News and Reviews: 30th March 2020
Monday 30 March 2020.This documentary is well worth a watch on BBC iPlayer....AVICII : TRUE STORIES...
On the face of it , AVICII had the perfect life as a top dj as he played to huge crowds worldwide,
flew around in private jets and stayed in five star hotels & villas.
Avicii: True Stories is a 2017 documentary, directed by Levan Tsikurishvili, about the Swedish DJ and record producer Avicii, with special appearances by David Guetta, Wyclef Jean, Nile Rodgers, Tiësto and Chris Martin. Avicii: True Stories premiered on October 26, 2017 in selected cinemas worldwide and was released on Netflix in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia on 28 December 2018.
Avicii: True Stories is Tim Bergling's own story, told from the inside and made from his extensive personal and family archive and behind-the-scenes footage. The director, Levan Tsikurishvili, followed Bergling for over four years while capturing footage of his experiences and thinking.
In the film you can feel the pressure of non-stop gigs & travel just burning him out and getting ill & depressed.
AVICII committed suicide soon after the film came out.
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Sad news that ALAN MERRILL has passed away aged 69.
He died in New York due to the coronavirus.
Alan Merrill was an American vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, actor and model. In the early 1970s Merrill was the first westerner to achieve pop star status in Japan.He is the lead singer of the first ever released version and author of the song "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by the Arrows in 1975, which was later a massive worldwide hit for Joan Jett.
The Arrows had their own tv show series in the UK in the mid 1970s.
I saw his last ever London show in Dec 2017 when he played a few songs at Islington Academy as part
of a glam rock evening.
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Happy Birthday to rock legend ERIC CLAPTON who is 75 today.
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Folk singer John Prine is in ‘critical’ condition after contracting coronavirus. Prine has been hospitalised since Thursday 26 March after suffering symptoms of Covid-19.
Sunday 29 March 2020.
Will we ever see SAMMY HAGAR on a UK stage again?
Not many can say they saw him back in the early 1980s.
I saw him play four times where he mixed solo material and classic Montrose tracks.
Sammy Hagar,Riot Hammersmith Odeon, London 19.04.1980
Sammy Hagar,Riot Hammersmith Odeon, London 20.04.1980
Sammy Hagar,Grand Prix Hammersmith Odeon , London 09.02.1982. Fantastic all red stage.
Sammy Hagar,Grand Prix Hammersmith Odeon , London 10.02.1982
Check out one of my fave tracks of his on YouTube.
Sammy Hagar - I've done everything for you 1980
I saw Sammy play with Chickenfoot in 2009 and 2012.
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RIOT supported Sammy Hagar in 1980 and another band member died this week.
Original RIOT guitarist Lou "L.A." Kouvaris has passed away. He was 66 years old.
No cause of death has been revealed, but RIOT's manager Giles Lavery said Lou developed symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, over a week ago.
Saturday 28 March 2020.
Grab yourself a drink and settle down to watch this excellent two hours plus of my fave show of 2019.
KISS live at The 02 Arena, London on 11 July 2019.
They also mention how they first came to London in 1976 to play Hammersmith Odeon ( I was there ).
Type this in google / youtube search...
KISS London 2019 Multicam -Full Show- 07/11/2019 End Of The Road Tour
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As of Saturday afternoon, over 1000 people have died in the UK due to coronavirus.
Friday 27 March 2020.
MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST UK tour in April (including Shepherds Bush Empire) is not happening.
Shepherds Bush Empire today said all shows booked in for April have been postponed or cancelled.
Oddly the venue website and MS website are still showing tickets are still for sale.
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Outdoor music festivals and events are being cancelled all over the UK for May & June.
Guns N Roses are playing outdoors in London at the end of May - will it survive?
Their European Tour starts 20 May so it could easily be postponed or cancelled.
Thursday 26 March 2020.
Organisers of the UK’s Download festival have today confirmed that this year’s event has been cancelled.
It was due to take place at Castle Donington on June 12-14 with Iron Maiden, Kiss and System Of A Down set to headline.
But with the music world in turmoil due to the coronavirus pandemic, Live Nation have taken the decision to cancel the 2020 event.
The Isle of Wight Festival on the same weekend in June has also been cancelled due to the coronavirus.
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Happy Birthday to rock legend STEVEN TYLER who is 72 today.
I have seen Aerosmith over a dozen times since 1976 when they played their debut London show at
Hammersmith Odeon.
Happy Birthday to soul legend DIANA ROSS who is 76 today.
I have her seen her perform a couple of times.
Wednesday 25 March 2020.
Happy Birthday to ELTON JOHN who is 73 today.
One of those artists who i have seen perform live around 35 times since 1974.
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Tuesday 24 March 2020.
Sad news that JULIE FELIX has died at the age of 81 after a short illness, her agent has confirmed.
The American-born folk singer passed away in her sleep on Sunday night.
Her agent said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that we announce that folk legend, Julie Felix, died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday evening 22nd March after a short illness.
She had a couple of hit singles in the UK back in 1970.
She hosted her own shows for the BBC from 1967 to 1970, including the series Once More With Felix (the first episode was transmitted on 9 December 1967). Among those featured on her show were The Kinks, Fleetwood Mac, Leonard Cohen and Led Zeppelin's lead guitarist, Jimmy Page, who played the "White Summer" and "Black Mountain Side" guitar solo pieces.
She performed at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1969.
Monday 23 March 2020.
A nice mix of genre gigs i was going to 45 years ago this month in 1975.
Pretty good good considering it was a couple of months before my 16th birthday.
Chuck Berry Hammersmith Odeon, London 06.03.1975 Chuck is a true rock n roll legend .His novelty hit " My Ding A Ling " was a massive success 15 months ago .
Heatwave Hammersmith Odeon, London 08.03.1975 Heatwave were a very popular funk band a good couple of years before they started having hit singles .
Supertramp + Gallagher And Lyle + Chris De Burgh Hammersmith Odeon, London 09.03.1975 Supertramp had been voted Melody Makers " Band Of The Year " . This was a 3 band package from A+M records .
10cc + Fancy Hammersmith Odeon, London 20.03.1975 10cc are massive in the UK .current album is "Original Soundtrack" current single is " Life Is A Minestrone"
Neil Sedaka Hammersmith Odeon, London 21.03.1975 Neil Sedaka had a few hit singles in the UK in the early 1970s including last years " Laughter In The Rain " .
Lou Reed + String Driven Thing Hammersmith Odeon, London 25.03.1975 part of the world tour to promote Lou's " Rock n Roll Animal " album .
Hunter Ronson Band + Jet Hammersmith Odeon, London 31.03.1975 both bands were great .Mott The Hoople split a few months ago and Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson put together a band to promote both their solo albums Micks "Play Don’t Worry" and Ian Hunters self named debut .
Cockney Rebel + Sailor Hammersmith Odeon, London 12.04.1975 current single "Come Up And See Me Make Me Smile " is a massive No 1 hit
Sunday 22 March 2020.
A campaign has been launched for people to take part in show their gratitude to NHS employees working tirelessly during the Coronavirus outbreak.
The Clap For Our Carers, or #clapforourcarers, campaign will see people across the country applaud the NHS workers from their homes.
This is to show appreciation for doctors, nurses, GPs and every other NHS worker.
This will take place on Thursday March 26 at 8pm.
People joining in should applaud from their front doors, gardens, balconys and windows, keeping a safe distance from other people.
This has already been done in countries such as Spain, France , Italy and the Netherlands.
Saturday 21 March 2020.
Smaller live music venues including The 100 Club and Nell's were hosting odd shows in
March and April but the new ruling means they cannot open.
Bigger bands are postponing shows that are planned for May due to the uncertainty.
Some tours are postponed to after summer, and some tours are postponed to next year.
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ALAN DAVIDSON - sad news that yet another showbiz photographer i knew has passed away , age 70.
One of his first assignments was The Rolling Stones live in Hyde Park in 1969.
The Alan Davidson archive, which includes approximately 500,000 images focused on British celebrities, news and society from the past 50 years. He was a society and event photographer who worked quite heavily with the Daily Mail.
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Sad news that country music legend KENNY ROGERS has passed away , age 81.
Friday 20 March 2020.
Looking for something good to watch now you are spending more time at home?
Check out this superb SEX PISTOLS 24 mins video film of their classic tracks on YouTube.
Sex Pistols - Phoenix Festival, 21st July 1996. From MTV's Live and Direct. (HQ Remastered Audio)
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This was one of the five shows i saw on their mega "Filthy Lucre" reunion tour in 1996.
1.Sex Pistols + Iggy Pop + Wildhearts + Buzzcocks Finsbury Park , London 23.06.1996
Pistols first UK show since Dec 1977 .This was part of the Filthy Lucre world tour spread over the next 6 months.
2.Sex Pistols + The Sultans Le Zenith , Paris , France 04.07.1996 a great venue similar to Brixton Academy.
3.Sex Pistols + Slayer + Bad Religion Aquatica , Milan , Italy 11.07.1996 open air festival and it was very hot .venue held about 15,000 and was a mix of musical styles with even Massive Attack doing a midnight set.
4.Sex Pistols + A Shepherds Bush Empire ,London 17.07.1996 Alan McGee took out a full page ad in NME after seeing this saying it was the greatest rock show he had ever seen .The perfect venue of 2,000 in the back yard of where Steve ,Paul and Glen grew up and went to school .They were fully rehearsed , the sound was perfect .John teased the crowd and it is easily up there in my all time top 5 gigs of all time .Fantastic .
5.Sex Pistols + Terrorvision + Echobelly Phoenix Festival, Stratford Upon Avon 21.07.1996
It was a four day festival as Glastonbury Festival was not on that year.
Easier to get down the front compared to Finsbury Park.Superb.
MTV were here to film it.
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The Cannes Film Festival has become the latest event to be postponed as the ongoing coronavirus crisis continues.
It is usually held in May, but they are hoping to put in on in July.
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(Prince) Harry's beloved Invictus Games have been called off for May 2020 in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.
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Boris Johnson says " he hopes to send the coronavirus packing in 12 weeks".
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Friday 5pm update from Boris Johnson.
The UK's bars, restaurants, gyms, theatres and cinemas will all be ORDERED to close down tonight following a surge of coronavirus cases across Britain.
Many Brits had ignored official government advice to avoid socialising and stay at home leading Prime Minister Boris Johnson to order the restrictions.
"We need to push down further on this curve," Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a press conference on Friday afternoon.
Thursday 19 March 2020.
This coronavirus is a nightmare situation for bands who were unluckily on tour when things went crazy.
I saw Aussie band THE CAT EMPIRE at Shepherds Bush Empire a week before their shows were cancelled.
The Cat Empire were recently forced to cancel their sold-out European tour. Their spots on the Bluesfest and Groovin’ The Moo festival lineups were also axed after both festivals announced their cancellations. This amassed a total of 17 shows cancelled in just two days for the Melbourne rock band, who will incur over $750,000 in lost income.
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The coronavirus death toll in the UK has risen to 144.
The people who died were between 47 and 96-years-old, and all of the fatalities had underlying health problems.
Over 3400 have died in Italy , which is now more than China.
Wednesday 18 March 2020.
The CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW has been cancelled due to the coronavirus.
This is the first time the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been cancelled since the Second World War.
June's GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL has been cancelled due to coronavirus.
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As expected THE ROLLING STONES have had to cancel their North American Tour.
The Rolling Stones has cancelled their 'No Filter' summer tour due to the global coronavirus pandemic. The group, made up of - Mick Jagger, 76, Keith Richards, 76, Charlie Watts, 78, and Ronnie Wood, 72, were due to kick off their North America tour in San Diego on 8 May and finish in Atlanta on 9 July.
The Stones and other rock legends all fall into the highest age risk group of over 70s who have been asked to stay indoors.
Will the coronavirus also postpone the European Tours by KISS and Aerosmith ?
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Selfridges is to close up shop tonight for an indefinite period, joining the likes of Apple and Nike stores.
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Now that most of us have extra down time indoors...
A good time to catch up on playing music, watching DVDs/YouTube and reading autobiographies.
Bruce Springsteen has put his 2009 Hyde Park show up on YouTube (I was at that show)
Practice social distancing & stream ‘London Calling: Live In Hyde Park’ from the comfort of your own home, now on YouTube & Apple Music in its entirety for the 1st time! Bruce & The E Street Band’s 2009 concert is worth a watch.
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The Eurovision Song Contest has been cancelled due to coronavirus.
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18 March 1977---It was 43 years ago today that i went to T.Rex last ever London show as
six months later Marc Bolan was killed in a car crash.
T.Rex + The Damned @ The Rainbow Theatre, London - a mega gig of glam rock & punk rock.
Tuesday 17 March 2020.
After Mondays Government announcement it looks like most gigs in March will get postponed / cancelled.
Venues including Hammersmith Apollo , The Royal Albert Hall, The Royal Festival Hall and The Palladium
have suspended all shows until early April....and that could easily be extended.
55 have died to date in the UK due to coronavirus.
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Football has taken another major hit...
Euro 2020 has been postponed by a year to the summer of 2021 after coronavirus has brought the football world to a standstill. The tournament had been due to be played between June 12 and July 12 this summer, in 12 cities across Europe with Wembley Stadium hosting the semi-finals and final.
Monday 16 March 2020.
Very sad news that tv personality and comedian ROY HUDD has died aged 83.
Another one of those great entertainers i remember from my childhood.
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Today, Boris Johnson has said...
"we should avoid mass gatherings including concerts, theatres, restaurants, bars, travel, cinemas etc".
However, he has NOT actually banned concerts, so some gigs should still go ahead.
He added: “The Government has the power to force closures”. However, he said he does not think it will be necessary to use those powers.
London has got more confirmed cases of coronavirus than any other part of the country,
Any event you are going to, you must check with the venue website , the artist website or call the venue etc.
I went to a few shows the past week but some acts who played have come in for criticism.
Lewis Capaldi and Stereophonics have responded to criticism that their arena shows went ahead over the weekend despite health scares around the spread of coronavirus.
While the spread of coronavirus has led to the cancellation of many gigs and festivals scheduled in the coming weeks, Lewis Capaldi played an arena gig to 11,000 people in Aberdeen, while Stereophonics went ahead with the final three shows of their Kind tour in Cardiff.
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Some good news...
BILLY DUFFY from The Cult has got engaged.
The stunning Real Housewives Of Cheshire star Leilani Dowding is engaged to her lover of three years Billy Duffy.
The former Miss Great Britain and Page 3 girl, 40, took to Instagram on Monday to share the news, uploading a snap of her holding hands with The Cult rocker Billy, 58, showing off her engagement ring.
She drew an arrow on her hand and labelled it 'I said yes' - with the arrow pointing at the ring.
Sunday 15 March 2020.
Happy Birthday to DEE SNIDER (Twisted Sister) who is 65 today.
Happy Birthday to HOWARD DEVOTO (Buzzcocks/Magazine) who is 68 today.
Saturday 14 March 2020.
JiM DAVIDSON live at The Beck Theatre, Hayes, Middlesex.
Five times married Jim Davidson plays the second of two nights at this cosy 600 capacity theatre.
The masterful, outrageous and hysterically funny comedy legend ‘General’ Jim Davidson OBE embarks on his comedy campaign around the UK in 2020, following the acclaimed sell-out The People Fight Back Tour.
Who will he upset this time? Which battles will he win, which will he lose? One thing’s for certain, Jim never retreats!
Jim Davidson , now aged 67 was one of the UK's most popular comedians in the 1970's,1980's and 1990's.
Davidson has attracted controversy for his frequent jokes about women, ethnic minorities, homosexuals and disabled people, although he denies accusations that he is prejudiced against these groups.
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Around 500 folks here out of the 600 capacity.
Jim Davidson arrives on stage looking very casually dressed.
Jim performed for 1 hour 50 mins over two sets of 55 mins.
He has the barest stage ever, just him and a microphone.
No backdrop or anything or like he says , "he can get a quick getaway in his car after the show".
Needless to say it is mainly an older white crowd here , with plenty of women too.
A good dose of comedy is what we need to blank the coronavirus blues out for a couple of hours.
Needless to say there was lots of swearing and crude jokes about everything and everyone.
He starts off by saying "he has parked his car around the corner, in Baghdad High Street".
But then mentions how it is all the gap toothed white trash folks swilling strong lager in the streets.
His likes include Piers Morgan interviewing snowflakes, Charlton F.C.
His dislikes include Labour politicians , Guardian readers, Scousers,
Political Correctness Gone Mad is a fave topic that he returns to a lot.
He even starts asking the crowd very personal questions about their bedroom antics
including "do any of you girls take it up Trap 2?".
Also Women and their HRT , and even his own lack of sex drive as he gets older.
Foreign Aid
He mentioned his huge support for the troops and his many visits to The Falkland Islands since the 1980's.
He has performed at many fundraising events for them and also mentioned the crazy humour soldiers have.
"Our troops have fought a succession of battles over the last 50 years. Some veterans are still fighting those battles. We hope to get them feeling better, and ready to continue with their lives."
Care after Combat CEO, Jim Davidson OBE
It was a very enjoyable evening, with many laugh out loud moments.
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Happy Birthday to acting legend MICHAEL CAINE who is 87 today.
Friday 13 March 2020.
ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTER'S live at Hammersmith Apollo, London.
The show sold out in Feb...as part of his UK tour...
I have seen Elvis Costello over 20 times since 1978.
His band feature some musicians who have played with him off & on for over 40 years.
This superlative ensemble - Steve Nieve on keyboards, Pete Thomas on
drums, and bassist and vocalist, Davey Faragher - are once again
augmented by singers Kitten Kuroi and Briana Lee, all of whom were
heard on the acclaimed Elvis Costello 2018 Concord Records release, "Look Now".
Liverpudlian Ian Prowse is the support for the entire tour.
The John Peel-endorsed cult singer, also fronted Pele and Amsterdam.
Prowse’s most recent album" Here I Lie" was released in 2019, was critically acclaimed and included the singles ‘The Ballad Of North Street‘ and ‘Something’s Changed.’
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The venue is stalls seated tonight, and it is totally sold out.
IAN PROWSE arrived on stage at 7.25pm and played for 40 mins.
His band included electric fiddle and flute and his songs ticked along nicely.
He finished with his greatest song ‘Does This Train Stop On Merseyside?.’ He dedicates this to those who refuse to buy The Sun newspaper, like a true Liverpudlian.
I saw actor & tv presenter ROSS KEMP here during the interval.
ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTER'S arrived on stage at 8.30pm and played for two hours.
A mainly older crowd here who have grown up with the 65 year old Elvis Costello.
This was his first UK tour since his recovery from cancer, and there was plenty of love in the house for him.
A nice stage production with great lighting and three big screens showing pre-recorded images.
Elvis is a top notch singer-songwriter who has worked with Paul McCartney and Burt Bacharach.
Costello's lyrics employ a wide vocabulary and frequent wordplay. His music has drawn on many diverse genres; one critic described him as a "pop encyclopaedia", able to "reinvent the past in his own image".
Lots of entertaining stage banter between songs from Elvis.
Lots of his classic tunes played including a mega extended version of "Watching the Detectives".
For the encore Elvis was sporting a sparkly gold jacket.
A great show.
Full Elvis Costello setlist played tonight...
Strict Time (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Clubland (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Green Shirt (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Accidents Will Happen (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Watch Your Step (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Photographs Can Lie
Less Than Zero (Elvis Costello song)
Flutter & Wow
Watching the Detectives (Elvis Costello song)
A Good Year for the Roses (George Jones cover)
A Face in the Crowd (Elvis Costello song)
Blood & Hot Sauce (Elvis Costello song)
Burnt Sugar Is So Bitter (Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve cover)
High Fidelity (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
From a Whisper to a Scream (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
Alison (Elvis Costello song)
Every Day I Write the Book
Pump It Up (Elvis Costello song)
Encore:
Hurry Down Doomsday (The Bugs Are Taking Over) (Elvis Costello song)
Oliver's Army (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding (Elvis Costello & The Attractions cover)
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Happy Birthday to NEIL SEDAKA who is 81 today.
Happy Birthday to U2 bass player ADAM CLAYTON who is 60 today.
Thursday 12 March 2020.
THE CAT EMPIRE play the first of two shows at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
The Cat Empire are an Australian band who are popular back home and have released several albums.
"Stolen Diamonds" their latest album, was released globally on February 15, 2019.
On their last UK tour they sold out two shows at The Roundhouse.
The Cat Empire's sound is a fusion of rock, jazz, ska, funk, indie with heavy Latin influences.
A few of their videos have had over a million views on YouTube.
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Level 3 is pretty empty , but there must be at least 1500 folks here.
Pretty good for a band you never hear on the radio or see on tv.
Lots of Aussies who live in London are out in force to support one of their own.
LUCY LU arrived on stage at 8pm and played for 40 mins.
Lucy Lu - aka Luke Bower - and his brass (trombone and trumpet) led band played some jazz-flecked tracks.
THE CAT EMPIRE arrived on stage at 9.10pm and played for 1 hour 40 mins.
You have to admire any band that makes their own sound regardless of current music fads.
The Cat Empire have no guitarist and feature percussion, brass, keyboards and even a turntable scratcher.
Big cheers each time their main singer gets stuck into the three bongos , front of stage.
Many of the songs have a ska tinged dance feel to them which has the crowd jumping around a lot
and nobody seems to be worried by coronavirus as they all bounce around closely together down the front.
It was great watching the crowd enjoy themselves so much as they sang along loudly to many songs.
A couple of Australians i spoke to couldn't believe how their band from Australia was so popular in London.
A good show.
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THE WHO have postponed their UK tour due to the coronavirus.
Live Nation promote The Who and are the biggest concert promoter worldwide.
Billboard reports shares of Live Nation fell 16.6 percent on Wednesday, representing a single-day loss of more than $1.8 billion in stock market valuation.
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Happy Birthday to PETER DOHERTY who is 41 today.
Happy Birthday to Iron Maiden's STEVE HARRIS who is 64 today.
Wednesday 11 March 2020.
BRYAN FERRY live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
Bryan Ferry plays the first of two shows at The Royal Albert Hall.
I have seen Bryan Ferry solo and Roxy Music several times each over the past 45 years.
Expect a show featuring the best of his solo material, Roxy Music classics and a couple of Dylan covers.
Bryan Ferry is now aged 74, and he has toured the UK every year for the last eight years.
I saw him play a great show at this venue in June 2019.
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BRYAN FERRY & band arrived on stage at 8.30pm and played for 1 hour 40 mins.
A large band as 11 musicians backing him including Chris Spedding and three female backing vocals.
The spotlight keeps landing on the saxophonist Jorja Chalmers, who gets big applause from the fans.
Bryan Ferry is now aged 74 and suited, but looks totally cool ,suave, relaxed & incredible for his age.
Bryan also played some nice harmonica on a few songs.
Guitar legend Chris Spedding is now aged 75, and he played some nifty guitar solos.
Amazingly when i first saw Bryan Ferry solo in 1977 at this same venue, Chris Spedding was on guitar.
A nice stage production with a raised platform at the back displaying neon striped lighting.
Some lesser known tracks played in the first half, then loads of classics in the second half.
23 songs played would normally be a near two hour set but as usual Bryan does not say much between
songs apart from the odd mention when a musician does a solo.
Plenty of superb Roxy Music gems played includes the always mega "Virginia Plain".
Sadly he has dropped two of my fave tracks "Oh Yeah" and "Do The Strand", but it was a great show.
Full Bryan Ferry setlist played tonight...
The Thrill of It All (Roxy Music song)
You Can Dance
Pyjamarama (Roxy Music song)
Out of the Blue (Roxy Music song)
The Bogus Man (Roxy Music song)
Casanova (Roxy Music song)
Limbo
Just Like You (Roxy Music song)
Same Old Scene (Roxy Music song)
Hiroshima
Your Painted Smile
Like a Hurricane (Neil Young cover)
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right (Bob Dylan cover)
Make You Feel My Love (Bob Dylan cover)
Dance Away (Roxy Music song)
Avalon (Roxy Music song)
Love Is the Drug (Roxy Music song) (the crowd rush to the front from this song)
Street Life (Roxy Music song)
A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (Bob Dylan cover)
Virginia Plain (Roxy Music song)
Encore:
The 'In' Crowd (Dobie Gray cover)
Let's Stick Together (Wilbert Harrison cover)
Editions of You (Roxy Music song)
Tuesday 10 March 2020...7pm to 9.45pm...
ANDY WARHOL - private view - Tate Modern Gallery , London SE1.
This major retrospective is the first Warhol exhibition at Tate Modern for almost 20 years. As well as his iconic pop images of Marilyn Monroe, Coca-Cola and Campbell’s soup cans, it includes works never seen before in the UK. Twenty-five works from his Ladies and Gentlemen series – portraits of black and Latinx drag queens and trans women – are shown for the first time in 30 years. Visitors can also play with his floating Silver Clouds and experience the psychedelic multimedia environment of the Exploding Plastic Inevitable.
Popularly radical and radically popular, Warhol was an artist who reimagined what art could be in an age of immense social, political and technological change.
First time i have seen the stunning Kara Walker 13-metre-tall fountain, a play on the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace, in The Turbine Hall here.
We spend around 30 mins walking around the exhibition itself.
It is a big exhibition as it has around a dozen different rooms.
First room features his five hour video of his then lover John Giorno sleeping titled "Sleep".
There is a classic portrait of Blondie singer Debbie Harry.
The Blondie singer remembers Warhol telling her that "if he could have anyone else’s face, it would be mine."
A couple of pictures of Andy Warhol with Lou Reed.
Some very interesting items including three of his wigs/toupees, along with instructions on how to care for them.
You forget that he was shot and nearly died in 1968 by feminist Valerie Solanas.
Around 500 guests are here in this massive gallery space.
A few well known faces here including Daniel Lismore and Pandemonia in their usual amazing attire.
Also Pam Hogg, Andrew Logan and Dougie Fields.
Lots of folks dancing by the dj from 9pm as he spun Bowie, Madonna , Disco etc.
Complimentary vodka cocktails, wines, beers and nibbles ( cheese sticks & peanuts) for all guests.
www.tate.org.uk
It is on until 06 Sept so visit their website here for more info and to buy the £22 tickets.
Monday 09 March 2020.
OH WONDER live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
This show sold out in Feb.
"No One Else Can Wear Your Crown" is the third studio album by London-based alt-pop duo Oh Wonder, released through Island Records on 7 February 2020.It was preceded by the release of the singles "Hallelujah", "Better Now", "I Wish I Never Met You" and "Happy".The duo will embark on a world tour in support of the album in March and April 2020.
On 14 Feb 2020 the album went straight in at number 8 in the UK chart.
Their second album "Ultralife" from 2017 also got to number 8 in the UK chart.
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The venue is rammed solid sold out tonight.
The venue has put in hand sanitisers to help keep the coronavirus at bay.
DIZZY arrived on stage at 8pm and played for 30 mins.
Canadian indie-pop band are promoting their debut album "Baby Teeth".
They played some dreamy chilled out indie-pop tracks , that featured female vocals.
Last year they won Alternative Album of the Year for "Baby Teeth" at the Junos (think Canadian Grammys).
OH WONDER arrived on stage at 9.05pm and played for 85 mins.
The stage is reset during the interval, and suddenly you can see why Oh Wonder need that Fly By Night truck that is parked near the venue.A custom-made lighting rig, dominated by a giant O and W constructed from neon tubes, is flanked by barrages of halogens, spots and strobes. A pair of keyboards stand front of stage. Behind, on a slightly raised platform is a drum kit and another keyboard.
Their female vocalist interacted well with the fans throughout the show.
She said "it is so amazing for me to be playing this incredible venue for the first time as I went to many gigs
here over the years including Adele and Jessie J".
A decent enough set of catchy indie-pop.
Full Oh Wonder setlist played tonight...
Better Now
Drive
I Wish I Never Met You
Lifetimes
Happy
Heavy
How It Goes
Body Gold / White Blood / Plans
In and Out of Love
Overgrown
Livewire
Technicolour Beat
Ultralife
Dust
Landslide
Lose It
Encore:
All We Do
Without You
Hallelujah (ticker-tape cannons used for this song)
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Sad news that Legendary American record produce KEITH OLSEN has passed away.
Keith Olsen (died March 2020) was an American record producer and sound engineer, who worked with Rick Springfield, Fleetwood Mac, Ozzy Osbourne, the Grateful Dead, Whitesnake, Pat Benatar, Heart, Santana, Saga, Foreigner, Magnum, Scorpions, Journey, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Joe Walsh, as well as Eric Burdon & the Animals, among others.
Olsen was the producer on over 100 complete albums. His production work has earned him more than 39 Gold, 24 Platinum, and 14 Multi-Platinum album certifications.
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THE SEX PISTOLS --- it was 43 years ago today --- 10 March 1977.
The Sex Pistols re-sign the contract with A&M in front of Buckingham Palace for the press and British television. This can be seen in "The Great Rock 'N' Roll Swindle". They lasted around week with A&M...then they eventually signed to Virgin.
Saturday 07 March 2020.
GLEN MATLOCK BAND feat Earl Slick live at The 100 Club, London.
Sex Pistols legend GLEN MATLOCK is playing a UK tour.
Glen's band feature Earl Slick (guitar legend ,who has played with David Bowie and John Lennon),
Chris Musto (drums ,who has played with Johnny Thunders) ) and
Jim Lowe (bass, who has produced a few Stereophonics albums).
I saw them play a great gig in Leytonstone a week ago.
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It may be cold outside but in this iconic venue it is hot n sweaty inside due to the full house.
As it is a Sex Pistols related event , it was great to see so many friends here.
Musicians in the crowd included John Perry (Only Ones), Spizz , Marco Pirroni and Neal X.
GOLDBORNS arrived on stage at 8.30pm and played for 30 mins.
West London boys play a good set of their ska & reggae tinged indie tunes.
They play in front of a "For Grenfell" poster.
Their EP was co-produced by Mick Jones of The Clash who was on the guest list tonight but did not show.
GLEN MATLOCK BAND arrived on stage at 9.20pm and played for 95 mins.
Last week i was front left of stage near Jim Lowe but tonight i am front right of stage,
just a few feet from guitar legend Earl Slick.
Earl looks proper rock star with a Ronnie Wood/ Jeff Beck look and his guitar playing is just sublimely superb.
Glen works the crowd well and introduces "On Something" with a mention of QPRs 3-1 away win today.
The setlist features great tracks from Glens last album "Good to Go".
We get one extra track compared to last weeks show.
Another excellent show from Glen's rockin' band.
Full Glen Matlock setlist played tonight...
Won't Put The Brakes on Me
Wanderlust
Consequences Coming
Sexy Beast
Hook In You
Montague Terrace (in Blue) (Scott Walker cover)
Magic Carpet Ride
Couldn't Give A Damn
Hot Water
On Something (Glen Matlock & the Philistines song)
Can't Be Myself
Blank Generation (Richard Hell & The Voidoids cover)
Born Running (Glen Matlock & the Philistines song)
Who's Side Are You On ?
Keep On Pushing
Encore:
Electricity (extra song in the setlist that was not played last week at Leytonstone)
Pretty Vacant (Sex Pistols song) (with Neal X on guitar)
All or Nothing (Small Faces cover) (with Neal X on guitar)
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GLEN MATLOCK narrates the history of punk rock over two lots of 60 mins.
It is up on YouTube....it is well worth a listen...
Lots of classic tracks and quotes from all the best acts including The Clash, Damned and Buzzcocks.
Search for - Glen Matlock - Anarchy in the UK - BBC 6 Music Episode 1 and Episode 2.
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The ALANIS MORISSETTE acoustic show i went to on Wednesday got many great reviews in the press.
Check out this mega acoustic version on YouTube
Alanis Morissette “You Oughta Know” on the Howard Stern Show
Friday 06 March 2020.
HOOSIERS live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Hoosiers have had 4 x Top 40 hits in the UK and are promoting their "Greatest Hits" album.
Their 2007 album "THE TRICK TO LIFE" went to number one in the UK.
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Levels 2 and 3 are closed but stalls and Level 1 are full so over 1000 folks are here.
OLD DIRTY BRASSTARDS arrived on stage at 8.30pm for their 35 mins set.
They have ten musicians on stage including EIGHT playing brass instruments.
You can see why they played Glastonbury Festival last year.
They played a lively set of brass based instrumental covers that went down well with the crowd including
Last Nite (The Strokes)
Mr.Brightside (The Killers)
Everywhere (Fleetwood Mac)
HOOSIERS arrived on stage at 9.30pm for their 90 mins set.
The band have a two man brass section joining them for several songs.
The band had a bit of success in the 2000s but they kind of bypassed me to be honest.
The answer to the question, 'name a Hoosier song', is something most people would struggle with and
where a couple of responses would still be 'Goodbye Mr A' or 'Cops and Robbers', but ultimately
they had quite a lot of pretty average songs.
The first and last songs of the night featured ticker-tape cannons over the front stalls.
A quirky Billy Joel cover during the encore was good.
Full Hoosiers setlist played tonight...
The Trick to Life
Worried About Ray
Somewhere in the Distance (With Teardrops snippet)
A Sadness Runs Through Him
Choices
Make or Break
Worst Case Scenario
Who Said Anything (About Falling in Love)?
Cops and Robbers
Clinging on for Life
??
So High
Everything Goes Dark
Up to No Good
Unlikely Hero
Encore:
Money to be Made
We Didn't Start the Fire (Billy Joel cover)
Goodbye Mr A
Thursday 05 March 2020.
THE GLOBAL AWARDS 2020 live at Hammersmith Apollo, London.
On one huge night, The Global Awards will bring together all Global’s radio stations – including Capital, Capital XTRA, Heart, Classic FM, Smooth, Radio X, Gold and LBC – to celebrate the biggest and best loved stars of music, news and entertainment.
Global superstar Camila Cabello, legendary band Stereophonics, Ellie Goulding, Tones and I, rising star Aitch and classical music singer and tenor Aled Jones and Russell Watson are among the acts confirmed to perform at The Global Awards 2020 with Very.co.uk.
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This was a big event, pretty much like a smaller version of The BRIT Awards...with a full Red Carpet.
From 5pm to 7pm was the drinks reception and dinner for 500 VIP guests/artists in the floor stalls area.
For those that don't know, this venue can now put in a levelled floor for dinner tables.
I was at the event from 7pm to 11pm...the show itself was on 7.35pm to 10.15pm...
The paying public are upstairs only and 100 music school students are put in the pit area at the front.
Five acts performed two songs each and Stereophonics performed five songs at the end.
The stage production is superb , with five big screens and lavish sets and loads of lights.
Many of the presenters were the celebrity djs they use on their shows including
Amanda Holden, Jamie Theakston, Myleene Klass, Mark Wright, Kate Garraway, Laura Whitmore and others.
Nicely paced where you had a live act then two or three awards were presented.
CAMILA CABELLO is a Cuban-American singer who looks stunning.
Her two songs with dancers included her massive hit "Señorita".
ALED JONES & RUSSELL WATSON performed two classical songs with an orchestra.
ELLIE GOULDING performed two songs with dancers including her hit "Love Me Like You Do".
TONES & I performed two tracks including her massive worldwide hit "Dance Monkey"
"Dance Monkey" topped the official singles charts in over 30 countries including the UK.
AITCH is a 20 year old white rapper from Manchester who is certainly a rising star.
He performed two tracks...and dedicated one to hip-hop dj legend Tim Westwood who was in the crowd.
STEREOPHONICS performed a really good five song set and were the highlight for me.
C'est la vie
Bust This Town
Have a Nice Day
Maybe Tomorrow
Dakota
An enjoyable evening overall.
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Full winners list tonight...
STORMZY WINS HIP HOP OR R&B AWARD ( sent a video message)
AITCH WINS RISING STAR AWARD
LEWIS CAPALDI WINS BOTH MASS APPEAL AND MOST PLAYED SONG 2019 (sent a video message)
HARRY STYLES’ ‘LIGHTS UP’ IS VOTED BEST SONG OF 2019 WITH METRO (sent a video message)
STEREOPHONICS VOTED BEST INDIE AND HONOURED WITH GLOBAL SPECIAL AWARD
TONES AND I TAKES HOME BEST POP
PC STUART OUTTEN HONOURED WITH THE LBC AWARD
CHRIS & ROSIE RAMSEY’S SH**GED, MARRIED, ANNOYED VOTED BEST PODCAST
SHEKU KANNEH-MASON VOTED BEST CLASSICAL ARTIST
REGENERATE CHARITY CO-FOUNDER ANDY SMITH WINS THE VERY AWARD
DUA LIPA WINS BEST BRITISH ACT
JONAS BROTHERS ARE CROWNED BEST GROUP (sent a video message)
CAMILA CABELLO IS CROWNED BEST FEMALE
ED SHEERAN IS NAMED BEST MALE (sent a video message)
STEREOPHONICS VOTED BEST INDIE AND HONOURED WITH GLOBAL SPECIAL AWARD
Wednesday 04 March 2020.
ALANIS MORISSETTE live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
This show sold out pronto despite the high ticket prices.
Alanis plays one of three acoustic shows in Europe (also Amsterdam and Munich) to celebrate the
25th anniversary of her mega selling album "Jagged Little Pill".
Alanis returns later in the year with her band to play European arenas.
Tour poster says the album has sold 60 million copies, even though other places saying 33 million copies.
"Jagged Little Pill" topped the charts in thirteen countries; it is one of the best-selling albums of all time and made Morissette the first Canadian to achieve double diamond sales.Jagged Little Pill was nominated for nine Grammy Awards, winning five, including Album of the Year.
The track "You Oughta Know" is my fave classic from that album.
The album was something the public hadn't really heard before: a woman displaying raw anger and a frank portrayal of female sexuality.
Jagged's first single, the fantastically acidic tale of a scorned woman, You Oughta Know, entered the Official Singles Chart at 76 before slowly rising to Number 22.
I have seen Alanis play live several times including her debut London show at Subterania in 1995 where
Taylor Hawkins was her drummer then and shortly after he joined The Foo Fighters.
Taylor Hawkins is also playing on the official video for "You Oughta Know".
The six singles from the album were....
"You Oughta Know" - Released: July 6, 1995
"Hand in My Pocket" - Released: October 31, 1995
"Ironic" - Released: February 27, 1996
"You Learn" - Released: July 9, 1996
"Head over Feet" - Released: September 16, 1996
"All I Really Want" - Released: December 1, 1996
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It is a reduced capacity tonight as it is stalls seated due to the intimate acoustic nature.
The first five stalls rows have coughed up a whopping £250 to be there and get a goodie bag of swag.
Level 1 seats are £100 each.
ALANIS MORISSETTE arrived on stage at 8.25pm and played for 95 mins.
I have got a great view in Level 1 , near to well known tv showbiz reporter Dan Wootton.
Alanis is wearing a checked grey suit and is flanked by two acoustic guitarists.
All three sit on stools throughout the entire show.
Her voice still sounds fantastic and you can hear every word.
The last time i saw her live in 2018, she had shortish hair but it is back to being long again.
It is pretty much a superb Greatest Hits set, including all the classics from "Jagged Little Pill".
Alanis sounded absolutely incredible, never missing a beat and letting her humour shine through between songs.
The females in the crowd are singing along loudly to most of the songs.
Before the last two songs were played , Alanis said "normally this would be the encore but I can't
be bothered to walk off the stage and come back again in these high heels".
At the end of the show , one of the roadies threw out loads of guitar plectrums and amazingly
he got a couple up to Level 1 and luckily i got one of them, which had a nice Alanis design on them.
An excellent show.
Full Alanis Morissette setlist played tonight....
Your House
Right Through You
You Learn
All I Really Want
Hands Clean (extra track played in London that was not played in Munich/Amsterdam)
Not the Doctor
Reasons I Drink
Mary Jane
Forgiven
Perfect
Head Over Feet
Smiling
Hand in My Pocket
Ironic
You Oughta Know
Wake Up
Uninvited
Thank U
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