Monday 11 October 2021.

Sunday 10 October 2021. REND COLLECTIVE live at Hammersmith Apollo. Rend Collective (formerly known as Rend Collective Experiment) is a Northern Irish Christian folk rock worship band originating from Bangor, Northern Ireland. They have released several albums over the past decade. In 1987 I saw a Christian Rock Hair Metal band play Hammersmith Odeon where they threw out bibles to the crowd (I still have one). Sometimes at this venue where I have seen over 2000 shows, i think "This is my church". Tonight is not sold out, but an impressive 2000 to 3000 here, which included stalls standing. All ages are here, ranging from young families and couples to singles. REND COLLECTIVE arrived on stage at 8.30pm for their 90 mins set. Seven of them on stage including percussion, electric violin, mandolin etc. Christian pop music always has catchy hooks and choruses. The lyrics to every song are on the big screen, and the crowd singalong loudly. The band are pretty much a livelier Mumford & Sons , and much more enjoyable. There was plenty of dancing jigs and we had pyros, confetti cannons and bubble machines. They ended the show with their most popular track "My Lighthouse". A very enjoyable show. ---------------------------- Satyrday 09 October2021. RICK ASTLEY & THE BLOSSOMS play the songs of THE SMITHS. A special show at The Forum, that sold out very quickly. Just two shows...the previous night was in Manchester... A very random collaboration as a naff 80s singer joins up with a cool indie-rock band. First up is DJ KATIE OWEN who plays a superb hour of classics from the past 50 years, which certainly got this Saturday night drinking crowd in the right singalong mood. The venue is totally rammed solid by the time the headliners take to the stage. The crowd are more fans of The Smiths, rather than the acts performing the songs. RICK ASTLEY & THE BLOSSOMS arrived on stage at 9.10pm for their 80 mins set. By the time they come on stage , the atmosphere is electric. The entire setlist is all classics from THE SMITHS and Rick Astley sings all the tracks and The Blossoms (all looking like long haired tall slim male models) provide the backing. Rick Astley tells the crowd “Do you think I’m taking this blazer off? No fucking chance. I’m on stage with the slimmest band in England". This random collaboration is a stunning success as the crowd all love it, and sing and dance along. Rick & the band even threw some flowers out, as Morrissey used to do, when fronting The Smiths. A mega three song encore. An excellent gig. Full SETLIST played tonight... Intro song - Coronation Street tv theme tune. What Difference Does It Make? Bigmouth Strikes Again Still Ill Reel Around the Fountain Cemetry Gates Ask Hand in Glove Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others The Boy With the Thorn in His Side Girlfriend in a Coma Well I Wonder Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now Panic William, It Was Really Nothing Barbarism Begins at Home Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want Encore: How Soon Is Now? This Charming Man There Is a Light That Never Goes Out ----------------- NME gave the show a glowing five star review , and said it was the best night of The Smiths music since the real band played their last gig together in Dec 1986.

Posted 11th October 2021