News and Reviews: 15th September 2018
Friday 14 September 2018...7.30pm to 10pm...NINA NAUSTDAL - AW18/19 London Fashion Week catwalk show -
Maddox Club, 3/5 Mill Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Upmarket designer Nina Naustdal is showcasing her latest creations.
Nina recently featured in the Channel 4 tv documentary 'Too Posh to Parent'.
Nina got plenty of press attention when she mentioned she hired a 'LEGO THERAPIST' for her three kids.
And there’s always a nanny on hand, if you can afford to employ one per child (and put them on pooper-scooper duty to pick up after the seven Chihuahuas) , not to mention two tutors, a personal assistant, chef, butler and chauffeur-cum-bodyguard.
Staff wages are £200,000 a year but that's peanuts when your husband is a big hedge fund manager and
they own big houses in Chelsea and Monaco.
We arrive on time and it gets very busy....lots of great looking women all dressed up here...
Mark-Francis Vandelli from tv series Made in Chelsea was here.
Before the catwalk show we had a ballet dancer perform for 10 minutes.
We are part of the 150 guests seated and there are maybe another 100 standing.
Our host was LIZZIE CUNDY who looked stunning in one of Nina's elegant gowns.
At 9.05pm we get a full 30 minute catwalk show featuring Nina's incredible creations.
The music soundtrack was a singer and an acoustic guitarist.
The dozen models walk between the seats.
What got plenty of cheers was Nina's three young kids who were modelling the Children's couture
while carrying small dogs who were wearing the Dog couture.
Womenswear Couture and Black Collection AW18/19
Womenswear Fur and Leather Collection AW19/20
Children Couture and Black Collection AW18/19
Dog Couture and Black Collection AW18/19
Complimentary prosecco and vodka cocktails for all guests.
A nice goodie bag with a dozen items in each one.
www.nina-naustdal.com
Visit the website here for more info and photos.
Thursday 13 September 2018...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 7.15pm
STREET PARTY - Savile Row, London W1.
Women may have Milan and Paris but London is undeniably menswear’s global capital and the most important street in this world is Savile Row, a modest Mayfair row of the men’s tailors that quite simply make the best suits in the world.
The street is closed off at both ends as there must be 1000 people here.
Many are in expensive looking suits that were made in Savile Row.
The area in the middle had a dj spinning the tunes and there were complimentary
gin cocktails , Peroni beers and canapés for all.
then just around the corner to...
7.20pm to 9.45pm
AISSO - London Fashion Week showcase, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, London W1.
AISSO is the Global Online and Offline Destination for Greek Designers, promoting Greek creativity across the world.
Their mission is to discover and support world class Greek creative talent.
Very unusual to have a fashion show at this prestigious venue as it must be expensive to hire out.
There are 21 female models on podiums (seven designers are showcasing three outfits each).
They are static and then every 30 mins they have a catwalk through the crowd and change places.
Over 300 guests here and a very nice vibe in the big space.
Complimentary wines and canapés for all guests.
www.aissofashion.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Wednesday 12 September 2018...I went to two events tonight...
5.15pm to 6.15pm
VENUES SHOWCASE at The Montcalm Hotel, Marble Arch, London W1.
Around 30 venues are showcasing here for pre Christmas hire.
It is big business so lots of competition for event planners to check out.
Some well known names including The Ned, Intercontinental Park Lane,
Mandarin Oriental Hotel, The British Museum, Nobu Restaurant, The Hurlingham Club and others.
Over 200 guests here with complimentary wines, beers and canapés.
We had to move on to the next event , so missed out on the raffle prizes from the exhibitors at 7.30pm.
All guests got a small goodie bag with a couple of Cowshed products inside.
then
6.45pm to 9pm
FORTNUMS X FRANK - private view - Fortnum's & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, London W1.
Fortnum & Mason announce their 3rd collaboration with art collector Frank Cohen: a presentation of work by
British landscape artist John Virtue.
At 7.15pm we had speeches from Frank Cohen and John Virtue.
Around 150 guests here at this famous upmarket store.
Guests included Stephen Webster, Meredith Ostrom, Naughty Boy and Lady Sabrina Percy.
Also here was David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon, styled as Viscount Linley until 2017 and known professionally as David Linley.As of June 2018, he is 20th in the line of succession to the British throne.
Complimentary Fortnum's & Mason champers along with tasty canapés and desserts.
All guests got a nice goodie bag with half a dozen food items from Fortnum's & Mason.
www.fortnumandmason.com
Visit their website here for more info.
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Although they put me on the guest list i could not get along to THE START ART FAIR private view at
The Saatchi Gallery , Kings Road , Chelsea as it was the same time as the event above.
www.startartfair.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Tuesday 11 September 2018...6.30pm to 9.15pm...
THE LONDON CABARET CLUB - Gatsby Christmas Showcase - Bloomsbury Ballroom, Victoria House,
Bloomsbury Square, London WC1.
The London Cabaret Club offers a sophisticated entertainment concept combining an exquisite dining experience with an innovative live cabaret show. A night at The London Cabaret Club is an
impressive production of music, dance, food and drink.
Around 150 guests are here at this showcase.
From 6.40pm to 7.20pm we have live entertainment in the main bar area which included
a duo singing covers, a Latin dance duo routine and a three female string section.
From 7.35pm to 7.55pm we went into their impressive ballroom for the main cabaret show.
Dancers, singers, acrobats etc are performing on the centre stage..with a Gatsby theme...
The cabaret is every Friday and Saturday and the venue can be hired out on other days.
Guests can enjoy a three course dinner along with a two hour show.
There was a fun photo called 'The Mighty Booth' here that folks enjoyed getting dressed up for.
Complimentary prosecco, gin cocktails, wines, bowl food , canapés and desserts for guests tonight.
All guests got a small goodie bag with a pair of tickets to see the full two hour show.
www.thelondoncabaretclub.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Monday 10 September 2018...available to buy from today...
D.O.A. A Right of Passage, finally arrives for the first time on Blu-ray and DVD Dual format.
D.O.A.: A Right of Passage is the unique, grainy and up-close document of an iconic musical movement, packed with live footage of the Pistols’ incendiary American shows in 1978, as well as live performances from the greatest punk band you’ve never heard of, Terry and The Idiots, alongside Dead Boys, Generation X, Rich Kids, X-Ray Spex, Sham 69 with additional music from The Clash and Iggy Pop. It arrives on 10 September 2018, complete with brand new bonus features and limited edition booklet in the first 2000 copies.
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The film centre's around the Sex Pistols 1978 tour of the United States which ended with the group breaking up. The tour was the only one the group played in the U.S. before they reformed nearly two decades later.
Film director Lech Kowalski followed them with handheld cameras through the clubs and bars of their seven-city Southern tour. Mixing this with footage of other contemporary bands, trends in the fashion capitals, and punks of all shapes and colours, Kowalski created a grainy, stained snapshot of a movement at its peak,showing how certain authority figures saw the movement as a threat.
It features interview footage (including the famous interview of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen in bed), and behind the scenes shots from the tour as well as interviews with audience members who had strong and widely varied reactions to the group.
Many of the 20 plus songs feature classic Pistols , but it also included other performances by first wave Punk acts such as The Dead Boys , The Rich Kids , Sham 69 and Generation X with Billy Idol.
A great film that's well worth buying.
Monday 10 September 2018...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 7.30pm
TV CHOICE AWARDS 2018 - The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London W1.
TV Choice is a British weekly TV listings magazine published by H. Bauer Publishing.
Last year I got a great photo here with Penny Lancaster (Rod Stewarts wife).
Always nice to be at this famous five star hotel.
Lots of autograph hunters and showbiz photographers outside the venue as we arrive.
We are here for the red carpet arrivals in the press area before guests sat down for dinner.
Around 400 guests here with black tie for men and women wearing nice dresses.
Lots of well known faces from tv are here.
Danny Dyer collected the Best Soap Actor prize at The TV Choice Awards, joining his daughter Dani Dyer and her boyfriend, fellow Love Island star Jack Fincham, at the annual ceremony. Kelly Brook, Michelle Keegan, Paddy McGuinness, Joey Essex, Kate Garraway, Kem Cetinay, Leigh Francis, Megan Barton Hanson and Wes Nelson also took to the red carpet at The Dorchester where Coronation Street took home Best Soap, Peaky Blinders won Best Drama Series, Call The Midwife collected Best Family Drama, and This Morning was feted with the Best Daytime Show prize, with hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on hand to accept the award.
Also here were ex footballer Dennis Wise, Janet Street Porter, Gloria Hunniford, Linda Robson,
Lisa Snowdon, Nicolas Parsons and a few others.
Complimentary prosecco (previous years was champers) and beers for all reception guests.
www.tvchoicemagazine.co.uk
Visit their website here for more info and pictures.
then
8pm to 11pm
DUKES HOTEL - 110th birthday party - 35 St James's Place, St James's, London SW1.
This year marks 110 years since DUKES LONDON first opened its distinguished doors. One of Mayfair’s most celebrated hotels, the five-star bolthole in St. James’s Place first opened in 1908 as a hotel for dukes and aristocracy.
Around 200 guests here over the two levels of this very smart hotel.
A few of the local Mayfair stores are showing their products.
We have a male singer perform some Rat Pack classics.
For the last hour it got very lively as the dj played tunes.
Complimentary wines, beers, canapés and cup cakes for all guests.
All guests got a nice goodie bag with half a dozen items inside.
www.dukeshotel.com
Visit their website here for more info.
To celebrate their birthday they are having a two course meal for a special price of £19.08
Stay on a Sunday night for only £110 compared to the usual £300 nightly charge.
Sunday 09 September 2018...1.30pm to 9.30pm...
KYLIE MINOGUE headlines BBC Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park, London.
The other acts featuring in the line-up include Lenny Kravitz, Manic Street Preachers, Boyzone,
The Shires, All Saints, Rita Ora, The Band of Love.
As the headliner Kylie Minogue will be last for around 60 mins set...others play 30 to 40 mins...
Most ticket holders get there early as organisers never say the running order until the day so could
easily be Lenny Kravitz or Manic Street Preachers first on at 1.30pm.
Kylie Minogue headlining set will be shown on BBC1 tv on the same evening.
Highlights of the other acts will be on the BBC Red Button over the following week.
Kylie is promoting her new album 'Golden'.
Lenny Kravitz released his 11th album 'Raise Vibration' a couple of days before this show.
I always go to this event as the eight bands are usually big names from different musical genres.
Look at this... at what festival would you have the Manic Street Preachers coming on after Boyzone?
A big crowd of around 50,000 will be there.
I will be there mainly to see Lenny Kravitz, The Manics and Kylie.
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A lovely sunny day compared to some of the previous years of this festival.
Each act has their own band and their own stage production.
Each act has use of the big screens.
Each act is introduced by a couple of the BBC Radio 2 djs.
The robbing bastards here are charging a hefty £10 for a lanyard with the stage times
and a postcard sized booklet...and people were buying them.
LENNY KRAVITZ arrived on stage at 1.35pm for his 30 mins set.
Lenny and his band (including Gail Ann Dorsey on bass) all look super cool as usual.
Lenny wore a floppy hat for most of his set before he got rid of it to shake his dreads and
get out his Flying V guitar for 'Are You Gonna Go My Way'.
A short but very sweet set with four of his classics , a cover and a new album track.
Full Lenny Kravitz setlist played tonight...
Fly Away
American Woman (The Guess Who cover)
Get Up, Stand Up (The Wailers cover)
5 More Days 'Til Summer (live debut)
Let Love Rule
Are You Gonna Go My Way
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RITA ORA arrived on stage at 2.35pm for her 25 mins set.
A decent hits based set with a dozen backing dancers.
Full Rita Ora setlist played tonight...
Your Song
Poison
I Will Never Let You Down
Lonely Together (Avicii cover)
For You (Liam Payne & Rita Ora song)
Anywhere
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THE BAND OF LOVE arrived on stage at 3.20pm and played for 30 mins.
They are a British folk band who played folk covers of disco classics from their album 'Folk Fever'.
Pleasant enough but they should have opened the event rather than Lenny Kravitz.
Full setlist played by them tonight...
We Are Family (Sister Sledge cover)
Born to Be Alive (Patrick Hernandez cover)
Love Don't Live Here Anymore (Rose Royce cover)
Give Me the Night (George Benson cover)
Night Fever (Bee Gees cover)
I'll Put You Together Again (Hot Chocolate cover)
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THE SHIRES arrived on stage at 4.20pm and played for 30 mins.
UK country sensations The Shires have had a very impressive rise over the past few years
where all three of their albums have gone Top 10 in the UK.
A pleasant enough set with many of their biggest tracks.
Full setlist played by The Shires tonight...
Echo
Guilty
State Lines
Nashville Grey Skies
Tonight
A Thousand Hallelujahs
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ALL SAINTS arrived on stage at 5.10pm for their 30 mins set.
Back in the late 90s they were the edgier rivals to The Spice Girls and had several hits.
They are on another comeback tour and play Hammersmith Apollo on 06 Dec.
Great versions of their hits 'Never Ever' and 'Pure Shores' in their set.
Full setlist played by All Saints tonight...
I Know Where It's At
After All
Never Ever
Love Lasts Forever
Pure Shores
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BOYZONE arrived on stage at 6.05pm for their 35 mins set.
Boy band (now man band) Boyzone are on a a 25th anniversary farewell tour during 2018/2019.
Their UK arena tour next year includes dates at The 02 Arena and Wembley Arena.
They have sold over 25 million records worldwide ( singles and albums combined).
They were a bit heavy on the ballads but the girls in the crowd liked them.
Boyzone setlist tonight included their big hits...
Words
When The Going Gets Tough ( Billy Ocean cover)
Love Me For A Reason (The Osmonds cover)
No Matter What
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MANIC STREET PREACHERS arrived on stage at 7.05pm for their 45 mins set.
The Manics have sold over 10 million albums worldwide.
Remember they played Cuba many years before The Rolling Stones did.
They have played a lot of gigs this year but it's always great to see them play live.
James Dean Bradfield plays some nifty guitar and Nicky Wire has his face covered in glitter.
A great set with loads of the classics played and a couple of newer tracks.
Full Manics setlist played tonight...
Motorcycle Emptiness
International Blue
You Stole the Sun From My Heart
Everything Must Go
Your Love Alone Is Not Enough
People Give In
If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next
You Love Us
Hold Me Like a Heaven
A Design for Life
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KYLIE MINOGUE arrived on stage at 8.20pm for her 65 mins set.
A nice production with a giant disco glitter ball and eight dancers (4 M / 4 F).
Kylie looks incredible for her 50 years.
Kylie was joined by Jason Donovan and Rick Astley for a couple of songs.
Pop princess Kylie is always great live.
Full Kylie Minogue setlist played tonight...
Golden
Spinning Around
Got to Be Certain (Acapella/Snippet)
Step Back in Time (Acapella/Snippet)
Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi (Acapella/Snippet)
In Your Eyes
Stop Me From Falling
Can't Get You Out of My Head
The Chain (Fleetwood Mac cover instrumental snippet as Kylie changed outfits)
Especially for You (Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan song) (with Jason Donovan)
The Loco-Motion (Carole King cover)
On a Night Like This
I Should Be So Lucky / Never Gonna Give You Up (with Rick Astley)
Kids (Robbie Williams cover) (with Rick Astley)
Dancing
Love at First Sight
All the Lovers (with ticker tape over the front area of the crowd)
Saturday 08 September 2018.
KEVIN BRIDGES + PAUL McCAFFREY live at Hammersmith Apollo, London.
Scottish comedian Kevin Bridges is playing the third of seven sold out nights at this venue.
Kevin is playing a massive UK tour until mid December with multi-nights in each city.
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I have a perfect view just five rows from the stage in the front stalls.
Support PAUL McCAFFREY i had never heard of before but he took to the stage at 8.05pm
and performed a really good funny set for 30 mins.
KEVIN BRIDGES arrived on stage at 8.55pm and performed for 70 mins.
The biggest new name in Scottish stand-up continues his reign with another show packed with
astute observations and deathly funny gags.
He was soooo funny, with loads of great laugh out loud moments all through the show.
Like Billy Connolly his Scottish accent definitely helps the jokes sound better.
An excellent night of comedy.
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The DVD of the tour will be in stores on 07 Dec 2018...just in time for Christmas.
All his three live DVDs so far have sold over 100,000 copies each.
Fri 07 Sept---Paul McCartney new album 'Egypt Station' is out today.
Fri 07 Sept---Lenny Kravitz new album 'Raise Vibration' is out today
Friday 07 September 2018.
Happy Birthday to CHRISSIE HYNDE who is 67 today.
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40 years ago today.
KEITH MOON died tragically of a drug overdose on September 7, 1978, when he was just 32 years old.
Thursday 06 August 2018.
BARRY MANILOW + COLLABRO live at The 02 Arena, London.
Barry Manilow plays the first of three shows at The 02 Arena.
A bit ambitious by Barry to try and fill three nights at this big venue.
He should have put one night or two nights on sale and see how sales went.
For all three shows the entire upstairs Level 4 is closed off as unsold.
Barry Manilow's career encompasses virtually every area of music, including performing, composing, arranging and producing. A Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Manilow has triumphed in every medium of entertainment. With worldwide record sales exceeding 85 million....singles & albums combined...
Barry has had 13 x Top 40 hit singles and 7 x Top 10 hit albums in the UK charts.
I have seen Barry a few times over the years with the first time in 1993 when I was at one of his
EIGHT shows at The Royal Albert Hall on that tour.
Support act on the tour are Collabro.
Collabro are a UK-based musical theatre group and winners of the eighth series of Britain's Got Talent in 2014. The group consists of Michael Auger, Jamie Lambert, Matthew Pagan and Thomas J. Redgrave
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COLLABRO arrived on stage at 7.30pm and performed for 30 mins.
They are popular in their own right with a few albums released.
The four male singers sung some show tunes to a backing track in a tiny space front of stage.
They were given use of the two big screens at the sides.
Most of the crowd were given green glow sticks as they came in and waved them enthusiastically
during both Collabro and Barry Manilow.
In the interval we had a random 10 minutes comedy turn from SHAUN WILLIAMSON who played
Barry in Eastenders...he was quite funny.
BARRY MANILOW arrived on stage at 8.30pm and performed for 1 hour 40 mins.
Barry was backed by a full band including three backing singers and big screens.
Plastic surgery and heavy make up is keeping him looking a young 75.
His legion of loyal older female fans are here as Barry tells the crowd this is his 23rd
UK tour since 1978 when he played The London Palladium.
Well written songs full of melody keep the crowd singing along.
The first half ticked along nicely and most of his big tunes were in the second half.
Barry changed his sparkly jackets several times during the show.
Barry is not everyone's cup of tea but he always puts on an enjoyable show.
Full Barry Manilow setlist played tonight...
It's a Miracle
Sweet Heaven (I'm in Love Again)
Stay
Daybreak
Looks Like We Made It
Can't Smile Without You
Bermuda Triangle
I Don't Want to Walk Without You
This One's For You
This Is My Town
On Broadway (The Drifters cover)
Even Now
Let's Hang On! (The Four Seasons cover)
Weekend In New England
Could It Be Magic (Disco version)
I Made It Through the Rain
Mandy (Scott English cover)
I Write the Songs (Bruce Johnston cover)
Copacabana (At the Copa)
It's a Miracle (Reprise)
Thursday 06 August 2018.
ERIC CLAPTON and The Who‘s ROGER DALTREY are among the first notable figures to be honored with stars on the Royal Albert Hall’s new Walk of Fame. The rock legends attended an unveiling ceremony Tuesday, September 4, at the famous London venue and were presented with special commemorative plaques.
Thursday 06 August 2018.
Sad news that film legend BURT REYNOLDS has died.
He was one of the most popular actors in the 1970s and 1980s.
Burt Reynolds, the legendary actor with the disarming smile and trademark mustache who starred in iconic films including "Smokey and the Bandit" and "The Longest Yard," has died, Fox News has confirmed. He was 82.
The actor's agent, Todd Eisner, told us Reynolds died Thursday morning from cardiac arrest.
Reynold's Hollywood career skyrocketed in the ‘70s after his breakout film role as Lewis Medlock in 1972’s “Deliverance.”
The star went on to appear in nearly 200 films throughout his lifetime.
He received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of adult film director Jack Horner in 1997's "Boogie Nights."
Thursday 06 September 2018.
Happy Birthday to ROGER WATERS who is 75 today.
Wednesday 05 September 2018...6.45pm to 9.15pm...
VIDEOGAMES : DESIGN/PLAY/DESIGN - private view - V & Museum, South Kensington, London SW7.
This exhibition delves into one of the most significant design fields of our time, investigating the work of groundbreaking designers, creative player communities and the critical conversations that define the medium today.
Videogames: Design/Play/Disrupt explores the medium since the mid-2000s, when major technological advancements, such as increased access to broadband, social media, smart phones and newly available means of making, profoundly changed the way videogames are designed, discussed and played. This change has opened the door to new voices and ideas, allowing the medium to break beyond its perceived boundaries and aspire to new horizons.
Over 300 guests here at The Victoria & Albert Museum.
There are four old school gaming machines set up in the reception area to play with.
At 7.15pm we had a couple of speeches.
From 8.15pm i spent 30 mins wandering through the rooms of the exhibition.
A dozen consoles are there in the final room for guests to play.
A dj playing tunes in the background.
Complimentary Bouvet sparking wines, red wines and tasty canapés for all guests.
www.vam.ac.uk
Visit their website here to buy the £18 admission tickets.
Wednesday 05 September 2018.
FLEETWOOD MAC debut.
The revamped Fleetwood Mac lineup, featuring Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Neil Finn of Crowded House, made their debut on The Ellen DeGeneres Show today.
They played two classic songs, "The Chain" and "Gypsy," which you can watch on YouTube.
Host Ellen DeGeneres introduced the group by saying that it's sold more than 100 million albums and calling Fleetwood Mac "one of the most iconic bands in music." Finn quickly answered fans' questions about how his voice would fit in place of the departed Lindsey Buckingham by taking the lead on "The Chain."
Campbell then switched guitars in order to play the song's outro solo. For "Gypsy," Campbell pulled double-duty, playing guitar as well as the song's keyboard hook.
See the reaction of the tv audience when they are told they all get a pair of free tickets to see
the band play at The L.A. Forum.
Expect the band to play Europe next year.
Tuesday 04 September 2018...I went to two events today...
3.15pm to 5.15pm.
Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2018 at Olympia, London W14.
Over 200 stands here for this trade and press event.
Focusing on wines, beers, snacks, chocolate, ice-cream etc.
Most of the stands are giving out tasters and as it's the last of the three days many are
giving out their stock to avoid taking it home with them.
Special mention to...
Croatia Fine Food & Drinks
Walkers Finest Shortcake
Master of Mixes - Cocktail Mixers
Stag - Fruit Cake to go with Cheese
Play in Choc - organic chocs in a box with a surprise toy/gift
then
6.30pm to 9pm.
RM Sotheby's Classic Car Auction Preview at The Battersea Evolution, London SW11.
RM Sotheby's auction returns for another year.
Last years sales made over £7 million.
The auction itself is the following day.
Over 500 guests in this massive space.
Over 100 stunning classic cars here,all in immaculate condition.
Porsche, Aston Martin, Rolls- Royce etc and some quirky overseas cars.
Rod Stewart bought a 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S soon after he became a hitmaker. Now it's been restored and is offered for auction by RM Sotheby's....with a guide price here of a million quid.
There was a great photo of Rod standing by the car back in the day.
Also a 1961 Aston Martin owned by Peter Sellers that has a guide price of three million quid.
Complimentary sparkling wines, wines, beers and canapés for all guests.
www.rmsothebys.com
Check out their website for photos of the cars and auction price estimates.
Happy Birthday to The Pretenders drummer MARTIN CHAMBERS who is 67 today.
Monday 03 September 2018.
High profile dj CHRIS EVANS is leaving BBC Radio 2 after 13 years and will return to Virgin Radio.
BBC figures show the former Top Gear host earns between £1.6 million and £1,669,999. He was the second-highest earner on the corporation’s list, below Gary Lineker. The BBC had to reveal the information under the terms of its new Royal Charter — which led to fears staff would leave rather than see their pay publicised and possibly cut.
In 2016 Rupert Murdoch's News Corp became the new owner of talkRADIO and Virgin Radio in a £220m cash deal.
Monday 03 September 2019.
A very nice double bill of rock legends are playing a UK/Ireland arena tour next year.
OZZY OSBOURNE with special guests JUDAS PRIEST
30 Jan 2019 Dublin, Ireland. 3Arena
01 Feb 2019 Nottingham, U.K. Motorpoint Arena
03 Feb 2019 Manchester, U.K. Manchester Arena
05 Feb 2019 Newcastle, U.K. Metro Radio Arena
07 Feb 2019 Glasgow, U.K. The SSE Hydro
09 Feb 2019 Birmingham, U.K. Genting Arena
11 Feb 2019 London, U.K. The O2, Arena
Monday 03 September 2018.
A very nice double bill are playing a UK/Ireland arena tour next year.
STEELY DAN with special guests STEVE WINWOOD
20 Feb 2019 Glasgow, U.K. The SSE Hydro
21 Feb 2019 Manchester, U.K. Manchester Arena
23 Feb 2019 Birmingham, U.K. Genting Arena
25 Feb 2019 London, U.K. The SSE Arena, Wembley
28 Feb 2019 Dublin, Ireland. 3Arena
Monday 03 September 2018.
Happy Birthday to Sex Pistols 'Guitar Hero' STEVE JONES who is 63 today.
Saturday 01 September 2018...3pm kick off...
Reading 1 Sheffield Wednesday 2
A lovely sunny afternoon in Reading but the same old story.
Reading lose again and are 2nd from bottom after this game.
Respect is due to the hardcore away fans from Sheffield Wednesday.
They sold their full allocation of 2,200 tickets so the result was worth the trek for them
Friday 31 August 2018...I went to two events today...
1.45pm to 6pm.
Concours D' Elegance is held in the superb setting of Hampton Court Palace.
This was the opening VIP / press day for this three day event.
For three days only, the gardens at Hampton Court Palace will be home to over 300 of the finest and rarest motor cars ever to be seen. The crown jewels of the automotive world – 1896 pioneers to present day supercars.
The new 'Future Classics' feature this year looks at the Concours stars of the next few decades. Crowned by the one-off, totally bespoke Rolls-Royce Sweptail, guests will also be able to see the McLaren Senna #001, Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster and V12 Vantage V600.
As we arrive there are tourists everywhere who are here for just Hampton Court Palace.
At the rear is the stunning collection of top notch cars and they look incredible.
Around 1000 people are here mooching around looking at them.
From classic older models to brand new supercars models including Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Bentley,
Aston Martin, McLaren, Bucatti, Porsche, Lotus, Lamboughini, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz and others.
At 2.45pm we have a procession of around 30 cars which are paraded in front of Prince Michael of Kent.
Each car is given a verbal description of its history before the trophy is given out to the winning car.
At 4pm i was in the hospitality / press marquee for afternoon tea of complimentary
wines, beers, sandwiches, cakes,
The ticket for Concours includes admission to Hampton Court itself so i had a mooch around for an hour
from 5pm onwards wandering through the historic rooms and it's gardens.
A very enjoyable afternoon.
www.concoursofelegance.com
Visit their website here for more info and to buy tickets.
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then
GLEN MATLOCK BAND live at The 100 Club, London.
The band feature Chris Musto on drums and Jim Lowe on bass and legendary guitarist Earl Slick.
Glen plays another London show to promote his new album 'Good to Go'.
This gig is the official launch for the album and Glen will be signing copies of it after the show.
With support from JC Carroll (The Members ) who is playing an acoustic set and first on will be
Thee Unholy Innocents.
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A full house for Glen Matlock & his band tonight.
Lots of folks here i know which is always nice.
First up are garage rockers THEE UNHOLY INNOCENTS who have just released their debut single.
‘White Jesus’ which is taken from the band’s debut album 'Shadows Drag',which is due for release in 2018.
The brainchild of Scottish songwriter Neil Robertson, it also features SIGUE SIGUE SPUTNIK guitarist Neal X, bassist Gavin Jay from JIM JONES & THE RIGHTEOUS MIND and drummer John Russell.
Much better than expected with great vocals and some nifty guitar licks from Neal X in their 25 mins set.
JC from The Members arrived on stage at 9pm and played an acoustic set for 20 mins.
His five songs played included The Members gems 'Offshore Banking Business' , 'Working Girl'
and 'Sound of the Suburbs'.
GLEN MATLOCK BAND arrive on stage at 9.30pm and play for 90 mins.
Seeing them earlier earlier this month at Boisdale is one thing but seeing them at a proper legendary
club venue like this is certainly the perfect place to see them play live.
They play several tracks from the new album along with Sex Pistols and Rich Kids classics and a few covers.
The tracks from the new album all go down well with the crowd.
There was a couple of extra songs in the setlist compared to the Boisdale shows.
Glen is working the crowd well and getting them to sing and clap along.
Guitar legend Earl Slick looks full on rock star cool and plays loads of sublime guitar licks.
For the encores we had special guests including Chris Spedding and Neal X for all three songs
and for the final track Maggi Ronson and JC helped out on backing vocals.
Chris Spedding produced Sex Pistols demos in the 1970s.
By coincidence The Sex Pistols played this date with Glen 42 years ago at The 100 Club on 31 Aug 1976.
An excellent gig.
Full setlist played tonight...
1.Wont Put The Brakes On Me
2.Wanderlust
3.God Save The Queen
4.Sexy Beast
5.Hook in You
6.Speak Too Soon
7.Couldn't Give A Damn
8.Chill
9.Montague Terrace (in Blue)
10.Ghosts of Princes in Towers
11.Happy
12.Blank Generation
13.Born Running
14.Keep on Pushing
Encore :
15.Pretty Vacant (with Chris Spedding and Neal X)
16.Rainy Day Woman (Everybody Must Get Stoned) (with Chris Spedding and Neal X)
17.All or Nothing (with Chris Spedding and Neal X)
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A few minutes after the show Glen was signing copies of the album for fans.
Thursday 30 August 2018...I went to two events tonight...
6.45pm to 8pm.
My Chelsea, 35 Ixworth Place, Chelsea, London, SW3.
A free gig in the very nice lounge bar of this stunning four star boutique hotel.
The Sessions' with a live performance from Joe Chiari and company playing a rare mix of funk, soul and jazz
Singer, songwriter & guitarist Joe Chiari, who recently played British Summer Time Festival in Hyde Park, Glastonbury Festival and the Royal Albert Hall - will be joined by Rich Zbaraski on bass, Dom Anthony on percussion and, Jay Phelps on trumpet, as they tear down the house with two lively and unique sets.
Around 30 guests here in this relaxed and intimate setting.
At 7.05pm they played the first of their two 45 mins set.
I did not see the second set as i had to move on to the next event up the road.
Four musicians on the floor , up nice and close with perfect sound.
Acoustic guitar and vocals, bass guitar, trumpet and bass drum/percussion.
An enjoyable set of jazz, soul and funk cover tunes played.
Great that this small venue is supporting live music by putting live acts on every month...and free to get in.
www.myhotels.com
Visit their website here for more info on future events under their food & drink section.
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then a walk up Fulham Road to this...
8.15pm to 11pm.
THE CHELSEA CORNER - launch party - 451 Fulham Road, London SW10.
This ex pub has had many different owners over the years and is now an Italian bar & restaurant.
It is near to the Esso garage on The Fulham Road if you know the area.
Sex Pistol John Lydon lived two minutes away in the early 1980s ,a top-floor flat he owned at 45 Gunter Grove.
The venue is decorated elegantly with cream and green, to give a light and spacious feel, and lovely dark wood bar which you can sit at. The tables are decorated simply but beautifully - rose gold napkin holder, and gorgeous wine glasses.
Although we are sat down at a table the food served is canapés and small tasting plates rather than
a full three course meal.
We also had complimentary drinks including prosecco, rum cocktails,gin cocktails and wines.
As it's Italian it was a late finish and others were still there when we left.
www.thechelseacorner.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Wednesday 29 August 2018...6.15pm to 10pm...
ALL STAR LANES - showcase - Ariel Way, Shepherds Bush, London W12.
Pretty amazing transformation this area has had over the past decade.
This venue is actually nearer White City tube rather than Shepherds Bush tube.
Last night it was a crazy golf themed bar and tonight it is a ten pin bowling bar.
It has 10 bowling lanes, 2 art deco inspired bars, a whopping 100 cover restaurant, a heated outdoor terrace and a swanky private room, this recently opened venue is located in the extended Westfield White City development.
At the entrance we are greeted by two girls in Virgin Atlantic uniforms.
Over 150 guests here.
There is a four piece band playing semi-acoustic cover versions for 30 mins.
There are also caricaturists, card magicians and a dj.
At 8pm we have a dance duo perform for five minutes.
At 8.20pm there is a raffle to win a pair of flights to USA with Virgin Atlantic.
A small goodie bag for all that included a couple of pairs of Virgin Atlantic socks.
Complimentary prosecco, shots, wines, beers , mini burgers and canapés for all guests.
www.allstarlanes.co.uk
Visit their website here for more info.
Tuesday 28 August 2018...5.30pm to 9.30pm...
SWINGERS WEST END - showcase - 15 John Princes Street, London W1.
A small entrance leads up to a massive space on the first floor of the old BHS flagship building.
The British seaside theme looks great for this crazy golf, bar and restaurant venue.
It is just two minutes from Oxford Circus tube , in a spot somehow even bigger space than their
huge debut venue in the City.
This spot boasts two all-new golf courses, on a par, so to speak, with their original nine-holers – named respectively The Big Wheel Course and the Helter Skelter Course, they’re both 9-holers, packed with moving obstacles, jumps, bumps and loop-the-loops, all designed with a nostalgic nod to the 1920’s English riviera. There’s even a 10 camera, 3D photo podium for team photos, should you feel like commemorating your visit to the past with a brief jaunt into the future.
The 20,000 Sq ft space can host up to 600 guests which gives you an idea of how huge it is up here.
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Around 70 or 80 guests are here at the far end crazy golf course area for the showcase.
We are in a group of five here and we had a great time.
We had a round of nine hole crazy golf which was good fun.
Nice tunes played in the background and a nice buzzy vibe.
Complimentary spirits with mixers, prosecco, wines, beers and lots of tasty food including PATTY & BUN
burgers, pizza, tacos and yummy ice-cream from HACKNEY GELATO.
A great evening.
www.swingersldn.com
Check their website here for more info.
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