News and Reviews: 16th October 2019
Wednesday 16 October 2019...4pm to 7pm...Q AWARDS live at The Roundhouse , London.
I have been to this prestigious music awards several times over the past decade.
Around 500 guests are stalls table seated, along with 50 rear stalls standing and 200 seated upstairs.
A few people here i know and plenty of music biz folks from the record companies, booking agents,press etc.
It moved to The Roundhouse three years from The Grosvenor House Hotel.
It definitely does not have that "room of legends" vibe that it had at the old venue but
i presume Q Magazine feel the need to keep up with the new and current artists.
Probably explains why there are 20 or 30 girls outside waiting for a K-Pop star who is attending.
Guests here today included...
Madness, Biffy Clyro, Bobby Gillespie, Jarvis Cocker, Tricky, The 1975, Stormzy, Ella Eyre,
Lewis Capaldi, Christine & The Queens, Kevin Rowland, Pale Waves , Dizzie Rascal, Kano, Foals,
Richard Hawley, Anna Calvi, Anne-Marie , Jimmy Eat World, Little Simz, Michael Kiwanuka, Edwyn Collins.
Also acress Rose McGowan and Absolute Radio dj Dave Berry and probably a couple more i missed.
Lots of complimentary drinks including spirits n mixers, wines and beers.
Q Awards winners 2019: Full list of winners...
Best Breakthrough Act – Pale Waves
Best Track – Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved
Best Album – Foals – Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost (Part 1)
Best Live Act Performance – Michael Kiwanuka – End Of The Road Festival
Best Solo Act – Stormzy
Best Act In The World Today – The 1975
Best Festival/Event– All Points East
Innovation In Sound – Dizzie Rascal
Classic Album – Tricky – Maxinquaye
Maverick – Edwyn Collins
Fender Play Award – Anna Calvi
Outstanding Contribution To Music – Kano
Classic Songwriter – Kevin Rowland
Inspiration – Madness
Icon – Christine And The Queens
Hero – Kim Gordon
Song Of The Decade – Lana Del Rey – Video Games
Best Vocal Performance – Little Simz
Tuesday 15 October 2019.
St Mungo's comedy evening live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Some of the biggest names in comedy, including Stewart Lee, Doc Brown and 2019’s winner of Edinburgh Festival Fringe Joke of the Year, Olaf Falafel, are coming together for a one-off event to raise money for the hugely important St Mungo’s, a charity dedicated to ending homelessness and rebuilding lives.
The line-up includes one of the most influential people in UK Comedy Stewart Lee, finalist in ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ Doc Brown, TV favourite Shappi Khorsandi, Guilty Feminist’s hilarious Jessica Fostekew, 2019’s winner of Edinburgh Festival Fringe Joke of the Year Olaf Falafel, and hosted by Mock the Week and TV regular Hal Cruttenden.
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This show was not promoted that well so only 500 seats sold tonight.
There is doom and gloom all over the tv and newspapers so a bit of comedy always cheers folks up.
The show was on for 2 hours 15 mins over two sets of 80 mins and 55 mins.
There were six comedians with most doing 20 mins and Hal Cruttenden who did 35 mins as he had a stint
in both sets and introduced the other acts.
All had their funny bits in their set but Hal Cruttenden was the best for me tonight.
An enjoyable evening of comedy.
Monday 14 October 2019.
Pictures in the press of Mick Jagger with Ronnie Wood from Saturday evening.
Rocker Sir Mick Jagger attended the penultimate day of the London Film Festival to support bandmate Ronnie Wood at the screening of his documentary, Somebody Up There Likes Me. The Stones legends were joined by Wood's wife Sally, children Leah and Tyrone, and guests Imelda May and Gary Kemp at BFI Southbank.
Will Mick turn up for Ronnie Woods gig at Shepherds Bush Empire on 21 Nov 2019?
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This perfect live music video has now gone past 50 million views on YouTube.
Check it out when you have a spare 9 mins.
Google search --- David Gilmour - Comfortably Numb Live in Pompeii 2016
and also this one is a classic worth seeing again...now with 40 million views...
Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run (Official Music Video)
Sunday 13 October 2019...birthdays...
12 Oct---Happy Birthday to Dave Vanian (The Damned) who is 63.
13 Oct---Happy Birthday to rocker Sammy Hagar who is 72.
14 Oct---Happy Birthday to Cliff Richard who is 79.
Saturday 12 October 2019.
PSYCHEDELIC FURS + WENDY JAMES BAND live at The Roundhouse, London.
The Furs return to the UK for another tour.
In 2017 i saw them play The Forum.
In 2018 i saw play The Royal Festival Hall.
They had some great singles & albums out during their 1980s heyday.
I have seen them live around a dozen times since 1979 when they were a support act.
Original members Richard Butler (vocals) and Tim Butler (bass) are still there.
The band took a long break in the early 1990s, with Richard and Tim Butler going on to found Love Spit Love with Richard Fortus and Frank Ferrer (both of whom would later join Guns N' Roses).
The Foo Fighters have just released an EP that includes a cover of The Furs "Sister Europe".
Support act Wendy James was the foxy blonde who fronted Transvision Vamp who had a number three
hit in 1989 with a great catchy pop/punk single "Baby I Don't Care".
That single came from their second album "Velveteen" which made number one in the UK.
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I have a great view looking at the stage from the front left.
Quite a few people here i knew at this show including punk rocker Spizz and a nice surprise to bump into
Ray McVeigh who played with Steve Jones & Paul Cook in The Professionals in the early 1980s.
WENDY JAMES BAND arrived on stage at 8pm and played for 45 mins.
Good to see Wendy James again as she started a comeback a couple of years ago after having
a very quiet several years.
Her solo material ticked along ok but the old Transvision Vamp hits were the best including
a great set closer "Baby I Don't Care".
Full Wendy James Band setlist played tonight...
Tell That Girl to Shut Up (Transvision Vamp song)
You’re So Great
You're a Good Man, Sister (Racine song)
I Want Your Love (Transvision Vamp song)
I'm Freaking Out (Racine song)
Bitter Funny (Racine song)
If Looks Could Kill (Transvision Vamp song)
Bad Valentine (Transvision Vamp song)
Perilous Beauty
The Impression of Normalcy
Chicken Street
Baby I Don't Care (Transvision Vamp song)
PSYCHEDELIC FURS arrived on stage at 9.15pm and played for 85 mins.
Let's get straight to the point...I think Psychedelic Furs are a superb band.
The Furs sax led arty sound with great lyrics really hits the spot.
Singer Richard Butler (now aged 63) looks and acts like a mixture of Rotten, Bowie and Jagger on-stage
with his hand & mime gestures and rock star persona as he prowls and squats around the stage.
The set is a glorious run through their greatest tracks with one new song from an album out next year.
They were joined by the trumpet player from James for one song.
The set seemed a bit short but they never play more than 90 mins these days.
However, it was total quality and an excellent show.
Full Psychedelic Furs setlist played tonight...
Dumb Waiters
Mr. Jones
Love My Way
There's a World Outside
The Ghost in You
Like a Stranger
Sister Europe
Heaven
All That Money Wants
Into You Like a Train
The Boy That Invented Rock & Roll (new track from upcoming album)
Pretty in Pink
President Gas
Sleep Comes Down
Heartbreak Beat
Encore:
India
Friday 11 October 2019.
Chris de Burgh live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
Chris de Burgh plays two of his albums in their entirety.
Between them, Into The Light and Moonfleet & Other Stories encompass 36 tracks, including Chris’ undeniable evergreen classic Lady In Red, which Chris will perform in concert with full band.
"Lady in Red" was a big number one hit in 1986 in the UK and hit number 3 in the American charts.
I saw Chris de Burgh supporting Supertramp at Hammersmith Odeon in 1975.
Chris de Burghs daughter Rosanna was crowned Miss World in 2003.
He must have made a few quid in his 1980s heyday as in the summer he
put his County Wicklow, Eire country estate up for sale for a tidy 12.5m Euros / 11 million quid.
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The corner blocks upstairs are unsold but pretty much at least 90% tickets are sold.
You notice that at least 100 female fans are in bright red dresses in tribute to "that song".
Even a couple of brave blokes are wearing bright red jumpers.
Ex MP David Mellor is in one of the hospitality boxes.
CDB & band played a long show of 2 hours 25 mins set over two sets of 45 mins and 100 mins.
At the back of the stage there are a dozen tv screens showing pre-recorded images.
The 70-year-old may have struggled to maintain a chart presence in the UK, but he has gained a much higher status and popularity in Europe (Holland, Belgium, Germany)and South America.
He may look more like a school teacher than rock star but he has a real flair for connecting with such an eclectic mass audience.
The first set ticked along ok and the second set was a bit more livelier.
The vocals were nice and clear and there was a great overall sound.
He milked "Lady in Red" by going for walkies around the stalls and accepting hugs & kisses from his loyal fans.
A nice cover of Toto's "Africa" was the cue for everyone to stand up and the females ran down the front.
Chris may be one of the most uncool musicians out there but he put on a good show.
Full Chris de Burgh setlist played tonight...
The Moonfleet Overture
The Village of Moonfleet... (Narration)
The Light on the Bay
Have a Care
For two days and nights... (Narration)
Go Where Your Heart Believes
The Escape
And so it was... (Narration)
The Days of Our Age
The Secret of the Locket
With a heavy heart (Narration)
My Heart's Surrender
Treasure and Betrayal
Moonfleet Bay
The Storm
Greater Love
In the years that followed... (Narration)
The Moonfleet Finale
INTERVAL
Last Night
Fire on the Water
The Ballroom of Romance
One Word (Straight to the Heart)
The Lady in Red
Say Goodbye to It All
The Spirit of Man
Fatal Hesitation
For Rosanna
The Leader
The Vision
What About Me?
Spanish Train (Solo)
Africa (Toto cover) (the crowd rushed to the front from this song onwards)
Don't Pay the Ferryman
High on Emotion
Encore:
The Snows of New York
Patricia the Stripper
Go Where Your Heart Believes: Reprise
Thursday 10 October 2019...I went to two events tonight...
7pm to 7.45pm
V-HR presents SURVIVING FORMULA ONE - 4 Hamilton Place, Mayfair, London W1.
Around 100 guests here on the first floor of this building which is situated just off Park Lane.
Racing driver Martin Donnelly is talking about how he survived a 170mph crash and what motivated him
to focus on getting well and getting on the race track again, which he did for many years after.
He raced in Formula One in 1989 and 1990, until a serious crash during qualifying at the Jerez circuit ended his Formula One career.
He sustained multiple injuries in the crash, including brain and lung contusions as well as severe leg fractures, the latter of which almost necessitated the amputation of his right leg.
Complimentary wines, beers and canapés for all guests.
www.v-hr.com
Visit their website here for more info.
then
ALICE COOPER + THE STRANGLERS + MC50 (missed them) live at The 02 Arena, London.
A very nice three band package tour.
Alice Cooper all-new show is called Ol’ Black Eyes Is Back and will feature Alice’s trademark, gloriously macabre theatrics alongside his phenomenal music.
I have seen him at least once on every UK tour of his since 1975.
I have seen The Stranglers many times over the past 40 years.
I saw MC50 headline Shepherds Bush Empire in Nov 2018.
2019 marks the 50th year since the release of Alice Cooper's first album.
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Alice Cooper can sell out Hammersmith Apollo but only sells 75% of tickets when he plays Wembley Arena
so a bit ambitious playing this huge venue and the result is level 4 is closed off as unsold.
No big screens tonight so if you are sitting at back of the venue , you are looking at little dots on stage.
It is floor seated tonight and folks are all in early as there are good support acts.
MC50 were due on at 7pm for a 40 mins set but missed them as I was at the previous event.
No worries as i saw their full 90 mins headline show last year.
THE STRANGLERS arrived on stage at 8pm for 50 mins and i catch the last 30 mins of their set.
The men in black play a nice set mixing older classics with more recent material.
JJ Burnel loud & aggressive rumbling bass guitar sounds great.
Full setlist played by The Stranglers tonight...
Toiler on the Sea
(Get a) Grip (on Yourself)
Nice 'n' Sleazy
5 Minutes
Golden Brown
Peaches
Freedom Is Insane
Walk On By (Dionne Warwick cover)
Relentless
Hanging Around
No More Heroes
ALICE COOPER arrived on stage at 9.25pm and played for 90 mins.
The photo pit is a frenzy as there must be at least 20 photographers down there for the first three songs.
Alice Cooper is now aged 71 and still looks fit and in great shape.
There is a platform at the front for Alice to stand on and a staircase behind the drum kit.
He has a great band behind him that included an incredible drummer.
We have the usual great shock rock visual treats in his show including the guillotine, monster puppets,
a giant inflatable baby, bloodied brides , strait jacket , throwing out Alice Cooper bank notes and more.
Alice has loads of great rock tunes including "No More Mr Nice Guy", "I'm Eighteen ", "Billion Dollar Babies",
"Poison","Under My Wheels" and of course his anthem "Schools Out".
A fantastic show as usual by Alice Cooper.
Full Alice Cooper setlist played tonight...
Feed My Frankenstein
No More Mr. Nice Guy
Bed of Nails
Raped and Freezin'
Fallen in Love
Muscle of Love
He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)
I'm Eighteen
Billion Dollar Babies
Poison
Guitar Solo
Roses on White Lace
My Stars
Devil's Food / The Black Widow (band only jam with 'Black Juju' drum solo)
Steven
Dead Babies / I Love The Dead
Escape
Teenage Frankenstein
Encore:
Under My Wheels
School's Out (with original Alice Cooper band member Dennis Dunaway)(balloons, bubbles and streamers)
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ES Magazine Flashbulb! page 8 featured their three best celebrity parties in London from last week.
I was at all three of them.
Sotheby's 275th anniversary party which featured Victoria & David Beckham, Eva Longoria and others.
Dior Sessions book launch party which featured Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Mick Jones and others.
Evening Standards Progress 1000 party which featured many politicians from The Rebel Alliance.
Wednesday 09 October 2019...6.45pm to 10.15pm...
BOCCONCINO - 5th anniversary party , 19 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Around 100 guests are here in the basement area of Bocconcino which has a superb location
just a few yards away from the likes of Sexy Fish and Annabel's.
This chic Italian restaurant in Mayfair comes from Russian restaurateur Mikhail Gokhner. It specialises in authentic wood-fired pizzas, with options ranging from a margherita and a Napoletana to a quattro formaggi, a diavola, a calzone con prosciutto and a pizza bocconcino - topped with the mozzarella balls from which the venue takes its name.
It's not all about the pizzas, though. Antipasti such as raw Sicilian red prawns and boards of cured Tuscan meats lead into wild boar ragu tagliatelle, black ink fish ravioli and orecchiette with aubergine, tomatoes and salted ricotta. Much of the seafood and meat is cooked over an open fire.
A dj was playing tunes in the background.
Lots of delicious food here including carpaccio of beef with mustard dressing, deep fried calamari with
tartare sauce, plates of pasta, various canapés and lots of different freshly made wood-fired pizza and
mini choc-ices along with prosecco, red wines, white wines and pints of Peroni lager.
The staff were great as they made guests at home and brought food & drinks to them.
At 8.45pm they brought out a huge birthday cake and gave everyone a slice of it.
A great evening.
www.bocconcinorestaurant.co.uk
Visit the BOCCONCINO website here for more info.
Tuesday 08 October 2019.
BEVERLEY KNIGHT sings the songs of Stevie Wonder live at The London Palladium.
A totally full house tonight for this show which is being recorded by BBC Radio 2.
Amazingly for the first time ever for me , it is stalls standing for all on the floor at this venue.
Speaking to one of the managers at the venue and he has said in October they are
trialing stalls standing at some of the shows to see it how it goes.
They have put in a nice new platform for wheelchair users as well at the back of the stalls.
They have seen how well stalls standing works at other venues including The Royal Albert Hall.
No doubt they have lost some bookings by not having stalls standing in the past.
Beverley and her large band play for two hours over two sets of 60 mins.
There are 21 musicians on stage including four brass , three strings and four backing vocals.
Beverley is pretty much the UK Queen of Soul and sounds great & looks slender as always.
She is celebrating 25 years as a recording artist this year.
The main set is pretty much all Stevie Wonder classics and the six song encore feat some of her hits.
You forget how many great songs Stevie Wonder recorded in the 1960s and 1970s.
A great show.
Highlights included...
Superstition
Living For The City
He's Misstra Know It All
Lately
Always
I Wish
Don't You Worry About A Thing
For Once In My Life
Signed, Sealed, Delivered , I'm Yours
Isn't She Lovely
Master Blaster (Jammin')
Sir Duke
Uptight (Everything's Alright)
Encore...
Made It Back
Shoulda Woulda Coulda
I'm Every Woman (Chaka Khan cover)
then
10.50pm to 12pm
SPECSAVERS - Spectacle Wearer of the Year Awards party - 8 Northumberland Avenue,London WC2.
The sit down dinner and awards were on from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.
One of those events that invites guests to the after-party only as all the celebrities avoid the party
so they can get snapped by the dozen photographers outside on the pavement.
Around 150 guests are still here in the basement area along with a dj.
Those attending earlier included Dame Joan Collins, Gary Barlow, Maura Higgins, Curtis Pritchard,
Louis Walsh, Sue Perkins , Oti Mabuse , Tulisa Contostavlos, Spencer Matthews, Vogue Williams and Oliver Proudlock.
Complimentary bar with different spirits n mixers, wines, beers, desserts & ice-cream.
All guests got a bulky goodie bag with several nice items inside.
www.specsavers.co.uk
Visit their website here for more info.
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Extinction Rebellion were out in force tonight.
It was a bit bizarre to see all their tents set up on all the roads surrounding Trafalgar Square.
Monday 07 October 2019.
6.30pm to 7.30pm
LEGENDS OF FOOTBALL AWARD at The Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London W1.
Around 1000 guests are here to pay tribute to the football legend that is ARSENE WENGER.
Arsène Wenger OBE is a French football manager and former player. He was the manager of Arsenal from 1996 to 2018, where he was the longest-serving and most successful in the club's history. His contribution to English football through changes to scouting, players' training and diet regimens revitalised Arsenal and aided the globalisation of the sport in the 21st century.
Arsene won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups with Arsenal.
Many football managers and players are here to pay tribute to him including...
George Graham
Bob Wilson
Sam Allardyce
Sean Dyche
Chris Hughton
Alan Curbishley
Alex Scott
David Moyes
David Seaman
Sol Campbell
Robert van Persie
Jack Wilshire
Lee Dixon
Martin Keown
Ray Parlour
Robert Pirez
Alan Smith
Alan Pardew
Jamie Carragher
Sammy Lee
David Dein (ex co-owner of Arsenal)
Graham Gouldman (10cc)
Actor Adrian Dunbar ( who played Ted Hastings in BBC tv series Line of Duty)
Tony McCoy (top level horse racing jockey )
Ainsley Harriott (tv celebrity chef)
I got my photo taken with The Premier League Trophy.
We are here for the Laurent Perrier champers drinks reception and red carpet arrivals.
We left for the book launch while the guests here had their starters and mains meals.
then
7.45pm to 9pm
PAUL KARSLAKE - Bank Robbery - private view, The Groucho Club, 45 Dean Street, London W1.
Around 100 guests here in the first floor room at this cool members club.
Paul Karslake is a painter who is the younger brother of JO WOOD ( ex wife of Ronnie Wood).
Jo Wood is here giving support but sadly no major rock stars arrived here.
A dj in the corner played tracks in the background.
Complimentary gin cocktails, vodka cocktails, wines, beers, bowls of sausage & mash and
cartons of fish & fries.
then
9.15pm to 12pm
Back to The Grosvenor House Hotel for the main event.
We got back for complimentary chocolate mousse dessert, coffees, petit fours, wines & beers.
Last year we had a rare show by The Roger Daltrey Band for six songs but this year at 9.35pm
we have dance act RUDIMENTAL for three songs and for the final song they were joined by Tom Walker.
We had speeches from those that have been helped by Nordoff Robbins music charity.
At 10.30pm there were eight mega auction items that went for between £10k and 50k.
Check out some of these amazing items...
Six night luxury stay with flights at Chris Blackwell's exclusive Caribbean retreat.
A tour of Abbey Road and record a track there with Nile Rodgers.
Dinner with Roger Daltrey and vip tickets for The Who 2020 tour.
Dinner with Arsene Wenger at Coutts private dining room.
From 11.15pm to 11.55pm was the main event as Lee Dixon and Robert van Persie paid tribute
to Arsene Wenger and they showed a great collection of Arsene video highlights.
Arsene made a lovely speech and talked about the special moments he had at the club
and the financial burden their new stadium put on buying and selling players.
www.lofootball.co.uk
Visit their website here for more info.
Sunday 06 October 2019.
The Wildhearts + The Professionals + Janus Stark live at Sub 89, Reading.
A very nice three band package.
The Professionals feature The Sex Pistols Paul Cook on drums.
I have seen them a few times since they reformed.
I first saw The Wildhearts in 1996 when they were one of the support bands for Sex Pistols in Finsbury Park.
I saw Janus Stark in 2000 when they supported Dee Dee Ramone at The Garage.
The Wildhearts on tour this October in support of both their critically acclaimed 2019 album, 'The Renaissance Men', their first full-length studio album in 10 years, AND their upcoming mini-album, 'Diagnosis'!
Sub 89 is a great 600 capacity all standing venue just a few mins from Reading train station.
Easy to there by train from Paddington, Slough, Ealing Broadway etc and trains run late for return.
www.sub89.com
Visit the Sub 89 website here for info and tickets.
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I have been to this perfectly laid out venue a few times over the years.
JANUS STARK arrived on stage at 7.30pm and played for 30 mins.
The band split up in 2002 and singer Gizz Butt reformed the band in 2018.
Gizz Butt introduces every song with an enthusiastic rant.
A good set of uptempo punky rock tunes played.
Their drummer had the honour of playing Paul Cooks drum kit as there is no space for three
drum kits and this helped with the quick 15 mins changeover.
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THE PROFESSIONALS arrived on stage at 8.15pm and played for 45 mins.
The band whizzed through their superb set by playing 12 tracks.
Always great to see a Sex Pistols legend playing in the flesh.
A great mix of their classic rock tunes, old and more recent.
An incredible version of "Rewind" is the highlight track of the evening for me.
The band are playing a new song on this tour from their upcoming EP.
They dedicate a song to Sex Pistols Steve Jones who is back home in Los Angeles.
An excellent set.
Full setlist played by The Professionals tonight...
Join the Professionals
Going Going Gone
Good Man Down
Silly Thing (Sex Pistols cover)
Kingdom Come (new track from upcoming EP)
Just Another Dream
Rewind
Lonely Boy (dedicated to Steve Jones)
Monkeys
Kick Down the Doors
Let Go
1-2-3
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THE WILDHEARTS arrived on stage at 9.30pm and played for 90 mins.
By the time The Wildhearts take the stage, the venue is rammed full.
The Wildhearts have been dedicated to hard rock and punk metal for almost 30 years. There have been ups and plenty of downs, break-ups, line-up changes, drink, drugs and almost hits.
Ginger on vocals still has his full length dreadlocks swinging as he headbangs away.
Ginger has rock n roll in his veins and was pretty much the Lemmy of the 1990s.
Their loyal fans lapped up the frantic uptempo pace of the tracks played in the setlist.
There is plenty of life still in The Wildhearts for sure.
Full setlist played by The Wildhearts tonight...
Diagnosis
Let 'Em Go
I Wanna Go Where the People Go
Sick of Drugs
The Revolution Will Be Televised
My Kinda Movie
Mindslide
Caffeine Bomb
Dislocated
The Jackson Whites
Red Light - Green Light
Vanilla Radio
Fine Art of Deception
Action Panzer
Encore:
Greetings From Shitsville
Mazel Tov Cocktail
Beautiful Thing You
Love U 'til I Don't
Sunday 06 October 2019.
Sad news that legendary rock drummer GINGER BAKER has died age 80.
Ginger Baker was an English drummer and a founder of the rock band Cream. His work in the 1960s earned him the reputation of "rock's first superstar drummer", while his individual style melds a jazz background with African rhythms. He is credited as a pioneer of drumming in genres like jazz fusion and world music.
I saw all four of the Cream re-union shows at The Royal Albert Hall in 2005.
I also saw him play with Baker Gurvitz Army in 1975.
I also saw him perform a couple of tracks at the Jack Bruce tribute show a few years ago.
Ginger also recorded with Public Image Limited in the mid 1980s.
Saturday 05 October 2019.
A no- deal Brexit could effect smaller British bands and their crew playing under 500 capacity shows in Europe.
Hopefully this will not turn out as bad as it could well do.
Music industry figures have said a no-deal Brexit would make touring “simply unviable for many artists”, after new government guidelines for cultural, heritage and sporting professionals touring Europe signalled a difficult future for DIY organisations.
The document from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport indicates touring parties would face extra issues with documentation, travel and the transport and sale of goods as they take their work to individual EU member states.
Friday 04 October 2019...7.30pm to 11pm...
BENTLEY - 100th anniversary party and launch of their Flying Spur model -
100 Hamilton Terrace, St Johns Wood, London NW8.
Around 200 guests at this stunning recently modernised mansion in St Johns Wood.
Guests here included Calum Best, Elle Eyre, Zara Martin and Laura Whitmore is with her
other half Iain Sterling who is the voice on Love Island tv series.
Bentley have hired it out between owners while it is on the market.
It is for sale via one estate agent for £37m...yes 37 million quid.
Paul McCartney lives 5 mins walk away but i doubt his is as luxurious and high spec as this stunner.
You can google the address and see the rooms and layout on the internet...over 45,000 views on YouTube.
The event is actually held on the three lower floors - ground, lower ground and basement.
We don't even see any of the floors at the top of the house.
There is a bar and food station on each floor.
In the basement under the garden is a heated indoor swimming pool where the female dj is playing.
Later on a female electric violin duo would play a few tunes by the pool.
At 8.15pm we have a speech and video presentation of the Bentley car by the garden.
The new Flying Spur fuses exquisite design, exhilarating performance and the very latest in in-car technology.
Bentley says it “is innovating beyond the existing boundaries of performance, refinement and luxury with the introduction of an all-new four-door grand tourer”.It will have a 6.0 litre W12 engine.
The stunning car is unveiled in the front garden where it has been hidden under a black canopy.
We get inside later on for some pictures and you smell the leather and admire the craftsmanship.
There are Bentley factory staff here from their HQ in Crewe where they are hand stitching leather on to
steering wheels and seats.
There are jewellery and watches on display from G. Collins & Sons from Tunbridge Wells.
There is an army of staff here and the event must have cost Bentley a small fortune.
There were half a dozen Bentleys parked outside by their owners who were inside the event.
Complimentary champers, different cocktails, wines, beers, bowl food, canapés and desserts for all guests.
All guests got a goodie bag on departure.
An excellent party.
www.bentleymotors.com
Visit the Bentley website here for more info.
Thursday 03 October 2019...7.15pm to 10.30pm...
EVENING STANDARD PROGRESS 1000 - The Design Museum, Kensington High Street, London W8.
London's free evening newspaper announce their annual list of London's Most Influential People 2019.
A massive guest list of 700 or 800 over the three levels of this stunning building.
The 1000 list come from politics, music, art, theatre, sports , fashion and other areas.
Guests here included...
Alan Edwards (music biz pr legend for over 40 years
Ewan Venters (Chief Executive Officer of Fortnum & Mason)
Rachel Johnson (journalist and sister of Boris)
Jodie Harsh (drag queen dj)
Lucy Alexander (BBC One property show Homes Under the Hammer)
Jonathan Shalit (leading showbiz agent)
At 8pm we had a speech from editor and ex politician George Osbourne, who then gave out two awards.
No 1 on the list and here to collect were The Rebel Alliance (MPs blocking a no-deal Brexit)
A Hero Award went to a policeman who was attacked with a machete in the line of duty.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers, vodka cocktails, gin cocktails, tequila cocktails,
wines, beers, bowl food, canapés and desserts for all guests.
www.thestandard.co.uk/the1000
Visit the full list here.
Wednesday 02 October 2019...I went to two events tonight...
6.15pm to 8.15pm
Book launch party - DOLCE & GABBANA, 6-8 Old Bond Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Over 200 guests here over the different floors of this stunning designer store.
Its floors are swathed in black and white marble.
Lots of glamourous women here dressed up in their very expensive D & G outfits.
DOMENICO DOLCE is here signing copies of the book and posing for photos.
Other guests here included Lady Alice Manners and Lady Kitty Spencer.
Complimentary Ruinart champers and canapés served by waiters in red military jackets.
About the book....
Queens: Alta Moda di Dolce & Gabbana, the design duo's recently published hardcover fashion book via Assouline.
The Dior book yesterday retails for £140 and the D & G tomb tonight costs £300.
The 216-page book is filled with 100 colour images and ten black and white portraits of the brand's biggest muses and friends, who were photographed by Dolce over two years. His subjects include, but not limited to Anastasia Belyak, Lori Harvey, and Azteca Henry, who are clad in ultra luxe and sophisticated pieces from Dolce&Gabbana Alta Moda and Alta Gioielleria.
Snapped in the bright Baroque interiors with textured walls, gold-trimmed plush couches, and chairs, and printed carpets, each style muse wears a distinct and feminine outfit that personifies the modern-yet-classic Dolce & Gabbana woman. For example, Coco Brandolini d'Adda looks stunning posing against a burgundy chair while sporting in a black gown with tulle overlay and vibrant pink floral appliques. She's dripping in gold-tone jewelry with multicolor flares of color.
The fashion book also includes 40 paintings of princesses, empresses, and noblewomen from renowned masters.
www.dolceandgabbana.com
Visit their website here for more info.
then
8.30pm to 10.15pm
CHRISTIE'S x VANITY FAIR - Frieze Party - Christie's, 8 King Street, St James's, London SW1.
A big crowd here as there must be 700 or 800 on the guest list.
Every room is open tonight to cope with the art crowd attending.
Guests here included Mark-Francis Vandelli from tv series Made in Chelsea and always good to see
Pandemonia who is a seven foot tall full latex pop art creation.
A dj is playing tunes in the background.
Complimentary Taittinger champers and canapés for all guests.
All guests got a copy of Vanity Fair magazine on departure.
www.christies.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Tuesday 01 October 2019.
Very sad news that BARRIE MASTERS has passed away at the age of 63.
He had been suffering with ill health the past couple of years.
He was the singer of Eddie & The Hods who i saw several times at The Marquee and The Rainbow
in their late 1970s heyday,
During a residency at The Marquee club in the summer of 1976 they duelled for alternate weeks with AC/DC, to see who could cram more bodies into the Marquee during one of the hottest summers on record.
I saw both bands play many gigs at The Marquee in 1976.
I saw them them play just a few months ago.
They had one of the greatest singles of the 1970s - "Do Anything You Wanna Do".
A friend who went to Rebellion Festival Blackpool in August said the bassist sung vocals that show.
Tuesday 01 October 2019...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 8.15pm
DIOR - book launch party - Dior , 169 New Bond Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Another great party in London Town.
Book launch party for 'The Dior Sessions: Dior Men by Kim Jones'.
Exclusive celebrity portraits by photographer Nikolai von Bismarck capture the new course of Dior menswear under the direction of contemporary fashion innovator Kim Jones.
Around 200 cool looking guests here in this well known designer store and it is nice and buzzy.
A great turnout here that included KATE MOSS along with NAOMI CAMPBELL.
Some royalty with Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.
Punk rock legend MICK JONES of The Clash is here.
We always end up talking about QPR...I get a nice photo with him.
Another rocker here was Primal Scream singer BOBBY GILLESPIE.
Other guests included Jade Jagger, Sol Campbell, Daisy Lowe, Sarah Ferguson, Stephen Jones,
Daniel Lismore, Dougie Fields, James Brown (celeb hairdresser including Kate Moss) and Fat Tony.
A dj was playing tunes in the background.
Complimentary Ruinart champers and canapés for all guests.
www.dior.com
Visit the Dior website here for more info.
then
8.30pm to 10.15pm
DAVID BOWIE - unseen photos private view - Tramp, 40 Jermyn Street, St James's, London SW1.
Markus Klinko is showcasing his David Bowie photos from the 2001/2002 period.
This included his cover for the "Heathen" album.
Markus Klinko is an award-winning,international fashion/celebrity photographer and director,who has worked with many of today's most iconic stars of film, music, and fashion.
Klinko has photographed the likes of Beyoncé, Lady Gaga,David Bowie,Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Anne Hathaway, Kate Winslet, Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kim Kardashian, Naomi Campbell, Daphne Guinness and Iman.
Zebra One Gallery (Hampstead) are hosting a private view at this famous club that was one of the
cool clubs in London in the 1960s and 1970s...David Bowie came here in the 1970s.
Around 100 guests here.
The brochure/book for the event was superb as it was all glossy A4 sized Bowie photos that were
on display on nice quality Fujifilm Original Photo Paper.
Complimentary choice of three different cocktails tonight for all guests.
www.zebraonegallery.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Monday 30 September 2019....I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 8.50pm
SOTHEBY'S - 275th anniversary party - 34 New Bond Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Around 500 smartly dressed folks from the art world are here as it's Frieze art week in London.
VICTORIA BECKHAM arrived here at 8pm for 30 mins as she was hosting the afterparty.
Victoria was with best friend Eva Longoria Bastón.
Other guests included...
Erin O'Connor (model)
Gyles Brandreth (English writer, broadcaster)
Stephen Webster (rock n roll jeweller)
Dj was Mary Charteris who played good tracks including Prince, Rolling Stones, Primal Scream etc.
An army of waiters & waitresses are serving us the drinks and canapés.
Complimentary Ruinart champers, three different cocktails and canapés for all guests.
www.sothebys.com
Visit the Sothebys website here for more info.
then
9pm to 11pm
SOTHEBY'S - afterparty - Victoria Beckham store , 36 Dover Street, Mayfair, London W1.
Around 250 guests at this party and it is nice and buzzy.
My first time at Victoria Beckham's stunningly designed store which is over two levels.
This store has an exhibition of Andy Warhol paintings and images this week for Frieze.
Guests included VICTORIA BECKHAM , DAVID BECKHAM, BROOKLYN BECKHAM.
I got my photo taken with David Beckham who was friendly to all although his security guy
and pr girl were keeping a close eye on things.
Other guests included Tamara Ecclestone , Fran Cutler, Alison Jackson and actor Russell Tovey.
Also Victoria's best friend Eva Longoria Bastón came with her from Sotheby's.
Fat Tony was the dj.
Complimentary drinks included three different Tequila cocktails along with
Haig (David Beckham is their ambassador ) whiskey n cokes and canapés for all guests.
www.victoriabeckham.com
Visit the Victoria Beckham website here.
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