News and Reviews: 17th June 2006

Friday was another day with two great events..... 16 June 2006.Foo Fighters live at The Camden Underworld , London.Tomorrow night they headline to some 50,000 fans in Hyde Park but tonight its a fan club only secret gig for only 400 fans but true to his word The Foo Fighters tour manager has put our names on the guest list after meeting him that afternoon.Its very,very,very hot in here.Foo Fighters were due to play for 90 mins but they finish after 75 mins and do not bother with the 3 song encore. Some say it was because of the curfew (it turns into a disco at 10.30) but it was clearly that all the band were just suffering the extreme heat in the venue.Loads of great songs here like "Monkey Wrench","Times Like These", "DOA", "Breakout","Stacked Actors" ,"My Hero", "Generator" and "All My Life" .I came out soaking with sweat so i dread to think what state the band were in . A mega gig it was........ 16 June 2006.Noon to 5pm.Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Silver Clef Awards At The Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London.Lots of big acts and music industry top dogs here for this charity event. About 500 seated for 3 course dinner but tonight we are part of the 50 people standing. A long affair with dinner, awards, auction ,raffle etc. Those here The Foo Fighters sitting with Brian May,The Eagles, Ozzy,Sharon and Kelly Osbourne, Editors, Cheap Trick,Girls Aloud, Kaiser Chiefs, Paul Carrack , Myleene Klass, Linda Lewis and Patti Boyd.The free booze is flowing and The Eagles have a lot of security with them but the highlight was chatting to the drummer of The Foo Fighters and he told us about the secret gig at The Underworld that night the band were playing and he kindly put us on the guest list for it by getting the tour manager to take our names. A very enjoyable afternoon event............. 14 June 2006.10pm.The Upper Room live at The Scala ,London.As i have mentioned before this lot are one of my fave new bands around.Sadly the venue is half empty as the evening was not promoted properly but that means i can get close to the stage. Half a dozen bands on tonight means its only 35 mins on stage but its pure quality. All the best tracks from their debut album "Other Peoples Problems " out now on Columbia Records including "Once For Me" "All Over This Town" ,"Never Come Back" and "Black And White" .All perfect catchy pop tunes.They play a wild cover of U2s "I Will Follow" .They will surely be massive........... . 14 June 2006.7pm.Bob Gruen "Rockers" photo exibition launch party at Blink Gallery ,Poland Street,London W1.Well worth a visit with loads of great classic photos from the 1970s of Sex Pistols, Clash, John Lennon, Blondie,Ramones ,New York Dolls etc.Here tonight are Glen Matlock and Paul Cook from Sex Pistols, TV Smith and Gaye Advert,Marco from Adam And The Ants and a nice surprise to see Rob Davis from Mud who co wrote Kylies "Cant Get You Out Of My Head" . Bob Gruen was here as well ............. 13 June 2006.8pm. Paul Weller live at Koko, Camden, London.Invite only gig for 1000 comp winners and 200 vips from record company and media .This show was sponsored by Jack Daniels so everyone got one free drink token (the VIP bar upstairs had free JD all night) .It was a tv recording to promote Pauls new live album "Catch Flame" .Even though i have seen him a dozen times over the last five years it was another very good 90 mins set."From The Floorboards Up" , "Peacock Suit" ,"Wild Wood" ,"Come On Lets Go" ,"You Do Something To Me " and "The Changingman" were some of the highlights for me. He omitted usual Jam faves "Its Entertainment" and " A Town Called Malice" and replaced them with the rarely played Jam track " Running On The Spot" .Great encore of " Sunflower" finished another PW evening. A British legend for sure............ 13 June 2006 .6pm. Lightning Seeds live at Cafe De Paris ,London.This was an invite only show for 300 comp winners and guests of Capital Gold Radio.The band have another greatest hits album out this month and its surprising how many hits they have had. Lots of catchy pop gems in the 60 mins set like "Sense", "Sugar Coated Iceberg" ,"Marvellous", "Lucky You" ,and superb versions of " Pure" and "Life Of Riley" .As it was World Cup week they had to play their Euro 96 number 1 footie anthem"Three Lions" which sealed an enjoyable gig.................. 12 June 2006 .11pm.Kerrang 25th Birthday Party At Sin, Tottenham Court Road, London.Lively bash for this rock mag and the free booze is flowing . Those here include Sebastian Bach, Juliette Lewis,Jerry Cantrell(Alice In Chains),Therapy, Krusher ,The Answer, drummer from Dirty Pretty Things,Killing Joke,Lordi,Luke Morley(Thunder), Chris (3 Colours Red) and a surprise to see American actor Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith(she played Download Festival with her thrash metal punk band) strange but true. The place was still rocking when i left at 2am............. 12 June 2006. Gomez live at Shepherds Bush Empire,London.You have to admire Gomez in the way they quietly do their own thing and can sell out a venue of this size with the minimum of fuss. One of those bands that pay attention to how they play on stage much more than how they look. They are here to play songs from the new album "How To Operate" alongside oldies from their other albums. The crowd love every second of it. The encore of "Whipping Piccadilly" is superb. ................ 11 June 2006.Bon Jovi + Nickleback live at The Milton Keynes Bowl. Up first Nickleback are an ideal support to Bon Jovi really. They go down well with highlights " Never Again" and " How You Remind Me" .Its amazing how popular Bon Jovi are. Two nights here at 50,000 punters a night and 100 million albums sold .There are 3 areas in front of the pitch .General admission then Outer Gold Circle and then Inner Gold Circle which is where we are a mere 10 yards from the band.Of course the nearer you are the better the show is. Bon Jovi are on for 2 hours 30 mins and are superb.Bon Jovi have so many female fans of all ages is what keeps them a worldwide stadium band. The stage production is totally huge in size. Loads of great catchy rock tunes like "You Give Love A Bad Name" ,"Wild In The Streets" ,"Born To Be My Baby" ,"Sleep When Im Dead" ,"Runaway","In These Arms" ,"Have A Nice Day" and " Its My Life".There were a few average songs in there too it must be said. They had batches of comp winners come on side of stage for 3 songs at a time which worked really well.As dusk fell the full light show came into force for mega versions of " Bad Medicine" ,"Raise Your Hands" and " Living On A Prayer" .Encores " Blood On Blood" , "Wanted Dead Or Alive " and " Keep The Faith " all went down well .Maybe it was because i was so close but this was a great show ............. 10 June 2006.Eric Clapton live at Hampton Court Palace , Surrey.I was here last year to see Brian Wilson and this really is an amazing venue with all its gardens and history .No support band tonight so everyone has brought a picnic to have in the lovely sunshine. Eric back in town as part of his lengthy European tour.The 2 hour set was pretty much the same as The Royal Albert Hall show last month.EC dedicated a couple of acoustic songs to his chum Billy Preston who sadly during the week.Erics guitar playing and tone is just superb as ever. The best bits came in the second half of the set "Let It Rain" ,"Wonderful Tonight" ,"Layla" , "Cocaine " and a stunning encore of " Crossroads" .A very good show.................. 06 June 2006 .The London Club And Bar Awards At Riverbank Plaza Hotel , London SE1. Never been to this hotel before but with a superb bar area that looks over the Thames and a downstairs function room both easily holding the 500 people here it certainly ticked all the right boxes.Like your fave new band its always a good idea (even at my age)to keep an eye on just which are the current hottest clubs in London .The atmosphere in here is mental .It may be a sitdown 3 course meal but the dj is playing away on his decks,the comperes are shouting , everyone is chatting away and some are dancing at their tables as if they are in Ibiza. Anyway all the main players are so here is some of the awards .Best Club Night is Tuesdays at Boujis in South Kensington.....Best New Bar is The Ice Bar in Heddon Street ....Best New Club is Cuckoo Club in Swallow Street...Best Club is Movida and a well deserved Lifetime Achievement for Mark Fuller from the Embassy Club... a few faces here like my old mate Rusty Egan ,Rebecca Loos, Jade Goody and members of Girls Aloud , Atomic Kitten and Liberty X . A very good evening was had by all...................... 05 June 2006.MOJO Music Awards At Shoreditch Town Hall, London.Well this really was a quality event full of proper musicians and some big names. 500 seated at tables and 50 upstairs in balcony. 6pm drinks reception in this lovely building that is over 100 years old then 7.15pm the following were giving ,accepting or just hanging out David Gilmour, Jon Bon Jovi, Elton John, Tom Robinson, Can, Corinne Bailey Rae, Buzzcocks, Mick Jones, Don Letts, Tony Wilson,Vic Reeves, Jeff Beck, Brian May, Richard Hawley, James Dean Bradfield, Nick Cave, Jools Holland, Roseanne Cash,Beth Orton,Roy Harper, Bert Jansch,Primal Scream, Jesus And Mary Chain, Prince Buster , Joe Brown, Phil Manzernera, Chrissie Hynde, Scott Walker and Rod Smallwood. Highlight for me was punk legends The Buzzcocks winning The Inspiration Award then 9.15pm a lovely 2 couse dinner. I was on a table with Vic Reeves, Tony Wilson and Don Letts. As normal half the musicians left the building after the awards and skipped dinner. More lovely Appleton cocktails consumed. 11pm to 1am was the aftershow with dj in the room at the end of the building .A few hung around but only Corinne Bailey Rae got on the floor for a boogie .A totally excellent evening................. 03 June 2006. Monsters Of Rock Festival At Milton Keynes Bowl with Deep Purple + Alice Cooper + Journey + Thunder + Queensryche + Ted Nugent. A mega line up for Classic Rock fans but as expected they have sold only 25,000 of the 50,000 tickets available.Up first is Ted Nugent whose chat between songs was just brilliant .Loads of great songs too like " Stormtrooping" ,"Wango Tango" ,"Snakeskin Cowboys" ,"Free For All " , "Motor City Madhouse" ,"Cat Stratch Fever" and a mega " Stranglehold" ........Next was Queensryche and they fell right on their arse as their over the top and far too serious vocals did not work in an outdoor setting even though " Revoloution Calling" and "Eyes Of A Stranger" were good......... Next Thunder did their usual set of chirpy good time rock with songs like "Higher Ground" ,"I Love You More Than Rock And Roll" and a superb " Dirty Love" all going down well.........next up Journey who have not played the UK for some 25 years. I was never a fan of their MOR melodic rock but they go down well. Original singer Steve Perry is not here but the new bloke does a good job. Their greatest hits album has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. "Wheel In The Sky" ,"Faithfully" ,"Dont Stop Believing" and "Any Way You Want It " are all good and the crowd love it.............next it is Alice Cooper who as usual puts on a very visual show with costume changes and his snake makes an appearance.His daughter is great as his dancer. "No More Mr Nice Guy" ,"Billion Dollar Babies" , "Im Eighteen" ,"Only Women Bleed" and " Schools Out" are all great and encores of " Poison " and " Under My Wheels" seal a great show........... finally headliners Deep Purple only play for 80 mins but its all quality stuff. They have the best stage sound of the day and are the only act to use the giant video screens .Steve Morse is totally stunning on guitar as per usual.Loads of great songs like " Strange Kind Of Woman" , "Perfect Strangers" ,"Highway Star" ,"Smoke On The Water " and a brilliant encore of " Black Night" . The sun came out today and overall it was a fantastic day out................... 02 June 2006.Zappa Plays Zappa feat Steve Vai live at The Royal Albert Hall, London. This show featured Frank Zappas sons Dweezil and Ahmet playing Franks songs at a venue where he played one of his most famous gigs over 30 years ago. Two sets lasting nearly 3 hours went down well with the Zappa fans here tonight.Songs played inc " King Kong" ,"Inca Roads" and " Bongo Fury" but i am not a big Zappa fan really.Guitar legend Steve Vai came on for the second half of the show.He played with Frank and the highlight of the show was the guitar duels with Dweezil as Steve Vai taught Dweezil how to play guitar. So a decent show and Frank would have been very proud of the job his kids did tonight........ 01 June 2006.Whitesnake live at Hammersmith Apollo, London.This gig was due to take place a couple of days ago but was postponed as David Coverdale had a stomach upset. Tonight he looks and sounds fantastic ,over 50 years old but fully tanned and with a great rock n roll voice.. A set that lasted 1 hour 45 mins that rocked. I must admit to a soft spot for these 1980s rockers. Loads of great songs " Slide It In " , "Walking In The Shadows Of The Blues" ,"Lovehunter", "Is This Love?" ,"Ready And Willing" and "Crying In The Rain" .We even get a drum solo and a guitar solo that were both damn good."Aint No Love In The Heart Of The City" was the great singalong it always is."Here I Go Again " was superb although they did not play "Fool For Your Loving" tonight. Great encores of "Still Of The Night" and then David on his own for a moving " Soldier Of Fortune" .Great show. See aftershow news for this gig............... 31 May 2006.Roy Ayers And Chaka Khan live at The ICA,London.More and more phone companies and drinks companies are holding these invite only parties to promote their brands via live music events. This was the launch of Bacardi BLIVE so the cocktails and canopes are flowing freely. About 300 people here .Up first the tight funky house band gets everyone in the mood before Chaka Khan does 3 songs inc "I Feel For You" and "Im Every Woman" .She has a more rounded figure these days but goes down well.Viberophone master Roy Ayers also does 3 songs inc "Get On Up,Get On Down" then Chaka Khan comes back to join Roy Ayers for a duet on " Everybody Loves The Sunshine" which was great.Short and sweet sets but it was a good night................. First of all sorry i have not been updating the site but i have just had an amazing week of events and parties in the South Of France related to The Cannes Film Festival and The Monaco Grand Prix. Check below for all the news................. 24 May 2006.First stop was The Panghea tent on the beach for the birthday party for Ivana Trump. This is in Cannes in front of The Carlton Hotel. The booze and food is flowing for a couple of hours. The DJ gives a speech and we all sing happy birthday to Ivana .Its all a bit naff but its good fun.Then on to the massive aftershow party for the film Marie Antoinette which was the full monty .Top quality food and drinks and a fireworks display and some quality celebs like Francis Ford Coppola, Kirsten Dunst ,Robin Williams ,Steve Coogan ,and Sacha Cohen(Ali G). Pretty amazing to hear Robin Williams speak fluent Russian and French to a couple of girls. ................................... 25 May 2006.Panghea Tent ,Cannes for the party to celebrate Playboy owner Hugh Hefners 80th birthday .He is now down to 3 blonde girlfriends from the original 7. Food and drinks for a couple of hours .They leave before midnight but at Panghea the place only starts to kick off proper at midnight with all the girls dancing on the sofas and tables.Amazing to bump into Mike Rossi from punk band Slaughter And The Dogs who is out here promoting a film he has an acting part in. Earlier that evening we went to a showcase gig by some French acts . The Hush Puppies and Helene Pince . Both did very enjoyable short sets. ............................ 26 May 2006.Around 6pm we arrive in Monaco to see those amazing yachts all next to the race track. That evening we attend a mega bash .The Grand Prix And Fashion Unite party at The Amber Lounge, Le Meridien Beach Plaza , Monaco. Some of the drivers and their wives are here . Some 500 guests and media have paid 1000 euros each (£700) to be here. Prince Albert Of Monaco with his team of security are here and by the huge outdoor pool that overlooks the bay supermodel Eva Herzigova introduces a fashion show and auction. At midnight we have our 3 course dinner then its on the dancefloor . There are loads of amazing women here who look and dress just to perfection....... 27 May 2006.La Dolce Vita - Monaco Grand Prix Ball at Monte Carlo Sporting Club, Monaco. Another mega bash for 500 guests who have paid 1500 euros (£1000) to be here. Champage reception then a trapeze act then a sexy burlesque show then the roof of the building slides back for a massive firework display .We then have a four course dinner .Then its an auction. The live entertainment is provided by Wyclef Jean whose charity "Yele Haiti " benefits tonight. He plays a good 80 mins set with a mix of covers like "Rivers Of Babylon" , "No Woman No Cry and " La Bamba" and a few of his own Fugees hits. Earlier in the set he had said his friend Bono should be popping in later ,we thought no chance but three quaters into his set Bono, Jay Z , tennis star Boris Becker and actor Kevin Spacey all arrive. Wyclef goes to their table and stands on it .He starts to sing " Redemption Song " and halfway through Bono takes over the microphone and sings. Its an incredible moment to be honest. After the gig the afterparty is at The Cuckoo Club until well after 3am .A great night......... 28 May 2006. Up early for The Monaco Grand Prix. The setting is of course totally stunning. We are sitting in the VIP stand right in front of the pits. The noise of the F1 cars is immense more than any rock band like Motorhead or Iron Maiden could make. Alonso wins the race. After the race we are in the Red Bull Superman Tent where David Coulthard is celebrating coming 3rd in the race. We stay there for a couple of hours and arrive back at out hotel later that night totally whacked out but what a fantastic week and it was lovely and sunny every day too.............

Posted 17th June 2006