Ray's Gigs

Daily news and reviews of gigs bars clubs restaurants product launches films theatre fashion shows books art galleries hotels competitions interesting places to visit ...and much more!

News and Reviews: 30th April 2019

Monday 29 April 2019...6.15pm to 8.30pm...
MNKY HSE - showcase - 10 Dover Street, Mayfair, London W1.
This was my first time at MNKY HSE which is a stylish Latin American restaurant & bar & nightclub.
Dover Street is a cool destination these days as The Arts Club and Victoria Beckams store are opposite.
It has one of those small entrances that lead to a much bigger than expected area.
Around 150 guests here over the two floors with the ground floor being the biggest space.
Everyone is seated at tables which is always a plus.
A dj is playing tunes in the background and it is nice and buzzy.
Complimentary prosecco , four different cocktails, wines, beers and lots of tasty bowl food,
canapés & desserts.
A really nice venue and event, just a shame the event wasn't on for another hour or so.
Al guests got a small goodie bag which included a MNKY HSE t-shirt.
www.mnky-hse.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Bear in mind we are in Mayfair so drinks prices are steep when it is a normal night as a bottle of beer is £7.50
and most cocktails are £15 each.




Monday 29 April 2019.
The video is now up on YouTube from Shepherds Bush Empire on Friday 26 April.
MOTT THE HOOPLE "All The Young Dudes" with Brian May and Joe Elliot.



Sunday 28 April 2019.
A couple of friends told me that rock legend JIMMY PAGE turned up at The Record Fair
in Victoria yesterday...Jimmy has been a regular at Record Fairs over the past few years...




Saturday 27 April 2019.
MOTT THE HOOPLE + TAX THE HEAT live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
I am back again to see their second show here.
Mott The Hoople along with bands like T.Rex, Sweet and Sparks were my first purchased records.
All these bands were regulars on Top Of The Pops when i hit my teenage years.
Not as glitzy as last night regards the celeb count but there were a couple.
JOE ELLIOT was again watching from the side of the stage and came on for the encore.
Rock photographer ROSS HALFIN was again taking snaps all night.
STAN TIPPINS was also watching the show from side of stage.
TRACIE HUNTER was up in Level 1 again.
TAX THE HEAT again arrived on stage at 7.55pm for their good solid 45 mins set.
MOTT THE HOOPLE again arrived on stage at 9.10pm and played for around 1 hour 45 mins.
The same songs played but the first and second songs of the encore were swopped back to the
usual tour setlist as BRIAN MAY was not here tonight.
Ian Hunter held everything together at the front with his superb vocal style.
The gloriously eccentric Morgan Fisher on piano and the even more gloriously eccentric Luther Grosvenor AKA Ariel Bender on guitar and angular madcap shapes were both very entertaining.
They finish off the show again with their anthemic classic "All The Young Dudes" which was mega.
Another great show.
Roll Away The Stone (with Joe Elliot for a couple of lines)
Encore :
All The Way From Memphis
Saturday Gigs
All The Young Dudes (David Bowie cover) (with Joe Elliot, Stan Tippins and Tax The Heat)




Saturday 27 April 2019.
Happy Birthday to ex KISS guitar legend ACE FREHLEY who is 68 today.
Happy Birthday to ex Adam & The Ants guitarist MARCO PIRRONI who is 60 today.



Friday 26 April 2019.
MOTT THE HOOPLE + TAX THE HEAT live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Mott The Hoople play the first of two shows at this venue.
Mott The Hoople '74
Glam rock icons, Mott The Hoople are regrouping once more, for a performance focused on the 1974 albums, The Hoople and Live, plus other greatest hits.
They had five Top 20 hit singles in the UK between 1972 and 1974.
I first saw Mott The Hoople in Dec 1973 at Hammersmith Odeon...where the support band were QUEEN.
They were the first of over 2000 shows i have seen at that legendary venue.
Mott The Hoople still feature three 1970s members including vocalist Ian Hunter (he will be 80 in June).
I was at all five of their re-union shows at Hammersmith Apollo in 2009.
They usually get a few well known musicians turn up so will be interesting who attends?
Brian May , Joe Elliot, Mick Jones (The Clash) all turned up to see them play in the past.
Sex Pistols members who live in London usually attend but both are in Europe at the same time.
Glen Matlock is touring Sweden and Paul Cook is touring Spain.
Support comes from Bristol rockers TAX THE HEAT.
------------------
Needless to say I was really looking forward to seeing both these Mott gigs.
A mainly older male crowd as expected.
TAX THE HEAT were on stage from 7.55pm for 45 mins.
The band arrive on stage and look like they are trendy Shoreditch barbers.
They played some good solid rock tracks from their two albums.
They are pretty happy that most of the crowd have arrived early to see them.
JOE ELLIOT and BRIAN MAY watched Mott The Hoople from side of stage.
Stan Tippins was also watching side of stage...he was the bands singer before Ian Hunter.
Guests up in the Level 1 VIP seats included a rare sighting of Mick Jones (The Clash).
Also here were Bobby Gillespie, James Stevenson, Kris Needs and Tracie Hunter(Ian's daughter).
In 1973 Kris Needs was the secretary of the Mott The Hoople fan club before he became a music journo.
Also here was guitarist Dave 'Bucket' Colwell who has had stints with Bad Company , Humble Pie and others.
Rock photographer Ross Halfin was taking photos all the way through Mott's show.
MOTT THE HOOPLE arrived on stage at 9.10pm and played for 1 hour 45 mins.
A nice big sound as there are seven musicians on stage.
All their classic tracks were played which were superb but a few of the album tracks plodded a bit
for those who were not hardcore fans.
Ian Hunter on vocals was as cool as ever.
Aerial Bender on guitar was pretty eccentric.
The last 45 mins of the show was top notch with an incredible finale of "All The Young Dudes" which
had Brian May , Joe Elliot and Stan Tippins join them as the crowd sang the words loudly.
An excellent show.
Full Mott The Hoople setlist played tonight...
American Pie (cover)/ The Golden Age of Rock 'N' Roll
‪Lounge Lizard ‬
Alice
Honaloochie Boogie
Morgan Fisher piano solo (Prelude #1 in C) (J.S.Bach cover)
Rest in Peace
I Wish I Was Your Mother
Pearl 'n' Roy (England)
Sucker
Sweet Jane (The Velvet Underground cover)
Rose
Walking With a Mountain
Roll Away the Stone (with Joe Elliott singing a couple of lines)
Marionette
Jerkin' Crocus / One of the Boys
Medley: Rock 'n Roll Queen / Crash Street Kids / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Mean Woman Blues / Johnny B. Goode / Violence / Cleveland (England) Rocks / You Really Got Me
Encore:
Saturday Gigs
All the Way From Memphis (with Brian May)
All the Young Dudes (David Bowie cover) (with Brian May / Joe Elliot / Stan Tippins)





Thursday 25 April 2019...6.45pm to 11pm...
RICHMOND HILL HOTEL - restaurant & bar re-launch - Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey.
Just a few minutes walk from Richmond Town Centre up the hill to this perfect English countryside
setting of The River Thames, lots of greenery and Richmond Park is just two minutes away.
You can why Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall lived in the area and Pete Townshend still lives here.
Around 150 guests at this stunning four star hotel for their restaurant & bar re-launch.
It has 142 rooms and you can stay here for under £100 thanks to special offers on the internet.
A few celebs here including Lizzie Cundy who always looks incredible for her 50 years.
Also Richard Blackwood, Tim Lovejoy and Glynis Barber.
144 On The Hill provides an iconic setting for an eclectic combination of locally sourced ingredients, selected by the Chef to create a ‘Turf to Table’ inspired menu that changes with the seasons. From inspirational cocktails and fine wines served in the bar, to the truly indulgent traditional 144 On The Hill afternoon tea.
There was a dj playing dance tunes and a duo played several acoustic cover versions.
Lots of complimentary food and drinks for the guests...
Chapel Down English sparkling wines, four different cocktails, wines and beers.
Lots of delicious bowl food, canapés and desserts.
Now the sunshine is coming out you definitely must head here at some point over the next couple of months.
Really enjoyable evening and the staff were great as they welcomed everyone and fussed over them.
www.richmondhill-hotel.co.uk
Visit their website here for special lunchtime deals and happy hour cocktails.




Wednesday 24 April 2019.
JOE BONAMASSA live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
Joe Bonamassa plays the first of three shows at this venue.
Joe Bonamassa is an American blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. When he was 12 years old, Bonamassa opened for B.B. King. In the last 13 years Bonamassa has put out 15 solo albums through his independent record label J&R Adventures, of which 11 have reached number 1 on the Billboard Blues charts.
I have seen Joe a few times before including previous shows at this venue.
--------------------
Joe back at this venue , which like his hero Eric Clapton, is his port of call when he plays London.
The venue is over 90% sold which is pretty good considering the high ticket prices.
Arena / Stalls are £160 , £110 and the circle is £110 , £85 and £65.
Not sure why Joe has the cheek to charge Eric Clapton type ticket prices.
Perhaps Joe fans have too much cash as one couple who had perfect seats in the middle of the
second row stalls (£160 per ticket) turned up a staggering 75 mins into the show.
JOE BONAMASSA arrived on stage prompt at 7.30pm and played for 2 hours 15 mins.
He has a top notch band who include bass, drums, keyboards, sax, trombone & 2 female backing vocals.
When they were all playing together at full tilt, it sounded really great.
Most songs were several minutes long as they included stunning guitar solos by Joe.
Joe used many different guitars from his massive guitar collection.
At home he had a collection of over 300 guitars which has been recently pruned to 90.
On one song he was joined by a 14 year old guitarist who did a good job.
The stalls were up and standing by the front of the stage for the last 30 mins.
A great show.
Full JOE BONAMASSA setlist played tonight...
Tiger in Your Tank (Muddy Waters cover)
King Bee Shakedown
Evil Mama
Just 'Cos You Can Don't Mean You Should
Self Inflicted Wounds
This Train
Blues of Desperation
How Deep This River Runs
Sloe Gin (Tim Curry cover)
Don't You Lie to Me (with 14 year old guitarist Toby Lee)
Well, Well (Delaney & Bonnie cover)
Nobody Loves Me but My Mother (B.B. King cover)
Little Girl (John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers cover)
Last Kiss
Encore:
Woke Up Dreaming
Mountain Time





Wednesday 24 April 2019.
Happy Birthday to legendary record producer TONY VISCONTI who is 75 today.
Tony is an American record producer, musician and singer. Since the late 1960s, he has worked with an array of performers. His lengthiest involvement was with David Bowie: intermittently from Bowie's second album in 1969 to the 2016 release Blackstar, Visconti produced and occasionally performed on many of Bowie's albums.
He also produced classic T.Rex albums and many more artists over the years.



Tuesday 23 April 2019.
CLUB TROPICANA - THE MUSICAL - press night - at New Wimbledon Theatre, London.
The star cast is led by Joe McElderry (X Factor winner, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Neil McDermott (EastEnders, Eugenius!), Kate Robbins (Spitting Image, ITV’s The Imitation Game, Dinnerladies), Emily Tierney (Eugenius! Wicked, The Wizard of Oz); and former Sugababe star Amelle Berrabah, making her musical theatre debut.
It’s a time when hair was big, shoulders were padded and mobile phones were shaped like bricks and weighed a tonne! Take a fun-packed trip back in time to the electric 80’s with the world premiere of Club Tropicana The Musical UK Tour, a summer adventure of love in the sun, with a soundtrack of smash-hit pop classics – it really is the feel-good musical of the year!
When our budding bride and groom get cold feet, they decide to jet off separately to sunnier climes and feel the heat – but little do they know they’ve checked into the same hotel… the vibrant Club Tropicana!
With drinks flowing and tans glowing, will our young lovers decide to finally go through with the wedding? Will hotel inspectors get their way and close the resort, or will the staff save the day?
All will be revealed in hilarious style, to an irresistible soundtrack of over 20 of some of the most iconic, chart-topping pop anthems of the decade all performed live on stage, including....
Look of Love
Fantastic Day
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Oops Upside Your Head/Too Shy/Physical
Addicted To Love
Temptation
Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue
She Drives Me Crazy
Feels Like I'm in Love
Don't Go
Blind Date Theme
Call Me
Just Can't Get Enough
I Could Be So Good For You
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Only You
Making Your Mind Up
Take On Me
Jump (For My Love)
Relax
-----------------------
Always nice to be at this large theatre that has a 1500 plus capacity.
The show was on for around 1 hour 50 mins over two sets of 60 mins and 50 mins.
Lots of dance routines and costume changes from the energetic cast.
The 1980s soundtrack was nicely woven into the storyline.
Lots of laugh out loud moments throughout the show.
Kate Robbins as Consuela stole many scenes with her actions and impersonations.
The crowd stood up a few times to dance away to the classic tunes.
A very enjoyable feel-good musical with a great soundtrack that all the family would enjoy.
www.clubtropicanamusical.com
Visit their website here for more info and to buy tickets.
It is on until Saturday 27 April 2019 at this venue and then continues it's UK tour.
----------------------
Complimentary wines and beers for 50 guests during the interval then after the show
from 9.50pm to 11pm was complimentary prosecco, wines and beers for 100 guests
which included all the cast in the dress circle bar.
Ex Sugababes member Heidi Range was here to support her band mate.





Monday 22 April 2019.
Check out this video on YouTube that was taken 29 March 2019.
A nice warm up for the Shepherds Bush Empire gigs later this week...see you there...
2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Finale - ALL THE YOUNG DUDES -
Featuring Ian Hunter, Brian May, Def Leppard, The Zombies , Little Steven & others.




Sunday 21 April 2019.
Happy Birthday to punk rock Icon IGGY POP who is 72 today.
The musical genius that was PRINCE died three years ago today.
---------------------
Fact of the Day...
It was 50 years ago today.
On 21 April 1969, American rock icon JANIS JOPLIN electrified English audiences at what would be her only headline solo concert in England, at the Royal Albert Hall as part of her European Tour.
With English prog rock band Yes supporting.



Saturday 20 April 2019.
THE CLONE ROSES + OASISH + THE SMITHS LTD live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
A triple bill of tribute bands from 'Madchester'.
I love going to see good quality tribute acts.
Levels 2 and 3 are closed off tonight and only 50 or so in Level 1 but the floor stalls standing is pretty full
so maybe 800 are here.
THE SMITHS LTD arrive on stage at 7pm and play for around 50 mins.
They have a great Morrissey lookalike and soundalike and he even threw out some flowers.
The mainstream singles taking priority in the set including, “This Charming Man”, “Panic", Girlfriend In A Coma” and “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out”, however, a sharp U-turn thrown in every track or so of less obvious tracks, a la, “Reel Around The Fountain”, kept the audience on their toes, and delighted them into the bargain.
A nice finale of "How Soon Is Now" and "Bigmouth Strikes Again".
OASISH arrive on stage at 8.15pm and play for around 60 mins.
The floor standing became a heaving mass of bodies for the two headline acts.
The singer does a good job of singing and looking like Liam.
Sadly he and Noel didn't have an authentic full scale fight on stage.
Those classic Oasis songs are getting the boozed up crowd singing along loudly and it's proper amazing.
Highlights included "Rock & Roll Star", "Roll With It", "Cigarettes & Alcohol" , "Wonderwall",
"Don't Look Back In Anger" , "Live Forever" and "Champagne Supernova". A great set.
THE CLONE ROSES arrive on stage at 9.40pm and play for around 80 mins.
Was it a good idea to put the Oasis tribute band on before the Stone Roses tribute band?
Clone Roses hold their own with a nice dance vibe and they had the best guitarist of the night.
Oddly the singer looked like another Manc legend - Steve Diggle from The Buzzcocks.
The crowd are throwing beer in the air and it's a full on indie dance party atmosphere.
Highlights included ""I Wanna Be Adored" , "Sally Cinnamon" , "Waterfall", "She Bangs The Drums",
"This Is The One" and "I Am The Resurrection ".
A great evening.




Friday 19 April 2019.
GZA (Wu-Tang Clan) + djs live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
GZA, the founding member of legendary hip hop crew Wu-Tang Clan, is coming to London for a very rare headline show. Performing his classic album, 'Liquid Swords' in full, amongst other Wu-Tang favourites.
The album was released on Geffen Records in 1995 and went Top 10 in North America.
-------------------
A regular email i get is how do I get along to gigs from all genres?
Ever since the 1970s i can easily mix going to classic rock gigs and punk gigs along with soul and funk
and i was at the first London gigs by the likes of Public Enemy, Run DMC and The Beastie Boys
when Hip Hop kicked off in the late 1980s.
Levels 2 and 3 are unsold but there is still over 1000 people here.
You may be surprised that the crowd is at least 90% white.
There were various support hip hop acts and djs playing sets whose names i did not catch.
All the acts are singing to backing tracks via a dj console behind them.
GZA was on stage from 9.50pm for 70 mins.
A pretty bare production for a headliner with just a few lights and GZA singing live to backing tracks.
A lively atmosphere for when GZA came on stage.
Lots of his best known tracks played including Wu-Tang Clan gems in his set.
Plenty of great lyrics even though some tracks sounded a bit samey at times.
He didn't seem that happy when someone threw half a pint of beer on stage.
A good show.




Wednesday 17 April 2019.
ALFIE BOE + HATTIE BRIGGS live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
Alfie Boe (now aged 45 ) is an English tenor and actor, best known for performing in musical theatre.
He is best known for his performances as Jean Valjean in the musical Les Misérables at the Queen's Theatre in London, the Les Misérables: 25th Anniversary Concert in October 2010, and in the Broadway revival. He played the lead role in Finding Neverland on Broadway beginning 29 March 2016.As well, Boe shared a Tony Award with the other members of the ensemble cast of Baz Luhrmann's 2002 revival of La bohème in 2003.He has sold over one million albums in the UK.
----------------------
We have a full house for the final night of Alfie's 21 date UK tour.
HATTIE BRIGGS arrived on stage at 7.30pm and was on for 25 mins.
Hattie told us the amazing story of how she got to be on this tour.
Alfie Boe saw her busking at Paddington train station last year and they kept in touch.
And hey presto , Alfie got her on the tour.
Hattie is a singer-songwriter with a great voice.
Her set included a cover of Stings "Fields of Gold".
ALFIE BOE arrived on stage at 9.20pm and was on for 2 hours 5 mins.
Alfie is of those musical theatre singers with a powerful voice that is crossing over to rock & pop.
There were only a couple of original songs but it is mainly all cover versions.
"As Time Goes By" is the tenth studio album by English tenor Alfie Boe. It was released on 23 November 2018 by Decca Records. The album mainly features recordings of songs from the 1930s. Boe has said of the album: "I knew from day one that I wanted it to be a New Orleans-style album with the vibe of the city".
There were a few tracks played from that album and more recent cover versions including jazzy versions of
Led Zep and Guns N Roses classics along with a final song of a Snow Patrol classic.
A stunning version of "Bring Him Home" from Les Mis is the song that rocketed his career.
A five man brass section was used on several tracks, who sounded great.
Alfie has a friendly patter of on stage banter
He had a couple of special guests join him.
British Comedian BEN MILLER joined Alfie for a song.
American tv legend KELSEY GRAMMER joined Alfie for a song.
Kelsey is in London rehearsing for his musical that opens in a fortnight.
The crowd were up and dancing for the last 30 mins.
An enjoyable show.
Full Alfie Boe setlist played tonight...
Sing Sing Sing
Stompin' at the Savoy
La Vie En Rose
My Funny Valentine
Someone to Watch Over Me
Keep Me in Your Heart
Bring Him Home
Ain't Misbehavin'
Bring Me Sunshine (with Rays of Sunshine children's choir)
Misty Mountain
The Way You Look Tonight
Soul Medley - Stand By Me / (Sittin on) The Dock Of The Bay / In The Midnight Hour / Gimme Some Lovin'
Mood Indigo
Wagon Wheel (with Ben Miller and Hattie Briggs)
Corinne Corinna'
Whole Lotta Love / Sweet Child 'o Mine
Minnie the Moocher (with Kelsey Grammar)
Mardi Gras Day
Encore:
As Time Goes By
Run




Tuesday 16 April 2019.
ABC with Southbank Sinfonia Orchestra live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
Performing their classic debut album ‘The Lexicon Of Love’ in its entirety in the second half of the show.
The album spawned the hits - Poison Arrow, The Look Of Love, Tears Are Not Enough, and All Of My Heart.
I have seen ABC over a dozen times since 1982 which was their debut UK tour.
----------------------
ABC tonight is not sold out but is it pretty much over 90% sold.
ABC are on stage for 1 hour 50 mins over two sets of 55 mins.
With band and orchestra added together there are over 50 musicians on stage.
The orchestra was conducted by Anne Dudley.
In 1982 Dudley made significant contributions to the Horn-produced 'The Lexicon of Love' album by ABC.
She went from fleshing-out keyboard parts to scoring the album's orchestration.
Martin Fry arrives on stage in a trademark lame jacket.
The first set was a mix of hits from other albums and tracks from their comeback album.
The second set was all of their classic Number 1 album "The Lexicon of Love".
Their debut album (and masterpiece) "The Lexicon of Love", made singer Martin Fry the Bryan Ferry of his generation.
The orchestra sounded fantastic and the lush strings really added to the sound.
The crowd danced more in the second half as the big hits kicked in.
Highlights included mega versions of "The Look of Love" and "All Of My Heart".
A great show.
Full ABC setlist played tonight...
FIRST SET
Overture
When Smokey Sings
Viva Love
The Flames Of Desire
(How to Be a) Millionaire
The Love Inside the Love
Be Near Me
Ten Below Zero
One Better World
Ocean Blue
The Night You Murdered Love
SECOND SET - The Lexicon Of Love album played in full.
Show Me
Poison Arrow
Many Happy Returns
Tears Are Not Enough
Valentine's Day
The Look of Love, Part One
Date Stamp
4 Ever 2 Gether
All of My Heart
Encore:
The Look of Love, Part Four
The Look of Love, Part One (reprise)



Monday 15 April 2019...7.15pm to 11.15pm...
TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST 'The Auction' at Christies, King Street, St James's, London SW1.
This charity auction is in support of people living with HIV.
Last year the online and live auctions combined raised over £200,000. Over its history, the event has raised over £4 million to make a difference to the lives of people living with and affected by HIV.
---------------------------
I have been to this event a few times before and it is always a great evening.
Around 500 guests here with maybe 75% gay men & women....with most paying £150 for their ticket.
A few well known faces are here including GRAHAM NORTON and WAYNE SLEEP.
From 8.15pm to 9pm we are seated in the main auction room as bidding for world-renowned artwork,
luxury travel lots and exciting luxury experiences takes place.
Around 19 lots are live in the room and another 52 lots are in the silent auction.
After the auction we had a standing quartet band roaming the room playing cover versions.
Lots of complimentary drinks and food for all guests throughout including Nicolas Courtin champers,
two different Gin cocktails along with different canapés and pastries.
www.tht.org.uk
Visit their website here for more info.



Sunday 14 April 2019.
This news is pretty unbelievable as i was at both the UFO last ever UK shows just over a week ago.
On those nights PAUL RAYMOND looked in pretty good shape for a 73 year old.
Paul Raymond, guitarist and keyboard player with UFO, has died at the age of 73. The news comes just eight days after UFO played their final UK show at London's Forum.
Raymond's death was confirmed by his life partner, Sandra, who posted the news on Facebook, writing "With a desperate and broken heart, fully in tears and pains that feel like they will kill me I have to tell you that my most beautiful and beloved darling Paul Raymond has passed away today"...... (due to a heart attack)
--------------------
Happy Birthday to guitar legend RICHIE BLACKMORE who is 74 today.




Sunday 14 April 2019.
WillNE and Stephen Tries Presents This Week On The Internet Live - Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
For the first time ever, YouTube personalities and friends (sort of) WillNE and Stephen Tries are going on a tour of the UK.
Comedians and commentators of the internet, sit back and enjoy a show from two of YouTube’s funniest (looking) men. Between the two of them, Will and Stephen’s videos have amassed more than 3 million subscribers and 355 million views, making them two of the fastest-growing channels in the UK.
So, come and see Stephen and Will live, and ultimately have a laugh at one another’s expense.
------------------------
The venue is stalls seated and it is a full house of over 1200.
Lots of teenagers here with their parents.
Mainstream comedians from the tv can play massive arena tours so it is no surprise that a
show by these "available on their internet channel only" pair can sell out this venue.
The Geordie duo were on stage for 80 mins over two sets of 40 mins which seemed a bit short.
Their production was a couch, a desk, a big screen and a third person on stage.
Their show mixed video clips along with on stage routines.
The first 20 mins was them taking the piss out of fellow big name YouTubers videos.
In the second half they had a mock game show called "Friendly Fortunes".
The Geordie accent seemed to help them to bounce off each other nicely.
At the end they kicked out some inflatable footballs.
There were enough funny bits to make it an enjoyable show.



Saturday 13 April 2019.
ELVANA + HAGGARD CAT live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Say hello to the world’s finest Elvis-fronted tribute to Nirvana. Rock & roll meets grunge as Elvana tear through Nirvana’s catalogue, whilst splicing in sections of the King’s finest moments, culminating in a mash-up of overdrive and old school rockabilly.
--------------------
Level 3 is closed tonight but there must be at least 1200 folks here for this Nirvana tribute act.
HAGGARD CAT are on at 8pm and play for 40 mins.
They are a male rock duo of guitar/vocals and drums.
They play a loud racket, with some impressive aggressive drumming.
They played some decent rockin' tracks from their album.
ELVANA are on at 9.10pm and play for 1 hour 50 mins.
I would say the crowd is over 90% Nirvana fans rather than Elvis fans.
The singer comes on dressed as Elvis in a bright pink stage suit.
He would change into two others later in the show.
He is a proper showman with plenty of entertaining stage banter.
During the show he gave out flowers and for the encore he pushed out a dozen large yellow balloons.
During the encore he sung a couple of songs from upstairs in Level 1.
There are two female backing vocals.
A lively atmosphere as lots of moshing stage front and the throwing of beers in the air.
All the classic Nirvana songs were played and most had some snippets of an Elvis gem in them.
A nice touch was to get the two backing singers on lead vocals for "Celebrity Skin" by Hole.
The encore section was a highlight...
A very enjoyable show
Encore :
Celebrity Skin (Hole cover)
Heart-Shaped Box (Nirvana cover)
Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana cover)
Come As You Are (Nirvana cover)
Been a Son (Nirvana cover)
The Man Who Sold The World (David Bowie cover)




Friday 12 April 2019...6.15pm to 12.30am...
The 9th ASIAN AWARDS at The Grovenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London W1.
Always nice to be at this famous five star hotel.
A very lavish event as most of the 700 guests here are paying £500 for their tickets.
Most men in black tie and lots of women wearing stunning dresses.
A dozen celebs are here including...
Sanjeev Bhaskar (The Kumars actor etc) was the host for the awards
Beverley Knight ( soul singer)
Devon Malcolm (cricket legend)
Mushtaq Ahmed (cricket legend)
Naughty Boy (dj / music producer)
Manish Bhasin (BBC tv sports presenter)
Nitin Ganatra (Eastenders actor etc)
Nitin Sawhney (music composer)
Dr Ranj Singh (tv personality)
Dr Zoe Williams (tv personality)
Dominic Keating (actor)
Helen Lederer ( comedian / tv personality)
Lots of complimentary food and drink here including Perrier Jouet champers , different cocktails, wines, beers
all through the evening along with Indian canapés during the reception then a three course sit down dinner.
Starters - Sea Bass in curry sauce.
Mains - Tandori Chicken with sides.
Dessert - Chocolate & Caramel mousse and coffee.
At 10.15pm there was a very entertaining auction hosted by Jonny Gold.
The awards were on from 11pm to 12pm then it was the party after upstairs with a dj.
All guests got a nice goodie bag on departure that had a dozen items inside.
An excellent evening.



Thursday 11 April 2019...I went to three events tonight...
6.15pm to 7pm
MAL-ONE - private view and single release party - Westbank Gallery, 3-5 Thorpe Close, London W10.
MAL-ONE is showcasing his punk art mixed media show of Decollages, Collages & Prints.
Punk fans would recognise the images related to The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Buzzcocks, Damned etc.
His Record Store Day single "Punk Times" is in stores this Saturday.
We are in ' The Clash' heartland of under The Westway.
Lots of great prints with affordable prices.
Lots of punk rock chums here i know.
A dj is playing great punk rock tunes.
Complimentary Peroni beers for all guests.
Would have liked to stay a bit longer here but i had a tube journey to Moorgate to do.
It is on until 29 April - 11am to 8pm - closed Sunday & Monday - nearest tube is Ladbroke Grove.
then
7.45pm to 9.15pm
HARLEM SOUL - launch party - 205 City Road, Hoxton, London EC1.
New York-influenced restaurant and bar Harlem Soul opens after a complete overhaul of the site.
The site at 205 City Road, just off Old Street roundabout, will offer “American urban cuisine” – serving dishes drawing on soul food, Mexican and Korean styles. It replaces Boondocks, also operated by the brand, which served “American home cooking”.
Around 150 guests here and it is nice and buzzy.
The walls of the venue are covered in New York style graffiti and there is funky soul tunes being played.
Lots of complimentary tasty food and drinks for the guests....and staff are making sure the food is non-stop.
Prosecco, wines and beers.
Blackened Cajun Popcorn Shrimp
Gem Heart Dippers
Mac & Cheese Balls
Sassy Ajax Taco
BBQ Wings
Hot Harlem Sassy Wings
House Nachos
Classic Cheese Burgers
Fries
From Friday 12 April they have 50% off food until 18 April.
then
9.30pm to 10.30pm
Q - launch party - McQueen, 55-61 Tabernacle Street, London EC2.
Q is the new name for the refurbished basement floor of this trendy bar.
Around 150 guests here including Nick Ede and Jodie Harsh.
They have a couple of pool tables and casino tables.
A female dj is playing some good dance tunes and there is a cool buzzy vibe.
Complimentary prosecco and a choice of three cocktails for all guests.





Wednesday 10 April 2019.
Happy Birthday to BRIAN SETZER of The Stray Cats who is 60 today.
I am looking forward to seeing The Stray Cats in the summer when they play the UK.



Monday 08 April 2019.
Happy Birthday to Fashion Icon Dame Vivienne Westwood who is 78 today.



Monday 08 April 2019.
Very sad news that well known security guy JERRY JUDGE has passed away.
Jerry was Johnny Depp's longtime personal security guy for 22 years.
Jerry was by his side as Johnny toured Europe last summer with his band The Hollywood Vampires.
As well as the Pirates of the Caribbean star he also guarded Paul McCartney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Antonio Banderas and Julia Roberts.
Judge also had cameos in several of Depp’s films including “Sweeney Todd" and appeared several episodes of “Dr. Who” between 1979 and 1984.
The bodyguard was the managing director of Music & Arts Security Ltd.
Music & Arts looked after most of The West End film premieres up until a couple of years ago when a couple
of staff left to set up their own company called Pace & Prestige which has taken over many of the contracts.
Jerry currently worked for Noble Protection.



------------------------