Tuesday 26 September 2023.

Tuesday 26 September 2023....I went to two events today... 5pm to 7.30pm. International Security Expo 2023 at Olympia, West London. The doors to International Security Expo 2023 opened today, with thousands of security professionals from across the global security sector discovering the latest innovations on the market, whilst getting unbeatable insights from world-renowned speakers. The Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MP, UK Minister of State for Security, made his second visit to the event, touring the exhibition and providing an inspiring keynote. Must be over 200 stands here, covering all types of security related needs , including cyber security. The Police and National Crime Agency have stands here. Security is needed everywhere these days, including concert venues, nightclubs, stores, buildings etc. I can remember NYE just gone where we went into McDonalds in The Strand, London at 4am. Incredibly they had FIVE security on duty due to the nature of the customers there at that time. All types of CCTV, scanning , barriers , bollards, X-Ray machines and much more. K4 security are here , who i have seen at concert venues and sporting events. From 5.30pm to 6.30pm there were complimentary wines and beers for over 500 folks. The downstairs bar had a DJ , and the upstairs bar had a covers band. From 6.35pm to 7.30pm was a short walk nearby to The Kensington Hilton Hotel. EGNYTE.COM were hosting a drinks reception - gin & tonics, wines and beers. I had a nice chat with one of their reps (Mike) who despite his young age is a lover of 60s and 70s music acts and has seen many of them in concert...both here and back home in USA. EGNYTE gives IT a single access point from which to monitor and control files wherever they’re stored. This means full audit capability and data protection for content at end points, in transit, and in storage. then RAYE live at The Royal Albert Hall. Following the success of her critically acclaimed debut album, 'My 21st Century Blues', RAYE has announced a special one-off show at The Royal Albert Hall. “An invitation to the show of my dreams, for one night only. The live album recording ‘One Night in London’ at The Royal Albert Hall on the 26th of September. Featuring a majestic orchestra and gospel choir accompaniment, performing my album back to front. Come and melt with me. Lots of Love, RAYE.” I saw Raye play a really good show at Shepherds Bush Empire in Nov 2021. ------- The venue including the upstairs gallery standing is totally sold out. It is stalls standing to create a better atmosphere. RAYE arrived on stage at 8.30pm and played for 1 hour 40 mins. An incredible 85 musicians on stage - 55 band & orchestra plus 30 in the choir. Earlier i saw the recording trucks outside the venue, and inside the venue there are multi-cameras filming the show, including a boom camera and zip-wire camera , both hovering over the floor standing. Raye became an independent artist in 2021 after signing with Polydor Records for seven years. The singer-songwriter from South London now has complete control over her artistic vision. The My 21st Century Blues- set was full of songs with raw and unfiltered lyricism, combined with her musical talent, reflecting the highs and lows of life. Raye does not shy away from tough topics in her music. She expresses that she feels liberated creatively, and it is the most content she has been in her career. Throughout the concert, Raye was incredibly humble, regularly thanking fans for their support, and her gratitude shone through. In a poignant moment during the performance of “Body Dysmorphia,” Raye stripped down to a white bra and briefs, showing her physical and emotional vulnerability. She sang about her struggles with her body and admitted that she really hates it. Raye remained in her underwear for “Ice Cream Man,” written about sexual harassment, was another hard-hitting song that resonated with the audience. The strings of the orchestra sounded fantastic throughout the show. A section on asking the crowd whose birthday it was tonight, was a bit drawn out, as she namechecked several members of the audience one by one. After 75 mins, the nice lasers kicked in. The encore was a highlight as it included The Royal Albert Hall organ playing with the orchestra , which was followed by her big hit 'Escapism', as Raye danced crazily barefoot. You can clearly see how Raye can slip into the void left by Amy Winehouse. A very enjoyable show. The day after in the press, there were five star reviews of this show in The Standard, The Telegraph and The Guardian. Full RAYE setlist played tonight.... Introduction. Oscar Winning Tears. Hard Out Here. The Thrill Is Gone. (with orchestral introduction) Five Star Hotels. Mary Jane. Environmental Anxiety. Body Dysmorphia.(Extended Intro) Ice Cream Man. Interlude (Orchestra and Band Interlude) Flip a Switch. Happy Birthday To You (sung to several audience members) Worth It. Black Mascara. Buss It Down. Encore: Orchestral Intermezzo featuring The Royal Albert Hall organ Escapism. Note: With the Heritage Orchestra and Gospel Choir conducted by Tom Richards -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Monday 25 September 2023...6pm to 10pm.... 197 CHISWICK FIRE STATION - showcase - 197 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, London W4. Previously an All Bar One, this reopened in April 2016 as a casual restaurant/bar concept operated by the same team who have three sister sites in other London "villages" including Ealing.There is a central bar with counter seating and an open kitchen. It's very much at the eating end of the gastropub spectrum, but you can still just sit at the bar and drink if you want to. There is one real ale, and various keg fonts for other draught beers. Fresh-cooked food includes breakfast seven days a week from 9 to 11.30. The courtyard has now been restored and refurbished to make an outdoor drinking and dining space until 7pm. Historic Interest... Former fire station. Imposing Victorian building c.1891. Fine detail on façade of upper floors. First fire station to have a hose tower. -------- Another venue that are having a Christmas showcase, and they have a Christmas tree set up for tonight. A lovely modern feel here, and good to see the open kitchen. A great location in the middle of Chiswick High Road. The event is at the rear of the venue, as paying punters are using the front area. My band Gun Control used to rehearse and play at The Roebuck pub down the road in the early 1980s. In fact the landlord use to let us leave our equipment ,including my drum kit upstairs. Lots of complimentary drinks and delicious food, including top notch Pina Coladas, along with Aperol Spritz, Prosecco, Wines, Peroni Beers and food including half size cheeseburgers, half size mushroom burgers, calamari, fish & chips, canapes and desserts. Very enjoyable here and well worth a visit or to book an event for up to 200 standing. The event was due to finish at 9pm , but several folks were here until 10pm.

Posted 26th September 2023