Friday 31 March 2023.

Friday 31 March 2023. SPACE live at Islington Academy. Space had several x Top 40 hits in the UK, in their 1990s heyday, and two hit albums, 'Spiders' from 1996 which when to number 5 in the charts and 'Tin Planet' from 1998 which went to number 3 in the charts. They will be playing both these albums in full for this tour. I saw Space play live in 1998 and 2000. Support band is fellow Liverpudlians THE REAL PEOPLE. They had singles and albums that tickled the bottom of the charts, at the same time as Space. ----- Not sold out so maybe 400 or 500 folks here , as it has a 800 capacity. Last time i was here was four years ago for The Vive Le Rock Awards. Stranglers + Rich Kids + Suzi Quatro + Barrie Masters + Glen Matlock. I was also at the mega rock gig by KISS here in 2010. THE REAL PEOPLE arrived on stage at 7pm and played for 60 mins. They played some good catchy tracks. SPACE arrived on stage at 8.25pm and played for 95 mins. They played some good tunes , and their well known hits, including... Avenging Angels - reached number 6 in 1998 Female of the Species - reached number 14 in 1996 The Ballad of Tom Jones - reached number 4 in 1998 Neighbourhood - reached number 11 in 1996 An enjoyable show. It was an early start , early finish gig, as the venue turns into a club at 11pm on a Friday. ---------------------------- ---------------------------- Thursday 30 March 2023. SAM RYDER live at Hammersmith Apollo...as part of his UK tour... Sam Ryder is the former wedding singer and TikToker who revived the UK’s Eurovision fortunes. Sam Ryder’s debut album has entered the charts at number one in Dec 2022, outselling Christmas releases from Michael Bublé, SZA, Taylor Swift and Cliff Richard. The success of "There’s Nothing But Space, Man! " caps an extraordinary year for the 33-year-old from Essex, who said of his meteoric rise to fame: “I’ve spent the vast majority of my life working on building sites and singing at weddings.” Ryder was chosen to represent the UK at this year’s Eurovision after posting cover versions on TikTok which attracted millions of views during lockdown. Soaring anthem "Space Man", which showcased his operatic voice, came second in the competition, as an outpouring of public support helped Ukraine to victory. The song peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the highest-charting UK Eurovision entry since 1996. ------- The signage outside says sold out, and yes inside was a 5000 capacity stalls standing sold out show. A couple of faces here including rapper KSI and CHESNEY HAWKES. I chat to Chesney Hawkes about taking my two young boys to see him at this venue in 1991. Sam Ryder and Maneskin have proved you can have success after Eurovision. Lots of parents here with their teenagers, and not really your normal gigging crowd. The interval before Sam came on, had non-stop tunes from Abba. SAM RYDER arrived onstage cat 9.20pm and played for 85 mins. As soon as Sam comes on stage , you can feel the goodwill towards him. Sam arrives on stage wearing a sparkly boiler suit and his trademark long blond hair, he looked nothing short of a proper rock star. The stage presence and vocal range being reminiscent of Freddie Mercury and Adam Lambert.Completely illuminating the faces of everyone watching. The stage production had loads of lights, and confetti cannons are used a couple of times. Sam is backed by a four piece band, and Sam riffs out on guitar a few times. Lots of call and response like Freddie Mercury used to do. His album tracks ticked along ok, but the crowd got livelier for the cover versions. A good show, and the future looks bright for Sam Ryder. Full SAM RYDER setlist played tonight... Somebody Living Without You Put a Light On Me Tiny Riot Ten Tons Deep Blue Doubt All the Way Over Whirlwind Mountains This Time You've Got The Love (Florence + the Machine cover) ( 60 to 90 seconds Snippet) We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor Swift cover) (60 to 90 seconds Snippet) Misery Business (Paramore cover) (60 to 90 seconds Snippet) More Encore: Lost in You SPACE MAN

Posted 30th March 2023