News and Reviews: 6th July 2019
Friday 05 July 2019THE SOUND OF JOY DIVISION ORCHESTRATED live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
Joy Division’s legendary bassist Peter Hook is set to revisit the band’s post punk repertoire with Manchester Camerata.
Week commencing 22 June 2019 gives Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures a Top 40 placing for for the very first time – the album's previous peak was Number 71 in 1980 following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, but today it goes straight in at Number 5.
I was lucky enough to have seen Joy Division five times during 1979/1980 before Ian Curtis suicide.
Joy Division,Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark,Certain Ratio Nashville Pub, London 13.08.1979
Joy Division,Distractions,Certain Ratio Electric Ballroom, London 26.10.1979
Buzzcocks,Joy Division Rainbow Theatre, London 10.11.1979
Joy Division,Killing Joke,Certain Ratio Town Hall , High Wycombe 20.02.1980
Joy Division,Killing Joke,Certain Ratio Lyceum Theatre, London 29.02.1980
Joy Division have gone down in history as one of the most iconic bands ever.
Only two full-length albums released (Unknown Pleasures and Closer) along with the 1978 EP and a handful of singles and posthumous releases along with many bootleg albums.
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Not sold out tonight but at least 95% full....and we have floor standing for a dance atmosphere.
I spotted one of my fave tv presenters here - Jeremy Vine.
Dj Dave Booth played some good tunes from 7.30pm to 8.15pm including Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks.
Magazine, Roxy Music, David Bowie, Only Ones, Kraftwerk etc.
THE SOUND OF JOY DIVISION ORCHESTRATED were on stage for 2 hours 10 mins over two sets of
55 mins and 75 mins.
There are around 25 musicians on stage in the orchestra.
Peter Hook is on bass guitar & vocals and he shares vocals with one male and two females.
The male vocalist looks and sings and dances a bit uncannily like Ian Curtis.
Peter Hook has the words "Guitar Hero" on his amps as a tribute to Sex Pistols guitar hero Steve Jones.
His fantastic bass sound where he treats it like a lead guitar with awesome riffs is still there.
The lush strings and arrangements are fantastic and the drummer was nifty with those JD drum fills.
Really good to hear and see so many Joy Division classics played tonight.
A great show.
Setlist highlights included...
Atmosphere
Transmission
Dead Souls
Atrocity Exhibition
She's Lost Control
Shadowplay
Disorder
New Dawn Fades
A version of "Higher, Higher, Higher Love" which is by Peter Hooks old band Monaco.
A mega three song encore of...
Digital
Ceremony
Love Will Tear Us Apart
Thursday 04 July 2019...3.30pm to 11pm...
HOUSE FESTIVAL - Kenwood House. Hampstead Heath, London NW3.
Set on the edge of Hampstead Heath and surrounded by tranquil landscaped gardens, Kenwood is one of London's hidden gems. The House, its breathtaking interiors and stunning art collection are free for everyone to visit.
IF ONLY ALL FESTIVALS WERE LIKE THIS ONE.
Soho House members club host their annual party.
Most of 7000 guests have paid £250 each to be here and that includes loads of different free food & drinks
all day , along with 11 bands (5 name bands and 6 up & coming bands) over two stages.
Around 20 corporate names entertaining guests here including ITV, Sky, Talk Talk,Google, Facebook etc.
It always sells out pronto before the bands have even been confirmed.
Complimentary Collet champers, different cocktails and spirits, wines, beers, soft drinks and
food trucks including Dirty Burger, Hot Dogs, Pizza East, Hog Roast, Lobster Salad, Meat Balls,
Roast Chicken ,Crosstown Doughnuts ,ice-creams, desserts, churros, coffees etc.
Very hot today so we stay in the circus tent watching the acts as we got stuck into the food & drinks.
There are plenty of long tables here for guests to sit down in the shade while eating.
There is a full fun fair here but we don't have time to get on the dodgem cars.
FRANZ FERDINAND arrived on stage at 6.55pm for their 50 mins set.
They are introduced by a very enthusiastic Alex Zane.
We are front row right as they are easily the highlight of the day for me.
Great jerky uptempo indie guitar gems including "The Dark Of The Matinee" , "Do You Want To",
"Take Me Out", "Ulysses" and "This Fire"....a short but sweet excellent set...
GROOVE ARMADA headline the second stage from 8.50pm for a 55 mins set.
Their rave sound goes down well with the dance crowd here.
Lots of lights and a great version of their Top 20 hit from 2001 "Superstylin'".
BLACK EYED PEAS arrive on stage at 9.50pm for their 60 mins set.
It's dark when they hit the stage so the lights and big screen are used well.
Not a good headliner for me as some of the previous years i have been here.
2018 - Nile Rodgers & Chic + Manic Street Preachers
2017 - Erasure + Craig David
2016 - Kylie Minogue + Tinie Tempah
2015 - Pet Shop Boys + The Vaccines
2014 - Dizzie Rascal + Paloma Faith
Black Eyed Peas have had an impressive five number ones in the UK.
Their setlist included...
Let's Get It Started
Pump It
Where Is The Love (with Jessie J)
and a great version of their anthem "I Gotta Feeling" that got everyone jumping.
An excellent day out.
Wednesday 03 July 2019...I went to two events today...
4pm to 7pm
ASDA - Christmas in July - Somerset House, Strand, London WC2.
Over 500 mainly female guests are expected during the course of the day.
As you enter there are a dozen Christmas trees on display and staff wishing guests "Merry Christmas".
Asda are showcasing adult clothes, children's clothes and their food & drinks for Christmas.
There is a bar in the middle with two barman serving the drinks.
Complimentary Louvel Fontaine champers, prosecco, sparkling wines, different cocktails and wines.
Lots of very nice food and desserts from their winter range.
All guests got a goodie bag which included a bottle of prosecco and other bits.
www.asda.com
Visit the ASDA website for more info.
then
8pm to 10.30pm
Q ICONS - launch party - Quaglinos , Bury Street , St James's, London SW1.
Around 100 paying guests are seated for supper and around 50 press guests are in an
area where we have complimentary prosecco.
Quaglinos are having live acts here offering ticket packages with or without dinner.
Rod Stewarts wife PENNY LANCASTER was here with a few female friends.
By coincidence my friend Mitch had phoned me earlier on the same day to say he was standing
outside a stunning 2700 capacity castle in Spain where he was seeing Rod Stewart that same night.
This was the castle where Richie Blackmores Rainbow played last summer.
From 9.20pm GLENNIS GRACE & her band played a 60 mins set.
Glennis is popular back home in Holland and this was her first ever London show.
She is aged 41 and looks and sounds a bit like Tina Turner, with a nice powerful voice.
She is backed by a five piece band and two male backing singers.
A few original songs in the set but maybe 75% of the set is cover versions.
Great versions of "I'd Rather Go Blind" and "Nothing Compares 2 U".
Penny Lancaster & friends up and dancing for Lionel Richie's "All Night Long" and
Whitney Houston's "So Emotional".
A good show.
www.quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk
Visit the a Quaglinos website here for more info.
Tuesday 02 July 2019.
3.30pm to 5pm
IMBIBE LIVE at Olympia, West London.
Back again for Day 2 of this event here at Olympia which is again very busy.
I spent most of my time here on the outside terrace as it was nice and sunny.
Southern Comfort cocktails were my choice again and some yummy food from
Plaquemine Lock Louisiana Tavern who are based in Angel, London N1.
www.imbibe.com
Visit the IMBIBE website here for info.
then
6pm to 6.30pm
MASTERPIECE FAIR at The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3.
Masterpiece has established itself as the world's leading cross-collecting fair, offering the finest works of art, design, furniture and jewellery, from antiquity to the present day.
The unmissable event at the height of the capital's summer season, Masterpiece London provides an unparalleled opportunity for new and established collectors to discover exceptional works for sale from over 150 international exhibitors; the centrepiece of a unique week of cultural experiences in the heart of London.
This year 03 July is the last day and each day 1000 people come here.
There are half a dozen cool champers bars here at £12.50 a glass.
I had a wander around for 30 mins before the event later held in the terrace bar.
www.masterpiecefair.com
Visit the Masterpiece website here for info.
then
6.30pm to 9pm
GENTLEMANS JOURNAL SUMMER PARTY - terrace bar - Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3.
Mens lifestyle magazine hold their summer party.
Over 100 guests in the terrace bar where it is nice and sunny and there is a cool gentle breeze.
Faces here included model Ellen Francis Gibbons and actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster.
Complimentary Perrier- Jouet champers for all guests.
Also guests got a complimentary copy of the June 2019 issue which features Lenny Kravitz on the cover
and 12 pages on Lenny inside with him at home at his house in Paris.
www.thegentlemansjournal.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Monday 01 July 2019...I went to two events tonight...
3.15pm to 5.15pm
IMBIBE LIVE at Olympia, West London.
Imbibe Live is the annual innovative and interactive annual exhibition for anyone who sources, buys or serves drinks in the licensed on-trade. As the leading UK on-trade event, Imbibe Live attracts 5000 visitors on each of the two days.
Over 100 stands here where you can sample champers, prosecco ,spirits , wines, ciders, beers etc.
My faves were the Southern Comfort stand where they had different cocktails and tubs of New Orleans Gumbo Shrimp.
Coca Cola were here promoting their new signature mixers with Jack Daniels and other spirits.
Four different Coca Cola mixers - Smoky, Spicy, Herbal and Woody.
www.imbibe.com
Visit the IMBIBE website here for info.
then
JEFF GOLDBLUM live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Famed actor and musician, Jeff Goldblum, returns to London with his band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, for a night of loose, charming and unpredictable jazz music, following the release of his debut album, The Capital Studio Sessions.
This show has no support as Jeff will play two sets.
During his Glastonbury Festival set Jeff announce a second album would be out later in the year.
Jeff is now aged 66 and has been in some very high grossing films over the past 40 years.
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It is stalls seated tonight and there are a few empty seats so maybe 700 or 800 tickets sold.
Jeff arrived on stage at 7.45pm and he was on stage for 2 hours 10 mins.
He was backed by a five piece band who joined Jeff for 90 mins over two sets.
Jeff is a natural raconteur and half the show was Jeff chatting with the audience.
The first 15 mins was Jeff talking and interacting with the audience and during the interval when
the band took a break Jeff stayed out and wandered through the crowd chatting to them.
After every song there was banter about film quotes and best chat up lines etc.
A couple of fans were brought out on stage to him read the questions out etc.
Jeff also asked for suggestions for the title of the new album.
Jeff had a list of "guess the famous person from his clues".
One was "guess this Shepherds Bush Hero".
I immediately was thinking of The Who or The Sex Pistols.
Jeff says "he used to live in Benbow Road" (i think Steve Jones and someone shouts out Elton John)
Jeff says "his dad used to be a boxer" (I shout out loudly from Level 1 seats STEVE JONES FROM THE SEX PISTOLS.
Jeff says correct and the band then play a nice jazz version of "Anarchy In The UK" with Sharon on vocals.
The songs were mainly jazz instrumentals and Sharon Van Essen sang on a few songs.
Jeff Goldblum was sat behind a piano.
Goldblum doesn’t do much soloing; often, he’s more an awed sideman, overwhelmed by his bandmates’ fluency. There’s a loose-limbed, roadhouse feel as they slink from track to track.
The music ticked along nicely but it was Jeff Goldblums amazing stage charisma that made this show enjoyable.
Sunday 30 June 2019.
PINK live at Wembley Stadium, London.
With support acts - Vance Joy , Bang Bang Romeo and dj KidCutUp
Pink plays the second of two massive shows at Wembley Stadium.
Another huge crowd with 76,000 fans....seats all sold but the Gold Circle was not full at the back.
Even though it was a Sunday all the stage times were the same as the day before.
BANG BANG ROMEO's female singer singer came out in a big fluffy pink tutu type outfit that went down well.
Today they included a cover of "Seven Nation Army"
VANCE JOY played the same set as the night before , which included the two familiar covers.
Again we had Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again" as Pinks pa intro song which was great to hear.
PINK again arrived on stage at 8.30pm for her two hour show.
Another visual spectacular with the same setlist that was very entertaining.
Oddly her amazing ariel display at the end during " So What" did not last as long as the previous night.
Remember it is Pink doing the ariel acrobatics and not a stunt double or backing singer/dancer.
Pink could easily get a job with Cirque du Soleil if her music career took a dip.
See review from the previous night for the full setlist played by Pink.
Another great show.
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Go on YouTube and type in Pink So What Wembley Stadium to see Pinks ariel acrobatics.
Saturday 29 June 2019.
PINK live at Wembley Stadium, London.
With support acts - Vance Joy , Bang Bang Romeo and dj KidCutUp
Pink plays the first of two massive shows at Wembley Stadium.
Expect to see Pink on a trapeze and flying through the air on a zip-wire.
A modern pop icon, since the release of her debut record Can’t Take Me Home in 2000, P!nk has released seven studio albums with combined total sales of over 57 million units. P!nk has 20 x top-ten UK official singles(including three number ones) under her belt including tracks such as Get the Party Started, Just Like a Pill, So What and Just Give Me a Reason.
P!nk’s seventh and most recent studio album Beautiful Trauma was released in October 2017 and peaked at No.1 on both the UK and US Official Albums Charts. The album, which features the singles Beautiful Trauma and What About Us, has since gone platinum on both sides of the pond and Rolling Stone named the record one of their 20 Best Pop Albums Of 2017.
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Dj KidCutUp played some good well known re-mixed tunes.
Bang Bang Romeo arrived on stage at 6.35pm for their 25 mins set.
Bang Bang Romeo i have seen before, are a great new band.
Their female singer has a big frame with a big powerful voice that sounds great.
Think a rockier version of Beth Ditto.
Vance Joy arrived on stage at 7.25pm for his 40 mins set.
Vance played a decent set of tracks from his two albums on Atlantic Records and a couple of cover
versions - "Dancing In The Dark" and "All Night Long".
A huge crowd of 78,000 here to see Pink and it is pitch standing with a gold circle.
Must be at least a 75% female crowd.
A lot of female gay couples as Pink is an icon for the LGBT movement.
PINK arrived on stage at 8.30pm and was on for two hours.
A nice stage production with a T stage extension at the front.
Big screens at the side showing live footage and the middle one showing great images, including cartoons.
There was a huge staircase behind the band along with pyros and flames.
It was all very theatrical as there were many dancers along with a few costume changes.
A great entrance by Pink for the opening song as she clings to a chandelier.
A few times in the show Pink would be up on a trapeze or swing.
The light show kicked in as it got dark for the last 45 mins.
Loads of great songs played and Pink is a bundle of energy that cannot keep still.
For the encore of "So What" we have a mega visual treat for the entire song.
I saw Pink a few years ago at The 02 Arena and she has this amazing stunt where she flies through the air.
TONIGHT SEEING PINK DO THE SAME STUNT AT WEMBLEY STADIUM TONIGHT WAS ONE OF THOSE
MAGICAL JAW DROPPING MOMENTS as she flew around the entire stadium on a zip-wire while
somersaulting and singing and landing on two tiny podiums at the opposite end to the pitch.
A great show.
Full Pink setlist played tonight...
Get The Party Started
Beautiful Trauma
Just Like A Pill
Who Knew
Intermission (Revenge Land)
Funhouse / Just A Girl (No Doubt cover)
Hustle
Secrets
Try
Just Give Me A Reason
River (Bishop Briggs cover)
Just Like Fire
Intermission (Women Are Strong)
What About Us
For Now
90 Days (With Wrabel)
Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper cover) (Acoustic)
Walk Me Home (Acoustic)
I Am Here
F**kin' Perfect
Intermission (My Daughter Is Beautiful)
Raise Your Glass
Blow Me (One Last Kiss)
Can We Pretend
Encore:
So What
Glitter in the Air
Saturday 29 June 2019.
29 June 1979---40 years ago today i saw VAN HALEN headline The Rainbow.
Black Sabbath,Van Halen Hammersmith Odeon, London 01.06.1978 van halen debut uk tour
Black Sabbath,Van Halen Hammersmith Odeon, London 10.06.1978 van halen again blow Sabbath away
Van Halen,Battleaxe Rainbow Theatre, London 22.10.1978
Van Halen,St Paradise Rainbow Theatre, London 29.06.1979
Van Halen,Lucifers Friend Rainbow Theatre , London 24.06.1980
AC/DC,Van Halen,Ozzy Osbourne,Gary Moore,Motley Crue Monsters Of Rock , Donnington 17.08.1984
What a great day .What a great line up .
Friday 28 June 2019...7pm to 10pm...
RADIO ALICE PIZZERIA - press launch - Unit 24 , Jubilee Place, Canary Wharf, London E14.
With the likes of Market Halls, Humble Grape, Five Guys, Nandos and now Radio Alice moving in, Jubilee Place Canary Wharf clearly is the place to be. The Radio Alice Canary Wharf restaurant will be the third London outpost (joining Hoxton and Clapham) of Radio Alice, itself an offshoot of the Matteo and Salvatore Aloe’s Bologna-born Berberè pizzeria.
Radio Alice is known for its 24-hour fermented, organic sourdough bases and quality Italian toppings, including speck and prosciutto from Bologna, anchovies from the Amalfi Coast and fior di latte from Puglia. We’re expecting all the old faves from the other two pizzerias, like prosciutto with burrata and orange oil; speck, gorgonzola, walnuts and honey; and courgette, stilton and pickled onions, to make the move east, along with cannoli and tiramisu for puds.
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A trek over to Canary Wharf which has an amazing collection of restaurant & bars to cater for
the spare cash of the many bankers and city workers who work in the office skyscrapers.
Their large pizzas cost £11 or £12 but are top notch quality.
I had a very yummy Speck pizza which included honey & walnuts.
We had various nibbles and appetisers to tuck into.
Also cocktails including espresso Martinis, Negroni's and Gin Fizz.
Three hours of eating and drinking was very enjoyable here with great staff.
They gave us a fake bill as part of the staff training...not sure how it mounted up.
All food for two of us came to £75.
Ten cocktails (five each) at £7 each came to £70....total £145.
www.radioalicepizzeria.co.uk
Visit their website here for more info.
Thursday 27 June 2019.
LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Lukas Nelson is the 30 year old son of country music legend Willie Nelson.
The band were Bradley Coopers backing band in the film "A Star is Born" and Lukas co-wrote and produced
nine tracks on the platinum-selling soundtrack.
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, sometimes referred to as POTR, is an American country rock group.
Since 2015, Promise of the Real have been Canadian musician Neil Young's regular backing band. The band has recorded two studio albums with Young, The Monsanto Years (2015) and The Visitor (2017), a soundtrack album, Paradox (2018), and a live album, Earth (2016).
They will perform with Neil Young at his huge Hyde Park show with Bob Dylan on 12 July.
They are promoting their new album "Turn Off the News (Build a Garden)".
After this show they will be playing at Glastonbury Festival the following day.
Support comes from The Wandering Hearts who are promoting their debut album on Decca.
The Wandering Hearts are gaining traction as a new folk-Americana group to watch.
The four-piece from London were making big moves in Nashville during the summer of 2018.
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Not sold out tonight but maybe 1200 here out of the 2000 capacity.
Quite nice to have a bit of spare space in floor standing when it is not sold out there.
THE WANDERING HEARTS arrived on stage at 7.50pm for their 40 mins set.
They’ve toured pretty relentlessly, and they picked up the Bob Harris Emerging Artist prize at the UK Americana Awards.
The core members are two male vocalists and two female vocalists.
The harmonies were tight and their sound was better served tonight with a fuller band arrangement.
A decent set of tracks from their debut album that went down well with the crowd.
LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL arrived on stage at 8.55pm for their 2 hours 5 mins set.
The band have just finished a lengthy North American tour where they are getting very popular.
Lukas is a great guitar player along with great lyrics & vocals.
On stage Lukas Nelson is charismatic. He is very aware of the fans, doing his guitar solos at the front of the stage. He has some impressive jumps, alone or together with his bassist, Cory McCormick, and also rolling around on stage with his guitar and doing a Jimi Hendrix special, playing the guitar with his teeth. Promise of the Real is a tight band with, in addition to McCormick, Anthony LoGerfo on drums, Jessie Siebenberg on steel and electric guitar, plus Tato Melgar on percussion.
While he also was a member of father Willie’s band, he had to play Ray Charles’ classic "Georgia On My Mind" every night, which made him write his song" (Forget About) Georgia".
For one song Lukas was joined by 14 year Blues Guitarist Toby Lee who was pretty amazing.
We had a nice Paul Simon classic for the encore.
Not as many Neil Young related songs as i had hoped for.
A good show that ticked along nicely.
Full Lukas Nelson setlist played tonight...
Something Real
Four Letter Word
Fool Me Once
Die Alone
Set Me Down On A Cloud
Just Outside of Austin
Turn Off the News (Build a Garden)
Carry On (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover)
Bad Case
Save a Little Heartache
Simple Life
Texas Flood (with 14 year old blues guitarist Toby Lee)
Pali Gap / Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) (Jimi Hendrix cover)
Don't Lose Your Mind
(Forget About) Georgia
Find Yourself (with The Wandering Hearts)
Where Does Love Go
Start to Go
Encore :
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (Paul Simon cover)
Wednesday 26 June 2019.
THE STRAY CATS + THE LIVING END live at Hammersmith Apollo, London.
The Stray Cats play the first of two shows at this venue on their European Tour.
Brian Setzer (guitar, vocals), Lee Rocker (bass, vocals) and Slim Jim Phantom (drums, vocals)--original founding members of the iconic and acclaimed American rock and roll trio--are celebrating
their 40th anniversary in 2019 with a new album and a European Tour featuring four UK shows.
I saw them four times in 1980/1981 when their classic debut album came out.
During that period they had three Top 20 hit singles in the UK.
I saw them play Hammersmith Odeon in 1989 when Lemmy and Robert Plant came on for the encore.
I was at their last London show which was in 2008 at The Brixton Academy.
The STRAY CATS have titled the album 40. Marking their first new album in 26 years, it will be released May 24 via Surfdog Records and distributed by Mascot Label Group in Europe and the UK. The song titles alone — including “Cat Fight (Over A Dog Like Me),” “Rock It Off,” “Mean Pickin’ Mama,” and “Devil Train” — are typical Stray Cats.
The Living End will perform in London as special guests of Stray Cats in June.
The Living End are a rockabilly / punk band from Australia.
I saw them in 1999 supporting Red Hot Chili Peppers at The Reading Festival.
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The floor standing is rammed solid but the corner blocks of the circle are unsold.
I am front circle left looking at the stage.
So many cool looking rockabilly fans dressed up proper rockabilly style in the audience.
Nice to see a few friends here including GLEN MATLOCK with CHRIS MUSTO and Paul my ole punk rockin'
mate from Bristol who came down for the day.
THE LIVING END arrived on stage at 7.50pm for their 40 mins set.
Like The Stray Cats, they are a trio with a stand up double bass.
A decent set with a rockier sound than The Stray Cats.
Full setlist played by bathe Living End tonight...
Roll On
Second Solution
Death of the American Dream
Bloody Mary
How Do We Know
End of the World
E-Boogie
THE STRAY CATS arrived on stage at 8.55pm for their 90 mins set.
The Stray Cats have their classic logo blown up behind them but it is a tiny stage production
that is more suited to a small club, but the overall sound is still very good.
All three of the band are around 60 years old but they still look like they did back in their heyday.
Slim Jim playing his drums standing up is always great to watch.
They played all their classic hits and a few tracks off the new album.
A great show.
Full setlist played by The Stray Cats tonight...
Cat Fight (Over a Dog Like Me)
Runaway Boys
Double Talkin' Baby (Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps cover)
Three Time’s a Charm
Stray Cat Strut
Mean Pickin’ Mama
Gene & Eddie
Cry Baby
I Won't Stand In Your Way
Guitar Improvisation / Misirlou
When Nothing’s Going Right (vocals: Lee Rocker)
(She's) Sexy + 17
Bring It Back Again (vocals: Lee Rocker)
My One Desire (Dorsey Burnette cover)
Blast Off
Lust n Love
Fishnet Stockings
Rock This Town
Encore:
Rock It Off
Built for Speed
Rumble in Brighton
Wednesday 26 June 2019.
Happy Birthday to guitarist MICK JONES ( ex The Clash/BAD/Carbon Silicon) who is 64 today.
I was lucky enough to have seen The Clash 20 times between 1976 to 1984.
Tuesday 25 June 2019.
THE BEACH BOYS live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
I am back again at this venue to see The Beach Boys after last nights show.
Again it is at least 95% full tonight.
It is the same lengthy 2 hours 35 mins setlist as last night.
The band are on stage 8pm to 11pm with a 25 mins interval.
The on stage banter is pretty much the same.
They may not have the ridiculous energy of a 75 year old Mick Jagger but that 78 year old Mike Love
can stand up unaided for over 2 hours 30 mins is pretty impressive.
Bruce Johnston as a 76 year old stands behind his keyboards the entire show.
Loads of great timeless classic songs played again that got folks up and dancing.
A highlight again was hearing their cover of The Ramones "Rockaway Beach" with all
the lyrics on the big screen so all the crowd were singing along to them.
Mike Love said their version would be on their next album.
At the end of the show Mike Love said "we apologise for playing so many songs and keeping you out late".
Another great show.
Tuesday 25 June 2019.
Time flies...
MICHAEL JACKSON died 10 years ago today.
I was lucky to have seen him perform live four times.
Monday 24 June 2019.
THE BEACH BOYS live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
The Beach Boys play the first of two shows at this iconic venue.
Still going after more than 50 years, the incarnation led by Mike Love (Beach Boys co-founder now aged 78)
and Bruce Johnston returns to The Royal Albert Hall....I saw them here in 2015 and 2017....
I have seen The Beach Boys several times since 2001 including the re-union tour with Brian Wilson.
This included in 2003 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA when I was over there to see some Sex Pistols shows.
In 1966 , The Beach Boys were voted Best Group in the World by NME readers...beating The Beatles.
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Yet another legendary band arrives in London...every June is a great month for big names playing London.
While the recent Wembley Stadium shows were great, indoor gigs are best for me as you don't have spend
half the show looking at the big screens.
THE BEACH BOYS were on stage for a lengthy 2 hours 35 mins over two sets of 70 mins and 85 mins.
They have a big screen showing classic Beach Boys footage from the 1960s and 1970s.
Mike Love and Bruce Johnston are wearing their trademark baseball caps and casual clothes
that make them look like the old boys in the film "Cocoon".
Like Brian Wilson, they have a top notch band helping them out with the vocal harmonies.
Fourteen musicians on stage including a five man brass section.
Over 40 songs played in the lengthy show mixing the hits with lesser known material and a few covers.
Mike Love dedicated "Pisces Brothers" and "Here Comes The Sun" to George Harrison and showed
video footage of the time they spent together in India in 1968.
Also fab was a cover of Ramones "Rockaway Beach" that could easily be a Beach Boys song.
A great show.
Full Beach Boys setlist played tonight...
Set 1:
Do It Again
Surfin' Safari
California Sun (Joe Jones cover)
It's OK
Surfin' U.S.A.
Surfer Girl
Then I Kissed Her
Dance, Dance, Dance
Please Let Me Wonder
Kiss Me, Baby
Getcha Back
Why Do Fools Fall in Love (Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers cover)
When I Grow Up (to Be a Man)
Good to My Baby
Darlin'
Do You Wanna Dance? (Bobby Freeman cover)
The Warmth of the Sun
Here Today
You Still Believe in Me
Caroline, No (Brian Wilson song)
Don't Worry Baby
Little Deuce Coupe
Little Honda
I Get Around
Set 2:
California Dreamin' (The Mamas & the Papas cover)
Sloop John B ([traditional] cover)
Wouldn't It Be Nice
I'm Waiting for the Day
California Girls
Their Hearts Were Full of Spring (The Four Freshmen cover)
Disney Girls
All This Is That
'Til I Die
God Only Knows
Pisces Brothers (Mike Love song)
Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles cover)
Sail On, Sailor
Cotton Fields (Lead Belly cover)
Kokomo
All Summer Long
Help Me, Rhonda
Rock and Roll Music (Chuck Berry cover)
Barbara Ann (The Regents cover)
Good Vibrations
Encore:
Summertime Blues (Eddie Cochran cover)
Rockaway Beach (Ramones cover)
Fun, Fun, Fun
Monday 24 June 2019.
Glastonbury Festival stalwart Fatboy Slim has something unique on his packing list this year – hundreds of rolls of personalised toilet paper.
The musician, aka Norman Cook, will bring loo rolls with the slogan “Wipe Here, Wipe Now”, a reference to his 1998 hit Right Here, Right Now.
Each piece is either black with the words Fatboy Slim in yellow, or yellow with the phrase “Wipe Here, Wipe Now” printed in large black capital letters.
The “O” of the “NOW” is made up of the Smiley face and cross bones symbol used as the unofficial logo for the DJ, who has played at the Somerset site since 1996.
Sunday 23 June 2019.
THE EAGLES + SHERYL CROW play Wembley Stadium.
I have seen The Eagles a few times since 2001.
Hopefully Joe Walsh will play two or three classics from his solo career.
The Eagles were one of the most successful music acts of the 1970s. Their albums Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) and Hotel California rank first and third, respectively, among the best-selling albums in the United States, with 38 million and 26 million album units in sales.The Eagles are one of the world's best-selling bands, having sold more than 100 million albums.
Just like Fleetwood Mac at this venue it is a ridiculous £200 for Block A pitch seats at the front.
The Eagles ticket prices are £200, £130, £100, £85, £70....plus booking fees.
Support act Sheryl Crow i have seen a few times with the first time in 1994.
The new Sheryl Crow song from her upcoming album Threads is a duet with Joe Walsh.
‘Still The Good Old Days’ was written by Crow and Walsh and contains that distinictive Joe Walsh guitar.
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It is another night of pitch seating so a reduced 60,000 capacity.
Three or four empty blocks here but it is pretty much a full house, over 55,000 here.
Pretty amazing how all the Wembley Stadium shows this week have all had over 50,000 tickets sold.
SHERYL CROW arrived on stage at 6.30pm and played for 45 mins.
Sheryl Crow has use of the two big side screens.
Sheryl Crow still looks pretty amazing for her 57 years as she is in full rock chick mode
wearing a tight t-shirt and tight shiny trousers.
Sheryl could easily pass as an older Appleton (All Saints) sister.
Lots of very nice licks from her guitarist.
A great featuring all her best hit songs.
Full Sheryl Crow setlist played tonight...
A Change Would Do You Good
If It Makes You Happy
All I Wanna Do
My Favorite Mistake
The First Cut Is the Deepest (Cat Stevens cover)
Still the Good Old Days
Soak Up the Sun
Everyday Is a Winding Road
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THE EAGLES arrived on stage at 7.45pm and played for 2 hours 30 mins.
The current line-up includes two new members.
Deacon Frey (son of Glenn Frey RIP) – vocals, rhythm and lead guitars (2017–present)
Vince Gill (American country singer) – vocals, rhythm and lead guitars (2017–present)
The Eagles have three big screens and lots of lights.
Pretty amazing how good the overall sound was considering its a big outdoor stadium show.
Joe Walsh speaking voice is still frazzled from too many drugs and booze back in the day but
his singing voice and guitar playing on his own songs is superb.
“It’s been quite a week of music here at Wembley – it’s ‘dinosaur week’,” joked Eagles frontman Don Henley.
The Eagles’ trademark multi-part harmonies sound ageless and heavenly.
Sooo many top notch songs of quality in their setlist including "Take It Easy", "One Of These Nights",
"Take it to the Limit", "In The City", "Life's Been Good", "The Boys of Summer" and for the last 45 mins
if fell dark for the light show to kick in for mega versions of "Life in the Fast Line", "Hotel California"
and "Rocky Mountain Way"....An excellent show...
Full setlist played by The Eagles tonight...
Seven Bridges Road (Steve Young cover)
Take It Easy
One of These Nights
Take It to the Limit
Tequila Sunrise
Witchy Woman
In the City (Joe Walsh song)
I Can't Tell You Why
New Kid in Town
Peaceful Easy Feeling
Love Will Keep Us Alive
Lyin' Eyes
Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away (Vince Gill cover)
Those Shoes
Already Gone
Walk Away (James Gang cover)
Life's Been Good (Joe Walsh song)
The Boys of Summer (Don Henley song)
Heartache Tonight
Funk #49 (James Gang cover)
Life in the Fast Lane
Encore:
Hotel California
Encore 2:
Rocky Mountain Way (Joe Walsh song)
Desperado
Encore 3:
Best of My Love
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The show was 44 years since the Eagles first played Wembley, back in the summer of 1975 when they supported Elton John and the Beach Boys.Joe Walsh was also on the bill.Tickets were £3.50. It was their fifth appearance overall.
Saturday 22 June 2019.
BILLY JOEL live at Wembley Stadium, London.
His only European show in between his American tour dates.
I saw him play Wembley Stadium in 2016.
Despite not recording any new material for over 20 years , Billy Joel has been a very popular live act over just the past decade, he’s grossed nearly $500 million and sold more than 4.2 million tickets, thanks mainly
to stadium shows back home in North America.
For the past few years he has played a show EVERY MONTH at Madison Square Garden.
When Billy Joel played Madison Square Garden’s stage on May 9, 2019, for his 70th birthday, not only would he be extending his historic arena residency to 64 shows but he will be furthering his record-setting 110 shows at the estimable venue while burnishing his legacy in the live space in a way unlikely to be replicated.
Billy Joel tickets are priced at £50 / £70 / £90 / £115 plus booking fees.
Like the last time he played Wembley there will be no support act for Billy Joel.
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It is pitch seating tonight and there is a huge crowd of 55,000 here.
BILLY JOEL & his top notch band arrived on stage at 8.15pm and played for 2 hours 10 mins.
There were three big screens and Billy plays on a circular stage along with a piano that can revolve.
Not the most visual show as Billy is sat behind his piano for most of the show.
Billy may be a few years younger than Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood but looks older as his hair
has gone and he has a portly frame.
Billy Joel is pretty much an American version of Elton John as they both have a whole bunch of
piano based great songs from the past 50 years.
I saw them play a co-headline show around a decade ago.
“It’s nice to be back,” Billy said, “but I’ve got nothing new – just the same old shit!”
Early highlights included "My Life" and "She's Always a Woman".
A few songs i didn't really know but plenty of gems that the crowd sang along to.
The light show kicked in for the last 45 mins as it fell dark as he played a mega "Piano Man",
and superb encore including "We Didn't Start the Fire", "Uptown Girl" and
"It's Still Rock and Roll to Me".
A great show.
Full Billy Joel setlist played tonight...
A Matter of Trust
My Life
The Entertainer
Vienna
The Downeaster Alexa
Say Goodbye to Hollywood
Don't Ask Me Why
She's Always a Woman
The Ballad of Billy the Kid
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
New York State of Mind
Allentown
Rule Britannia (Virgil Thomson cover)
We'll Meet Again (four lines of)
I Go to Extremes
Sometimes a Fantasy
Only the Good Die Young
The River of Dreams (with a snippet of I Feel Fine)
Nessun dorma (Giacomo Puccini cover)(sung by his guitarist)
Scenes From an Italian Restaurant
Piano Man
Encore:
We Didn't Start the Fire
Uptown Girl
It's Still Rock and Roll to Me
Big Shot
You May Be Right (with a snippet of Rock and Roll by Led Zeppelin )
Friday 21 June 2019.
BON JOVI + MANIC STREET PREACHERS live at Wembley Stadium, London.
A bit odd that The Manics are supporting a mainstream rock act like Bon Jovi?
Well I saw them supporting Bon Jovi in 1993 when The Manics second album came out.
I have seen Bon Jovi around 25 times since 1984 when they supported KISS.
I saw both their shows at Wembley Stadium in 2000.
These were the last ever events at the old Wembley Stadium before it was knocked down.
The This House Is Not For Sale tour – supporting Bon Jovi’s 14th studio album from 2016.
Bon Jovi have sold over 100 million albums worldwide in their career.
Their 1986 classic album "Slippery When Wet" has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.
Bon Jovi Seated tickets - £65, £75, £85, £95 and £125 plus booking fees.
Bon Jovi Pitch Standing tickets £75 & £125 (gold circle) plus booking fees.
Bon Jovi have not had a UK Top 20 hit single since 2006 and guitarist Richie Sambora has left but a
full page advert the day before said "Most tickets sold for a UK concert in 2019 - 80,000 sold out".
This was of course for one day sales as Spice Girls (three shows) and Fleetwood Mac (two shows)
actually sold more tickets at Wembley Stadium overall as they had multi-shows.
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THE MANICS arrived on stage at 6.25pm and played for 50 mins.
The Manics have use of the two huge side screens.
Loads of classic gems in their great set including a Guns N Roses cover version.
Full Manics setlist played tonight...
Motorcycle Emptiness
You Stole The Sun From My Heart
International Blue
Your Love Alone Is Not Enough
The Everlasting
If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next
You Love Us
Sweet Child O' Mine (Guns N’ Roses cover)
Tsunami
No Surface All Feeling
A Design for Life
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There is pitch standing including gold circle tonight but we are up in the seats.
The stadium looks amazing as it is totally full everywhere.
Imagine being in a band playing in front of this 80,000 adoring crowd?
The catchy singalong pop rock of Bon Jovi still attracts thousands of female fans.
BON JOVI arrived on stage at 8pm and played for 2 hours 20 mins.
They had three huge screens along with a T stage extension and loads of lights.
The middle screen changed from live footage to images to lights only..
"Raise Your Hands" and "You Give Love A Bad a Name" were early gems played.
Jon Bon Jovi may be greyer these spades but he still knows exactly how to work the crowd.
A few of the songs were a bit average but that gave the girls a chance to leave for the loos in droves.
The last 45 mins was superb when the lights fully kicked in and the stadium looked incredible.
Classics like "Lay Your Hands On Me" , "Bad Medicine " and "Livin' on a Prayer " were mega.
An excellent show.
Full Bon Jovi setlist played tonight...
This House Is Not for Sale
Raise Your Hands
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born To Be My Baby
Whole Lot of Leavin'
Lost Highway
Runaway
We Weren't Born to Follow
Have a Nice Day
Keep the Faith
Amen
Bed of Roses
Blood on Blood
It's My Life
We Don't Run
Wanted Dead or Alive
Lay Your Hands on Me
Captain Crash & the Beauty Queen From Mars
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Bad Medicine
Encore:
Always
Livin' on a Prayer
Thursday 20 June 2019.
METALLICA + GHOST + BOKASSA live at Twickenham Stadium.
Metallica are on a massive European tour of stadiums.
I have seen Metallica over a dozen times since 1986 when they headlined Hammersmith Odeon.
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It is not sold out but there is a huge crowd of around 50,000 rock fans here tonight.
Thankfully it did not rain as i was in the Gold Circle looking at the stage right.
BOKASSA arrived on stage at 5.20pm for their 30 mins set.
Bokassa from Norway fuses punk rock/hardcore with stoner rock riffs!....a decent enough set...
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GHOST arrived on stage at 6.20pm for their 60 mins set.
Metal band Ghost from Sweden have released four albums and their second album won a Grammy Award for
Best Hard Rock/Metal Album which has increased their popularity in Europe and North America.
They wear masks and their sax player wears a priests outfit...another decent enough set...
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METALLICA arrived on stage at 8pm and played for 2 hours 30 mins.
A nice big stage with huge screens that can merge into one.
There are lasers, pyros and plenty of flames around the stadium and a walkway around the Snake Pit area
at the front was used well as the band members came out there often.
For a band with such a heavy crunching sound the pa quality was top notch.
After 38 years and various lineups they are obviously revelling in what singer James Hetfield calls
"the best job in the world” and adds "we know Metallica tickets are not cheap , so thanks for support and
your hard earned cash".
All the Metallica anthems are played and for the last 45 mins the light show fully kicked in.
Metallica ended their show with a nice firework display.
A great show.
Full Metallica setlist played tonight...
Hardwired
The Memory Remains (with extended outro)
Ride the Lightning
Harvester of Sorrow
The Unforgiven
Here Comes Revenge
Moth Into Flame
Sad but True
No Leaf Clover (followed by Kirk & Rob's solos incl. 'Killers', 'ManUNkind' & 'Orion')
Frantic
One
Master of Puppets
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Creeping Death
Seek & Destroy
Encore:
Lords of Summer
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman (with 'The Frayed Ends of Sanity' outro)
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At the end they threw out hundreds of guitar pics with the Metallica logo and date on but i did not
get one, but I did get a full Metallica pass sheet.
I saw Metallica's long time photographer here - Ross Halfin.
Also a funny sight in the Gold Circle was two guys in full top hat and tails who been to Ascot earlier.
Thursday 20 June 2019.
DAVID GILMORE'S guitar auction for charity in New York has reached staggering amounts of dosh.
His famous Black Strat guitar went for over 3 million quid.
Total funds raised at the auction totalled $21,490,750 (£16.9m).
I went to the London preview of the guitars a couple of months ago at Christies, London.
Wednesday 19 June 2019...7.30pm to 10.30pm...
VICTORIA & ALBERT SUMMER PARTY - Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7.
This was one of the BIG THREE summer social party events in London.
The others are The Royal Academy Summer Party (a fortnight ago) and
The Serpentine Gallery Summer Party (next week).
Over 800 guests are here and thankfully only slight drizzle for a bit as the event was mainly outside.
Lots of glam women in stunning outfits and club legend Philip Sallon was dressed as a tree.
Like previous years there were plenty of well known faces here.
Ex Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha were here for a bit.
Great to see Fleetwood Mac singer STEVIE NICKS here with music biz exec Jimmy Iovine.
Also here was Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri, Dame Joan Collins, Bianca Jagger (with a walking stick).
Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet and Nick Mason Band ), Graham Norton, Jackie St Clair, Sol Campbell,
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Mary McCartney, Jemima Goldsmith, Basia Briggs, Kelly Hoppen,
Nicky Haslam, David Furnish, Fat Tony, Peter York,Erin O'Connor, Jenna Coleman,
Stephen Webster,Cressida Bonas, Clara Amfo, Arizona Muse, Maya Jama, Noomi Rapace, Krept & Konan,
Riz Ahmed and a few others.
We had a dj playing tunes in the background.
At 9.15pm up and coming singer JOY CROOKES performed a 30 mins set.
Joy Crookes seems an older soul than her 20 years. Tender but assured, the singer-songwriter’s soft, husky vocals meld sophisticated soulfulness with rich instrumentation; gentle guitars, punches of brass, glimmering piano and intriguing trip-hop percussion all find a home in her entrancing sound.
Complimentary Ruinart champers, two different cocktails, bowl food,canapés and desserts for all guests.
An excellent party.
Tuesday 18 June 2019.
FLEETWOOD MAC + THE PRETENDERS live at Wembley Stadium, London.
I am back to see Fleetwood Mac play the second of two massive shows at Wembley Stadium.
Even though it is a Tuesday there is a huge crowd of over 55,000 here tonight.
It was pouring with rain at 6pm but luckily for those on the pitch it never rained when the bands were on.
THE PRETENDERS swopped the setlist order a bit and Ali Campbell did not join Chrissie tonight on stage.
They added an extra song called "Thumbelina" near the end so 60 mins on stage tonight.
Chrissie dedicated a song to Paul McCartney as it was his birthday today and dedicated a track to
Ray Davies whose birthday it is next week.
FLEETWOOD MAC came on stage five mins later than on Sunday.
Fleetwood Mac have one of the most turbulent band histories in the music business.
Their acrimonious split with guitarist/ songwriter Lindsey Buckingham in 2018 after 43 years together
will soon be debated in the courts as Lindsey is suing the band.
There will always a few that say that the Lindsey Buckingham Fleetwood Mac was not as good as
the Peter Green line-up and the new line-up was not as good as the Lindsey Buckingham line-up.
Overall though , it was another great show.
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