Sweet - Thursday 25th November - Chalk, Brighton

Brief review:  A new venue for me, just around the corner from the "Quadrophenia Alley". Unfortunately, the early start meant we only heard the last 3 songs from support Limehouse Lizzy, but they sounded good. As did the Sweet - now with Paul Manzi full time on vocals. The only lull was a couple of lesser known songs in the middle of the set, but otherwise it was hits all the way. 

Venue and View:  Front left about 10 yards from Andy Scott. Busier than expected, but not uncomfortable. Lighting was probably the worst I've seen this year with the band in near darkness for much of the set.

Setlist

Action
New York Groove 
Burn on the Flame
Hell Raiser
The Six Teens
Defender
Windy City
Set Me Free
Everything
Teenage Rampage
Wig Wam Bam / Little Willy
Love Is Like Oxygen / Fanfare for the Common Man
Fox on the Run
+
Blockbuster
The Ballroom Blitz

Danny & Luke (Thunder) - Tuesday 23rd November - Crawley Hawth

Brief review:  Another round (following on from previous years) of chat and music from Thunder's Danny Bowes and Luke Morley - this time without Mick Wall hosting. Entertaining, but clearly much more scripted than the "unscripted" book they were promoting. I did actually get my 2nd half question selected by Danny and was able to engage in some friendly banter from the stage.

Venue and View:  4th Row, left of stage. Sparce crowd (less than half full)

The Dead Daisies / Quireboys - Wednesday 10th November - Shepherd's Bush Empire

Brief review:  Managed to bag some promotional free tickets for this one and enjoyed the Quireboys romp though their re-released debut album "A Little Bit Of What You Fancy". In fact, it was basically a setlist from 1990!

I don't know much about the Dead Daisies, but with Glenn Hughes on vocals and Doug Aldrich also in the band, it was a fair guess that there would be some decent rock music performed. And despite not knowing much of the material, in was perfectly enjoyable - maybe not quite enough to make me rush out and buy their albums, but I wouldn't be adverse to seeing them again. 

Venue and View:  Front left for Quireboys and first half of DD. By the merch desk at the rear after Fortunate Son.

Setlists

[Quireboys]
Misled
Man on the Loose
Long Time Comin'
Whippin' Boy
Hey You
There She Goes Again
I Don't Love You Anymore
Sweet Mary Ann
7 O'Clock

[Dead Daisies]
Unspoken
Rise Up
Dead and Gone
Chosen and Justified
Mexico
Bustle and Flow
Lock 'n' Load
Fortunate Son 
Midnight Moses 
Drum Solo
Mistreated 
My Fate
Leave Me Alone
Saving Grace
Like No Other (Bassline)
Holy Ground (Shake the Memory)
+
Long Way to Go
Burn

Scouting For Girls - Wednesday 3rd November - G-Live, Guildford

Brief review:  More SFG today with a family trip to Guildford. There were a few references to Croydon the night before around the noise levels and the reaction to questions about "Posh Girls" (make up your own jokes!). From what I picked up, we were one song shorter tonight, with the "Stick The Kettle On" collaboration with Lucy Spraggan dropped. Excellent as normal.

Venue and View:  2nd Row of balcony seats. Unobstructed view and the standing area looked packed. Venue suggested this was just about sold out.

Setlist

I Wish It Was 1989
Heartbeat
I Wish I Was James Bond
1+1
Posh Girls
Butterflies
Famous
Millionaire
Bad Superman / Stacy's Mom
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) 
This Ain't a Love Song
Secret Tattoo
Elvis Ain't Dead / Can't Help Falling in Love
+
Michaela Strachan
She's So Lovely

Scouting For Girls - Tuesday 2nd November - Fairfield Halls, Croydon

Brief review:  Roy and the boys (minus ill bassist Greg) run through a selection of greatest hits and other material in their usual engaging manner. Whilst it would be nice if their show was slightly longer (it's pretty much always 70 minutes), they do pack a fair bit of fun into their energetic set. Looking forward to a (seated) repeat tomorrow. Signed cassette (!) purchased afterwards.

Venue and View:  A new part of the Fairfield Halls - "The Recreational" is an impressive custom build standing venue with excellent sight lines. We stood on the left, not too far back. Busy, but not packed.

Setlist

I Wish It Was 1989
Heartbeat
I Wish I Was James Bond
1+1
Posh Girls
Butterflies
Famous
Millionaire
Stick The Kettle On
Bad Superman / Stacy's Mom
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) 
This Ain't a Love Song
Secret Tattoo
Elvis Ain't Dead / Can't Help Falling in Love
+
Michaela Strachan
She's So Lovely