Balham Music Evening - Tuesday 30th May - Bedford, Balham

Caitlin & Ollie

Brief review:  We went to this on the basis that Ilo was on the bill, but unfortunately she had dropped out at short notice. Thankfully, Tony Moore's set was OK and the duo called Caitlin and Ollie Clark were pretty good too. 

There was a brief interlude from an unlisted pair, photographed below, but I didn't catch their names.

Unfortunately, we couldn't hang around for the evening headliners, Arden.

Venue and View:  Seated table towards the rear - near the bar

Unlisted Act

Mud - Saturday 27th May - Cavern, Raynes Park

Brief review:  Well, That’s neat, that’s neat, that’s neat, that’s neat. We are enjoying a classic 70’s night with the legends that are Mud. This, of course, means the mate I've gone with recounting many a tale around the band and demonstrating obscure knowledge. I feel Mastermind is beckoning. Oh boy!

The show itself was excellent. All the hits and more.

Venue and View:  Front left - a bit to the side.

Setlist
to follow...

Francis Rossi - Tuesday 16th May - Epsom Playhouse

Brief review:  Quo frontman plays acoustic career spanning set. It’s proving popular with the mature crowd.

Venue and View:  About a quarter of the way back on the left

Setlist

Set 1
Pictures of Matchstick Men
(April) Spring, Summer and Wednesdays 
Spinning Wheel Blues 
In My Chair 
Gerdundula 
Rock 'n' Roll 
Claudie 
Break the Rules 
Down the Dustpipe 
Burning Bridges (On and Off and on Again) 

Set 2
What You're Proposing
And It's Better Now 
Nanana 
Tongue Tied 
Marguerita Time 
Rockin' All Over the World 
Paper Plane 
Caroline 

Jim Kirkpatrick - Thursday 4th May - Cavern, Raynes Park

Brief review:  Back to Raynes Park for a bit of bluesy rock. Jim Kirkpatrick (FM) is the headline. Most recent Quo drummer - Leon Cave - is on the sticks.

It's the normal classy performance from Jim and it was nice to grab a few words with him during the interval.

Venue and View:  Front right - next to stage.

Setlist

First Set
Ballad of a Prodigal Son
No Such Thing as a Sure Thing
Razors Edge
61 & 49
Ain't Goin' Down Alone
Changed Priorities
Heavy Weather
Full Time Occupation

Second Set
Dead Man Walking
How Blue Can You Get
Brave New World
Got to Know
Union Train
Road Of Bones
Always on the Road
+
I Fall Apart 

Duran Duran - Tuesday 2nd May - O2 Arena

Brief review:  Christmas present for Mrs B - Duran Duran at the O2. And unlike Elton John, the Amex lounge process worked - albeit very slowly!  They have a live covers band on. Good news for me is that is basically a greatest hits tour, so I have a chance of knowing some songs. Blokes making up around 25% of the crowd we estimate.

The show turned out very well indeed - by some margin, the best of the half dozen Duran Duran shows I have been to. Great setlist and excellent vocals from Mr Le Bon.

Venue and View:  Tier one seats, left

Setlist

Night Boat
The Wild Boys
Hungry Like the Wolf
Invisible
A View to a Kill
Notorious
Give It All Up
Lonely in Your Nightmare / Super Freak
Is There Something I Should Know?
Friends of Mine
Careless Memories
Ordinary World
Anniversary
Planet Earth 
White Lines (Don't Don't Do It) 
The Reflex
Girls on Film / Acceptable in the 80's
+
Come Undone
Save a Prayer
Rio