Thursday 28 September 2023.

Thursday 28 September 2023....I went to three events tonight... 6pm to 6.40pm HOFA GALLERY - private view - 11 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London W1. Pioneering London-based contemporary art gallery, HOFA, are pleased to announce the highly anticipated 2023 solo exhibition of South Korean abstract expressionist artist Ilhwa Kim, who from 29 September to 11 October will unveil new works in her living architecture series at the Gallery’s Bruton Street flagship. Titled Tactile Hands, the show will enthral viewers in the exquisite details of Kim's unique sculptural paintings, composed of tens of thousands of seed units. Each seed unit has a combination of straight lines and circles, which compose a tiny single universe. The Korean artist dyes each sheet of Hanji paper by hand with thousands of different colours cutting and rolling the layers of paper to make them rigid. It gives Kim an emotional bond with every single universe. Not a single universe has the same shape, look or colour in her work. Complimentary Charles de Fere champers for all guests. then 6.45pm 8.15pm BEVERLEY KNIGHT - album launch party - Terrace Bar, May Fair Hotel, Mayfair, London W1. Always nice to be at this cool five star hotel. Beverley Knight releases her latest studio album, titled 'The Fifth Chapter ' via Tag8/BMG. Relleased on 29 September 2023.....BBC Radio 2 have named it "album of the week'. I have seen Beverley Knight several times on stage , and she is often referred to as "The Queen of British Soul" and "The British Diana Ross". An intimate event as maybe just 40 or 50 guests here. BEVERLEY KNIGHT is here , along with Olympic Gold Medal Winner and tv presenter DENISE LEWIS. Beverley is in good spirits as she dances to the vinyl playback of her album. Beverley has announced a massive UK tour for 2023. Compimentary prosecco, wines, beers, bowl food and canapes for all guests. then PAUL CARRACK live at The Royal Albert Hall. I have seen Paul Carrack on stage around a dozen times over the years , solo and with others. The first time was in 1975 , when his band Ace supported Yes at QPRs Loftus Road Stadium. Also saw him when he was in Eric Claptons band. Carrack sang some of his affiliated bands' best-known hits, including Ace's "How Long" (1975); Squeeze's "Tempted" (1981); and Mike + The Mechanics' "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" (1985), "The Living Years" (1988) and "Over My Shoulder" (1995). He also performed lead vocals on tracks from the Roger Waters albums Radio K.A.O.S. (1987) and The Wall – Live in Berlin (1990). He has released nineteen solo albums and achieved a major hit of his own with "Don't Shed a Tear" (1988). Carrack's songs have been recorded by artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Eagles, Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Michael McDonald and Jools Holland,and he has served as a session and/or touring musician for Roxy Music, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, B.B. King, the Pretenders, the Smiths and Madness. ------- The venue is not sold out, but pretty full as maybe 95 % sold. Lots of older folks here as expected. PAUL CARRACK AND BAND arrived on stage at 8.55pm and played for 1 hour 45 mins. His band featured two drummers, one was his son. On a few songs he was backed by a superb 100 person choir who were sat in the choir seats. Paul's lovely clear vocals ticked along nicely for the opening tracks. Great to see Nick Lowe join him for a couple. Pauls big classics were played on the bounce near the end, so we had superb versions of 'The Living Years' , ' Tempted' , 'How Long' ( all the crowd stood up) and the encore of ' Over My Shoulder', which featured the support act orchestra. A great show. Full setlist played by PAUL CARRACK AND BAND tonight... Good and Ready Satisfy My Soul Life in a Bubble Eyes of Blue Shame on You, Shame on Me Bet Your Life Love Will Keep Us Alive (Eagles cover)( Paul Carrack co-wrote the song) ACOUSTIC SET Shelly's Winter Love (Merle Haggard cover) (with Nick Lowe) (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding (Brinsley Schwarz cover) (with Nick Lowe) That's All That Matters To Me Watching Over Me Life's Too Short BAND BACK ON One in a Million The Living Years (Mike + the Mechanics song) (with Choir) Tempted (Squeeze song) How Long (Ace song) Encore: Over My Shoulder (Mike + the Mechanics song) (with SWR Big Band) Trust In Me (Etta James cover) ------------------------------------------- ------------------–----------------------- Wednesday 27 September 2023. KYLIE MINOGUE live at Shepherds Bush Empire. Kylie plays an intimate gig to launch her new album 'Tension', released 22 Sept 2023. It is a free ticket via ballot only via The 02 phone network. 700 pairs of tickets for stalls standing, Level 2 and Level 3. Level 1 will be entirely for guests and press. Over 100,000 folks applied for tickets. I can remember seeing her at the same venue in 1998 , as part of a comeback tour, as Kylie had not toured for seven years. I have seen Kylie around a dozen times , and her arena shows have been top notch. Kylie has sold over 80 million records (albums and singles) worldwide. --------- As it is a 02 Priority phone network show , their staff are everywhere. They were giving out free cans of lager in the Level 1 area which was nice. Support act were female djs GIRL POWER LONDON jwho warmed the crowd up with classic pop hits. Several well known faces here , including GRAHAM NORTON, ALISON HAMMOND, LOUISE REDKNAPP, ELLIE GOULDING, RYLAN CLARK, GAIL PORTER, RICHARD ARNOLD along with lots of folks from her record company and tonights promoters Live Nation , including Download Festival main rep ANDY COPPING. KYLIE MINOGUE arrived on stage at 8.40pm and played for 80 mins. Kylie still looks amazing at the age of 55, and still has that lovable smile and stage banter. Kylie had three costume changes, and thankfully lots of best hits were played in the set. There is a raised platform for her band, and there are dancers and backing vocals for many songs. There is a big screen showing digital images. Half a dozen cameras dotted around the venue are filming it. A very lively atmosphere , as most folks were up and dancing from the start. Most of the setlist was very similiar to her BBC tv show from Leicester 10 days previously. The highlight was mega as Kylie performed 'Can't Get You Out of My Head' and 'All the Lovers'. A fantastic show. Full KYLIE setlist played tonight.... Spinning Around In Your Eyes On A Night Like This / Wow Tension Slow Story (Live debut) Say Something (acoustic version) Dancing Breathe Hold On to Now Love at First Sight The Loco-Motion (Carole King cover) Kids (Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue cover) Encore: Padam Padam Can't Get You Out of My Head All the Lovers ( with ticker-tape over the crowd)

Posted 28th September 2023