News and Reviews: 19th November 2019
Monday 18 November 2019...I went to two events tonight...6.15pm to 7.45pm
THE CREATIVE DIMENSION TRUST - launch party - Bonham's , New Bond Street, London W1.
The Creative Dimension Trust (TCDT) offers fine craft skills courses to 14-18 year olds with exceptional talent and potential. The courses are taught by Craft Specialists who are acknowledged leaders in their professions.
This includes model making, stone carving, sign writing on skateboards, glass blowing, puppet making etc.
Around 150 guests here including style guru PETER YORK.
There were a couple of speeches at 7pm.
Complimentary Fortnum & Mason champers and cheese sticks for all guests.
www.thecreativedimension.org
Visit their website here for a list of 2020 courses and dates.
then
MARILLION with mini-orchestra live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
Marillion play the first of two sold out shows at this venue.
I have seen Marillion many times with original singer Fish in the 1980s as well as their current singer.
I saw them on their last tour at this venue in 2017.
This year Marillion frontman Steve Hogarth, celebrates 30 years since joining the band.
As well as his long-standing bandmates – bassist Pete Trewavas, guitarist Steve Rothery, keyboardist Mark Kelly and drummer Ian Mosley – Hogarth is backed by a string quartet, French horn and flute.
------------------
MARILLION with mini-orchestra arrived on stage at 8.30 pm and they played for 2 hours 5 mins.
A great stage production with loads of lights and some lasers and a big screen showing pre-recorded images.
I must admit i prefer the Fish era songs that were more commercial but the loyal Marillion fans seem
very happy with how Steve Hogarth has moved the band forward to a more prog-lite sound.
After a turbulent time in the 1990s, the band consciously uncoupled from the
standard music business model in 2000, and became one of the first bands to get their fans to pay in advance
for the band to record an album, embracing crowdfunding long before Kickstarter became cool.
You have to admire the way they do things their own way due to their very loyal fans.
Steve Hogarth enters the stage via the stalls seating area.
The swooping, self-dramatising singer strives to elevate every song into an epic – which reminded me of how Michael Hutchence performed on stage – while also providing some appealingly frazzled between-song repartee and nipping off stage to change into a series of dystopian sci-fi jackets.
The band have a nice big sound and the mini-string section sound great when at full tilt.
Several songs are around 10 minutes long and are a bit proggy for me.
The New Kings, a 2016 four-song suite roasting Russian oligarchs, is greeted enthusiastically, but bemused me.
At the end Steve Hogath asks the crowd "who's coming to tomorrow?" and half the crowd shout back.
For the encores the crowd got up.
An enjoyable show.
Full Marillion setlist played tonight...
Gaza
Power (dedicated to Michael Hunter)
Beyond You
Seasons End
Estonia
A Collection
The New Kings: I. Fuck Everyone and Run
The New Kings: II. Russia's Locked Doors
The New Kings: III. A Scary Sky
The New Kings: IV. Why Is Nothing Ever True?
Man of a Thousand Faces
The Space...
Encore:
Separated Out (with string section snippet from Kashmir)
Encore 2:
This Strange Engine
Sunday 17 November 2019.
TEGAN and SARA live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Twin sister duo, Tegan and Sara, present the Hey, I’m Just Like You Tour, a multi-dimensional live experience unlike anything they’ve ever done before. Reading and reliving stories from their new memoir, High School, performing songs from their new album, Hey, I’m Just Like You, along with Tegan and Sara classics, and combing through archive video footage from their teenage years – this show promises a transcendent night that will both entertain and inspire.
Their ninth album, Hey, I'm Just Like You, was released on September 27, 2019.
Their memoir, High School, was released on September 24, 2019.
I have seen them play live a couple of times before...
2012 - supporting The Killers at The 02 Arena.
2013 - album launch party and gig in Bloomsbury.
------------------
It is sold out tonight but it's floor seating so 1500 capacity instead of 2000.
Lots of female couples here as expected.
Canadians Tegan and Sara have always been supportive of the LGBT community.
Scottish singer-songwriter KT TUNSTALL was here watching.
TEGAN and SARA arrived on stage at 8.30pm and played for 2 hours 5 mins.
Just the two of them on stage with a guitar and piano.
The girls tell us "due to the nature of the show ,can you be quiet during songs and take no photos
until the final track, when you can then take all your phones out".
The crowd respect this and it is dead quiet while they are performing.
They are now aged 39 , and the show focused on their teenage angst years in the 1990s.
The sisters took turns reading sections of High School, sometimes with the other on stage, sometimes ping-ponging back and forth. Other times, they’d drop the book altogether and recount stories directly, which were the best parts of the show.
When the twins weren’t talking, of course, they played songs. This is billed as an acoustic tour, but they did bring out their electric guitars for some moments, though with very little added fluff. They’d take turns playing guitar, singing, playing piano, sometimes together and sometimes alone. Unsurprisingly the setlist was largely focused on Hey, I’m Just Like You, an album partially made up of re-recorded songs the two wrote as clumsy teens. It was fascinating to see some of their home videos of
the pair from the 1990s as they discussed LGBT topics well before how it is widely accepted today.
Lots of friendly humourous stage banter between songs that went down well and it was an enjoyable show.
Saturday 16 November 2019.
BAJM + WOT live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
After a few years’ break, Polish rock band, Bajm, fronted by female singer-songwriter Beata Kozidrak,
are coming back to London for a special show celebrating their 40 years in music.
Beata , now aged 59 has a four-octave vocal range.
----------------------
It is Polish night at Bush Empire and it is totally sold out with a 95% Polish crowd.
The bars are seling loads of booze.
Before the support band come on we have a dj playing Polish dance hits to warm up the crowd.
WOT arrived on stage at 7.45pm for their 45 mins set.
They played a rock based set mixing Polish and English lyrics.
The singer remained me of the singer from The Scorpions.
They had a big screen showing some of their videos as they played.
BAJM arrived on stage at 9.05pm and played for a full two hours.
Beata looks great for a 59 year old with her mane of hair and short black skirt.
A big band including keyboards, percussion and three female backing singers.
All the lyrics were in Polish and the bands sound was soft rock.
By the audience reaction the biggest songs were near the end of the set including
" Ta sama chwila" ( over 15 million views on YouTube).
The Polish community were loving it as they swayed along to her songs.
A decent enough show.
-------------------
TERRY O'NEILL - Sad news about the passing of a well known music photographer.
Terry O’Neill, the photographer who worked closely with The Beatles and the Rolling Stones to document the high points of 1960s culture, has died aged 81.
O’Neill had previously been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Last month he received a CBE for services to photography, presented to him at Buckingham Palace by Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge.
Friday 15 November 2019.
THE MOUNTAIN GOATS live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
The Mountain Goats are an American indie-folk-rock band who have released over a dozen albums.
Their 2019 album "In League with Dragons" got a very nice four star review in The Guardian newspaper.
The extraordinary career of singer-songwriter John Darnielle – not just an astoundingly prolific musician, but also a podcaster, a novelist and a metal fan so devoted he wrote the 33⅓ book about Black Sabbath’s Master of Reality – continues with the 17th Mountain Goats album. It began life as a concept disc about “a besieged seaside community called Riversend, ruled by a benevolent wizard”, but – thankfully, perhaps – evolved into something rather different.
----------------------
Pretty amazing that tonight is nearly sold out , just 200 or 300 tickets unsold out of 2000.
The promoters are Eat Your Own Ears so you know it is an act with a cult following.
The merch stands are doing a roaring trade.
Both acts had minimal equipment on the big stage.
Support act Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards arrive on stage at 8pm for their 40 mins set.
They might best be described as a blend of folk/Americana and pop with touches of Cajun, bluegrass and old time.
Three females on stage - vocals , cello and fiddle.
THE MOUNTAIN GOATS arrive on stage at 9pm and play for 1 hour 50 mins.
John Darnielle hits the stage looking like a younger Bill Gates.
This tour features a stripped-down Goats lineup of just Darnielle and keyboard-pounding, bass-playing multi-instrumentalist Matt Douglas – a man not averse to a flute solo – and for a few songs were joined by the support act on strings.
Darnielle is a confessional songwriter, unafraid to bare his past issues with drugs and abuse in his music. There is something inclusive about the Mountain Goats and Darnielle’s music. So many people in the crowd seem to know all the words to all of Darnielle’s songs, even the obscure ones, and have no problem singing along with abandon, cocooning the room in a communal vibe, even though you never hear their songs on the radio.
John dedicated a song to John Peel and talked about recording a session for him at BBC Maida Vale
just before the legendary dj died of a heart attack.
A nicely paced set that featured biggest tracks including the classic "No Children" at the end of the set.
An enjoyable show.
Full setlist played tonight...
Estate Sale Sign
No More Tears
Hebrews 11:40
Heretic Pride
Younger
Goblin Wizard in the Crawlspace of my Heart
Transcendental Youth
We Shall All Be Healed
JOHN SOLO SET
Dance Music
Waco
Matthew 25:21
MATT RETURNS
Wear Black
Waylon Jennings Live!
Magpie
LAURA CORTESE & THE DANCE CARDS join them on strings for a few songs.
Tianchi Lake
Doc Gooden
Cadaver Sniffing Dog
Up the Wolves
Encore:
Possum by Night
You or Your Memory
No Children
This Year
-----------------
Happy Birthday to PETULA CLARK who is 87 today...yes 87.
Amazingly she is still performing, in the current Mary Poppins musical in London.
Thursday 14 November 2019.
ENGLAND 7 MONTENEGRO 0 Wembley Stadium at 7.45pm.
Montenegro will be the visitors as Gareth Southgate’s men continue on the road to next summer's UEFA EUR0 2020.
Raheem Sterling has been dropped for this game by Gareth Southgate.
Raheem Sterling attempted to provoke a physical reaction from Joe Gomez when confronting the Liverpool defender at St George’s Park, has prompted the decision.
Raheem Sterling warned Joe Gomez 'don't f**k with me' during the heated exchange
England's first game at Wembley Stadium was in 1924, this will be their 1000th game at Wembley Stadium.
Past England legends including David Seaman and Wayne Rooney will be paraded at half-time on the pitch.
England book their spot at next summer’s European Championships with a thumping 7-0 win over Montenegro in front of a 77,277 strong crowd at Wembley Stadium.
Harry Kane scored a first-half hat-trick.
Some England fans spoilt the vibe when Gomez came on with 20 minutes to play and the unmistakable
disapproving drone of parts of a Wembley crowd calling it wrong again.
-------------------
THE CLASH : London Calling at The Museum of London,150 London Wall, Barbican, London EC2.
15 November 2019 – 19 April 2020 - FREE ENTRY
When The Clash’s third album ‘London Calling’ was released in the winter of 1979 it was clear that the band had made an instant classic, an era-defining masterpiece which still stands as one of rock’s all-time greatest albums.
To celebrate this truly London work, the Museum of London will showcase a collection of items from The Clash’s personal archive including notes, clothing, images and music, many previously unseen, in The Clash: London Calling, a free exhibit opening on 15th November.
The Clash private view was on tonight but i was committed to being at the England game.
My mate Frank gave me an update on how the private view went & who attended.
Complimentary drinks for 250 guests including a few punk rock legends....
Mick Jones
Paul Simonon
Topper Headon (not there as he has injured his back)
Glen Matlock
John Cooper Clarke
Don Letts
I will go and see the exhibition sometime over the next week.
Wednesday 13 November 2019...I went to three events tonight...
5.30pm to 6.15pm
Marylebone Village - Christmas Lights Switch On - Marylebone, London W1.
Last year I saw ROGER DALTREY switch on the lights here.
This year Ricky Wilson got a phone call from "Roger The Who" asking him do do the honours.
I saw Kaiser Chiefs supporting The Who at Wembley Stadium in July this year.
RICKY WILSON, lead singer of renowned British indie band, Kaiser Chiefs, switched on the festive Christmas lights on Devonshire Street at 6pm to his hit "I Predict As Riot" and with a fireworks display. There were festive shopping stalls, food and drink, a Santa’s Grotto, fairground rides, live music, one-off discounts and in store activity throughout Marylebone Village’s stores and restaurants. The event supports Teenage Cancer Trust, of which Ricky is a regular supporter (you can also text the word NURSE to 70500 to make a £5 donation).
then
6.45pm to 8pm
BANHOEK CHILLI OIL - launch party - Hammer & Tongs, 171 Farringdon Road, London EC1.
Around 50 guests in the basement bar area of this South African restaurant & bar.
There are three members of Northampton Saints Rugby Club here helping to promote the product.
The idea for Banhoek Chilli Oil stemmed from a fear of average-tasting chilli oils. When chillies are mixed with olive oil, the taste of the olives gets in the way of the pure chilli flavour. That is why they use high quality rapeseed oil – it does not get in the way of the chilli taste.
Complimentary prosecco, wines, beers and bowls of chicken wings and popcorn that had the chilli oil used in them.
All guests got a goodie bag that included a 250ml bottle of the chilli oil.
www.banhoekchillioil.co.za
Visit their website here for more info.
then
8.30pm to 11pm
SWATCH - new collection launch party - Toy Room London – 8-9 Argyll Street, London W1.
Around 150 guests are here at this basement club next to The London Palladium.
It is a younger crowd who are dancing to the dj and the live percussion & sax player.
A security girl is standing next to the new collection of watches opposite the bar.
Complimentary prosecco, different spirits including JD & cokes , wines, beers and lots of different
bowl food and brownies for dessert.
www.swatch.com
Visit the Swatch website here for more info.
Tuesday 12 November 2019...6.30pm to 9.15pm...
SKATE AT SOMERSET HOUSE - launch party - Somerset House, Strand, London WC2.
Over 500 guests here to launch the Christmas Ice Skating rink at this iconic venue.
Rolling Stones rocker RONNIE WOOD was here alongside wife Sally and twin daughters Gracie Jane and Alice Rose.
A nice surprise to see COURTNEY LOVE here.
Also here were Emilia Fox, Christopher Kane, Kano, Henry Conway, Kathy Lette , Vanessa Felz, Melissa Hemsley, Mathew Horne, Victoria Pendleton, Tom Parker Bowles, Alistair Guy, Lethal Bizzle ,
Stephen Webster, Roisin Conaty, Nick Ferrari and Fortnum & Mason CEO Ewan Ventners.
We did not go ice skating but many folks did.
The event is sponsored by Fortnum & Mason so there is lots of very nice complimentary food and drinks.
Fortnum & Mason champers, Gin Fizz cocktails, espresso & cream coffees, different bowl food & small plates,
canapés and mince pies.
All guests got a Fortnum & Mason goodie bag with four items inside - 250g tin of ground coffee,
200g tin of Christmas biscuits, strawberry preserve and chocolate.
www.somersethouse.org.uk
Visit their website here to but tickets.
------------------
Happy Birthday to NEIL YOUNG who is 74 today.
Monday 11 November 2019.
SARAH BRIGHTMAN live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
The world’s most successful and best-selling soprano, Sarah Brightman, returns to London for the first time in fifteen years. Her new world tour, HYMN: Sarah Brightman In Concert will come to the Royal Albert Hall for one night only.
Often credited as the creator of the “classical crossover” genre, the English soprano and original Christine in The Phantom of the Opera last headlined the Royal Albert Hall over 20 years ago, in 1997. She returns in 2019 for a very special night, accompanied by her band, a full orchestra, choir and special guests.
Sarah has worldwide sales of more than 35 million albums and two million DVDs, and like Mika, she is more popular overseas than back home and plays arenas in The Far East, mainland Europe, North America etc.
-------------------
It is a full venue tonight , mainly made up with an older crowd of theatre goers.
It is the last show on her HYMN world tour.
I see that programmes tonight are being sold for a whopping £25.
The show was on for 2 hours 15 mins over two sets of 65 mins and 70 mins.
We have a bagpipe intro tribute to our fallen heroes as it was 11 November...it was a nice touch...
SARAH BRIGHTMAN looked stunning in several different glamourous gowns & jewelled headwear.
Around 60 on stage when you add band, orchestra and choir together.
There were 100 electronic candles dotted around the stage.
Constant use of dry ice cascaded down from behind Sarah as she sang.
Sarah is now aged 59 and her soprano voice still sounds pretty incredible.
It was safe to say , she makes Mariah Carey sound as flat as pancake.
Maybe it was a bit too perfect as my mate said he thought some of it was lip sync.
Sarah was joined by a couple of male singers for a few tracks.
A nice mix of proper opera tracks and pop opera tracks.
Highlights included "Time to Say Goodbye" and "The Phantom of the Opera" which had an incredible finale as
Sarah's soprano voice got higher and higher and higher...or was it lip sync?
Final song of the night had a disco beat to it so all the crowd were up and dancing.
An enjoyable show.
Full Sarah Brightman setlist played tonight...
Set 1
Gothica / Fleurs du mal
Stranger in Paradise (George Forrest & Robert Wright cover)
Carpe diem (with Vincent Niclo)
Ameno (with Vincent Niclo)
Anytime, Anywhere
Hijo de la Luna (Mecano cover)
Follow Me
Misere Mei
Figlio Perduto
Who Wants to Live Forever (Queen cover)
Tu Che M'Hai Preso Il Cuor
Miracle (sung by Yoshiki)
Set 2
Hymn Overture
Hymn (Barclay James Harvest cover)
Sogni (with Vincent Niclo)
Better Is One Day (Matt Redman cover)
Canto Per Noi
Pie Jesu (Andrew Lloyd Webber cover) (with Narcis Ianau)
Caruso (performed solo by Narcis Ianau)
Fly to Paradise
Time to Say Goodbye (Andrea Bocelli cover) (Intimate English version)
Masquerade / The Phantom of the Opera (with Vincent Niclo)
Running
Encore :
Deliver Me (The Beloved cover)
Ave Maria (Franz Schubert cover)
A Question of Honour
-------------------
Sarah Brightman HYMN IN CONCERT film (full theatrical version) will be released on DVD, Blu Ray, Deluxe Special Edition CD/DVD and CD/BR and digital November 15th!
It was recorded in Germany this year.
Sunday 10 November 2019.
MIKA + dj support live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
This gig sold out pronto in July as it is the only UK show (and the opening show) on his European Tour.
Mika released his first full-length studio album, Life in Cartoon Motion, on Island Records in 2007, which sold more than 7 million copies worldwide and helped Mika win a Brit Award—winning Best British Breakthrough act.
The album was number one in the UK and 11 other countries.
Mika has been very quiet the past few years after his initial major success.
Mika has had five x Top 10 hit singles in the UK including a number one with "Grace Kelly" in 2007.
Mika is promoting his 5th studio album which was released on 04 Oct 2019.
The new album only reached number 57 in the UK charts.
--------------------
The dj and his console arrived on stage at 7.30pm and played a nice 60 mins set of disco & dance tunes.
The venue is rammed solid sold out by the time Mika arrives on stage.
The crowd is 75% females under the age of 30.
Many of the females have French and Italian accents as Mika is very popular over there.
Between albums Mika has been a judge on The X Factor Italy and The Voice France.
MIKA & band arrived on stage at 9pm and played for 90 mins.
First thing you notice is that he is much taller than most pop stars.
Here is an indication of the loyalty of his fans who have stood rigid to their space down front since 7pm.
After the first song 300 or 400 pieces of A4 paper were held up saying "We've Missed You!".
A nicely paced show with mainly newer songs in the first half and the biggies in the second half.
Mika's energy level went up accordingly as later on he was dancing madly with
hand gestures around the stage, as he gave his performance 100%.
Mika is very strong vocally, his classics "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)", "Lollipop " ,
"Love Today" , "Happy Ending" and encore "Grace Kelly" are performed with the ease of songs
which have been performed hundreds of times.
Mika walked through the stalls standing area to mingle with the fans during one song.
For a few songs he said "I am wearing my grandmothers flowery blouse".
His fans clearly love him , even though his star is waning a bit in the UK.
Mika was a great performer to watch and it was very enjoyable.
Saturday 09 November 2019...5.30pm kick-off...
Womens Football Friendly - ENGLAND 1 GERMANY 2 at Wembley Stadium.
One of those miserable days of cold, rainy weather.
Not a 85,000 capacity crowd here tonight but there is still a massive crowd of over 77,000 here.
Mainly due to the cheap tickets...Most Level 5 tickets were only £10 and school groups only £1 each.
Germany struck late to put a dampener on a historic day for England as a boisterous, record-breaking crowd for a Lionesses home international of 77,768 saw the hosts beaten.
Playing at the home of English football for the first time since a 3-0 defeat by the Germans in 2014 - attended by their previous home record crowd of 45,619 - the Lionesses were roared on magnificently throughout.
England had a penalty kick saved.
But Klara Bühl's low clinical finish past Mary Earps in the 90th minute inflicted a fifth loss in seven matches on Phil Neville's side.
At half- time there was a parade of females who have played football for England over the past 50 years.
Pretty amazing how women's football has got so popular over the past few years.
Friday 08 November 2019.
SQUEEZE + HEAVEN 17 live at Indigo @ The 02 Arena complex, London.
Squeeze have added a second London show to their month long UK tour.
Their show several days before this at The Royal Albert Hall may have been more prestigious but as the boys
are from South London, this gig at Indigo is their big hometown show.
I have seen Squeeze around 15 times since 1978 when they were a support band.
Squeeze have had 12 x Top 40 hit singles in the UK.
The vast majority of their material is composed of lyrics by Chris Difford and music by Glenn Tilbrook who are guitarists and vocalists in the band. The duo were hailed as "the heirs to Lennon and McCartney's throne" during their peak of popularity in the late 1970s.
I saw support act Heaven 17 headline Shepherds Bush Empire this time last year.
Heaven 17 have had 7 x Top 40 hit singles in the UK.
The tour will be in support of The Trussell Trust. At all venues on the tour there will be multiple food drop points and collection boxes, where people can donate non-perishable food and goods or money. A list of items in a typical food parcel are: cereal, soup, pasta, rice, tinned tomatoes/pasta sauce, lentils, beans and pulses, tinned meat, tinned vegetables, tea/coffee, tinned fruit, biscuits, UHT milk and fruit juice. If possible audience members are asked to check with local foodbanks to see what supplies are currently needed.
--------------------
I have a few 250g tins of Fortnum & Mason loose tea that were unwanted presents so it was a good idea
to bring them along here to put in the baskets for The Trussell Trust foodbanks.
The venue is full tonight to create a nice buzzy Friday night atmosphere.
HEAVEN 17 arrive on stage and play for around 45 mins.
It is great we have a well known support act tonight deserving of the "special guests" tag.
Heaven 17 are an English new wave and synth-pop band that formed in Sheffield in 1980.
Their main success of hit albums and singles came during their 1980s heyday.
They focus on a greatest hits set tonight that went down a treat and was an ideal warm up for Squeeze.
Full Heaven 17 setlist played tonight...
(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang
Play to Win
Come Live With Me
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (The Righteous Brothers cover)
Let Me Go
Penthouse and Pavement
Temptation
SQUEEZE arrive on stage and play for around 1 hour 45 mins.
Seven musicians on stage and clever use of images on the big screen.
This lengthy Squeeze UK tour is billed as 'The Difford and Tilbrook Songbook Tour 2019'.
For a songbook celebrating 45 years the set choice was a clever blend, mixing older hits with newer material.
The stunning lyrics from their older hits (and there was loads of them played) still sound as fresh as ever.
Mid set we get a few rarely played songs like ‘King George Street’, plus the title track from 2015’s album ‘Cradle to the Grave’. Good to see their last album, the rather good ‘The Knowledge’, represented by ‘Please Be Upstanding’, a song about erectile dysfunction, which despite its delicate subject matter for some, features another blissful pop chorus.
Their songs always demonstrated a sharp eye for storytelling and sharp ear for melody.
The lyrics for "Cool for Cats " still sound as mega as they did back in 1979 when it was released.
For an encore we had ‘Take Me I’m Yours’ and an extended ‘Black Coffee in Bed’ which allowed Glenn Tilbrook to introduce the band and allow each band member a little solo spot.
A great show.
Full Squeeze setlist played tonight...
Tape Intro - (Theme from The Magnificent Seven)
Footprints
Big Beng
Hourglass
Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)
Up the Junction
King George Street
Mumbo Jumbo
Cradle to the Grave
The Day I Get Home
Someone Else's Heart
Is That Love
Third Rail
Please Be Upstanding
In Quintessence (Difford & Tilbrook only)
Slap and Tickle
Labelled With Love
Love's Crashing Waves (Difford & Tilbrook cover)
Tempted
Cool for Cats
Another Nail in My Heart
Goodbye Girl
Annie Get Your Gun
Encore:
Take Me I'm Yours
Black Coffee in Bed (extended outro with band solos)
-----------------
Squeeze UK tour in November continues...
Sat 09 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Mon 11 Bournemouth Pavilion
Tue 12 Cambridge Corn Exchange
Wed 13 Cardiff St David’s Hall
Fri 15 Llandudno Venue Cymru
Sat 16 Harrogate Convention Centre
Sun 17 Reading Hexagon
Tue 19 Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall
Wed 20 Ipswich Regent
Thursday 07 November 2019...6.30pm to 10.15pm...
THE PAUL RAYMOND AWARDS 2019 at Cafe de Paris, 3 Coventry Street, London W1.
Paul Raymond Publications is a British pornography publisher of monthly softcore pornographic magazine titles: Escort, Club International, Mayfair, Men Only, Men's World, Razzle, Swing Mag, Club DVD and Escort DVD. It also publishes an adult website at www.paulraymond.xxx which features both softcore and hardcore content.Their magazines are generally available in most newsagents, although some larger retailers require a modesty bag in order to protect minors from seeing gratuitous flesh on display on the cover. As from 2013, their magazines are also available in digital format exclusively on the Paul Raymond digital newsstand.
In the 1970s/1980s/1990s the magazines had massive sales figures but the internet has reduced that.
Around 400 guests are here including many scantily clad females flashing the flesh.
Guests included Dave Courtney (now aged 60) who is an English self-proclaimed former gangster,
who has become both an author and actor on tv hard-men documentaries.
However, Courtney is probably best known for organising the security at gangster Ronnie Kray's funeral in 1995.
Courtney has claimed to be the inspiration for Vinnie Jones's debt-collecting hard man in the movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
From 7pm to 9pm we had a lot of various entertainment on the stage.
Several different male & female singers singing one of two tracks, some burlesque and pole-dancing,
beat-boxing, break-dancing , fire-breathing and The Chocolate Men erotic dance troupe.
A dj was playing dance tunes between acts to keep the clubby vibe going.
The awards were on from 9pm to 10pm.
The girls are here to pick up their awards.
The big video screens are showing the girls in action.
The awards given out were...
Mayfair Girl of the Year
Club International Girl of the Year
Men Only Girl of the Year
Escort Girl of the Year
Razzle Girl of the Year
Newcomer of the Year
MILF of the Year
Adult Film of the Year
Girl Duo of the Year
Paul Raymond Online Fan Favourite of the Year
Male Performer of the Year
Female Performer of the Year
Paul Raymond Girl of the Year (winner was Linsey Dawn McKenzie)
Complimentary prosecco, different spirits including JD & cokes, wines and beers for all guests.
Wednesday 06 November 2019...6.30pm to 10pm...
WORLD TRAVEL MARKET - Destination Showcase - Le Méridien Piccadilly, 21 Piccadilly, London W1.
We are at this five star hotel opposite Waterstone's, Piccadilly.
Around 200 guests are here.
13 countries/cities are showcasing their country/city as a tourist destination.
Four of them have a 15 mins presentation in the seated area.
VISIT SHARJAH - Sharjah is the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates after Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
A CORUNA TOURIST BOARD
VISIT FINLAND
TOURISM AUSTRALIA
Each stand donated a prize to the business card raffle at the end, some were better than expected.
A weekend break with flights and accom to Tallinn, Finland.
A weekend break with flights and accom to A Coruna, Spain.
A weekend break with flights and accom to Porto, Portugal.
A pair of business class Eurostar tickets....sadly we did not win any of them.
Complimentary wines and beers throughout the evening and a nice full buffet and desserts at 8pm.
Wednesday 06 November 2019.
This afternoon BBC 6 Music had a nice feature on drummers featuring Taylor Hawkins.
One of the records played was something i remember well , but try telling kids today that
a three and half minute drum solo was a big hit single.
"Dance with the Devil" is a solo drum instrumental by COZY POWELL. It was recorded as Cozy Powell's session work for RAK was taking off.The bass player on the track is Suzi Quatro as she was also signed to RAK.
The single reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1974.
I saw him playing with many bands as he made his name with many major rock bands and artists like The Jeff Beck Group, Rainbow, Gary Moore, Robert Plant, Brian May, Whitesnake, Emerson, Lake & Powell, and Black Sabbath.
I have one of his drumsticks from a gig at Hammersmith Odeon at home somewhere.
Cozy sadly died in a car crash in 1998.
Tuesday 05 November 2019....6.30pm to 8.45pm...
ASIAN ART in LONDON - Gala Party - Bonham's, 101 New Bond Street, London W1.
Asian Art in London, founded in 1998, is an annual event held over ten days in early November, which takes place within participating galleries and auction houses. It has a global reputation uniting leading Asian art dealers, auction houses, museums and societies in a series of gallery selling exhibitions, auctions, receptions and lectures. Together they celebrate the expertise and excellence of Asian art on view in London each November, with a wide range of Asian art from the antique to contemporary and in a price range designed to suit all pockets. Participant events are complemented by exhibitions and seminars at satellite events around London and at leading London academic institutions.
Around 200 guests are here.
Some very nice sculptures, porcelain, statues and paintings are here to look at.
At 8pm there was a couple of speeches and a business card raffle to win a return flight to Hong Kong
with three nights accomodation...sadly I did not win it.
Complimentary Pol Roger champers and canapés for all the guests here.
All guests got a small goodie bag that included a copy of Apollo Art Magazine.
www.asianartinlondon.com
Visit their website here for more info.
------------------
Happy Birthday to BRYAN ADAMS who is 60 today.
------------------
Very sad news that Irish broadcasting legend GAY BYRNE has passed away aged 85 after illness.
Viewers can watch live coverage of his funeral.
RTE say coverage of Gay Byrne's funeral will be streamed live on Friday at 11.30am on RTE tv and
on the RTE Player and on RTE.ie and be available to audiences worldwide.
Monday 04 November 2019...2pm to 7.15pm...
WORLD TRAVEL MARKET - DAY ONE - Excel, Royal Victoria Dock, Royal Docks, London E16.
A huge three day event for the travel industry.
Over 150 countries are showcasing their country as a holiday destination.
Many of the countries have staff dressed in colourful national dress and bands playing homeland tunes.
Over 10,000 visitors per day.
Every hour a few of the stands are having drinks and food receptions.
Legendary cricketer Sir Viv Richards was on the Antigua and Barbuda stand.
Cricket legends Sir Gary Sobers and Desmond Haynes were on the Barbados stand.
Lord Sebastian Coe was walking about.
We had an hour at each of the following...
GREECE presentation with Greek wines and Greek food.
All guests got a goodie bag with four Greek food items inside including 500ml Virgin Olive Oil.
TAIWAN presentation with prosecco, beers and canapés.
There was a business card raffle with a dozen prizes.
I won one of the runners-up prizes of a large pineapple cake(popular in Taiwan) and a picture frame.
Sadly i did not win one of the two main prizes - Taiwan return flights and accommodation.
PHILIPPINES presentation with rum cocktails and canapés.
IRELAND presentation with easily the biggest crowd as around 200 are here.
Complimentary pints of Guinness and Gin & Tonics for all guests.
www.galway2020.ie
Visit the Galway website here for more info
THE SHARD showcase with complimentary Moët champers.
then
8pm to 11.15pm
ITALIAN National Tourist Board - WTM Party - Sky Garden , 20 Fenchurch St, London EC3.
Known as the walkie talkie due to its unique shape, this skyscraper features a top-floor restaurant & bar.
We are up on the 35th and 36th floors in this amazing space with stunning views of London at night.
A massive party for around 400 who were mainly Italian guests.
Guests included Nancy Dell'Olio and Rocco Forte.
At around 9.20pm we get a five track 25 mins set by the current version of BLACK BOX.
Black Box is an Italian house music group popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The members of the group included a club DJ and a black female singer on vocals.
In 2015, Celestine Walcott-Gordon began performing live as the new lead vocalist of Black Box.
She sang their hits tonight including "Everybody Everybody", "Strike It Up" , "Fantasy" and finished with their
classic number one from 1989 "Ride On Time".
This Italian crowd were all dancing to the live act and the dj sounds and it was a full on party vibe.
We even had this crowd all singing loudly along to Oasis "Wonderwall".
We left at 11.15pm and it was due to finish at 12pm.
Complimentary prosecco, different spirits, wines, beers, lots of different bowl food, canapés and desserts.
www.italia.it
Visit their website here for more info.
Sunday 03 November 2019.
NFL live at Wembley Stadium - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - kick-off 2.30pm.
Another sold out capacity crowd of 85,000 at Wembley Stadium for NFL.
This is the last of the four NFL games this year in London(two at Spurs ground and two at Wembley).
--------------------
Back in the 1970s and 1980s the area around Wembley Stadium/Wembley Arena was a ghost town
with nothing on offer and now there are loads of restaurants & bars & stores in the shopping centre.
Over 20 blocks of flats are being built as part of a re-generation programme.
Most of the crowd are here a couple of hours before the game as NFL are hosting various fan events
outside the venue and NFL staff are giving out small merch items & treats to all the fans.
Half the crowd seem to be wearing their NFL shirts.
The game was a bit one-sided as Houston Texans crushed the Jacksonville Jaguars 26-3 at Wembley.
As usual the game lasted just over 3 hours , start to finish.
Dermot O'Leary and Alexandra Burke were both interviewed on the big screen by pitch side.
Cheerleaders from both sides and a drumming band from both sides performed.
----------------
These are the first three gigs i saw at Wembley Stadium (the original one).
Who,Stranglers,AC/DC,Nils Lofgren --- 18.08.1979
Rolling Stones,J Geils Band --- 26.06.1982
Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band --- 04.07.1985
Saturday 02 November 2019.
THE MACC LADS + DUNCAN REID AND THE BIG HEADS live at The Forum, London.
The Macc Lads are back! Filthier, Fatter and a lot more Flatulent!
The Macc Lads are a rock band from Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. Self-proclaimed the "rudest, crudest, lewdest, drunkest band in Christendom", the Macc Lads used irreverent, foul-mouthed and politically incorrect lyrics; common lyrical themes were binge drinking, sex and fighting.Active from 1981 to 1995 and reforming in 2018.
Expect to hear "Fat Bastard" which has reworked lyrics to Sweets "Blockbuster" and "No sheep til Buxton".
Special guests are Duncan Reid and The Big Heads.
Duncan Reid was an original member of punk/new wave band The Boys in the late 1970s.
Duncan has released three albums with his current band.
-----------------
Upstairs is closed tonight and downstairs is not full so maybe around 700 are here.
DUNCAN REID AND THE BIG HEADS arrived on stage at 7.45pm and played for around 45 mins.
Duncan is wearing a red suit and his band feature females on guitar & drums.
Not an easy task being a support band for The Macc Lads but lots of catchy pop rock tunes were played.
The set was mainly his solo material but ended with great versions of two classics by The Boys.
A really good set.
Full setlist played by Duncan Reid and the Big Heads tonight...
Can't Stop
C'est la Vie
Soda Pressing (The Boys cover)
Baby Doll
Let's Skip to the Good Bit
Thinking
Just Because You're Paranoid
Rolling On
Bombs Away
Kelly's Gone Insane
C'mon Josephine
Brickfield Nights (The Boys cover)
First Time (The Boys cover)
-----------------
I am looking forward to seeing the headliners as i have never seen them live before.
They sold out The Islington Academy last year but were banned from many places first time around.
THE MACC LADS arrived on stage at 9pm and played for around 85 mins.
The band come on to chants of "you fat bastard", "you fat bastard" , "you fat bastard".
A bit ironic when there are so many big beer bellies in the crowd.
It is not long before folks are jumping around and the beer is flying through the air at the band.
You see throwing beer at the band here is a term of endearment.
The lyrics are a proper rude & crude, very similar to Northern comedian Roy Chubby Brown.
Some songs are better than others and sometimes the lyrics are hilarious.
Obviously you will never hear them on the radio with lyrics like "sit on my face and guess me weight".
Many of the lyrics are derogatory to women but there are a few here even though it's 90% blokes.
The singer tells the crowd "why don't you throw beer at the other members of the band?" which cues
up a bloke to throw a full pint over the bass player on the left.
They must be doing something right as i saw many folks doubling up with laughter.
A very enjoyable show.
Full setlist played by The Macc Lads tonight...
Alton Towers
God's Gift to Women
Guess Me Weight
Miss Macclesfield
Doctor Doctor
Dead Cat
Gordon's Revenge
Maid of Ale
Fat Bastard
Torremolinos
Nagasaki Sauce
Fellatio Nelson
No Sheep 'til Buxton
My Pub
Baggy Anne
Saturday Night
Fluffy Pup
Dirty Glass
Buenos Aires
Failure With Girls
Twenty Pints
Charlotte
Bloik!
Julie the Schooly
Blackpool
Encore:
Barrel's Round
Sweaty Betty
-------------------