Ray's Gigs

Daily news and reviews of gigs bars clubs restaurants product launches films theatre fashion shows books art galleries hotels competitions interesting places to visit ...and much more!

Tuesday 30 August 2022.

Tuesday 30 August 2022. BRIGHT EYES live at Hammersmith Apollo. Bright Eyes was founded by singer-songwriter and guitarist Conor Oberst. The American indie-rockers have released ten studio albums since 1998. Over 9 million views on YouTube....Bright Eyes - First Day of My Life [Official Music Video] Oddly whenever i think of them words Bright Eyes , i always get reminded of that catchy hit by Art Garfunkel, which I ended up humming for most of the day. --------- The show is not sold out tonight, but very full inside. Support act PENELOPE ISLES & her band arrived on stage at 7.45pm for their 45 mins set. Some decent enough songs from her debut album that was released on the cool Bella Union label. BRIGHT EYES arrived onstage at 9pm and played for 1 hour 55 mins. The stage backdrop sign is that of the letters sign that you read at the opticians to test for glasses. For some songs there was a mini-orchestra used, so a dozen musicians on stage at times. The vocals could have been clearer , and there was too much mumbling stoner chat between songs. Weird pre-recorded sounds were used to start many songs. The songs ticked along ok, but only the first encore "First Day of My Life" stood out for me. Overall , the show was a bit of a letdown for me, but the crowd liked it. -------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- Monday 29 August 2022....1pm to 7.30pm... My first time going to both days of NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL for over a decade. Such an amazing unique atmosphere at the carnival. The big crowds and the noise are not for the faint hearted. Some areas you had one loud sound system in your left ear , and another in your right ear. We saw bits of the procession, and some of the incredible colourful costumes. The WRAY & NEPHEW sponsored stage had several acts playing short sets. SEAN PAUL arrived on stage at 5.45pm for a lively 20 mins hits set. He had two female dancers in bikinis, lights, fireworks and streamers in his show. Our AAA media passes were valid for the WRAY & NEPHEW bars dotted around the festival. We had half a dozen different cocktails to choose from , throughout the day. WRAY & NEPHEW rum is strong stuff as 63% , compared to most spirits of 40%. I did not see much trouble at all throughout the two days i was there , but Tuesday morning on the tv news, they said a 21 year old man had been stabbed to death Monday evening at carnival.