News and Reviews: 27th January 2019
Sunday 27 January 2019.
Happy Birthday to Pink Floyd founding member NICK MASON who is 75 today.
Saturday 26 January 2019.
Happy Birthday to guitar legend EDDIE VAN HALEN who is 64 today.
Saturday 26 January 2019.
NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS live at Hammersmith Apollo, London.
American white soul sensations Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats make their live return to the UK in January 2019, including their biggest headline show to date.The shows are the first the Night Sweats have played in the UK since their three-night residency at Shepherd’s Bush Empire back in April 2018.
The tour follows the release of their critically acclaimed album ‘Tearing At The Seams’, a deeply personal record, produced by Richard Swift and documenting the pressures of spending three years continuously on the road.
The band are signed to the legendary Stax Records label.
I have seen them perform on the Jools Holland tv show.
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Support band LION arrived on stage at 8pm and played for 35 mins.
LION aka Beth Lowen has a Janis Joplin-esque rasp of a voice and was backed by a band for a decent set.
At the the end of the show she said " I will be in the foyer for a chat and photo during the interval" and said
"My name may be Lion but i don't bite".
It does not say sold out but the venue is packed for a near capacity 5000 crowd including stalls standing.
Pretty amazing so many are here to see the headline band who most people have never heard of.
NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS arrived on stage at 9.15pm and played for 95 mins.
The band work up a great groove with a three man brass section and organ player.
It is a soul shaking, blues rock and gospel sound with hints of Van Morrison type soul on some songs.
Highlighting songs from the newly released album, “Tearing at the Seams” that included singles “You Worry Me” and “A Little Honey” the crowd was dancing the night away and the crowd loved it. The band continued upward, creating an almost gospel experience with their breakthrough single, “S.O.B”, which had all the crowd clapping and singing along.
A good vibes show that was very enjoyable.
Full setlist played tonight....
Shoe Boot
Be There
Look It Here
I've Been Failing
I Did It
Say It Louder
Howling At Nothing
A Little Honey
Coolin' Out
Out On The Weekend
Shake
You Worry Me
Wasting Time
Babe I Know
Intro
I'll Be Damned
S.O.B.
I Need Never Get Old
Encore:
Trying So Hard Not To Know
Hey Mama
Tearing At The Seams
Friday 25 January 2019.
MICHAEL JACKSON tribute show starring CJ at The Theatre Royal, Windsor.
‘CJ’ is one of the most experienced, dedicated and well-respected Michael Jackson Tribute artists in the world today, and he perfectly captures the electrifying energy of Michael’s live performances with 100% Live Vocals.
He’s got the look, the moonwalk and the voice! His renditions of Thriller, Beat It and Billie Jean are truly sensational.
Jackson Live in Concert brings together superb musicians and dancers, fabulous costumes, and of course all the signature dance moves associated so fondly with the undisputed King of Pop.
I have seen this very good show before.
I was lucky to have seen the real Michael Jackson four times in concert.
Check this stunning YouTube clip of the real Michael Jackson when you have a few mins.
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (30th Anniversary Celebration) (Remastered Widescreen)
162,775,911 views
Michael Jackson held the record for nights played at Wembley Stadium on the same tour
until Take That reformed with Robbie Williams in 2011.
Take That played 8 nights each at Etihad Stadium in Manchester and also Wembley Stadium in London – breaking the previous record of seven nights held by Michael Jackson's Bad World Tour set in 1988.
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Around 500 here at this cosy all seated theatre that has a 633 capacity.
The show was on for 2 hours 5 mins over two sets of 55 mins and 70 mins.
A nice production with eleven on stage including two backing vocals and four female dancers.
A staircase in the middle led up to a podium where the dry ice machine was.
A big screen showed MJ images on some songs.
CJ as MJ is perfect as he has every box ticked and his attention to detail is pretty incredible.
The voice (both spoken and singing) , the dancing (both body-popping and moonwalking),
he has Michaels body frame, his hair, his iconic stage wear...it was pretty amazing.
A couple of times he wandered into the stalls which went down well with the crowd.
The first set included a segment of classic Jackson 5 songs.
An excellent five star tribute show.
Set highlights included...
Dirty Diana
Black or White
I'll Be There
I Want You Back
Blame it on the Boogie
Shake Your Body (Down to the ground)
Smooth Criminal
The Way You Make Me Feel
Rock with You
Don't Stop Till You Get Enough
Thriller
Beat It
Billie Jean (stunning move for move copy of the video clip listed above)
Encore :
Heal The World
Man In The Mirror
Thursday 24 January 2019...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 9pm
JD MALAT GALLERY - private view - 30 Davies Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Around 150 guests at this gallery that always gets a cool crowd.
Guests included Lizzie Cundy, Meredith Ostrom and Jackie St Clair.
JD Malat Gallery is pleased to present ‘TO SEE IS NOT TO SPEAK’, a solo exhibition by Swiss artist Conrad Jon Godly. Following on from the artist’s solo show, ‘DARK IS LIGHT’, in Kyoto, Japan, 2018, ‘TO SEE IS NOT TO SPEAK’ presents an exciting selection of work which addresses the relationship between human nature and the sublime. Godly finds a beauty in the awe and terror of nature, and his works are a reminder of the futility of human existence. ‘TO SEE IS NOT TO SPEAK’ encompasses the viewer in the dramatic elements of nature, which makes for a captivating yet peaceful display.
The exhibition is on until 02 March 2019.
Complimentary Pommery champers for all guests.
www.jdmalat.com
Visit their website here for more info.
then
9.15pm to 10.45pm
LIVE MUSIC SHOWCASE at Tramp, 40 Jermyn Street, St James's, London SW1.
Around 100 guests were in this club that was a major celeb hangout in the 1970s and 1980s.
Cleo Rocos was here, she is best known as Kenny Everett’s glamorous side-kick in the 1980s tv show.
We caught two of the six acts who were each performing three or four songs.
Neither bothered to introduce themselves so don't know who they were.
Complimentary prosecco and canapés for all guests.
www.tramp.co.uk
Visit their website here for more info.
Wednesday 23 January 2019.
ROGER WATERS concert ticket sales are enormous.
Early in December rock legend Roger Waters completed his Us + Them tour, capping a two-decade stretch of global touring that generated more than $835 million in sales from four major worldwide treks, according to box office totals reported to Pollstar during the past 20 years.
It began in 1999 when he made a return to the concert stage as a solo headliner after a 12-year hiatus from the road. In July of that year he kicked off his In The Flesh tour that played North America during the summers of 1999 and 2000 as well as a 2002 stretch that included a European run and stops in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Australia. The tour showcased the hits from his years with Pink Floyd but also included music from his 1992 album, Amused to Death.
He followed that run four years later with The Dark Side of the Moon Live trek that debuted in the summer of 2006 and ran for two years with concerts on five continents. Each show on the tour saw a recreation of the iconic 1973 Pink Floyd release with Waters and his band performing the album in its entirety. He returned to that same formula for his next road effort, the massive 2010-13 worldwide jaunt The Wall Live. It marked the first time Pink Floyd’s 1979 album had been
performed live in its entirety by the band or any of its former members in two decades.
The Wall Live tour played both arenas and stadiums globally during a time period that spanned just over three years, beginning on Sept. 15, 2010, and wrapping on Sept. 21, 2013. The tour still ranks among the highest-grossing tours of all time based on an overall take of $460 million from 220 performances and 4.1 million tickets sold.
I was lucky enough to have seen him several times in the past 20 years.
Also with Pink Floyd at that historic Hyde Park 2005 show where original members played a short set.
Tuesday 22 January 2019...I went to two events tonight...
6.45pm to 9pm
BILL VIOLA / MICHELANGELO Life Death Rebirth - private view - Royal Academy of Arts,
Piccadilly, London W1.
Today's Standard newspaper in London had a full page four star review of the exhibition.
The Guardian newspaper slagged it off by saying "I’ve never encountered such a preachy, pompous show".
Around 500 guests are here at this massive exhibition space.
Guests included Alan Yentob, Peter York, Basia Briggs and painter Humphrey Ocean.
It was at Canterbury that Humphrey was taught by Ian Dury, then a painter. From 1971 he was bass player with the band Kilburn and the High Roads formed at Canterbury with Dury. They opened for The Who on its Christmas tour in 1973, after which Ocean resigned from music with the notable exception of recording the single "Whoops-a-Daisy" written by Ian Dury and Russell Hardy, for Stiff Records in 1978.
An odd pairing as Michelangelo and Bill Viola are separated by 500 years.
All the rooms are dark to highlight the striking video's of 67 year old American artist Bill Viola.
A couple of Michelangelo are on loan from our Queen Elizabeth.
Complimentary Bouvet French Sparkling Wine and canapés for all guests.
www.royalacademy.org.uk
Visit their website here for more info and to buy tickets.
then
10.15pm to 1am
THRILLER LIVE - party - Piano Works, 47 Whitcomb Street, London WC2.
A special event to celebrate an incredible 10 years and over 4000 performances of this musical
that is based on the songs of Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 which is on nearby at The Lyric Theatre.
Until recently this venue was called Studio 88.
Around 300 guests are here including actors who have been in the musical over the past years.
There is a top notch six piece band playing great cover versions including Michael Jackson classics.
Lots of dancing on the floor.
Complimentary drinks and food including two different cocktails, wines, beers, canapés and birthday cake.
www.thrillerlive.com
Visit their website here for more info and to buy tickets.
Monday 21 January 2019...6.45pm to 9.15pm...
The Community Awards of Mayfair & St James's 2019 - Claridge's, Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Always nice to be at this famous five star hotel.
A big crowd of over 300 standing guests are here in the ballroom.
A trio called The Roaming Nines played covers before and after the awards.
FRED SIRIEIX from popular Channel 4 tv show First Dates is the awards presenter.
From 7.10pm for 30 mins the ten awards were handed out.
Venues and people who are based in Mayfair & St James's are here to collect including...
Doorman of The Year - Colin Kemp from Christies
Unsung Hero - Tony Mumford ( North Mayfair Postman)
Bright Young Thing - Unit Gallery
All guests got a goodie bag on departure which included tins of tea, flapjacks,marmalade from
Fortnum & Mason and a box of fragrance miniatures from Creed of Mayfair.
Complimentary champers, two different cocktails, wines, tasty canapés,oysters and macaroons for dessert.
A great event.
Sunday 20 January 2019.
AVATAR + THE MAHONES live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
AVATAR are a Swedish Heavy Metal Band who have just released their seventh album.
AVATAR are on a UK & European Tour to promote their 2018 album 'Avatar Country'.
On June 12, 2017, Avatar were awarded the Breakthrough Band Award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods.
The Mahones are a Canadian celtic punk band, formed on St. Patrick's Day in 1990.
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Levels 2 and 3 were closed tonight as unsold but the stalls standing and Level 1
seating area are both totally rammed so there must be around 1200 fans here tonight.
THE MAHONES arrived on stage at 8.05pm and played for 40 mins.
As their name suggests, the band are very influenced by the sound of The Pogues.
Uptempo lively songs with accordion and lyrics about drinking etc.
Credit to Avatar for putting support bands from a different genre on tour with them.
Full setlist played by The MAHONES tonight...
A Great Night on the Lash
Paint the Town Red
Shakespeare Road
The Hunger & the Fight
Give It All Ya Got (or Forget About It)
Heroes (David Bowie cover)
Never Let You Down
Is This Bar Open 'Til Tomorrow
Punk Rock Saved My Life
Drunken Lazy Bastard
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AVATAR arrived on stage at 9.15pm and played for 1 hour 50 mins.
The band are all wearing cavalry outfits and boots and the roadies are wearing white shirts with waistcoats.
A very nice stage production with stairs at each side leading to a raised platform behind the drum kit.
Lots of lights throughout the show and a few pyros.
They opened their set with “A Statue of the King” and “Legend Of The King”, off of the new album, which also included the king, guitarist Jonas Jarlsby, seated on his throne above the drum riser. Fans were treated to a selection of previous favourites as well, including “Let it Burn”, “The Eagle Has Landed”, “Smells Like A Freakshow”, and closing with “Hail The Apocalypse”.
The singer has a Marilyn Manson/Alice Cooper/The Joker stage persona going on.
Plenty of head banging from the musicians and the crowd along with lots of crowd moshing.
Some songs were a bit too thrashy for me but a good show overall.
Full setlist played by AVATAR played tonight...
A Statue of the King
Legend of the King
Paint Me Red
King's Harvest
Bloody Angel
For the Swarm
Get in Line
Tsar Bomba
Tower
The Eagle Has Landed
Let It Burn
King After King
Reload
Smells Like a Freakshow
Torn Apart
The King Welcomes You to Avatar Country
Encore :
Hail the Apocalypse
Sunday 20 January 2019.
Happy Birthday to rock legend PAUL STANLEY from KISS who is 67 today.
Saturday 19 January 2019.
BOOTLEG BLONDIE featuring CLEM BURKE live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Original Blondie drummer Clem Burke plays with tribute band while the real Blondie take a few weeks rest.
They are in a UK tour to celebrate 40 years of the classic Blondie album 'Parallel Lines ' - 1978 to 2018.
Parallel Lines is the third studio album by Blondie. It was released on September 23, 1978, by Chrysalis Records to international commercial success. The album reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom in February 1979 and proved to be the band's commercial breakthrough in the United States, where it reached No. 6 in April 1979.
The album had sold over 20 million copies worldwide and has spawned several successful singles including
"Hanging on the Telephone", "One Way or Another" , "Picture This" , "Sunday Girl" and "Heart of Glass".
I have seen the real Blondie over 20 times since 1977 which was their first UK visit when they
supported Television at Hammersmith Odeon.
The real Debbie Harry is age 73 but the tribute singer will be the younger version with outfit changes.
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Levels 2 and 3 are closed as unsold but there is still a decent sized crowd here.
BOOTLEG BLONDIE featuring CLEM BURKE arrived on stage at 8.30pm and played for
1 hour 55 mins over two sets of 50 mins and 65 mins.
All the band came on stage wearing Beatles type suits and ties.
The first set was all of the 'Parallel Lines' classic album.
Loads of classic Blondie tracks played along with a few lesser known tracks.
Debbie Harris as Debbie Harry did a good job and had five different outfit changes.
Remember those sultry outfits Debbie Harry wore back in the late 70s/early 1980s?
Clem Burke on drums was visually amazing to watch as usual.
During the encore Debbie put on a black plastic bag with slogan (like the real Debbie did last year).
Tonight it read 'Debbie Does Shepherds Bush' which relates to the famous porn film 'Debbie Does Dallas'.
An enjoyable evening.
Most of the setlist played tonight...
FIRST SET : Parallel Lines in full.
Hanging On The Telephone
One Way Or Another
Picture This
Fade Away and Radiate
Pretty Baby
I Know but I Don't Know
11:59
Will Anything Happen?
Sunday Girl
Heart of Glass
I'm Gonna Love You Too
Just Go Away
SECOND SET : highlights
(I'm Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear
Union City Blue
Rip Her to Shreds
Dreaming
X Offender
Denis
In the Flesh
Maria
Encore:
Atomic
Call Me
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In the Level 1 VIP seats at the side was GARY VALENTINE.
Gary Valentine joined Blondie in spring 1975 after original bassist Fred Smith left to join Television (following Richard Hell's departure). He wrote the music to the band's first single, "X-Offender",and popularised the band's sixties-retro look. In 1977 he left the group to form his own band and was replaced by Nigel Harrison, just as Blondie were starting to gain recognition. His song "(I'm Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear" was a UK top ten hit in 1978,and was subsequently recorded by Tracey Ullman and Annie Lennox.
Thursday 17 January 2019....I went to two events tonight...
6pm to 7pm
RICHARD POUSETTE-DART WORKS 1940-1992 - private view - Pace Gallery, 6 Burlington Gardens, London W1.
Richard Pousette-Dart (June 8, 1916 – October 25, 1992) was an American artist most recognised as a founder of the New York School of painting. His artistic output also includes drawing, sculpture, and fine-art photography.
Normally there would be one or two security guards keeping an eye on the paintings but for some reason
there are a dozen of them here tonight.
The exhibition of paintings is on until 20 Feb 2019.
Complimentary Piper-Heidsieck champers for all guests.
www.pacegallery.com
Visit their website here for more info.
then
7.15pm to 12pm
FARZI CAFE - launch party - 8 Haymarket, London SW1.
Originating in New Delhi in 2014, the Farzi Cafe chain from the House of Massive Restaurants now has many branches across India and in Dubai. The London opening serves up traditional Indian dishes in a contemporary style.
The restaurant is located next door to Theatre Royal Haymarket.
Around 200 guests are here over the two levels and 4400sq ft of this stylish venue.
Celebrity guests here included Nicola Roberts, Ashley James and Sascha Bailey.
A nice buzzy atmosphere with dj sounds in the background.
It was still lively when we left at midnight as it was a 1am finish tonight.
Complimentary Moët champers, various spirits with mixers, wines, beers and very tasty Indian small bites.
www.farzilondon.com
Visit the FARZI CAFE website here for more info on the menu etc.
With a vision of bringing Indian Cuisine back “in-Vogue”, Farzi Cafe endeavours to showcase a unique, modernist approach to Indian food, where guests not only enjoy culinary innovations as part of it’s tapas style menu but also offers a high energy space, perfect for a relaxing dining experience. The cuisine served at Farzi Café speak for itself, as it surprises the palate as never before.
The owners say "Our total investment so far is just under £4m, so it had better work":
Wednesday 16 January 2019....6.30pm to 11pm...
SOHO RESIDENCE - launch party - 83-85 Wardour Street, Soho, London W1.
A big buzzy crowd here of around 300 guests over three floors.
Soho club legend Philip Sallon was here. He is particularly known for being a prominent member of the Punk sub-cultural and New Romantic pop cultural movements during the 1970s and 1980s.
A perfect Soho location near to Old Compton Street and 100 yards from where The Marquee Club was.
Soho’s iconic Roundhouse has undergone a full and fantastic £1m restoration and will reopen as Soho Residence, the premier bar, club and lounge space in London’s West End.
Erected in 1892, the Roundhouse building itself has previously existed as blues and skiffle clubs, welcoming celebrated performers from around the world. Its latest and greatest incarnation as Soho Residence will continue this rich tradition by offering the ultimate night out experience in a venue of unrivalled elegance and grace.
The venue will be open until 3am every night except on Sundays.
Complimentary prosecco, several different cocktails , wines, beers and canapés for all guests.
We had a great time here and it will be surely be a popular addition to Soho's nightlife.
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First Floor Gin Parlour
The First Floor has high ceilings, tall windows which direct your gaze down to the bustling streets of Soho below as well as snug sofas and sumptuous fabrics, all in a cosmopolitan and carefully curated space designed to make you feel like a million dollars. This floor is also available for private hire.
Ground Floor Botanical Bar
The ritzy Ground Floor of Soho Residence boasts a hint of art deco style with enormous crittal inspired windows allowing light to flood in, a fresh botanical feel, hanging plants and banquette seating, plump cushions and a plush Soho vibe, all complemented by professional service and contemporary cocktails that dazzle with their fun, flair and flavour.
Festival Club
The Basement Club is a place to be mischievous with festoon lighting, and a selection of craft beers and cocktails that will welcome the capital’s glitterati for nights of grown-up fun and late night partying.
The cocktail menu is sublime, boasting a selection of both classics and dazzling new concoctions guaranteed to please the most discerning palates.
Djs play every night, keeping the party vibe going throughout the evening.
Soho Residence is the perfect venue for corporate and private hire, product launches and events. Both the first floor and the basement nightclub are available for private hire and the whole venue can also be hired for amazing functions and events.
www.sohoresidence.co.uk
Visit their website here for more info.
Tuesday 15 January 2019.
WEMBLEY ARENA has lost most of the major arena gigs in London to The 02 Arena over the past decade
but they have reported record visitors for 2018.
The 12,500 capacity arena right next to Wembley Stadium reported that it welcomed
one million visitors in 2018, which is more than any year in the past decade.
157 performances took place at London’s most intimate arena in 2018, including the world premiere of the Golden Globe winning film Bohemian Rhapsody, three sold out ‘in the round’ nights for Arcade Fire, the televised final of The X Factor, the biggest independent pro wrestling event in England for 30 years in the form of PROGRESS’ ‘Hello Wembley’, the first ever all-nighter from drum’n’bass legend Andy C, the biggest ever Bollywood event held at the arena from Arijit Singh, an exclusive Smashing Pumpkins show, George Ezra’s biggest headline concert to date and a sold out show for Slayer as part of their historic final world tour.
Obviously there were also lots of crap events too in that figure of 157 performances.
Monday 14 January 2019...I went to two events tonight...
4pm to 6.15pm
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO ITALIAN WINE 2019 - book launch and wine tasting -
Le Meridian Hotel, Piccadilly, London W1.
Around 200 guests in the main room of this nice five star hotel.
There are 24 suppliers/stands here and each has different wines to taste.
Red Wines, White Wines, Rose Wines, Prosecco.
My faves were from Tenuta Carretta and Nicola Bergalio.
Also Italian meats and bread to go with the wines.
All guests got an e-copy of the book.
www.doctorwine.it
More info on the book and wines are here on their website.
then
6.45pm to 10.30pm
THE WRITERS GUILD AWARDS at The Royal College of Physicians,
11 St Andrews Avenue, Regents Park, London NW1.
Around 300 guests here at this impressive venue.
Several well known faces are here including Russell T Davies, MacKenzie Crook, Josie Lawrence,
Armando Iannucci, Helen Lederer, Stephen McGann, Lee Ridley (Lost Voice Guy who won Britains Got Talent).
We went into the theatre seating for the awards from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Hosted by writer and actor Joanna Scanlan (Getting On, No Offence), the prestigious event honoured the cream of British UK writing talent in front of an audience from a broad range of creative industries.
Seventeen awards given out and some very entertaining speeches.
It was a big night for celebrating female writers, who won in 9 of the 16 awards across theatre, TV, radio, comedy, books and video games categories and the Outstanding Contribution to Writing also went to a woman.
Complimentary prosecco, wines, beers, canapés before and after the awards.
www.writersguild.org.uk
Visit their website here for a list of the winners and presenters.
Monday 14 January 2019.
Happy Birthday to Foo Fighters frontman DAVE GROHL who is 50 today.
The Foos are without doubt one of the greatest live bands.
They headline Reading & Leeds Festivals in August.
Sunday 13 January 2019.
SPURS play MAN UTD at Wembley Stadium...4.30pm kick off...
Mega footie clash.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s dream start after taking over from Jose M continued with a fifth victory in five games against Reading in The FA Cup but the first stern test of his interim reign is next: the trip to Tottenham on Sunday. The run equals Sir Matt Busby’s non-wartime club record, but how United fare against a team 10 points and three places better off will be a real test of progress.
How will they deal with Harry Kane and the awesome Spurs attack?
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We are up in Level 5 for this game between these two top notch teams.
A fantastic atmosphere as it's a near sell-out crowd of around 80,000.
David de Gea produced a string of superb saves as Manchester United held on to beat Tottenham 1-0 and secure a sixth win in a row for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Marcus Rashford scored the winner late in the first half but Solskjaer was indebted to De Gea, who made no more than 11 saves to withstand a second-half Spurs barrage to seal the historic victory for the United interim manager.
Only the one goal, but a great game.
The sixth straight win victory sees Solskjaer confirm the best start of any manager in Manchester United's history, and sees him equal Sir Matt Busby's five wins in his first five league games.
Saturday 12 January 2019.
A BOWIE CELEBRATION live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
A BOWIE CELEBRATION will celebrate David Bowie's Glastonbury 2000 performance with a European Tour.
Mike Garson, the longest-standing member of David Bowie’s bands, is bringing together an unforgettable line-up of Bowie alumni and special guest vocalists for A Bowie Celebration. This critically acclaimed show will see the cast perform an ever-rotating mix of hits and deep cuts from Bowie’s much-loved catalogue of albums.
The band includes Mike Garson on piano/keyboards,Earl Slick on guitar and Bernard Fowler on vocals.
Earl Slick has also played with David Bowie before and Bernard Fowler is long time backing vocals for
The Rolling Stones.
Also on vocals will be Joe Sumner (Stings son).
I missed the show last year at this same venue as it clashed with my two week trip to Taiwan.
I was lucky enough to have seen the real David Bowie over 20 times since Wembley Arena in 1976 and i was
at both his last ever London shows at Wembley Arena in Nov 2003.
I also got his 'Heathen' album signed by him at HMV London in Sept 2002 when it came out.
I saw Earl Slick playing with The Glen Matlock Band three times in Aug 2018.
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A few empty seats in Level 3 but around 1800 folks here out of a 2000 capacity.
A BOWIE CELEBRATION arrived on stage at 8.05pm and played for 2 hours 10 mins.
For different songs there were 7,8,9 and even 10 musicians on stage through the evening.
There were four different vocalists including Bernard Fowler and Joe Sumner.
Bernard Fowler sang the first few tracks then the vocalists rotated.
The vocalists did a good job but none had the pure rock n roll charisma of guitarist Earl Slick.
Loads of Bowie classics played along with a couple of lesser known tracks but gems not played tonight
included "The Jean Genie", "Let's Dance", "Modern Love" and "The Man Who Sold The World".
Bowie tunes , like Prince tunes will live on forever, such is the quality of them , so there will be tribute
and no doubt hologram shows galore in the future.
A very nice first gig of 2019 for me.
Full setlist played tonight....
Greensleeves ([traditional] cover)
Bring Me The Disco King
Rebel Rebel
Moonage Daydream
Fame
Young Americans
Starman
Space Oddity
Five Years
Changes
Lady Grinning Soul
Rock 'n' Roll Suicide
Ashes To Ashes
Aladdin Sane
Win
Ziggy Stardust
Suffragette City
All The Young Dudes (David Bowie wrote this classic for Mott The Hoople)
Under Pressure (Queen cover that originally featured vocals by Freddie Mercury & David Bowie)
Encore:
Andy Warhol
Life on Mars?
Heroes
Modern Love (outro song played over the pa)
Friday 11 January 2019.
QUEEN are everywhere these days.
After they stole the show at Live Aid in 1985 they announced several stadium shows for the
following year which included two nights at Wembley Stadium and a huge show at Knebworth.
I was at one of those amazing Wembley shows which had great support acts...
Queen,Status Quo,Alarm,INXS ---- Wembley Stadium , London 11.07.1986.
It was the final tour with Freddie Mercury.
Thursday 10 January 2019...I went to two gallery private views tonight.
6pm to 7pm
Bernard Jacobson Gallery, 28 Duke Street, St James's ,London SW1.
Around 70 or 80 guests at this gallery by Fortnum & Mason.
BBC tv political commentator and television presenter ANDREW MARR was here.
The first in a two-part exhibition of prints from Bernard Jacobson’s remarkable collection. Prints I wish I had published includes work by more than 30 artists, including some of the most important names in art from the past 600 years. An exhibition of Jacobson’s favourite prints which he wishes he had published during his 50 years in the business.
Including works by Thomas Hart Benton, William Blake, Marc Chagall, John Constable, Robyn Denny, Albrecht Durer, Sam Francis, Paul Gauguin, Goya, Stanley William Hayter, Hiroshige, David Hockney, John Martin, Henri Matisse, Bruce McLean, Robert Motherwell, Samuel Palmer, Pablo Picasso, Arnulf Rainer, Robert Rauschenberg, Rembrandt, Ed Ruscha, William Tillyer, J.M.W Turner, Andy Warhol, Grant Wood and others.
There was a great collage of 20 original press cuttings of THE ROLLING STONES from 1967/1968.
Complimentary wines & nibbles for all guests.
www.jacobsongallery.com
Visit their website here for more info.
then
7.15pm to 8.30pm
Unit Gallery , 3 Hanover Square, Soho, London W1.
A big crowd of 200 guests at this gallery as they always invites loads of people.
Peter Gronquist is a multidisciplinary artist based in Portland, Oregan. Gronquist’s practice incorporates painting, sculpture and installation, utilising mediums such as aluminium, ceramic, and mirrors as well as the environment itself. Gronquist has a profound interest in the emotional potency of colour and temporality of our world, from the objects we produce to the transience of humanity, addressing themes of impermanence, excess and escapism.
Complimentary prosecco for all guests.
www.theunitldn.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Thursday 10 January 2019.
Happy Birthday to ROD STEWART who is 74 today.
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Wednesday 09 January 2019.
Happy Birthday to guitar legend JIMMY PAGE who is 75 today.
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