Ray's Gigs

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Wednesday 15 November 2023.

Wednesday 15 November 2023....Three events tonight for me. 5.30pm to 6.10pm. TOM FAULKNER - drinks reception - 28 Pimlico Road, Pimlico, London SW1. It's that time of year when the main shopping areas have street parties to celebrate their Christmas lights switch on. Pimlico Road is well known for top notch interior design. Celebrated British furniture designer, Tom Faulkner, designs and makes exquisite and distinctive furniture and accessories. Tom’s show-stopping pieces are loved worldwide – by private clients and professional interior designers alike, and his furniture is equally at home in either modern or traditional settings...Tom also has a store in New York. Complimentary English sparkling wines, mulled wine, nibbles and mince pies for around 100 guests then 6.20pm to 7pm. LONE DESIGN CLUB - drinks reception - 6 Motcomb Street, Belgravia London SE1. The store features a curation of over 30 innovative and up-and-coming brands, “handpicked to align with the theme, target demographic, and values shared by Lone Design Club and Grosvenor”. These include British designer brand Emily Carter, Australian brand Kina and Tam, and independent sustainable fashion brand How Pabissi. Complimentary drinks included three different cocktails in tins, so i sneaked in a couple at The Palladium gig after...and mulled wine....a DJ was playing tunes... then SUZI QUATRO live at The Palladium. Suzi is playing a five date UK tour. Suzi celebrates 50 years of her debut worldwide hit from 1973 'Can The Can'. Suzi will be showcasing her new album with KT Tunstall. I have seen Suzi live several times before. I saw Suzi play a great show at The Royal Albert Hall in April 2022. Suzi has sold over 50 million records (albums and singles) worldwide. In the summer of 1973, Suzi was one of the first musicians I ever saw live in person at a promo day at Brands Hatch. Suzi was quite a sight on Top Of The Pops to this 14 year old when she had her first big hits in 1973. Suzi recently released an eight album box set. -------------- I have a great stalls seat, just nine rows from the stage . BOY GEORGE is in the VIP box to my left. SUZI QUATRO and band were on stage for a nice long 2 hours 10 mins over two sets of 60 mins and 70 mins. Suzi is looking great for her 73 years and is holding her bass guitar which is nearly as tall as she is. Nine musicians on stage , including a three man brass section and two female backing singers. There is a big screen showing images of Suzi. Suzi has plenty of nice stage banter , and tells us the last time she played this venue was in 1999 when Michael Aspel surprised her with the 'This Is Your Life' red book. On how Mickie Most took her to London back in 1971. Suzi said she had put out six books, and mentioned her acting career and that great Suzi Q documentary. Great to see BOY GEORGE and GLEN MATLOCK join Suzi for a pukka version of 'Stumblin' In' In the second half Suzi changed into her trademark leather jump jump siti, and wiggled her bum to the crowd. The setlist was a perfect mix of her 1970s classic hits , more recent material and some great cover versions An excellent gig. See my Facebook page for photos and video. FIRST SET The Wild One I May Be Too Young Daytona Demon Tear Me Apart Shine a Light Stumblin' In ( with Boy George and Glen Matlock) 48 Crash No Soul/No Control The Devil In Me Slow Down ( Larry Williams cover) Rockin' in the Free World ( Neil Young cover) Can I Be Your Girl? SECOND SET Motor City Riders I Sold My Soul Today Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover) She's in Love With You Overload Too Big Glycerine Queen / Bass Solo / Bass Solo Can the Can Devil Gate Drive Encore: If You Can't Give Me Love Sweet Little Rock & Roller ( Chuck Berry cover) Encore 2: Desperado Eagles cover) 10.30pm to 11.30pm was the after-party in the circle bar. A small gathering of around 30 people. SUZI QUATRO turned up , but no sign of BOY GEORGE or GLEN MATLOCK who both came on stage for a song with Suzi earlier. A complimentary bar including spirits n mixers prosecco, wines and beers. --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- Tuesday 14 November 2023. HEAVEN 17 live at Shepherds Bush Empire. Heaven 17 head out on a very special celebratory tour to perform their acclaimed 1983 album The Luxury Gap. Hailing from Sheffield, Heaven 17 are one of the most important British post-punk bands. Their second album, The Luxury Gap, became an pop masterpiece that reached Number 4 in the charts and cemented Heaven 17 as one of the most important bands around. I have seen them live a few times before. Special guest for the tour will be club legend RUSTY EGAN (The Rich Kids ,Visage and others , and was at the forefront of the New Romantic Blitz Kids scene in the early 80s). ------------- Level 3 is pretty empty but the other levels look full. As expected most of the folks are in their 50s and 60s. RUSTY EGAN played some cool tunes to warm the crowd up , including OMD, Human League , Soft Cell, Joy Division, The Cure,Spandau Ballet Visage, David Bowie and Gary Numan. Rusty had a vinyl album on sale at the merch desk. HEAVEN 17 arrived on stage at 8.30pm for their 1 hour 55 mins. They had five on stage including two lots of synth keyboards and two female backing singers. Singer Glen Gregory is an excellent frontman who is constantly moving and engaging with the crowd, he seemed to be having a great time and that energy and enthusiasm really bridged the gap between the stage and the crowd. Glen gave a shout out to a loyal fan in the front row who has seen the band 229 times. Lots of great electro pop tunes played , with highlights including ' We Don't Need This Fascist Groove Thang ', ' Temptation' and the covers went down well with 'Dont You Want Me', ' Party Fears Two' and ' Let's Dance'. A really good show. Full HEAVEN 17 setlist played tonight... Introducing (The Human League cover) Crushed by the Wheels of Industry Key to the World Who'll Stop the Rain Come Live With Me Lady Ice and Mr Hex We Live So Fast The Best Kept Secret Let Me Go (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang I'm Your Money And That's No Lie Play to Win The Power of Love (Frankie Goes to Hollywood cover) (Glen solo acoustic) Don't You Want Me ( The Human League cover) (Glen solo acoustic) Penthouse and Pavement Temptation Encore: Party Fears Two (The Associates cover) Let's Dance ( David Bowie cover) Being Boiled ( The Human League cover)