Warner E Hodges - Tuesday 23rd October - Boom Boom Club, Sutton

Warner E Hodges (centre) and his band

Normally when we see Warner it's as part of the excellent Homemade Sin band with Dan Baird, so it was a treat to see him solo at the local Boom Boom Club.

Warner's passion for music (and especially AC/DC) shone through and he was engaging throughout. The music was great too, wth some solo stuff, tunes from his "other band" - Jason and the Scorchers and a smattering of covers including AC/DC, Beatles, John Denver & CCR.

A really nice evening - come back soon please Warner. "Take Me Home... Country Roads..."

Roger Daltrey - Thursday 19th October - South Bank Centre

An short-ish evening with Roger Daltrey at the South Bank where he is talking about his Autobiography (out today) called "Thanks A Lot Mr Kibblewhite".

As you can see from the blurred picture, we were miles back in the affordable seats, but as we were lucky enough to have front row last time we saw him perform, this wasn't really an issue for an event of this format.

Some interesting stories, a brief Q&A but unfortunately no music - which was not really a surprise. The bonus was that our copies of the book (included in the ticket price) were signed. A nice touch.

Joanne Shaw Taylor - Tuesday 16th October - Nells Jazz and Blues Club, Kensington

Having originally left the ticket purchase too long (and seeing the show sell out) it was with some relief that a few extra tickets became available two days before the show. Joanne is still touring her excellent "Wild" album and this intimate performance in a really nice venue was top notch.

One of the benefits of London shows is that you often get a bonus song or 2 compared to the rest of the tour and this was true here.

I can't help but think that sooner or later Joanne is going to make that leap from "star" to "superstar" status. Maybe just needs an appropriate big name support slot for people to sit up and take notice. In the meantime, I'm happy to admire her fantastic musicianship from close quarters and look forward to the new album in 2019.

Setlist
Dyin' To Know
Nothing To Lose
No Reason To Stay
Jump That Train
Tried, Tested & True
Diamonds In The Dirt
Time Has Come
Bones
Just Another Word
Wanna Be My Lover
In The Mood 
Going Home
+
Mudhoney

Halestorm - Friday 28th September - Brixton Academy

A sold our Brixton Academy for Halestorm - a band I'd seen once before and enjoyed at a metal awards show a few years back. I only recognised one song, but enjoyed the evening. It's not often I go to see a band where "official tour tattoos" are available. And no, I wasn't tempted!

Setlist
Vicious
Love Bites (So Do I)
Skulls
I Am the Fire
Do Not Disturb
Amen
Mz. Hyde
Drum Solo (Included Why Don't You Get A Job?)
Freak Like Me
Uncomfortable
Takes My Life
Black Vultures
Killing Ourselves to Live
+
The Silence
I Miss the Misery
Here's to Us

Mark Stanway - Friday 7th September - Fairkytes Live, Hornchurch

A new venue and an interesting format. Ex-Magnum keyboard maestro and all round nice bloke, Mark Stanway with "an evening with..." type event with a radio DJ prompting the questions and script. Lots of chat and stories with a few videos thrown in. There was also a Q&A and raffle(!), but the highlight was definitely a few snippets of highlights from his career so far played on the keyboard setup. And a couple of Magnum numbers with wife Mo on vocals. The hall itself was tiny - and with only 50-60 filling the seats it was the true definition of an "intimate venue".

Like his entertaining first book, it's fair to say this wasn't a highly polished affair, but that actually added to the charm.  A couple of exceptionally drunk characters at the front threatened to dominate the evening (until told to shut up by others). By the end, one was almost unconscious in his seat and was seen throwing up outside the venue later. What is the point!? But that thankfully didn't detract from Mark. He obviously has a treasured collection of audio tapes and recordings from his career with Magnum, Phil Lynott's Grand Slam, Robert Plant and Whitesnake M3 - let's hope some see the light of day officially sometime.

He was also kind enough to meet and greet afterwards, pose for photos and sign momentos. Looking forward to a full music show with his new band "Kingdom of Madness" next year.

Jeff Beck, Paul Rodgers & Ann Wilson - Saturday 25th August - Coral Sky Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach, FL

Still in the states, a solo trip to see 3 musical icons. In fact I've previously paid to see all 4 of the acts on the bill, so I was confident it would be good and indeed it was. A strange amphitheatre, my expensive front block seats were under cover, with a cheap grass semi-circle at the rear providing good value.

Ann Wilson's powerful vocals were put to good use during a tribute to "many artists we've lost recently", although a couple of the songs were very much "interpretations" of the originals - not note for note covers. I particularly enjoyed the 2 Who songs, fairly predictably.

Paul Rodgers was excellent. His voice never ceases to impress and a good set of "greatest hits" was supported by a fabulous band ("borrowed" from Deborah Bonham). Deborah and Ann joined in for "Rock And Roll Fantasy". What was really interesting was that the American audience were very enthusiastic about the "Band Company" songs, but hardly seemed to know the "Free" stuff.

Jeff Beck was top of the bill. His playing was as fantastic as always, although I did not know much of the material at all. Compared to previous occasions when I have seen him, there was not much overlap!

Again, I avoided the beer - $17 a go!! But it was so hot, I had to buy a couple of £5 waters. I sneaked away during the encore to ensure I could escape the car-park madness. At least the parking was free!

Setlists

Jeff Beck
Pull It
Stratus
Nadia
You Know You Know 
Morning Dew (with Jimmy Hall)
I Have to Laugh (with Jimmy Hall)
Lonnie on the Move (with Jimmy Hall)
Mná na h-Éireann 
Just For Fun
Little Wing (with Jimmy Hall)
Big Block
Cause We've Ended As Lovers
Brush With the Blues
Superstition (with Jimmy Hall)
A Day in the Life
+
Corpus Christi Carol
Going Down (with Jimmy Hall)

Paul Rodgers
Little Bit of Love
Can't Get Enough
Wishing Well
Feel Like Makin' Love
The Stealer
Ready for Love
Movin' On
Mr. Big
Woman
Fire and Water
Shooting Star
Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy (with Ann Wilson and Deborah Bonham)
+
All Right Now

Ann Wilson
The Real Me
Barracuda
Ain't No Way
I Am the Highway
Back to Black
You Don't Own Me
Life in the Fast Lane
Won't Get Fooled Again

Deborah Bonham
Fly
Hold On
The Old Hyde
No Angel

Taylor Swift - Tuesday 14th August - Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

We took a family trip to see Ms Swift in Tampa as - by co-incidence - we were due in town at the same time as her (which caused great excitement a few months back when the tour dates were announced). Whilst I'm not too fussed about her current album - heavily featured here - there is no denying the quality of her performance and the theatrics involved. Even though it's not really my style of music, support from Camila Cabello was good too - with Camila choosing to wear the American Football shirt of the home team (Tampa Buccaneers) which was a nice touch.

We had a decent, uninterrupted view - albeit from towards the back. Only downside was the parking cost - $40 for "standard" parking! And I turned down the option of a $14 beer!

Also, it appears Tampa is a hotbed of Manchester United fans with my shirt for the evening attracting lots of positive comments.

Setlists

Taylor Swift
...Ready for It?
I Did Something Bad
Gorgeous
Style / Love Story / You Belong With Me
+
Look What You Made Me Do 
End Game 
King of My Heart
+
Delicate
Shake It Off (with Charli XCX and Camila Cabello)
Dancing With Our Hands Tied (Acoustic)
Invisible (Acoustic)
+
Blank Space
Dress
Bad Blood / Should've Said No
+
Don't Blame Me
Long Live / New Year's Day
+
Getaway Car
Call It What You Want
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together / This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things


Camila Cabello
Never Be the Same
She Loves Control
Inside Out 
Bad Things 
Can't Help Falling in Love
Consequences
In the Dark
Into It / Kiss
Havana


Charli XCX
Boom Clap
I Love It 
Break the Rules
Unlock It
Boys
5 in the Morning
Fancy 

Sweet - Saturday 21st July - Master Park, Oxted Beer Festival

With their normal frontman otherwise engaged, duties were shared between bassist Tony O'Hora and guest "Cats In Space" vocalist Paul Manzi. The excellent Andy Scott on guitar and drummer Bruce Bisland completed the lineup, although another "Cat" - Greg Hart - joined in for "Fox on the Run".

I really enjoyed the show - one of the most fun this year. The beer festival was well organised too - without massive queues - and we were even able to watch a bit of cricket outside.

Afterwards we were made welcome at the members-only social club and played darts of varying standard! The journey home was entertaining with a lady we met on the platform with a wine glass keeping us company back to Croydon.

Setlist
Action
New York Groove
Teenage Rampage
The Six Teens
AC/DC
Hell Raiser
Wig-Wam Bam / Little Willy
Love Is Like Oxygen
Fox on the Run
+
Blockbuster
Ballroom Blitz

Scouting For Girls - Saturday 7th July - Haslemere Fringe Festival

First ever visit to the Haslemere Fringe Festival and we made it a family trip. After the bonus of a bit of Bobby Davro in the comedy tent, we were there to see headliners "Scouting For Girls". A decent festival set went down well with the locals with lots of references to England's unexpectedly decent World Cup run. The now frequent covers of  "Live and Let Die " & "Livin' On A Prayer" were highlights alongside their familiar hits.

Setlist

She's So Lovely

England I Still Believe

Millionaire

Heartbeat

I Wish I Was James Bond
Live And Let Die

Love How It Hurts

Elvis Ain't Dead

Livin' on a Prayer

Dancing in the Daylight

Queen & Adam Lambert - Wednesday 4th July - O2 Arena

Having seen all the other incarnations of Queen, I had been slightly put of by the high price for this one. Some birthday money helped out (thanks to my parents!) and I'm really glad I took the gamble. Adam Lambert was excellent and the set covered the essentials (but noticeably not the much promised "rarities" and celebration of 40 years since the "News of the World" release)!

Setlist
Tear It Up
Seven Seas of Rhye
Tie Your Mother Down
Play the Game
Fat Bottomed Girls
Killer Queen
Don't Stop Me Now
Bicycle Race
I'm in Love With My Car
Another One Bites the Dust
Lucy
I Want It All
Love of My Life (Brian May solo acoustic, with live clip of Freddie Mercury)
Somebody to Love
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Drum Battle
Under Pressure
I Want to Break Free
Who Wants to Live Forever
Last Horizon / Guitar Solo
The Show Must Go On
Radio Ga Ga
Bohemian Rhapsody
+
We Will Rock You
We Are the Champions