Tuesday 07 November 2023.

Tuesday 07 November 2023. CLOWN CORE live at The Forum. American masked duo perform electro- jazz metal tunes from their four albums. This was their only English show on their European Tour. --------- I was hoping for some weirdness , and i certainly got it. The show is not sold out as the balcony is half empty, but still impressive that they can sell 1200 tickets when nobody apart from their hardcore fans know their name. Several fans are wearing face masks or face paint . DJ DRIVER arrived on stage at 8.30pm for his 40 mins set. Kicking off the show was a DJ set from Clown Core associate DJ Driver. Unlike a majority of DJ sets, DJ Driver mainly sat in his chair, and pushed play on the laptop on the other chair, and stared blankly at the crowd .The music played during the set wasn't dancey or filled with familiar tunes; ambient music flowed throughout the venue, as concert attendees tried to get Driver's attention by waving and throwing up the heart symbol like they were attending a rave. A fan even gave Driver a £10 note which he gladly accepted. The crowd simply cheered every time Driver did something. After 40 minutes, Driver abruptly unplugged his device and walked off the stage ending his peculiar set. While a few fans got a handshake on his way out. CLOWN CORE arrived on stage at 9.30pm and played for a mere 50 mins. They have a nice big screen behind them mixing digital images with live footage. As the duo kicked off their set with "Three" inside a tent posing as a porta-potty, a bevy of phones were aimed at the stage in anticipation of the band's arrival. When the front of the tent came down, everyone erupted at the sight of the musical duo, who donned white outfits for the occasion. One plays drums and the other plays keyboards and sax. Seeing Clown Core live for many was like finally meeting that one internet friend you've connected with for years. The act went from a chaotic grindcore assault one minute to a jazzy section fit for a Kenny G record the next minute, and the crowd simply embraced the madness. The all instrumental tracks were short in length. Plenty of moshing in the front stalls standing. At the end of the encore , these words came up on the screen. PLEASE LEAVE - THANK YOU FOR YOUR MONEY. It certainly was a bonkers evening. ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Monday 06 November 2023. Mon 06 Nov and Tues 07 Nov and Wed 08 Nov - WORLD TRAVEL MARKET is held at Excel, East London. World Travel Market is a one-stop-shop for all things tourism, hospitality and travel. Hosted at its traditional venue ExCeL London, WTM 2023 will gather renowned tourism professionals globally from 6th to 8th November 2023. The trade show is a perfect opportunity for tourism businesses and travel providers to showcase the full range of tourism attractions, the latest travel technology and airlines. WTM 2023 attracts the biggest names in the industry and all related sectors. As the busiest trade fair in the travel area. ---------- I was there on the opening day - Monday 06 Nov from 1pm to 10.45pm. This is a truly massive event as 10,000 folks are due every day. North Wing is UK and Europe. South Wing is Rest of the World. Many of the countries have staff in national dress, and some are performing traditional dance showcases. Lots of big colourful digital screens all over all the venue. Certainly makes you want to book a holiday. Not just countries showcasing , but many hotels worldwide and UK excursions including Premier League stadium tours, Harry Potter, Disney and Mamma Mia! The Party at The 02 Complex. Lots of walking around and checking out different stands. Every hour many have complimentary drinks receptions. 2pm - Cuba - Cuban cocktails. 3pm - Chile - Chilean wines and Chilean food. 4pm - Taiwan - Taiwanese whiskey cocktails and sandwiches. They had a business card draw for a dozen prizes . I didn't win. They also gave out a goodie bag with a few items inside. 5pm - Guyana - rum cocktails and traditional bites. 6pm - Cendyn (hotel technologies) party at The Fox Pub - outside Excel...whiskey cocktails, prosecco, wines, beers and buffet including a huge plate of beer battered onion rings. 7.30pm - Hyatt Hotels next door for wines and beers. This was on its last legs so we didn't stay long. 8.15pm to 10.45pm - KOREA TOURISM WTM PARTY at HAWKSMOOR STEAKHOUSE, Wood Wharf, Canary Wharf. My first time on this lovely floating pavillion restaurant and bar. Complimentary Bekseju Korean cocktails, prosecco, wines, beers and at 10pm everyone was given a glass of champers to toast Korea....a DJ is playing tunes in the background. Different bowl foods including their Rib-Eye Steak Strips with triple-cooked chips. All guests got a goodie bag with a box of 50 Korean Ginseng Tea Bags.

Posted 7th November 2023