructed of fan favorites such as ‘Bruk Off Yuh Back’ and ‘Hard Drive’ showcased an artist who’s at his prime.
Elsewhere, a blinding live set by South London’s Maleek Berry became proof as to why the British-Nigerian sage is rising above the noise of the buzzing global scene right now. Afro wave pioneer Afro B returned to stage for a special performance alongside production trio Team Salut. The collective presented their ‘Afrowave Sound’ session for the masses.
Mixpak bossman Dre Skull also dropped a seamless set, featuring the newest sounds in bashment and reggaeton. He was joined by Tony Matterhorn, Shenseea, and MC Fox who was flying the flag for Manchester.
The line-up’s female talent delivered in force. Rising dancehall voice HoodCelebrityy brought her spitfire lyrics to proceedings. Lisa Mercedez took to the mic – a reminder of why she’s one of the leading figures of the dancehall diaspora. Leicester-based rapper Trillary Banks held her own with a confidence that many established artists can only dream of– a performance which primed the heaving crowd for the day ahead.
Also getting in the carnival spirit, well-known faces in the crowd included Ella Eyre, Clara Amfo, Rebecca Dudley, Yasmin Evans and Snoochie Shy.
All the acts are good at working the crowd up by getting them to 'jump, jump, jump'.
All the acts have a full light show and some flames and smoke shooting up in the air but oddly enough
the stage is not covered which left the artists and equipment open to the elements.
Nice for us to have some shelter and those all important toilets with no queues in the RED BULL area.
Complimentary drinks and food all afternoon including six different RED BULL cocktails,
Red Stripe Lager and some tasty jerk chicken dishes.
A great day.
www.redbull.com
Visit their website here for more info.
www.redbullmusicacademy.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Saturday 25 August 2018...5.30pm to 9.30pm...
KAISER CHIEFS live at The Royal Windsor Racecourse, Berkshire.
The Kaisers will take to the stage after a full afternoon of horse-racing....seven flat races....
I have seen The Kaisers around a dozen times since when their debut album came out.
They have had nine Top 40 hit singles in the UK.
Their six studio albums have all made the UK Top 10 charts including two that were number ones.
www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk
Visit their website here for more info and to buy tickets.
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I got to the venue at 5.30pm and watched 5 of the 7 horse races.
An afternoon of horse races followed by a name band is certainly a winning combination.
It has become more and more popular over the last few years.
A big crowd of 8000 here with many groups of folks drinking heavily...only saw one fight...
Lots of females here in lovely dresses and heels.
KAISER CHIEFS were on stage from 8.15pm and played for 75 mins.
Seemingly headed for the indie-rock afterlife, the Leeds band had their fortunes resurrected
following frontman Ricky Wilson’s star turn on TV show The Voice a couple of years ago.
Ricky is full of energy and good at getting the crowd on his side.
Loads of their hits played for the crowd to sing along to.
They were a good choice for this beer sodden crowd.
A great show.
Full Kaiser Chiefs setlist played tonight...
Everyday I Love You Less and Less
Everything Is Average Nowadays
Ruffians on Parade
Modern Way
Parachute
Ruby
Hole in My Soul
Good Days Bad Days
Never Miss a Beat
The Angry Mob
I Predict a Riot
Pinball Wizard (The Who cover)
Misery Company
Coming Home
Encore:
Na Na Na Na Naa
Oh My God
Saturday 25 August 2019.
Happy Birthday to KISS bass player Gene Simmons who is 69 today.
Friday 24 August 2018.
BRITNEY SPEARS + PITBULL live at The 02 Arena, London.
Britney Spears plays the first of three sold out shows at The 02 Arena.
Britney Spears is bringing her iconic show 'Piece Of Me' straight from her Las Vegas residency to Europe.
Britney has sold over 100 million records worldwide (albums and singles combined).
I saw her on her last UK tour which was visually great with multiple costume changes
but she only sung one song live.
That one song was a ballad which was the only song where she stood still.
The rest was mimed as she got stuck into some great dancing with her dancers.
Britney has over 20 million followers on Instagram.
Earlier this month she pulled a massive 57,000 crowd for her outdoor gig at Pride, Brighton.
Support comes from American rapper Pitbull.
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One of those shows that is pretty much a mix of all females and gay men.
Steep ticket prices as front floor blocks and Level 1 front blocks are £125 a ticket.
I catch the final 15 mins of the planned 45 mins by the support act PITBALL.
He is backed by a dj with decks and half a dozen scantily clad female dancers.
He had use of the three big screens.
He did a decent job of working the crowd up before Britney with some club tunes.
After a long interval BRITNEY SPEARS took to the stage at 9.05pm and played for 90 mins.
The crowd are all up dancing & screaming from the start.
Many are dressed in Britney stage outfits from her career...including some of the men.
A massive stage production with two side screens showing live footage and a big one in the middle
showing pre-recorded images...along with a few scenery changes and loads of lights and lasers.
There were 16 dancers...8 male and 8 female...
For EVERY song Britney was doing a full dance routine with them...her energy was boundless....
There was a catwalk extension that Britney used often.
A few quick skimpy costumes changes backstage were the only time Britney had a breather.
She is instantly forgiven for things that would would normally sink other stars, such as her
well-known aversion to live singing.
Britney had a head piece microphone on tonight but it was still all clever miming.
Her loyal fans were not bothered by all the miming at all.
Some songs were great and some songs were average but it was a visually mega show.
Full Britney Spears setlist played tonight...
Work Bitch
Womanizer
Break the Ice / Piece of Me
Darkness
...Baby One More Time / Oops!... I Did It Again
If I'm Dancing
Me Against the Music
Gimme More
Clumsy / Change Your Mind (No Seas Cortes)
Scream & Shout
Boys
Do You Wanna Come Over?
Work It / Get Ur Freak On / WTF (Where They From)
Get Naked (I Got a Plan)
I'm a Slave 4 U
Make Me...
Freakshow
Do Somethin'
Magic Circus
Circus
If U Seek Amy
Breathe on Me
Jungle Fever
Toxic
Stronger / (You Drive Me) Crazy
Encore:
Till the World Ends ( with ticker- tape falling over the floor sets)
Friday 24 August 2018.
Sad news that guitarist ED KING has passed away aged 68.
Ed King was an American musician. He was the guitarist for the psychedelic rock band Strawberry Alarm Clock and guitarist and bassist for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 to 1975 and again from 1987 to 1996.
He co-write many of their great songs including 'Sweet Home Alabama'.
I saw Lynryd Skynyrd five times in the period 1975 to 1977 before their fatal plane crash in Oct 1977
that killed original members including their singer.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Hammersmith Odeon ,London 27.10.1975
Lynyrd Skynyrd (BBC Theatre O.G.W.T Special ) Shepherds Bush Empire,London 11.11.1975
Old Grey Whistle Test TV Special at this venue that was BBC owned in the 1970s and 1980s.
Lynyrd Skynyrd,Steve Gibbons Band Hammersmith Odeon, London 15.02.1976
Rolling Stones,10 CC,Lynyrd Skynyrd,Todd Rundgren , Knebworth Music Festival 21.08.1976
Lynyrd Skynyrd,Clover Rainbow Theatre, London 29.01.1977
Thursday 23 August 2018...6pm to 8.30pm...
Vogue X Reserved - party - 252 / 258 Oxford Street, London W1.
A big crowd here as there must be at least 300 guests.
Around 50 male waiters handing out and topping up the drinks.
A dj is playing club tunes in the background.
Oddly for such a big store they do not have any toilets for customers.
Complimentary Nicolas Feuillatte champers and popcorn for all guests.
All guests got a goodie bag with a Reserved Tote cloth bag and a copy of the latest Vogue magazine.
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This store was opened by Kate Moss last year.
As BHS fades into the sunset, fast-growing Polish fashion chain Reserved have taken over one of the failed department store’s most high-profile sites for its maiden outlet in the UK.
The fashion chain, which offers clothing for men, women and kids in much similar a vein to H&M or Zara, has 30,000 sq ft (2,790 sq metre) outlet on the site of BHS’s former Oxford Street store in London.
It may be almost unknown in the UK, but Reserved is part of LPP, one of the fastest growing fashion chains in Europe. Since opening the first Reserved store in 1998, the group has expanded into 18 countries via six chains; from the more upmarket Tallinder to youth brand Cropp....over 450 stores worldwide...
www.reserved.com
Visit the Reserved website here for more info.
Thursday 23 August 2018.
Another interesting interview to watch on YouTube
MITCH MALLOY : Van Halen's Lost Boy
The legacy of Van Halen has never had a shortage of drama or die-hard fans...and rocker Mitch Malloy has a unique place within the still-unfolding drama. Following the ousting of Sammy Hagar from the band Malloy was tapped as the lead singer replacement, but subsequently declined this rock royalty position. For years Mitch Malloy's story was touched on but never fully revealed, mostly by Malloy to avoid conflict with his current musical pursuits. After the publication of "Everybody Wants Some: The Van Halen Saga," which mentions Malloy, fans and media continually asked about his Van Halen experience. This is Mitch's story. Mitch Malloy: Van Halen's Lost Boy.
Wednesday 22 August 2018.
August is one of the quieter months for quality indoor gigs.
This old ROLLING STONES documentary is worth watching when you have a spare hour.
It is up on YouTube over five parts of 10 mins each
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"Tip of the Tongue," is a documentary chronicling the conception and preparations for the innovative 3 show/ 3 venue concept from the recording studio in Paris to Toronto where the band prepares for their "Licks" World Tour.
Monday 20 August 2018...6.30pm to 9.30pm...
CELEBS ON THE FARM - launch party - The Fable, 52 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1.
CELEBS ON THE FARM new series starts on Channel 5 tv (tonight Monday) at 10pm....
Also daily at 10pm on 5Star...
In case you missed out on the early-'00s spectacle that was The Farm, Celebs on the Farm sees eight celebrities learn the ropes and (literally) muck in while staying at a Sussex farm.
Farmer Chris Jeffery puts the stars through their unprepared paces, including TOWIE's Bobby Norris and Megan McKenna, dancer Louie Spence and Gogglebox's Sandi Bogle.
Former Strictly pro Gleb Savchenko is also in his wellies, along with actress Lorraine Chase, British Judo Champion Ashley McKenzie and Ex on the Beach's Charlotte Dawson.
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The Fable is a fairytale-inspired bar and restaurant from Drake and Morgan.
The venue is nicely furnished with straw bales for everyone to sit on.
Former TOWIE star and country singer Megan Mckenna stepped out to celebrate her part in another reality show, joining Ashley McKenzie, Charlotte Dawson, Gleb Savchenko, Lorraine Chase, Louie Spence and Sandi Bogle for the Celebs on the Farm TV launch party. The group posed with farmhouse animals including goats and rabbits, before watching a preview of the new Channel 5 show.
The clips we were shown had many hilarious moments that had the crowd laughing & cheering.
Megan McKenna looked great as she posed for the several photographers outside the venue.
Charlotte Dawson is the daughter of comedy legend Les Dawson and his widow Tracy was here.
Also here was farmer Chris Jeffrey and stand-up comedian Stephen Bailey who is hosting the new series.
Complimentary cocktails, prosecco, wines, beers, burgers , canapés and desserts for all guests.
Monday 20 August 2018.
Happy Birthday to ROBERT PLANT who is 70 today.
I saw Led Zeppelin in 1975 at Earls Court as well as their big re-union show at The 02 Arena in 2007.
I have seen Robert Plant solo over 15 times since 1983.
PHIL LYNOTT would have been 69 today.
I first saw Thin Lizzy in 1975 when they supported Bachman Turner Overtime at Hammersmith Odeon.
Amazingly i saw Phil with Thin Lizzy 23 times which included their final show with Phil
when they headlined The Reading Festival in August 1983.
Saturday 18 August 2018..3pm - READING 0 BOLTON 1.
Looks like i will be watching Reading more than QPR this season.
Both Reading and QPR have had a bad start to the new season.
It's the third game of the Championship season and Reading lose again after back-to-back defeats against
Derby County and Nottingham Forest.
Reading had a couple of good chances but Bolton were the better team today.
Today's attendance before kick-off was 13,318 with 856 away fans.
QPR got slaughtered 7-1 by West Brom so they go bottom instead of Reading.
QPR and Reading managers must be thinking they could be sacked soon, if results don't improve.
They play each other on 02 Oct so that game should be very interesting.
Friday 17 August 2018...I went to two events tonight...
6pm to 8.30pm
STREET FEAST at Hawker House - showcase - Surrey Quays Road, London SE16.
Around 300 guests here at this massive space that is outside as well as inside.
There are several street food vendors and several bars offering different drinks.
You can play table tennis, pool , shoot hoops etc.
There is a dj playing in the background.
Complimentary rum cocktails, wines, beers and full portions of food for all guests.
I had some very tasty fried chicken and fries from MOTHER CLUCKER (buttermilk soaked, twice battered )
Also some very nice beef steak strips with peppercorn sauce from SALT SHED.
The Canada Water street food mega-market open every Friday and Saturday from 5pm to Late.
Food, booze and grooves – Families welcome.
It is three minutes walk from Canada Water tube station.
www.streetfeast.com
Visit the Street Feast website for more info on their six sites around London.
then
THE TEARAWAYS live at Nells Jazz & Blues, West Kensington, London W14.
The Tearaways were part of the New York power pop scene of the early 1980s.
The Tearaways featuring Clem Burke, John Finseth, John Ferriter, Greg Brallier & Dave Hekhouse.
CLEM BURKE of course is the legendary drummer with Blondie.
Blondie drummer Clem Burke has been playing them a couple of years and is with them tonight.
Pretty amazing the amount of bands Clem has drummed with over the years besides Blondie.
I saw him with The Plimsouls who are another American power pop band when I was on holiday
in Barcelona in May 1997.
The Tearaways released this debut single “Sounds like…” in 1981. After a hiatus the band started again in the 1990’s releasing a series of CD’s and released “The Early Mankey Sessions” in 2014.
Influenced by 1960's counterculture, The Tearaways combine the rock music subgenre of the British Invasion, lead most notably by the Beatles with the sunshine pop and surf music of the likes of the Beach Boys.
I was at their debut London show at The 100 Club this time last year.
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For a low key club there was a lot of well known names here including Glen Matlock, Chris Spedding,
Tony Hadley and major showbiz agent Jonathan Shalit is with Lizzie Cundy and Bruno Tonioli.
THE TEARAWAYS arrived on stage at 9.30pm and played for around 85 mins.
Mainly their own catchy power pop material along with a few covers.
Songs from the new “Anthems” album, coupled with “Esquire” and the “Earle Mankey Sessions” albums.
Great melodies and harmonies throughout and plenty of stunning drumming from Clem Burke.
An enjoyable show.
Setlist tonight included...
Do You Remember Rock n Roll Radio? (Ramones cover)
Name That Tune
I Love My Life
John Wayne
Call Me (Blondie cover)
Girls Who Love Cars
Encore :
You Should Be Dancing (Bee Gees cover)
Thursday 16 August 2018....I went to two events tonight...
6.45pm to 8.45pm
KISS x Billie Faiers - launch party - Marylebone Hotel, Welbeck Street , London W1.
KISS Nails & Lashes announce Billie Faiers as their new brand ambassador.
Around 150 guests here with maybe 90% female as expected.
Thankfully i am with a couple of female friends as it was very girly here.
Billie Faiers was the star of the party as she celebrated her new role as ambassador of KISS Nails and Lashes at The Marylebone Hotel. The former TOWIE star was joined by her co-star Jessica Wright, as well as Love Island's Laura Crane, Francine Lewis, Annaliese Dayes, Hayley Palmer, Georgie Clarke, Annabel Giles and Lizzie Cundy.
A band in the corner played several cover versions and there was a dj too.
Girls can get their nails and lashes done for free.
Complimentary prosecco, rum cocktails, vodka cocktails , canapés and ice-cream for guests tonight.
A huge goodie bag here with their full range of nails & lashes inside so over 20 items worth over £100,
so i will put it to good use for friends & family.
then
9.15pm to 10.30pm
CRISPIN - launch party - Whites Row, Spitalfields, London E1.
The duo behind the Lundenwic coffee shop and Borough Market’s Scotchtails take things to the next level with their latest project, an all-day eatery housed in an East London ‘zinc and glass kite’, with low intervention wines, local produce and even a ‘listening bar’.
This stand alone venue is stunning in design.
Maybe 60 guests here.
Opening offer in August of £1 coffees and 50% off food.
Complimentary wines, beers and canapés for guests tonight.
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I was on the guest list for this one but sadly it was the same time as above girly event so did not get along.
Proud Central - private view of Audrey Hepburn: Beyond the Screen.
Photography by Terry O’Neill, Norman Parkinson, Bob Willoughby, Eva Sereny, Mark Shaw and Douglas Kirkland will all be featured in the exhibition, which marks 25 years since Hepburn’s death at the age of 63.
Proud Central Gallery
32 John Adam Street
London
WC2N 6BP
Thursday 16 August 2018.
ARETHA FRANKLIN has sadly passed away aged 76.
Aretha Franklin, 'The Queen of Soul" known for hits like Respect and Think, has died in Detroit aged 76.
The legendary singer was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and announced last year she was retiring from music.
Franklin won 18 Grammys, and had 17 Top Ten US chart hits over a music career spanning seven decades.
Aretha was one of the few legendary artists I never saw live which was mainly due to her fear of flying
after an incident in 1984 when she vowed she would never leave North America again by plane.
Thursday 16 August 2018.
Happy Birthday to MADONNA who is 60 today.
Tomorrow (Friday) BBC4 tv are dedicating two programmes to her in tribute.
10pm
Documentary charting Britain's relationship with Madonna, examining the influence Madonna has had on British music and fashion, and how she provoked a debate over sexual and gender politics - inspiring a generation of women, whilst remaining a huge gay icon. The film follows a group of fans on their journey to Barcelona for the first night of Madonna's Drowned World Tour and finds out what Madonna means to them. Contributors include backing singer Donna DeLory, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Rosanna Arquette, Mel C, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Hear'Say and Janet Street-Porter.
11pm
Madonna live in concert - Rebel Heart World Tour 2015/2016.
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Having sold more than 300 million records worldwide, Madonna is recognised as the best-selling female
recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records.
I have seen Madonna live around a dozen times since 1987....always a fantastic visual show....
Wednesday 15 August 2018.
AEROSMITH have confirmed that they will play a total of 18 shows in Las Vegas in 2019.
The band will take to the stage at the Park Theater at the new Park MGM resort in the city throughout April, June and July next year for a run of performances under the 'Deuces Are Wild' banner.
Aerosmith are one of the rare bands with all five members still there from their 1970s line-up.
Aerosmith celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2019.
Tuesday 14 August 2018.
We went for a drive out to Berks and Bucks to visit Windsor and a showcase at Hedsor House, Taplow.
1pm to 5pm...Windsor, Berkshire.
We had a very nice afternoon in Windsor including a visit to Windsor Castle.
Even more tourists than usual here due to The Royal Wedding a couple of months ago.
We walked across the bridge to Eton.
Always great to have a proper wander around Windsor every so often.
then
5.30pm to 7pm...Hedsor House - showcase - Taplow, Bucks.
A right Royal history. This manor house was originally designed by Sir William Chambers, the architect of Somerset House, with the help of King George III and Queen Charlotte. They were captivated by Hedsor's picturesque position high above the River Thames and its proximity to London..the current house on the site was completed in 1868.
Hedsor House remained as the Boston family's country house until early in the 20th century, during which time Queen Victoria was said to be a frequent visitor to the house and its beautiful surrounding parkland.
It is available to hire for corporate events and weddings...it has also been used in film and tv.
It featured Tom Hardy in the 2015 film Legend and in 2016 as the mansion George Clooney is kidnapped to in a Nespresso advert.
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The Taplow area has many large country estates including Cliveden House and Taplow House.
A stunning entrance with a long drive as we wind half a mile or so to the car park and entrance.
A stunning house over three floors with over a dozen rooms, a ballroom, sunken gardens etc , set in 85 acres.
Everything here looks luxurious and immaculate.
Folks with a few extra quid hold their weddings here...would be pricey.
Would be very tricky to get here without a car.
Complimentary prosecco, coffees, teas and canapés for around 100 guests.
www.hedsor.com
Visit the Hedsor website here for more info.
Monday 13 August 2018.
Some facts about IRON MAIDEN who i have seen over 30 times including just a couple of days ago.
In the 1980s they would always rather play multi-nights at Hammersmith Odeon than play Wembley Arena.
In Nov 1986 I saw all six of their Hammersmith Odeon shows on that tour.
Oddly enough that the support band for those shows were Samson who were Bruce Dickinson's band
before he joined Iron Maiden.
I saw Bruce Dickinson sing with Samson in 1979 and 1980.
I saw Iron Maiden in 1980 when Paul Di'Anno was their singer before Bruce Dickinson.
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I was at this mega gig 30 years ago this month.
Iron Maiden,KISS,David Lee Roth ,Megadeth,Guns And Roses,Helloween Monsters Of Rock Festival , 20.08.1988
Iron Maiden did a superb full 2 hour set. KISS did 75 mins set ( no make up ) David Lee Roth did a mega 60 mins . sadly a death when GnR played .
Sunday 12 August 2018.
Any regulars that go to events at The 02 Arena in London will know that
drinks & food are a total rip-off but they have defied belief by having yet another price increase.
They now charge £7 for a pint of lager, yes £7...total thievery.
Best to drink outside the venue or not at all if you can.
Friday 10 August 2018
On this day in KISSTORY - August 10, 1973 -KISS auditioned for their soon to be manager Bill Aucoin at the Crystal Ball Room of the Hotel Diplomat in New York City.
Bill Aucoin: When I first saw KISS at the Hotel Diplomat in 1973 they didn't have much of a show. They had the red beacons, a couple of amps. They were wearing black jeans. No one could afford leather. The show was just a regular rock 'n' roll show except they had spontaneity. They wanted to do something different and they wanted it very badly. That kind of devotion is worth more than anything. It's so special and you start picking up on it. I saw that magic in them.
When i first went to New York in Sept 1979 i headed for a two week stay at Hotel Diplomat as KISS and
The New York Dolls had played there.
During my stay there i saw The Buzzcocks playing in the same ballroom KISS had played in.
Hotel Diplomat is no longer there.
Friday 10 August 2018.
IRON MAIDEN + KILLSWITCH ENGAGE live at The 02 Arena, London.
Iron Maiden play the first of two sold out shows here.
These are the final dates on their European Tour.
Expect a nice big stage production.
I have seen Iron Maiden over 30 times since 1980 when they were a support band to Judas Priest at
Hammersmith Odeon and throughout the 1980s they headlined Hammersmith Odeon many times.
Not sure why , but I did not see their shows at The 02 Arena in May 2017 on their last UK tour.
Iron Maiden are one of the biggest metal bands in the world with over 100 million album sales worldwide.
Support band are Killswitch Engage who are an American metalcore band.
They have released seven studio albums and sold over 4 million albums worldwide.
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Get to the venue and as per usual with Maiden fans the merch stands are doing a roaring trade.
Every other person seems to be wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt.
I caught the last 15 mins of support band KILLSWITCH ENGAGE.
Heavy metal guitar riffs were ok but the shouty aggressive vocals were not my cup tea.
They finished with a cover of 'Holy Diver' so not sure what Ronnie James Dio would have thought of that.
The majority of Maiden fans did not seem that impressed and the band barely got applause when they finished.
IRON MAIDEN had the great full tape intro of UFO's 'Doctor Doctor ' then a famous Churchill speech and
then they came on stage at 9pm and played for around 1 hour 50 mins.
There is a big screen showing great pre-recorded images and two side screens showing live footage.
Iron Maiden’s Legacy of the Beast tour has to be one of their most visually extravagant show ever. Their mascot, Eddie, appears first as a 12-foot trooper, swordfighting with singer Bruce Dickinson, and then as a stage-dwarfing demon. There are pyrotechnics, a giant noose and a vast model of Icarus. Most eye-popping of all is the 90% lifesize model of a second world war Spitfire, which “flies” over the stage for the opening track and almost takes out drummer Nicko McBrain with its tailfin.
Lots of lights as usual as Bruce sweats his nuts off running around the stage and the other members
swop positions on stage throughout the evening and Janick Gers does his funny guitar theatrics.
The first half had a few lesser known tunes but the second half was a superb batch of Maiden anthems.
An excellent show from Iron Maiden.
Full Iron Maiden setlist played tonight...
Tape intro : Doctor Doctor (UFO song)
Video intro : Churchill's Speech
Aces High
Where Eagles Dare
2 Minutes to Midnight
The Clansman
The Trooper
Revelations
For the Greater Good of God
The Wicker Man
Sign of the Cross
Flight of Icarus
Fear of the Dark
The Number of the Beast
Iron Maiden
Encore:
The Evil That Men Do
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Run to the Hills
Tape outro : Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (Monty Python song)
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Amazingly a fan has put this entire show up on YouTube the following morning.
Thursday 09 August 2018...I went to three events today...
2.30pm to 6pm.
Great British Beer Festival at Olympia, London.
I went back here for the second time...it is on until Saturday.
Britain's flagship beer festival returns to Olympia London. Living up to its reputation as ‘Britain’s ultimate beer festival,' The Great British Beer Festival will showcase over 900 real ales and other craft beers including ciders, perries, fine wines and gin.
Greene King - Great British Beer Festival’s headline sponsor is set to bring its iconic 5X brew to the festival.
Live entertainment on each day for the big crowd of 5000 expected.
Thursday is Planet Rock Day and i saw two of the six bands who played throughout the day.
Mollie Marriott and Danny Bryant.
Around 500 of the 5000 crowd are watching the bands play at one end.
MOLLIE MARRIOTT and band were on at 3.20pm and played for 40 mins.
Mollie is the daughter of rock legend Steve Marriott (Humble Pie and Small Faces) who sadly
died in a house fire back in 1991.
With long blonde hair and thigh high black suede boots , she looked the part.
Mollie played some decent tracks from her album 'Truth is a Wolf'.
Mollie also played cover versions by Aretha Franklin and Tom Petty.
DANNY BRYANT and band were on at 4.30pm and played for 45 mins.
Danny Bryant has released several albums over his career.
He played some really good blues guitar and his band included nice boogie woogie piano.
A couple of blues covers in the set as well.
www.gbbf.co.uk
Visit their website here for more info and to buy tickets.
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then
6.30pm to 7.30pm
arc. - private view - Herrick Gallery,93 Piccadilly, London W1.
Around 100 guests here inside and outside the gallery.
arc. brings together the work of Fani Parali, Victor Seaward, Mark Corfield Moore and Nathaniel Faulkner and is Kristian Day Gallery’s second collaboration with Herrick Gallery.
Incorporating film, tapestry, installation, 3D printing and sculpture arc. explores notions of communication, code, ritual, material and process.
Complimentary wines and beers for all guests.
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then
7.45pm to 11pm
1883 magazine 'Royalty' issue party - Cuckoo Club, Swallow Street, London W1.
This was the venue where i saw Guns & Roses play a 75 mins set in 2006 after they played Wembley Arena.
Around 150 guests here including Martin Chambers from The Pretenders.
Martin played drums on the soon to be released new Razorlight album.
1883 magazine celebrates all that is new & exciting in the world of fashion, music, film & arts.
RAZORLIGHT arrive on stage at 9.40pm and played a five song hits based 20 mins set.
Four hit singles and a new track.
There is no stage and Razorlight are playing on the floor in the corner.
We are just a few feet from them as they played a lively set that went down well.
1.In The Morning
2.Golden Touch
3.Before I Fall to Pieces
4.Carry Yourself
5.America (dedicated to President Trump)
Fat Tony was the dj after Razorlight finished their set - he is Kate Moss fave dj.
It got very lively so we had a boogie on the dance floor.
Complimentary prosecco, Stoli vodka cocktails, Cenote tequila cocktails, Bayou rum cocktails for guests.
A great event.
www.1883magazine.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Tuesday 07 August 2018...I went to two events today...
3.30pm to 5pm
Great British Beer Festival at Olympia, London W14.
Britain's flagship beer festival returns to Olympia London. Living up to its reputation as ‘Britain’s ultimate beer festival,' The Great British Beer Festival will showcase over 900 real ales and other craft beers including ciders, perries, fine wines and gin.
Greene King - Great British Beer Festival’s headline sponsor is set to bring its iconic 5X brew to the festival.
Live entertainment on each evening for the big crowd of around 5000 daily.
Today was the opening day for trade and press until 5pm.
All the beers have a description so you can read before you try and part of the fun is buying a third of a pint.
Lots of street food vendors here that are selling all types of food.
Lots of traditional pub games to play including skittles etc.
Lots of pub merch and memorabilia on sale.
Lots of seating all around the venue.
www.gbbf.co.uk
Visit their website here for more info and to buy tickets.
then
STEVEN TYLER & THE LOVING MARY BAND live at The Forum, London.
Legendary singer of rockers Aerosmith plays a one off UK show at the end of his European Tour.
This will be his first ever solo show in the UK.
The setlist will mix Aerosmith classics, choice cover versions and tracks from his country tinged solo album.
I have seen Aerosmith over a dozen times since 1976 at Hammersmith Odeon when they played
their first ever London show.
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Needless to say i was really looking forward to this show as this was a 'must see gig'.
Steven Tyler live at The Forum for just 2300 fans is one of those ' I was there' gigs.
Apart from a secret gig at The Marquee Club in 1990 after a Monsters of Rock show , Aerosmith
have only played arenas and big festivals in the UK over the past 30 years.
The show was slow at selling out due to steep ticket prices of £130 and £100 but it sold out a couple of days
before the show and as it was scorching during the day the venue is very hot & humid inside.
STEVEN TYLER & THE LOVING MARY BAND arrived on stage at 9.05pm and played for around 80 mins.
On stage for only 80 mins seemed a bit short but this was a classic case of quality over quantity as
Steven Tyler oozed A-list rock star charisma for the entire show as he played a crowd pleasing set featuring
loads of Aerosmith classics and covers that Aerosmith play live and not too many tracks from the new album.
Even at the grand old age of 70, Steven Tyler still looks incredible.
Long hair, big mouth, all his nails painted, rock n roll jewellery...along with his trademark scarves on the microphone.
Kind of odd not seeing Joe Perry and co backing him and his band tonight included
females playing drums and bass and most songs had three guitars but a few had two guitars...and a banjo.
Thankfully the band sound 'more rock than country'.
We have three big screens showing live footage including great close-ups of Steven Tyler.
Steven Tyler on piano for a stunning version of 'Dream On'.
Encore was a mega version of 'Walk This Way' and a minute of 'Whole Lotta Love'.
He could have played a full version of the classic Led Zep cover to make the set a bit longer.
A short but excellent show.
Full Steven Tyler setlist played tonight...
Sweet Emotion (Aerosmith song)
Cryin' (Aerosmith song)
I'm Down / Oh! Darling (The Beatles cover)
Come Together (The Beatles cover)
Rattlesnake Shake (Fleetwood Mac cover)
Jaded (Aerosmith song)
Only Heaven
Mercedes Benz (Janis Joplin cover)
Piece of My Heart (Erma Franklin cover)
We're All Somebody From Somewhere
Livin' on the Edge (Aerosmith song)
Janie's Got a Gun (Aerosmith song)
Dream On (Aerosmith song) (followed by band introductions)
Train Kept A-Rollin' (Tiny Bradshaw cover)
Encore:
Walk This Way (Aerosmith song)
Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin cover ) (one minute snippet as outro)
Monday 06 August 2018.
The Official Top 8 biggest VINYL albums of 2018 so far...
Amazing how many classic older albums are still selling on vinyl.
1 TRANQUILITY BASE HOTEL & CASINO ARCTIC MONKEYS
2 RUMOURS FLEETWOOD MAC
3 THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON PINK FLOYD
4 THE GREATEST SHOWMAN MOTION PICTURE CAST RECORDING
5 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY - AWESOME MIX 2 ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
6 NEVERMIND NIRVANA
7 STAYING AT TAMARA'S GEORGE EZRA
8 WHAT'S THE STORY MORNING GLORY OASIS
Sunday 05 August 2018...6.15pm to 8.45pm...
My band from the early 1980s - Gun Control - are having our 5th rehearsal in North Acton.
It was our first rehearsal for over a month due to holidays and stuff.
Things going a bit slow as we cannot get our original singer up from Southend where he now lives.
Our new singer is doing a good job.
Hopefully there will be a couple of gigs just before Christmas.
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