News and Reviews: 18th October 2018
Wednesday 17 October 2018.These things happen i suppose...
I could not get along to The Q Awards at The Roundhouse in the afternoon
as my trains were all down into Paddington due to massive damage caused by a high-speed Class 802 Hitachi train which was being tested between London and Bristol ahead of its handover to GWR.
Also didn't fancy getting stranded coming home.
My friend Malcolm updated me with some of the guests there as it happened...
Bono, Noel Gallagher, Roger Daltrey, Ian McCulloch , Duane Eddy, Jarvis Cocker, Paul Weller,
Ray & Dave Davies, Brett Anderson, Nile Rodgers, Don Letts and a few others.
Noel Gallagher won Q Best Solo Artist and Q Outstanding Contribution To Music at the awards.
Singer-songwriter Paul Weller, was named Best Act In The World Today.
Wednesday 17 October 2018.
Anglo French singer Anne Pigalle releases her new album 'Ecstase' with a drinks launch.
'Ecstase' : the odyssey of a woman through the underground of Paris, London and Los Angeles.
Glen Matlock and Terry Edwards play on the album.
Venue = 01zero-one, Hopkins Street, Soho, London W1....6pm to 9pm
Tuesday 16 October 2018...I went to two events tonight.
7.45pm to 9.45pm
FENDI x FILA - launch party - Fendi, 141 New Bond Street, London W1.
A big party as around 300 guests are here over the three floors of this designer store.
Rio Ferdinand made a rare public appearance with girlfriend Kate Wright for The Fendi Mania Drop party, and was joined by face of the brand Jamie Campbell Bower, Lottie Moss, Amir Khan, Neelam Gill, Blondey McCoy and Naughty Boy. The event, which showcased Karl Lagerfeld's new sports collaboration, also saw DJ to the stars Fat Tony at the decks, with Tallia Storm, Kyle De'volle, Zara Martin , Jodie Harsh and Sascha Bailey among further VIPs at the New Bond Street store.
Complimentary Moët champers, Ruinart champers, vodka cocktails, very tasty full size cheeseburgers,
sweet potato fries and canapés for all guests.
All guests got a small goodie bag with a Fendi notebook and a Fendi metallic drinking bottle.
www.fendi.com
Check the Fendi website here for more info.
then
10pm to 11.30pm
HUAWAI MATE 20 PRO - phone launch party - One Marylebone, London NW1.
Arriving fashionably late to the 2018 contest for super flagship phones, Huawei’s newly unveiled Mate 20 Pro combines basically every desirable feature of modern smartphones into a sort of spec-checklist device. Like the LG V40, the Mate 20 Pro has three cameras on the back, each offering a different focal length. Like the Vivo Nex, the Mate 20 Pro has an in-display fingerprint sensor. Like the iPhone X and Oppo Find X, the Mate 20 Pro has a so-called 3D face unlock for more secure authentication. And like Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9, the Mate 20 Pro has a high-resolution 6.4-inch OLED display.
We arrived late so missed the visual unveiling of the new phones.
A few have left but there are still over 200 guests here.
Nick Grimshaw is playing tunes with a full laser light show.
There are three dancers in the corner performing.
Ashley Roberts was here.
Complimentary Rimbaud champers and canapés for all guests.
Monday 15 October 2018...6.45pm to 9.15pm...
ALED JONES & RUSSELL WATSON - album launch party - The Arts Club, 40 Dover Street, London W1.
Around 150 guests here in the basement of this private members club in Mayfair.
Guests included Jonathan Shalit (leading talent agent), Alan Edwards (head of Outside Org pr) and
Dave Hogan (long time celebrity photographer for The Sun newspaper).
Two of the best known classical voices, Aled Jones and Russell Watson are set to release their debut duet album 'In Harmony' on 9 November 2018. The album will include well-loved arias and hymns like ‘Ave Maria’, as well as modern classics such as ‘You Raise Me Up’.
And they’ve just announced that they will be touring the UK in 2019 to perform songs from the album.
This will include a London headline show at The Palladium on 21 Sept 2019.
No doubt they have been encouraged by the success of Michael Ball & Alfie Boe.
At 7.05pm the duo performed four tracks from the new album over 20 mins.
1.Where Have All the Flowers Gone / Here's to the Heroes (Medley) --- the first single off the album
2.???
3.Silent Night
4.Volare ( with all the crowd singing along)
At 7.25pm there was a 10 minute Q & A session with ITV presenter Richard Arnold.
Aled and Russell do seem genuinely relaxed and happy in each other's company.
They have sold between them a very impressive 17 million albums.
They both were friendly & chatty to the guests after their performance.
Complimentary wines, beers and tasty canapés for all guests.
All guests got a complimentary copy of the new album on departure.
Full album track-list...
How Great Thou Art
Where Have All the Flowers Gone / Here's to the Heroes (Medley)
Cinema Paradiso
May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You
Ave Maria
Where Should This Music Be? (Nimrod)
A Hymn Medley
You Raise Me Up
Mattinata
In Christ Alone
Bright Horizons
Cilfan Y Coed
Volare
Silent Night
www.aledandrussell.com
Visit their website for full info on the album and their 2019 tour dates.
Sunday 14 October 2018.
GUN CONTROL band rehearsals in North Acton 2pm to 5pm.
Our 7th rehearsal ticked along nicely....not perfect but getting there..
We have confirmed a live date so come along....
SAVE THE DATE - Gun Control free gig at The Rocket Pub in Acton on Sat 10 Nov.
We are hoping to play 8 original songs and 2 cover versions.
then
CLIFF RICHARD + FLYBOYS live The Royal Albert Hall, London.
Cliff plays the first of two sold out shows at this famous venue.
Cliff is playing a UK tour to celebrate his 60 years in the music biz.
The show on 14th Oct will be celebrating his 78th birthday.
Sir Cliff made his debut at the Royal Albert Hall in 1959, and has appeared at over 100 occasions since, including representing the nation at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1968.
Sir Cliff has sold over 250 million records ( albums/singles ) in his career.
Cliff has had 124 Top 40 hits and 14 number one hits.
He is the third-top-selling artist in UK Singles Chart history, behind the Beatles and Elvis Presley.
Cliff Richard's debut single "Move It" was released 60 years ago in August 1958 and reached number 2.
This tour is his first since winning his privacy court case against the BBC.
His next studio album ‘Rise Up’, which is due on November 23.
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, ‘Rise Up’ will see Richards tackling “the bad period I went through in my life” during the aforementioned investigation and subsequent legal battle. It’ll also see the singer express his “renewed feeling of freedom”.
I have seen Cliff Richard over 15 times since a charity show in 1979 at The Royal Albert Hall when
a few artists played three songs each including a young lady called....KATE BUSH.
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The mainly older crowd of senior citizens are all in early to see the support act.
FLYBOYS were on stage from 7.45pm for 25 mins.
A four man vocal harmony group from the UK who sung swing versions of modern songs,
so we had covers of Arctic Monkeys, Ed Sheeran and Bon Jovi etc.
CLIFF RICHARD arrived on stage at 8.15pm for two sets of 55 mins and 65 mins....two hour show...
Cliff is looking pretty good on the day of his 78th birthday.
His band are on six raised platforms behind him...we have lasers and lights through the show...
A few costume changes and cue screams from the older women here.
I preferred his many hit songs to the cover versions he performed.
Bonnie Tyler came on sing 'It's a Heartache' and sing Happy Birthday to Cliff.
An enjoyable show.
1950s
Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis Presley cover)
Peggy Sue (Buddy Holly cover)
Wake Up Little Susie (The Everly Brothers cover)
Move It (Cliff Richard & The Shadows cover)
Living Doll (Cliff Richard & The Shadows cover)
1960s
Love Me Do (The Beatles cover)
Summer Holiday (Cliff Richard & The Shadows cover)
The Next Time (Cliff Richard & The Shadows cover)
The Young Ones (Cliff Richard & The Shadows cover)
The Minute You're Gone
Congratulations
1970s
Bright Eyes (Mike Batt cover)
Miss You Nights
Devil Woman
INTERVAL
1980s
Beat It (Michael Jackson cover)
The Best of Me
Daddy's Home (Shep & The Limelites cover)
Mistletoe & Wine
1990s
From a Distance (Julie Gold cover)
The Millennium Prayer
It's A Heartache with Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler sings Happy Birthday to Cliff
All I Have to Do Is Dream (The Everly Brothers cover) (Cliff sung it with them in this decade)
2000s
The Miracle of Love
Rise Up
Reborn
Reelin' and Rockin' (Chuck Berry cover)
Encore:
We Don't Talk Anymore
Reborn {Reprise}[Outro as hundreds of white balloons fall from the ceiling)
Saturday 13 October 2018.
SUEDE + THE HORRORS live at Hammersmith Apollo, London.
I am back again to see Suede play their second of two shows at Hammersmith.
I manage to see a few songs by support act THE HORRORS.
The band have released five studio albums: Strange House (2007), Primary Colours (2009), Skying (2011),
Luminous (2014) and V (2017) all of which charted within the UK Top 40.
They are an ideal support act for Suede.
Their stage is very dimly lit along with some psychedelic images in the background.
Their moody art rock sound ticked along nicely and 'Still Life' still sounds great.
Full setlist played by The Horrors tonight...
Hologram
Machine
Who Can Say
Sea Within a Sea
Endless Blue
Still Life
Ghost
Something to Remember Me By
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SUEDE again arrive on stage just after 9pm and play an excellent 1 hour 45 mins set.
Like last night I have a superb view left of stage at the front.
Singer Brett Anderson gives it 100% as he is covered in sweat within a few songs.
As expected there are a few different songs added & dropped tonight compared to yesterday.
Brett again says how much he loves this venue in "W6".
The band sound was perfect and it was another really great show.
Full setlist played by Suede tonight...
As One
She
Outsiders
Killing of a Flashboy
We Are the Pigs
So Young
This Hollywood Life
Europe Is Our Playground
Tides
I Don't Know How to Reach You
Cold Hands
It Starts and Ends With You
Filmstar
Metal Mickey
Trash
Animal Nitrate
The Power (Brett on acoustic guitar with no microphone )
Still Life (Brett and Richard leading into full band )
The Invisibles
Flytipping
Encore:
Beautiful Ones
Life Is Golden
Saturday 13 October 2018.
Happy Birthday to rock vocalist SAMMY HAGAR who is 71 today.
I saw Sammy play some great shows at Hammersmith Odeon in the early 1980s.
Sammy Hagar,Riot Hammersmith Odeon, London 19.04.1980 Loads of classic Montrose played
Sammy Hagar,Riot Hammersmith Odeon, London 20.04.1980
Sammy Hagar,Grand Prix Hammersmith Odeon , London 09.02.1982 Fantastic all red stage .
Sammy Hagar,Grand Prix Hammersmith Odeon , London 10.02.1982
Friday 12 October 2018.
SUEDE live at Hammersmith Apollo, London.
I have seen Suede around a dozen times since 1993.
Suede recently released their new album, ' The Blue Hour', in September. It is the final part of the triptych of albums recorded by the band since they reformed and released 2013’s 'Bloodsports'. The record is also complemented by some of the subject matter of Brett Anderson’s recent memoir, 'Coal Black Mornings'.
Suede’s previous studio album 'Night Thoughts' was released to great critical acclaim in 2016. The record went on to reach number 6 in the UK album charts. The groundbreaking live presentation of the album was accompanied by a feature film, directed by Roger Sargent.
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I end up missing all of The Horrors support set of a planned 45 mins.
The venue is rammed sold out for Suede's first ever show at this venue.
Suede are one of those bands that attract a cool looking set of fans.
SUEDE arrive on stage at 9pm and play for 1 hour 45 mins.
I get a superb view front left of stage.
The first two songs are performed behind a see through curtain.
Singer Brett Anderson is totally mesmerising tonight as he is in top form.
It is stalls standing so he spends nearly half the show in the photographers pit as he gets up nice
and close and sweaty to mingle with the hardcore fans down the front.
Now aged 51,Brett Anderson's posturing and increasingly exposed puffed out chest are great to watch.
His slim frame prowls the stage looking like a mix of David Bowie and Bryan Ferry.
Fab gems played included 'So Young, ‘Trash’, Animal Nitrate’, ‘Metal Mickey’ , 'Filmstar' and a
stunning encore of 'Beautiful Ones’ with all the crowd singing out the lyrics loudly.
A great show.
Full Suede setlist played tonight...
As One
Wastelands
Outsiders
We Are the Pigs
So Young
Heroine
The Drowners
He's Dead
Tides
Roadkill
Sabotage
Dolly
It Starts and Ends With You
Filmstar
Metal Mickey
Trash
Animal Nitrate
Pantomime Horse (Brett solo)
The 2 of Us
The Invisibles
Flytipping
Encore:
Beautiful Ones
Life Is Golden
Friday 12 October 2018.
Happy Birthday to The Damned singer DAVE VANIAN who is 62 today.
Thursday 11 October 2018...I went to three events tonight...
5.45pm to 6.15pm
JOE STRUMMER exhibition , Fred Perry , 9 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London WC2.
Passionate about keeping his own work, Strummer left an archive of over 20,000 items. Fred Perry have worked with the Creative Director of the Joe Strummer Archive, Robert Gordon McHarg III to curate an exhibition of never-seen-before possessions, including lyrics, set lists and notebooks, artwork, photographs and audio recordings.
Limited edition patches have been designed exclusively for the exhibition and will be available for you to take away. Each one has a unique story to tell.
I saw Joe many times with The Clash and 10 times solo in the period 1999 to 2002 when he started touring
a lot again including his last two ever London shows in November 2002...just a month before he died.
The exhibition coincides with the release of a 32 track compilation of Joe's career outside of The Clash.
It is a fairly small collection of items in the basement area of the store.
It includes 200 mainly DIY cassettes and the Beat Boxes that Joe used to own and play them on.
Memorabilia including lyrics ,photos, artwork , gig tickets and passes etc.
Some battered old musical equipment.
Well worth a visit for 20 or 30 mins if you are in the Covent Garden area.
It is on from 29th September – 14th October.....open on Sunday until 5pm.
www.fredperry.com
Visit the Fred Perry website here for more info.
then
6.30pm to 8.30pm
BOB DYLAN - private view - Halcyon Gallery, 144-146 New Bond Street, London W1.
Halcyon Gallery presents a brand new Bob Dylan collection - Mondo Scripto - featuring the artist and songwriter’s most renowned lyrics, each handwritten by him in pen on paper and accompanied by an original pencil drawing by the artist. Mondo Scripto opens on Tuesday, 9th October, and will run through to 30 November.
The exhibition got a five star review in The Standard.
Around 150 guests here tonight including BILL WYMAN and his wife.
Also here was legendary live music booking agent BARRY DICKENS who co-founded ITB with
Rod MacSween and is long time UK & Europe booking agent for Bob Dylan , Neil Young, Paul Simon.
Pretty amazing how Bob's handwritten lyrics here as so neatly presented with each drawing next to them.
Bob has written out 60 of his finest songs from 1961 to 2006.
Downstairs from 7.30pm to 8.15pm we had a video presentation and discussion on Bob Dylan.
We were told that over 500 books have been written about Bob Dylan.
I managed to get a complimentary press copy of the superb 333 page book on the exhibition.
It includes copies of all the lyrics and drawings on display.
Free admission to this exhibition until 30 Nov so well worth popping in to see it.
Complimentary Taittinger champers and canapés for all guests.
www.halcyongallery.com
Visit the Halcyon Gallery here for more info.
then
8.45pm to 11.15pm
THE CONDUIT - private members club launch party - 40 Conduit Street, London W1.
Mayfair is to be home to yet another new members' club - with the taking over of Washington House by the founder of New York-based, ethical fashion brand Maiyet. The eight-storey building at Conduit Street, next to the Westbury Hotel, was formerly home to Brasserie Chavot and a basement nightclub as well as providing event space and conference facilities. Expect the new club to feature dedicated work, lifestyle and social spaces as well as several open terraces.
The owners say they want members to be drawn from a range of industries, genders, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds, and there will be tiered pricing to facilitate this: £800 as an annual fee to under-33s and those working in not-for-profit, less lucrative sectors, compared with the standard £1800.
A massive event as there must be 500 guests here spread out over all the different floors.
A dj is playing tunes on each floor.
Complimentary drinks and food included three different cocktails including Espresso Martinis ,
wines, beers, canapés, ham's and cheese's stations,desserts.
www.theconduit.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Thursday 11 October 2018.
Happy Birthday to one of my earliest football heroes - Rodney Marsh who is 74 today.
From 1966–1972 he played with Queens Park Rangers.
Wednesday 10 October 2018...7.15pm to 10.15pm...
THE PROGRESS 1000 PARTY - 26 Leake Street, London SE1.
The Standard paper celebrates London's Most Influential People in 2018.
26 Leake Street is a brand new, 1,200 capacity, multipurpose venue underneath Waterloo Station.
It is in the edgy 'graffiti tunnel' which is where they celebrate street art all along the tunnel.
A massive crowd here as 800 folks are on the guest list.
At 7.50pm we have three songs performed by THE KINGDOM CHOIR including a great 'Lovely Day'.
They were the gospel choir who performed at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
They have recently signed a major record deal with Sony Music UK.
The Kingdom Choir performed in front of an estimated global TV audience of 1.9 billion people at the
royal wedding on 19 May....Prior to that, their biggest show had attracted about 200 people.
At 8.05pm we have a speech from The Standard's Editor and ex MP George Osborne.
He handed the main award to Sajid Javid (The Home Secretary).
A few faces here including leading showbiz agent Jonathan Shalit, Rachel Johnson, Peter Tatchell,
Harold Tillman and Nick Ferrari.
A dj was playing some good dance tunes.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers, vodka cocktails, Negroni's , wines and beers.
Along with bowl food, canapés and desserts.
www.standard.co.uk
Visit The Standard website here for more info on the list.
Wednesday 10 October 2018.
Happy Birthday to David Lee Roth who is 64 today.
Tuesday 09 October 2018...I went to two events tonight...
7pm to 9.15pm
THE TUSK RHINO TRAIL AUCTION at Christies, King Street, St James's, London SW1.
Following an enthusiastic response from the general public to the Tusk Rhino Trail displayed on the streets of London in August and September, this exciting initiative culminates in style on Tuesday, 9th October with the sale by auction of the rhinos at Christie’s Auction House. Each stunning rhino sculpture has been donated to Tusk by well-known and highly collectable artists, including Marc Quinn, Zhang Huan, Gavin Turk and the Chapman Brothers.
Around 200 guests at this well known auction house.
Rock legend RONNIE WOOD and his wife Sally are here as Ronnie has painted one of the rhinos.
They are friendly and chatty to all as i get a photo of me with Ronnie and he signed my catalog.
Others here included Katherine Jenkins, Zac Goldsmith & Viscount David Linley.
At 7.45pm we had a video & speech from Zac Goldsmith then the 21 rhinos were auctioned off.
Ronnie's went for a staggering £100k which was more than three times that of any of the others fetched.
Ronnie & Sally sat front row left and when his rhino came up for auction Ronnie Wood stood up and
threw in two vip tickets for a future Rolling Stones concert...a bit odd as they have none planned at the moment???
The auction raised over £500k tonight.
Complimentary Justerini & Brooks champers, whiskey cocktails and tasty canapés for all guests.
www.tuskrhinotrail.com
Visit the Tusk website here for more info and pictures of each rhino.
then
9.30pm to 11.30pm
THE HEIGHT OF THE STORM - press/vip night party - Browns, 82-84 St Martins Lane, London WC2.
The performance was held earlier at Wyndhams Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London WC2.
Florian Zeller's latest play The Height of the Storm is a compelling family drama revolving around André and Madeleine, a married couple of fifty years. The play takes place during one weekend on which their daughters visit.
Over 200 guests have taken over the entire ground floor of this restaurant & bar.
Star of the show Jonathan Pryce is here and so is Monty Python legend/film director Terry Gilliam.
Complimentary prosecco, wines, beers and tasty canapés for all guests.
www.wyndhamstheatre.co.uk
Visit their website here for more info and to buy tickets.
Monday 08 October 2018...6.30pm to 11.30pm...
LEGENDS OF FOOTBALL AWARD to FRANK LAMPARD OBE at
The Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London W1.
Tonight raised monies for NORDOFF ROBBINS MUSIC THERAPY.
A massive event as 1200 guests (mainly men) are seated for dinner (120 tables of 10).
Even all the main record companies have a table,Universal Music, Sony Music, Warner Music
and nice to see Fiction Records here (best known for being the home of The Cure).
At 6.30pm was complimentary Laurent Perrier champers reception for an hour before dinner & wines.
Many well known footballers and football managers are here tonight and a couple of non footie celebs.
Frank Lampard was joined by wife Christine as he was honoured at this year's Legends of Football gala. Lampard's close friend and former teammate John Terry was also among guests at Grosvenor House, as well as his father Frank Lampard Senior, Harry Redknapp, Rachel Riley, Mark Foster, Claudio Ranieri, Sven Goran Erickson , Petr Cech, David Moyles,
Sam Alladyce, Roy Hodgson, Mark Hughes, Sammy Lee, Ainsley Harriott, Nicky Clarke, Avram Grant,
John Barnes, Garth Crooks, Chris Houghton, Jamie Carragher, Alan Pardew, Alan Smith,
Bill Curbishley ( manager of The Who) , Alan Curbishley (ex footie manager) and a few others.
Teams with players on tables here included Chelsea, Man City, Brighton, C Palace and Derby.
I got my photo taken with Harry Redknapp and Claudio Ranieri.
The rock band The Darkness were here as supporters of Nordoff Robbins.
Meal First Course = Crispy salt cod fritter
Meal Second Course = Pan-fried fillet of grass-fed beef with potatoes and veg
A comedian did great impersonations of guests not here including Jose Mourinho, Harry Kane, Roy Keane.
A nice result by them to get Roger Daltrey as this is one of only two shows outside of North America
that he has played this year, I was also at the other one - The Royal Albert Hall in March 2018.
ROGER DALTREY & band (feat Simon Townshend) arrived on stage at 9.20pm for a six song 25 mins set.
Roger Daltrey opened the set with a rare live version of 'Let My Love Open the Door' .He covered the song in 2015 for a campaign involving Teen Cancer America and First Citizens Bank.A full version was released in February 2016, with all proceeds going to Teen Cancer America....a great set...
Let My Love Open the Door (Pete Townshend cover)
The Kids Are Alright (The Who song)
Behind Blue Eyes (The Who song)
Pinball Wizard (The Who song)
Squeeze Box (The Who song)
Substitute (The Who song)
Meal Third Course = Coffee & mascarpone mousse with coffee & Petit Fours.
From 10.15pm to 10.35pm Harry Redknapp and John Terry paid tribute to Frank Lampard.
FRANK LAMPARD was given the main award for his glittering career.
Lots of video clips of Frank playing were on the big screens throughout the evening.
Frank is best known for playing for West Ham , Chelsea, England and others.
Frank won loads of trophies with Chelsea and is now manager of Derby County.
913 games with five clubs
274 goals
106 England Caps
4 FA Cup Wins
3 Premier League Titles
2 European Trophies
There was an entertaining auction of sporting lots.
A great evening.
Saturday 06 October 2018... I went to two events today,
3pm to 5pm
Spurs 1 Cardiff City 0...Spurs still playing home games at Wembley Stadium.
After QPR, Spurs have always been my second team.This is mainly due to their early 1970s
team that featured players including Pat Jennings, Cyril Knowles, Steve Perryman, Martin Chivers,
Alan Gilzean and others.
Did not get to see them for their last season at White Hart Lane but good to see them at Wembley.
We are upstairs in Level 5 where this huge stadium is 75% unsold with lots of empty blocks.
Only just over 43,000 here which is pretty low compared to Spurs usual big crowds at Wembley.
Eric Dier scored the only goal of the game in the eighth minute, tapping in a loose ball.
Cardiff remain the only side Tottenham striker Harry Kane has faced but not scored against in the Premier League.
Not the best of games on a rainy afternoon, but three points for Spurs.
then
PINEAPPLE THIEF + LIZZARD live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Following up on the unprecedented success of their 2016 album, 'Your Wilderness', progressive rock group Pineapple Thief are back with a UK tour, culminating in their biggest show to date at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire to showcase their newest studio album 'Dissolution'.
Tonight is the final night of their UK & European Tour.
Support comes from French art Prog band Lizzard.
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Level 3 is closed tonight but an impressive 1200 fans are here to witness the headliners.
Pretty good for a band that most rock fans have never heard of.
LIZZARD arrived on stage at 8pm and played for 45 mins.
Lizzard are a trio who have a female drummer.
Good musicians and their proggy sound went down well with the crowd.
PINEAPPLE THIEF arrived on stage at 9.05pm and played for 1 hour 40 mins.
In the crowd was comedian Al Murray - The Pub Landlord.
The band are good musicians, though I do not know any of their songs.
The addition of drummer Gavin Harrison, from not one but two legendary progressive rock bands in
Porcupine Tree and King Crimson, has made a quantum leap in quality and reputation.
A decent enough show for me, but the crowd loved it.
Full Pineapple Thief setlist played tonight...
Try as I Might
In Exile
Alone at Sea
Threatening War
Far Below
No Man's Land
That Shore
All That You’ve Got
Shed a Light
3000 Days
Part Zero
White Mist
Nothing at Best
Encore:
Not Naming Any Names
The Final Thing on My Mind
Snowdrops
Friday 05 October 2018.
LUKE COMBS + ASHLEY McBRYDE live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Luke Combs plays the second of two sold out shows at Shepherds Bush Empire.
With gritty lyrics and brazen vocals, singer/songwriter Luke Combs took to the country music landscape with unbound ferocity and is now bringing his chart-topping talent to the UK. This North Carolina native will be performing his debut album, This One’s for You, with its multi-platinum singles and which Rolling Stone heralded as the “Best Country Album of 2017.”
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Lots of the crowd are dressed up country music style including checked shirts , boots , jeans etc.
ASHLEY McBRYDE arrived on stage at 8pm and played for 55 mins.
Most of the crowd are in early to see her.
Ashley McBryde is a country music singer-songwriter from Arkansas.She has released one album, "Girl Going Nowhere", which includes the single, "A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega", on Warner Bros. Records Nashville.
On her own with an acoustic guitar with some great stage banter, her songs went down well with the crowd.
LUKE COMBS & band arrived on stage at 9.15pm and played for 90 mins.
The crowd seem to know the lyrics to most of his set.
There is no doubt he is a great lyricist as the crowd sings along loudly.
Plenty of guitar driven country rock tunes.
Four of the six people on stage are wearing baseball caps.
At the age of 28 he appears grateful to bring his music around the world as he said " three years ago
i had not even been on a plane".
Highlights included 'Beer Never Broke My Heart', 'Hurricane', 'Honky Tonk Highway',
'When It Rains It Pours' and his current single 'She Got The Best Of Me' which was a great power ballad.
The encore was the moving ' Beautiful Crazy' , an ode to Combs’ girlfriend and the Southern rock sound of
'Let The Moonshine'.
The songs ticked along nicely and it was a good show.
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Adrians Bar & Bistro, showcase 6pm to 8pm,
50 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1.
I was on the guest list for this showcase but could not get along as I was committed to the gig above.
My friends took my place and it said it was a nice venue.
www.adrianbarbistro.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Thursday 04 October 2018...I went to two events tonight...
6.45pm to 9pm
BODY WORLDS - launch party - The London Pavillion, 1 Piccadilly Circus, London W1.
Dr Gunther von Hagens’ renowned exhibition of real human bodies has sparked curiosity and awe around the world with over 47 million visitors globally in over 100 countries.Journey through the human body and discover the magic and mysteries that lie underneath the skin. Expect a unique, exciting and interactive journey through the human body, described by many as ‘emotional’, ‘extraordinary’ and even ‘life-changing’.
A prime location as they have taken over the site that used to be 'Ripley's : Believe It or Not!'.
which was located right next to Piccadilly Circus tube station.
You take the lift up to the 5th floor as the exhibition is over the 5th floor and 4th floors.
You have headphones as well as descriptions as you wander the dozen different areas.
At 7.45pm we have a couple of speeches , including from Dr Gunther Von Hagens.
You may remember him from the major publicity he got in Nov 2002 when in Brick Lane, London E1
he performed the first public autopsy since 1830.
A Dj is playing tunes in the background.
On the 3rd floor is the drinks and entertaining space for the 200 guests.
Ticket prices seem steep as it is £24.50 for adults and £17.50 for children.
I would imagine it will be popular with classes of school children and their teachers.
Complimentary Cava, wines, Peroni beers and canapés for all guests.
All guests got a goodie bag with a few items from their gift store including the main book.
www.bodyworlds.com
Visit the Body Worlds website here for full info and to buy tickets.
then
9.05pm to 10.45pm
SIMON DE PURY FRIEZE PARTY - Maison Assouline, 196a Piccadilly, London W1.
Around 100 guests here at this gallery a few yards from the Fortnum & Mason store.
Quite a lot of people i know here which is always good.
A lively party as Fat Tony is the dj on the balcony.
Complimentary Ruinart champers until 10pm , then it was prosecco.
Wednesday 03 October 2018.
A great evening with three good events related to FRIEZE ART LONDON 2018.
6.30pm to 8pm
21st CENTURY WOMEN -private view- Unit London, 3 Hanover Square, London W1.
A group exhibition at Unit London by curators Fru Tholstrup and Jane Neal. Featuring a host of British female artists, including work by Polly Morgan and Jenny Saville, among others, in a powerful exhibition celebrating 100 years of the women’s right to vote being passed in Britain.
Over 200 guests here over the two floors of this smart gallery including Anthea Turner, Alistair Guy and Kim Hersov.
Complimentary drinks and food including three different Patron Tequila cocktails including Old Fashioned and canapés.
The exhibition is on until 31 Oct 2018.
www.theunitldn.com
Visit their website here for more info.
then
8.15pm to 10.30pm
VANITY FAIR & CHRISTIES FRIEZE PARTY , Christie's , King Street, St James's, London SW1.
A massive party as 800 guests are here over all levels and rooms of this famous gallery.
Lots of accents from Italy, France, Spain etc who are over here for Frieze Week.
Lots of very elegantly dressed women here tonight.
On the decks is one of the 'go to' party girls - DJ Henri.
Complimentary Taittinger champers, Absolut Vodka Cocktails, Plymouth Gin Cocktails ,
cartoons of food and a cheese buffet table.
www.christies.com
Visit the Christies website here for more info.
then
10.45pm to 1am
THE ARTS CLUB FRIEZE PARTY , The Arts Club, Dover Street, London W1.
Over 200 guests here over the two top floors of this cool private members club.
Guests included Example, Professor Green and Ozwald Boateng.
Goldie was the dj here and played some great tunes including Maze 'Joy & Pain'.
American soul & funk act Maze used to play great shows at Hammersmith Odeon back in the 1980s.
A much bigger and better party than expected.
Complimentary Ruinart champers, two different cocktails and canapés for all guests.
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I did not get along to this event as other stuff on and i don't like the venue.
50 years of The Kinks photographs - private view - at Proud Gallery, John Adam Street, London WC2.
My mate Matt was there and he confirmed Ray & Dave Davies both turned up for it.
It is on until 18 Nov 2018.
Tuesday 02 October 2018... 8pm to 10pm - Reading play QPR .
Reading ( 5th from bottom) play QPR (6th from bottom).
Many QPR fans will be there as it's a direct route from Ealing and Paddington to Reading on the train
and easy to get there by car as only 30/35 miles each way.
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Around 1200 QPR fans made the journey.
These days i do support Reading a bit...but not when they play QPR.
A great 1-0 away win by QPR was good to witness.
Tuesday 02 October 2018.
Geoff Emerick, The Beatles audio engineer for ‘Revolver’, ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’, ‘The White Album’ and ‘Abbey Road’ has died at the age of 72.
Emerick began work at Abbey Road as an assistant engineer when he was 15-years old. On his second day, he was working with The Beatles. He witnessed the first ever recording session by The Beatles at Abbey Road.
Monday 01 October 2018....I went to two events tonight...
7pm to 8pm
BMI Awards at The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London W1.
The BMI Awards are annual award ceremonies for songwriters and publishers.
I have been here several times over the past decade with the main BMI Icon Award going to Jay Kay last year
and previous years included John Lydon, Sting, Bryan Ferry and Yoko Ono.
Around 300 guests here at this black tie event at this famous five star hotel.
Tonight, BMI proudly honored acclaimed film composer Harry Gregson-Williams with the BMI Icon Award at the 2018 BMI London Awards. Guests including Liam Payne, James Arthur, Natasha Bedingfield, Tinie Tempah , Right Said Fred, Naughty Boy, Bernie Marsden and Trevor Rabin attended the awards at London’s Dorchester Hotel for an evening of celebration for UK and European songwriters, producers and publishers of the most-performed songs of 2017.
Harry Gregson-Williams, one of Hollywood’s most sought-after and prolific composers, received the BMI Icon Award in recognition of his unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers. On receiving this award, Gregson-Williams joins an elite group of composers and songwriters who have been named BMI Icons for their exemplary contributions to the art of music.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers for the arrivals reception.
We came back later for the awards after the dinner.
www.bmi.com
Visit the BMI website here for more info.
then
8.15pm to 10pm
Frieze London 2018 Party - Phillips Gallery, 30 Berkeley Square, London W1.
Frieze is London's biggest week of art showcases as most galleries have events & parties this week
and the main event is held in Regents Park.
Over 200 guests here.
A dj is playing tunes in the background.
Complimentary Ruinart champers, Cosmopolitan Cocktails, wines , beers and bowl food.
www.phillips.com
Visit the Phillips Gallery website here for more info.
then
Back to BMI Awards at The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London W1.
10.15pm to 11.45pm
We came back here to see most of the awards being given out.
At 10.40pm the BMI Icon Award was given out Harry Gregson-Williams and for 15 mins
on the big screen it showed the many films he has been involved with and thanked
Hans Zimmer and Trevor Rabin.
The awards finished at 11pm but Liam Payne and Tinie Tempah left before then.
The others were all here including James Arthur, Natasha Bedingfield,Right Said Fred and Trevor Rabin.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers was still flowing along with a full bar so i had a couple
Disaronno with ice and Baileys with ice.
Monday 01 October 2018.
French music legend passes away.
French singer and songwriter Charles Aznavour has died at 94 after a career lasting more than 80 years.
The star died at one of his homes in the south east of France.
The performer, born to Armenian immigrants, sold more than 180 million records and featured in over 60 films.
He was best known for his 1974 hit 'She'and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017.
Aznavour married three times and had six children.
He was named entertainer of the century by CNN in 1998.
I saw him live back in 1974 when he played Hammersmith Odeon on the back of the success of 'She' and
also more recently at The Royal Albert Hall.
Sunday 30 September 2018.
SOFT CELL live at The 02 Arena, London.
Synth-pop pioneers Soft Cell will reunite for one last time ,in their first UK show for 15 years.
Marc Almond and Dave Ball will perform together for a one-off show, ‘One Night, One Final Time’, as they celebrate their 40th anniversary as a duo with their first UK show since 2003.
The show will be beamed live to some 250 cinemas around the UK and overseas.
I have seen Soft Cell several times including their early 1980s heyday and the first time was a bizarre one
as it was 1982 for a recording of The Old Grey Whistle Test where they supported Edgar Winter.
Soft Cell had ten Top 40 hits in the UK including a number one with 'Tainted Love' in 1981.
Soft Cell have returned with ‘Northern Lights’, their first new song in fifteen years to coincide with the show.
Marc Almond has had a full solo career outside of Soft Cell.
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I would not have thought Soft Cell were big enough to play this massive venue but it is totally sold out.
Despite front stalls seats costing £100 a pop.
A few faces here including Jarvis Cocker, Alex Kapranos (lead vocals Franz Ferdinand),
Rusty Egan (dj and ex drummer of The Rich Kids and Visage), Mark Jones (Wall of Sound Records),
Neil X (ex Sigue Sigue Sputnik) and no doubt a few more I did not see.
SOFT CELL arrive on stage at 7.50pm and play a mammoth set of 2 hours 40 mins.
Before the show I was thinking how are a synth duo going to project themselves in this huge space?
The answer is to the the big production boys in - Stufish.
U2, Madonna, the Rolling Stones, the London and Beijing Olympics, Pink Floyd, Cirque du Soleil – all their jawdropping extravaganzas have emerged from the small but skilled team at the Studio Fisher.
The main feature is three larger than usual big screens which excellently mix live footage with
great pre-recorded images, along with a small stage extension that Marc used.
Lots of lights including neon strips , lasers and flames.
Marc Almond is looking good for his age of 61 and Dave Ball is surrounded by a bank of synths/keyboards.
On some some songs they use percussion, trumpet, sax and four backing singers.
Sooo many great songs played in a long set.
Marc messed up the lyrics a couple of times and but just laughed it off.
The highlight was the last 30 mins where all the big hits were played and the crowd sang loudly.
A great show.
Full Soft Cell setlist played tonight...
Memorabilia
Monoculture
Darker Times
Together Alone
Torch
Forever the Same
Baby Doll
Insecure Me
Where the Heart Is
Numbers
Barriers
Loving You, Hating Me
Last Chance (with Mari Wilson)
Frustration
Youth
The Best Way to Kill
Meet Murder My Angel
Surrender to a Stranger
Somebody, Somewhere, Sometime
So [whilst off stage]
Martin
Heat
The Art of Falling Apart
Northern Lights
Soul Inside
What?
Bedsitter
Tainted Love (Gloria Jones cover)
Where Did Our Love Go (The Supremes cover)
Sex Dwarf
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (ticker-tape falling over the front floor area)
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