Sweet - Thursday 21st December - Islington Assembly Rooms

Brief review:  Having almost missed out on a ticket by leaving purchase late (an official resale saved the day), it was off to Islington for the show. Sari Schorr was opening the show and I'd been meaning to catch her for a while and was not disappointed with her soulful bluesy vocals filling the rooms. Backed by the excellent Jim Kirkpatrick on guitar, the strong material played (as well as the excellent Status Quo cover) persuaded me to buy a CD afterwards which Sari was kind enough to sign.

Headliners Sweet were on their normal excellent form, the show only slightly distracted from by some middle aged blokes who were totally hammered trying to mosh/chat/chant/chat-up/stand up (delete as appropriate) throughout the show, I moved just before the encore as they were falling into people around them.

The set was basically hits and seemed to be enjoyed by all present. Best wishes to founding member Andy Scott who has a serious illness & here's hoping that he stays healthy enough to enable more shows in the future.

Venue and View:  Back left for Sari Schorr, front left for most of Sweet then right at the back for the encore.

Setlist (Sari Schorr)

Freedom
Back to L.A.
King of Rock and Roll
Where Have You Been My Friend
Turn the Radio On
Damn the Reason
Beautiful
Valentina
Down Down 

Setlist (Sweet)
Action
New York Groove / Empire State Of Mind
Hell Raiser
Burn on the Flame
The Six Teens
Don't Bring Me Water
Changes
Co-Co / Funny Funny / Poppa Joe
Everything
Circus
Set Me Free
Teenage Rampage
Wig-Wam Bam / Little Willy
Love Is Like Oxygen
Fox on the Run
+
Blockbuster
The Ballroom Blitz (with Sari Schorr on backing vocals)

Kasier Chiefs - Tuesday 12th December - St Luke's Church, Chelsea

Brief review:  The annual Nordoff and Robbins Christmas Carol concert this year featured Yorkshire favourites Kaiser Chiefs, Beverley Knight, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Joe Stilgoe, Carrie and David Grant plus readings from Ronni Ancona.

The well attended event in Chelsea was hosted by the Beverley Knight and the ever jovial Joe Stilgo who also performed some songs. The featured acts included Ayanna Witter-Johnson who did a cello led rendition of the Police's Roxanne and a piano based Paul McCartney cover which to be honest I did not recognise until the words "Simply having a wonderful Christmas time" were sung, so different from the original was the arrangement.

Headliners Kaiser Chiefs were on good form in their brief set with engaging frontman Ricky Wilson utilising the full length of the Church during "I Predict A Riot". Mince pies and mulled wine followed and a good time was had by all for an excellent cause.

Venue and View:  Premium pew seats! About 5 rows back on the floor of the church

Setlist (Ayanna Witter-Johnson)
Roxanne
Wonderful Christmas Time

Setlist (Kaiser Chiefs)
Love's Not a Competition (But I'm Winning)
Ruby
I Predict a Riot
Coming Home

Slade - Friday 9th December - Royal Holloway College Student Union

Brief review:  Dave Hill's Slade in a Student Union. A decent crowd of middle-aged folks and a more than expected number of students were treated to a fun-filled evening of Slade hits. It was good to see so many of the youngsters knowing the words.

By chance, I bumped into a hatless Mr Hill whilst dropping off a back at the cloakroom and said a brief hello. I then saw him again when picking them up - he must think I am stalking him!

Venue and View:  Front left on the floor.

Setlist
Take Me Bak 'Ome
Lock Up Your Daughters
Look Wot You Dun
Everyday
Coz I Luv You
Run Runaway
My Friend Stan
Far Far Away
The Bangin' Man
My Baby Left Me / That's Alright Mama
Gudbuy T'Jane
Mama Weer All Crazee Now
+
My Oh My
Cum On Feel the Noize
Merry Xmas Everybody

Vital Idol - Friday 1st December - Cavern, Raynes Park

Brief review:  It's a nice day... to staaaaaarrrrttt agaaain... 

To be fair, we haven't got to that one yet, but the singer does sound very much like Billy Idol. Which is just as well as we are here for a Billy Idol tribute called Vital Idol. Will they dare to cover his Christmas album?

Verdict - Very good. All the hits and a good tribute.

Venue and View:  This picture, front left, but mainly stood in the back left corner near the bar.

Scouting For Girls - Wednesday 29th November - G-Live, Guildford

Brief review:  Following Feastyfest, this is our 2nd Scouting For Girls show of the year. With the tour extended until late 2024 in support of their new album, there should be a couple of new songs in amongst the hits. Standing for this one - it's pretty busy and lively. A cover of Baby It's Cold Outside wouldn't be amiss in the circumstances!

As it turns out the band are on top form and the new songs are decent too. Jamie O'Gorman, the regular guitarist, is back in the fold for this leg of the tour.

Venue and View:  Far right hand side, near the front door.

Setlist
The Missing Part
This Ain't a Love Song
Famous
Love How It Hurts
The Place We Used to Meet
I Wish I Was James Bond
I'm Not Over You / It's Not About You
The Luckiest Boy in the World
1+1 
Posh Girls
Heartbeat
Song I Can't Forget
Elvis Ain't Dead / Can't Help Falling in Love
Glow 
+
Michaela Strachan
She's So Lovely

Robert Hart's Bad Company Experience - Wednesday 22nd November - Half Moon, Putney

Brief review:  One of London's classic rock venues for a classic rock band (caveat - mk 3 of the band with 2 members from that era). Bad Company with Robert Hart and Dave "Bucket" Colwell, effectively covering for Paul Rodgers and Mick Ralphs - both are called out in positive ways. Sold out, loud and excellent. They are back next year, as shall we. Some would say that we Can't Get Enough.

Venue and View:  Left hand side, standing.

Conterfeit Quo - Sunday 18th November - Cheam Social Club

Brief review:  Status Quo tribute (Counterfeit Quo) at CSC. We saw them in Banstead a while back - glad to report that it is busier this evening. A nice stack of Marshall amps as the backline - I wonder if they’d mind me borrowing one. Interestingly, the "Francis" we saw last time seems to have switched to bass.

Venue and View:  Table - central, towards the back.

The Cream of Hendrix - Friday 17th November - Hampton Hub

Brief review:  Something of a 3rd choice this evening. Tickets were booked for Johnny Warman’s Who show in Sutton. Cancelled at late notice. Alternative lined up with The Steve Whalley Band at the Sound Lounge - also in Sutton. Cancelled. 

So, it’s off to a new venue for me - the Hampton Hub Club  (in errr… Hampton) for “The Cream of Hendrix” tribute. Set 1 is all Cream. Set 2, Jimi Hendrix. And guess what? It is excellent so far - much better than any later choice should be classified. Nice venue too.

Venue and View:  Front right, at the side on bench seating.

Setlist

Russ Ballard - Thursday 9th November - Nell's Blues Club, Kensington

Brief review:   I get the same old dreams, same time every night. Well, if those dreams involve Nell’s in Kensington then they are true tonight. Russ Ballard is the name you may not know, but will almost certainly known a few songs of. He’s the man who told us that God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll to you and the classic “Since You Been Gone” as well as hits for acts as diverse as Three Dog Night and Hot Chocolate.

Venue and View:  Raised table overlooking the stage, front-right (photo from standing on floor)

Setlist
It's Only Money
Playing With Fire
Dream On
In the Night
Time Machine
Hold Your Head Up
The Fire Still Burns
Liar
A Woman Like You
Rene Didn't Do It
Since You Been Gone
Voices
Two Silhouettes
I Can't Hear You No More
+
God Gave Rock and Roll to You

Rhino's Revenge - Sunday 29th October - Half Moon, Putney

Brief review:  Status Quo's John "Rhino" Edwards, ably backed by Leon Cave (Status Quo) and Craig Joiner (Romeo's Daughter). A 3pm start is not ideal, but this is the second Half Moon show running where Rhino has opted for a matinee slot - maybe it suits the friends and family in the audience,

The set was reasonably familiar and none the worse for it, but did include 3-4 tracks from his upcoming album. All sounded fine.

Venue and View:  Right hand side - a few rows back towards the entrance.

Cavern Beatles - Friday 27th October - Cavern Club, Liverpool

Brief review:  3 sets from the resident Beatles tribute band at World famous venue. Musically and vocally spot on!

Interestingly, they didn't appear to play anything that the Beatles hadn't done live themselves, so a lack of Hey Jude, All You Need Is Love etc

Venue and View:  Raised platform on left near bar.

Billy Joel - Friday 20th October - Madison Square Garden, New York

Brief review:  Good Evening New York City. We are here for Billy Joel’s 141st show at the iconic venue. The current 10 year residency comes to an end next July, hence the accelerated plans to be here as each show sells our almost immediately. And it was worth the effort with Billy in fine voice and entertaining the crowd with some amusing asides. Surprisingly no special star guests, but a solid set of largely fan favourites.

Venue and View:  On the floor, front block, 20 row back. Decent view and sound. Outrageous drinks prices as expected.

Setlist
Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)
My Life [with Ode to Joy Intro]
Addams Family Theme Song [Snippet]
The Entertainer
The Downeaster "Alexa"
Funeral March of a Marionette / The Munsters' Theme / Monster Mash [Snippets]
Zanzibar
Start Me Up [Snippet]
An Innocent Man
So Much in Love / Barbara Ann / Rockin' Robin [Snippets]
The Longest Time
Piano Sonata no. 2 in  B♭ minor, op. 35 [Snippet]
Vienna
Half a Mile Away
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
New York State of Mind
Don't Ask Me Why
She's Always a Woman [with Syd Ruggles on flute]
Allentown
Sometimes a Fantasy
Only the Good Die Young
The River of Dreams [with “River Deep Mountain High” interlude]
Nessun Dorma
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 "Rock and Roll" interlude]

Slady - Sunday 15 October - Boogaloo, Highgate

Brief review:  This show was moved from a paid event at the Dublin Castle - cancelled without explanation by the promotor. The first part of the show was an author being interviewed about his new Slade book - I was very impressed by how bassist Wendy effortlessly took on the interviewer role. Then a slimmed down Slady (Dani, Wendy and "their friend Stan" David Woodcock) played an acoustic set. Excellent as always and the bands love of the material clearer showed through.

Venue and View:  Seated front-right

Setlist
Cum On Feel The Noize
Look Wot You Dun
Cox I Luv You
Mama Weer All Crazee Now
Wonderin' Y
When The Lights Are Out
Know Who You Are
Dapple Rose
Far Far Away
Everyday
Gudbuy T'Jane
Get Down and Get With It

Pat McManus - Wednesday October 4th - Half Moon, Putney

Brief review:  The man known as "the Professor", Irish guitar genius Pat McManus again graces the Half Moon. Playing a range of material from across his career, there is a focus on many of the highlights from his time in the Mamas Boys. Fitting tributes were also played to lost friends including Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore

Venue and View:  Front left, seated.

Francis Rossi - Saturday 23rd September - G-Live, Guildford

Brief review:  As I was going to be unable to see Francis's October show in Dorking due to a conflict, I was keen to see his Tunes & Chat show one more time. Luckily, Guildford is reasonably accessible and a pair of decent seats were available. Same songs as before, but a couple of slightly different anecdotes.

Excellent once again. 

Venue and View:  Mid stalls 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 

Scouting For Girls (FeastyFest) - Sunday 10th September - Cheam Park

Brief review:  Cheam's FeastyFest seems to be getting bigger year on year. Festival favourites Scouting for Girls are the headliners this year and I think it's fair to say, entertained everyone who had made it to the front of the stage and a fair few more besides.

Venue and View:  Front right, about 6-7 rows back

Setlist
I Wish I Was James Bond
Heartbeat
Everybody Wants to Be on TV
This Ain't a Love Song
Posh Girls
Millionaire
Bad Superman / Stacy's Mom
Year 3000 (Busted Cover)
Elvis Ain't Dead
The Missing Part
She's So Lovely

Spike / The Quireboys - Friday 8th September - Underworld, Camden Town

Brief review:  Spike and his version of the Quireboys rock The Underworld. Not packed, but then again this was a pretty expensive ticket and it wasn't clear if this was a solo or band show. In the event, it was both - a show of 2 excellent halves.

The first half also featured Mark Stanway on keyboards, whereas original Quireboys Chris Johnstone & Nigel Mogg joined in the fun in set 2.

Venue and View:  Front right, standing.

Setlist
Set 1 - Solo and Frankie Miller Songs
Be Good to Yourself
Cocaine
Brooklyn Bridge
Raining Whiskey
Fortune 
Intensive Care 
Have a Drink With Me
Rise Above

Set 2 - Quireboys
Can't Park Here 
Misled 
There She Goes Again 
Sweet Mary Ann 
Hey You 
7 O'Clock 
+
I Don't Love You Anymore 
+
Jeeze Louise 

Tyla - Thursday 7th September - Troubadour, West Brompton

Brief review:  London’s rock and roll hub (errr!) of West Brompton hosts Tyla from the Dogs D’Amour. A bit niche in terms of 80s/90s rock, but should be good. Quite a snug venue. But Krombacher on draft which is a £7.16 bonus!

Lots of stories and a generally chronological run though some of Tyla's best works.

Venue and View:  Cellar based venue with dreadful sightlines and a flat floor stage. Standing towards back peering over heads.

Setlist
Heroine
Errol Flynn
Billy 2 Rivers
Drunk Like Me
Angel
How Come It Never Rains
Satellite Kid
Trail of Tears

Quireboys - Saturday 2nd September - O2 Academy, Islington

Brief review:  The Quireboys (version without Spike). Moved from the much larger Kentish Town Forum, the O2 Academy is probably a more realistic venue for the band at the moment. Not packed, but enough there to make an atmosphere and the band were on good form. Griff's vocals are definitely improving show on show and the band are as solid as ever.

Venue and View:  Front right, standing.

Sutton Folk Festival (Del Amitri, Nick Lowe) - Sunday 19th August - Manor Park, Sutton

Brief review:  Manor Park in Sutton (popular hangout at school lunchtimes!) for a folk festival. Definition stretched - we are here for Nick Lowe and Del Amitri - who’s show T shirts have the tagline of “Drunk In Glasgow Since 1982”! All good, apart from the bar queue.

The show made me realise that I don't own any Del Amitri albums or CDs - that anomaly was put right very soon after this excellent perfomance.  

Venue and View:  Capacity crowd of 2,000. 2 easily accessible stages - we went "front right" for both.

Setlist
Nick Lowe
Man That I've Become
People Change
Long Limbed Girl
Lately I've Let Things Slide
I Live on a Battlefield 
Lay It On Me Baby
Rome Wasn't Built in a Day
Tokyo Bay
Heartbreaker 
Love Starvation
Far Celestial Shore 
Cruel to Be Kind
Trombone
Heart 
I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock 'n' Roll)

Del Amitri
Musicians and Beer
Always the Last to Know
Not Where It's At
Kiss This Thing Goodbye
Nothing Ever Happens
Mockingbird, Copy Me Now
Driving With the Brakes On
Missing Person
Move Away Jimmy Blue
Roll to Me
You Can't Go Back
Here and Now
Spit in the Rain
Stone Cold Sober
+
Be My Downfall

Who's Next - Sunday 13th August - Half Moon, Putney

Brief review:  Decent Who tribute band with a reasonably "hardcore" set. The guitarist especially stood out, but a rocking performance from all the band.

Venue and View:  Central view a couple of rows back.

Dani Cox ("Gobby Holder") Acoustic - Sunday 13th August - Marquis, Covent Garden

Brief review:  Acoustic performance from Dani in a small London pub. Her performance was delayed slightly by a bloke running in to grab a chair to try and attack someone outside whilst shouting "I am not a f***ing p***phile!". He was apprehended by the bar staff and presumably the police called. 

With typical humour the incident was mentioned during Dani's set of largely Slade and glam covers.

Venue and View:  At the bar, but very much to one side.

The Who - Sunday 23rd July - Sussex CCC, Hove

Brief review:  Sunday evening in Hove with the legends that are The Who.  Already had 2 of the CSI triolgy in the fantastic middle band-only electric section. Quadrophenia to come, but for now enjoying the fantastic Won’t Get Fooled Again. Awesome!

Venue and View:  Central pitch seats - about 20 rows back

Setlist
Part 1 (with Orchestra)
Overture
1921
Amazing Journey
Sparks
The Acid Queen
Pinball Wizard
We're Not Gonna Take It
Who Are You
Eminence Front

Part 2 (Band Only)
The Kids Are Alright
You Better You Bet
Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere
Substitute
I Can't Explain
My Generation
Cry If You Want 
Won't Get Fooled Again
Behind Blue Eyes 

Part 3 (with Orchestra)
The Real Me
I'm One
5:15
The Rock
Love, Reign O'er Me
Baba O'Riley

Texas - Tuesday 11th July - Pryzm, Kingston

Brief review:  Greatest Hits (and nominal Q&A) from Texas. Very good so far even if singer Sharleen is giving Motley Crue a run for their money in the profanity stakes!

Venue and View:  Front right (very right!) on the floor by the speaker.

Setlist
After All
Summer Son
Keep on Talking
Let's Work It Out
Black Eyed Boy
Inner Smile

Halo

Billy Joel - Friday 7th July - Hyde Park, London

Brief review:  Billy Joel at Hyde Park as part of the British Summertime shows. We naively assumed this would never sell out at the high prices bearing in mind his demographic (70,000 standing tickets at £100 minimum a go? "No chance!") - and of course it did! That meant a late scramble for resale tickets and luckily a mate had a spare!

Despite skipping most of the support acts (I caught the end of Daryl Hall who sounded... errr "rusty"), the headline show was predictably excellent. Joe Jonas joined for Uptown Girl which was slightly underwhelming compared to other guests who occasionally play with Billy, but he performed more than adequately.

Venue and View:  In a slightly different postcode from the stage, but in the front 20% to the left. Apparently impossible to find for those friends bringing back beer!

Setlist
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
The Entertainer
Vienna
Zanzibar
Start Me Up (Snippet)
An Innocent Man
The Longest Time
Don't Ask Me Why
New York State of Mind
Allentown
She's Always a Woman
Sometimes a Fantasy
Only the Good Die Young
The River of Dreams (With River Deep Mountain High interlude)
Nessun Dorma 
Scenes From an Italian Restaurant
Piano Man
+
We Didn't Start the Fire
Uptown Girl (with Joe Jonas)
It's Still Rock and Roll to Me
Big Shot
A Hard Day's Night 
You May Be Right (with “Rock and Roll” interlude)

My Life (with “Ode to Joy” intro)

Slim Jim Phantom - Wednesday 21st June - West Hampstead Arts Centre

Brief review:  We’re gonna rock this town… with the town in question being errm… West Hampstead. Earlier, we heard there was a Rumble in Brighton tonight. And we will most definitely be doing a Stray Cat Strut back to the tube. 

Yes, it’s Britt Ekland’s ex hubby - Slim Jim Phantom in between his “Let’s Rock…” festival dates.

The set was basically as you'd expect - a mix of Stray Cats and rockabilly standards. And none the worse for it - unlike our view of the stage!

Venue and View:  Long, Narrow and Thin. We were at the back with a very limited view indeed.

Setlist
Matchbox
C'mon Everybody
It's All Over Now
Say Mama
Oh, Boy!
That's All Right
Honey Hush
Runaway Boys
Stray Cat Strut
Flyin' Saucers Rock & Roll
Summertime Blues
Stood Up
+
Rock This Town

Rumble in Brighton

John Coghlan (Jazz) - Sunday 4th June - Half Moon, Putney

Brief review:  Sunday evening Jazz in Putney. Really? I hear you cry. Well, yes - with a twist. John Coghlan is on drums, so the set is largely Quo classics reimagined in the Jazz style. Nice!

Ben Holder is on vocals and his Jazz passion and violin playing add much to the occasion. If I tell you that everyone at the interval I heard talking about it at the bar were saying things along the lines of "it is much better than I expected" then John and the boys should take that as a complement from a crowd of largely non jazz enthusiasts.

Venue and View:  Pretty much central - half way back, with room to move around

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

Quireboys - Friday 21st April - Pattern's, Brighton

Brief review:  An evening of Rock ‘n’ Roll with the Quireboys in Brighton. They may be ”Spike”-less, but the rest of the band still play most of the classic QB stuff well.  Audience numbers are thin though, but do include Luke Morley from Thunder.

Venue and View:  Nice cosy venue - stand anywhere you wanted for this one!

Setlist

I Love This Dirty Town
Misled
Gracie B
Roses & Rings
Turn Away
27 Years
Louder
Mona Lisa Smiled
Original Black Eyed Son
Too Much of a Good Thing
Lie to me
This Is Rock 'n' Roll
7 O'Clock
+
I Don't Love You Anymore

* This setlist may not be 100% accurate - it is based on shows around he same time as this one.

Elton John - Monday 17th April - O2 Arena

Brief review:  Having baulked at the prices for Elton John’s farewell tour when they went on sale several years ago, I’ve got used to hearing how good the show is from those who have been recently, so thought I would do some investigation on “single” tickets. The resale prices were still horrendous, but I’ve managed to nab a Level 1 ticket for Mr Dwight side-on to the stage (flagged restricted view) for about half the price of a front-on ticket at the back. 

The whole O2 complex is heaving, but having found that my preferred Amex lounge is allegedly full, I breezed through the improved security lines and into the not-quite-so-glamorous O2 Blue Bar. At least they have ditched the awful plastic “glasses” for now and replaced with an Elton paper cup!

And what about the show? Outstandingly good! I fully expected a host of backing singers handling the vocals, but it was all Elton. And his playing and that of the long standing band colleagues was excellent.

Venue and View:  Right hand side - slightly behind stage

Setlist

Bennie and the Jets
Philadelphia Freedom
I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
Border Song 
Tiny Dancer
Have Mercy on the Criminal
Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)
Take Me to the Pilot
Someone Saved My Life Tonight
Levon
Candle in the Wind
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Burn Down the Mission
Sad Songs (Say So Much)
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
The Bitch Is Back
I'm Still Standing
Crocodile Rock
Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting

+
Cold Heart
Your Song
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Blackberry Smoke - Saturday 1st April - Roundhouse

Brief review:  Blackberry Smoke at The Roundhouse. Who and where I hear you cry! Excellent US country-rock (Eagles-esq?) band at the the ex steam train shed - now arts venue, in Chalk Farm.We missed the first song and a half unfortunately (the opener is a favourite of mine), but everything else was very good indeed. Howdy folks

Venue and View:  Side right, towards the back to start and then leaning against pillar with side view

Setlist

Six Ways to Sunday
Good One Comin' On
Let It Burn
Live It Down
Pretty Little Lie
You Hear Georgia
Living in the Song
Hey Delilah
Sleeping Dogs / Don't Come Round Here No More (Snippet)
Ain't the Same
Ain't Gonna Wait
The Whippoorwill
Waiting for the Thunder
What Comes Naturally
Rock and Roll Again
Restless
Ain't Got the Blues
Run Away From It All
One Horse Town
Old Scarecrow
+
Shakin' Hands With the Holy Ghost
Ain't Much Left of Me / Mississippi Kid (Snippet)

Johnny Warman (Total Who) - Friday 31st March - Boom Boom, Sutton

Brief review:  Who classics from Johnny and band including Marcus Flynn and Neil Fairclough. If you have not seen them before then go!

Venue and View:  Floor, middle. Front half

Don and The Dreamers - Wednesday 22nd March - Water Rats

Brief review:  Don Powell (Slade) and his Norwegian Dreamers band. Album launch show, which meant a very short set. That didn’t account for the very early 7:45 start! At least we were forewarned and saw it all. CD duly purchased, signed and handshakes all round. Guests included the Animals Mick Gallagher who was also a “Blockhead” in Ian Dury’s band.

Venue and View:  Floor standing.