Sunday 17 April 2022.

Sunday 17 April 2022. SPARKS live at The Roundhouse. American art pop legends have sold out this venue a month in advance. I have seen Sparks around a dozen times since 1974 and 1975 when I saw them headline Hammersmith Odeon on the back of their superb hit singles from their classic album "Kimono My House". I saw them play a great show a few years ago as FFS (Franz Ferdinand and Sparks both playing their best tracks). Sparks have released over 20 albums during their career. They recently released a full length documentary film titled "The Sparks Brothers" in 2021. ---------- The Roundhouse is rammed solid tonight, for this sold out show. There is no support act tonight, and SPARKS arrive on stage at 8.30pm and play for two hours. They are backed by a great five piece band, who are all dressed in black. How do the duo keep their youthful looks as incredibly Ron is now aged 76 and Russell is aged 73. Russell has got plenty of energy in his legs too, as he did lots of dancing around the stage. Ron sits quietly behind his keyboards sporting his trademark pencil moustache. A varied set of different styles that included hits, rare tracks and new tracks from the recent album which is titled "A Steady, Drip, Drip, Drip". Oldies like "Amateur Hour" and "Beat The Clock " we're left out to make way for recent album tracks. Highlights included "Get In The Swing" and the disco tinged ""When Do I Get To Sing My Way?" and "The Number One Song In Heaven" and of course their classic hit "This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us". A great show , but would have been better with those hits in the set rather than new material, but Sparks are one of those bands that focus on new material rather than looking back. Full SPARKS setlist played tonight... So May We Start Angst in My Pants Tips for Teens Under the Table With Her Get in the Swing I Married Myself I Predict Wonder Girl Stravinsky’s Only Hit Shopping Mall of Love Johnny Delusional (FFS cover) We Love Each Other So Much Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me) Lawnmower Music That You Can Dance To The Rhythm Thief Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth When Do I Get to Sing "My Way" My Baby's Taking Me Home The Number One Song in Heaven (featuring some dad dancing from Ron) This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us (Followed by band introductions) Encore: Suburban Homeboy All That ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- Friday 15 April 2022. SINK THE PINK FAREWELL BALL at Printworks , Canada Water, London SE16. After 13 epic years of parties across the world, the UK’s biggest queer club night will be bringing their iconic chaos to Printworks for their final party! Sink The Pink’s Farewell Ball marks the end of an era, from its early days at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, to reaching the heady heights of sell out parties and events around the world, it’s time for this legendary night to bring you the party one last time. They have sold out Brixton Academy and The Roundhouse in the past. Expect an army of drag queens, dancers and djs. But what should I wear? Well, whatever you want to! Think queer, think colour, think fabulous! With some legendary performances from the Sink The Pink family ,The Farewell Ball is sure to be one massive celebration. So grab your finest, brightest and most loved outfits and let’s bring together our wonderful community of misfits in one raucous final celebration. This 5000 capacity warehouse dance event has sold out a month in advance ...5000 tickets at £35 each... --------- A proper trek for me from out West London way to get here. The event was on from 8pm to 3am, and we were there 10pm to 3am. It is safe to say that SINK THE PINK have brought LGBTQ+ culture to the mainstream. It's escapism for gays, straights, trans, non-binary , where all are welcome. There is lots of flesh on display - both male and female. Lots of fancy dress, fetish wear, carnival colour, many out there outfits, I remember the old days when drag shows were put on in the back rooms of seedy pubs. Sink The Pink have put up colourful structures to be used for photo opportunities. They have 20 or 30 drag acts & performers dotted around the venue. There is a red carpet in the third area where you can strut your best catwalk. Also an area where you put on complimentary make up, glitter and moustaches. There are two main dance areas PRESS ROOMS is the main area. Around five djs play around 60 mins each, who all play cheesy pop bangers from the likes of Madonna, Lady Gaga, Spice Girls, Cher, Britney Spears, Whitney Houston etc. INKWELLS is the smaller tunnel like area where another five djs play 60 mins each of techno. At 1am on the main stage around 20 drag acts and performers take to the stage for a mad final two hours of full on party , party wild dancing. It got very busy down the front half of the floor, but thankfully we had wristbands for the VIP level upstairs. It was a great evening for people watching, where the paying punters were just as much a part of the show as the djs and performers. There were many cameras there ,filming it for future use. An excellent event. --------- Friday 15 April 2022. It is safe to say that the female fronted WET LEG are the most hyped band of the year. Will their debut album go straight in at Number 1 this weekend? I saw them supporting at The Forum in Oct 2021. Update - yes, it went straight in at number one.

Posted 16th April 2022