Ray's Gigs

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News and Reviews: 15th December 2018

Friday 15 December 2018.
URIAH HEEP live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
With support from GUN + VON HERTZEN BROTHERS.
I have seen Uriah Heep around 15 times since 1974 when i saw them headline Hammersmith Odeon.
Guitarist Mick Box is still there as the only original member from 1969.
Mick Box was the first guitar plectrum i got with the musicians name on.
The band maintains a significant following and performs at arena-sized venues in the Balkans, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Russia and Scandinavia. They have sold over 40 million albums worldwide.
Their best-known songs include "Easy Livin', 'Gypsy' and "July Morning".
Support act Gun had their biggest hit in 1994 with a rock cover of Cameo's 'Word Up' that went to number 8.
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Level 3 is closed tonight but there is still around 1500 here tonight.
VON HERTZEN BROTHERS arrived on stage at 7pm and played for 40 mins.
The band feature three brothers and hail from Finland.
A bit rock, a bit Prog rock,a bit folkie...not really my cup of tea...
GUN arrived on stage at 8.10pm and played for 40 mins.
Gun played a good set that featured their great cover of Cameo's 'Word Up'.
Full Gun setlist played tonight...
She Knows
Don't Say It's Over
Better Days
Take Me Down
Word Up! (Cameo cover)
Favourite Pleasures
Steal Your Fire
Shame on You
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URIAH HEEP arrived on stage at 9.20 and played for 90 mins.
Their set featured some classic oldies from the 1970s along with tracks from their 25th (yes 25th)
studio album “Living the Dream” released in 2018 via Frontiers Music.
Mick Box played some nifty guitar throughout the show.
Nice keyboards give some tracks a neat Deep Purple type sound.
The singer still keeps his microphone in a gun holster.
There were film cameras here so probably a DVD of the show will come out in the future.
They were joined by long time Uriah Heep drummer Lee Kerslake on one song on backing vocals who
drummed with them from the 1970s onwards who retired from the band due to ill health.
Kerslake's work can be heard on Ozzy Osbourne's first two solo albums, Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman.
Uriah Heep still put on a good rockin' show.
Full Uriah Heep setlist played tonight...
Grazed by Heaven
Too Scared To Run
Living the Dream
Take Away My Soul
Rainbow Demon
Waters Flowin'
Rocks in the Road
Gypsy
Look at Yourself
July Morning
Lady in Black (with Lee Kerslake)
Encore:
Sunrise
Easy Livin'
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I had a nice chat with a 71 year old rock fan here who still buys a t-shirt from every gig he goes to.
He told me he still wears them all in rotation.





Friday 14 December 2018.
14 Dec 1973 - 45 years ago today i was at this mega gig.
MOTT THE HOOPLE + QUEEN at Hammersmith Odeon...now called Hammersmith Apollo.
My first show of over 2000 that i have been to at that one venue.
I was aged 14 years and 7 months.
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Released 39 years ago today on 14 Dec 1979.
The classic album by THE CLASH ' London Calling'.




Thursday 13 December 2018.
PRINCE tribute show live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince. The first and only estate-approved Prince celebration, 4U is curated, produced, and directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots.
Through the course of the evening, we’ll hear everything from the biggest hits to some lesser-known gems, all played by a top-tier band hand-selected by Questlove, and with a spectacular video presentation featuring never-before-seen footage courtesy of the estate.
I was lucky enough to have seen the musical genius that was Prince over 30 times since 1986.
Including 6 of his 21 shows at The 02 Arena and smaller shows at Hammersmith Apollo, Koko,
Shepherds Bush Empire and two shows on the same night at The Roundhouse in June 2014.
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I thought it was a bit ambitious playing this big venue but the UK's love of Prince music
has resulted in this show being at least 95% full.
The show was on for 1 hour 50 mins over two sets of 55 mins each.
Around 35 musicians on stage when you add the band and orchestra members together.
A big screen showing classic Prince videos , interviews, images and song titles.
The first set included a few lesser known gems and most of the hits were in the second half.
A female violinist sung a few words on some songs but it was mainly orchestral instrumentals.
The strings and the drums sound fantastic.
For the big hits all the fans were singing all the words.
Pretty amazing the amount of great songs Prince released in his career.
"Purple Rain" was a highlight as the orchestra and band played along to Prince singing
all the vocals on the big screen.
A full standing ovation from the crowd at the end.
A great evening that was a total success.
Full setlist played tonight...
FIRST SET
For You
Controversy
Something In the Water
Computer Blue
Automatic
1999 (short version tease)
It Ain't Over 'Til the Fat Lady Sings
Christopher Tracy's Parade
New Position
I Wonder U
Nothing Compares 2 U
Under the Cherry Moon
Venus De Milo
Alexa de Paris
The Beautiful Ones
All My Dreams
1999
SECOND SET
Diamonds and Pearls
Let's Go Crazy
When Doves Cry
Little Red Corvette
Erotic City
Kiss
Starfish and Coffee
Take Me With You
Irresistible Bitch
Raspberry Beret
Purple Rain
Baby I'm a Star




Thursday 13 December 2018.
An update on the Bonham's music auction private view i attended on Monday.
A 'super console' built by Elvis Costello and Chris Difford (Squeeze) has sold for £112,000.
The fusion of two recording desks includes one used by Led Zeppelin for 'Stairway To Heaven'.



Thursday 13 December 2018.
Big congratulations to rockers Def Leppard.
The 2019 inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have been announced, with British acts making up five of the seven artists.
Artists can be inducted into the Hall of Fame 25 years on from the release of their first record, and are voted in by a panel of over 1,000 music industry figures along with results from a fan ballot.
Radiohead are the most recent act to be inducted – the British alt-rockers became eligible last year, 25 years after the release of their debut single Creep, but didn’t then make it past the nomination stage. Other British artists to be inducted are 60s psych-rock group the Zombies, glam rockers Roxy Music, gothic guitar-poppers the Cure, and Sheffield heavy metal band Def Leppard, who also won the fan ballot.
Americans Stevie Nicks and Janet Jackson are also inducted.
The ceremony will be held in New York on 29 March 2019.




Tuesday 11 December 2018.
FALSE CONFESSIONS live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Join Clinical Assistant Professor of Law, Laura Nirider and Clinical Professor of Law, Steven Drizin, as they discuss coerced and false confessions, interrogation tactics and the wrongful conviction of Brendan Dassey, whose case and post-conviction process has captivated the world in the Netflix smash docuseries, Making A Murderer 2.
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Once upon a time Comedy was described as "the new rock n roll" as comedians started to play arenas.
These days "conversations and discussions" can be seen as "the new rock n roll" as the likes
of Stephen Fry can headline Hammersmith Apollo and Dr Brian Cox can headline arenas.
Level 3 is closed but there are still around 1000 here who paid £35 "for a bit of chat".
Tonight's show is on for 90 mins over two sets of 50 mins and 40 mins.
The crowd is a 50-50 mix of male-female.
On stage are the two American professor's from the tv series and a moderator holding it all together.
It is pretty much talking about the cases in America that involve wrongful convictions of juveniles.
Would you confess to a crime you did not commit? Each year innumerable American suspects do, and experts say that trained interrogators can get anybody to confess to anything. The two on stage tonight are determined to put an end to interrogation techniques that all too often pressure innocent people into false confessions.
It was quite interesting and there were amusing bits as well.
Steven Drizin was asked what does he do to unwind after a day in court and he replied
"one of my fave things is listening to British Prog Rock bands including Jethro Tull".
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The series 'Making A Murderer 2' follows the case of Steven Avery and his nephew Brendan Dassey, who were found guilty of the 2005 murder of Teresa Halbach, a 25-year-old photographer, in 2007.




Monday 10 December 2018...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 8.30pm
MUSIC & FILM MEMORABILIA AUCTION - private view - Bonham's, 101 New Bond Street, London W1.
Over 200 guests here in this well known auction house.
The auction display consisted of two sections.
First section was The John Mollo Archive.John was a costume designer on many films including
Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Gandhi, Chaplin, Alien and others.
His sketches and costumes are here.
Second section was a whole bunch of music items including signed items and rare items.
KK DOWNING from Judas Priest had a dozen of his guitars here...including his trademark Flying Vs.
Jamie Reid Sex Pistols 'Pretty Vacant' original artwork with £5000 estimate.
A few David Bowie signed vinyl albums here with £1000 estimate.
A few Gold Discs were here along with some battered old equipment.
A few items from Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Cream, Eric Clapton etc.
Complimentary Pol Roger champers, two different gin cocktails, beers and canapés for guests.
www.bonhams.com
Visit their website here for items list for the 11 December auction.
then
10pm to 11.45pm
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS - UK film premiere party - Rosewood Hotel, Holborn, London WC1.
Dressed in Carolina Herrera and Rodarte gowns respectively, Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie joined co-stars Guy Pearce, Martin Compston, Joe Alwyn, Jack Lowden, Gemma Chan and David Tennant at the premiere of their historical drama, re-telling the story of Mary Queen of Scots's attempts to overthrow her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. Director Josie Rourke was also at Cineworld Leicester Square alongside the A-list cast who later attended the afterparty at Holborn Dining Room.
Over 300 guests here for complimentary Ruinart champers, Tom Collins cocktails, wines, beers and lots of
tasty bowl food ,canapés and desserts.
There was a dj playing tunes in the background.
The champers had finished when i departed but the party was still in full flow as a 1am finish.
The film is not actually in cinemas until 18 Jan 2019.




Sunday 09 December 2018.
SUBSONICA live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Back together after four years, Italian rock band Subsonica return with new album, '8' and they’ll be
showcasing all their new songs on their European reBoot tour.
Their previous 7 studio albums have sold around 400,000 copies.
Level 3 is closed off as unsold but still a very impressive 1500 mainly Italian fans here.
The crowd is younger than expected as their rock sound has a dance edge to it.
They were on stage for 2 hours 5 mins over two sets of 50 mins and 75 mins.
The music was all in Italian and decent enough.
The band had a tilting keyboard on a giant spring that was a good visual aid.
The crowd were really lively and really danced and cheered and clapped non stop.





Saturday 08 December 2018....5.30pm to 7.30pm...
READING 0 SHEFFIELD UNITED 2.
Two goals in the last 10 minutes saw Sheffield United beat managerless Reading and move up to third in the Championship.
Conor Washington and David McGoldrick had first-half efforts correctly ruled out for offside for the Blades, with the hosts having a penalty appeal waved away for handball by Ollie Norwood.
The visitors had the better of the second half, Chris Basham's header cleared off the line and sub Billy Sharp nodding wide from 12 yards when unmarked.
Respect is due to over 1000 away fans who made the trek down South even though the game was live on SKY tv.
Chants of "you're going down with the Wednesday" could end up being true.




Friday 07 December 2018.
JAMES + CHARLATANS live at Wembley Arena, London.
I have seen both bands several times over the past 25 years.
I first saw James in 1994....and i first saw The Charlatans in 1999...
James recent album 'Living in Extraordinary Times' was released in 2018.
Charlatans recent album 'Different Days' was released in 2017.
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Like last night we have a big name support act as The Charlatans have headlined
Brixton Academy and Hammersmith Apollo in the past.
The bars are doing a roaring trade.
THE CHARLATANS are on stage from 7.30pm to 8.40pm for a full 70 mins set.
They have full use of the two big screens and loads of lights.
Singer Tim Burgess still has his Joey Ramone mop of bleached blonde hair.
James singer Tim Booth joined them for their big hit 'North Country Boy'.
Their keyboard player was great and the overall sound was really good.
They played a Buzzcocks classic in tribute to Pete Shelley.
A very good set.
Full setlist played by The Charlatans tonight...
Totally Eclipsing
Let the Good Times Be Never Ending
North Country Boy (with Tim Booth)
One to Another
Tellin' Stories
Different Days
Future Tense
Plastic Machinery
The Only One I Know
Impossible
You're So Pretty, We're So Pretty
Weirdo
Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've) (Buzzcocks cover)
Sproston Green
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JAMES are on stage at 9.10pm and play for 1 hour 45 mins.
They have two big screens and a very nice big light show.
With eight band members on stage and a back catalogue of 15 albums – including this year’s strident Living in Extraordinary Times – there is currently more James to feast on than ever, and in this case bigger is demonstrably better. The canny decision to team up with fellow indie veterans the Charlatans for a brief UK tour of jumbo-sized venues nudges the night into mini-festival territory, for a seasoned congregation equal parts rowdy and rapt.
The first half of the set is mainly tracks from the new album.
Their ex is no photographers pit so the front rows are up nice and close to the band.
It is Booth’s swooping, decadent voice that helps sell the abundance of new tracks. Anything he does is inherently dramatic, so it is little wonder the 58-year-old is a sometime actor. With his shaven head and live-wire charisma, Booth could play anything from intense yoga instructor to terrifying Russian heavy. The audience certainly want a piece of his action: after an early runout for their shuffling 1997 hit Waltzing Along, he is pulled into the throng.
The second half of the set is a bunch of their big hits.
Tim Booth and the trumpet player both went for a wander in the seating area.
Tim Booth also did a great bit of crowd surfing as they held his body aloft.
A great show.
Full James setlist played tonight...
Hank
Picture of This Place
Waltzing Along
Ring the Bells
Heads
Stutter
Five-O
Top of the World
Extraordinary Times
Attention
Sit Down
Moving On
Leviathan
Sound
Come Home
Encore:
Say Something
Many Faces
Sometimes (Lester Piggott)




Friday 07 December 2018.
The shock texts came flying in at the end of the Def Leppard gig
that Mancunian punk legend PETE SHELLEY (The Buzzcocks singer)
had died of a heart attack aged just 63...hard to believe really...
I saw The Buzzcocks over 30 times including New York, California, Belgium
and the first time was at The Rainbow, London on 09 May 1977.
The Clash/The Jam/The Buzzcocks...what a mega triple bill that was and all
the seats in the first half a dozen rows got smashed up.
It was a couple of weeks before my 18th birthday.



Thursday 06 December 2018.
DEF LEPPARD + CHEAP TRICK live at The 02 Arena, London.
Def Leppard are playing a UK arena tour which includes two London shows.
They will be playing their 'Hysteria' album (1987) in full followed by some greatest hits.
The album has sold over 25 million copies worldwide.
I have seen Def Leppard over 20 times since 1979 when i saw them supporting AC/DC twice at Hammersmith Odeon.
British hard rock icons Def Leppard are set to release a brand new greatest hits collection entitled 'The Story So Far – The Best Of' on 30 November. The new release will be available in multiple configurations: a 2-CD set comprised of 35 tracks, 1-CD comprised of 17 tracks, 2LP vinyl, and digital.
Among a blockbuster tracklisting loaded with smash hits, all four versions feature three new songs, including the official recording of the band’s recent fan favourite and new single - Depeche Mode cover ‘Personal Jesus,’
Special guests are Cheap Trick who i have seen several times since 1979.
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Needless to say i was really looking forward to this great pairing of classic rock bands.
The show tonight is fully sold out...the floor is all standing...
I have a perfect view seat in the guest block 112 , right of stage.
CHEAP TRICK arrive on stage at 7.40pm and play for 45 mins.
You will not get a much better support act than Cheap Trick were tonight.
They have a nice big loud sound thanks to the Def Leppard pa system.
They have use of the big screens and the stage extension walkway.
All their best songs were played which sounded fantastic.
The guitarist threw out hundreds of guitar pics as usual and played various wacky looking guitars.
An excellent set.
Full Cheap Trick setlist played...
Hello There
Big Eyes
California Man (The Move cover)
If You Want My Love
The Flame
I Want You to Want Me
Dream Police
Never Had a Lot to Lose
Surrender
Goodnight (five neck guitar used for this track)
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DEF LEPPARD arrive on stage at 9pm for 1 hour 40 mins.
The band have their usual big wall of sound along with the big screens and lots of lights and lasers.
Guitarist Phil Collen is shirtless from the start as he shows off his toned stomach.
So many great hit singles were on the 'Hysteria' album as they played them one after the other.
Def Leppard like Bon Jovi attract many female fans for their type of pop rock.
It is a very well rehearsed set which has just completed a big tour of North America.
Some nice video clips were shown of their deceased guitarist Steve Clark.
Great harmonies cement their pop rock gems together.
I saw them play a smaller show at The Royal Albert Hall earlier this year but their big sound
is much more suited to arenas.
Singer Joe Elliot said this was the first time they had played The 02 Arena.
Like me , he said he was at that legendary Led Zeppelin gig here in 2007.
The encore were gems from before and after the 'Hysteria' album.
A superb set.
Full Def Leppard setlist played tonight...
HYSTERIA album played in full for the main set
Women
Rocket
Animal
Love Bites
Pour Some Sugar on Me
Armageddon It
Gods of War
Don't Shoot Shotgun
Run Riot
Hysteria (with ""Heroes"" by David Bowie snippet outro)
Excitable
Love and Affection
Encore:
Wasted
When Love and Hate Collide
Let's Get Rocked
Rock of Ages
Photograph
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Both bands were superb tonight and you must catch one of their remaining shows.
Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena (UK) - December 8
Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena (UK) - December 9
Glasgow, The SSE Hydro Arena (UK) - December 11
Manchester Arena (UK) - December 12
Sheffield, FlyDSA Arena (UK) - December 14
Liverpool Echo Arena (UK) - December 15
Birmingham Arena (UK) - December 17
Wembley Arena (UK) - December 18




Wednesday 05 December 2018...8pm to 10pm...
SPURS 3 SOUTHAMPTON 1
For some odd reason throughout the day i thought Spurs were playing Bournemouth.
The Wembley clash drew an attendance of 33,012 people, the lowest for any home fixture in the
Premier League for Spurs held at the stadium.
We were up in Level 5 and there were lots of empty blocks up here.
Harry Kane scored early on and it was a fairly easy win for Spurs.
Southampton scored a consolation goal at the end.
Both teams had good chances and both hit the woodwork.
An entertaining game.





Tuesday 04 December 2018.
6.30pm to 7.30pm
The Biological Landscape - private view - The Exhibitionist Hotel, 8 Queensberry Place, London SW7.
Always nice to be at this cosy five star boutique hotel.
Bristol contemporary artist John Simpson continues to explore the notions of the print process as a metaphor for cellular production, degeneration and destruction, introduced in the Mitosis installation at Tate Exchange 2018.
This exhibition of works on canvas and paper references traditional printmaking techniques of woodcut, monotype and copper plate etching. Combined with drawings in ink, charcoal and earth pigment, the print process becomes a metaphor for human tissue production and cellular forms, which combine with images of wilderness to create biological landscapes.
Complimentary wines for all guests.
www.theexhibitionisthotel.com
Visit their website here for more info.
then
8.15pm to 11.30pm.
Christmas drinks reunion in Wimbledon, London SW19.
Yearly meet up with some of the folks i worked with in the 1980s and 1990s.
We all have a few more grey hairs than a year ago.
Around 15 of us here and it was great to see everyone





Monday 03 December 2018...I went to two events tonight...
I went to two events related to London Art Week.
Over 30 galleries are having private view drinks parties tonight prior to their auctions.
7pm to 9.15pm
CHRISTIES - private view - 8 King Street, St James's, London SW1.
A big event as over 500 smartly dressed older guests here at this well known gallery.
Ex politician Michael Heseltine was here.Heseltine served as a Member of Parliament from 1966 to 2001, and was a prominent figure in the governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major, including serving as Deputy Prime Minister under the latter.
David Linley was here (2nd Earl of Snowdon and son of Princess Margaret).
Lots of great art on display.
Complimentary Taittenger champers, Negronis, vodka cocktails, wines and tasty canapés.
www.christies.com
Visit the Christies website here for more info.
then
9.20pm to 11.45pm
COLNAGHI - private view - 26 Bury Street, St James's, London SW1.
This Italian gallery always has a later finish than the other galleries.
Around 200 guests here with many like me who were at Christies earlier.
Lots of great art on display.
Complimentary Heidsieck Monopole champers, gin cocktails, wines, beers and Italian canapés.
www.colnaghi.com
Visit the Colnaghi website here for more info.





Monday 03 December 2018.
Happy Birthday to rock legend OZZY OSBOURNE who is 70 today.
His wife Sharon is holding a big party for him in Los Angeles.




Sunday 02 December 2018.
FIREBALL - Fuelling The Fire Tour live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Flogging Molly, The Bronx, Face to Face, Lost In Stereo, These Five Years.
Flogging Molly are an Irish-American seven-piece Celtic punk band from Los Angeles, California and led by Irish vocalist Dave King, formerly of the hard rock band Fastway. They are signed to their own record label, Borstal Beat Records.
Prior to forming Flogging Molly, Dublin-born Dave King was the lead singer for heavy metal band Fastway featuring guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke of Motörhead and bassist Pete Way of UFO in the early to mid '80s.
I saw him singing with Fastway a couple of times in the 1980s.
Flogging Molly have released six albums over the past 20 years.
The official video for their track 'Drunken Lullabies' has had over 11 million views on YouTube.
The Bronx is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2002.
The Bronx have released five studio albums.
Face to Face is a punk rock band from Victorville, California, formed in 1991.
Face to Face have released ten studio albums.
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This was the first of two shows at this venue on their European Tour.
Often i mention high prices some bands and promoters charge fans for gigs but this was the other way
as punters get five bands for a bargain £18 including ticket fees.
The tour is sponsored by drinks brand FIREBALL.
They give out free shots, t-shirts and caps throughout the evening.
The first two bands were up and coming from the UK and the three main bands were from America.
A skater type punk crowd with many wearing sneakers and skinny black jeans.
The crowd got very lively with plenty of moshing for the three headline bands.
THESE FIVE YEARS arrived on stage at 6.10pm and played for 20 mins.
Very young band start their set just 10 mins after the doors open.
A decent set including tracks from their debut EP.
LOST IN STEREO arrived on stage at 6.45pm and played for 30 mins.
Another young band who played a decent set of pop-punk.
They were crowned Fireball’s Hottest Band of 2018.
FACE TO FACE arrived on stage at 7.30pm and played for 45 mins.
It got sweaty and messy front of stage as pop-punk fans danced around and crowd surfed.
The first of the three older bands who have had plenty of albums released.
THE BRONX arrived on stage at 8.30pm and played for 55 mins.
Pop punk rockers The Bronx have a few fans with band t-shirts dotted around.
A few songs in and the singer jumped in the crowd without security for two songs
as he was squashed in between fans, but it looked pretty amazing.
One of their albums came out on Def Jam...another good and very lively set.
FLOGGING MOLLY arrived on stage at 9.45pm and played for 75 mins.
Flogging Molly were the only band not really pop-punk as they were more Celtic punk
as they had electric fiddle, accordion and tin whistle in their line-up.
A very similar atmosphere to a Pogues gig as fans are all having a crazy jig on the floor.
All the classic drinking songs were played with love and pride. “Drunken Lullabies' and “Devil’s Dance Flour”
were both oldies that were highlights and they played some good new album tracks too.
The band are fully rehearsed after a South American tour as their last gig was in Mexico.
Outro song was all the band singing with the crowd Monty Pythons 'Always Look On The Bright Side of Life'.
An enjoyable evening.



Saturday 01 December 2018...3pm to 5pm...
READING 2 STOKE CITY 2
The first half was a bit average until Reading scored at they end of it.
The referee was a bit harsh on Reading a couple of times.
Mo Barrow scored in stoppage time to give struggling Reading a point against Stoke City.
A wonderful volley from Tom Ince looked set to give the visitors a second successive win before Barrow's first goal of the season earned a vital point for Paul Clement's side.




Friday 30 November 2018.
HEAVEN 17 live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Although their biggest tracks were recorded in the 1980s they did not play live much in that decade,
but i have seen them a couple of times more recently.
Sheffield trio Heaven 17 are set to perform their acclaimed album, The Luxury Gap, in a much awaited 35th anniversary celebration tour. The album’s post-modern, cunning critique of society resonated with wide audiences in the 80s and still resonates with many in today's generation.
Heaven 17 had seven Top 40 hits in the UK.
With support from xPropaganda feat. Claudia Brücken and Susanne Freytag.
Propaganda had three Top 40 hits in the UK.
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Like last night this venue is pretty much sold out apart from a few unsold seats up in Level 3.
xPropaganda arrived on stage on stage at 7.30pm and played for 40 mins.
The two girls are still looking good and they finish with their great hit track 'Duel'.
xPropaganda full setlist played tonight...
Jewel
The Murder Of Love
p:Machinery
Sorry for Laughing (Josef K cover)
Frozen Faces
Dr. Mabuse
Duel
HEAVEN 17 arrived on stage at 8.40pm and played for 1 hour 50 mins.
Only two sets of keyboards on stage tonight with no guitars, bass or drums.
Martin Ware has his own set and a foxy blonde in a tight black jumpsuit added some glamour.
The sound was fantastic throughout the evening, with a nice dance vibe.
The first half of the set was their album 'The Luxury Gap' in track order.
Martin Ware was in the first incarnation of Human League so there were three of
their early tracks played in the set including a fab 'Being Boiled'.
Two female backing vocalists excelled on tracks like their big hit 'Temptation'.
A perfect cover version of David Bowies 'Lets Dance' was an encore.
A great show, much better than expected.
Full Heaven 17 setlist played tonight...
THE LUXURY GAP album played in full.
Crushed By the Wheels of Industry
Who'll Stop the Rain
Let Me Go
Key to the World
Temptation
Come Live With Me
Lady Ice and Mr Hex
We Live So Fast
The Best Kept Secret
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Circus of Death (The Human League cover)
Crow and a Baby (The Human League cover)
Being Boiled (The Human League cover)
(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang
I'm Your Money
Play to Win
Penthouse and Pavement
Encore:
When Your Heart Runs Out of Time (with Claudia Brücken)
Let's Dance (David Bowie cover)
Temptation (1992 Version)



Friday 30 November 2018.
Happy Birthday to BILLY IDOL who is 63 today.



Thursday 29 November 2018.
STARSAILOR live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of their album ' Silence Is Easy'.
They will be playing the album in its entirety (plus a few other hits) accompanied by a string section.
I first saw Starsailor a couple of times in 2001 and have seen them a few times after.
'Silence Is Easy' is the second studio album by Starsailor, released in September 2003 on EMI.
The album contains some of the last productions by Phil Spector before his murder conviction and imprisonment in 2009.
It was certified gold in the UK in 2003.
Starsailor have had 10 x Top 40 hits in the UK.
With support from Chris Helme and Tom Speight.
Chris Helme is an English singer-songwriter, formerly the frontman of John Squire's post- Stone Roses band
The Seahorses.
Tom Speight has had a two-year break from music for emergency surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease.
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TOM SPEIGHT arrived on stage at 7.30pm and played for 30 mins.
The singer-songwriter was backed by a female keyboard player.
Some decent songs played including new single 'Strangers Now'.
Halfway through his set he pulled off a nice stunt by going on to the floor standing area
and playing a song with the crowd around him using their mobiles for lighting.
CHRIS HELME arrived on stage at 8.15pm and played for 30 mins.
The singer-songwriter played a good set that featured a few Seahorses oldies and a great cover
of Faces 'Ooh La La'.
Full Chris Helme setlist played tonight...
Hello (The Seahorses song)
You Can Talk to Me (The Seahorses song)
Ooh La La (Faces cover)
Love is the Law (The Seahorses song)
Blinded by the Sun (The Seahorses song)
Five to One (The Doors cover)
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A nice buzz by the time Starsailor go on stage as the venue is pretty much nearly full.
Legendary live music booking agent John Giddings is here as he books Starsailor and many other acts
including U2, Iggy Pop, Madonna, Spice Girls, Genesis etc and The Isle Of Wight Festival.
STARSAILOR arrived on stage at 9.10pm and played for 1 hour 40 mins.
The first batch of songs are the 'Silence is Easy' album in full track order.
They are backed by a six piece string section on most songs who sound great.
Singer James Walsh must be one the most laid back singers out there.
Plenty of their great hits including ' Alcoholic', 'Silence Is Easy ', ' Four To The Floor ' ,
'Poor Misguided Fool', 'In The Crossfire', 'Lullaby' and encore 'Good Souls' could all fall within the
‘oh yes, I remember that but didn’t know who it was'.
A very enjoyable show.
Full Starsailor setlist played tonight...
Music Was Saved
Fidelity
Some of Us
Silence Is Easy
Telling Them
Sharkfood
Bring My Love
White Dove
Four To The Floor
Born Again
Restless Heart
Tell Me It's Not Over
Alcoholic
Poor Misguided Fool
In The Crossfire
Lullaby
Best Of Me
Tie Up My Hands
Encore:
Good Souls




Wednesday 28 November 2018...8pm to 10pm...
EUFA Champions League at Wembley Stadium.
SPURS 1 INTER MILAN 0
A fantastic tense atmosphere as Spurs needed a win.
Massive celebrations as Spurs scored 10 mins from the end.
We are up in Level 5 as usual and there are many Inter Milan fans up here but there is no trouble.
Christian Eriksen came off the bench to score a late winner for Tottenham against Inter Milan at Wembley and keep alive their hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stage going into their final game at Barcelona.
Spurs needed the win to retain any hope of emerging from Group B into the last 16 and for long spells it looked like their ambitions would flounder on the rock of the Italian side's resilient defence.
Harry Winks struck the bar and Jan Vertonghen headed wide as Spurs pressed but it took the introduction of Eriksen to make the crucial breakthrough as he was the beneficiary of good work by Moussa Sissoko and Dele Alli to score at the far post with 10 minutes left.



Wednesday 28 November 2018.
MICK JAGGER was in Paris Wednesday evening to watch PSG play Liverpool.
He chose that over Paul McCartney who played Paris the same night.



Tuesday 27 November 2018...I went to three events today...
12.45pm to 4.30pm
WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London W1.
Around 150 guests here at the nice HQ of the British Film and Television Industry.
BBC Sports presenter John Inverdale is our host today.
We had a panel discussion that included Nick Hornby (won it with Fever Pitch in 1992).
Also video footage of winners from the past 30 years on the big screen.
141 titles were entered and the judges have decided on a 7 book shortlist.
Titles about boxing, darts, football, golf, rugby, swimming and the Olympic Games are on the shortlist for this year’s £30,000 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award.
Seven books are shortlisted for the prize, which turns 30 this year, including Tiger Woods by Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian (Simon & Schuster), which is a biography of the champion golfer, and Paul Gibson’s biography of boxer Eamonn Magee, entitled The Lost Soul of Eamonn Magee (Mercier Press). They are joined by the memoir The Boy on the Shed by footballer Paul Ferris (Hodder & Stoughton) and Tom Gregory’s debut A Boy in the Water (Particular Books), about how Gregory become the youngest person to swim the English Channel in 1988, aged just 11.
Also on the shortlist are Sevens Heaven: The Beautiful Chaos of Fiji’s Olympic Dream by Ben Ryan (Weidenfeld & Nicolson), Fear and Loathing on the Oche: A Gonzo Journey Through the World of Championship Darts by King ADZ (Yellow Jersey), and Berlin 1936: Sixteen Days in August by Oliver Hilmes (The Bodley Head).
JOINT WINNERS WERE...
The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award has been shared for the first time in its 30-year history with A Boy in the Water, Tom Gregory’s charming coming-of-age story about being the youngest person to swim the Channel, sharing the £30,000 prize with The Lost Soul of Eamonn Magee, an unflinching biography of the Belfast boxer by Paul D Gibson.
The co-founder of the award, Graham Sharpe said six judges had found it impossible to separate Gregory and Gibson’s books despite heated debate that went on long past midnight. “In the 30 years since launching the award we have occasionally considered, but never ultimately awarded, a dead heat,” he said. “But the judges found it impossible to separate these two jointly deserving but very different books.”
Any of the seven books shortlisted would make an ideal Christmas present.
Complimentary Taittenger champers reception for an hour or so then wines , beers and tasty canapés.
All guests got a goodie bag with a couple of books inside.
Wikipedia has a full list of previous winners from the past 30 years.
www.williamhillplc.com
Visit the William Hill website here for more info.
then
6.45pm to 9pm
OLGA'S EGG by SOPHIE LAW - book launch party - Bonham's, New Bond Street, London W1.
Around 150 guests here with a mix of English and Russian.
There is Russian art and jewellery on display as there is an auction the following day.
Complimentary Pol Roger champers and canapés for all guests.
All guests got a goodie bag with a signed copy of the book and a Faberge candle inside.
What the publisher says about the book...
Set in today's glamorous world of Russian art with glimpses into the lives of the last Romanovs
as their empire crumbled in the wake of the Russian Revolution.
Olga's Egg is an enthralling tale of love, family secrets and the artistic treasures that conceal them.
www.faberge.com
Visit the Faberge website here for more info.
then
9.15pm to 11.30pm
QUAGLINO'S CHRISTMAS PARTY - 16 Bury Street, St James's, London SW1.
Quaglino's was one of the first celebrity restaurant's in London as it was founded by Giovanni Quaglino in 1929.
A big crowd as over 300 guests have taken over all of this venue.
We have a live funky soul band playing 30 mins of cover versions.
Complimentary Nyetimber English sparking wines, three different cocktails, wines, beers and lots
of bowl food and canapés.
www.quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk
Visit the Quaglino's website here for more info.




Monday 26 November 2018.
IDLES’ album, ' Joy as an Act of Resistance ' has topped the list of 6 Music Recommends: Albums of the Year, as announced on Shaun Keaveny’s BBC Radio 6 Music Breakfast Show this morning.



Monday 26 Nov 2018.
I bought this stunning single when it first came out 42 years ago today.
"Anarchy in the U.K." by The Sex Pistols. It was released as the band's debut single on 26 November 1976 and was later featured on their superb album, "Never Mind the Bollocks".
I was aged 17 and a bit...they were the perfect band at the perfect time...
The record still sounds incredible today...imagine the impact it had back in 1976...
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Happy Birthday to TINA TURNER who is 79 today.
Tonight on BBC1 at 10.45pm is a new interview with her.
A nice bit of promotion for her autobiography 'My Love Story ' that came out last month.
I have seen Tina Turner live several tines including headlining Hammersmith Odeon with Ike Turner in 1974
and headlining Wembley Stadium in 2000.




Saturday 24 November 2018...5.30pm to 7.30pm...
SPURS 3 CHELSEA 1...at Wembley Stadium.
We were again upstairs in Level 5.
A few empty blocks up here but still a huge crowd of 55,465.
Chelsea's unbeaten start to the season came crashing down after an impressive Tottenham win at Wembley.
Dele Alli opened the scoring for the hosts after just seven minutes with a flicked header at the near post.
Harry Kane doubled Spurs' lead when he found the bottom corner after Chelsea let him shoot from distance.
Son Heung-min made it 3-0 early in the second half after the Korean winger produced a sensational solo goal.
Olivier Giroud came off the bench to score a late consolation for Chelsea with a powerful header late on.
Spurs now move above Chelsea in the league table.




Friday 23 November 2018.
THE DAMNED + JOHNNY MOPED live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
British punk rock icons The Damned are playing another UK tour for their Tony Visconti
produced album 'Evil Spirits'.
I have seen The Damned play over 30 times...including 10 times in 1977 alone...
I was at their special 40th anniversary show at The Royal Albert Hall in 2016.
The Damned still feature two original members - Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible.
Other members in the band include Paul Gray on bass who was an original member of
Eddie and the Hot Rods and has had previous stints playing with The Damned.
Support act is Johnny Moped.
Johnny Moped became one of the pioneering punk bands that played live in the first few months of London’s now-legendary Roxy Club in early 1977.
I saw them play four times in 1977/1978 including twice when they supported The Damned in 1977.
Chrissie Hynde and Captain Sensible were in the band before their respective big name band success.
A documentary about the band,' Basically, Johnny Moped' , premiered in September 2013.
I saw this documentary which is well worth seeing.
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A punk rock gig so plenty of people here that i know tonight.
JOHNNY MOPED arrived on stage at 8pm and played for 30 mins.
Johnny Moped takes to the stage in his trademark sleeveless and studded leather biker jacket.
Johnny started playing gigs again a few years ago after a lengthy break.
I suppose he never had the quality of the other bands back in 1977 but great to see him live again.
Johnny ended his set with "Hard Lovin’ Man" which appeared on the hit various artists album
'Live at the Roxy WC2' (Harvest Records, 1977).
THE DAMNED arrived on stage at 9pm and played for 1 hour 45 mins.
Lots of fans jumping around front of stage as you would imagine.
Chants of "Sensibles a wanker" ring out but it's a term of endearment here.
Dave Vanian still has his gothic vampire look with slicked back jet black hair.
Lots of tracks from their recent album played along with pure punk classics including
'Love Song', 'New Rose' , 'Neat Neat Neat' and 'Smash it Up'.
The band put on Christmas hats for the last three songs.
A great show.
Full Damned setlist played tonight...
We’re So Nice
Born to Kill
Democracy?
Wait for the Blackout
Lively Arts
Silly Kids Games
Standing on the Edge of Tomorrow
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Stranger on the Town
Devil in Disguise
The History of the World (Part 1)
I Don’t Care
Alone Again Or (Love cover)
Love Song
1 of the 2
New Rose
Neat Neat Neat
Encore:
Curtain Call
Ignite
Encore 2:
There Ain't No Sanity Clause
Smash it Up
Encore 3:
Anti-Pope




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