Monday 06 December 2021.

Monday 06 December 2921. Very sad news that JOHN MILES has died aged 72. The UK has lost one of its most talented musicians as John Miles has sadly passed away at the age of 72. I saw him live as a solo artist seven times in the late 1970s, and later with other acts. John, who became famous for his worldwide hit from 1976 'Music' which i loved singing back then with those simple lyrics "Music Was My First Love And It Will Be My Last " died peacefully in his sleep with his family at his bedside, his manager has confirmed. The singer died on Sunday after a short illness at the age of 72 in his hometown of Newcastle. During his career, John played alongside a plethora of artists from Tina Turner, Jimmy Page, Joe Cocker to Andre Botticelli amongst many others. John's manager of 50 years pair tribute to the late star, describing him as 'kind' and 'gentle'. ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ Monday 06 December 2021. STEREOPHONICS + TOM SPEIGHT live at Shepherds Bush Empire. This show sold out pronto. Stereophonics are playing several intimate gigs to celebrate 20 years of their massive selling third album ‘Just Enough Education to Perform’ - the band’s acclaimed 6 times platinum album and one of the best selling albums of the decade. 'Just Enough Education to Perform ' spawned three top-ten singles in the form of "Mr. Writer", "Have A Nice Day" and "Handbags and Gladrags". I have seen The Stereophonics over a dozen times with the first time in 1999 when they supported Aerosmith and Lenny Kravitz at Wembley Stadium....I also saw them in Paris in 2003 which was on a rest day between The Rolling Stones shows i went over for. The Stereophonics are playing a UK arena tour next year , including The 02 Arena on 01 April 2022. ------------- The venue is rammed solid sold out tonight. TOM SPEIGHT arrived on stage at 7.45pm for his 30 mins set. Tom gets a tiny postage stamp space in front of the huge Stereophonics stage curtain. He is joined by a female on backing vocals. STEREOPHONICS arrived on stage at 8.45pm and play for 2 hours 5 mins. A nice stage production with half a dozen huge drapes and fairy lights everywhere. Superb trumpet playing on some tracks including a stunning "Handbags & Gladrags". Lots of catchy singalong radio friendly hits were played along with a few that plodded a bit. A huge glitterball for the excellent last four songs of the night. Kelly Jones has four kids now, but the entire front row is full of swooning women. Kelly has cool relaxed stage banter and talked about how lucky they were to support The Rolling Stones, U2 and Oasis at the start of their career. Many of the bands from 20 years ago have faded but STEREOPHONICS are still at arena level. Overall a great show. Full setlist played tonight - MAIN SET - Just Enough Education To Perform - album played. Vegas Two Times Surprise Lying in the Sun Mr Writer Step on My Old Size Nines Have a Nice Day Nice to Be Out Handbags and Gladrags (Mike d’Abo cover) Watch Them Fly Sundays Everyday I Think of Money Maybe Caravan Holiday Rooftop ENCORE : Hanging On Your Hinges Geronimo Do Ya Feel My Love C'est la vie Just Looking Stitches Fly Like an Eagle Mr and Mrs Smith ENCORE 2: A Thousand Trees Traffic Maybe Tomorrow Dakota Another show where over 100 guests had reserved seats in Level 1. Normally Stereophonics would certainly have an afterparty but like a lot of bands, they are not bothering in case a band member catches covid and the tour gets postponed. ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Sunday 05 December 2021. STEVE HARLEY & COCKNEY REBEL live at Shepherds Bush Empire. Steve Harley is a music legend from the 1970s who is playing a full UK tour. I have seen Steve Harley on stage around a dozen times with the first times in 1975 and 1976 at Hammersmith Odeon headlining when Cockney Rebel were having hit singles. Steve Harley is now aged 70. As a youngster he contracted polio, which has left him with a limp. His biggest hit (or pension song as he calls it) "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)" was number one hit in the UK in 1975 and has been covered by over 100 different artists. ------------------ It is stalls seated tonight as it is mainly an older crowd. Level 3 is closed and Level 2 half empty so maybe only 600 here tonight. It is cold outside and cold inside the venue, as never seen so many people keep their scarves and long coats on while watching a show. Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel are on stage for a nice long 2 hours 20 mins show over two sets of 65 mins and 75 mins. Steve is using a walking stick these days, and he spends the whole show sitting on a bar stool. Steve was a bit of of a folkie when he first started in the early 1970s and these days on stage , he and his guitarist are both using acoustic guitars for nearly all the show. This meant it felt more of a semi-acoustic show, and there was not enough electric guitar for me. Lots of amusing laid back stage banter from Steve. In a way , the set could have been trimmed 30 mins to have more of an impact as the audience didn't know many of the lesser known songs played...but overall still an enjoyable show. The oldies went down the best of course with "Judy Teen" played in the first half and the second half included... Absolute Beginners (David Bowie cover) Here Comes The Sun (The Beatles cover) The Best Years of Our Lives Tumbling Down (with that great singalong chorus) Sebastian Encore : Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) (with all the crowd dancing and singing along)

Posted 6th December 2021