2009-07-14
 

25 June 2009.Came out of the Chickenfoot gig to hear the shock news that Michael Jackson was dead.I was lucky enough to have seen him a few times in concert.I was at a couple of the shows on the incredible 1988 world tour that included a record seven nights at Wembley Stadium.The music lives on................................... Just done a nice interview with live music website www.songkick.com that should be up there week commencing 01 June 2009.Mainly talking about my highlights of being the Uks top gig goer(now over 5200 seen) and the changes good and bad from going to see gigs in the 1970s and now.. .....The Dave Matthews Band have their ninth studio album out on 01 June 2009 titled "Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King" which is dedicated to their saxophonist Leroi Moore who died in an accident in 2008.Its full of superb drumming anf funky Flea type R.H.C.P.bass. The single "Funny The Way It Is" is out on Mon 29 June 2009.They are huge in America with over 30 million albums sold and playing massive arenas and stadiums.This might be the album to crack them in the UK.Watch this interview and see them on tour inc Brixton Academy on June 25 and 26 and supporting Bruce Springsteen in Hyde Park on June 28. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5052066n ................................................. The winners of my 50th birthday competition to win a pair of tickets each for the 02 Arena's www.britishmusicexperience.com were Simon from Camden,NW London and Ian from Wallington,Surrey. Well done....................................... Alice Cooper plays a 10 date UK tour this winter with support from Man-Raze who feature Phil Collen(Def Leppard) guitar and Paul Cook (Sex Pistols)drums.They play Hammersmith Apollo on 06 Dec 2009................................... email me at ray@raysgigs.com.....new listings website www.wozzon.com have put my picture up as gig reviewer of the month.Full interview to come w/c Mon 04 May 2009.............................. On Wed 22 April 2009 The Hammersmith And Fulham freebie newspaper thats delivered to homes in Hammersmith,Fulham and Shepherds Bush did another nice half page article on www.raysgigs.com and do a great top 20 of the best gigs i have seen in the West London area.... http://www.thetakeaway.org/contributors/ray-morrisey/.This link will give you the 7 mins phone interview i did with BBC America which went out all over the States in Dec 2008.The UKs greatest gig goer and probably the worlds number one gig goer they called me..............The Mott The Hoople reunion shows at Hammersmith Apollo are now on for five nights.Oct 1,2,3,5,6......... Sunday Star Newspaper 01 March 2009 page 32 has at last printed the interview and photos i did with them over a month ago.Under the title "Rocks Giggest Fan".A nice full page with a big colour picture of me outside Hammersmith Apollo/Odeon and smaller ones of me with John Lydon and Steven Tyler.It mentions www.raysgigs.com and the current gig total(5126)and a few gig related stories.Only downside was they called me a "retired postie" when in fact i worked for Post Office Counters and have never delivered mail in the 22 years i was with them but i suppose it suits the article better...... go to google and type in Ray Morrissey or www.raysgigs.com to see my recent interviews with The BBC and The Independent................ It now looks certain the Rod Stewart And The Faces reunion tour will not happen this year as Rod Stewart is about to announce a UK and Europe Summer 2009 solo tour.Lets hope The Faces shows happen in 2010 or at least play a one off London show at the end of 2009..........one of the best club venues in London in the 1990s The Garage near Highbury And Islington tube finally reopens in June and The Godfathers play there on Fri 24 July 2009.Tix 14 quid advance............

 
 
2009-07-03
 

Fri sees Sex Pistol Glen Matlock play an acoustic show at Dirty South,162 Lee High Road, Lewisham.Tix 8 quid.............................. Sat sees Madonna play the first of two shows at The 02 Arena.......and Jeff Beck plays The Royal Albert Hall...................................... 02 July 2009.Blur + Foals live at Hyde Park,London.This was the first of two big shows here for the highly awaited Blur reunion.Some 45,000 punters a night means they are bigger now than in their Britpop heyday.Up first we have Foals who play a decent 50 mins of indie rock with tunes inc "Cassius" and "Electric Bloom". Blur were always cool as hell in the 1990s. They all look great.Loads of gems in their set lasting 2 hours 5 mins inc "Shes So High", "Girls And Boys" where Damon ventures in to the front of the crowd for the first of many times. Also "Tracy Jacks","Theres No Other Way" and a stunning "Tender" with the gospel vibe really coming across well.Also good was "Beetlebum", "Coffee And TV" and a brilliant "Country House". Also great was "Parklife" where they were joined by Phil Daniels.Then "End Of A Century" and "This Is A Low".The six song encore inc a mental "Song 2" and finally "The Universal". Graham Coxons subtle guitar was fab all night long and it was a very good show................. 01 July 2009.Take That live at Wembley Stadium,London.This was show number one of four at this venue for Take That.This is the biggest stadium tour EVER in the UK.Twenty outdoor shows to over a million people.Like Britneys its based on an album called "The Circus".They are the boy band next door who are now a man band that this mainly female crowd love.The size of the show is incredible.They take 238 yes 238 people on tour with them.Rumoured cost of 10 million quid. Its a two hour show that starts with jugglers,showgirls,clowns,trapeze acts,tightrope walkers etc putting on a ten minute display before the band arrive to play the first half a dozen songs on the B stage in the middle.Opening with "Greatest Day" was good.The next song "Hello" sung by Mark Owen was awful.More good ones inc "Could It Be Magic","Pray","A Million Love Songs" and "Back For Good".They then brought out a huge mechanical elephant which looked fantastic as it took the band back to the main stage."Shine" was good but then a few recent album tracks were back to the bland. The circus performers were used on most songs. Then "It Only Takes A Minute" had them on unicycles down the walkway."Never Forget" was great with all the crowd singing."Patience" was good."Relight My Fire" had flames galore. Encores of "Hold up A Light" and "Rule The World" and a huge fireworks display finished the show.Visually its a superb show even though some of the songs were a bit dodgy.................... 30 June 2009.Spinal Tap + The Folksmen live at Wembley Arena,London.It was billed as a "One Night Only World Tour" but they also played Glastonbury a couple of days ago.Up first we have The Folksmen who are Spinal Tap as folkies. Its a fun 25 mins set inc a cover of "Start Me Up".The venue is only three quarters full.High ticket prices of 50.00 and 42.50 seemed steep and kept some away.ST are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their rockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap" and the release of new album "Back From The Dead".On stage for 1 hour 40 mins it was good fun.Three big screens and the band can play too.Loads of Tap banter between songs.Set inc "Tonight Im Gonna Rock You Tonight","Back From The Dead","Listen To The Flower People","Hell Hole","Gimme Some Money","Saucy Jack" a very funky "Sex Farm" then "All The Way Home".Also "Diva Fever" and for their classic "Stonehenge" we had a 10 ft giant inflatable with a couple of dwarfs dancing around it.For a big finale of "Big Bottom" the band were joined by Keith Emerson(ELP) on keyboards and Andy Scott(Sweet) and Justin Hawkins on guitars along with 20 female dancers from the crowd.For the encore of "Heavy Duty" Keith Emerson stabbed his keyboard with a knife before pushing it over and then last song "Break Like The Wind".An enjoyable show................. 28 June 2009.Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band + Dave Matthews Band live at Hard Rock Calling,Hyde Park,London.Got to venue and had a nice freebie 3 course lunch in the Live Nation Experience tent.Its shaded and seated but not as rock n roll as the Hard Rock Cafe tent.Then in to main arena for The Dave Matthews Band who are massive in the States.Their recent album "Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King" went straight in at number one Stateside with first week sales of 424,000.Very impressive.They played "Down By The River", the new single "Funny The Way It Is" and "Why I Am".DM vocals were a bit boring at times but the bass and drums were fantastic as they kept a really neat funk rock vibe going....then The Boss hits the stage.Now age 59 he played just short of three hours(2hr 55mins) and was pure class.Stunning opening of "London Calling" by The Clash left me with a tear in my eye.Other gems played were "Badlands","Shes The One","Outlaw Pete","Out In The Street" which had his first venture into the front of the crowd. Also "Working On A Dream","No Surrender" he was joined by The Gaslight Anthem singer for that song.Also "Waiting On A Sunny Day","The Promised Land","Racing In The Street","Radio Nowhere", "Lonesome Day","The Rising",a mega "Born To Run" then "Rosalita".Encores were "Hard Times",a superb "Jungleland","American Land","Glory Days" and "Dancing In The Dark".A fantastic show.Bruce has more energy than most acts half his age. Spotted backstage were Nick Mason,Bill Wyman,Eddie Jordan and watching it from side of stage were Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. See aftershow page for this gig.................. 27 June 2009.Neil Young + Fleet Foxes live at Hard Rock Calling,Hyde Park,London.Day 2 of this outdoor event.The Killers last night and Bruce Springsteen tomorrow have a 45,000 sellout but not Neil Young but its still a big crowd.First i head for The Hard Rock Cafe Hospitalty Tent backstage.About 500 guests here.I have a yummy freebie three course meal with cocktails served by those great Hard Rock staff.There are music items over the walls and on the floor is a Peter Criss-KISS drum kit.Venue is covered so its a perfect retreat if its too hot or rainy.Very nice.Fleet Foxes from Seattle are an ideal support for Neil Young.They were both at Glastonbury yesterday.A 60 mins set of sweet gentle harmonies from their debut album inc goodies like "Your Protector" and "White Winter Hymnal"....then Neil Young and band play a great two hour 5 mins show.Lots of neat guitar playing, brilliant lyrics and his unigue voice.Set inc "Hey Hey My My(Into The Black),"Words","Cinnamon Girl","Mother Earth" stunning versions of "The Needle And The Damage Done","Heart Of Gold,"Old Man","Down By The River" and "Rockin In The Free World".For the encore of Beatles cover "A Day In The Life" the place went bonkers as Paul McCartney joined him.A very good show.Went back after to Hard Rock Cafe hospitality for a couple of drinks and wait for the crowd to disperse..... 26 June 2009.AC/DC live at Wembley Stadium, London.The main support was due to be Thin Lizzy who i was looking forward to seeing but they were replaced by The Subways.Seen them before so missed them this time.AC/DC back in London on their "Black Ice" world tour.I saw them three times indoors in April.Its pretty much the same show and setlist.The opening of "Rock n Roll Train" has the train bursting through the back. Loads of rock classics like before inc "Back In Black".There is a walkway down the middle that Brian Johnson and Angus Young use well.To see the floor go mental is great but i preferred the indoors shows to here as at the 02 Arena i was only 20 yards from the band.The first half of the show is in daylight and the second half of the 2 hours 5 mins set has the full lightshow when it gets darker.Too many great rock songs to list but you know them all anyway."You Shook Me All Night Long","TNT","Let There Be Rock" etc.Angus played a fantastic solo spot on the second stage in the middle of the floor standing with the sweat pouring off him as he gave 110%.Stunning encores of "Highway To Hell" and the cannons blasting away for "For Those About To Rock(We Salute You)and then a full fireworks display.Another classic AC/DC show............... 25 June 2009.Went to two good events tonight. 7.15pm to 8.15pm i was at the launch of the Tesla Car Showroom in Cheval Place, Knightsbridge,London.Freebie champers and canopes flowing in this great location in a mews over the road from Harrods.Tesla is an American Electric Car company.Amazing downstairs space that they turmed into a disco bar area with djs......then off to see Chickenfoot live at The Shepherds Bush Empire,London.One off UK show on their debut European Tour for this supergroup.Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony were in Van Halen.Also here Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers and guitarist Joe Satriani.A great atmosphere with over 20 photographers in the photo pit and the band have brought all their wives and girlfriends over who are in the balcony.The band have only played around a dozen shows to promote their debut album.Saw the guys from Thunder here.The 1 hour 45 mins set mainly focused on the new album tracks inc "Avenida Revolution","Soap On A Rope","Sexy Little Thing","Down The Drain","Learning To Crawl","Get It Up", and "Future In The Past".Really great to see Van Halen members on a UK stage again.A rock sound with a slight funk edge.Sammy on great vocals and the band all in party mode.Stunning encores of "Bad Motor Scooter" by Montrose and "Highway Star" by Deep Purple.At the end Chad pushed his drumkit over and then threw a tom tom drum up in the air that landed on Sammy Hagars head.Could have been nasty but Sammy laughed it off.A great show...................... 24 June 2009.Went to two good events tonight.First 6.45pm to 8.15pm was the press launch for Agent Provocateur "Soiree" lingerie at 154 Clerkenwell Road,London WC1.Freebie cocktails,champers and canopes on the roof terrace bar which was great then downstairs for the fashion.Seven models in amazing underwear wearing two outfits each."Kinky Couture"is what they call it.You can see why AP have been such a major success the past 15 years.Its in the shops from Nov 2009....then off to see UFO play The Shepherds Bush Empire,London.They were massive in the late 70s and early 80s but have gone off the radar a bit.All old blokes in the crowd aged 40 plus.Still have three original members but of course not as good as back in the day.Some new tracks from recent album "The Visitor" then loads of great gems from the old days inc "Mother Mary","Baby Blue","Only You Can Rock Me","Love To Love","Lights Out","Too Hot To Handle","Rock Bottom" and encores of "Doctor Doctor" and "Shoot Shoot".I really enjoyed the 1 hour 40 mins set although singer Phil Mogg in a kilt and desert boots looked odd................. 23 June 2009.7pm to 10pm was the launch party for Spaghetti House at Westfield Shopping Centre, Shepherds Bush,London.Only ten mins walk from home for me up at the massive new shopping and eating complex that opened nine months ago. Some 200 or 300 people here overall i reckon. Hidden away up in the Loft area(2nd floor).Loads of yummy fresh Italian food here.Over a dozen dishes for us to taste.Washed down by great Boretti Italian beer.Tastefully decorated too.Well worth a visit if you go shopping here or on the way to a gig at The Shepherds Bush Empire which is five mins away.For more info check www.spaghettihouse.co.uk................... 22 June 2009.Seasons India Fashion Show Party At The Dorchester Hotel,Park Lane,London W1.7.15pm to 11.15pm.Always nice to be at this top five star hotel.About 500 people here standing inc Sir Philip Green and Jade Jagger.Lots of lovely looking glammed up women.I feel a bit underdressed.The freebie cocktails,champers and Indian food and sweets are flowing all night.Great in these credit crunch times some people can spend heaps like this event.Drinks reception then a female bangra dance display then an excellent fashion show from the likes of Rocky S and others,then an auction of 15 luxury lots for a childrens charity and then djs for the last hour.An excellent Monday night event. See www.seasonsindia.com for more info.......... 20 and 21 June 2009.Two F1 events at the weekend. Sat was 8pm to 3am.Kid Creole And The Coconuts + Mica Paris + Eddie And The Robbers live at The Formula 1 TW Steel Watches Grand Prix Ball At Boycott Manor,Stowe.(about 50 miles north of London).About 350 people here in the grounds of this lovely country house.Most have paid 400 quid to be here.First a drinks reception on the lawn.Then a three course dinner inside.Singer Mica Paris did a decent 30 mins set with some dancers behind her.Then it was the TW Steel girls in swimwear designed by Caprice who was here...Then Kid Creole And The Cocunuts played a great 45 mins set.Singer August Darnell is dapper as usual.All his early 1980s hits like "Im A Wonderful Thing Baby","No Fish Today","Annie Im Not Your Daddy" and "Stool Pigeon"....then Rddie Jordan and his covers band played a few songs to keep everyone happy inc "Pump It Up","Beds Are Burning","Mony Mony" etc. Then a dj until 3am.Needless to say over six hours of free booze took its toll.Slept in the car for a few hours before heading to Silverstone which was only 15 mins away.A great party.......Sun was The Formula 1 Grand Prix At Silverstone with The Counterfeit Stones playing the afterparty in the middle of the circuit.Got in 9am for the pre race stuff.Great to see 100 helicopters landing and taking off.Some races on the track before and after the main event.A great air display by the Red Arrows and later a Eurofighter Typhoon Jet.The main race was 1pm for 90 mins.The noise of the cars is incredible. Much louder than any band.At 5pm over to the stage in the middle of the track.All the drivers inc Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button come on stage and saw a few words.Eddie And The Robbers play again for 30 mins set.Then Counterfeit Stones play a 60 mins of Stones hits.A good party band in the sunshine for about 5000 people. Set inc "Brown Suger","Paint It Black","Honky Tonk Woman","Start Me Up" and loads more.It was all over about 8pm and i was whacked............ 19 June 2009.Pet Shop Boys + Frankmusic live at The 02 Arena,London.A big gig for PSB on the back of getting The Outstanding Achievement Award at The BRIT Awards in Feb 2009.They are promoting recent album "Yes".Up first we have electro pop bandwagon jumpers Frankmusic.They have been pushed loads by their record company with supports on this tour and the recent Keane arena tour but their 30 mins set was average at best.As expected lots of gay men here for PSB 95 mins set.They have four arty dancers with them along with costume changes and neat graphics on the screen behind them.No sign of a band so i presume its backing tracks via the computer.Lots of disco pop gems tonight inc "Love Comes Quickly","Love Etc" which is the great single off the recent album,"Go West","Always On My Mind","Left To My Own Devices" and superb versions of "Suburbia" and "Its A Sin" which finished with glitter cannons. Encores of "Being Boring" and of course "West End Girls" sealed a good show.................... 18 June 2009.Had a superb full day out today. Noon to 6.30pm i was at Royal Ascot Ladies Day Horseracing.A massive crowd of over 40,000 with thousands in various hospitality areas.Its a great event that dates back to 1711.We had a two course lunch overlooking the course with drinks all day.At 2pm the Queen arrives on the course and there were six races.Afternoon tea/coffee and sarnies and at 6pm there is a mass sing song in the band pavillion.Lots of ladies in great hats and all dressed up.Not one dared to wear jeans or trousers today......then back into town 9pm to 1am for The Ralph Lauren/Sony Ericcson Pre Wimbledon Tennis Party at The Roof Gardens,Kensington,London.Annual bash that really is a top event.A big crowd of 700 or so in this fantastic rooftop venue with freebie cocktails,food and djs all night.Also here was Sir Richard Branson(he owns the venue) and his kids Holly and Sam.Loads of mainly female tennis players including Venus and Serena Williams.I also saw Kelly Rowland and a nice surprise to see Peter Gabriel who was very nice and very chatty.He is spending more time in London these days rather than Bath.Princess Beatrice also here.Great party................................. 16 June 2009.7.30pm to 11.30pm.Launch party for The Bathhouse,8 Bishopsgate Churchyard,London EC2.Time to take a night off from music as just done nine gigs and The MOJO Awards in the last ten days.Restored Turkish bathhouse that was originally built in 1897.Only three minutes from Liverpool Street Station.It still has loads of great original features.All the trendy fashion crowd are here.Lively and busy with djs playing. Lots of freebie cocktails all night.Good fun. See www.thebathhousevenue.com.................... 15 June 2009.Kings Of Leon + Glasvegas live at The 02 Arena,London.First of three shows at this venue(also June 16 and June 30)on KOLs massive year long world tour to promote the "Only By The Night" album that has now sold over 3m copies. Up first we have Glasvegas who are a great band but their sound is not suited to to this crowd. The 45 mins set inc brilliant versions of "Geraldine" and "Daddys Gone" but when they finished they only got some mild applause.The UK cannot get enough of The Kings Of Leon.The stage production is massive with great use of all the lights and screens.The 1 hour 45 mins set was really good even though they still have lots of average songs.Opening up with "Be Somebody" and later great versions of "Mollys Chambers","Sex On Fire" and "Use Somebody" with all the beered up crowd singing loudly.They really are a band at the right place at the right time............ 13 June/14 June 2009.Download Festival at Donington Park,Derbyshire.Sat was Day 2 with Slipknot + Marilyn Manson + Pendulum + Manraze.Sun sees the best day of "classic rock" for years on Day 3 with Def Leppard + Whitesnake + ZZ Top + Journey + Black Stone Cherry + Tesla + Stone Gods.Huge crowd of over 60,000 per day and lovely sunshine on both days.I catch the Manraze on the third stage from the front row. Phil Collen is shirtless from the start.Great to see Sex Pistol Paul Cook on drums.For the 30 mins set they tick along nicely with good versions of "Turn It Up","Spinning Out","Skin Crawl","Its Entertainment","Youre So Wrong" and a cover of "Search And Destroy"....then to the main stage to see Pendulum.I have never seen them before and i was really looking forward to it.They were well known as drum and bass djs before getting a touring band behind them to give it an aggressive rock sound and like The Prodigy the rock crowd love them.For the entire 60 mins it was everyone dancing.An amazing set. Messed up drum and bass with bits of Prodigy and Linkin Park on the rock side.Their DVD "Live At Brixton Academy" comes out this week.Maybe it was the sunshine but on the Saturday it was the day for girls getting their tits out for the camera on the big screens.All day long they were flashing them to rounds of cheers from the males. Marilyn Manson usually puts on a good show but today was poor.He looked bloated and tired and there was no stage gimmicks to back him up. "Disposable Teens" and "The Dope Show" were ok. He had two assistants coming on stage at the end of each song to wipe him down,apply make up and give him oxygen.Totally naff.His 65 mins set finished with "These Dreams(Are Made Of This)" and "The Beaufiful People" but it was too little too late...Then headliners Slipknot who bring their full monty stage production with them for their 95 mins set.Nine members on stage in masks with flames,explosions,elevating drumkits and a tilting drumkit.The crowd went mental for the show.They have been going for ten years now. As part of their "All Hope Is Gone" world tour. At the end they play "People = Shit" and the crowd love it....On the Sunday i am in early as Stone Gods come on at 11am.A 25 mins set of catchy rockers....then Tesla play a 30 mins set. Great to see them but they simply do not have the quality tunes that the bands later on have....Black Stone Cherry have had a great 12 minths where they can now headline Brixton and Hammersmith.Their American rock goes down well. ...Journey play a 45 mins set and are superb. The melodies and catchy tunes are great as is their brilliant little singer and some great guitar playing.Set inc gems "Ask The Lonely","Wheel In The Sky","Dont Stop Believing" and the crowd all singing "Faithfully".... then it was ZZ Top who played for 70 mins with loads of Texan blues boogie.Loads of great guitars and great guitar playing from Billy Gibbons.Tunes played "Got Me Under Pressure","Pin Cushion","Cheap Sunglasses","Gimme All Your Loving","Sharp Dressed Man","Legs" and "Tush"....then Whitesnake who play a 90 mins set.David Coverdale looks and sounds like a proper rock star.Loads of great tunes inc "Love Aint No Stranger","Is This Love?",then ten mins of guitar solos,"Aint No Love In The Heart Of The City","Give Me All Your Love" "Here I Go Again" and "Still Of The Night".................. then headliners Def Leppard who play a full 1 hour 45 mins set and are the only band to have a screen behind them on top of the two side screens.They were fantastic.They sounded great and have loads of great songs.They played a couple of covers inc "Action" by The Sweet and "Rock On" by David Essex.Gems inc "Two Steps Behind","Animal","Armageddon It","Photograph", "Pour Some Sugar On Me".Phil Elliot introduces drummer Rick Allen who gets a MASSIVE reception.Still playing drums for DL a full 23 years after losing his arm in that accident. Also "Rock Of Ages" and encores "When Love And Hate Collide" and "Lets Get Rocked".Brilliant. The backstage areas had a few hundred guests but the only person i saw who was not playing was Brian May from Queen who was talking to the Def Leppard boys.Download was fantastic............ 12 June 2009.Damned + Alarm + Henry Cluney live at The Shepherds Bush Empire,London.Great package of acts from the late 1970s.Up first we have Henry Cluney who was in Stiff Little Fingers.He plays a 30 mins set of SLF hits inc "Alternative Ulster","Wasted Life" and "Suspect Device".Then The Alarm play a 55 mins set of old and new.The oldies inc "Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke?" and "Absolute Reality" and recent track "My Town" was great.Singer Mike Peters still plays as though his life depended on it. More gems inc "Strength","Spirit Of 76","45 RPM", "Rescue Me" and "68 Guns".A very good set.Then The Damned play a really good 85 mins set.Gems played inc "Love Song","New Rose","Wait For The Blackout","Neat Neat Neat" and "Eloise".The band are tight and Captain keeps his stage antics to a minimum.Encores were "Noise Noise Noise","Jet Boy Jet Girl","Stretcher Case" and superb versions of "Smash It Up" and then a cover of "20th Century Boy" where they were joined by The Alarm and Henry Cluney.The Damned still as good as ever over 30 years since i first saw play live. See aftershow page for this show................. 11 June 2009.6pm to 1.30am.The 6th MOJO Honours List Music Awards at The Brewery,Moorgate, London.Quality monthly music mag again gets a stunning mix of legends and newer acts.First off its 6pm for an hour drinks reception then 7pm to 9pm around 19 awards are handed out.Look at these names who presented or collected or just were hanging out.Yoko Ono,Sean Lennon,Mark Ronson,Jeff Beck,Billy Gibbons(ZZ Top),four members of Mott The Hoople inc Ian Hunter and Mick Ralphs,Manic Street Preachers,Georgie Fame, Elbow,Fleet Foxes,Duff McKagan,Joe Elliot(Def Leppard),Chris Blackwell(Island Records),Seasick Steve,Buzzcocks,Zombies,Joe Brown,Specials,Paul Weller,Phil Lynotts mother,Scott Gorham,Blur,Cat Stevens(Yusuf),Pretty Things,Dinosaur Jr,Joy Division members,Cribs,Johnny Marr,Bernard Butler,John Cale,Richard Hawley,Kate Nash,William Bell(Stax),Harvey Goldsmith(promoter),Geoff Travis(Rough Trade),Glenn Max(Royal Festival Hall)Sir Peter Blake,Judy Collins,Mark Knopfler and no doubt a few more. 9pm to 11pm was a lovely three course dinner with drinks.Our table is next to Yoko Ono.There are 450 seated for dinner and 50 standing.Goodie bags of cds and Ford "toy" Trucks and Transit Vans as they were one of the sponsors.Mega night. At 11pm my AAA wristband gets me into the photo room where Ross Halfin is taking the photos.I witness the group photo of around 25 musicians. The lower front row had Yoko Ono in the middle with Jeff Beck and Billy Gibbons on each side. All the photos will be in the next MOJO mag. See www.mojo4music.com for full list of winners. See aftershow page for this event................ 10 June 2009.Went to two good events tonight. First 7.15pm to 9.30pm was the relaunch of the Langham Hotel,Portland Place,W1 after a five year 80m quid refurbishment.Its a stunning five star hotel which when built way back in 1865 was Europes first ever grand hotel.About 500 people here inc actor Bill Nighy and comedians Rob Brydon and Stephen K Amos.A small orchestra played and a very funny speech from the manager. Loads of great staff waiting on you.The freebie cocktails and canopes are flowing.Nice goodie bag of arabic perfumes from www.amouage.com See also www.langhamlondon.com......then a dash up the road to see The Buzzcocks live at The Kentish Town Forum,London.This was the last show of three here sponsored by MOJO with Manics on Monday and Dinosaur Jr last night.Two supports on so Buzzcocks on for a shorter than usual 60 mins set.The vocals seem a bit low in the mix but with so many pop punk perfect tunes tonight who cares.Set inc "I Dont Know What To Do With My Life","You Say You Dont Love Me","Noise Annoys","Breakdown","Love You More","Promises", "What Do I Get?","Harmony In My Head","Ever Fallen In Love" and "Orgasm Addict".No song seemed to last more than three minutes before another gem came along.Always great live. See aftershow page for this gig................. 09 June 2009.Went to three events tonight.First was 6.45pm to 8.15pm.Mayfair jewellers Wright And Teague held a reception at The Hyatt Regency Churchill Hotel,Portman Square,W1.Lots of quality pieces on display.Freebie cocktails and nice grub flowing in this upmarket venue. See www.wrightandteague.co.uk as part of the www.londonjewelleryweek.co.uk....then 8.30pm to 10pm was the launch of new fashion magazine Rococo at Il Bottaccio,Grosvenor Place,SW1. Lovely old building overlooking the gardens of Buckingham Palace.More freebie cocktails and canopes for the trendy lively fashion crowd here. See www.rococomagazine.com for their online site. Hotly tipped new act VV Brown plays six songs in a 25 mins set.She plays the two singles "Crying Blood" and "Shark In The Water" from her album "Travelling Like The Light" which is out this month.She went down well with this crowd.Expect to see her at festivals over the summer....then 10.30pm to 12.30am i was at the afterparty for the press night of "The Cherry Orchard" at The Buddha Bar,Victoria Embankment,SW1.The play is on at www.oldvictheatre.com.Lovely venue down by The River Thames.More cocktails and canopes. Oscar winning director of the play Sam Mendes gives a speech as does actor Kevin Spacey.I also notice Jeremy Irons here.A great night out but way too much booze consumed...................... 08 June 2009.Beyonce live at The 02 Arena,London. This was Beyonces third of four shows at this venue as part of her six week European Arena tour to promote album "I Am Sasha Fierce".At 27 she is same age as Britney and both have had ten years of mega success.Its a huge production that has a massive screen that is well used for live close ups,old video clips and 3d graphics.An all female band inc two drummers and a percussionist and some dancers too.Its a two show and Beyonce looks incredible and has around ten different costumes and she shakes those Texan thighs.She has a great voice and can dance great too.It opens with a superb "Crazy In Love" with confetti at the end. Also good was "Naughty Girl".Things get a bit dodgy when she sings three average power ballads in an outfit that looks like a wedding dress.Back on track for "If I Were A Boy" and a decent cover of Alanis Morissettes "You Oughta Know".Also good was "Me Myself And I" then she was lifted 30ft in the air and across the floor arena to the second stage in the middle for great versions of "Baby Boy" and "Irreplaceable" and a Destiny Child medley inc "Bootilicious" and "Say My Name".Back to the main stage for great versions of "Single Ladies(Put A Ring On It)" and encore of "Halo" with more confetti.A very enjoyable show......... 07 June 2009.Capital Radio 95.8 FM Summertime Ball at Emirates Stadium,North London 4.45pm to 10pm featuring Blue,Kelly Clarkson,James Morrison,Lionel Richie,Leona Lewis,JLS,Daniel Merriweather,Akon,Saturdays,Shontelle,Noisettes, Ciara,Enrique Iglesias,Alesha Dixon,Dizzee Rascal.A massive crowd of around 50,000 at the home of Arsenal F.C.Each act plays one to four mainly hit songs each and the last act Blue play six.Managed to get a couple of media tickets so we have a nice place right of stage under cover and the free bar and food is flowing.We have tables to put it on and own our tv monitor.I do feel a bit detached from the stage though.Never a big fan of Capital Radio as they play crap most of the time.A mixed bunch of acts here. Dizzee Rascal is great with "Dance Wiv Me" and "Bonkers".Alesha Dixon plays three inc "The Boy Does Nothing".Enrique Iglesias plays four and again getting a trembling girl on stage for "Hero" brings the house down.Ciara plays her hit "Love Sex Magic".Noisettes play their hit "Dont Upset The Rhythm" and Shontelle aings "T Shirt".Pop babe females Saturdays play four inc "Issues" and "Just Cant Get Enough".Akon plays "Dangerous" and "Right Now" and does some crowd surfing.Daniel Merriweather plays four inc "Stop Me".JLS play a couple inc new single "Beat Again".Then Leona Lewis does four inc "Bleeding Love" and "Run".Then my highlight Lionel Richie plays four big hits "Running With The Night","Dancing On The Ceiling" complete with fireworks,"Hello" and "All Night Long".James Morrison plays four inc "You Give Me Something" and "Broken Strings" which had fireworks.Kelly Clarkson went down well with the girls here for four songs.Blue back together for the first time in four years.Six songs inc "All Rise" a great duet of "Easy" with Lionel Richie and last song "One Love".So a good day out overall even though the music was hit and miss............................................. 06 June 2009.Britney Spears live at The 02 Arena,London.This was show number three of eight at this venue for Britney.Quite a comeback really as only a couple of years ago she was pressing the self destruct button by shaving her hair off,wild behaviour,rehab and a messy divorce.Calling her recent album "Circus" makes it easy for the shows theme of course.Before she even comes on stage we are treated to a 20 mins circus show inc clowns,trapeze acts,gymnasts and midgets.The show is on the floor with three circular stages with the biggest in the middle. For the opening Britney is lowered from the ceiling in a giant hoop dressed as a ringmaster. Visually its a fantastic 90 mins show with a dozen dancers along with the circus acts on stage for every song and Britney in various raunchy outfits.The problem is i see no band above or below the stage and Britney mimes to every song apart from the ballad "Everytime". By miming she can concentrate on the dance routines and to be honest most of this crowd do not seem that bothered about it.Half her set is bland pop that sounds its come via a pro tools computer programme.Some songs were good inc "Piece Of Me","Boys"."Breathe On Me" and the last four songs "Im A Slave 4 U","Toxic","Baby One More Time"(that song is now 10 years old) and encore of "Womanizer" with Britney in policewomans outfit and fireworks and confetti a gogo.I enjoyed the show as it was great fun to watch as it was Cirque Du Soleil meets pop but so much miming is totally out of order........... 05 June 2009.noon to 6pm.Polo In The Park, Hurlingham,Fulham,London.Lovely location in this members club and grounds hidden away in Fulham. Champers reception for an hour then sit down 3 course lunch for around 800 posh yuppie types. Faces here inc Jodie Kidd,cricketer Freddie Flintoff and ex politician Norman Lamont.At 3pm over to watch the two polo matches from the VIP tent where the free booze and food is flowing. You feel as though you are in the countryside. This event is various paid tickets Fri and Sat but Sunday 07 June is free admission as they hold a Polo Open Day which will have polo displays and plenty of family entertainment in this great location.Ideal for a picnic etc. See www.polointheparklondon.com.................. 04 June 2009.7.30pm to 2.30am.ARK Charity Gala Dinner at The Former Eurostar Terminal,Waterloo Station,London.Some 900 city highflyers and celebs paying between 1,000 quid and 10,000 quid to be here.Its the size of an aircraft hanger but it has been done out superb.There are working steam trains all fired up and Pullman Carriages you can walk around that are used for Orient Express Trips.There are bagpipers,a 100 piece orchestra,jugglers,street entertainers, Rolf Harris type painting displays,and even the toilets are called Waterloos.Faces here inc Uma Thurman,Boris Johnson,Elizabeth Hurley,Jemima Khan,Sinitta,David Walliams,Yasmin Le Bon,Eva Herzigova,Dylan Jones,Sir Philip Green,Ben Goldsmith,Tanya Bryer,Jeremy Clarkson,Tracey Emin,Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and a few more inc loads of stunning women all dressed up.The reception had loads of food stations along with champers and cocktails then it was a 3 course meal.Boris Johnson gave one of his usual funny speeches.The sax player from the recent Britains Got Talent played a couple of tunes. Then the auction that raised a staggering 15 million quid.Then it was a full on laser and lights show with dancers.The main entertainment this year was only a decent covers band for an hour .Last year they had Stevie Wonders first show in the UK for 10 years which was great.The food and drinks were still flowing when we left at 2.30am.This really was a big event.Everyone got a pashmina in the goodie bag................. 03 June 2009.Two good events tonight.First the The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition VIP Preview, Piccadilly,London.Very glam and glitzy bash.Over 500 people here with the woman all dressed up and looking fab.I spotted John Cleese,David Gilmour and Nick Mason from Pink Floyd with their wives,Beth Ditto,Dermot Oleary,Stella McCartney,Nancy Dell'Olio,Janet Street Porter, Johnny Borrell and a few more.Very nice here. Freebie cocktails and canopes flowing....then to The National Portrait Gallery for the afterparty for Hamlet which is on at The Wyndhams Theatre. Jude Law has the lead role and is here tonight and still looking good.Freebie drinks and canopes......................................... 02 June 2009.The Tubes live at Islington Academy,London.One off UK show before they head on to mainland Europe festivals.Another band i saw in their heyday.Four times at Hammersmith Odeon between 1977-1981.Always a quality live act.They have not got the big budget of the old days but singer Fee still does several costume changes and is still full of great on stage banter.On stage for 2 hours and 5 mins.Lots of goodies inc "I Want It All Now","What Do You Want From Life?","Amnesia","Shes A Beauty","Sports Fans","No Way Out",an uptempo punk version of The Beatles "I Saw Her Standing There" and a superb "Dont Want To Wait Anymore". For a couple of songs Fee put on a wig and pimp suit for some James Brown type soul numbers before changing into 70s glam rock zombie Quay Lude complete with big heels,wig and satin outfit for "Boy Crazy" and their anthem the fantastic "White Punks On Dope".Encore had Fee in s and m black leather for "Mondo Bondage". Last song was "Talk To Ya Later".The Tubes do not seem to get the recognition that some of the other older bands get but they are great......... 01 June 2009.Childline Rocks featuring Steve Harley,Glenn Hughes,Jon Lord,The Pretty Things,Thunder,Uriah Heep,Hot Leg,Sons Of Albion and DJ Bob Harris and more at The 02 Indigo,London.Annual classic rock event for this childens charity.Up first we have Pretty Things who play a couple of songs before shooting off to do another gig.Then its Sons Of Albion who feature Robert Plants son Logan on vocals.They play a few good solid rocking songs.Then its Uriah Heep who have sold over 30 million albums.Just four songs inc "Gypsy" and "Easy Living" and Mick Box and co go down well.Then after the interval Thunder are the house band for the second set but first they play four great tunes on their own inc "Back Street Symphony","Gimme Some Loving" and "I Love You More Than Rock n Roll".They will be sadly missed when they play their final show ever at Hammersmith Apollo on 11 July.Then Hot Leg play a few songs.Justin looks great even though his foot is in plaster due to an accident.They finish with "Cocktails".Then singer Steve Balsamo from The Storys who has a superb voice takes the stage with Jon Lord for "Pictured Within" then Thunder join them for "Sweet Child In Time" which was fantastic.Then Glenn Hughes,Jon Lord and Thunder played a brilliant "You Keep On Moving" then Jon Lord left the stage for Glenn Hughes to display his vocal prowess on "Mistreated" then Glenn and his funk rock bass playing rocked through "Soul Mover".Then it was Justin Hawkins in dodgy shorts with Thunder for a great version of "I Believe In A Thing Called Love".Then Steve Harley on a for a couple including his massive hit "Make Me Smile(Come Up And See Me).Then the finale with everyone on stage except The Pretty Things for a rousing "Smoke On The Water".The whole event was hosted by dj legend Bob Harris.Half a dozen great rock acts and on stage pairings that you will never see again.What a great night.See you there next year for sure.See Check out www.childlinerocks.co.uk where you can buy a live cd of this show.See aftershow page for this gig..................................... 31 May 2009.Lynyrd Skynyrd live at The Brixton Academy,London.A sold out show here for these "Southern Rock" legends as part of their "God And Guns" world tour.Another band who i have a lot of history with.I saw them FIVE times between 1975-1977 including that amazing Rainbow Theatre show in Jan 1977 before their fatal plane crash in Oct 1977.Sadly in 2001 and earlier this year two more members have died. They came on stage to an amazing reception and play a perfect all killer no filler 90 mins set.Only one original from the old days but its still a seven piece band with three guitarists.Lots of gems inc "Saturday Night Special","Gimme Back My Bullets","Whats Your Name?","Simple Man","Double Trouble","Gimme Three Steps" and superb versions of "Sweet Home Alabama" and a 13 minute encore of the classic "Free Bird".It was a great show................ 30 May 2009.Manic Street Preachers live at The Roundhouse,London.Last of three shows at this venue to promote their new album "Journal For Plaque Lovers" which features lyrics from their guitarist Richey Edwards who went missing in 1995.Needless to say i saw them with Richie including an early club show in 1991 in Fulham.They also supported Bon Jovi at Milton Keynes Bowl in 1993 which was very odd at the time.On stage for nearly two hours.The first set was 45 mins of all the new album track by track and second set was 70 mins of greatest hits.Bass player Nicky Wire has hurt his back so is not jumping around as much as usual.Second song from new album "Jackie Collins Existential Question Time" features the great chorus "Mummy Whats A Sex Pistol?".Manics are always better when they are uptempo as i love the sound that James Dean Bradfield gets from his guitar.Second set was brilliant with gems inc "Motorcycle Emptiness", "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough","You Love Us", "Tsunami","If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next","Little Baby Nothing","Australia", "You Stole The Sun From My Heart","Motown Junk", "Everything Must Go" and the entire crowd singing along loudly for "A Design For Life".A great show...................................... 29 May 2009.Paul Weller live at Shepherds Bush Empire,London.This was show number four of five nights at this venue to celebrate 50 years of Island Records.This was the first London show by Paul since his dad died a month ago who was also his manager the last 30 years.The measly 75 mins set was all semi acoustic that was just a bit lacklustre.It started well with Paul and the band(no Steve Craddock though) on stools with a four piece female string section playing "You Do Something To Me" and "English Rose".Also good was "Walk On Gilded Splinters","Wild Wood","All On A Misty Morning" and "The Butterfly Collector".Then Paul Weller seemed to lose interest and walked offstage and let the guitarist and then the drummer sing a song so that meant Paul really only on stage for 65 mins. Encores were "Love-less" and "Pretty Flamingo". The houselights went up to a wall of boos and lots of hardcore Weller fans thought it was one of his worst shows for ages...................... 28 May 2009.Went to two events tonight.First was 6.45pm to 8.15pm at Sketch ,Conduit Street, London W1 for the launch of the Yari-Aino-Satio SONY ERICCSON W995 phone applications.About 300 press here with lots of freebie booze and food going.A nice 360 degree presentation of this quality phone and what it will do.There were 20 phones on display to play with.The contract price seems steep.40 quid a month on an 18 month term.Then a mad dash over to see........ Nickelback live at The 02 Arena,London.Even though the critics hate them they are one of the biggest bands worldwide and have signed a mega bucks deal with Live Nation which is like the one Madonna has.I have seen them before and again its a massive stage production and loads of fireworks,flames,stage walkways,big screens. The lot.On stage for 1 hour 45 mins and still promoting recent album "Dark Horse".Set inc "Photograph","Far Away" a cover of "Highway To Hell" sung by Chris from Black Stone Cherry. Also "If Everyone Cared","If Today Was Your Last Day" and a great version of mega hit "Rockstar" from the second stage area.Some roadies fired some tshirts into the crowd for some fun.The drum solo featured a rising and revolving kit. Smug singer Chad gave an annoying introduction to every song as if the crowd were 3 year olds. Both "How You Remind Me" and "Too Bad" were excellent.Encores were a cover of "Use Somebody" by Kings Of Leon then "Someday" and last song "Figured You Out" had a full barrage of fireworks,flames and explosions.This is the kind of show that was perfect for this venue.......... 27 May 2009.George Thorogood And The Destroyers + Dirty Strangers live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.My 50th birthday today and gig number 5207 for me.Support act Dirty Strangers are from my manor Shepherds Bush so that was nice on my birthday.They have a new album out called "W12 To Wittering" which features Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood on a few tracks. They played a decent 30 mins set inc "South Of The River","Bad Girls","Shes A Real Botticelli","Gold Cortina" and the very catchy "Just Another Story".George Thorogood And The Destroyers are over the moon to be playing this venue even though the balcony is virtually empty.On stage for 1 hour 50 mins playing good time blues rock n roll originals and covers. George is a showman guitarist and plays great. Songs played inc "Rock Party","Who Do You Love", "The Fixer",a great cover of John Lee Hookers "One Bourban,One Scotch,One Beer".Plenty of bottleneck guitar playing.Also good was "Get A Haircut" and "Bad To The Bone".A couple of times George played guitar in the crowd and encores inc "Madison Blues".A good show...................... 26 May 2009.Went to three good events tonight. First 6.45pm to 7.45pm was at the launch party for Nar Restaurant And Bar,Albert Embankment,Nr Vauxhall Station.London SE1.Nice decor here under the railway arches.They gave us a nice Mediterranean buffet dinner and some drinks.Not sure about the rumblings overhead as the trains go past...then five mins walk on to the 15th Club And Bar Awards At The Park Plaza Hotel, Albert Embankment,London SE1.This is the Brit Awards of the best bars and clubs in London.Loads of owners and staff from the top clubs here inc Embassy,Maddox,Movida etc. Loads of lovely looking girls all dressed up. A buzzing crowd of over 500 people.Loads of freebie cocktails flowing.A few faces inc Jo Wood,Leslie Ash and Martin Chambers(Pretenders). I was there 7.50pm to 9.15pm but had to leave before the awards...........then a mad dash over arriving at 10pm to see Sly And Robbies Compass Point Allstars feat Grace Jones + Tinchy Stryder + VV Brown + The I-Threes live at The Shepherds Bush Empire,London.This was the first night of the five shows here celebrating 50 years of Island Records.Sly And Robbie provide all the backing.I miss Kid Creole and Aswads short sets. Nice to see The I-Threes do a short set as they were Bob Marleys backing group and feature Rita Marley.Their set inc Bob Marley songs and a brilliant "No Woman No Cry" sung by Rita Marley. New Island signings Tinchy Stryder and VV Brown played a couple of songs but this crowd were not that bothered.They want the old stuff. Needless to say Grace Jones was the star tonight. Standing on a raised platform singing and looking amazing.Just three songs "Love You To Life" her recent single then "Pull Up To The Bumper" then "One Love" which had The I-Threes come on to sing with her.A mixed show that finished at 11.10pm but worth it for Grace....... 24 May 2009.Girls Aloud live at The 02 Arena, London.The UKs biggest all girl band since the Spice Girls on a massive month long tour of UK arenas promoting their recent album "Out Of Control".They play five shows in London.This was show number three at this venue and they play Wembley Arena on May 26 and 27.Its a massive production with walkways,big screens,fireworks, flames,lights,dancers and costume changes.Lots of cameras here as its being recorded for a Christmas dvd.The 1 hour 40 mins set was visually great fun to watch but i thought they got the setlist a bit wrong.It started well with "The Promise" and a brilliant "Biology" but they played seven or eight tracks from the new album as well as a couple of pointless covers of James Morrison and Britney Spears to a crowd of excitable females who had clearly come to see most of their 20 odd chart hits.Halfway through they glided over the front stalls on a platform to sing three songs on the second stage.Then back to the main stage for "Call The Shots",a great "Sound Of The Underground" and "Something Kinda Ooooh".Encore was a 10 minutes medley of six of their hits which seemed rushed.It was an enjoyable show but like i said the set should have been more hits based for this crowd........ 23 May 2009.Night Of Treason live at The Kings Head,Acton,London.I caught this excellent punk covers band on one of the smaller stages at Guilfest where they went down a storm.Again they face a lively crowd and play an excellent 80 mins of punk rock classics.Bands covered inc Sex Pistols,Clash,Buzzcocks,Slaughter And The Dogs,Damned,Ramones,999,UK Subs and others.You can see the band clearly love playing this music in their spare time.I knew the words to every song myself and so did the crowd.If you like old school punk rock you must check them out when they play your local venue.The band play Guilfest.co.uk 2009 on Sat 11 July. See www.myspace.com/nightoftreason...............

 
 
2009-05-22
 

22 May 2009.Eric Clapton live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.Erics show number five of eleven at The RAH.Trivia fact.This will be his 152nd,yes 152nd time he has played at The Royal Albert Hall.It is the second time i have been this week.The RAH is hot and humid and rammed to capacity with gallery standing and seats behind the stage.Eric again on for two hours.The sound is great and the band is great and Erics guitar playing is again on top form.A nice surprise is that the setlist is being changed by a couple of songs each night.He did not play "Lay Down Sally" tonight but he did on the opening night.He did play "I Shot The Sheriff","Layla" and his cover of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow".Also "Badge", "Wonderful Tonight" and an extended version of "Cocaine" with a great wah wah solo from the other guitarist.The multi night fans all know to run to the front of stage at the end of the set for the encore of "Crossroads".Only complaint is that as you are watching a great guitarist is that it would have been nicer to be a bit closer to the stage.Another very good show.............. 21 May 2009.8pm.Jackson Browne live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.This was his last date on a two month long European Tour.I saw him at this venue a month ago in the middle of the tour.At the start he announces that for those who were at the first show there will be a different setlist of half a dozen songs.Again its a nice long show.On stage for 2 hours 35 mins over two sets of 65 mins and 90 mins.His band are great,the sound quality is perfect and some lovely lyrics and melodies.Still promoting his "Time The Conqueror" album.First set included "Rock Me On The Water","Jamaica Say You Will",and "About My Imagination".Second set included "Before The Deluge","Lives In The Balance","Going Down To Cuba" and superb versions of "The Pretender" and "Running On Empty".Encores inc "Take It Easy" the Eagles hit that he wrote with Glenn Frey .Also "I Am A Patriot".A very good show from this American songwriting legend........ 21 May 2009.Noon to 5pm.The 54th Ivor Novello Awards At The Grosvenor House Hotel,Park Lane,London.This is the main awards event for songwriters in the UK.See www.theivors.com for the winners.A big crowd here as usual with 1200 seated downstairs for a 3 course dinner and i am upstairs with 100 press,media and tv folks.There are 15 awards given out.Presented by Paul Gambachini.Those presenting or getting an award or just hanging out inc Elbow(won 2 awards),Daniel Miller presented Vince Clark for Outstanding Song Collection (Depeche Mode/Yazoo/Erasure).Damon Albarn presented Massive Attack with Outstanding Contribution Award.Duffy acceped Most Played Song Award.Great to see Edwyn Collins get The Inspiration award from Roddy Frame.The International award was picked up by soul legend Smokey Robinson.Sir George Martin presented The Fellowship award to Don Black(film scores/tv/music).Also here Calvin Harris,Dizzee Rascal,Rolf Harris,Sophie Ellis Bextor,The Feeling,Robin Gibb,Cerys Mathews,Jeff Wayne,Phil Jupitus,Sharleen Spiteri,Damon Gough(Badly Drawn Boy) who have a very funny speech.Feargal Sharkey, Mike Rutherford.David Grant,Ian Broudie,Will Young and only a saddo like me would know Clive Wilson from 1970s pop act Racey but it was nice seeing him.Drinks after until 5pm.A good event........... 20 May 2009.10.45pm to 2.30am.50th Anniversary Party For Island Records At 33 Portland Place,London W.1.A big crowd of some 500 people celebrating one of the UKs greatest record companies.They signed Bob Marley,U2,Amy Winehouse and many more.The venue is a lovely big old house with high ceilings and framed pictures of Island Records acts all over the walls.The djs are playing all reggae on the lower floor and dance anthems on the top floor.I had far too many of the freebie cocktails and chicken burgers tonight. Record companies dont seem to have as many parties as the old days but this was a full on good one.Those here inc Elbow,The Feeling,Juliette Lewis,Mark Ronson,Aswad.Glen Matlock(Sex Pistols/Rich Kids) is having a good natter with Tony James (Gen X/Sique Sigue Sputnik/Carbon Silicon).Lots of behind the scenes music biz folks here.Pat Gilbert and Chris Salewicz who have both brough out Clash books are here.Djs spotted inc Don Letts,Annie Nightingale,Bob Harris and Sara Cox.A very good loud messy party.A free Island Records photo exhibition is on Mon to Sat 11am to 8pm at Phonica Records,51 Poland Street,London W1. Also there are the six special "Island Life" shows at Shepherds Bush Empire next week that feature Grace Jones,Paul Weller,Cat Stevens(Yusef),Amy Winehouse and others.............................. 18 May 2009.Went to two good events tonight.Up first 7pm to 8.30pm i was at the opening party for Royston Blythe Hair Salon at The Alain Ducasse Restaurant at The Dorchester Hotel,Park Lane,London.About 150 guests here in this posh hotel with freebie champers and canopes flowing. Faces here include Barbara Windsor,Nancy Dell'Olio and Lorraine Chase.A great story here as Royston has worked his way up from the suburbs of Wolverhampton to have an in store salon at this very well known five star hotel.A hair fashion show featured about a dozen models. A good one....then a dash over to see Nick Lowe live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.A big gig for Nick Lowe but sadly venue is half empty and the circle is closed.Its more to do with Nick having the same promoter as Eric Clapton who is putting on acts inbetween Erics days off.Nick is promoting new album "Quiet Please:The New Best Of Nick Lowe".On stage for 90 mins with loads of great lyrics from his 30 years plus career.You could hear every word clearly which was great. Most of the songs had a country tinge to them. Tracks played inc "Whats Shaking On The Hill", "Indian Queens" a very good "Cruel To Be Kind" also "I Live On A Battlefield","Lets Stay In And Make Love","I Knew The Bride(When She Used To Rock And Roll)" and "Whats So Funny About Peace Love And Understanding".Not much going on visually but he told some great stories.Encores included "The Beast In Me" and he was joined by his support act Ron Sexsmith for a song.A good show overall as part of his UK tour.A good sprinkling of faces here.I saw Glen Matlock(Sex Pistols),Rat Scabies(Damned),Martin Chambers(Pretenders).Also Mark Lamarr and Jo Brand....... 17 May 2009.Black Crowes live at Brixton Academy, London.This was the last of just three shows in Europe(also Holland and Spain)for this blues rock band who i have seen some 10 times including a show in Los Angeles in 1995.You have to admire their love for all things early 1970s. Its all beards,long dank hair,old jeans,dodgy clothes.They really are all in their own little world.They play a two hour set.The oldies go down the best.Opener "No Speak No Slave" was good as was third song "Twice As Hard".Also good was "Moving On Down The Line".As usual Chris Robinsons vocals could have been clearer.A couple of new unrecorded songs played including one with a neat uptempo disco bass riff.In the middle was 30 mins of blues rock muso twaddle.Then it got better again with "She Talks To Angels","Hard To Handle" and encores inc a cover of "Shapes Of Things To Come".Always to good to see Black Crowes live.................... 16 May 2009.Eric Clapton live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.This was the opening night of eleven shows here for this guitar legend.The place is totally rammed solid.Eric and his great band are on stage for two hours.I have seen him loads of times over the last 30 years including all four Cream reunion shows at this venue.Eric still is a fantastic guitar player and the sound he gets of out it still is stunning.Lots of goodies played inc "I Shot The Sheriff",then a semi acoustic section for "Layla","Lay Down Sally" and a surprise cover of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow".Briiliant full electric versions of "Badge","Wonderful Tonight","Cocaine" and encore of "Crossroads".Needless to say a standing ovation at the end and a very good gig.......... 15 May 2009.Enrique Iglesias + Alesha Dixon live at The 02 Arena,London.Why am i here you ask?? Up first is Alesha Dixon.I really like her.She looks great,dances great and has a lovely personality.Her superb hit single "The Boy Does Nothing" is the highlight of her 30 mins set.She could be the British Beyonce with some better material.She headlines her own Winter tour. Enrique and band are on for 95 mins for the last night of their UK arena tour.Its a huge production with loads of lights,big screens and three stage catwalk extentions that he fully uses to get up close to his female fans who dont stop screaming.Its simple pop with a hint of latin disco.Good tracks were "Love To See You Cry","Dont Turn Off The Lights" and "Escape". He even got a couple of guys on stage.Enrique knows he has a huge gay following of course.A decent cover of "Purple Rain" was good as was "Tired Of Being Sorry" and "Do You Know(Ping Pong Song).Great encores of "Taking Back My Love" and his big hit ballad "Hero" where he did his usual party trick of getting a girl on stage to sing it too.He works the stage great and it was a good enjoyable show........................ 14 May 2009.Wow what a great day this was.First of all i have a few words with Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickenson who i bump into in Shepherds Bush(i think he still lives in Chiswick) then up to West End for legends New York Dolls who are doing a rare signing at 1pm at HMV in Oxford Street to promote their new album "Cause I Sez So".Band turn up a bit late at 1.30pm and stay for an hour and everyone gets their stuff signed.I got the new album signed as well as The New York Dolls photo book by Bob Gruen and get a couple of photos.Excellent. Then back home for the afternoon......then back into town 6.45pm to 7.45pm for Pandora Jewelry launch of their Love Pod rings at the very posh Claridges Hotel,Mayfair.Freebie quality champers and top notch grub are flowing.They give a very over the top visual presentation.But its quality stuff.At the end they gave out 180 goodie bags. Five bags had diamond rings hidden in white roses.My bag had one.18 carat gold with quality diamonds and hallmark.Worth over 200 quid.See www.pandora-jewelry.com for more info........... .....then over to see New York Dolls + Spizz Energi live at The 100 Club,London.Up first Spizz plays a brilliant 30 mins set of gems from the early 1980s inc "Wheres Captain Kirk".He should be playing bigger venues than he does at the moment.Needless to say this gig sold out in four minutes.Just 300 people including Paul Simonen(ex Clash) and Bobby Gillespie(Primal Scream) in this legendary venue to see this legendary band.Everyone here knows its an I WAS THERE show that will never be repeated.By the time the band come on its very hot,humid and sweaty in here.Its a stunning 1 hour 40 mins set of old classics and new stuff Some 20 tunes inc "Babylon",the superb new single "Cause I Sez So","We're All In Love',"Private World',"Stranded In The Jungle","Gotta Get Away From Tommy","Looking For A Kiss","Frankenstein", "Nobody Got No Bizness","Pills","You Cant Put Your Arms Around A Memory","Dance Like A Monkey". Oldie "Trash" started as the original version then went into the soft version thats on the new album but i was not keen on the new version. Also "Jet Boy" and encores included "Personality Crisis".What a fantastic club show.The Dolls show finished at 11.10pm then i got a text to say Rod Stewart had just come on stage at the charity event in Battersea.....a mad dash over to The Evolution Arena where some 800 plus rich folks have paid a minimum of 500 quid each for this black tie charity drinks and dinner that had started at 7pm.Rod was on for 12 songs in 60 mins but i only saw the last three in 15 mins but got just few feet from Rod and the band.I saw "Baby Jane",then for "Do Ya Think Im Sexy" he got half a dozen stunning women in the crowd to dance on stage with him.Final song was a mass singalong of "Sailing".Rod stills looks and sounds fantastic.I stayed at the party until 1.30am for some drinks and a dance to a covers band.Celebs here included Elizabeth Hurley,Penny Lancaster,Bruce Forsyth,Chris Eubank,Nigel Benn,Carl Froch,Phil Tufnell,Esther Rantzen,Rachel Stevens,Sinitta,Colin Jackson,Alan Carr,Justin Lee Collins,Kelly Hoppen,Stephen Gately,Emma Noble and a few more. Ticket sales and auction and raffle raised 1.7 milion quid for Caudwell Childrens Charity What an excellent day....................... 13 May 2009.Went to three events tonight.First 7pm to 8.15pm i was at the very posh Dorchester Hotel,Park Lane for the relaunch of their health spa which they have spent 3 million quid on.It looks fantastic.Champers and canopes are flowing.Nancy Dell'Olio is here.Nice goodie bag of spa related and Dorchester Hotel items....then 8.30pm to 9.30pm at luxury Italian clothing store Hogan for their party in Sloane Street,Knightsbridge.All the main paparazi are here.Nice to see Skin from Skunk Anansie who always looks great.She said her band have played two warm up shows to see how it felt.Also Beth Ditto from Gossip was here.Also Nicky Haslam and Pixie Geldof.Just many photos do the paps need of Pixie Geldof?? when she is out most nights. Champers and canopes flowing for this trendy fashion crowd....then 10pm to midnight was the 15th anniversary of Loaded Magazine at Bloomsbury Bowling Alley.A huge crowd here with loads of free vodka cocktails and Magners Cider.Had a few games on the table football but the bowling lanes were all booked up.Carl Barat from Dirty Pretty Things was here as were a few models inc Lucy Pinder.Lively bash.Goodie bag was loads of stuff from sponsors Durex.All three events tonight made a very good evening................. 12 May 2009.Miss Great Britain Beauty Pageant Final at Cafe De Paris,London.This event has been going for over 50 years and its heyday was in the 1970s when it was shown on tv but times have changed.It starts off well as we get into vip area where the free booze and judges and celebs are.Great to see football legends Paul Gascoigne and Teddy Sherringham.Gazza still looks a bit shaky and Teddy as usual has a few girls half his age around him.Also here is Vanessa Felz,Simon Webbe and Antony Costa from Blue,David Van Day,Lucy Pinder and some actors from the tv soaps.Hosted by Jack Whitehall.Lots of great looking girls in the buzzing crowd all dolled up with fake tan everywhere.There were 11 (one dropped out)girls in the final who first were in swimsuits then dresses then a q and a session.The answers were as bad as the questions. Someone from X Factor sung three or four songs. Winner was Miss Newcastle.The event seemed more an excuse for a party than a serious competition. The djs kept the party rocking after the event.A decent goodie bag at the end.Good fun............ 11 May 2009.Specials + djs live at Brixton Academy,London.This was show number three of five sold out shows at this venue as part of their 30th anniversary UK reunion tour.I was really looking forward to seeing these gigs as i saw them a few times in those great ska days of 1979 to 1981.Jerry Dammers is not here but that sounds like karma as he was such a pain to the other members back in the day.The vibe inside is perfect as the dj plays a host of ska classics before the band come on and the whole venue is rocking.The band come on at 9.30pm and play a superb 95 mins set.All the best tunes from their short career and no new material.The three at the front have aged very well.A dream setlist "Do The Dog","Dawning Of A New Era","Gangsters","Its Up To You","Rat Race", "Monkey Man","Blank Expression","Too Hot","Doesn't Make It Alright","Concrete Jungle", "Friday Night/Saturday Morning","Stereotype", "Man At C n A","A Message To You Rudy","Do Nothing","Night Klub","You're Wondering Now", "Ghost Town" and encores "Too Much Too Young", "Skinhead Moonstomp" and "Enjoy Yourself".The floor was heaving all night and from start to finish this was a fantastic gig.................. 10 May 2009.Sunday lunch with Leslie Phillips CBE OBE at The Marriot Hotel,Swiss Cottage,London NW3.Noon to 5pm.A smallish crowd of 140 to celebrate this legendary 85 year old comedy actor.Mixture of Leslies guests and paid tickets.First there was a drinks reception and a lovely three course meal.Lots of older faces here i grew up watching on the telly inc Liz Fraser and Jackie Piper from The Carry On Films. Leslie was in three Carry Ons.Also here are Barry Cryer,Jeremy Lloyd,Nicholas Parsons,the woman that played Madge in Neighbours, and dj Mike Read.After dinner there was an hour of film clips and Mike Read and Jeremy Lloyd interviewd Leslie Phillips on stage.He still is full of humour and even gave a couple of his famous "Ding Dong" catchphrases.With over 60 years of tv and film work Leslie Phillips is a bona fide national treasure.I got a nice photo signed by him.A really lovely afternoon.......... 09 May 2009.Radio 1 Big Weekend at Lydiard Park,Swindon feat Snow Patrol + Kasabian + Dizzee Rascal + Script.Some 20,000 people each day for this free gig to Radio 1 comp winners. (Sunday was headlined by Prodigy + Lily Allen). A 75 mile drive each way from West London.The main stage is in a massive supertent which seemed odd at first but as its May and could be raining and it gets a bit chilly in the evening it was probably the right idea.All the bands do shorter sets than usual so its hits based which is great.Script have had a fantastic last 12 months with a number one album and they have 5 sold out shows at Shepherds Bush Empire in June. A 35 mins set had the females swooning with tracks played inc "Breakeven","We Cry" and "The Man That Cant Be Moved".They spolit it a bit with an awful cover of David Bowies "Heroes". ...next is Dizzee Rascal who is really flying at the moment.Another 35 mins set inc "Just A Rascal","Fix Up Look Sharp","Flex" and for "Dance Wiv Me" he was joined by Calvin Harris and Chrome.His last song was a stunning version of new single "Bonkers" out on May 18 which will be a massive hit and one of the dance anthems of the summer...every band was introduced by a couple of very annoying Radio 1 djs...next Kasabian played for 45 mins.Lots of goodies in their set inc "Shoot The Runner", "Processed Beats","Empire","Club Foot","Underdog" and "L.S.F."...then headliners Snow Patrol who went down a storm.Set inc "Hands Open","Spitting Games" and three songs on the bounce that the crowd sang all the words loudly too "Run","Shut Your Eyes" and "Chasing Cars".Also good was "Set The Fire To The Third Bar","Crack The Shutters","Open Your Eyes" and "Youre All I Have".Overall a much better day out than i expected............................. 08 May 2009.Fri,Sat,Sun all foodies should be heading to the Real Food Festival at Earls Court Arena where over 500 food producers will be having stands.For more info and tix see www.realfoodfestival.co.uk.I spent an enjoyable Friday afternoon there.The sheepshearing display was great.My faves were The Gourmet Burgers from www.laverstokefarm.co.uk...the Hibiscus drinks from www.www.hibdrinks.com....the organic chocs from www.choc-affair.com....not a live music related event of course but good fun............ 07 May 2009.I headed over the River Thames today. In the afternoon i spent a couple of hours at The Tate Modern for my annual trip there.Lots of tourists about in London...then 7pm to 8.30pm i was at the launch of Bermondsey Square,SE1 which is a complex of bars,shops,eateries etc in this up and coming area that needs regeneration pretty badly.Freebie drinks and canopes are flowing.A kind of festival feel as you nip from place to place via the outdorr square.See www.bermondseysquare.co.uk ....then back into town 9pm to 10pm for the book launch at The Embassy Club,W1 for Big Brother 7 star Nikki Graheme "Dying To Be Thin" which documents her battle with teenage anorexia and her outbursts and tantrums on tv.A few faces here inc members of Blue,Natalie Cassidy(Eastenders),David Van Day(Dollar) and a few others.Drinks and canopes flowing and a nice goodie bag of stuff including the book on your way out....then 10.15pm to 11pm at the launch for Bespoke Suit website www.asuitthatfits.com.The drinks and food are still flowing but got there too late for the fashion show..................................... 06 May 2009.Was at two good events tonight.First 6.45pm to 8.45pm my other half wanted to go the launch of new German make up brand "Artdeco" at The Garden Pharmacy,Long Acre,Covent Garden,WC2. Its only a shop as such but there are freebie cocktails flowing and loads of glam looking girls.The host is Tara Palmer Tomkinson.There are makeovers for all the girls and a nice goodie bag of stuff for everyone.Super friendly staff.See www.artdeco.org.uk......then 9pm over to The Belvedere Vodka Party at 100 Mount Street,Mayfair,W1.The freebie cocktails are flowing for the fashion crowd.Faces here inc David Walliams,Estelle,Mischa Barton,Jo Wood, Miquita Oliver,Henry Holland,Pam Hogg,Darius Dinesh(remember him?)and others then at 10.30pm went over the road to the afterparty for this event at the very nice bar in the five star Connaught Hotel.Most of the above turned up for it and after more vodka cocktails departed at 12.30am.See some of the photos on website www.gettyimages.com.............................. 04 May 2009.7pm to 10pm.The 37th FIPP World Magazine Congress at Kensington Palace,London. This venue is very choosy about who they let it out too and it costs a fortune too so a chance to be here was not to be missed.About 500 of the worlds top publishers here.We are greeted by flames and a fanfare of bugles and staff in tudor costumes along with some on stilts.There are food stations everywhere inc carvery and seafood selections and freebie drinks are flowing.A 30 piece brass band from the Royal Marines gives a 15 mins display on the lawn before we are taken on a tour of the main building which houses Princess Diana dresses and an exhibition called "1958:The Last Debutantes" which features items and sights and sounds from that era.Its like a bit of the countryside in Central London with its huge garden area here. See www.hrp.org.uk and www.fipplondon09.com for more info.An excellent evening.................. 03 May 2009.Tina Turner live at The 02 Arena,London.TT last of five shows here at this venue as part of her huge "50th Anniversary" European Tour.This show was postponed from 11 March 2009 due to flu.I had seen two shows already so a nice six week gap since i last saw it.Its the second last show on her huge world tour.She came on earlier at 7.50pm probably because its a Sunday and the Jubilee Line is closed both ways yet again.I saw 1970s singer Linda Lewis in the crowd but she goes to lots of stuff as she is married to booking agent Neil Warnock.Also Tina announced on stage that Pink was the house.Its song for song the same as the other shows.Its a huge Mark Fisher stage production with walkways,big screens,a big band feat John "Music" Miles on guitar,flames,fireworks,four female dancers and four male dancers.Tickets costing a hefty 50 to 100 quid.Tina is now aged 69 and looks amazing and still dares to wear short skirts.On stage for 2 hour 15 mins over two sets.It was a mix of hits and lots of suitable cover versions and no new material.Set inc opener "Steamy Windows" from 30ft up in the air.Also "River Deep Mountain High","Better Be Good To Me","Acid Queen","Whats Love Got To Do With It","Private Dancer" and the first set finished with the stage and costumes dressed for Mad Max:Beyond Thunderdome as Tina belted out "We Dont Need Another Hero" with that great voice.Second half started with a few mins of old video footage then "Help","Lets Stay Together","I Cant Stand The Rain","Jumping Jack Flash","Its Only Rock And Roll","Golden Eye", "Addicted To Love" and a stunning version of "Simply The Best" then "Proud Mary".Encore had Tina hovering over the front stalls on an extended crane arm for "Nutbush City Limits" then "Be Tender With My Baby".Tina still does that funny little dance of hers and entertains the crowd well.A very enjoyable big production show.................... 02 May 2009.Gary Moore live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.Last night of his UK tour before he heads into Europe for this great blues rock guitarist who has been playing live for over 35 years.I was 10 rows from the stage so had a great view of his nifty guitar playing.On stage for two hours Gary Moore proved yet again that although he has not got the best voice he sure can make his guitars sing.He has moved from an all out rock guitarist to more blues based in the last decade but virtually every song tonight had a brilliant guitar solo in it.He is promoting his new album "Bad For You Baby".An artist with a huge number of songs to choose from.Set included "Since I Met You Baby", "Mojo Boogie","Too Tired" and an excellent "Walking By Myself".Last song of the night was a stunning "Parisienne Walkways".A good gig........ 01 May 2009.Rick Wakeman + Strawbs live at Hampton Court Palace,Surrey.First of two shows here from this prog rock keyboard legend playing his 1972 album "The Six Wives Of Henry V111" which has sold a staggering 15 million copies.Up first is Strawbs who Rick Wakeman was in for a couple of years around the 1970 period.The 30 mins acoustic set was pretty tame as the singer has a very nasal voice.They played "Shine On Silver Moon" and "Lay Down" but sadly not their biggest hit "Part Of The Union".The scale and location is just fantastic.Its like olde England out here.On stage is Rick with a over a dozen keyboards,a full band,a 50 piece orchestra and a 50 piece choir.On either side of the stage is The Hampton Court walls and behind the stage too. It will look fantastic when the DVD comes out. No wonder its taken over a year of planning. Venue holds 5000 and its around 90% full. On stage at 9pm and a bit chilly as its all open air and 100 yards from The River Thames. The two hour set featured the songs on the album.Not my cup of tea really as its all keyboard led instrumental rock but it ticked along nicely within the context of the show.Remember i am a punk rocker and stuff like Yes and ELP were the enemy.Before each song big voice actor Brian Blessed gave a five mins talk on each wife and the history in a very humourous way and he was just perfect.Rick wore three or four big cloaks.For the encore he played a medley of stuff and had a stand up keyboard dual with his band member.Its taken Rick 36 years for the venue to let him play this here as he first asked in 1973.As he said "Dreams Can Come True". I thought the whole event was just great and i never thought i would ever say that about RW. See aftershow page for pre gig and after gig news on this show................................ 30 April 2009.Rumble Strips live at The Hard Rock Cafe,London.This was an invite only gig for 150 people made up of Q Magazine comp winners and music biz folks and media.The freebie Hard Cafe Food of burgers,chicken,etc is being giving out to all as is the free booze.Rumble Strips play a 45 mins set of tracks from their debut album "Girls And Weather" and the new album out next month "Welcome To The Walk Alone" which is produced by Mark Ronson.They are being pushed along nicely by Island Records.Their best songs have a neat uptempo indie feel with lashings of horns/sax like Dexys but their mid tempo songs seem a bit average.Set included "No Soul",the new single "Not The Only Person" and later on "London " and "Daniel".Good exposure for the band as clips will be up on www.q4music.com and they will get a full page review with pics in the next issue of Q Magazine. A decent gig.Their progress will be interesting.. 29 April 2009.Bit of a mad night as i went to FIVE events between 6pm and midnight.First was the preview screening of punk band The Gallows 30 mins film "Grey Britain" at The Curzon in Soho to coincide with the release of their new album.A bit dark and heavy in places but they are a great band.It shows them playing live and out and about in London.Had a couple of free beers in the reception after....then 7.30pm to 8.30pm was the launch of luxury watches www.benneywatches.com at 125 Charring Cross Road. Beers and canopes here and some nice watches..... then 8.45pm to 9.45pm was the launch of a new lifestyle service website www.gogoboots.co.uk at The Kingly Club,4 Upper St Martins Lane,WC2.Had a couple of freebie cocktails here.Some faces here.Great to see actor Tamer Hassan who was in Football Factory,The Business,Cass and others. Also Gary Lucas (Eastenders and Footballers Wives) and Cheryl Fergison (who plays the lovable Heather in Eastenders).....then 10pm to 11pm went to www.blackknave.com and Drama Magazine Party at Maddox,Hill Street,W1.Had a couple of free cocktails but this was pretty lame compared to what was promised on the invite....11.30pm to 12.30am was The New Look 40th Birthday Party at The Dairy,Wakefield Street,Bloomsbury,WC2. This looked the best party of the night but missed most of it as elsewhere.Had a couple of freebie cocktails,got some goodie bags and off after a great night.............................. 27 April 2009.Launch party for Michael Kors shop at 153 New Bond Street,London W1.7pm to 10pm.As per usual an event where the info or invite says vips expected i take with a pinch of salt but this one really did deliver.American designer of luxury goods opens his first boutique in London.First at the shop its cocktails,champers and canopes flowing for around 150 very upmarket folks.Those here include Yasmin Le Bon, Eva Hertigova,Claudia Schiffer,David Walliams, Nicky Haslam,billionaire hotel owner Sol Kerzner,Tim Jeffries,Tanya Bryer and even one of Fergies daughters(Princess Beatrice).At 8.30pm its all over to the posh China Tang bar/eaterie at The Dorchester Hotel,Park Lane,London for more cocktails in this very swanky venue.At 10pm 120 are seated for dinner but 30 including us only have drinks invites so have to depart.It must have cost Mr Kors a few quid.Credit crunch?? See.michaelkors.com for more info................ 26 April 2009.Bob Dylan And His Band live at The Roundhouse,London.Smallish gig by Dylan that was a ticket ballot via his website for most here.This holds 2000 compared to last nights 18,000 but i was nearer the stage in the bigger venue last night.Fans have been in the queue since midday to get front places.On stage at 8.25pm for a two hour set.He opened up with great versions of "Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat" and "Dont Think Twice Its Alright".The mark of a true arist here as half the songs were different from last nights set although not sure they were what his loyal fans wanted."Highway 61 Revisited" and "Like A Rolling Stone" were both again great and i really warmed to Bobs vocals.His band are again superb.The same three encores like last night were again all really fab "All Along The Watchtower", "Spirit On The Water" and "Blowing In The Wind".Again his only words to the crowd were at the end were "Thank You Friends" and he introduced the band.There was a great poster of the gig for sale at 7 quid in the foyer with the date and venue which eventually sold out. See www.bobdylan.com for tonights full setlist. Spotted by me in the crowd was Bill Wyman,Chrissie Hynde,Ian Broudie(Lightning Seeds) and Terry Gilliam(film producer and Monty Python chap)..................................... 25 April 2009.Bob Dylan And His Band live at The 02 Arena,London.Jubilee Line again suspended both ways today so thanks London Transport.(Not). A big London show for this music legend as part of a UK tour to promote his 33rd album "Together Through Life".I am not the biggest Dylan fan even though i have seen him some 20 times including two of his legendary Earls Court Arena shows from 1978.Its his voice that i cannot handle usually.There are no big screens tonight so it must have awful to have been in the rear half of the arena or up in Level 4.I am just 10 rows from stage on the floor direct in front of Dylan.Bob and his band arrive on stage at 8.15pm for a two hour set.Bob is on stand up keyboards facing sideways.His excellent 5 piece band spent half their time looking at Bob.They open with gems "Maggies Farm","The Times They Are A Changing" and "Things Have Changed".Then it was a bunch of songs that i did not know as i have not bought any Dylan stuff for 20 years.I can see beads of sweat dripping off Bobs face on to his keyboards i am that close.Nice to be down the front with all the hardcore Dylan fans.Most of the lyrics i can hear too but would this be the same if i was at the back? i doubt it.Also good was "Highway 61 Revisited".The main set ended with a great "Like A Rolling Stone".The encores also were great with "All Along The Watchtower","Spirit Of The Water" and "Blowing In The Wind".Before the last song he spoke his only words to the crowd all night "Thank You Friends" and introduced the band.So for me a much better Bob Dylan show than i have seen for many years.A couple of faces here were Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze wearing some dodgy suede fringed jacket and Don Warrington who played the posh black guy in 1970s comedy hit tv series "Rising Damp".See www.bobdylan.com for full setlist.....after Dylan show we went over to Indigo 2 for a couple of hours for The Guilty Pleasures djs 1980s party night which was great fun i must say.................................. 24 April 2009.Ultravox live at The Hammersmith Apollo,London.This was their first tour for over 20 years.I had seen them a dozen times in the early 1980s including Live Aid in 1985.Mostly when i was on front stage security including four shows here in Dec 1982.Ultravox were never trendy back in the day and even tonights crowd looks a bit nerdy.They arrive on stage and they have not aged as well as the likes of Duran Duran or Spandau Ballet who were also around then.Lots of keyboards on stage for the 1 hour 40 mins set.The first half was pretty average but the second half was a lot better.Set included "Passing Strangers","We Stand Alone",a nice gesture by Midge Ure as he said "Not sure what they call this venue now but it will always be Hammersmith Odeon to us".I love it when bands who played here in the 1980s say that.Also good was "Thin Wall",a great "Vienna" then "Reap The Wild Wind","One Small Day","We Stood Still" then very good versions of "Dancing With Tears In Our Eyes" and "Hymn".Encores were "Sleepwalk" and "The Voice" which ended up with the three at the front all banging drums at the front of stage which they did back in the day too.They also used their grey guitars and bass from the old days.So an enjoyable show.This show was sold out and they play another show at The Roundhouse on Thurs 30 April which will be recorded for a DVD. Trivia fact in the late 1970s Thin Lizzy were managed by Chris O'Donnell and Chris Morrison and when Lizzy split up Morrison-O'Donnell then managed Ultravox................................. 23 April 2009.Launch party for the opening of Sanctum Soho Hotel,20 Warwick Street,London W1. (off Regent Street and near Carnaby Street). 7pm to 1am.Massive party for over 500 people for this boutique hotel with 30 rooms that has rumoured to have cost 10 million quid.It is owned by Mark Fuller who also owns The Embassy Club and is a popular figure in London clubland. See www.sanctumsoho.com for more info on it. It also has financial investment from Iron Maidens management team.Lots of freebie cocktails,champers and grub here including oysters on the open air roof top bar and spa. Its a fab looking hotel."Crash Rooms" or small single rooms to you and me are from £175 to £250 a night so its pretty pricey.Bruce Dickenson and Nico McBrain from Iron Maiden are here as is their management team of Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor.Also here is legendary booking agent Rod MacSween whose roster includes Def Leppard and Whitesnake.Have a nice chat with him and ask about possible London shows by either band before or after Donington.He says "cannot be done as the Donington contract is tied in an exclusive".Also here is Simon Webbe(ex Blue) and Liz McClarnon(ex Atomic Kitten) and a few other faces from tv.At 11pm we moved to the afterparty at The Embassy Club for another couple of hours of freebie cocktails and food.Great night........ 21 April 2009.AC/DC live at The M.E.N.Arena,Manchester.This was my third AC/DC show in a week.The band could have sold out two or three shows here but as its only the one loads have turned up without tickets and touts ask and get 150 quid a ticket as touts have not got enough to go round.Last time i was at this venue was Nov 2007 for The Sex Pistols.It seems to get a lot hotter and stuffier in here compared to the 02 Arena.The band take the stage at 8.35pm which was same time as first 02 Arena show.Its the same set as usual.Fantastic loud classic rock tunes galore.I am a bit further back than both the shows in London which was a bit of a downer but its well worth the trip. Only face i saw was Geordie actress Denise Welsh who is married to Tim Healy.................... 20 April 2009.Bonnie Prince Billy + Susanna live at The Royal Festival Hall,London.Up first for a 40 mins set is blonde female Susanna from Oslo. She looks like Phoebe from "Friends" tv series. Nice gentle piano and gentle lyrics.She did a great piano ballad version of Thin Lizzys "Jailbreak".Bonnie Prince Billy aka Will Oldham from America has had over half a dozen albums out but is pretty much an enigma even to his beard stroking Guardian reading fans.Tonight is a total sell out.Will and his excellent band played a set lasting 1 hour 50 mins full of quality country/folk tunes.Good tunes played include "I See A Darkness","Cursed Sleep",superb new track "You Dont Love Me" from recent album "Beware" and "Nobodys Darling On Earth" with all the band singing a verse each.An impressive gig and you can see what the fuss is all about....... 19 April 2009.Van Morrison live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.Second of two shows where Van The Man plays his classic 1968 album "Astral Weeks" in full and other hits.Despite all the seats in the arena and stalls costing a wallet sapping 200 quid and 110 quid the promoter assures me tickets are selling well and true enough on the night its a sell out.On stage for 2 hours 20 mins over two sets of 60 mins and 80 mins.Although i have seen Van a dozen times since 1979 i still do not really like his vocal style.I feel the same way about Bob Dylan.The first set includes "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You","Its All In The Game" and "Caravan" but he leaves out a few well known tunes inc "Bright Side Of The Road" and "Brown Eyed Girl". His big band are excellent and include a string section and three backing singers.Van swapped between guitar,piano,harmonica and sax.The second set was "Astral Weeks" which is a jazz/folk/blues album that Van recorded in his early 20s.Tracks included "Sweet Thing","The Way Young Lovers Do" and "Ballerina".But still his style of singing where i cannot make out much of the lyrics gets to me.That and the fact he talks to the crowd once all night and fails to introduce his great band.A super final rendition of "Gloria" gets a standing ovation.A decent enough show overall but for me thats all........ 18 April 2009.Cameo live at The 02 Indigo,London. A capacity crowd are here to see Cameos first London show for at least 10 years.They have been together for over 30 years and were massive in the mid 1980s.I was lucky enough to have seen a few of their Hammersmith Odeon shows back then. They arrive on stage in shimmery outfits and singer Larry Blackmon is wearing his trademark red codpiece.The sound is loud and funky for the 80 mins set and the crowd are up for it from the start.Opening with two hit gems "Shes Strange" and "Single Life" complete with nifty dance moves.Also great was "Attack Me With Your Love" and the ballad "Why Have I Lost You?".For their hit "Candy" half the folks on the floor joined up for what to the outsider would be line dancing but of course it was a famous 1980s dance routine in the UK clubs.The band were blown away seeing it.An extended version of their massive hit "Word Up" went down a treat.Encores were "Aligator Woman","Flirt" and they repeated "Candy" again so they could see the crowd again do the communal dance.A really good show and lets hope they do not leave it so long until the next time they come back to the UK.The dj here was great as he played the right tunes before the show and after until 2am. Promoters McKenzie Samuel Events next Ultimate Boogie Night is in June with The Fatback Band. More and more bands are playing this great venue. For more info and tickets www.theindigo2.co.uk. See aftershow page for this gig.................. 17 April 2009.Prodigy + Dizzee Rascal live at Wembley Arena,London.Second of Prodigy two shows here as part of UK tour to promote recent number one album "Invaders Must Die".The place is rocking and from the front to back everyone is up and dancing and thats just for the support Dizzee Rascal who goes down a storm.His 40 mins set inc "Stand Up Tall","Dance Wit Me" and new single "Bonkers".Also the dj between acts played the right sounds to keep up the vibe.What can you say about a Prodigy crowd? The atmosphere is electric as most are boozed up and a few are pilled up no doubt and the whole place erupts when the band take the stage.As usual its a short 80 mins set of menacing aural assault and energy to match as Keith Flint and Maxim Reality both prowl the stage.A few newies mixed in with old gems.The lightshow matches any rock band.Set inc "Worlds On Fire","Their Law","Breathe", "Omen","Poison",a stunning "Firestarter","Voodoo People","Jericho","Comanche" and encores "Invaders Must Die","Diesel Power",it was pure bedlem for "Smack My Bitch Up",then "Take Me To The Hospital" and "Outer Space".Fantstic show. Still the best dance rock live band out there. The band will be playing all over the festivals of UK and Europe in the summer................... 16 April 2009.AC/DC + The Answer live at The 02 Arena,London.Back again for the second of two shows here.Impressive AC/DC facts.Their back catalog sales are second only to The Beatles and their 40 million plus sales of "Back In Black" make it the second best selling album of all time after Michael Jacksons "Thriller".Aimed to get to the venue early tonight but was messed up by the Jubilee Line which was suspended for an hour.Thankfully the show was running 15 mins later than the first night so i caught the last three songs by The Answer.I like their blues rock sound.I end up virtually where i was Tues night with a superb view right of stage.Near me is Justin Hawkins ex Darkness now Hot Leg and his brother Dan ex Darkness now Stone Gods.Also Biff Byford(Saxon singer)and Geordie actor Jimmy Nail.Its identical to the show on Tuesday song for song but it did seem a bit louder and more distorted.How can one band have so many gigantic thunderous guitar riffs??.Its just another fantastic show.Angus with his shirt off and sweating loads has given 110% again and it looks like he will pass out on stage.The merch stalls did a roaring trade again tonight.For "Highway To Hell" Angus wears his red devil horns and you turn around and hundreds of fans are wearing them.Being totally spoilt for choice in London means rarely needing to go elsewhere but i will hope to see them next week in Manchester or Birmingham.See aftershow page for this gig....... 15 April 2009.Spent a very enjoyable couple of hours at the press launch for Louis Mariette bespoke hat couture,bejewelled headpieces and accessories,Sloane Gardens,London SW1.Louis will be one of the judges on the new series of Britains Next Top Model alongside series stalwart Lisa Snowdon and Icelandic photographer Huggy Ragnarsson which starts on Monday 20 April 2009 at 9pm on Living TV.Louis's renowned flamboyant creations have been worn by Pink,Jerry Hall,Sophie Dahl,Jodie Kidd and many more and his personality will be a sure fire hit with the viewers.The champers and sushi flowed. See www.louismariette.com........................ 14 April 2009.AC/DC live at The 02 Arena,London. Opening show of their short UK tour as part of their huge world tour that started six months ago to promote their recent album "Black Ice". Even this jaded and seen it all old git is very excited about tonights show.I have since this band around 40 times since 1976 which includes a staggering 19 times with Bon Scott and six of those where at The Marquee Club alone in 1976. AC/DC have now sold over 200 million albums. I have fantastic seats right block just ten yards from the stage.A couple of rows behind me are Justin Hawkins(ex Darkness singer and now Hot Leg) and a couple of the blokes from BBC TV Top Gear Programme(not Jeremy Clarkson).The show is five mins under two hours and is superb. It starts with a 30 ft train engine bursting through the back screens for recent single "Rock n Roll Train".The sound is pure rock power and the riffs are just brilliant.A few tracks of the new album mix in well with some of the greatest rock classics ever.Angus now in his 50s and losing his hair but still in his trademark school uniform and duckwalking the stage.Brian Johnson on vocals looking like your fave uncle but with a fantastic rasping rock voice.The 90% male crowd lapped it all up.A walkway down into the floor standing was used by Brian and Angus. Angus did his famous striptease during "The Jack" and a huge bell was lowered for "Hells Bells". Loads of flames all through "T.N.T.".A huge 50 ft buxon blonde blow up doll straddled the train for "Whole Lotta Rosie". and during "Let There Be Rock" Angus did his famous on the floor guitar solo spinning a full 360 degrees.The encores really cannot be bettered with "Highway To Hell" and six cannons rising at the back and blasting away to "For Those About To Rock(We Salute You).Although i must say the cannons were not half as loud as previous tours.Anyway a 10 out of 10 gig and i will be back for more for sure even though it looks like the same setlist is played every night with no variation at all. Complete setlist was "Rock n Roll Train","Hell Aint A Bad Place To Be","Back In Black","Big Jack","Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap","Shot Down In Flames","Thunderstruck","Black Ice","The Jack","Hells Bells","Shoot To Thrill","War Machine","Anything Goes","You Shook Me All Night Long","T.N.T.","Whole Lotts Rosie","Let There Be Rock".Encores of "Highway To Hell" and "For Those About To Rock(We Salute You)............... 13 April 2009.David Byrne live at The Royal Festival Hall,London.Second of two sold out shows at this venue for the ex singer of Talking Heads playing The Songs Of David Byrne And Brian Eno.Another artist i have a lot of history with. I saw Talking Heads first London shows as support to The Ramones in June 1977 and i was at Hammersmith Odeon in 1980 when Talking Heads were supported by some Irish upstarts called U2. As expected its a very visual show with all the band dressed in all white including the three backing singers and the three dancers.The set lasted five mins short of two hours and was really good.Mixing old and new (recent album called Everything That Happens Will Happen Today).A nice percussive dance feel to most songs.Set included "One Fine Day","Walking The Line","Heaven","Born Under Punches" and superb versions of "Once In A Lifetime" and "Life During Wartime".Encores included brilliant versions of "Take Me To The River" and "Burning Down The House" and for the final song the new track "Everything That Happens" he was joined on stage by the legend that is Brian Eno. Sadly no "Pyscho Killer" tonight but a great show overall.......................................... 12 April 2009.Jackson Browne live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.JBs heyday was in the early 70s and was he inducted in to The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2002.In London as part of a long European Tour.On stage for a lengthy 2 hours 40 mins over two sets of 70 mins and 90 mins.Age 60 now but he still has that floppy hairstyle and looks 20 years younger.He is promoting his recent album "Time The Conqueror".His band are superb musicians and the sound is just perfect.The first set was a bit average as it had a sprinkling of tracks from the new album and only the last couple of tracks were really good.The second half was geared mainly towards his older stuff.Jackson moved between guitar and piano.Gems included "Late For The Sky","These Days","Going Down To Cuba","Your Bright Baby Blues" and brilliant versions of "The Pretender" and "Running On Empty".Like most Americans that play this amazing venue he seems genuine about loving playing here tonight. You could hear a pin drop when he sung tonight. He returns to The Royal Albert Hall on 21 May.... 11 April 2009.Royksopp + Fever Ray live at The Royal Festival Hall,London.First we have debut London show from Swedish electronica act Fever Ray.Like the headliners its dreamy sounds played but they have a stunning laser show than will no doubt grace a lot of European festivals over the summer.See www.feverray.com.Royksopp debut 2002 album "Melody AM" has quietly sold over a million copies worldwide and is regarded as one of the greatest chill out albums of all time.The 80 mins set was filmic,dreamy and mostly instrumental bar a couple of female singers who came on every so often.A couple of tunes i knew from tv adverts.The sold out crowd were up and dancing after four of five songs.They featured tracks from their new album "Junior".The crowd loved it but its not really my scene.Again for an hour after the show we attended the lively free dj party in the RFH foyer................... 10 April 2009.Peaches + Jonny Woo live at The Royal Festival Hall,London.The R.F.H is the place to be this Easter as the ETHER FESTIVAL has four days of shows in the evening and free pre gig stuff and free aftershow gigs in the foyer.See www.southbankcentre.co.uk...Tonights support act is Jonny Woo who is a very camp variety act dressed in womans thigh high boots and wearing a cape made of cds.He has a great way with words and is far more entertaining than expected.See www.myspace.com/jonnywoouk.Then its Peaches who along with her band come on the The A Team theme.This is a big show for this electro pop provocateur who is previewing some tracks from new album "I Feel Cream" which is released on 04 May.Her stage antics are well known so its no surprise that she has run into the audience and climbed all over the seats and then back up on to the amps all before the third song has finished.There is a costume change virtually every other song and visually you cannot take your eyes off her in the 85 mins set.Songs played included "Hot Rod","I Dont Want To Lose You","Boys Wanna Be Her","Talk To Me","Set It Off" and "Tear It Up" where her band member takes his shirt off to do a great Iggy Pop impersonation.Then for "Rock n Roll" Peaches was singing it high up in the air on wires floating across the stage.Another gem was "Fuck The Pain Away" and encores included "Lovertits".Her raunchy lyrics have kept her off the radio and thats probably why she is not bigger than what she is now.A really good show.....After the show in the foyer was very lively as dj Jodie Harsh and friends including a band kept the party going until just after midnight.................. 09 April 2009.Starsailor + Parlotones live at The Shepherds Bush Empire,London.A sold out London show at the end of the UK tour by Starsailor in support of their fourth album "All The Plans" that was released last month.Up first we had Parlotones who are huge in their South African homeland.Starsailor supported them over there and are now returning the favour.Dressed in black shirts with red ties they played some good tunes from their recent album "A World Next Door To Yours".They have a hint of The Killers in their image and sound.Starsailor arrive on stage to huge cheers for their 1 hour 40 mins set.Singer James Walsh in a smart jacket and that heartwarming voice soon gets all the crowd singing along loudly.Gems played included "In The Crossfire" the excellent new album title track "All The Plans",also "Poor Misguided Fool" and "Alcoholic".The anthemic "Keep Us Together" always sends a tingle down my spine.Other goodies were "Silence Is Easy" and recent single "Tell Me Its Not Over".The five song encore was "Lullaby" then covers of "Jealous Guy" and "Dancing Queen" and then a couple of oldies "Floor To The Floor" and "Good Souls" brought the house down with the crowd in full voice. There is still plenty of life in Starsailor...... 08 April 2009.Went to two really good events. First ABC live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.ABC one off special show playing their classic 1982 album "The Lexicon Of Love" with 50 plus members of The BBC Concert Orchestra. On stage for two sets of 45 mins and 60 mins. First set was a batch of hits.Martin Fry in a very smart suit as usual and Anne Dudley(has won an oscar)is conducting the orchestra.The lush sounds take everything to a higher level.Every band should play with an orchestra at some stage. Gems played inc "When Smokey Sings","S.O.S", "The Night You Murdered Love","One Better World", "Ocean Blue","How To Be A Millionaire" and "Be Near Me".Second half is introduced by legendary producer Trevor Horn who produced tonights classic album which is full of great strings, great melodies and great lyrics.They all sound fantastic."Show Me","Poison Arrow","Many Happy Returns"."Tears Are Not Enough" and stunning versions of "The Look Of Love" and "All Of My Heart".For the encore Trevor Horn joined the backing singers and Martin Fry wore his famous gold lame suit to much delight in the crowd for a reprise of "The Look Of Love".Great gig...... then 11pm to 1.30am i was at The Music Week Awards afterparty at The Grosvenor House Hotel,Park Lane,London.Loads of free booze here flowing with 1000 members of record companies and behind the scenes music biz folks.There are a couple of faces here inc Duffy,Billy Bragg and Guy Garvey(the singer from Elbow).About 20 awards given out inc Record Company Of The Year = Polydor for Duffy,Girls Aloud,Snow Patrol,Elbow etc.Independent Record Company Of The Year = XL for Prodigy,White Stripes,Dizzie Rascal,Mia etc.UK Music Executive = Chris Blackwall for Island Records,Bob Marley,U2 etc. Music Venue of The Year = Brixton Academy.Manager Of The Year = Jeanette Lee for Duffy.Music Retail Shop Of The Year = Rough Trade East.Concert Promoter Of The Year = Rob Hallett for AEG Live ,mainly 02 Orena.A disco helped things along until the end.Had a nice chat with Paul Ballance from a sponsor www.mbopmegastore.com who used to play in The Warm Jets about 25/30 years ago.A good bash. Everyone got some free tickets for The British Music Experience at The 02 Arena complex which was handy as i wanted to go along to that. See www.musicweek.com for full info.............. 06 April 2009.Went to three events today.First 3pm to 5pm i attended The Natural And Organic Products Trade Show at Olympia,London.A massive event featuring organic wines,beers,omega oils,foods,clothing,skincare,cosmetics,chocs etc but the best bit was meeting a nice chap called Matt who was looking after the press room.He played drums in a skate punk band from Brighton called Phinius Gage who played all over Europe a few years ago and still have stuff up on youtube etc......then 6.45pm to 9.30pm was The Arabian Fashion Show Party at The Hotel Intercontinental, Mayfair,London.About 400 people inc including Middle Eastern Royalty and loads of tv crews and snappers.First we had an hour of champers and canopes then a great fashion show lasting 50 mins where five designers had 10 mins each.The models looked classy and elegant and most of the dresses were fab.Then desserts and coffees for an hour after.See www.arabianfashionworld.com for pics and info........then 10pm to midnight i was at The Sports Bar,Haymarket,London for the launch party for opening of new Major League Baseball Season on ESPN America tv.Lots of burgers,ribs,chicken and beers flowing in the upstairs area.You can get it on tv over here via Sky channel 417 and Virgin Media channel 533. They gave us a nice goodie bag of stuff too. See website www.espnamerica.com for info......... 05 April 2009.Lionel Richie live at The 02 Arena,London.This was Lionels second of two shows here as part of his huge UK and European arena tour.On stage for just under two hours he is always great to watch.So many pukka songs tonight from an artist who has sold over 100m albums.Set inc "Easy" then a couple of songs from new album "Just Go" including the title track.Gems followed one after the other."Penny Lover","Stuck On You",a superb "Running With The Night","Say You Say Me","Still","Hello","Brick House",all the crowd singing along to "Three Times A Lady","Sail On" and a brilliant "Dancing On The Ceiling".Massive stage production with loads of big screens.Lots of friendly banter with the crowd and that big smile of his.Encores included "Endless Love","Truly" and a great "All Night Long".Everybody loves a bit of Lionel.Very good show........................................ 05 April 2009.11am to 4pm.Relaunch event for 200 press folks that was a really nice 3 in 1 day out by the river.From 11am to 12.30pm we visit the refurbished and renamed London Sealife Aquarium which has lots of lovely sea creatures. See www.sealife.co.uk for more info.Get kids stuff goodie bags then buffet lunch in the press hospitality room.Then 1.45pm to 2.30pm we go on a 45 mins London Eye River Cruise along the Thames seeing all the great sights.Then 3pm to 3.30pm we get fast track tickets for The London Eye Big Wheel with its great views.Loads of tourists about here because of the location and all three things were right next to each other so no time wasted and a lovely Sunday out....... 04 April 2009.Boot Led Zeppelin + Rollin Stoned live at The Shepherds Bush Empire,London.A double bill of quality tribute acts.Up first are Rollin Stoned who are more well known than the Led Zep tribute coming on later.They are on for around 85 mins.Lots of fab costumes with tongue in cheek ad libs and classic Stones hits inc "Start Me Up","Its Only Rock And Roll","Not Fade Away","Paint It Black","Ruby Tuesday","Sympathy For The Devil","Street Fighting Man","I Cant Get No Satisfaction","Get Off Of My Cloud","Honky Tonk Woman","Jumping Jack Flash","Starfucker" and "Brown Sugar".The crowd loved it and really got into it.See their website for future gigs www.rollinstoned.com.... then it was Boot Led Zeppelin.Its quite a statement to say you can sing like Robert Plant and play guitar like Jimmy Page but they pull it off.On stage for around 95 mins they got better and better and the singer has Robert Plant nailed perfect.Lots of great Zep classics inc "No Quarter","Dazed And Confused" complete with violin based guitar solo.Also more gems like "Black Dog","Since Ive Been Loving You",superb versions of "Houses Of The Holy","Stairway To Heaven","Whole Lotta Love" and "Rock And Roll". See www.boot-led-zeppelin.co.uk for future gigs. Both bands were really enjoyable................. 03 April 2009.Stiff Little Fingers + Chelsea live at The Kentish Town Forum,London.Always good to see Chelsea although they were third rate in 1977 and some things never change.They play "Right To Work" which is still brilliant. This was the last night of SLFs month long tour of Spain and the UK.Stiff Little Fingers brought out one of the greatest punk albums of all time "Inflammable Material" around 30 years ago which was the first album ever released on Rough Trade Records.Tonight they play for 90 mins and are faster,harder,tighter and punchier than ever.Lots of jumping around and pogoing front of stage tonight for gems inc "Wasted Life",a couple of brand new songs,"Guitar And Drum",a lethal "Suspect Device",also "Barbed Wire Love" and "Strummerville".Songs like "Nobodys Heros" and "Tin Soldiers" always go down well.Encores of "Johnny Was" and a stunning "Alternative Ulster" As always Stiff Little Fingers were just great. See www.slf.com for more UK shows in May 2009. See aftershow page for this gig................. 02 April 2009.7.30pm to 10.30pm.Reopening party for The Whitechapel Gallery,Whitechapel High Street,London E1.(nearest tube Aldgate East). Massive event for Londons art crowd as this building has had a 13 million quid refit which is a lot of dosh.A massive guest list of some 800 people here with loads of free booze and nibbles.Snappers taking photos of arty people but not sure who they were.I did see Alex James(Blur),Janet Street Porter and Henry Holland. Well worth the trek over to East London.See www.whitechapelgallery.org..............then 11.15pm to 12.15am was at Whisky Mist,Mayfair, London for the launch of www.bellinski.com bikini swimwear.Currently one of the hottest clubs in London due to celebs and royalty who come and the posh young crowd.A fashion display of half a dozen models in nice bikinis.One part of the club is for this event and one side is for the normal club night.Prices here are mental as its 170 quid for a bottle of champers or vodka.With that you get a waitress with sparklers and a girl playing bagpipes!!!!.Yes playing bagpipes.Its one of those tacky eurotrash things that are invading some London clubs "look at me i can afford a vastly overpriced bottle in this club".Thankfully our side had the free booze.......................... 01 April 2009.www.1click2fame.com final at Proud Galleries,Camden,London.Culmination of internet talent search where members of the public vote online for their fave uploaded clip.Lots of free flowing booze here to give it a nice party feel. First we get all girl pop act The Saturdays play a couple of hits then one by one the finalists perform.Singing,dancing,comedy,street and variety are all here.Its varied and of a very high standard.My faves are five girl acapella beatbox crew Bellatrix And The Boxettes but winner was Lucie Evans who gets the staggering 100,000 quid sponsorship prize.See the youtube video on www.1click2fame.com website of the 10 finalists including the winner................... 31 March 2009.Bat For Lashes live at The Hard Rock Cafe,London.Invite only show for 200 comp winners and industry folks for Q Magazine-The Music Club.BFL is actually Natasha Khan and her band.Her 2006 debut album "Fur And Gold" was shortlisted for the Mercury album prize so hopes are high for her second album "Two Suns" out 06 April.They are on stage for 55 mins and played tracks from both albums.I am front row left of stage with a great view and well away from folks at the back more interested in chatting than watching.Lots of free booze and Hard Rock Cafe food here for all.Her quirky dreamy vocals are not very commercial but she has got plenty of style.Set included oldie "Sarah" also "Piece Of Mind" and "Whats A Girl To Do?".Her songs i feel need a few listens before you can really get into them properly. Check out www.qthemusic.com for clips of this gig and for info see www.batforlashes.com.Next week they start a UK tour that ends with two shows at Shepherds Bush Empire on Apr 17/19...... 29 March 2009.TCT Comedy Night at The Royal Albert Hall,London.Two sets of an hour each with around six acts.Hosts Mathew Horne and James Corden do about half a dozen very funny sketches between the acts.The first set had Nick Mohammed then Gok Wan got involved for a few mins and then Sean Lock was very funny.Second set had a very lively Jack Whitehall and Noel Fielding brought his surreal material to the stage to the delight of loads of screaming girls.A good event......... 28 March 2009.Metallica live at The 02 Arena,London.Back again to see Metallica at this venue for the third time in six months.The band come on 20 mins earlier than the show three weeks ago as yet again The Jubilee Line is closed both ways so travel is a right mess as its cars or buses only to and from the venue.From the start its pure quality.Stage in the middle of the floor with lasers everywhere for the entire first song.On stage for 2 hours 15 mins.Set inc "Harvester Of Sorrow" and a stunning "One" with flames everywhere.Also great was "The Day That Never Comes" and a brilliant "Sad But True" where the lights in coffins are lowered.A trio of songs "Master Of Puppets","Nothing Else Matters" and "Enter Sandman" just rocked totally.Encores were Motorheads "Overkill" then "Kill Em All" and "Seek And Destroy" where again 100 giant black balloons fell from the ceiling and the band gave out loads of plectrums.All four members of the band were just on top form.Those songs with those lyrics and that stage production are the reasons why Metallica are one of the biggest and greatest rock bands out there.See aftershow page for this event................................... 27 March 2009.Kasabian live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.Another TCT show at The RAH.Its a Friday night Kasabian crowd so most of them have ha

 
 
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15 Mar 2009.Snow Patrol + White Lies live at The 02 Arena,London.Nice touch by Snow Patrol to have a different support band each night here.Its their second of three shows at this venue.Up first i see most of White Lies set. Like the show i watched a month ago its full of catchy synth pop gems from their debut album that went to number one in the UK charts.Snow Patrol have sold over 7m copies of their three albums.The band played for 1 hour 45 mins.A nice stage production with big screens and lots of lights but the band still dont look or dress like rock stars.Perhaps thats their appeal.Opening with good new single "If Theres A Rocket Tie Me To It".Also good was "Hands Open" and "Spitting Games" then a couple of boring tracks before a stunning version of "Run".Other goodies played inc "Shut Your Eyes",a superb "Chasing Cars","Set The Fire To The Third Bar","Crack The Shutters" and "Take Back The City".The encores of "The Lightning Strike" three part song was a bit average but "Youre All I Have" was great.A good show overall.............................. 14 Mar 2009.Went to two events tonight.7.30pm Elbow + The Acorn live at Wembley Arena,London. Up first we have Canadian folk rock from The Acorn.Never heard of them before but Elbow love them.They played tracks from their album "Glory Hope Mountain".Nice gentle lyrics and harmonies in a Fleet Foxes sort of way.After winning so many awards in the past year Elbow are in pre interviews calling this "the gig of their lives" as its sold out and their biggest headline show ever.Everyone loves Elbow these days.The only band to get 9/10 reviews of all four albums in NME and now the sales are finally coming with "The Seldom Seen Kid".They play a brilliant two hour set with a four piece string section.The sound is perfect and the band just ease through every song.Starting with the first three tracks off their big album "Starlings","The Bones Of You" and "Mirrorball".Set also included "Leaders Of The Free World","The Stops",and Richard Hawley joined them for "The Fix" then "Forget Myself".Stunning versions of "Grounds For Divorce" and "Weather To Fly" and the venue was too small for the anthem that is "One Day Like This" with the houselights on for all the crowd singing and halfway through streamers and confetti poured over the front standing.Encores included "Some Riot" and "Station Approach". Finally Elbow have arrived in the big time. .......then 11.30pm to 2.30am was The Rock Renaissance Launch Party Featuring The Kooks live and Rock Photographs By Joe Bangay At Home House,Portman Square,London W1.A very lively bash at this posh private members club that costs some 1000 quid a year membership just to get you in the door.Joe Bangay is an older photographer who started with The Daily Express then took rock pics in the 1980s and 1990s.When i was working front stage at Hammersmith Odeon in the 1980s he was always there.Like me its his fave venue.Sponsors Jack Daniels,Red Bull and Asahi Beer are giving out the free booze to some 300 or 400 cool folks.The Kooks play a 30 mins set inc "She Moves In Her Own Way"on a low stage. Jade Jagger and Duncan ex Blue are here.I would not fancy being the cleaners in the morning after this lot.Everyone gets a nice brochure of the photos for sale.DJs played some good tunes and a lively fun party it was.The photos move to 2R Art Gallery,51 Cornwall Gardens,South Kensington,SW7 from Mar 17 for a month.......... 12 Mar 2009.A busy night as i wizzed around to three events.First 7pm to 8pm was the launch of The Bentley Hotel,27 Harrington Gardens,SW5.A stunning 5 star hotel behind Gloucester Road with very attentive staff which is always nice. Building originally put up 1880 and has now had a total refit.Freebie champers,cocktails and canopes flowing.Upmarket crowd here.Singer and tv presenter Mica Paris was here....then 8.10pm to 9.10pm at The Homes And Gardens "Classic Design Awards" at The V + A Museum,SW7.Some 10 awards given out here.Drinks are flowing and some faces here from tv.Nice goodie bag of posh candles from www.designersguild.com......then 9.30pm to 11pm was The 5th Birthday Party for Boudoir PR at Jalouse,Hanover Square,W1.Lots of pretty girls here for this fashion and cosmetics pr firm.The dj seemed to be playing the same song for the entire time i was there but maybe thats me just showing my age.Freebie vodka cocktails flowing and goodie bags with girlie designer t shirts from PDE.A fun evening......... 11 Mar 2009.Went to two launch parties tonight. First 7pm to 8.45pm was The Brompton Bar And Grill,243 Brompton Road,London SW3.A small but nice venue just up the road from Harrods.The freebie cocktails,champers and canopes are flowing.A very upmarket crowd here due to the area.Top showbiz photographers Richard Young and Dave Bennet are here snapping the posh youngsters for Tatler etc.A good one....then 9.15pm to midnight The Air Asia X (www.airasia.com)launch at The Millbank Tower,29th Floor,London SW1.A big crowd of 300/400 here to celebrate their new budget priced Stansted to Kuala Lumpar route. It is owned by Tony Fernandes who is here who was Warner Brothers Music head in Asia and has been named "the Asian Richard Branson".The venue has a full laser show beaming across the Thames and the stunning views of London at night are fab.Free booze is flowing.All female pop act The Saturdays play a set of 4 or 5 songs inc their hits and are harmless fun.A decent dj kept the crowd rocking until midnight.Good one............ 09 Mar 2009.Franz Ferdinand live at The Hammersmith Apollo,London.FF took so long to bring out their third album "Tonight:Franz Ferdinand" that they went off the radar a bit. The band play a really good set but on stage for only 80 mins when you have three albums of material is a mark deducted for me.With a screen showing arty images they still have a few gems inc "Dark Side Of The Matinee","Do You Want To", "Walk Away" and a superb "Take Me Out" and also "Michael" was great.Recent single "Ulysses" also was good and encores included "What She Came For" and "This Fire".They also did their fun bit where they all picked up drumsticks to bash away at the drums.A good show overall................. 08 Mar 2009.Keith Moon blue plaque unveiling at noon at the site of the old Marquee Club in Wardour Street followed by a lunch at The Grosvenor House Hotel,Park Lane,London from 1pm to 5.30pm.Get to Wardour Street at 11.30am and there is already a few hundred here including around 50 mods on their scooters all dressed up.They look great.At noon after speeches dj Mike Reid, Roger Daltrey and Keith Moons mum pull the unveiling rope to big cheers.Sadly Pete Townshend does not turn up.Neither does Robin Gibb(Head Of Blue Plaque Heritage).There are some others here inc Kenney Jones,Zak Starkey,PJ Proby,Mayoress Of Westminister,Mad Irish Jack(a famous Who fan),Luke Morley(Thunder),the keyboard player from Go West,Garry Bushell,both Keith Moons sisters and a few old boys from back in the day.The road was blocked off to traffic. Then off to the tribute lunch a few mins away. Some 320 people here made up of guests and paying fans.We are on a table sitting next to a lovely chap who is the singer of the UKs number one Who tribute Whos Who who play a nice set later.There is a lovely 3 course meal with wine and coffee.3pm Mad Irish Jack says a few words then there is an auction of music and sporting stuff then an old boy does a funny old school comedy set for 20 mins then Keiths sisters say a few words then there is a raffle.Keith died in 1982.Loads of great Who footage on the screens. All the guests from the unveiling earlier are here.There is a famous 3d hologram of Keith Moon on display that has not been seen in public for 30 years.At 4.15pm Whos Who play a really good 50 mins set of Who classics.Their drummer is a real Keith lookalike,playalike and soundalike.Highlights were brillant versions of "Baba O'Reilly","Substitute" and "Wont Get Fooled Again".They were joined for last song by John Scollar who was in Keiths pre Who band The Beachcombers.Drinks after and left at 5.30pm. The band play Half Moon,Putney on Sat 21 March. For more info see www.thewhotribute.com. An excellent afternoon.............................. 07 Mar 2009.Tina Turner live at The 02 Arena,London.This was show number 3 of 5 for Tina at this venue and my 2nd time to see her here on this tour.Its another totally rammed sold out show.Nightmare tube journey to the venue as The Jubilee Line is again partly closed for weekend engineering works.If you go to a show at the weekend here always phone London Transport on 0207 222 1234 before you leave.She comes on five mins earlier and its song for song the same show as i saw on Tuesday.Again its a fantastic show to see as there is so much going on and Tina is such a great performer.At the end the working personnel names on this tour come up on the big screen like in film credits.I presume it names the bloke who stands in the pit and whose entire job all night is to tighten and loosen Tinas microphone lead as she moves across the stage.A real quality show................... 06 Mar 2009.Kaiser Chiefs + Black Kids live at Wembley Arena,London.Last night of Kaiser Chiefs two month European and UK tour.Up first are NME faves Black Kids and they play for 40 mins and are really good.Mixed group of 3 boys/2 girls that works great.Catchy indie pop with lots of stand up keyboards and shouty backing vocals from the girls.They played tracks from their album "Partie Traumatic" and a couple of newies.They finished with their brilliant single "Im Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend"...its a sell out Friday night crowd here and the floor standing punters are really up for it.I have seen the KCs some 10 or 12 times since before their first album came out and its always a great show.Some 85 mins on stage with lots of lights but sadly no big screens for those stuck at the back.Lots of gems played inc "Everyday I Love You Less And Less","Everything Is Average Nowadays" with singer Ricky jumping offstage into the pit.Also "Ruby","Na Na Na Na Naa", "Modern Way","Never Miss A Beat", a mega "I Predict A Riot",then Ricky Wilson on a podium near the back for "Take My Temperature".Finale of "The Angry Mob".Encores inc "Oh My God".Ricky Wilson always very energetic.Very good.......... 05 Mar 2009.From 7.30pm to 8.30pm i was at The Colorize-Ray Ban "Never Hide" launch party at The Ultra Lounge,Lower Ground Floor, Selfridges,London.Freebie cocktails flowing and dj spinning some tunes.Great to see Michael Fielding who is Noels brother and is Naboo in The Mighty Boosh.Also here was Alexa Chung and surprise surprise Amy Winehouse turns up for her first night out after coming back from two months in Barbados.Maybe it was a favour to rock n roll jewellers www.tattydevine.com who were giving out the goodie bags.......then over to see The Jim Jones Revue live at Madame Jojos,Soho,London.The venue is packed to capacity as word is finally getting out about the hottest new rock n roll combo out there. Their blistering 55 mins set was full of raw uptempo garage rock tunes from their recent debut album including their new single "Cement Mixer".Hints of Little Richard/Jerry Lee Lewis mixed in with MC5/Rocket From The Crypt type firepower really was a joy to watch. I was standing near the front as the guitarist fired off brilliant riffs and the keyboard player pounded away.Great vocals too.A warning to any bands wanting this band to support them. They will blow you offstage for certain. Wild covers of "Good Golly Miss Molly" and "Missisippi Queen" sealed off a great show. I spotted Primal Screams Bobby Gillespie here. Catch them at The Camden Crawl in April. For more info see www.jimjonesrevue.com.......... 04 Mar 2009.Went to three launch parties tonight. ...6.15pm to 8pm was the launch of new events listings website www.wozzon.com at Punk,Soho Street,London W1.Trendy club for this website with a great logo.Wozzon staff were very friendly.Freebie booze and nibbles here and a short neat set by underground beatbox flautist Nathan "Flutebox" Lee.The site lists thousands of events with all types of venues and the arts covered................then 8.30pm to 9.30pm was at The Lastminute.com launch for Restaurant Week at 1 Marylebone Road,London NW1.Anything at this venue is always pretty good.The host is BBC TV chef James Martin.Radio 1 dj Pete Tong is here.Freebie booze and nibbles again.Book from March 05 for period 16 March to 29 March when loads of top quality eating places are doing special deals via www.lastminute.com.Nice goodie bags on the way out......then over to trendy Hoxton 10.15pm to 12.15am for the opening of new bar The Queen Of Hoxton at 1 Curtain Road,London EC2.The freebie booze is flowing and as expected its a young trendy indie/fashion crowd.Henry Holland is the dj.Very busy and lively.Three good events in one night......................... 03 Mar 2009.Tina Turner live at The 02 Arena,London.TT first of five shows here at this venue as part of her huge "50th Anniversary" European Tour.Also its her first tour since 2000 when she headlined Wembley Stadium.Its a huge Mark Fisher stage production with walkways,big screens,a big band feat John "Music" Miles on guitar,flames,fireworks,four female dancers and four male dancers.Tickets costing a hefty 50 to 100 quid.Tina is now aged 69 and looks amazing and still dares to wear short skirts.On stage for 2 hour 15 mins over two sets.It was a mix of hits and lots of suitable cover versions and no new material.Set inc opener "Steamy Windows" from 30ft up in the air.Also "River Deep Mountain High","Better Be Good To Me","Acid Queen","Whats Love Got To Do With It","Private Dancer" and the first set finished with the stage and costumes dressed for Mad Max:Beyond Thunderdome as Tina belted out "We Dont Need Another Hero" with that great voice.Second half started with a few mins of old video footage then "Help","Lets Stay Together","I Cant Stand The Rain","Jumping Jack Flash","Its Only Rock And Roll","Golden Eye", "Addicted To Love" and a stunning version of "Simply The Best" then "Proud Mary".Encore had Tina hovering over the front stalls on an extended crane arm for "Nutbush City Limits" then "Be Tender With My Baby".Tina still does that funny little dance of hers and entertains the crowd well.A very enjoyable show................. 02 Mar 2009.Metallica + Machine Head + The Sword live at The 02 Arena,London.A nice three band rock package as part of Metallicas UK arena tour to promote recent album "Death Magnetic".Up first we have The Sword.They play a 30 mins set with some extra fuzzy distorted guitar which i kinda liked.Machine Head are an ideal support here as they are very heavy and have sold out Brixton Academy on their own.A 45 mins set with some tracks from recent album "The Blackening" and some oldies.They go down very well....... Metallica back in London after that amazing one off all tickets 5 quid show here at the end of 2008.Its the same stunning in the round(well rectangle)stage production with the lights that hang from eight giant coffins.There are also eight microphones where the band move between songs so everyone gets a great view.Loads of flames and lasers too.Metallica really are on another level.Some 2 hours 10 mins of perfect riffing guitars and fantastic drumming and they change the setlist by 3 or 4 songs each night. Opening with "That Was Just Your Life".Also "Holier Than Thou",a brilliant "One",also newie "Cyanide" and a mega "Sad But True".Then three that really rocked to 11."Master Of Puppets", "Nothing Else Matters" and "Enter Sandman".The encores included a cover of Motorheads "Too Late Too Late" and "Seek And Destroy".At the end 100 giant black plastic balloons fell from the ceiling and the band gave out dozens of guitar pics and drumsticks.A quality show............... 01 Mar 2009.Vampires Rock Musical with special guest star Toyah Willcox at The Shaw Theatre, Euston Road,London NW1.This was the last night of a huge 50 date UK tour for this production. On stage for 2 hours 30 mins over two sets it was really great fun.It has hints of The Rocky Horror Show along with a great live band and stage set,sexy female dancers,great costumes and the best rock soundtrack ever.The singers feature 80s pop star Toyah who sings and looks better than ever.Set included songs by Guns And Roses,AC/DC,Alice Cooper,Rainbow,Billy Idol,Bon Jovi,Queen,Meat Loaf,Ozzy Osbourne and many more.Lots of comedy and adlibs between the songs.Toyal Willcox singing "Sweet Child Of Mine" was a highlight.For the last 30 mins the crowd(some who dressed up) were on their feet dancing to gems like "Crazy Little Thing Called Love","I Love Rock n Roll","We Will Rock You","Devil Gate Drive","Bat Out Of Hell" anf encore of "God Gave Rock n Roll To You".Some of the bands i see should go and see this rocktacular to get some ideas on how to put on a proper visual show.A really enjoyable evening. See www.vampiresrock.com for more info and keep checking for future dates with another major tour planned for Sept 2009....................... 27 Feb 2009.U2 overload day on the BBC to promote their new album out 02 March called "No Line On The Horizon".At noon on Radio 1 they play four tracks to a live audience at The BBC Radio Theatre at Broadcasting House then later a secret gig on top of the same building.Word has got out on the day and there are 4 or 5000 people here.There are police,security,barriers, lights,equipment trucks and even a helicopter.Its a bit like U2s famous "Where The Streets Have No Name" 1987 Los Angeles rooftop video.The streets near the building have even been closed to traffic.The band are up about 6 or 7 floors so you cannot see the drummer unless you are level but the other three members are visable and Bono hangs over the railing while singing.At 6.45pm they start with four songs in the 20 mins set."Get On Your Boots","Magnificent","Vertigo" and "Beautiful Day".The sound is fantastic thanks to eight giant speakers at ground level.The biggest band in the world are back in town and have no intention of stepping down thats for sure given the scale of this great event.The band members left the venue about 30 mins after the show.On my walk back to Park Lane after i saw George Michael coming out of The Claridges Hotel. U2 are soon to announce shows for the summer. Check www.bbc.co.uk/u2 for footage and all four songs are up on BBC TV digital Red Button on a non stop loop for the next seven days............ 26 Feb 2009.The NME Big Gig Live at The 02 Arena,London with The Cure + Franz Ferdinand + Crystal Castles + White Lies.First band on at 6.50pm meant that the venue was half empty for White Lies.Their debut album "To Lose My Life" was number one in Jan 2009 and they played a 35 mins set featuring those songs.Lots of great bass and guitars with nice synths.I like them a lot...Next up Crystal Castles who were a bit of a mess.They have a neat dance rock sound but the the mad stage theatrics of their female singer counted for nothing as the vocals kept cutting out and when you could hear her it was just not that good.......Franz Ferdinand were on for 50 mins and were great.Lots of gems inc "Matinee", "Do You Want To","Michael","Walk Away", a brilliant "Take Me Out",also the recent single "Ulysses" from recent album "Tonight:Franz Ferdinand" and "This Fire"....then The Cure who were on for 1 hour 50 mins.They dropped some of the hits tonight from the show last night and focused on tracks from their 30+ years career.The crowd loved it even though a couple plodded a bit for me.The bass and guitar were superb.Set inc "The Perfect Boy","The End Of The World","A Forest","Maybe Someday","Inbetween Days","Just Like Heaven" encores inc "Boys Will Be Boys","10.15 Saturday Night" and "Killing An Arab".With four bands on it felt like a mini festival and overall a great evening............ 25 Feb 2009.NME Awards live at The Brixton Academy,London featuring live songs by The Cure, Franz Ferdinand,Elbow,Friendly Fires.Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon,White Lies,Glasvegas. First time this venue has been used for NME which is still the coolest of the music awards events. 6.30pm to 8pm is freebie drinks and food(bland hamburgers)reception for the 1000 downstairs artists and guests at the tables and rear stalls standing.There are 1000 comp winners up in the balcony and 500 more comp winners in the front pit standing.We are in vip area downstairs and there is a great buzz as the acts walk the red carpet.Loads of names here to present or get an award and some just to have a few free drinks inc all the acts mentioned above plus Muse,Killers,Blur,Kasabian,Enemy,Grace Jones,Pete Doherty,Carl Barat,MGMT,The Mighty Boosh,Dizzee Rascal,Last Shadow Puppets,Arctic Monkeys,Michael Eavis,Girls Aloud,Leigh Francis, Tim Burton,Patrick Wolf and a few more. 8.15pm to 11pm is the awards and the live music.Some 15 awards given out.Great to see Pete Doherty(Best Solo Artist),The Mighty Boosh(Best TV Show) and The Cure(Robert Smith) get The Godlike Genuis Award.Great timing as 30 years ago in Feb 1979 their single "Killing An Arab" came out.See the full winners list on www.nme.com White Lies played a great track then Elbow played a stunning "Grounds For Divorce" with an orchestra and choir.Franz Ferdinand played two songs inc a cover of Blondies "Call Me".Graham Coxon and Damon Albarn from Blur played on stage together for first time in years for an acoustic "This Is A Low".Glasvegas played a cover of Elvis Presleys "Suspicous Minds" then new boys Friendly Fires really pulled the stops out with four Brazilian carnival girls in full costumes along with multi drummers and confetti.The Cure played a superb 10 song 40 mins set inc "Friday Im In Love","Close To Me","Boys Dont Cry" and "Killing An Arab".We were 10 yards from stage on a table dead centre.Fantastic view and in the heart of the whole ceremony with The Enemy,Franz Ferdinand and Glasvegas tables either side of us.After the event there was 30 mins of mingling.This was a brilliant evening. See aftershow page for this event................ 24 Feb 2009.The Killers + Louis XIV live at The 02 Arena,London.Second of two sold out shows at this venue on the bands UK arena tour to promote recent album "Day And Age".Up first we have Louis XIV from San Diego.They look pretty cool and play a decent 40 mins set promoting recent album "Slick Dogs And Ponies".I had to check them out as they were the support band for The Sex Pistols only USA show last year in Las Vegas on 07 June before the Pistols came over to Europe.A couple of rows in front of us are Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant with Little Britains David Walliams.The Killers play for 95 mins.A nice big arena production with loads of lights and neon and some plastic palm trees at the rear.The girls love the singer and its a buzzing crowd. Gems inc "Human","Somebody Told Me","For Reasons Unknown" then for 2 or 3 average songs it plodded a bit.New single "Spaceman" was good. Then its uptempo stompers with "Smile Like You Mean It","Read My Mind","Mr Brightside" and "All These Things That Ive Done".Encores were "The World We Live In","Bones","Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine" and the place went bonkers for "When You Were Young" as the confetti was fired into the crowd.Mostly very good........... 23 Feb 2009.Launch party for dvd release of "Who Killed Nancy?" and dvd re-release of "Sid And Nancy" at The Leicester Square Theatre,London. Like the full screening at The Screen On The Green,Islington a couple of weeks ago this is another legendary venue where i saw the Sex Pistols play in 1976 when it was called The Notre Dame Hall.A full crowd here for 3 hours of freebie beers,wines and a chinese food buffet. At 8pm director Alan G Parker gives an introduction before a short 15 mins edit of highlights of both the films.Here tonight were Steve Diggle(Buzzcocks),Steve Grantley(SLF/Alarm),Steve Dior(played in Sids New York band),Don Letts and Tenpole Tudor and lots of other punk rockin chums.Steve Diggle played a three song acoustic set that included "Harmony In My Head".The dvd is well worth seeing............ There is a great article on www.punk77.co.uk about another legendary punk club called The Vortex which used to be at Crackers in Wardour Street.I was at five brilliant shows there in 1977/78.Slits,Penetration,Slaughter And The Dogs,Johnny Thunders Heartbreakers and Sham 69. Short lived but a great venue................... 22 Feb 2009.London Fashion Week.Day 3 of LFW madness where there are at least half a dozen parties each night to celebrate fashion shows,shop openings and the general fashion industry.I ended up at four in the one night.7.30pm to 8.30pm was at The Met Bar,Park Lane,London.Met Bar Pink Drinks Fashion Party.Freebie cocktails and canopes.My old mate from the punk and 80s club scene Philip Salon is here.Lots of pretty girls and fashion folks.Small goodie bag here...then 9pm to 10pm to Mac Cosmetics Party at The Hospital,Covent Garden.London.Freebie cocktails and canopes here. A lively crowd and rockin dj.Jo Wood,Jade Jagger and Jodie Harsh were here.Goodie bag of Mac cosmetics....then 10.30pm to 12.30am over to The Paramount Club,Centre Point,London for the www.eleykishimoto.com and www.eastpak.com party. First time here at this newish venue which is on the 31st floor with totally stunning views across London.Freebie cocktails flowing and the dj is getting the crowd dancing.Good one....then 1am to 2am at Mahiki,Dover Strret,London.Select Model Management are having an Oscars theme party where half the men are in black ties.Mahiki is one of Londons top clubs as its a regular of young royalty and posh youngsters.Freebie cocktails are flowing and the goodie bag had a voucher for a free pair of Reebok Trainers. Needless to say i was whacked when i got home.... 21 Feb 2009.Judas Priest + Megadeth + Testament live at Wembley Arena,London.A great three band rock bill from promoters Live Nation.Testament come on early at 6.30pm but good to see that the floor standing is pretty full and keen to see them and their 40 mins set.They do a thrashy set inc "Practice What You Preach" and a couple from their recent album "The Formation Of Damnation". The crowd are slamming into eachother wildly and its barely 7pm....next up we have Megadeth.Dave Mustaine and his flying V guitar storm into a 60 mins set with full on speed/thrash guitar riffs.The crowd loved them.Set included "Take No Prisoners","Washington Is Next","Skin Of My Teeth","Peace Sells" and "Holy Wars"........then its Judas Priest who bring a nice full stage production with stairways and walkways.Singer Rob Halford as usual seems to have got dressed in the dark as he appears in a dodgy bacofoil outfit for opener "Dawn Of Creation".Later on he wears heavy lomg leather coats and clumpy boots. The twin guitars have a fantastic distorted loud sound.Gems inc "Metal Gods","Breaking The Law" and "Rock Hard Ride Free".They are still promoting their "Notradamas" album.More gems inc "Sinner","Painkiller" and encores that featured "Hell Bent For Leather" with Rob arriving on stage on his big motorbike and "You Got Another Thing Coming".Yet again they did NOT play "Living After Midnight" in the set but overall a great night of rock.............................. 18 Feb 2009.BRIT Awards live at Earls Court Arena,London.The biggest music awards in the UK. Tons of photographers inside and outside venue. 5.15pm had an hours drinks reception.Then 6.15pm to 7.45pm was a three course dinner with drinks. A massive catering operation here as there are 3500 seated downstairs then later on 3500 or so come in for show only to watch from the balcony. 8pm to 10pm is the show itselt.We move down from the back to the A block at the front where all the acts and main music biz folks are.Hosted by Kylie Minogue and the two blokes from Gavin And Stacey tv show.A host of acts doing one song each with big productions.U2 played "Get On Your Boots",Girls Aloud played "The Promise",Coldplay played "Viva La Vida",Duffy played "Warwick Avenue",Take That played "Greatest Day"(they had the best wow factor as they were lowered from the ceiling via a spaceship type pod),Kings Of Leon play "Use Somebody",The Ting Tings And Estelle played a mix of their hits and Pet Shop Boys played a medley of half a dozen hits as they picked up the main Outstanding Achievement Award.They were joined by Brandon Flowers and Lady Gaga.See www.brits.co.uk/winners for full list.Duffy won 3 awards and Kings Of Leon won 2 awards.Nice to see Elbow win an award and Iron Maiden won best live act but were overseas so could not be here.Presenters inc Lionel Richie, Jamie Cullum,Joe Calzaghe,David Hasselhoff,Katy Perry,Gok Wan,Alan Carr,Sir Tom Jones and Brandon Flowers.Seasick Steve,James Morrison and KT Tunstell were all also here.Music biz major players here inc John Giddings(agent for Madonna,Rolling Stones,Police,Genesis etc), Alan Edwards(head of Outside pr),Barbara Charrone (head of MBC pr) others here inc Louis Walsh, Bernie Ecclestone,Johnny Vaughn,Philip Scofield.With one song each the whole event goes so very quickly but its always a great evening out.See aftershow page for this event............ 16 Feb 2009.Two non gig events tonight.7pm to 9pm was launch party for UKTVs new channel "Blighty" at The Proud Gallery,Camden.Loads of freebie cocktails and canopes.Also a goodie bag.The female gardener Charlie Dimmock was here....then 9.30pm to 11pm was over to the very nice club FIFTY,50 St James Street,SW1 for the book launch "Take A Girl Like Me" by Amy Bohan.Its a book about the highs and lows of a model from Swansea who came to London seeking fame and ended up selling stories about Gavin Henson,John Leslie and falling into the London drugs scene.Free drinks flowing and lots of young pretty wannabee WAGS here but too crowdwd so got given a copy of the book and left............................. 15 Feb 2009.Sharleen Spiteri + Kizzy Star live at The Hammersmith Apollo,London.Up first are four Scottish lads who play a decent 30 mins set of catchy pop rock with a great guitar sound. Their debut single "Out Of Control" is out 27 Feb 2009.See myspace.com/kizzystar...then its Sharleen Spiteri on the last night of her debut solo tour to promote her debut solo album "Melody" that came out a few months ago. Not sure when or how Sharleen became a gay icon but there are loads of gay female couples here tonight.I have seen Texas a couple of times but surprise surprise this was much better.A great mix of new album tracks,Texas hits and a few covers in the 90 mins set.She has a big band dressed in suits and the brass section gives every song a lovely big sound.Sharleen has nicked a bit of 60s Motown/Dusty sound and look and the stage has drapes hanging at the back like a posh supper club.Set included "It Was You","Black Eyed Boy","Say What You Want","Summer Son","These Boots Are Made For Walking","I Dont Want A Lover"(that song is now 20 years old),and "Should I Stay Ot Should I Go".Sharleen has great banter with the crowd and accepts pressies from girl fans down the front. More gems were "Halo" and "Stop I Dont Love You Anymore".Encores were debut solo single "All The Times I Cried" then another Texas hit "Inner Smile" and a cover of "River Deep Mountain High".It was a hugely entertaining show. See aftershow page for this gig.................. 14 Feb 2009.Jodeci + Joe + Minx Mafia live at Wembley Arena,London.A night of American r n b as two of the biggest acts of the 1990s play a co headline gig.Up first we have five pretty girl dancers who are on for 20 mins.Think Pussycat Dolls with less clothes and naughtier lyrics as they sang and danced to a backing track.Ok for me but a lot of the females in the crowd booed them off at the end.Well its Valentines night and both headline acts have lots of lyrics for the ladeeeezz.Its great how acts like these can play big venues like this and the mainstream general public have never heard of them over here.Joe is on for 75 mins and his set includes "More And More" and "Lets Stay Home Tonight" then a couple of acoustic songs with Joe on guitar inc "All That I Am" and ending with "Good Girls".Then Jodeci hit the stage to loud screams and wearing big coats for 70 mins inc "Fennin","Freakin'You", "Forever My Lady" and "Come And Talk To Me" then one member went through the crowd on a minders shoulders for "Cry For You".The encore had 30 girls on stage for a dance and Jodeci inviting all the crowd back to their K West Hotel(near Shepherds Bush Green) for an afterparty.A late finish at 11.30pm but a decent evening........... 13 Feb 2009.Keane live at The 02 Arena,London. This was Keanes second show at this venue and its the last night of their UK arena tour.Keanes first two albums have sold 8 million copies so i doubt that some dodgy reviews of their recent 3rd album "Perfect Symmetry" will worry them too much.A nice stage production with big screens and a full colour blast of neon and shapes.On stage for 1 hour 50 mins.Singer Tom Chaplin still does his best to try to be a rock star but he is just far too polite on stage for me. They have enough decent songs in the set though "Everythings Changing","Bend And Break","This Is The Last Time","Spiralling" then out to the smaller secong stage in the middle of the floor for acoustic versions of "Try Again","Sunshine" and "Snowed Under".More goodies later with "Perfect Symmetry" and "Crystal Ball" and a great version of "Somewhere Only We Know" with all the crowd singing.Encores were a couple of lesser known tracks followed by great versions of "Is It Any Wonder?" and "Bedshaped".Love them or hate them Keane put on a good show............ 12 Feb 2009.Magazine live at The Kentish Town Forum,London.This was the first of two sold out London shows for Magazine who split up 27 years ago in 1982.The place is rammed and there is a real buzz tonight for this legendary post punk band who have influenced the likes of Morrissey and Radiohead(band members were at the Magazine warm up show on Tues in Oxford).I saw them three times back in the late 70s and it was amazing to see them back on stage again.On stage for 90 mins they played tracks off all their four albums released on Virgin.Setlist opened with "The Light Pours Out Of Me" and other gems that followed included "Model Worker","Because You're Frightened","Song From Under The Floorboards", "Definitive Gaze" and of course "Shot By Both Sides".Encores included their cover of Sly And The Family Stones "Thank You" along with "Motorcade" and "I Love You,You Big Dummy". Four out of five are original members and the new guitarist does a fantastic job replacing John McGeoch who sadly passed away in 2004.Out now is another best of album "Touch And Go-Anthology 1978-1981".Great gig................... 11 Feb 2009.Another evening with two events.First 7.30pm to 9pm was a book launch for "In Bed With" (which features raunchy stories from 16 of your fave female novelists) at The Langham Hotel, Portland Place,London W1.Very swanky bash in this lovely 5 star hotel with 200 people here including Vanessa Felz,Sir Clement Freud,Carole Malone,Actor David Morrissey,Helen Lederer and even Nick Mason from Pink Floyd was here.Loads of freebie Laurent Perrier champers and Snow Queen vodka cocktails with quality canopes.... then a dash to see Starsailor live at The Luminaire,Kilburn,London.A sold out crowd of just 300 hardcore fans here in this cosy venue. Starsailor are one of those excellent underated bands.Tonight they are on stage for around 80 mins and play a great set.Loads of gems including "Alcoholic","Four To The Floor" and a stunning "Keep Us Together".A new album track "Neon Sky" had vocalist James Walsh at his best.Also played was "Silence Is Easy" and their brilliant new single "Tell Me Its Not Over" which is out next Monday week on 23 Feb 2009.The finish off with a fun version of Abba's "Dancing Queen" before coming back with another corker "Good Souls". Starsailor have a new album out on 02 March called "All The Plans" on their new record label and the band play a UK tour that ends at Shepherds Bush Empire on 09 April 2009.See www.starsailor.net.....www.myspace.com/starsailor ................................................. As mentioned on this site a couple of weeks ago Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band have confirmed they headline Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park on June 28.Rumours the June 27 date will be headlined by AC/DC or Paul McCartney..... Download Festival June 12 to 14 has confirmed the headliners as Slipknot,Prodigy,Motley Crue, Korn,Pendulum and Dragonforce....and Def Leppard and Whitesnake have been added to June 14 at Download.........The 2009 Teenage Cancer Trust shows at The Royal Albert Hall include Stereophonics on March 26 and Kasabian on March 27.............................................. 10 Feb 2009.Quidam - Cirque Du Soleil live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.This circus for the posh folks back at RAH for its annual 6 week stint after Christmas.Its a two hour show over two sets.Loads of top quality acrobats, mime,clowns,trapeze,balancing,aerial displays, hoops etc with a full band and full costumes and very colourful.Its always very good.The last show of this run will be Sunday 15 Feb.......... 09 Feb 2009.Went to another two events this evening.First was 6.45pm Total Production Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel,Park Lane,London.This is the main awards for the people behind the scenes at live music events. First it was an hour champers reception then a nice three course dinner.We are on a table with some nice folks from www.nightmagazine.co.uk Hosted by Phil Jupitus with about 20 awards given out inc Live Production Of The Year(Kylie Minogue X 2008 Tour),Fave Venue(Manchester Evening News Arena),Fave Transport Company(Edwin Shirley Trucking),Fave Security Company(Showsec). A couple of awards were given out by Judie Tzuke and Bill Wyman gave the main Lifetime Contribution Award to Claude Nobs who founded the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1967.Others inc Fave Tour Manager,Fave Backline Technician(roadie),Fave Production Manager etc.See www.tpimagazine.com.A nice event......then a car dash in the pouring rain 11.30pm to 1am for The Elle Style Magazine Awards afterparty at Big Sky London,29 Brewery Road,Holloway, London.Most of the celebs from the awards earlier inc Courtney Love,Mickey Rourke,Anna Friel,Thandie Newton,Jamie Redknapp,Sienna Miller,Jade Jagger,Natalie Imbruglia etc have left by the time we get there.Lots of freebie cocktails going and loads of pretty girls all dressed up.Faces spotted by me here inc David Walliams,The Feeling,Jo Wood,Dave Berry,Alexa Chung and Pixie Geldof.Everyone got a huge womans goodie bag which inc John Galliano perfume.Good one......... 08 Feb 2009.I was at two events today.Film "Who Killed Nancy?".I went to a 4pm screening at The Screen On The Green Cinema,Islington,London.This is of course a legendary venue for Sex Pistols fans as they played two secret gigs here in 1976 and 1977.I was at the latter when Sid was on bass.The death of Nancy has passed into rock legend.Most think it was Sid or Nancy herself that did the deed but using lots of old Sid footage and recent interviews with loads of people that knew Sid you do feel it may have been someone else.Glen Matlock is the only Pistol to give quotes but seeing as i saw him play with Sid back in 1978 its all very valid.On a small budget so more a docu film that a full feature i thought it was good.No Sex Pistols music used on soundtrack but what they use is good stuff.After the film finished Director Alan G Parker hosted a Q and A for 15 or so mins.He said most of Sids belongings inc the knife murder weapon are with Sids cousin.The film opens at selected cinemas in London and around the UK.For full info check www.sex-pistols.net and the DVD is in the shops with extras from Monday 23 Feb 2009........then 7.30pm over to see Paul Anka live at The Palladium,London.This was a one off UK show for this legendary songwriter who wrote "My Way" so theres a nice Sid Vicious connection after seeing the film earlier.This 67 year old brought his first single out way back in 1956 and has since wrote some 900 songs and released 125,yes 125 albums.The set lasted nearly two hours and was really enjoyable.Loads of great songs and Paul Anka worked the crowd well as he sung in the aisles,danced with the fans and told a few jokes.His 14 piece band and orchestra sounded fab.His set inc "Diana","For Once In My Life", "You Are My Destiny","Mack The Knife".Some gems from his "Rock Swings" album "Jump"(Van Halen), "Its My Life"(Bon Jovi) and "Smells Like Teen Spirit"(Nirvana).Then it was "Youre Having My Baby","Put Your Head On My Shoulder" and "Puppy Love"(Donny Osmond made this song famous but its Pauls),"Shes A Lady"(Tom Jones made it famous but its Pauls).A highlight of the night was a stunning version of "I'm Not Anyone" which had Sammy Davis Jr on the big screen singing along with Paul.Needless to say "My Way" went down a storm.Encores of "New York New York"and "Twist And Shout" had all this older crowd dancing. I even saw Luke Morley from Thunder here.It was a great show..................................... 06 Feb 2009.Only Ones live at Shepherds Bush Empire,London.The loyal hardcore fans are here but all the three upstairs levels are closed to lack of ticket sales for this legendary post punk band from the late 70s/early 80s.All four original members are here and its just like the old gigs i saw them play over 25 years ago.The 90 mins set had lots of oldies and a few newies that will be out on a new album later this year. Singer Peter Perrett still has that nasal voice you love or hate.He looks rough after a life of hard drugs and he has lost most of the capacity in his lungs.Gems played included "Trouble In The World","Me And My Shadow","Programme" and "The Big Sleep".The encores featured superb versions of "Another Girl Another Planet" and "The Beast" with brilliant guitar playing from John Perry.A band i can watch time and time again.SONY BMG has re-issued their three classic albums remastered with extra tracks.Also check out www.theonlyones.biz......................... Deep Purple play Hammersmith Apollo on 14 Nov 2009 as part of a UK tour.........ABC play a special one off show playing "Lexicon Of Love" album with an orchestra at The Royal Albert Hall on 08 April 2009......The Black Crowes play a one off UK show at Brixton Academy on Sunday 17 May to promote recent album "Warpaint"........BB King and John Mayall play Wembley Arena on 28 June as part of a short UK tour................. 05 Feb 2008.Went to two good events tonight.First from 6.45pm to 9.30pm was launch party for The Commander gastro pub 47 Hereford Road,London W2. A lovely decorated venue.The freebie cocktails and champers are flowing as well as yummy gourmet burgers,oysters and canopes.Ronnie Woods ex Jo Wood is here looking lovely as always.She is out and about all the time since her split with Ronnie.The venue will cater for the monied folks of Notting Hill Gate but a tricky time to open when theres a credit crunch on.Very nice though. ......then 10pm The Priscillas live at Madame Jojos,Soho,London.A perfect venue for this glam pop punk combo to launch their album "10,000 Volts" which comes out this week.They were four girls but nows its three girls and a boy drummer. Loads of catchy tunes here in their 55 mins set. The girls are clearly pleased the album is finally out.Singer Jenny Drag looks great in a Siouxsie type black catsuit.The set included "Demolition Kids","Oh Keiko","Lucys Gone" and super versions of "Jimmy In A Dress" and current single "All The Way To Holloway" and later on "Superhero".Lots of disco bass and nifty guitar riffs in the style of early Blondie/Revillos/60s garage rock and roll.They were great fun to watch live.See www.myspace.com/thepriscillas Sadly the band had to announce on stage the death of one of their fave singers Lux Interior from The Cramps who passed away earlier.......... 04 Feb 2009.Launch party for AC/DC "Let There Be Rock" photos exhibition at Proud Gallery in Camden.It features around 50 early photos of the band in Australia with many never seen before Bon Scott pictures.See some of them on www.proud.co.uk .It runs until 31 May 2009.The free beers are flowing for a couple of hours before the band come on as the dj plays loads of classic rock tunes.Top AC/DC tribute band Dirty DC play a full set of AC/DC gems for 1 hour 40 mins.The sound is great and both the Angus and Brian lookalikes do good jobs.The Angus spends half the time off the stage duck walking and spinning on the ground in true Angus style.Set inc "Hell Aint A Bad Place To Be","Shoot To Thrill",great versions of recent AC/DC single "Rock n Roll Train","Back In Black","Dirty Deeds","Jailbreak","High Voltage","You Shook Me All Night Long","Whole Lotta Rosie","TNT","Let There Be Rock" and encore of "Highway To Hell".Great fun............ 03 Feb 2009.Chaka Khan live at The Shepherds Bush Empire,London.Soul diva Chaka back in London to promote recent album "Funk This".Now age 55 she still has the big hair,big smile,big voice and er big chest.On stage for just 80 mins she's always good but never great.Big 1980s hits "I Feel For You" and "Ain't Nobody" were played early on.Then a few songs inc million seller "Tell Me Something Good" from her time with Rufus who were massive Stateside in the 1970s.Then a few songs from new album inc "Angel".Chaka still mumbles the lyrics a bit and resorts to a harsh scream to cover herself. For the encore she was joined by Lulu for a great version of "Im Every Woman".So a good show for a cold night but i always feel Chaka could be better....................................... 31 Jan 2009.Seasick Steve live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.What an amazing last couple of years Seasick Steve has had.Bearing in mind most record companies will not touch anyone under the age of 30 this 68 year old now can sell out this 5,000 capacity venue thanks to great reviews on Jools Holland and the likes of Mojo and Q.He was on stage for 1 hour 50 mins playing material from his three albums "Cheap","Dog House Music" and "I Started Out With Nothing And Still Got Most Of It Left".The stage is cosy with a washing line of a dozen clothing items hanging on it,another line of light bulbs and half a dozen spotlights.It looked like he was playing by the porch of his house or trailer.Mostly sitting down playing his battered guitars on his knee and stamping his left foot as he played some bottleneck blues.He also got a young girl on stage to serenade.His two band members matched him and it was a refreshing enjoyable show.See aftershow page for this gig............. KISS + Paul Rodgers And Queen to tour together this summer??.A nice rumour but if it happens i think it will be in North America rather than Europe.............Feb 18 sees a mega gig at The Shepherds Bush Empire as Coldplay + The Killers both play sets for charity.Tix are 50 quid via a lottery that closes Tues 3rd Feb at 5pm at www.warchildheroes.com........................... Madonna is about to announce some more European Shows including London 02 Arena on July 4 and Manchester Arena on July 7....................... 30 Jan 2009.1pm.Some Velvet Morning live on top of the PRS building in Berners Street,London W1 to celebrate The Beatles 40th anniversary of their legendary rooftop event.Only 25 invited media folks here due to red tape,a tiny space and health and safety.Feargal Sharkey (ex Undertones singer)is here as he looks after UK Music Group which covers PRS,BPI etc. Head up to 6th floor and up again to the roof space.The three piece band play three songs in the 15 mins set.The sound is great with some really good punchy clear vocals with catchy lyrics.They finish with debut single "Losing My Mind" as loads of office workers from nearby buildings come out to see what is going on.The band will put footage of the gig on their website www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk and they play The Camden Barfly on Wed 04 Feb.In and out of the building in less than an hour but a great event as how often do you get to see a band play on a rooftop?........then later The Buzzcocks + Lurkers live at Shepherds Bush Empire,London. A nice pairing out punk acts that i both saw in their 1970s heyday.Up first The Lurkers play a 45 mins set.Sadly their two main members are not here but their bass player has plenty of great on stage banter and tonight says the term "podgoing" which is chubby old punks pogoing. They finish off with "Aint Got A Clue" and "Shadow".Then The Buzzcocks who play a brilliant 1 hour 45 mins set.This show features their first two albums from 1978 in their track by track order "Another Music In A Different Kitchen" and "Love Bites" with loads of 3 minute punk pop gems inc "Fast Cars","Love Battery","I Dont Mind","Autonomy","Ever Fallen In Love","Sixteen Again" and others they have not played for ages. The albums have been reissued by EMI with extra tracks and are a must buy purchase. Their new bass player does a good job and Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle are on great form.Lots of jumping around front of stage.The encores consisted of eight songs."Orgasm Addict","Whatever Happened To?","What Do I Get?", "Oh Shit","Love You More","Noise Annoys","Promises","Lipstick" and "Harmony In My Head".As usual The Buzzcocks were just superb. See aftershow page for this gig.................. 29 Jan 2009.7.30pm to 11.30pm.Drapers Etail Awards at Sketch,Conduit Street,London W1.Hosted by singer and presenter Mica Paris.A very nice party with freebie Moet champers,cocktails,beers and wines along with lots of tasty grub in this very trendy venue.Celebrating the best in UK online fashion retail websites.Winners included www.my-wardrobe.com...www.asos.com... www.miodestino.co.uk...www.mulberry.com..........www.coggles.com...www.radley.co.uk............... www.schuh.co.uk.....www.soleheaven.com and others.Caprice handed out an award.A big crowd of some 400 here.DJ after the awards.A decent goodie bag at the end.Very good.................. 28 Jan 2009.Grace Jones live at The Roundhouse, London.This was the second of three sell out shows at this venue for Grace after that electric comeback show i witnessed last summer at The Royal Festival Hall.As an original diva she keeps the crowd waiting until 9.30pm for her 1 hour 45 mins set that was again stunning.From the start she is lowered from a crane thats 25 feet up in the air as she looks down on her subjects. Straight into "Nightclubbing" as she mixes old and new."My Jamican Guy" and "Demolition Man" were really good.Forget Madonna at 50 as Grace Jones at 60 looks incredible and shes not scared to show her body off as the entire show shes in a swimsuit and tights with a different hat or head gear for each song.On top of that she uses a wind machine and pole dancing podium wiggling her bum too.Also "La Vie En Rose" was great and a rockin version of "Williams Blood" from new album "Hurricane" was superb."Devil In My Life" was another goodie and "Pull Up To The Bumper" was mega as she let 30 punters on stage for a boogie with her.Her chat between songs was just so funny and even joked about anger management classes.First encore "Love Is The Drug" was dedicated to Bryan Ferry who i saw earlier with Anthony Price.A dressed down Frank Skinner was also here.It was amazing as the lasers bounced off her headgear.Then for "Slave To The Rhythm" she twirled a pink hola hoop around her waist for the entire 5 mins of the song.Quite amazing. Another cape and the wind machine in full flow for last song "Hurricane".A fantastic show by this totally unique performer.................... 27 Jan 2008.Pussycat Dolls + Neyo + Lady Gaga live at The 02 Arena,London.First of the two shows at this venue for this great package of three American acts who are all having UK chart success.Up first we have Lady Gaga who is one of the hottest new acts in the world right now with her electro synth pop that the crowd really like. Her two singles "Poker Face" and "Just Dance" have been worldwide hits with the latter currently enjoying its third week at Number 1 in the UK.She is mouthy and a bit kookie and wears raunchy outfits.She also played "Paparazzi" in her short set of 25 mins.Pretty good.Then Neyo and band played for 50 mins.He is in the Kanye West/Usher area and the many teenage girls here love him.Set played included "Nobody","Single", "Sexy Love","So Sick" a medley of covers from the likes of Beyonce and Rihanna then "Miss Independent" and "Closer".A good set.As expected for PCD it was a big stage production with flames,fireworks and staircases everywhere.On stage for 95 mins it was visually very good with sexy outfits and non stop dance routines.The band consisted of two stand up drummers who were obviously not plugged in so it was all backing tapes although this crowd did not seem to care. Set included "I Dont Need A Man" and a great version of "I Hate This Part" also "Buttons" and most of the tracks from their two albums then each PCD sung a solo track and they had a dance comp with some audience members. "Stickwitu" was good and the encores of "Dont Cha" and "When I Grow Up" were great.So a good fun show overall............................ 26 Jan 2009.A very busy night with three events on.First 6.45pm to 8.45pm was The Mandarin Hotel, Knightsbridge,Chinese New Year Party.Lots of free Moet champers and chinese food but usually there is 400 plus here but due to the credit crunch only 200 have been invited this year.Last year we had entertainment and a few celebs here inc Alan Whicker but none tonight.Subdued but still good though.......then over to see Staind live at The Kentish Town Forum.Its a total sell out.I saw Staind a few months ago when they played a great set supporting Nickelback.Tonight we get a full 95 mins set of oldies from their superb multi million selling 2001 album "Break The Cycle" and tracks from recent album "The Illusion Of Progress".Its a brilliant no fuss jeans and t shirts crunching rock sound with tracks including "Epiphany","For You", "Outside","Believe","Its Been Awhile" and solo acoustic encore of "Intro".A really good show.......then 11.30pm to 2am on to Sway in Covent Garden for The Big Brother TV Wrap Party. A huge crowd of some 800 here in three rooms. Loads of free booze all night for all.There is no credit crunch here.Most of the BB gang are tucked up in a VIP room.Coolio comes out to sing seven tracks over a backing tape.He is joined by another rapper and a sax player.The set of course includes his mega hit "Gangstas Paradise" where he is joined by Mutya(ex Sugababe).The 35 mins set ends with Coolio being joined by the covers band who played earlier for a rocking "Hey Jude".A decent gig.I actually saw Coolio in 1998 when he played a rare London show ................................................. Live music events seen by me in 2008 was 228. This makes the grand total of 5110 gigs seen by me since 1973. www.bbc.co.uk did a nice article on me and the website being the UKs TOP gig goer as i went past the 5000 figure in the summer..... TOP 20 GIGS OF 2008 1.SEX PISTOLS - HAMMERSMITH APOLLO - 02 SEPT 2008... 2.KISS + JUDAS PRIEST + MOTORHEAD - DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL-13 JUNE 2008... 3.MADONNA - WEMBLEY STADIUM - 11 SEPT 2008... 4.ROGER WATERS - 02 ARENA - 18/19 MAY 2008... 5.BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND - EMIRATES STADIUM - 30/31 MAY 2008... 6.DEF LEPPARD + WHITESNAKE - WEMBLEY ARENA - 24 JUNE 2008/LIVERPOOL ECHO ARENA 15 JULY 2008... 7.METALLICA - 02 ARENA - 15 SEPT 2008... 8.LINKIN PARK - 02 ARENA - 28/29 JAN 2008... 9.OASIS - WEMBLEY ARENA - 16/17 OCT 2008... 10.IRON MAIDEN + BIFFY CLYRO - TWICKENHAM STADIUM - 05 JULY 2008... 11.FOO FIGHTERS - WEMBLEY STADIUM - 06 JUNE 2008... 12.R.E.M. + EDITORS - ROSE BOWL ,SOUTHAMPTON - 27 AUG 2008... 13.ACE FREHLEY - ASTORIA - 11 APRIL 2008... 14.TED NUGENT - 02 INDIGO - 14 JULY 2008... 15.SIOUXSIE - KOKO,CAMDEN - 29 SEPT 2008... 16.KYLIE MINOGUE - 02 ARENA - 26/29 JULY 2008... 17.LEONARD COHEN - ROYAL ALBERT HALL - 17/18 NOV 2008... 18.NEIL YOUNG - HAMMERSMITH APOLLO - 14/15 MARCH 2008... 19.EAGLES - 02 ARENA - 22/26 MARCH 2008... 20.COLDPLAY - 02 ARENA - 14 DEC 2008... TOP 5 SECRET GIGS OF 2008. 1.DEF LEPPARD - ISLINGTON ACADEMY - 06 MARCH 2008... 2.METALLICA - BBC RADIO THEATRE - 14 SEPT 2008... 3.STEVIE WONDER - OLD ROYAL NAVAL MUSEUM ,WOOLWICH - 05 JUNE 2008... 4.THE CULT - 100 CLUB - 26 FEB 2008... 5.CHUCK BERRY - 100 CLUB - 23 MARCH 2008......... BEST 5 OVERSEAS GIGS. 1.SEX PISTOLS - ELECTRIC PICNIC FESTIVAL , IRELAND - 31 AUG 2008... 2.SEX PISTOLS + NEW YORK DOLLS + BUZZCOCKS - LOKERSE FESTIVAL,BELGUIM - 02 AUG 2008... 3.SEX PISTOLS + RAY DAVIES - AZKENA ROCK FESTIVAL, NORTHERN SPAIN - 05 SEPT 2008... 4.KISS - DATCH FORUM, ASSAGO, MILAN, ITALY - 24 JUNE 2008... 5.BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND - SAN SIRO STADIUM, MILAN, ITALY - 25 JUNE 2008........ BEST AFTERSHOW PARTY. 1.JOHN LYDONS AFTER SEX PISTOLS HAMMERSMITH APOLLO SHOW 02 SEPT 2008......................... BEST DVD LAUNCH 1.SEX PISTOLS "THERE'LL ALWAYS BE AN ENGLAND", SCREEN ON THE GREEN,ISLINGTON - 01 JULY 2008..... BEST VIDEO SHOOT. 1.AC/DC "ROCK N ROLL TRAIN" 15 AUG 2008. 300 FANS MET AT VICTORIA "TRAIN" STATION TO BE TAKEN TO SECRET DESTINATION WHICH WAS BLACK ISLAND REHEARSAL STUDIOS IN ACTON........................................... On the afternoon of Thursday 20 Nov 2008 i had an enjoyable interview and photo session with the BBC to celebrate me hitting the 5000 gigs mark a couple of months ago.It will be up on www.bbc.co.uk on 24 Nov 2008.......The Sun which is the UKs biggest selling newspaper printed a nice article featuring www.raysgigs.com as their "best website of the week" on Friday 05 Dec 2008........also the local free paper The Hammersmith And Fulham News has done a full interview and photos outside Hammersmith Apollo that will be delivered free to all households in Shepherds Bush,Hammersmith and Fulham on Thurs 18th Dec.End result = It has come out really great.A whole page with a good photo and well put together.......The Independent on 06 Dec 2008.A nice full page article with a photo on page 11 of their magazine but there is a couple of misquotes and they did not mention raysgigs.com.Its also up on online at www.independent.co.uk and enter Ray Morrissey in the search.........and have done about 20 phone interviews on radio stations so keep a listen out for them.I will put any good ones i know of up here.BBC World Service interview is now Thursday 11th Dec at 11am UK time.Go and search for it on http://www.thetakeaway.org............. Please note that the leather jacket with patches that was used in the BBC interview has never been worn by me to a gig or even outside of the house.It was a gig going competition prize from Q Magazine from 1997.The photographers like it for its bright colours etc.Indeed all photos you see of me are photographers ideas,not mine...... Some of you have pointed out that my gig history from 2003 to 2007 is not yet up which is true. Needless to say in those years i still did 150 to 200 gigs a year inc nearly every act that has played 02 Arena including Led Zeppelin.I did all seven Sex Pistols shows on their 2007 UK tour. All three Rolling Stones 02 Arena 2007 shows..... Six Prince shows at The 02 Arena in 2007......... Also Feb 2007 i saw Aerosmith play a secret gig at The Hard Rock Cafe in London.All four Cream shows at The Royal Albert Hall in 2005....U2 at Croke Park,Dublin 27 June 2005...In 2005 i was at Live 8 featuring Paul McCartney + Pink Floyd + Madonna and others at Hyde Park and the night before at Hyde Park saw the rehearsals to a crowd of just 300 as Pink Floyd played the same four songs as the main event and Madonna spent an hour rehearsing her songs.......In 2006 saw five Guns And Roses shows on their UK tour including a secret gig at Londons Cuckoo Club were they came on stage at 4.30am to play a 75 mins set in front of 200 people....Madonna and Rolling Stones multi shows in 2006....Loads more but email me for any info on that period........ ................................................ http://www.nme.com/news/faces/41015..............www.uncut.co.uk...www.billboard.com....teletext..www.planetrock.co.uk and loads of others have picked up on my world exclusive news of The Rod Stewart And The Faces reunion....11 Nov 2008.9pm to 12.30am.Claridges Bar 10th Anniversary Party,Claridges Hotel,London W1.This invite only event was just superb.Plenty of freebie cocktails,champers and canopes flowing in the main bar of this famous 5 star hotel always used by A listers.Lots of faces here include Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster and Rod's daughter Kimberley.I had a lovely chat with Rod Stewart.I asked him "whats the latest news about a Faces reunion?".The answer is a total exclusive to this website.This Monday Rod is meeting up with Ronnie Wood and the others in the studio for their first rehearsal. "Just to check if they can remember the songs".Great news.They will use Rod's current tour bass player as Ronnie Lane has sadly passed away.Also here was the lovely and friendly Cilla Black who was very cosy with Reading F.C. chairman and hotel owner John Madejski.Also Jade Jagger,Ozwald Boateng,Rick Parfitt Jr,Nicky Haslam,Rosamund Pike(actress from James Bond Die Another Day etc),Zandra Rhodes,Donna Air,Leah Wood.A great crowd and dj playing cool tunes. This was a quality bash............email me on ray@raysgigs.com

 
 
2009-01-25
 

24 Jan 2009. The Olympia Music Fair 11am to 4pm. 5 quid adm.A great place to buy rare records and bootlegs on vinyl,dvd and cd.I ended up with a dozen decent cd albums for a quid each and yet more Sex Pistols live bootleg albums............. 21 Jan 2009.Opening night of the musical "Thriller-Live" featuring the songs of Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson at The Lyric Theatre,Shaftesbury Avenue,London.Two sets of 60 mins and 75 mins.The first half was mainly Jackson 5 classics with the dance routines,afros and 1970s clothes.The second half was loads of solo hits.Not much of a story but the musical is one great song after another.There are half a dozen singers including Denise from Five Star(remember them??).I thought it was great fun. Mega finale of "Billie Jean","Thriller","Bad" and "Black Or White".Lots of faces here tonight. Tito Jackson,(Janet Jackson was in London but did not see her),Lulu,Vanessa Feltz,Kid Creole,Christopher Biggins,Kym Mazelle,Lucy Pinder,Faith Brown,George Sampson and others. Its on until 12 April 2009.See aftershow page for this event................................... 20 Jan 2009.A full day with great two events. First from noon to 4.30pm was The 13th South Bank Show Awards At The Dorchester Hotel,Park Lane,London.The UKs top tv arts programme awards hosted by Melvyn Bragg.About 500 here at this posh five star hotel.Champagne reception for an hour then a three course meal.I was moved from the back to nearer the front.On my table sitting next to me were the very nice Sarah Donaldson from The Observer Review,Gillian Greenwood from The South Bank Show and BBC Radio legend Paul Gambachini.Paul told me he has been to around 4000 shows (still a few less than me)which is pretty good going.He was also at Mott The Hoople and Queen at Hammersmith Odeon in 1973.A superb amount of faces here from pop and classical music,comedy,theatre,opera,literature,tv,film etc.Those i saw inc Elbow(had a lovely long chat with a couple of them.They are lovely blokes and they picked up the pop music award), Ronnie Wood(had a quick chat.I asked him about Faces London shows.He said a big announcement would be made soon but there was a Hollywood Bowl show confirmed),Razorlight,Nigel Kennedy and Michael Ball played a song each,Michael Sheen,Ronnie Corbett,Sophie Ellis Bextor,Lulu, Will Young,Tracey Emin,Vic Reeves,John Hurt, Kevin Whatley,David Suchet(Piorot),Peter Blake, Michael McIntyre,Rob Drydon,John Sargent,the actors from Gavin and Stacey,the actors from Pulling(won best comedy),Ken Russell,Sir Ben Kingsley,Twiggy,Lesley Garrett,Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber,theatre producer Sir Cameron McIntosh picked up the main Outstanding Achievement Award at the end.A nice big goodie bag at the end and more drinks for an hour after the awards.Excellent event.Highlights on ITV1 on Wed 28 Jan 2009 at 10.30pm.......................... then up the road from 5pm to 10pm for the The Chicago Rib Shack Barack Obama Inauguraion Party in Knightsbridge,SW1.A very lively party with huge screens showing extensive CNN live coverage. Non stop free Budweiser beers and ribs and burgers etc.The staff here are just fantastic. Not sure how i ended staying here for five hours but the dj was spot on and the band playing classic soul covers were great.Very good......... 17 Jan 2009.Elbow With The BBC Concert Orchestra And Choir live at Abbey Road Studios,London.An invite only show for 250 Radio 2 comp winners and guests of the BBC and the band.From the start you know its gonna be great.At this legendary venue in Studio 1 the 50 plus orchestra and choir are at the stage end,Elbow and the conductor are in the middle on the floor and the crowd are in the final third.They play the entire Mercury Prize 2008 Winning Album "The Seldom Seen Kid" in its track by track order.Elbow are on stage for around 75 mins.From the opener "Starlings" the sound is just superb. Then its on to "The Bones Of You".The single "Grounds For Divorce" is stunning with the crowd helping out the choir.The strings are lush and magical.There were three or four stop starts as Guy Gurvey wanted to get it just right.Also "The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver" was sublime and for "The Fix" they were joined by Richard Hawley on guitar and vocals.Needless to say their anthem "One Day Like This" went down a storm.This was quite a special gig for sure.Elbow headline a UK tour in March including Wembley Arena on 14 March 2009. The show is broadcast on BBC Radio 2 at 9pm on Saturday 31 Jan 2009............................. Well the rumours have been confirmed.Mott The Hoople the first band i ever saw at Hammersmith Odeon with support from Queen in 1973 are to reform and play two special shows at the same venue on Oct 2 and 3 later this year......HMV have bought the brand rights to 11 live music venues in the UK from The MAMA Group including The Hammersmith Apollo which will now be known as The HMV Hammersmith Apollo.................... 15 Jan 2009.Teddy Thompson live at The Hard Rock Cafe,London.This was an invite only show for 200 comp winners and press for Q Magazines Music Club.Free booze and Hard Rock Cafe food all night for everyone here tonight.Teddy Thompson is the son of folk rock legend Richard Thompson who tonight was playing down the road at The Barbican.Teddy was on stage for 55 mins with his band and played songs from his four albums and focusing on his latest release "A Piece Of What You Need".He looks cool in a Jude Law kind of way but most of the songs seemed steady enough but not really that exciting."The Things I Do" and "In My Arms" were pretty good though. Teddy now starts are full UK show ending with a headline gig at Shepherds Bush Empire on 12 Feb. See www.teddythompson.com for more info.......... 14 Jan 2009.Opening night for "Oliver!" musical at The Theatre Royal,Drury Lane,London WC2. Press and invited guests all downstairs and in Level 1 with paying punters in Level 2 and 3.This famous musical comes back to London with a huge cast of over 100 and a big production.Its already a huge box office success with over 15 million quid taken in advance sales.So many great songs here.Rowan is a perfect Fagin and the many kids on stage are a pure delight.Two sets of 70 mins and 60 mins were excellent. Lots of faces here tonight inc Melvyn Bragg,Graham Norton,Alan Titchmarsh,Anneka Rice, George Sampson,a very rare sighting of Terry Wogan,the singer from McFly,Barbara Windsor,Nick Mason(Pink Floyd), and Elaine Paige and probably a few more i missed.For more info see www.oliverthemusical.com.See aftershow page for this event....................................... 13 Jan 2009.Launch party for the new book by Garry Bushell called "The World According To Garry Bushell" at Filthy McNastys in Amwell Street,London EC1.From 7.15pm to 9.15pm.Garry was one of the main reasons i bought Sounds music magazine in the early 1980s.He invented the term "Oi" for the skinhead band movement and managed Cock Sparrer.He has since wrote loads of newspaper articles,appeared on lots of tv and wrote music books and novels.For more info check www.garry-bushell.co.uk.Tonight the free booze is flowing and everyone gets a signed copy of the book.People here included Max Splodge,Gary Lammin and Cass Pennant(wrote a book called Cass on his life as leader of West Hams legendary Inter City Firm football hooligans).Garry was here and made a speech and it was a decent bash. ................................................. I had a great time in Egypt from Jan 3 to Jan 12.Highlights were Cairo for a couple of days (Giza Pyramids + Cheops Boat Museum + Sphinx + Egyptian Museum - Tutankamun + Cairo's biggest bazaar) then overnight train to Aswan for a couple of days (again donkeys everywhere + Phila Temple + Calesh Horse And Cart Tour around Aswan + dinner at a Nubian house in the hills) then three days on a felucca sailing boat along the River Nile.Eight of us waking up every morning on the banks of the River Nile + visit to Kom Ombo Temple + Edfu Temple then two days in Luxor (Karnak Temple + Valley Of The Kings - Three Tombs + Ramesseum + a brilliant hour's donkey ride through the villages).Our guide was great and www.explore.co.uk did a great job of making sure we saw all the best places and arranging for taxis and mini buses.Excellent.... 31 Dec 2008.9pm to 1am.Elton John + Will Young + Alexandra Burke + Overtures live at The 02 Arena,London.Massive NYE event that was live on ITV and in countries around the world.Up first we had The Overtures who played a 45 mins set of 1960s cover versions from Beatles/Kinks/Doors/ The Who etc.The crowd liked them.Then we had X Factor winner Alexandra Burke with a full choir sing a great version of her Number 1 hit "Hallelujah".I have a lot of history with Elton John as i have seen him some 40 times since the 1970s.I saw this Red Piano show over a year ago at the same venue.On stage for around 1 hour 50 mins it was a fantastic greatest hits set with a stunning stage production of neon lights, a well used big screen and huge inflatables.So many classic EJ gems including "Bennie And The Jets","Philadelphia Freedom","Rocket Man","Someone Saved My Life Tonight","Goodbye Yellow Brick Road","Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word","Tiny Dancer","Dont Let The Sun Go Down On Me","Candle In The Wind" then Will Young came to sing "Daniel" but i thought his voice was weak.Then at midnight Alexandra Burke and choir all came on to see the New Year in with Elton and Will with balloons,streamers and confetti all dropped on the crowd.For the encores Eltons great band upped the tempo for brilliant versions of "Rocket Man","The Bitch Is Back","I'm Still Standing" and for "Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting" some 50 fans were let on stage for a dance."Your Song" was magic.Eltons 2008 tour had 141 shows and he never seems to tire of playing live.A really great show................. Top 5 selling albums in the UK in 2008 were 1st Duffy...2nd Take That...3rd Kings Of Leon... 4th...Leona Lewis...5th Coldplay..........The HMV Poll Of Polls critics list has come in.They get all the music magazines,newspapers,websites etc Best Of Year polls and put them all together. 1st Elbow "The Seldom Seen Kid"...2nd Portishead "Third"...3rd Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds "Dig Lazarus Dig"...4th Fleet Foxes debut...5th Vampire Weekend debut.............. What have been the best selling UK singles of the last 10 years??? 1st is Will Young "Evergreen"(2002) with 1.8 million sold...2nd Cher "Believe"(1998) with 1.7 million sold...3rd Britney Spears "Baby One More Time" (1999) with 1.5 million sold............... 22 Dec 2008.Kings Of Leon + M83 live at Wembley Arena,London.Support band with the crap name M83 are a French/American electro act whose recent album "Saturdays = Youth" made the American Billboard 200 which is pretty good considering how many big British acts cannot get in there. Tunes like "Graveyard Girl" and "Kim And Jessie" had nice dreamy beats to them.I quite liked them. What an amazing 12 months Kings Of Leon have had. Recent album "Only By The Night" hit number 1. Just how did they become so massive in the UK? This was their last night of UK arena tour that already had an O2 Arena show some 10 days ago. On stage for 1 hour 40 mins the stage set was fantastic with a dozen moveable rectangle blocks hanging that were lights,images and live footage all in one.A front stage security friend showed me the briefing they get before every show.This one said "12,400 sold out lively drinking crowd" which pretty much sums up the Oasis type atmosphere tonight.I must admit i not a big KOL fan.Most of their songs seem pretty average. Set included "Use Somebody","Molly Chambers", "Crawl","Sex On Fire" and "On Call" and encores included rockin versions of "Charmer" and "Black Thumbnail".KOL dont really excite me to be honest but the crowd here loved it...................... 21 Dec 2008.Blockheads live at Shepherds Bush Empire,London.Although i saw loads of Ian Dury shows back in their heyday this is the first time i have seen The Blockheads on their own since Ian died a few years ago.They still have four original members including the brilliant Norman Watt Roy on funky bass.The singer does a great job with Ians lyrics.The 1 hour 40 mins set had loads of old gems in the set and a couple from their album "Staring Down The Barrel" which is due out March 2009.Tracks played inc "Sex And Drugs And Rock And Roll","I Want To Be Straight","Inbetweenies","What A Waste","Clever Trevor","Billericay Dickie","Sweet Gene Vincent", "Reasons To Be Cheerful" and "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick".Lots of "Oi Oi" chants from the band and crowd all through the set.A rowdy encore of "Blockheads" got the crowd jumping down the front.Great to hear those songs again... ................................................. 20 Dec 2008.Stereophonics + Courteeners live at The 02 Arena,London.The Courteeners sold out Shepherds Bush Empire a couple of months ago but tonight they are given a tiny postage size area to play on.Their indie guitar tunes sounded nothing special to me.This was the last night of Stereophonics UK arena tour to promote their "Decade In The Sun" greatest hits album.The place is total sell out and the floor standing along with it being on the Saturday night before Christmas gives the gig a really good atmosphere.Like with The Pogues the bars are selling loads of booze.A superb introduction over the pa by one of the American commentators used for boxing fights mentioned the band have sold 11 million albums.The 2 hour set had loads of good songs with loads of screens behind them. Set included "A Thousand Times","Mr Writer", "Have A Nice Day","Maybe Tomorrow" their great cover of "Handbags And Gladrags",then "Pick A Part Thats New","Traffic","Same Size Feet" and pukka versions of "Just Looking" and "Boy In The Photograph".There were a few songs that plodded a bit including the first two encores which were acoustic but the show finished well with great versions of "Bartender And The Thief" and "Dakota".A good show overall................ 19 Dec 2008.Dressed To Kill + Lip Service live at The Standard,Walthamstow,London E17.Up first we have Lip Service who play a good set of original rock tunes and they had a singer that looked just like Gary Holton.DTK are the UKs top KISS tribute act.This fantastic show really did have everything.The make up,the costumes, the blood spitting,the fire breathing,rocket firing guitars and of course those great KISS songs.On stage for a staggering 2 hours 10 mins it was brilliant.Setlist had a few songs the real KISS never play.Gems played included "Deuce","Detroit Rock City","King Of The Night Time World","Shout It Out Loud","Firehouse" (complete with fire breathing),"Doctor Love", "Flaming Youth","Lick It Up","Beth"(complete with flowers given out to girls at the front), then "God Of Thunder"(Gene blood spitting), "Strutter","I Was Made For Loving You","Shock Me",(with Ace rocket firing guitar solo),then "Love Gun","Crazy Nights" and "Black Diamond". Every other song had fireworks going off. Superb encores of "God Gave Rock n Roll To You" and "Rock n Roll All Night" with a final blaze of more fireworks,confetti and fake snow.All four members really look and act the part and the whole show was just a real joy to watch. Strong rumours are the real KISS will be back in the UK this summer but until then DTK really are the next best thing...www.dressedtokill.org.uk... 18 Dec 2008.The Pogues live at Brixton Academy, London.First of three Brixton shows as part of The Pogues annual Christmas tour.The venue's bars must have broken all its sales records as The Pogues fans do like their booze.On stage for around 1 hour 50 mins.It does not seem to matter than Shane mumbles all the lyrics these days.The fact he is still alive(just)and present is enough it seems for this lot.The band and the audience sing the songs better than Shane for most of the night.Its a superb atmosphere."Streams Of Whiskey" is great as is "Dirty Old Town","The Sick Bed Of Cuchulainn","Sally Maclennane" and "The Irish Rover".The encores include a spine tingling "Fairytale Of New York" with fake snow and one of the bands daughters singing the female part.A good show overall.................. 16 Dec 2008.Hawkwind + Huw Lloyd Langton live at The Astoria,London.This could me my last gig at The Astoria as it is due to close in Feb 2009. Up first we have ex Hawkwind member Huw Lloyd Langton who plays a rambling 30 mins acoustic set to polite applause.What can be said about cosmic rock legends Hawkwind.That they have survived over 35 years of doing their own thing with so many line up changes is just amazing.On stage for 1 hour 45 mins with the set including "Masters Of The Universe","Time We Left This World Today",great versions of "Angels Of Death" and "Hassan Sahba(Assassins Of Allah)".Also good was "Right To Decide".Neat visuals including strobes,film projections and dancers in strange costumes.Encore was a great "Silver Machine".A good show overall............................... 14 Dec 2008.Coldplay live at The 02 Arena,London. This was the first of their three shows here as part of the year long world tour to promote their fourth album "Viva La Vida" which like all their other albums got great reviews and has sold millions.Its safe to say Coldplay are now one of the biggest bands in the world.On stage for 1 hour 40 mins Chris Martin is full of energy as he runs around the stage and up and down the two catwalks extending from the stage. Loads of big songs here tonight including second song "Clocks" with the lasers in full flow.Also "In My Place","Speed Of Sound" and superb versions of "Yellow" and "Fix You".Also "The Hardest Part" a brilliant "Viva La Vida" then "Lost".Then a nice touch as they walked through the crowd to the back of the arena to play two acoustic songs where they were joined by actor/comedian Simon Pegg on harmonica.More gems like "Politik" and "Lovers In Japan" before the encores that included "The Scientist" and a fun cover of Take Thats "Back For Good".With so many good songs it could only be a great show......... 13 Dec 2009.Status Quo + Manfred Manns Earth Band live at Wembley Arena,London.Great to see Manfred Mann as support as have not seen them for around 20 years.They sound really good and are nice and tight.Lots of well known hits including "Blinded By The Light","Davys On The Road Again" and their number one from 1968 "The Mighty Quinn".Status Quo are yet another band i have a lot of history with.I have seen them over 40 times since 1974.Quo 1970s were a superb hard rock act and even though they have got older and gone more mainstream Status Quo are still a great good time rock n roll band live.They are promoting new album "Pictures - 40 Years Of Hits".They have had around 75 singles out since their first hit in 1968.They are on stage for 1 hour 50 mins with lots of catchy pop rockers including "Caroline","Rain","Is There A Better Way","Big Fat Mama",excellent versions of early hits "Pictures Of Matchstick Men" and "In My Chair".Then more gems like "In The Army Now", "Roll Over Lay Down","Dont Drive My Car","Down Down","Whatever You Want" and "Rockin All Over The World".Great use of five giant screens that showed videos and footage from the old Quo days. Encores of "Marguerita Time" and "Bye Bye Johnny" and then they showed the video of their new Christmas single.A great night out............... 12 Dec 2008.The Mighty Boosh live at Wembley Arena,London.The first of four Arena shows in London (Wembley Arena Dec 12 and 15 and The 02 Arena on Dec 17 and 18)as part of their truly massive 125+ shows five month,yes five month UK tour of theatres and every arena from Aberdeen to Brighton.Its hard to believe i saw The Mighty Boosh first perform to some 50 people 8 or 9 years ago.Now after three series on BBC TV this mad,surreal mix of comedy,theatre and music is massive but still retains a cult like loyal army of fans.A lot of have come in fancy dress too. Two sets of 75 mins and 60 mins that had loads of very funny sketches.For the encore The Mighty Boosh Band play three songs as all the crowd rushes the stage just like a Wembley rock show. See aftershow page for this event................ 10 Dec 2008.Capital Radio 95.8fm "Jingle Bell Ball" feat Sugababes,The Script,Lemar,Scouting For Girls,Gabriella Cilmi,The Pussycat Dolls,James Morrison,Alphabeat,Will Young, Boyzone,Craig David,Anastacia,Enrique Iglesias, James Blunt,The Saturdays,Rihanna live at The 02 Arena,London.This was the big Christmas party event for one of London's top commercial stations.Sixteen acts who all play between 2 and 5 songs each.Nice short changeovers between acts as they had a main stage and a smaller stage to the left of the main one.This 18,000 capacity show sold out in one day and the crowd is 80% teenage girls.Most play hit singles so its all songs everyone knows which helps to keep the atmosphere lively.Sugababes play three to a blaze of fireworks and are always good.The Script are good.Then Lemar and Scouting For Girls play a couple each.Then Gabriella Cilmi does a couple.Then The Pussycat Dolls play three hits with great outfits and neat dance routines "Dont Cha","I Hate This Part" and "When I Grow Up".Then its James Morrison,Alphabeat and Will Young.A lot of the acts were singing live but playing to backing tracks but nobody cared here. Boyzone played three then Craig David did a couple including " 7 Days".then Anastacia did four tracks.Then it was Enrigue Iglesias who upped the girls screaming and did four tracks.The best moment of the entire night was when like he does in his own show bring a teenage girl on stage to sing his ballad "Hero" to her.He does it so well by stroking her hair and having a close dance with her and even giving her a proper snog at the end.The place goes bonkers.Then the following song he jumps into the crowd and really works the audience.Then James Blunt does a couple including "You're Beautiful".New all girl act The Saturdays do a couple then headliner Rihanna plays five songs.She has the biggest stage production and its all fireworks and confetti for her massive worldwide hit "Umbrella". Better than expected event lasting some four hours. See aftershow page for this event................ 09 Dec 2008.Man Raze live at Monto Water Rats,Kings Cross,London.This was the last of their four UK club shows to promote their debut album "Surreal".Man Raze feature Sex Pistol Paul Cook,Phil Collen from Def Leppard and their old mate Simon Laffy who used to play in Phils pre Leppard band Girl.Both The Sex Pistols and Def Leppard have completed huge summer tours so now they can concentrate on Man Raze for a while.This club holds about 200 and there is no pit so you can get up nice and close which always makes a gig better.Before they come on Paul Cooks Union Jack Sex Pistols drum kit sits proudly at the back.Like their Spitz show a couple of years ago this was strictly about Man Raze and there was to be no SP or DL tonight. The 50 mins set started off with "This Is" and "Connected To You" and for the third song Phil Collen had discarded his shirt.Phil was 51 yesterday and has a very fit flat chest that puts most of even the younger males here to shame.The songs come thick and fast.Uptempo pop rockers with a splash of reggae on some."Every Second of Every Day " was great.The dub reggae of "Runnin' Me Up" was a pure joy to hear then rockers "Turn It Up" and "Skin Crawl" knocked the crowd for six.Pauls drumming was on top form and Phil Collen has always been a great guitarist.A couple of pukka covers at the end "Search And Destroy" and encore of Jimi Hendrix's "Fire" sealed a great set.After a few mins break all the band came out to say hello to anyone that stayed behind.Ray McVeigh was here too. Setlist was This Is,Connected To You,"Spinning Out","Every Second Of Every Day","Halo","Low", "Cant Find My Own Way","Runnin'Me Up","Turn It Up","Skin Crawl","Its Entertainment","You're So Wrong","Search And Destroy".Encore was "Fire". Its not too much asking Santa for 2009 shows by Man Raze and The Professionals.We shall see. For more info check out www.manraze.com.......... 08 Dec 2008.6.15pm to 8.30pm.Launch party for The Swarovski Crystal Snowflake at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel,Knightsbridge,London.Always nice to be at this lovely 5 star hotel that is used by loads of big music acts when they come over inc Aerosmith,Metallica,KISS,Bon Jovi etc.Freebie Moet champers and canopes flowing.Stings wife Trudie Styler does the switching on of the giant snowflake hanging over the main Knightsbridge road junction which they said had the same weight as a Bentley Car.......then 9pm to 1am. The OK Magazine Christmas Party at The Living Room,Heddon Street,London.A big bash for 300 or 400 people with lots of girls all dressed up. Freebie cocktails,beers and yummie Baileys flowing all night with some decent dj sounds and a lively atmosphere.Some z listers from Big Brother and X Factor were here.Also Vanessa Felz(again).The "special live guests" turn out to be Same Difference.That awful boy and girl from one of the tv talent contests.30 mins of crap.Someone mentioned they have a UK tour next year including a headline show at Hammersmith Apollo which is hard to take in.A great party and loads of goody bags for all.................. 06 Dec 2008.Black Rock Masters Tennis at The Royal Albert Hall,London.Not a music event of course but i had to see my tennis hero John McEnroe play so its worth a mention.This was part of the week of matches here for tennis "seniors" including Pete Sampras and Pat Cash.Up first Jeremy Bates beat John McEnroe in a very close competitive game on a deciding tie break after winning a set each.John even had half a dozen of his "tantrums" with everyone including shouting at one of the ball boys.Great to see John play.At the end John McEnroe gave an emotional speech where he said that after being here at this great venue for all of its 12 years this year was the only time he has lost all three of his matches and perhaps its time to call it a day.The crowd as one shouted various forms of no and gave him a standing ovation.A real legend.Next we had a tennis doubles exhibition match featuring Bahrami the worlds most famous entertainer on court with lots of trick shots and fun.Then another doubles match featuring Henri Leconte.A nice evening.The event is held every year in first week of December..... 05 Dec 2008.6pm to 8.30pm.Cliff Richard "50th Anniversary - The Time Machine Tour" DVD launch party at Quo Vadis,Dean Street,Soho,London.Only about 40 people from national press and tv here....plus me.No Cliff fans here apart from maybe a couple who do his website/fanclub.Cliff is here for most of it and spends a few mins with everyone.The dvd was recorded a couple of weeks ago at the Wembley Arena show i was at.Of course it will make a perfect Christmas pressie for any Cliff fan.Its already number one in the midweek charts.Freebie drinks and canopes flowing.Half a dozen dvds were grabbed by others as soon as Cliff left the building but i missed out this time but it was a nice bash............. 04 Dec 2008.Barry Manilow + Bobby Davro live at The 02 Arena,London.Bobby Davro was very funny for his 30 mins set with lots of quickfire jokes and music impersonations.This was Barrys first of three shows at this venue.He has sold over 75 million albums.All the crowd have been given free blue glo sticks which makes an impressive sight.Barry was on stage for 95 mins with a 10 piece band that sometimes was a bit too loud.A mixture of average songs and those big hits inc "Could It Be Magic","I Made It Through The Rain" and "Cant Smile Without You". Of course it was a bit cheesy and Las Vegas in parts but his loyal female fans loved every second.It was great to see so many middle aged women all in one room really enjoying themselves. "Mandy" and "I Write The Songs" were both excellent and first encore "Copacabana" was great.Other encores were "Its A Miracle" with streamers and confetti and "Forever And A Day". An enjoyable show but 95 mins seemed short when you consider the older Cliff Richard was on stage for 150 mins a couple of weeks ago......... 03 Dec 2008.Simply Red + Beth Rowley live at The 02 Arena,London.Beth Rowley played a 30 mins set based on "Little Dreamer" cd.Plenty of soulful vocals and restrained arrangements that would be more suited to a small club than a massive venue like this.i first saw Simply Red in 1985 when they supported soul legend James Brown at three Hammersmith Odeon shows.Even then Mick Hucknall had a fantastic voice which he still has.He is an easy target for critics these days who seem to give him non stop stick.On stage for 1 hour 45 mins promoting new album "25-The Greatest Hits".They had most of the crowd up and swaying from the start.Set included "Its Only Love","A New Flame" and a great "Holding Back The Years". In the middle for four or five songs it went on auto pilot with average tunes and a couple of weak covers.Then more big hits like "Your Mirror","The Right Thing","Stars","Something Got Me Started" and "Moneys Too Tight To Mention". Encores were a fine "Fairground" and his stunning cover version of "If You Dont Know Me By Now".A good show but i have seen them better. Simply Red return to The 02 Arena on 02 and 03 April 2009....................................... 02 Dec 2008.The Spectator And GQ Magazines "Politics Meets Style" party at Browns Hotel, Albemarle Street,W1.7pm to 10pm.About 250 people here in this posh hotel for these two top mags.Lots of freebie champers,cocktails and canopes flowing.A few faces here including Dylan Jones and Toby Young from GQ.Hotels owner Sir Rocco Forte.Also Nick Mason from Pink Floyd,Piers Morgan,Quentin Wilson,Nancy Dell'Olio(Svens ex)and turning up right at the end with a rucksack on his back Mayor Boris Johnson.A nice crowd and a good bash............................ 01 Dec 2008.After six quality gigs in seven days it was time for a change so tonight did three drinks parties and a BBC Radio 5 interview... 6.30pm to 8.15pm was the launch party for Ann Summers "Enchantment" collection at 1 Marylebone Road,NW1.Lovely old converted building opposite Great Portland Street Tube.The freebie cocktails and canopes are flowing and there are half a dozen models in Ann Summers underwear.A few faces here including the owner Jaqueline Gold, new face of their advertising campaign actress Lois Winstone who is the daughter of Ray Winstone,Vanessa Felz and the blonde twins from Big Brother.A dj playing tunes and a burlesque show along with a lovely goody bag packed with stuff meant it was a great event....8.30pm to 9.15pm over to The Tatler Travel Awards at The Ritz Piccadilly,W1.Great to be in this famous old luxury hotel.Had a couple of drinks,canopes and goody bags again.The five winning hotels were in Australia,France,South Africa,Indonesia and Italy.More details in the new Tatler mag out this week.....9.20pm to 10.20pm.At Tatler a friend invited me to The Westminster Conservative Christmas Party,Hey Jo Club,Jermyn Street,SW1.Lots of posh folks in a long queue for the buffet with paper plates was a fun sight. Among the crowd was Steve Strange from 80s band Visage who told me he is about to restart his music career with a new single.He still gets fully dressed up which is great.....10.30pm I was at The Hilton Hotel,Park Lane,to meet my BBC car for journey back to BBC Centre,Wood Lane, Shepherds Bush for BBC Radio 5 interview with dj Richard Bacon.On air for about 20 mins from 11.30pm.It was great fun even though the time went very quickly and i only managed to get the raysgigs.com mention in once.Then the BBC drove me home.......................................... 30 Nov 2008.Kid Rock live at Hammersmith Apollo, London.Only UK show by Kid Rock on his winter tour of Europe.He has sold around 25 million albums and has had a great 2008 as he continues to promote recent album "Rock n Roll Jesus".He arrives on stage and looks super cool in whiter than white top,trousers and trainers.He has a brilliant 10 piece band behind him which includes two female backing singers and a dj dropping in some beats.On stage for 1 hour 45 mins Kid Rock knows how to work the stage and entertain the crowd.Set included "Rock n Roll Jesus","Devil Without A Cause","Lowlife(Living The Highlife),and the massive hit single "All Summer Long".New single out this week "Roll On" went down well too.Also "Amen",a great version of his hit "Cowboy" and "Half Your Age" all rocked.The overall sound on stage was perfect and Kid Rock easily mixed up rock/hip hop/blues/country/funk/gospel throughout the set which was great.Plenty of naughty lyrics but the crowd here tonight lapped them all up.Also good was "Forever","3 Sheets To The Wind(Whats My Name) and cover of "Cat Scratch Fever" by fellow Detroit rocker Ted Nugent with Kid Rock playing drums.(He also played keyboard,guitar and even did a spot of dj scratching earlier too).A big finale of massive hit "Bawitdada" sealed off a really good show................................ 29 Nov 2008.Simple Minds + Deacon Blue live at Wembley Arena,London.A double bill of acts from Glasgow.Deacon Blue were quite big in the late 80s/early 90s and were an ideal support.Singer Ricky Ross has a wry sense of humour on stage. The 45 mins set included "Real Gone Kid","Fergus Sings The Blues","Wages Day" and a fine "Dignity" .The venue is sold out tonight for Simple Minds 30th anniversary show.Another band who i have a lot of history with.I have seen them over a dozen times since 1980.Lots of big songs here tonight and a great light show with two giant screens.On stage for two hours they got the place singing with a set including "Waterfront","Mandela Day","Love Song","The American","Someone Somewhere In Summertime", "Promised You A Miracle","Glittering Prize",a superb "Dont You (Forget About Me),also "Belfast Child".Encores included rocking versions of "Sanctify Yourself" and "Alive And Kicking".They are a band who are always great live in concert. Actress Patsy Kensit was sitting a couple of rows in front of me right of stage.She of course used to be married to singer Jim Kerr............ 28 Nov 2008.Primal Scream live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.On a full UK tour to promote recent album "Beautiful Future" Primal Scream were on stage for 1 hour 40 mins.Lots of dirty dance based rock n roll tunes.Set included "Jailbird" and "Beautiful Future".Nice use of a big screen behind them along with strobes and lasers.Great versions of "Swastika Eyes","Moving On Up" and "Rocks".Encores included "Higher Than The Sun" and "Country Girl".As always Bobby Gillespie's vocals were low in the mix but Primal Scream are always good to watch live........................ 26 Nov 2008.Jarvis Cocker live at Shepherds Bush Empire,London.This show was part of the 30th anniversary shows for legendary record shop Rough Trade which was were i bought most of my punk records back in 1976/1977.Jarvis Cocker and band played for around 95 mins.He is a great on stage with plenty of fun banter and charisma. He still twists and shimmys his skinny tall frame across the stage.Set included "Tonight", "Girls Like It Too","I Will Kill Again","Big Stuff",a nice rocky version of "Black Magic". Encores included "Just A Fucking Song","Cunts Are Still Running The World" and "Dont Let Him Waste Your Time".Not many acts would admit like Jarvis did on stage on how on the afternoon of the gig the band had their soundcheck then went over to the new Westfield Shopping Centre in Shepherds Bush for a couple of hours to see what all the fuss was about.A good gig................ 25 Nov 2008.The Alarm live at Islington Academy, London.Last of three Tuesday night shows at this venue for their UK tour to promote their new album "Guerilla Tactics".Another band who i have seen loads of times over the last 25 years.They played for 1 hour 50 mins over two sets.For me Mike Peters really is a Welsh legend.His passion for music and performing is amazing.Set included a few good ones off the new album and loads of great oldies including "Unsafe Building","Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke","Sold Me Down The River","Rain In The Summertime" and "Strength".At the start of the second set Mike Peters played a few acoustic songs in the middle of the floor with crowd around him starting with "Rockin In The Free World" then on stage with the band for "Rescue Me","45rpm","Stand","Marching On","Blaze Of Glory","68 Guns" and encores of "One Step Closer To Home" and "Spirit Of 76". Yet another fantastic Alarm gig.See aftershow page for this gig................................ 24 Nov 2008.Extreme + Hotleg live at The Astoria,London.A nice sold out atmosphere here. Hotleg feature Justin ex Darkness singer on vocals.I quite liked The Darkness but Hotlegs 40 mins set was just pretty average stuff really. I saw Extreme a few times in their 1991/1992 heyday and this is the first London show in some 13 or 14 years as part of their reunion world tour.They were on stage for 2 hours 5 mins and were really good.The sound was great and they still have neat lashings of funk in their rock. Set included "Decadence Dance" ,"Kid Ego" and a couple of tracks "Star" and "Ghost" from their first studio album in 13 years just released "Saudades De Rock".Nuno Bettencourt is still a great guitar player and posing for the ladies. Their big hit "More Than Words" had all the crowd singing. Their superb anthem "Get The Funk Out" is one of the best rock singles ever.Encores were "Am I Ever Gonna Change","Hole Hearted", Led Zeps "Communication Breakdown" and Justin came on to help them for a 10 minute four song Queen medley as it was Freddies anniversary. "I Want To Break Free/Fat Bottomed Girls/Bicycle Race/Tie Your Mother Down".A really great finish. The gig was a huge success for Extreme and i can see them playing the UK every year from now on. ................................................. 22 Nov 2008.Motorhead + Saxon live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.Get to the venue at 7.30pm and there is 100 in the guest list queue so end up missing the first band Danko Jones.The girl in the box office tells me there is a massive 300 or 400 on the guest list tonight.Wow. Saxon play a really good 50 mins of catchy rock. Tunes inc "Motorcycle Man","And The Bands Played On","747(Strangers In The Night" and "Princess Of The Night".The crowd loved it.What can you say about the rock legend that is Lemmy? Motorhead are another band who i have a lot of history with as i have seen them over 25 times since the 1970s.Even now Lemmy stills calls it The Hammersmith Odeon and refuses to say the A word.I was there for "No Sleep Till Hammersmith " live album in the early 1980s.Their dirty wall of noise is just brilliant.The 95 mins set included "Stay Clean","Metropolis", "Over The Top" and their cover of Sex Pistols "God Save The Queen" dedicated To Steve Jones.They played a couple of tracks from new album "Motorizer".Also "Just Because You Got The Power" and a stunning "Killed By Death" where they were joined by five female dancers in underwear with fire tricks.Encores of "Whorehouse Blues" a pukka "Ace Of Spades" where they were joined by Wurzel on guitar and then a perfect "Overkill" with a blaze of strobes and the dancing girls came back on.A great show. This was the last night of their UK tour before they head into mainland Europe for a month.See aftershow page for this gig...................... 19 Nov 2008.The Fratellis live at The Hard Rock Cafe,London.This was an invite only acoustic show for some 250 people for Q Mag Music Club. Its half comp winners and half music biz and media.Free cocktails,beer and Hard Rock grub is flowing all night for all which is great but that means loads of the music biz/media folks at the back are more interested in the free booze and chatting away for the bands entire set.The Fratellis have had a great year with the success of their "Costello Music" album.Tonight they play for 60 mins but never really get going. Set included "Baby Doll","A Heady Tale" neat covers of Pink Floyds "Breathe In The Air" and Led Zeps "Rock And Roll",also "Stacie Anne" and "Whistle For The Choir".They did not play their big hit "Chelsea Dagger".They seemed keen on just getting the gig over with.Maybe with a full band electric gig would have been better but tonights acoustic set was just drab.............. 18 Nov 2008.Leonard Cohen live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.Had to go back and see him again.Its the same setlist as yesterday with even the same six encores but its again superb. Some of the songs here are just sublime perfection that send a tingle down your back.His main heyday was late 60s/early 70s and he can make you feel if you are in a Soho or Parisian cafe from that era.Another fantastic show........ 17 Nov 2008.Leonard Cohen live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.L.C.back in London for the third of four shows after getting fantastic reviews from the 02 Arena gig in July that i was at.The setlist has been changed around a bit too.He is now aged 74 and he was on stage for 2 hours 40 mins over two sets of 60 mins and 100 mins.That golden voice and those lyrics are just amazing with the crowd in total silence as he sings and they hang on to every word.His band are superb as are the three female backing singers.First set included "Aint No Cure For Love","Bird On The Wire","Everybody Knows","Who By Fire","Chelsea Hotel No 2","Hey,Thats No Way To Say Goodbye" and "Anthem".Second set included "Tower Of Song","Suzanne","Boogie Street",a mega "Hallelujah" got another standing ovation, "I'm Your Man",a stunning "A Thousand Kisses Deep" and "Take This Waltz".The six encores were "So Long Marianne","First We Take Manhattan", a superb "Famous Blue Raincoat", a brilliant "If It Be Your Will","Democracy" and "I Tried To Leave You".He sung with his hat on but took it off every time he spoke to the audience.There was plenty of humour from him too.The Royal Albert Hall is much more suited to him than the massive 02 Arena thats for sure. Most of the crowd downstairs had paid 100 and 90 quid to be there but i doubt any felt they did not get good value tonight.Pure quality.......... 16 Nov 2008.Fish live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.In their 1980s heyday i saw Fish with Marillion 25 times with over of 20 of those at Hammersmith Odeon.They were a great live band. Times have changed and tonight Level 2 and 3 are closed due to lack of ticket sales.Fish was on stage for 2 hours 05 mins.He has a great stage personality which he uses as a part time radio dj now and still has loads of stories to tell between songs.Too many in fact.The opening of "Slaine Mhath" was great and "Warm Wet Circles" and "White Russian" were also good.It dipped a bit in the middle with average songs from new album "13th Star".A cover of SAHBs "Faithhealer" was briliant as Fish walked into the stalls laying his hands on the punters heads."Cliche" was good and the finale of old Marillion gems "Kayleigh" and "Lavender" were great.Encore was a neat "Clutching At Straws". So a mixed show really but enough good bits to send everyone home happy enough.................. 15 Nov 2008.Cliff Richard live at Wembley Arena, London.This was the last of Cliffs four shows at this venue.I was there a few days ago on the first night.As expected its the same set. Again it starts prompt at 7.30pm on the dot. Better atmosphere as the place is rammed with not a spare seat in sight as tonight is being filmed for DVD release on 01 Dec 2008.As mentioned in my full review of his earlier show lots of great songs and lots of average songs. Cliff always mentions all his songwriters on stage.When you consider he started before Beatlemania and has still survived through punk rock,grunge,britpop,indie and all the rest for a staggering 50 years its quite amazing.Near the end it looks like its "What Car" as the cue song for 200 females to storm to the front of stage past the hopeless security to bombard Cliff with cuddly toys,flowers and gifts.Its a nice feel good show to watch.Sir Cliff on stage for 2 hours 30 mins at age 68.Respect is due........... Sat afternoon i was at QPR 1 Burnley 2 where i bumped into Clash legend Mick Jones.He was at Old Trafford for the recent QPR Man Utd game. His band Carbon Silicon play two Christmas Shows at Hammersmith Working Mens Club on Dec 15 and 16 with tickets at 15 quid adv or 20 on door........ 14 Nov 2008.Robin Williams live at The Gielgud Theatre,Shaftesbury Avenue,London W1.There has been an unprecedented number of comedians playing shows the last couple of months inc Lee Evans,Sarah Silverman,French And Saunders,Steve Coogan but all have had average or worse reviews. Robin Williams is an A list actor and comedian who despite being on tv interviews often these are his first stand up comedy shows for some 25 years.This was the last of just three lowkey shows in London which sold out in minutes.On stage for 1 hour 50 mins he was total quality. Talking at 100mph most of the time the laughs came pretty non stop.Politics,sex,rehab etc with loads of different accents and funny faces.For the encores he took questions from the audience with some witty ad libs.Very good................ Have a peek at this famous Sex Pistols clip from when they played in Wales in 1976.Its so funny. www.itvlocal.com/wales type in Sex Pistols....... 13 Nov 2008.Stereophonics live at The Riverside Studios,Hammersmith,London.This was an invite only show for 500 people(400 comp winners and 100 guests and media)to launch their "Decade In The Sun" Best Of/Greatest Hits album.Their last couple of studio albums have been panned by the critics but The Stereophonics deserve more recognition than they get.For the last ren years they have toured constantly to a loyal fanbase that has kept them playing arenas each tour. They now have a whole bunch of great tunes.The 85 mins set included "The Bartender And The Thief","A Thousand Trees","Pick A Part Thats New","Mr Writer","Just Looking","Local Boy In The Photograph" and encores "It Means Nothing", "Maybe Tomorrow","Have A Nice Day","Traffic" and ending with a brilliant "Dakota".I love their Oasis type heavy distortion guitar sound.Kelly Jones on good form and it was an great show. They play the 02 Arena on Sat 20 Dec 2008 as part of their December trek around the UK. See aftershow page for this gig.................. 11 Nov 2008.9pm to 12.30am.Claridges Bar 10th Anniversary Party,Claridges Hotel,London W1.This invite only event was just superb.Plenty of freebie cocktails,champers and canopes flowing in the main bar of this famous 5 star hotel always used by A listers.Lots of faces here include Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster and Rod's daughter Kimberley.I had a lovely chat with Rod Stewart.I asked him "whats the latest news about a Faces reunion?".The answer is a total exclusive to this website.This Monday Rod is meeting up with Ronnie Wood and the others in the studio for their first rehearsal. "Just to check if they can remember the songs". Great news.They will use Rod's current tour bass player as Ronnie Lane has sadly passed away. Also here was the lovely and friendly Cilla Black who was very cosy with Reading F.C. chairman and hotel owner John Madejski.Also Jade Jagger,Ozwald Boateng,Rick Parfitt Jr,Nicky Haslam,Rosamund Pike(actress from James Bond Die Another Day etc),Zandra Rhodes,Donna Air,Leah Wood.A great crowd and dj playing cool tunes. This was a quality bash......................... 10 Nov 2008.Cliff Richard live at Wembley Arena,London.This was the opening show of his UK arena tour and the first of four shows at this venue.Its his 50th yes 50th anniversary tour as his first single came out way back in 1958.It might seem a bit odd that for someone whose fave bands are The Sex Pistols and The Clash to be here but i have seen Cliff before and its always a good show.Despite being aged 68 he is on stage for 2 hours 30 mins over two sets and he danced a fair bit.Backed by a nice big stage production with four video screens ,8 dancers and 4 backing singers his loyal older crowd loved it.Hit after hit with the year of release on the screens and old footage from that year which was fun.Set included "Move It","Living Doll",a really good "Wired For Sound" also "Daddy's Home" and loads more gems "Devil Woman","We Dont Talk Anymore","The Young Ones","Summer Holiday", "Bachelor Boy" and "Congratulations". The second half dipped a bit as there were too many ballads i thought and the songs were less fun and his version of "The Lords Prayer" was plain awful."All I Ask Of You" from Phantom Of The Opera was good as was "Misty Nights","Ocean Deep" and "What Car".The set finished with two average new songs from 2008. A true professional with lots of friendly stage banter Cliff is better than you would think. Tonights show profits went to www.tearfund.org At the end he announced that in 2009 he would reunite with The Shadows for a full UK tour and that his Saturday 15 Nov show would be recorded for a live dvd for shop release on 01 Dec........ Looks like all the rumours were true.Ultravox are reforming for a full UK tour in April 2009 and includes Hammersmith Apollo on April 24...... 07 and 08 Nov 2008.Queen with Paul Rodgers live at The 02 Arena(Fri)and Wembley Arena(Sat),London.Another band with whom i have a lot of history.I saw Queen around a dozen times with Freddie Mercury.First as a support band to Mott The Hoople in 1973 and all the way up to their legendary Live Aid show.I went to both these shows which were the last two of their European Tour.The first six songs of the 2 hours 20 mins set are all gems with "Hammer To Fall","Tie Your Mother Down","Fat Bottomed Girls","Another One Bites The Dust","I Want It All",and "I Want To Break Free".A stunning lightshow and perfect use of the giant screen.Paul Rodgers then plays "Seagull" acoustic and for the middle part of the show the songs are performed on the extended walkway inc Roger Taylors drumkit."A Kind Of Magic" was good.Their new album "The Cosmos Rocks" has had pretty bad reviews and they play four or five songs from it tonight.They play "Bad Company" at The 02 Arena and this was swopped for "Feel Like Making Love" at Wembley Arena.The last 50 mins was fab with "Radio Ga Ga","Crazy Little Thing Called Love", "The Show Must Go On" and a superb "Bohemian Rhapsody" with the first half sung by Freddie on the big screen before Paul Rodgers comes on for the rocky bit.Encores of "Cosmos Rocks", a mega "All Right Now","We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions" all had everyone singing. Freddie is of course sadly missed but this was a hugely entertaining live show.The crowd loved it and those Queen classics live on................. 05 Nov 2008.A busy night tonight as attended three very good events....6.15pm to 7.30pm.Status Quo album launch and art auction at Bonhams,New Bond Street,London.A large crowd here of 300 or 400.Lots of free champers and canopes flowing. All of Quo are here.All are very friendly and chatty and posing for photos and signing stuff.Also here was Quo original drummer John Coghlan and 70s pop star Leo Sayer.New album out this week "Pictures - 40 Years Of Hits" and the art auction was 50 one off paintings by musicians and celebs all with a Quo theme.A couple went for over 10k each.Over 100k raised for Prince's Trust Charity..then a mad rush over to see Bryan Adams at The 02 Arena,London.A sold out show here on the last date of his UK tour.And its his birthday today.49 i think.As its Guy Fawkes night we get a full firework display at the start which was a nice touch.He starts on the second stage on the floor with a couple of songs inc "Cant Stop This Thing We Started" then it was loads of catchy pop rock gems from his career.A long set of 2 hours 20 mins inc "Somebody","18 Till I Die",a mega "Summer Of 69","Everything I Do I Do It For You","Cuts Like A Knife" then he gets a girl from the audience to help with "Baby When You're Gone".She does a good job.Halfway through it a pregnant Melanie C comes on to help out to great applause.Then it was "Thought I'd Died And Gone To Heaven","Shes Only Happy When Shes Dancing","Heaven","Its Only Love","The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You",a superb "Run To You".Encores included "Cloud Number Nine","C'mon Everybody","Straight From The Heart" and "When The Night Comes". Another one of those acts i have seen over 20 times and Bryan Adams always puts on a great show.....then back into town midnight to 2am for The Tatler Magazine Little Black Book Top 200 Party at Tramp,London.Legendary 1970s venue thats still going.A posh crowd of all the so called cool and trendiest Sloane Rangers in town. Not sure who was here earlier but Bryan Ferry's kids are still here.The list includes Pippa Middleton,James Blunt,Mika,Alexa Chung,Princess Beatrice,Princess Eugenie,Coco Sumner(Stings daughter)etc .The full list is in this months Tatler Magazine in the shops now.Lots of freebie cocktails,a rockin dj ,canopes and goodie bags.Very good............................ 04 Nov 2008.Bill Wyman And The Rhythm Kings live at The Dorchester Hotel,Mayfair,London.Popped into this posh hotel at 11pm for the entertainment after The Dyslexia Awards evening. Ex Rolling Stones legend Bill Wyman has been playing with this band of his now for over 10 years after taking the brave decision to leave The Rolling Stones.They were on for 55 mins. Mainly covers with a boogie woogie blues feel to it.I imagine a lot of the people that like this would also see The Jools Holland Big Band.They sneaked a Stones song "Honky Tonk Woman" and the set included Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell" and a version of "Mustang Sally" was sung by someone who was in the crowd.It all kind of felt a bit average but Bill Wyman really loves playing this music he likes..................... 03 Nov 2008.Classic Rock Awards at The Park Lane Hotel,Piccadilly,London.One of my fave awards events as it always gets such a great mix of big classic rock names and surprises.7pm to 8.30pm its freebie champers reception.Faces here include Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne,Slash,Jon Culshaw(who impersonates Ozzy on the tv),Ronnie Wood (without his new girlfriend),Jeff Beck,David Coverdale,Wayne Kramer(MC5),Martin Turner(Wishbone Ash),Mick Rock,Ross Halfin,lots of big promoters and booking agents include Harvey Goldsmith,John Giddings,Rod McSween,Neil Warnock and others,Toby Jepson(Little Angels),Peter Green (ex Fleetwood Mac),Quireboys,Thunder,Airbourne, Todd Rundgren,Alter Bridge,Jaz Coleman(Killing Joke),nice surprise to see Sex Pistol Paul Cook and Ray McVeigh.They played in a band called The Professionals when the Pistols split in late 1970s and are planning possible reunion gigs in 2009??.Jack Bruce,Phil Manzanera,Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone (both from The Zombies).Primal Scream,Fish,Joe Bonamassa,Gary Moore and the boys from Anvil whose film is out Feb 2009.From 8.30pm to 10pm was the seated 3 course dinner for 400.We are part of the 50 or so media and standing folks at the bar.The 16 awards are 10pm to 11.30pm.Some of the winners were Whitesnake who won Album Of The Year for "Good To Be Bad".It was fantastic to see Paul Stanley of KISS get Showman Of The Year.Sadly we saw some great video clips only as Paul could not turn up.The Classic Album went to Cream for "Disraeli Gears" which Jack Bruce picked up. Outstanding Contribution was presented by Ronnie Wood to Jeff Beck.Finally the main award for Living Legend was presented by Slash to Ozzy Osbourne and we were treated to a brilliant 10 mins of solo and Sabbath video clips.More drinks for 45 mins at the venue.Picked up goody bags. So many great artists here i really love.Superb. The Classic Rock mag issue out on dec 10 will have over 20 pages devoted to the awards show. See aftershow page for this event................ 02 Nov 2008.Focus + Wishbone Ash + Groundhogs live at Shepherds Bush Empire,London.Nice three band rock package of acts that were pretty big in the early 1970s.This was the last night of their UK tour.The Groundhogs were a bit too loose.Tony McPhee on guitar tried his best but it was all pretty average......next Wishbone Ash played a very good 55 mins set.They sounded very tight and played accurate versions of all their oldies despite only having Martin Turner as the sole original member.Four of five songs from their Number 3 in the charts album in 1972 "Argus" went down well as did last song "Jail Bait".....i presume Focus came on last as they dont really tour that much compared to the other two acts.Their 60 mins set was a bit too much prog rock twaddle for me with a drum solo, bass solo,keyboard solo and a flute solo.Their hits from 1973 "Sylvia" and "Hocus Pocus" were good to hear live but the night belonged to Wishbone Ash.13 March 2009 sees Wishbone Ash support Golden Earring at this venue. See aftershow page for this gig.................