Ray's Gigs

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

My best gigs and events in 2015...

Another great year as London was totally buzzing.

I went to 146 gigs in 2015 bringing my total to 6403 gigs seen by me since 1973.

On top of the gigs there was even more product launches,restaurant launches,bar launches,store launches, gallery private views,fashion shows,theatre first nights,awards shows etc.

I will highlight a few of my faves here which could be for a variety of reasons...

1.Paul McCartney live at The 02 Arena on May 23 and 24. Macca was my gig of the year with a lengthy setlist played each night with loads of Beatles classics played.

2.Prince live at Koko on 02 Feb. A Prince secret gig.I was in balcony box vip area with freebie champers all night.

3.U2 live at The 02 Arena on Oct 29,Oct 30 and Nov 03. Three mega shows with a stunning stage production and loads of great tunes.

4.KISS + Motley Crue + Slash + Billy Idol live at Download Festival on June 04. The best bill of the year even though the big outdoor venue was not to my liking.

5.AC/DC live at Wembley Stadium on July 04. A mega show by AC/DC even though the big outdoor venue not to my liking.

6.The Who live at the 02 Arena March 22 and The Royal Albert Hall on March 26. Two brilliant shows but the Hyde Park show on June 26 not as good as outdoors.

7.David Gilmour live at The Royal Albert Hall on Sept 23 and 25 and Oct 03. Three superb shows by DG with half the setlist Pink Floyd classics.

8.Rod Stewart & The Faces live in Surrey Sept 05 and Rod Stewart live at Hyde Park Sept 13. Rod plays his first proper show with The Faces for over 30 years.

9.Motley Crue + Alice Cooper live at Wembley Arena on Nov 06. Motley Crue play their last ever UK show with a stunning stage show and great support act.

10.Def Leppard + Whitesnake + Black Star Riders live at Wembley Arena on Dec18. A fantastic three band classic rock package.

11.Queen with Adam Lambert live at Wembley Arena on Feb 24.

11.Sham 69 live at The 100 Club on Feb 27.

11.Fleetwood Mac live at The 02 Arena on June 27.

11.Lionel Richie live at The Henley Festival on July 09.

11.Scorpions + Saxon + Blue Oyster Cult live at Mote Park,Maidstone on July 25.

11.Jeff Lynne's ELO live at Porchester Hall on June 09.

11.Simple Minds + Stranglers live at The 02 Arena on Nov 26.

11.Judas Priest + Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock live at Brixton Academy on Dec 01.

11.Prodigy + Public Enemy live at Wembley Arena on Dec 05.

11.Kylie Minogue live at The Royal Albert Hall on Dec 11.

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Special mention to all these bands i saw who played their first shows in London for over 30 years. Rod Stewart & The Faces live at Hurtwood Park Polo Club,Surrey on Sept 05. The Professionals live at The 100 Club on Oct 19. Cherie Currie live at The Underworld,Camden on Nov 18. Bay City Rollers live at Hammersmith Apollo on Dec 30.

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Other great live bands just outside the Top 20 included 999,Slipknot,Jefferson Starship,Elbow ,Kaiser Chiefs, Spandau Ballet,Stereophonics,Placebo,Korn,Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds,Saxon,UDO,Michael Monroe, System Of A Down,Lynyrd Skynyrd,Status Quo - Aquostic,Nick Cave,Mike + The Mechanics,Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler,Toto,Glen Matlock,Beach Boys,The Professionals,Cherie Currie,Tony Bennett with Lady Gaga, FFS,Richie Ramone,Morrissey,Public Image Limited,Leo Sayer,Mercury Rev,Tom Jones,Squeeze, Bob Dylan and his band - 2 shows,Sunshine Of Your Love- Jack Bruce tribute evening,Godfathers, ZZ Top,Thunder,Pet Shop Boys,Chaka Khan,Pete Townshend Quadrophenia Live,Nazareth,Monkees, New Order,Bryan Ferry,Ronnie Spector,Waterboys,Duran Duran,Bay City Rollers, Bryan Adams, Bernard Fowlers Allstars feat Glen Matlock,Ronnie Wood and Mick Taylor, Ronnie Wood book launch and QnA,an evening with Al Pacino,Joe Strummer Foundation event with Jools Holland,Glen Matlock,Mick Jones,Chrissie Hynde,Suggs and others. Also NME Awards,Warner Music Brit Awards afterparty,Q Awards,BMI Awards.

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Top 6 other events that were not gigs...

1.Tom Ford 'Noir' fragrance launch party at The Chiltern Firehouse,Marylebone on 12 Jan...10.30pm to 2.30am.. A mega party at this celebrity haunt with a full open bar and great food and lots of celebs and nice goodie bag. Celebs included Graham Norton,Paloma Faith,Lily Allen,Dermot O'Leary and Alexa Chung.

2.Harvey Weinstein BAFTA afterparty at Rosewood Hotel,Holborn on Feb 08...11.45pm to 4.30am... A-list film producer hosts a massive party for 500 guests with a full open bar including champers and lots of great food. Celebs included many actors plus Noel Gallagher,Kasabian,Nick Cave and others.

3.Mademoiselle Prive x Chanel exhibition preview at Saatchi Gallery,Chelsea on Oct 12...7.45pm to 12.30 pm... A much bigger event than expected with 500 guests with a full open bar including champers and nice food. The djs were Lily Allen and Jarvis Cocker. Guests included Karl Lagerfeld,Rita Ora,Vanessa Paradis and Lily Rose Depp. Cara Delevingne and St Vincent sung a few songs.

4.Sushisamba 3rd birthday at Sushisamba,Bishopsgate,London EC2 on Nov 10...9pm to 12.30pm... A massive party for over 700 folks over floors 38,39 and 40 of this skyscraper by Liverpool Street station. A full open bar including champers and lots of nice food and Grace Jones sung four songs.

5.Sunday Times Style Magazine Party at Tramp,Jermyn Street,London W1 on Dec 09...9pm to 2am... Like last year this was a very lively party for over 300 folks at this famous club. A full open bar including champers and lots of nice food. Lots of dancing and a few celebs here including Graham Norton and Erin O'Connor.

6.Lanesborough Hotel re-launch party,Knightsbridge,London SW1 on Nov 25...6.15pm to 10.30pm... Which is London's poshest hotel? The Ritz,The Dorchester,Claridge's...or maybe it's The Lanesborough. Where as the other hotels hold events The Lanesborough rarely gets involved. It it is super posh in here with an army of staff fussing over the 300 folks here. A full open bar including champers and lots of lovely food in this amazing hotel.

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Best new bar opening of 2015

Drake & Morgan , 6 Pancras Square,London N1. Location is by St Pancras/Kings Cross. A huge bar with a great vibe, great drinks ,great food,great staff,a dance floor and alfresco area.