News and Reviews: 4th May 2008
04 May 2008.QPR 0 West Brom 2.Not music relared
but just an end of season summary.I have been to
most of QPRs home games this season.Today was
a sell out crowd of 18,300.Great atmosphere with
most of West Brom fans in fancy dress costumes.
West Brom were the better team and deserved the
win.They got presented with the Championship
Trophy at the end of the game.QPR team then did a lap of honour with their new moneybags owners
so with a bit of luck we could be promoted next year.We shall see...............................
01 May 2008.Matchbox Twenty + Headway live at
Wembley Arena,London.The first thing i think of
when i walk to the venue is that this is only my
second gig here this year because The 02 Arena
has taken most of the bands that would normally
play here.Support Headway play a decent 30 mins
of catchy rock to promote their "The Start" EP.
See www.myspace.com/headway......despite selling
28 million albums worldwide Matchbox Twenty have
pretty much zero credibility in the UK.The venue
is not sold out but its impressive that there
is some 7500 fans here for a band who have been
quiet for a few years.They play a 1 hour 50 mins set to promote their new album "Exile On Mainstream" which has six new tracks and ten greatest hits.Lots of females here mainly due to
singer Rob Thomas.Setlist inc "Real World","3am",
"Bent","If Youre Gone","All Your Reasons","Long Day" and then the guitarist went for a walkabout
into the crowd.Nice use of the giant screen for images and live footage.Encores of "Im Not Crazy" and "Push" finished off a neat set of feel good rock.Much better than expected.........
27 Apr 2008.2pm to 7pm.Love Music Hate Racism
Carnival feat The Good The Bad And The Queen +
Drew McConnell And Friends + Hard Fi live at
Victoria Park,Hackney,London.This event was to
celebrate the 30th anniversary of the legendary Rock Against Racism show from 30 April 1978
which The Clash headlined and i attended.Its a free gig but its set out like a proper festival
with only one entrance and security checks
making sure no booze is taken inside.Hard Fi play a 40 mins set of hits inc "Hard To Beat",
"Television","Cash Machine" and "Living For The Weekend" but the vocals are not loud enough.I then get my AAA pink wristband which gets me
into the hospitality tent backstage for free food and drinks.Carl Barat is here then MP
Ken Livingstone turns up and gets more attention
from the press than all the acts put together.
I watch Drew(Babyshambles)McConnell And Friends
from on the stage as they invite guests up inc
The View and the highlight of the day for me as
two faces from the 1978 show do a turn.First
its Poly Styrene singing "Oh Bondage Up Yours"
then Jimmy Pursey singing "White Riot".Great stuff.Then back to the hospitality tent as
the headliners take to the stage 30 mins late.
Watch it from on the stage again as The Good
The Bad And The Queen play a 50 mins set
inc "Kingdom Of Doom","Three Changes" and
"Herculean".They have a brass section with them.
I like the way they go about their career but
i still cannot really get into their music.It
still sounds like unfinished demos.They finish
off with a cover of "Ghost Town" joined by
Jerry Dammers and a loads of other singers.The
event was bigger than the acts today.............
Steve Winwood plays a one off show at The Scala
on May 19 inbetween American tour dates.Tickets are 25 quid.The show is to promote new single
"Dirty City" and new album "Nine Lives"..........
24 Apr 2008.Sex Pistols Experience live at The
100 Club,London.The UKs number one Pistols
tribute act back at The 100 Club.I have said it before but this band really are fantastic.A full
90 mins set of Pistols classics with the Sid and
Johnny looking and acting the part and the
guitar riffs are perfect and the overall sound
is spot on.What a setlist."Pretty Vacant",
"Seventeen","New York","No Feelings","I Wanna
Be Me","Did You No Wrong","Steppin Stone",
"Holidays In The Sun","Liar","EMI","Submission",
"Belsen Was A Gas","Bodies","Problems","Substitute","God Save The Queen","Anarchy In The UK","Something Else",
"Cmon Everybody","Silly Thing" and "My Way".
Chaos down the front for superb encores of "No Fun " and "Public Image".An excellent show.
Check www.sexpistolsexperience.co.uk.............
23 Apr 2008.Saxon live at The Shepherds Bush Empire,London.Before this show i was at the
trendy Cobden Club in Labroke Grove for the
launch party for Mark E Smith(The Fall) book
"Renegade".The booze and canopes are flowing.
Mark E Smith arrives late and leaves early and
does not seem to want to be here.....then off to
see Saxon who play for nearly two hours.Its
St Georges Day so lots of red and white flags.
Most of the setlist tonight has been chosen by
fans on websites and Metal Hammer mag.The sound
from start to finish is way too loud with so
much distortion,fuzz and generally too messy.
Opening with "Princess Of The Night" was great but then the next hour was full of weaker samey tracks that blurred into eachother due to the poor sound quality.Later on it got much
better with "Ive Got To Rock To Stay Alive" and
"And The Bands Played On".Also the encores were
good "747(Strangers In The Night","Denim And
Leather" and "Crusader" but this was not one of their better shows.The band said on stage they
have been added to Download Festival and will
support Motorhead on their UK winter tour........
Def Leppard play a small club gig to launch their new album on May 6 at The Islington Academy..........................................
Friday 13 June Download Festival at Donington
gets better and better.The line up now includes
KISS + Judas Priest + Motorhead + Kid Rock.......
21 Apr 2008.Russian Rhapsody at The Grosvenor
House Hotel,Park Lane,London.One of the biggest
nights in the Russian calender.Over 700 here for this black tie event.Champers reception followed
by a 30 mins performance by The London Philharmonic Orchestra then a lovely 5 course
meal with herb roasted quail for the main course.
Faces here inc HRH The Duke Of Kent,Bryan Ferry,
top celeb hairdresser Nicky Clarke and trendy
jeweller Stephen Webster....and at midnight we
nipped over to the afterparty at The Roof Gardens,Kensington for a couple of hours.A very
posh night and very good........................
18 Apr 2008.Goldfrapp live at The Royal Festival Hall,London.Its a great start as there are some 20 people on stage dressed in white robes and clothing inc a 12 piece orchestra.The first half of the 85 mins is the mainly quieter tracks inc "A+E" and "You Never Know". They play a few from the new "Seventh Tree" album.Then everyone
gets up for "Number 1" and "Strict Machine".
Encores were "Ohh La La" where Alison looked and
sung like Marc Bolans lovechild then "Caravan
Girl" and "Clowns" before it went all very
Polyphonic Spree for the superb new single
"Happiness" with the choir singing and bodies a
swinging.The crowd at the front were all given
Kazoos to get in the party spirit.Alison was
superb all night on vocals.A great show..........
17 Apr 2008.James live at Shepherds Bush Empire,
London.James may not be the current flavour but their loyal fans sold this show out in one day.
James have quietly sold over 12 million albums.
Opening with a brilliant oldie "Born Of Frustration" the band played a two hour set which inc 8 or 9 tracks from new album "Hey Ma"
that went down well.Another gem "Come Home"
was great as Tim Booth wandered into the stalls to sing it.Any song the crowd knew the lyrics
for signalled a mass singalong inc "Shes A Star"
and "Tomorrow".Tim Booth still has that jerky
dancing style that i love.Encores were "Johnny
Yen","Upside Downside" and a mega "Sometimes".
Not as good as their greatest hits comeback gig
at Brixton last year but still very good.
James return for another UK tour later in the
year inc two shows at Brixton Academy............
16 Apr 2008.The Krak live at The Orchid Club,
Coventry Street, London W1.This was a lavish party to launch this new club that used to be called The CC Club.The freebie Mojito and Black Monk cocktails and canopes are flowing all night
to put everyone in the party mood.Celeb dj
Jodie Harsh is spinning the tracks and we have
up and coming band The Krak play live.They feature members of all girl band Suffrajets who
i saw a couple of times.The band are all really
enjoying themselves on stage.The 45 mins set is
a nice mix of indie ska .Tracks played inc "Dont
Stop","Madame Riviere" and "You Know I Know Best".Check out www.myspace.com/thekrak. The blonde female twins from the last Big Brother were here and it was a decent night..............
Mon 14 April sees the new release from Canadian Rock Legends Rush. A superb 27 track double
cd "Snakes And Arrows Live" recorded Oct 2007
from their Rotterdam show.Loads of great tracks
old and new on it inc "Workin' Them Angels",
"The Spirit Of Radio" and "Tom Sawyer".For a full
track listing and more info on the band check out
their website www.rush.com.......................
Phil from www.sex-pistols.net has done another
great feature on a classic Sex Pistols single.
Its "Pretty Vacant" with all the different
worldwide releases and sleeves.Check out the
New Zealand 7" of "Pretty Vacant".Top right is my
face from a 1976 Sex Pistols gig.................
14 Apr 2008.Bjork live at Hammersmith Apollo,
London.This was the first of three sell out shows at this venue from this Icelandic icon.
She last played the UK in 2003 i think.
The stage production is very impressinve as there
is loads of lasers every other song,flames,huge flags, plasma screens around the stage and a full
10 or 12 piece brass band in full colour outfits.
Bjork also included a couple of confetti showers.
Bjork is still amazing to look at as she skips
and twirls across the stage without shoes and with that amazing singing voice and the very cute and funny talking voice. The 90 mins set had a lot of tracks from the recent "Volta" album.Antony Hegarty joined her for "The Dull Flame Of Desire"."Army Of Me" was superb and
a tunes like "Jola" had the lasers to full effect.The uptempo songs nearer the end gave it
a dance rave feel and it was a good show.........
13 Apr 2008.The Who + Joan Armatrading + David Gray + Newton Faulkner live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.The acoustic finale of the TCT
shows at this venue.The four acts all played
short sets of 25 to 35 mins.Up first we have
Newton Faulkner.He has done well to have got a Top 10 album but he is sooooooooo boring.Next
up is David Gray who at least has some fun banter
between songs.His set inc "The One I Love" ,
"The Other Side" and "Babylon".Nice to see Joan
Armatrading has brought a full band and she
plays electric guitar and a few songs from her
last album that was blues based.She sneaks in a
couple of oldies at the end "Love And Affection"
and "Me Myself I".The Who(well Roger And Pete)
arrive on stage at a late 11.05pm which means
as its a sunday night people are leaving early
if they have tube connections.Some not even staying for any of The Whos set.They play six songs old and new in a 30 mins set "Lets See Action","Behind Blue Eyes","Two Thousand Years",
"Mike Post Theme","Wont Get Fooled Again" and
"Tea And Theatre".Always good to see this legendary band but they are better with a full
band.Overall an average kind of night............
12 Apr 2008.Muse live at The Royal Albert Hall,
London.No surprise this was the hottest ticket of
TCT week at this venue as Muse sold out two nights at Wembley Stadium last year and this is a now a small gig for them.They bring a decent
stage show with them for the 95 mins set.Its
floor standing so the front is a squashed pit
with a great atmosphere just like Ace Frehley yesterday.Each song was greeted by huge cheers.
They were introduced by host Roger Daltrey.
They really rock out great as a band even though
i do not really like Matt Bellamys vocal style.
Tracks played inc "Take A Bow","Feeling Good",
"Fury And Bliss","Supermassive Black Hole".
About 20 giant white balloons dropped from the
ceiling then into "Time Is Running Out" and encores "Meglomania" with Matt playing the venues
giant organ behind the stage then a super "Plug In Baby" and then the last song a very rocking
"Knights Of Cydonia" was great.Very good.........
11 Apr 2008.Ace Frehley + Tygertailz live at
The Astoria,London.The support are very happy
to be supporting one of their heroes.They finish
off with "Love Bomb Baby" but are still a bit
third rate rock.Being a massive KISS fan this show was a big deal for me and loads of other
KISS fans who have come from all over Europe
for Ace Frehleys first London solo show for 20 years.I was at that Hammersmith Odeon show in 1988.A great mix of solo material and KISS classics in the 1 hour 45 mins set.It was nice and loud and Ace had a rocking band half his age behind him.His trademark guitar stance and sunburst gibson les paul guitar are intact as he
tears into "Rip It Out","Parasite","Snowblind",
"Into The Void" then he brings his flashing guitar out for a superb "New York Groove" then its mega versions of "2000 Man" and "Shock
Me" with smoke coming out of his guitar.Encores
feat three KISS classics that left me with
tingles down my spine and a tear in my eye
"Deuce","Love Gun" and "Cold Gin" .What a really
fantastic return from this rock legend.Ace
has been added to the Download Festival in June
that KISS are headlining so perhaps he may come on for a couple of songs with them??.............
10 Apr 2008.Paul Weller live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.7pm to 8.30pm Ended up missing support act Duffy as i overstayed at a book launch that was much better than expected that was held at the very posh Hotel Intercontinental off Park Lane, Mayfair. Cocktails,champers and tasty treats are flowing for this very posh crowd who surprisingly inc singer
James Blunt and Nick Mason (Pink Floyd).The book
by model turned socialite Lisa B is called
"Lifestyle Essentials".She has also dabbled in
music and sang on Malcolm McClarens track
"Somethings Jumping In My Shirt" .....then off to
RAH where Roger Daltrey introduces Paul Weller who is joined by Ocean Colour Scene mate
Steve Cradock for a 90 mins acoustic set that
featured loads of rarities and b sides for his many loyal fans.Setlist inc "Sweet Pea,My Sweet
Pea","All On A Misty Morning","Wings Of Speed",
"Liza Radley" then a superb "Butterfly Collector"
then "Shadow Of The Sun".The end of the set
only got mild applause probably due to the
lack of better known tracks.Encores were good
"I Wanna Make It Alright","Come On Lets Go".
and brilliant versions of "You Do Something To Me" and "Thats Entertainment".So a good show but
i prefer him with a full band....................
09 Apr 2008.Noel Fielding and guests at The
Royal Albert Hall,London.Stand up comedy night
at The RAH.Two sets lasting about 70 mins each.
The first set was hosted by Noel who introduced
4 or 5 acts who varied from boring to good but
really tonight everyone is here for Noel Fielding.I have told this story before.About 10 years ago i used to work with Noels dad so i saw some of Noels early pub gigs to 20 people but in the last 2 or 3 years since Noel and The Mighty Boosh have been on BBC tv he has become one of the hottest and biggest comedy acts out there.The second set started with Razorlight playing two songs "Fall To Pieces" and "America" then Noel did a full hour of great surreal stand up comedy for his loyal fans.The evening finished with the first ever performance of The Mighty Boosh Band playing 3 songs of electro madness that went down a storm. With his rock star looks and persona i can easily see them have an album out soon.A very good evening.
The Mighty Boosh winter tour includes a staggering 6 nights at Brixton Academy and 2
nights at Wembley Arena.See you there for sure.
See aftershow page for this event................
The Sex Pistols live at Brixton Academy dvd
"They'll Always Be An England" complete with
interviews with the band is out on Mon June 16
and there is rumours of a big screen premiere as
the date coincides with The Pistols playing the
Isle Of Wight Festival on 14 June 2008..........
08 Apr 2008.Madness live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.This was the first of the six shows
here for the annual Teenage Cancer Trust Charity.
I first saw Madness in those great ska days of
the late 1970s/ early 1980s and they are always
a superb live band.You cannot keep still or sit down to Madness.Loads of hits in the 80 mins set
inc "One Step Beyond","Embarrassment","The Prince","My Girl","Bed And Breakfast Man" then a
couple of new tracks then more gems inc "House Of Fun","Wings Of A Dove","Baggy Trousers",
"Our House","It Must Be Love" and encores of
"Madness" and "Night Boat To Cairo".So much fun
in those lyrics and always a pukka night out.
Rumours that ska legends the Specials will reform with original members for live dates......
07 Apr 2008.Launch party for The End Of Summer
Berkeley Square Ball 2008 at Nobu,Berkeley Street,London.This is one of the top eating places in London and the cocktails and tasty food
are flowing nicely.The main event takes place on
25 Sept 2008 with a 3 course meal along with
djs,live acts and some celebs.James Brown played
his last ever UK show there in 2006 and Tony Hadley Band played there last year.Faces here inc
Vince Power who is promoting it along with Eddie
Jordan ex Formula 1 boss,Radio 1 dj Edith Bowman,
actor Damien Lewis and amazingly Formula 1 driver
Jenson Button was here a mere 24 hours after racing in the Bahrain Grand Prix yesterday.
Tickets are £600 plus vat but profits go to The
Princes Trust charity.www.bsquareb.co.uk.........
06 Apr 2008.Launch party for the new Jack The
Ripper Experience at The London Dungeon,Tooley
Street,London.I must admit i love the history of
London over the years.This addition here tells the story of this legendary figure.The staff do a superb job of dressing up and really getting
into their parts with a perfect mix of historical
facts and theories alongside humour and entertaining the crowd.Yes they still have
people jumping out of the darkness as you walk
through.The sights and sounds are all here too.
Whether you are a tourist or a Londoner its always great to come here for a couple of hours.
Also here enoying it were some of the young chaps from Harry Potter,Skins and Eastenders.
Staff were giving out free booze and food before
and after the tour and a nice goody bag too.
For info and to buy tickets check their website
www.thedungeons.com..............................
05 Apr 2008. The Eagles live at The 02 Arena,
London.This was the last night of their five shows at this venue and the last night of their
european tour.It was the third time i had seen them on this tour.Again from the start the overall sound is perfect and the harmonies just
superb.Again on stage for 2 hours 45 mins over
two sets.Loads of great songs with highlights
inc "Hotel California","Lyin Eyes","The Boys Of Summer","In The City", "Take It To The Limit","One Of These Nights", a mega version of "Lifes Been Good" with Joe Walsh on top form.Also great was "Dirty Laundry", "Life in The Fast Lane" and encores of "Take It Easy" and
"Desperado".Sadly no "Rocky Mountain Way " like
there was on the first night i saw them but still
just an excellent total quality live show.
We were sitting right of stage next to Gary
Brooker fresh from last weeks court ruling
where he retains all rights to "A Whiter Shade
Of Pale" and dj legend Nicky Horne who is now with digital station Planet Rock.................
04 Apr 2008.Beach Boys live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.The band were on stage a lengthy
2 hours 30 mins over two sets of 70 mins and 80
mins.The first set was mainly lesser known songs
about girls,cars,surfin and having fun and the second set was mainly the well known songs about
girls,cars,surfin and having fun.The band said they never do long sets like this in America as the crowds there only want the hits.Its not as
good as seeing Brian Wilson but there are so many
great tunes even though Mike Love does not put much effort into it and lets the backing guys
sing a lot of them.We have a great view in fourth
row from stage for gems inc "California Girls",
"Sloop John B","Sail On Sailor","In My Room",
"Disney Girls","God Only Knows","Help Me Rhonda",
"Barbara Ann","Wouldnt It Be Nice" and encores
"Good Vibrations" and "Fun Fun Fun".A nice party
atmosphere and a good show.......................
03 Apr 2008.Ali Campbell And Friends live at The
Royal Albert Hall,London.A big London show for
Ali who left UB40 in Jan 2008 after 28 years.
He is promoting his solo album "Running Free".
The show was filmed for future dvd release.
He promised a few special guests too but the
main ones Smokey Robinson and Mick Hucknell
failed to appear but a few did turn up .The loyal UB40 fans were up and dancing from the start to the gentle pop reggae.The 1 hour 45 mins set had a nice mix of solo stuff and UB40 hits inc "Homely Girl","I Got You Babe" with
Kim Wilde,"Baby Come Back" with Pato Banton,
"Running Free" with Beverley Knight,"Would I
Lie To You" with Bitty McLean. Sly and Robbie
played a few songs on bass and drums too."Hold
Me Tight","I'll Be Standing By" with Lemar,
"Too Many Rivers To Cross","Kingston
Town","Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic","Please Dont Make Me Cry","Cant Help Falling In Love","Red Red Wine" and encores inc
"I'll Be On My Way".An enjoyable show............
After the show we went over to The Music
Week Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel for
a couple of hours for drinks.Caught a couple of
the industry awards inc Tony Wadsworth ex EMI
who got the lifetime achievement.Many people here
i know and a few faces inc Harvey Goldsmith,
KT Tunstall,Nicky Tesco(The Members).............
02 Apr 2008.Rolling Stones premiere of their new
film "Shine A Light" directed by Martin Scorsese
in Leicester Square,London.7pm Get to the Odeon
where the premiere is being held.Its a full scale
event to match any other Hollywood release with
police,security,barriers and hordes of
photographers and onlookers.We see all of the
four Rolling Stones go in as well as all of
Oasis (except Noel).Also Phil Manzernera,
dj David Jenson and old school rock dj Krusher
and probably missed a few more.Then 7.45pm
we headed to the Vue cinema 50 yards away which was one of the 100 cinemas showing it tonight.
The two hour film was really good.Most of the
footage is from New York Beacon Theatre 2006
which looks like a great place to watch a band.
A great selection of old and rare songs.Mixed in with neat footage from over the past 40 odd
years with some very funny moments.Its always great to see a music film or dvd on the big screen as the sound is perfect and the crowd here are even singing and clapping along.The
film rolls out properly on 11 April 2008 and its a must see film for any Rolling Stones fan.
Everyone got a special Rolling Stones "Shine A Light" free promo t shirt........................
The Morrissey show at Hyde Park Wireless Fest on
04 july 2008 is shaping up nicely as supports
inc Beck,Siouxsie and The New York Dolls.......
The B52s have a announced a short UK tour inc
a show at The Camden Roundhouse on 24 July 2008..
................... Stranglers fans are signing a
petition for band member Jet Black to be honoured for reaching the amazing age of 70 this August. http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/JetBlack/.....
The best Sex Pistols tribute band Sex Pistols
Experience play The 100 Club on April 24 and play
a special gig on the River Thames on Sat 7 June.
See www.sexpistolsexperience.co.uk...............
Posted 4th May 2008
