Ray's Gigs

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Sunday 19 March 2023.

Sunday 19 March 2023. MORRISSEY live at Hammersmith Apollo. Moz plays his only UK show on his seven date European Tour. I never saw The Smiths live as i was always working front stage security at Hammersmith Odeon during the 1980s , but have seen Morrissey solo around a dozen times. Needless to say , that i am really looking forward to seeing this show. Morrissey fans are meeting up at Beluhshis Bar on Hammersmith Broadway before and after the show. Gig tickets on the expensive side tonight as stalls standing were £75 and circle seats were £100 and £75. ------------------ Folks are handing PETA leaflets all over the front of the venue. My security chums told me 33 hardcore Morrissey fans had camped out overnight under the flyover, to get the front row stalls standing positions when the doors open. Folks have come from all around the country for his only UK show on this tour. The merch stands are doing a roaring trade. The show is completely rammed sold out by the time Morrissey comes on stage. Lots of the fans have Moz hairstyles and his style of clothing. BOY GEORGE is sitting in the front circle seating. From 8pm to 8.30pm we have a big screen showing a film of some of Morrissey's fave videos which included two of his fave bands - The Sex Pistols and The New York Dolls. I did not go to any shows on his last UK tour, but i think this film was also used then. MORRISSEY arrived on stage at 8.35pm and played for 85 mins. He introduced the show with the words "Happy Mothers Day" (Morrissey recently lost his own mum). His top notch band sounded great as usual. The big screen remained, to show pre-recorded images. Chants of "Morrissey, Morrissey, Morrissey" ring out throughout the evening. The front stalls standing is a heaving mess of bodies. Lots of classic tracks played along with a couple of new tracks from his upcoming album. A few oldies from The Smiths played, and 'Everyday is like Sunday' was totally mega. As usual he muttered away between songs. He never seems to play for than 90 mins and tonight Morrissey was on stage for only 85 mins, which seems short for someone with 40 years of material, but there were 20 songs played. As usual the encore was pretty crazy as Morrissey fans tried to get on stage (some did), to shake his hand or give him a cuddle , but he had two personal security on stage sorting that out. Moz then threw his Smiths t-shirt that he was wearing into the crowd. A great show. Full MORRISSEY setlist played tonight... Our Frank Alma Matters Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before (The Smiths song) Irish Blood, English Heart I Wish You Lonely Jim Jim Falls I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris Sure Enough, the Telephone Rings Istanbul Girlfriend in a Coma (The Smiths song) Everyday Is Like Sunday Knockabout World The Loop The Night Pop Dropped Without Music the World Dies Half a Person ( The Smiths song) Trouble Loves Me Suedehead Jack the Ripper Encore: Sweet and Tender Hooligan (The Smiths song) -------------------------------- -------------------------------- Saturday 18 March 2023...I went to two events tonight... 6pm to 8pm FLAT IRON - press preview - 9 Young Street, Kensimgton, London W8. Kensington residents on the lookout for a decent steakhouse now have the arrival of Flat Iron. Everyone's favourite budget steak restaurant has opened up a 90-seat restaurant on Young Street, just off Kensington High Street. As per their usual operating model, it'll all be about their titular Flat Iron steak which, right now, is on sale for £13. In addition to that steak, there will also be a "rotating board of beef specials" so you can look out for sirloin, bavette and also the odd burger special. On top of that, sides will include crispy bone marrow garlic mash, truffled macaroni cheese, creamed spinach, and beef dripping chips. A pretty basic menu here which features steak, beef, wagu as mains choices and several side dishes. For desserts that is only ice-cream and that is free to all to take out in a cone or tub as you leave the venue. We had a Flat Iron steak each and a British F1 Wagu Flank to share and half a dozen side dishes to share. Great music over the house sound system included The Who, The Rolling Stones and The Sex Pistols. The food was delicious and the staff were great. Visit their website www.flatironsteak.co.uk for locations and menu. ---------- then THE SKIDS live at The 100 Club. The Skids play the second of two sold out pronto shows at this iconic club venue. I have seen these great Scottish punk legends around a dozen times, which included seven times during their heyday period of 1979 to 1981. Skids,Dole Marquee Club, London 28.03.1979 Skids,Angelic Upstarts Lyceum Theatre, London 03.06.1979 Skids,Fingerprintz Rainbow Theatre, London 02.11.1979 Skids,Simple Minds,Pink Military Hammersmith Palais , London 26.08.1980 Skids,Ruts DC,Books Hammersmith Odeon, London 21.10.1980 Skids Hope And Anchor Pub, London 01.11.1980 Skids Venue , Victoria , London 10.02.1981 They had five Top 40 hits in the UK including one Top 10 which was 'Into The Valley' in 1979 ------- Nice to see a few friends here...including one who was filming the entire show. THE SKIDS arrived on stage at 9pm and played for 80 mins. The band, originally hailing from Dunfermline in Scotland put together some of the most memorable and recognisable tunes of the late 70s. Stuart Adamson, sadly, took his own life in 2001 which Richard Jobson reminded us of with a brief moment of reflection and a warm smile and humour. Bruce Watson and his son are now on guitar duties. Back in the day singer Richard Jobson would do his energetic dancing , and he is still doing it. Sweating buckets with a big smile, but these days he has a rest between songs for some charismatic banter, including rants on Leo Sayer keeping The Skids off the top of the charts, the age of the crowd tonight, the dodgy clothing he wore on TOTP back then, being 20 years clean....off drinking IRN-BRU. All the classic hits got the crowd dancing , and 'Into The Valley' sent the crowd into overdrive. When the band appears to have enjoyed it as much as the audience you know you’ve witnessed something special. An excellent show. Full SKIDS setlist played tonight... Charade Of One Skin Charles Destination Dusseldorf (track from upcoming new album) The Saints Are Coming Working for the Yankee Dollar Melancholy Soldiers Out of Town Masquerade Hurry On Boys Circus Games Into the Valley A Woman in Winter The Olympian TV Stars Complete Control (The Clash cover)