Sweet - Wednesday 18th December - Islington Assembly Hall

Brief review: My last show of the year is a decent one as Sweet step up a notch in venue size at the Islington Assembly Hall. With ex Cats In Space vocalist Paul Manzi now the permanent frontman this was an enjoyable romp through all the hits you'd expect to hear. I really do enjoy Andy Scott's guitar playing too.

Setlist
Action
New York Groove (with 'New York' by Alicia Keys snippet)
Hell Raiser
Burn on the Flame
The Six Teens
Peppermint Twist
AC/DC
Turn It Down
Set Me Free
Teenage Rampage
Wig-Wam Bam
Little Willy
Love Is Like Oxygen / Fanfare for the Common Man
Fox on the Run
+
Blockbuster
The Ballroom Blitz

Rod Stewart - Tuesday 17th December - O2 Arena

Brief review: A decent set from Rod. The voice is still there, even if a touch of energy has gone as he moves into his mid-seventies. Very enjoyable, although wish we could have afforded floor seats.

Setlist
Some Guys Have All the Luck
Having a Party 
It Takes Two 
Rhythm of My Heart 
Forever Young
The Killing of Georgie (Part I and II)
Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)
+
Maggie May
Downtown Train 
Dirty Old Town 
The First Cut Is the Deepest 
I Don't Want to Talk About It 
Gasoline Alley
Every Beat of My Heart
Stay With Me 
Handbags and Gladrags 
You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)
Grace 
Have I Told You Lately 
Go Your Own Way (band only)
Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?
+
Sailing 

Dan Baird & Homemade Sin - Thursday 5th December - Face Bar, Reading

Brief review: A rearranged show in Reading. No London date on this batch of shows, so the joys of GWR were bought into play. Good fun as always with the band - and although nothing was mentioned at the show - rumours abound that this was a "farewell" as Dan is retiring. That would be really sad as his music has been part of my life for over 30 years. There is a certain rounding of the circle if it is true though, having first seen Dan in The Georgia Satellites at the Reading Festival in 1987.

All the best for your retirement Dan!

Setlist
?

Bernice Ehrlich - Tuesday 3rd December - Cologne Weihnachtsmarkt

One Line review: Caught the end of Bernice's Christmas set in Cologne which was very pleasant. "Klaus" was on guitar. We had a nice chat with Bernice after the show with some photos - which may or may not have been induced by the Gluhwein consumed amongst our group. Luckily, her English was flawless.

The full show is available here

Slade UK - Saturday 30th November - Boom Boom Club, Sutton

One Line review: Better than I could have expected from a tribute band. Sound and vocals spot on and a great set. Hope they come back soon.

Setlist
Slam The Hammer Down
We'll Bring The House Down
Lock Up Your Daughters
Gudbuy T'Jane
My Friend Stan
How Does It Feel
Everyday
My Oh My
The Bangin' Man
Run Runaway
+
Rock And Roll Preacher
Thanks For The Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)
Coz I Luv You
Radio Wall of Sound
Far Far Away
Gypsy Roadhog
Dizzy Mama
Get Down And Get With It
Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me
Take Me Bak 'Ome
Mama Weer All Crazee Now
Cum On Feel Noize
+
Born To Be Wild
Merry Xmas Everybody

Bernie Marsden - Tuesday 26th November - Waterstones, Piccadilly

Quick review: An interview format show followed by book signing to promote the new version of Bernie's book. Some entertaining stories interspersed with 3 acoustic songs. Looking forward to his full show in January.

Setlist
Trouble
Till the Day I Die
Here I Go Again

Primal Scream - Thursday 21st November - Brighton Dome

Quick review: Third show on the trot for me and it's a trip down to Brighton for the Scottish alternative rockers. I've seen them a few times - but don't really know their material that well outside a couple of their big hits ("Rocks" and "Country Girl"). But as I said to Richard on the way down, "I know it will be good, because there's always a Rolling Stones-esq tune about to come up". And indeed it was good.

Setlist
Don't Fight It, Feel It
Swastika Eyes
Miss Lucifer
Can't Go Back
Accelerator
Kill All Hippies
(I'm Gonna) Cry Myself Blind
I'm Losing More Than I'll Ever Have
Velocity Girl
Dolls (Sweet Rock and Roll)
Burning Wheel
100% or Nothing
Loaded
Movin' On Up
Country Girl
+
Come Together
Jailbird
Rocks

Mud - Wednesday 20th November - Cavern, Raynes Park

Quick review: A short hop to Raynes Park with my brother and good friend who is a very keen Mud fan. They don't play that often it seems, so it was good to see this incarnation (very different from the "Mud 2" and "Les Gray's Mud" versions I have seen previously) in a sold out small venue. And it was good fun indeed - I even knew much of the set.

Setlist
L'L'Lucy
Crazy
Dyna-Mite
Hypnosis
One Night
Secrets That You Keep
Shake It Down
Oh, Boy!
Moonshine Sally
There's Good Rockin Tonight
Rocket
Cut Across Shorty
The Cat Crept In
Lonely This Christmas
Happy Birthday to You [Ray Stiles Birthday]
Tiger Feet
Rock and Roll Part 2 (snippet)

Scouting For Girls - Tuesday 19th November - G-Live, Guildford

Quick review: First night of 3 show for me. Decent seats and a decent show from SFG. Whilst their sets are never the longest, they manage to cram most of the essential hits in each time and mixed it up for this show with a couple of new tracks which were pleasant enough. Unfortunately, our prior request (for "Little Miss Naughty") from the meet and greet in Kingston did not come to fruition - probably trumped by the on-stage proposal.

Setlist
Grown Up
Heartbeat
Love How It Hurts
I Wish I Was James Bond
The Trouble With Boys
Posh Girls
Millionaire
Sweet Love
Famous
Count on Me
Elvis Ain't Dead / Hound Dog / I Can't Help Falling In Love
Michaela Strachan
This Ain't A Love Song
+
Christmas in the Air (Tonight)
She's So Lovely

Pete Townshend - Wednesday 6th November - Westminster Central Hall

Two Liner: Unfortunately no music this evening, but a chat about Mr Townshend's new novel as well as life in the Who, hosted by Mariella Frostrup. An interesting, but expensive hour!

Elio Pace - Wednesday 30th October - The Capitol, Horsham

Two Liner: Another Elio show where he plays 2 complete Billy Joel Albums - this time "Storm Front" and "The Stranger". Excellent as always apart from the over the top constant fawning towards the special guest guitarist - David Brown (ex-member of Billy's band) which verged on the embarrassing (including for David by the look of it).

Setlist
That's Not Her Style
We Didn't Start The Fire
Downeaster "Alexa"
I Go To Extremes
Shameless
Storm Front
Leningrad
State Of Grace
When In Rome
And So It Goes 
+
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
The Stranger
Just The Way You Are
Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
Vienna
Only The Good Die Young
She's Always A Woman
Get It Right The First Time
Everybody Has A Dream
+
This Is The Time

Rhino's Revenge - Saturday 12th October - Half Moon, Putney

One Liner: A tribute evening celebrating the life of Quo legend Rick Parfitt. "State of Quo" opened the evening to a packed house with Rhino's Revenge as headliners. Excellent from start to finish!

Setlist
Two Way Traffic 
Belavista Man 
Secretary
Gravy Train 
Busy Doing Nothin'
One Note Blues
Obstruction Day 
Old Time Rock & Roll 
Get Out of Denver 
Cougar
Before You Accuse Me (Jim Kirkpatrick on vocals)
Mony Mony
Jungle Love
The Madness 
This Is Me 
The Strange One
Lucinda
Never Too Old (To Rock 'n' Roll)
My Name Is Stan
Bad News 
Jam Side Down 
+
Paper Plane (with "State of Quo")
Back in the U.S.S.R. 
Once Bitten Twice Shy 

Danny & Luke (Thunder) - Wednesday 9th October - St Albans Arena

One Liner: Theatre show Q&A hosted by Mick Wall (one of my most-seen "artists" this year) interspersed with some excellent acoustic version of Thunder tracks. Featured an unscheduled appearance from drummer Harry James.

Setlist
Backstreet Symphony
Low Life in High Places
Does It Feel Like Love?
A Better Man
Amy's on the Run
The Devil Made Me Do It
Like a Satellite
Serpentine
Love Walked In

Scouting For Girls - Tuesday 1st October - Fighting Cocks, Kingston

One Liner: Small pub gig and Q&A session with 2 of the boys from SFG in support of their new album. Another excellent Banquet records show and great to meet and chat with Roy and Greg afterwards whilst having a beer.

Setlist
Heartbeat
Grown Up
Posh Girls
The Trouble With Boys
This Ain't a Love Song
Dancing With You
She's So Lovely

+

lots of Q&As

Thunder - Thursday 26th September - The Garage, Highbury & Islington

One Liner: Amazingly hot gig in a small venue for the classic rockers. One -off show to celebrate their new Greatest Hits album. Did I mention how hot it was?

Setlist
Loser
River of Pain
Higher Ground
On the Radio
Low Life in High Places
Wonder Days
The Devil Made Me Do It
In Another Life
The Thing I Want
Backstreet Symphony
Love Walked In
I Love You More Than Rock 'n' Roll
+
She's So Fine
Dirty Love

T'Pau - Thursday 19th September - Royal Vauxhall Tavern

One Liner: An all too short acoustic set at the legendary South London venue.

Setlist
Heart And Soul
Island
Valentine
I Will Be With You
Secret Garden
Wing and a Prayer
Read My Mind
Nowhere
Bridge of Spies
China in Your Hand
+
Made of Money (with "Gimme Shelter" snippet)

Belinda Carlisle - Wednesday 18th September - Anvil Theatre, Basingstoke

One Liner: Belinda's first night of the tour celebrating 30 years since the release of her "Runaway Horses" album. Beautifully performed with excellent vocals and setlist choice. Glad to have decent 3rd row seats for this one.

Setlist
Runaway Horses
(We Want) The Same Thing
Whatever It Takes
I Get Weak
Circle in the Sand
Deep Deep Ocean
Fool For Love
Vision of You
La Luna
Summer Rain
Our Lips Are Sealed
Mad About You
Valentine
Leave a Light On
+
Live Your Life Be Free
(It's Too Real) Big Scary Animal
Heaven Is a Place on Earth
+
Shades of Michaelangelo

Johnny Warman - Sunday 15th September - Cheam Food and Drink Festival

Stage View from The Sutton Guardian

One Liner: A scarcely believable 17,000 people turned up to the Food and Drink Festival in Cheam Park. Many would have seen or heard Johnny Warman as the headline music act. We were towards the back, but Johnny sounded in good form ripping through the best of his 60's and 70's revue. Even finishing (surprisingly) with Hi Ho Silver Lining.

Setlist
?

https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/17916991.17-000-turn-cheam-food-drink-celebration/

SAS Band - Saturday 14th September - Shepherd's Bush Empire

One Liner: Spike's All Star band celebrate their 25th Anniversary. I'm a big fan of the concept, but have to say the guests and the songs they sing are becoming a little familiar.  After a very slow start, things got more energised when Toyah appeared and "surprise" guest Roger Taylor sang some unexpected tunes, but somehow this wasn't as fun as it should have been.

Setlist
The Jam
Don't Stop Me Now (Patti Russo)
Unchain My Heat (Patti Russo with Laurie Wisefield)
Battle Without Honour or Humanity (Hotei)
Freedom in the Dark (Hotei)
Since You Been Gone (Kip Winger with Neil Murray)
I'm in Love With My Car (Kip Winger)
Suffragette City (Toyah)
Sweet Child O' Mine (Toyah / Justin Hawkins)
I Believe in a Thing Called Love (Justin Hawkins)
I Want It All (Justin Hawkins)
For Your Love (Graham Gouldman)
Dreadlock Holiday  (Graham Gouldman)
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (Madeline Bell)
Melting Pot (Madeline Bell)
Heroes (Roger Taylor)
Under Pressure (Roger Taylor / Justin Hawkins)
Rock and Roll (Roger Taylor)
29 Riff Overture
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Ensemble)
+
With a Little Help From My Friends (Ensemble)

Glitter Band / Slady - Saturday 31st August - Dublin Castle, Camden

One Liner:  Slady (all female Slade tribute) had a guest (male) drummer and exceeded all expectations - they were really good. The Glitter Band were not the version we had seen previously with a decent vocalist (John Springate). This was John Rossall's version. Whilst a key member back in the early 70's, John played trombone - and there's a reason for that I'd suggest. A fun singalong due to the crowd, but otherwise not great.

Setlist
?

Tyla's Dogs D'Amour - Sunday 4th August - The Lexington, Angel

One Liner: Very enjoyable show from the Black Country rocker and chums. The Lexington was a new venue for me and it was one of the shows where not knowing 90% of the songs made little difference to how enjoyable it was. Most of the people standing around us seemed to know every word to every song, so someone out there must have the setlist!?

Setlist
?

Ealing Blues Festival - Sunday 21st July - Ealing

Nick Lowe

Second festival of the weekend - in Ealing for some "blues". Bad Influence get things off to a decent start. I also get to see a bit of Tim Stafell (ex Smile - pre Queen) and The Eel Pie All Stars before the early evening headliner - Nick Lowe.

The affable Mr Lowe jokes about getting the bus to the festival and about feeling a bit of a fraud, because "although I love the blues, I just write pop songs. Is it OK if I play some?". Of course it is and his acoustic performance enthrals the crowd for the next 75 minutes. Highlights include "I Knew the Bride" and "(What's So Funny About) Peace, Love and Understanding". All good stuff.

Bad Influence (with daughter Jess Hayes)

Evening headliners were "Who's Next". I have seen them before, but was surprised that they ventured toward the more "hardcore" elements of a Who set, based around "Live At Leeds" at a festival. To be fair, "Tattoo", "Fortune Teller" and "Heaven and Hell" can be heavy going for all but the hardened Who fans.

Tim Stafell & Paul Stewart Band

Anyway, after 7 hours on my feet, I headed to the exit as they approach their encore. Regrettably this meant I apparently missed "Long Live Rock". Ho, hum... next time maybe. And I will be back for the Ealing Festival - really impressed by layout and organisation.

Who's Next

The Eel Pie All Stars

Scouting For Girls - Friday 19th July - Reigate Festival (Beer Bop-a-Lula)

One Liner: First festival of the weekend and it's a goodie. First year of the Reigate Festival and Scouting for Girls are headlining. Similar format to the Oxted Beer Festival last year - a decent tented stage area and good food and drink (and lots of beer) available around the outside. Family friendly too. A decent fun set - looking forward to their full show later in the year.

Setlist
Still Thinking About You
Heartbeat
This Ain't a Love Song
I Wish I Was James Bond
Bad Superman
Posh Girls
Famous
Elvis Ain't Dead / (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You
Home
It's Not About You
She's So Lovely

The Who - Saturday 6th July - Wembley Stadium

One Liner: Up in the Gods for this one at affordable "half price" seats. Bit too far away to feel involved, this was a decent, if not great show. I applaud Roger and Pete for trying something different, but 99% of the crowd don't really want an orchestra, they just want a small bunch of aging blokes belting out Who classics - ideally in a venue small enough where they can see them without the aid of a screen.


Setlist
[With Orchestra]
Overture
1921
Amazing Journey
Sparks
Pinball Wizard
We're Not Gonna Take It
Who Are You
Eminence Front
Imagine a Man
Hero Ground Zero 
Join Together

[Band Only]
Substitute
The Seeker
Won't Get Fooled Again (acoustic - Roger & Pete only)
Behind Blue Eyes (with strings)

[With Orchestra]
Guantanamo 
The Real Me
I'm One
The Punk and the Godfather (with Eddie Vedder)
5:15
Drowned (acoustic - Pete only)
The Rock
Love, Reign O'er Me
Baba O'Riley

Bucket's Rebel Heart - Thursday 4th July - Half Moon, Putney

One Liner: Excellent show from Dave "Bucket" Colwell featured tracks from his new album, decent oldies and a smattering of Bad Company, Free and Humble Pie classics. Joined by Jimmy Kunes on vocals (helped by Ilona on backing vocals for 3 songs) this was a really good evening. Anyone got the setlist please?

Setlist
?

Lynyrd Skynyrd / Status Quo - Saturday 29th June - Wembley Arena

One Liner: Decent support slot from Quo including 2 new songs from the upcoming "Backbone" album. Hilarious mistake in "Whatever You Want" - first time I've ever seen that messed up to that degree. And good entertainment from what is left of the headliners, who are allegedly on their farewell tour. We shall see!

Setlist (Status Quo)
Caroline
Something 'bout You Baby I Like
Rain
Medley: What You're Proposing / Down the Dustpipe / Wild Side of Life / Railroad / Again and Again
Mystery Song
The Oriental
Cut Me Some Slack
Liberty Lane
In the Army Now 
Roll Over Lay Down
Down Down
Whatever You Want
Rockin' All Over the World

Setlist (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Workin' for MCA
Skynyrd Nation
What's Your Name
That Smell
I Know a Little
Gimme Back My Bullets
The Needle and the Spoon
Saturday Night Special
The Ballad of Curtis Loew
Tuesday's Gone
Don't Ask Me No Questions
Simple Man
Gimme Three Steps
Call Me the Breeze 
Sweet Home Alabama
+
Free Bird

Paul Young - Thursday 27th June - Richmond Theatre

One Liner: I have only seen Mr Young as a guest previously, but a celebration of his classic "No Parlez" album was enough to tempt us to Richmond. We were rewarded with a decent show (the last of the tour), a great view and a near-fight in front of us in the grand circle! Jamie Moses (SAS Band) and Pat Davey (Cregan and Co) were in Paul's band.

Setlist
No Parlez
Behind Your Smile
Love of the Common People 
No Parlez
Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)
Ku Ku Kurama
Iron Out the Rough Spots
Love Will Tear Us Apart 
Tender Trap
Oh Women
Come Back and Stay 
Sex

Part Two
Some People
Slipped, Tripped and Fell in Love 
Senza Una Donna 
Get 'em Up, Joe 
I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down
Everytime You Go Away 

Stray Cats - Wednesday 26th June - Hammersmith Apollo

One Liner: I've seen Brian Setzer and "Slim" Jim Phantom before, but not the full Stay Cats with Lee Rocker. An excellent evening of rockabilly in London's premier mid size venue. Good chat with some fellow punters on the bus home about other music venues through the years around South West London.

Setlist
Cat Fight (Over a Dog Like Me)
Runaway Boys
Double Talkin' Baby 
Three Time's a Charm
Stray Cat Strut
Mean Pickin' Mama
Gene and Eddie
Cry Baby
I Won't Stand in Your Way
Guitar Improvisation / Misirlou
When Nothing's Going Right (Lee Rocker on lead vocals)
(She's) Sexy + 17
Bring It Back Again (Lee Rocker on lead vocals)
My One Desire
Blast Off
Lust n Love
Fishnet Stockings
Rock This Town
+
Rock It Off
Built for Speed
Rumble in Brighton

Billy Joel - Saturday 22nd June - Wembley Stadium

One Liner: Another big UK stadium show for the New Yorker. Decent set with a few lesser played numbers and basically no "dross" like "Big Man On Mulberry Street" or "Zanzibar". Decent seats in the front block made for an excellent show.

Setlist
A Matter of Trust
My Life (preceded by Ode to Joy)
The Entertainer
Vienna
The Downeaster Alexa
Say Goodbye to Hollywood
Don't Ask Me Why
She's Always a Woman
The Ballad of Billy the Kid
The Magnificent Seven Theme 
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
New York State of Mind
Allentown
Rule, Britannia! 
We'll Meet Again (snippet)
I Go to Extremes
Sometimes a Fantasy
Only the Good Die Young
The River of Dreams / I Feel Fine
Nessun Dorma (Sung by Mike Delguidice)
Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
Piano Man
+
We Didn't Start the Fire
Uptown Girl
It's Still Rock and Roll to Me
Big Shot
You May Be Right (with snippet of Rock and Roll)

Dr Pepper's Jaded Hearts Club Band - Monday 3rd June - 100 Club, London

One Liner: A charity bash for the all-star covers band - last seen supporting Roger Daltrey at the Royal Albert Hall. Even got some non-Beatles songs this time around. Sold out in about a nano-second, but we managed to snag a pair of tickets. Expensive, but good fun.

Setlist
I Saw Her Standing There 
Please Please Me 
Have Love, Will Travel 
Money (That's What I Want) 
Back in the U.S.S.R. 
Gloria 
You Really Got Me 
Can't Buy Me Love 
Hey Bulldog 
I Can't Explain 
My Generation 
Bad Boy 
Sunshine of Your Love 
Twist and Shout 
Paint It Black 
Why Don't We Do It in the Road? 
Helter Skelter 

From The Jam - Thursday 30th May - Under The Bridge

One Liner: Bruce Foxton and friends with an excellent acoustic evening of Jam hits and rarities. Always surprised at how many I recognise.

Setlist
?

Rhino's Revenge - Friday 24th May - Half Moon, Putney

One Liner: Another fun evening with Rhino's Revenge. A good mix of their own stuff, a few Quo tracks and some well chosen covers.

Setlist
Two Way Traffic
Cougar
Belavista Man 
Spacemaker
Secretary
Busy Doing Nothin'
Back In The USSR
Before You Accuse Me (Jim vocals)
Old Time Rock & Roll 
Gravy Train 
One Note Blues
Mony Mony (snippet)
Jungle Love
Jam Side Down 
Spend Spend Spend
Never Too Old (To Rock'n'Roll)
Bad News 
My Name Is Stan
Mine All Mine
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

Warner E Hodges - Thursday 23rd May - Hope & Anchor, Islington

One Liner: New venue for me and it was tiny! And Warner was loud! Decent set including some AC/DC, Pink Floyd and sing-a-long John Denver!

Francis Rossi - Sunday 19th May - Orchard Theatre, Dartford

One Liner: Another evening with Francis. 85% the same stories as Richmond which was slightly disappointing, otherwise an interesting evening.

Setlist
Pictures of Matchstick Men (snippet)
Hey Joe (snippet)
In My Chair
Spinning Wheel Blues
Theme from "Coronation Street"
Caroline

Quadrophenia Live! (The Goldhawks) - Thursday 9th May - Epsom Playhouse

One Liner: Decent Live run through of the mod classic from the Goldhawks with a couple of Who classics thrown in for good measure at the end. Good sound and vocals.

Mott The Hoople - Friday 26th April - Shepherd's Bush Empire

One Liner: Ian Hunter and the 1974 vintage of 'Hoople including Ariel Bender (Luther Grosvenor) and Morgan Fisher. A nice nostalgic evening with guests Joe Elliot (of course!) and Brian May. Not sure how much of the show Ariel actually played his guitar and couldn't help but feel that Hunter and the backing Rant band were very much holding this together. Can't see them all being fit for action to come around again.

Setlist
American Pie / The Golden Age of Rock 'N' Roll
‪Lounge Lizard ‬
Alice
Honaloochie Boogie
Morgan Fisher piano solo (Prelude #1 in C by J.S.Bach)
Rest in Peace
I Wish I Was Your Mother
Pearl 'n' Roy (England)
Sucker
Sweet Jane 
Rose
Walking With a Mountain
Roll Away the Stone (with Joe Elliott)
Marionette
Jerkin' Crocus / One of the Boys
Medley: Rock 'n Roll Queen / Crash Street Kids /  Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On / Mean Woman Blues / Johnny B. Goode / Violence / Cleveland Rocks / You Really Got Me
+
Saturday Gigs
All the Way From Memphis (With Brian May)
All the Young Dudes (with Brian May and Joe Elliott)

Kris Roe (The Ataris) - Monday 8th April - New Cross Inn

One Liner: Really impressed by the venue (not been here before) and enjoyed the show. Also had a quick chat with Kris afterwards who was very engaging. An Ataris show is promised for next year.

Setlist
In This Diary 
My Hotel Year 
Unopened Letter to the World 
The Hero Dies in This One 
Fast Times at Drop-Out High 
New Year's Day 
San Dimas High School Football Rules 
Skulls 
1*15*96 
Car Song 
Your Boyfriend Sucks 
Eight of Nine 
Beautiful Mistake 
Losing Streak 
Broken Promise Ring 
The Saddest Song 
The Cheyenne Line 
I.O.U. One Galaxy 
So Long, Astoria