Paul Heaton - Tuesday 4th March - Pryzm, Kingston

Brief review:  I really enjoyed Paul's show at Hammersmith in December and so leapt at a very late opportunity to get into this small scale gig at Pryzm in Kingston - effectively a "thank you for buying the album" show. Paul said he was nervous, but didn't know why ("maybe it's because I can see you all"), but was on good form as was vocalist Rianne Downey. This was the early show of 2 that evening and the 65 minute set was a decent mix of old and new material. Highly recommended!

Venue and View:  Front Left, standing

Setlist

Just Another Family
Old Red Eyes Is Back 
Silly Me
Five Get Over Excited 
H Into Hurt
Bell Bottomed Tear 
Small Boats
Fish 'N' Chip Supper
I'll Sail This Ship Alone 
Heatongrad 
Don't Marry Her 
One Last Love Song 
Happy Hour 
Rotterdam 

Jon Bon Jovi - Thursday 30th May - Pryzm, Kingston

Brief review:  Here's something I didn't expect to write - "Bon Jovi" does a show in Kingston! To be fair, Jon isn't playing unfortunately, it's more a Q&A and playback of some of the best tracks from the new album.

Jon is a good interview, being informative, sharing about his recent illness and desire to get back on stage. He was also amusing and caring - especially when a couple of audience members fainted and had to be treated (and one carried out) - it was very hot. He went to check on their wellbeing during a break.

Let's hope for some full shows in 2025 or 2026.

Venue and View:  Standing - Front left. Hot!

Kaiser Chiefs - Thursday 7th March - Pryzm, Kingston

Brief review: Having very much enjoyed Ricky and the boys at the church carol service last year, an album launch show at the intimate Pryzm seemed too good to miss. And indeed it was excellent with "Beautiful Girl" the standout new song for me plus the expected hits towards the end of the short set.

Venue and View:  Front left on the floor

Setlist
The Job Centre Shuffle
Everyday I Love You Less and Less
Beautiful Girl
Modern Way
How 2 Dance
Burning in Flames
Never Miss a Beat
Ruby
I Predict a Riot
Reasons to Stay Alive
+
Oh My God 

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

Seasick Steve - Friday 30th September - Pryzm, Kingston

Brief review:  A Banquet Records event. I know absolutely none of Steve's material, but had seen him on Jools Holland's TV show a few times. It was actually quite enjoyable, although I don't know how much for the "hobo" image is an act or if there is truly a need for a piece of string to be the guitar strap. Well worth the low entrance fee.

Venue and View:  Front Right. Pretty busy, but room to breathe.

Setlist
Don't Know Why She Love Me But She Do
Put That in Your Pipe
Hobo Low
St. Louis Slim
Crash and Burn
How Do You Do
Treasures
Soul Food
Summertime Boy
Train Wreck
Bring It On
Blue Room
Thunderbird

Rex Orange County - Thursday 24th March - Pryzm, Kingston

Brief review:  Another Banquet Records show to celebrate the launch of Rex's new album. This sold out in seconds - and thanks to Colin's "fastest finger" on a dodgy WiFi connection in Freiburg Station, we were able to get a pair tickets (with CDs). Now this is not normally my type of music at all, but it was actually OK. Rex seems a little shy of the attention all in all and seems to have a mild obsession with Kermit The Frog - which is fine!

Very excitable audience who seemed to know every word of the songs and very shrill shrieking after each one finished, but everyone seemed to have a good time. Oh, and the bar had zero queues throughout!

Venue and View:  Early show of 2 that evening. Huge queue of largely teenage girls to get in. Got a spot at the front of the right hand side raised area leaning on shelf, so a decent view away from the crush.

Setlist

Keep It Up
Open A Window
Worth It
Amazing
One In A Million
The Shade
Corduroy Dreams
Pluto Projector
Television / So Far So Good
Loving Is Easy
Best Friend

Bryan Adams - Tuesday 8th March - Pryzm, Kingston

Brief review:  Album launch of the "So Happy It Hurts" album from Mr Adams. A scramble for tickets as you can imagine for a small venue. We had tickets for the "late" show and were slightly concerned that ticket holders from the early show who also had late tickets would be allowed to queue inside (as we were for the Who previously). The strict "no phones" policy not only explains our lack of photos but also meant that devices had to be checked in. Unbelievably, the 20 or so people ahead of us in the queue all had phones, and so only 2 people were on the floor  when we got into the main part of the venue. On that basis, the bar was bypassed and we grabbed prime spot on the barrier, right in front of Bryan.

The show consisted of live vocals and Bryan's guitar over a pre-recorded backing track, which actually worked well. In between songs, Bryan told us about the recording and took a lot of unfiltered audience questions which was fun. An excellent evening!

Venue and View:  As front and central as we could get. 

Setlist

Kick Ass
So Happy It Hurts
Never Gonna Rain
You Lift Me Up
I've Been Looking for You
Always Have, Always Will
On the Road
Just Like Me, Just Like You
I Ain’t Worth Shit Without You
Let’s Do This
Just About Gone
These Are the Moments That Make Up My Life

Imelda May - Wednesday 22nd September - Pryzm, Kingston

Brief review:  Another Banquet gig showcasing Imelda's new CD. She's an excellent vocalist and I thought that the songs actually sounded better live than on the album. None of the famous guests could make it unfortunately, but thanks to some savvy planning ("Where would the band go after the show? An Irish bar!") we got to meet Imelda afterwards and she was kind enough to pose for photos with us.

Venue and View:  Front right near speaker and pop up bar (again!). Room to move around if you wanted to.

Setlist

11 Past the Hour
Just One Kiss
Big Bad Handsome Man
Solace 
Can’t Say
Different Kinds of Love
Diamonds
Breathe 
Don’t Let Me Stand on My Own (with Niall McNamee)
Human
Mayhem
Should've Been You
Made to Love 

Fratellis - Saturday 11th September - Pryzm, Kingston

Brief review:  An excellent Banquet Records show (buy the CD and get a ticket for next to nothing), this was an enjoyable full set from the Glaswegian stars. The sound was a bit muffled to start with but improved. The cover of "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie" provoked some moshing (!) as did Chelsea Dagger later which was more predictable. Richard rightly pointed out that I would have been one of very few in the venue to have seen the last song, Runaround Sue, played live by the original artist (Dion, at the Town and Country in 1990)

Venue and View:  Front right, by the speaker and pop-up bar! Fairly full, but room to breathe on the floor.

Setlist

Henrietta
Baby Don't You Lie to Me!
Impostors (Little by Little)
Whistle for the Choir
Need a Little Love
Yes Sir, I Can Boogie 
Flathead
Stand Up Tragedy
Ole Black 'n' Blue Eyes
I've Been Blind
Six Days In June
Creepin' Up the Backstairs
Baby Fratelli
Too Much Wine
We Need Medicine
+
Lay Your Body Down
Chelsea Dagger
Runaround Sue 

The Who - Friday 14th February (Show 2) - Pryzm, Kingston

Brief review: The last of the 4 shows - and the first to sell out in seconds. This original one was to mark the 50th anniversary of "Live At Leeds". A nice "Live At Kingston" T Shirt was available (as was limited collectable lithograph). It has been a true honour and privilege to somehow grab tickets for these shows - and thanks to Banquet Records for putting them on and the Who for playing them.

Setlist
Substitute
Squeeze Box
Tattoo
The Kids Are Alright
The Kids Are Alright (reprise)
Behind Blue Eyes
Break the News
She Rocked My World
Pinball Wizard
Won't Get Fooled Again

The Who - Friday 14th February (Show 1) - Pryzm, Kingston

Brief review: Show 3 of 4 - the early Friday show. 3/4 of the way though the residency. Still plenty of mistakes, but it's clear the band are enjoying these shows. As are the audience.

Setlist

Substitute

Squeeze Box

Three Steps to Heaven (Partial)

Tattoo 

The Kids Are Alright

Behind Blue Eyes

Break the News (Aborted and restarted)

She Rocked My World

Pinball Wizard

Won't Get Fooled Again

The Who - Wednesday 12th February (Show 2) - Pryzm, Kingston

Brief review: Show 2 of 4 - the Wednesday evening show. Pete admitted that despite reservations, he and Roger were actually enjoying the shows. There was also a bit of a rant about the nearby Bentalls centre.

Setlist

Substitute

Squeeze Box

Behind Blue Eyes

The Kids Are Alright

Break the News

She Rocked My World (with "Tattoo" intro)

Pinball Wizard

Won't Get Fooled Again

The Who - Wednesday 12th February (Show 1) - Pryzm, Kingston

Brief review: Show 1 of 4 over two nights at the Pryzm nightclub in Kingston. As you can imaging there had been a scramble for tickets from Banquet records for the Who's smallest venue show for 40 odd years. People had come from across the globe and after a slightly hesitant start and a few mistakes, the acoustic set was greeted with great enthusiasm. It included the live debut of a a couple of tracks from the new album, called "WHO".

Setlist

Substitute

Squeeze Box

Behind Blue Eyes

The Kids Are Alright

Break the News 
She Rocked My World 

Pinball Wizard

Won't Get Fooled Again

Bryan Adams - Monday 4th March - Pryzm, Kingston (Late Show)

One Liner: Very pleased to get a ticket for this nightclub show (it sold out in 35 seconds) as part of Banquet Records album release. This featured the first ever live version of "Part Friday Night, Part Sunday Morning". Wish I'd also done to the earlier show which was added afterwards as it was a slightly different set.

Setlist
All or Nothing
Part Friday Night, Part Sunday Morning
Heaven
Shine a Light
You Belong to Me
When You're Gone (Acoustic)
Lonely Nights
When the Night Comes 
Cuts Like a Knife
I Could Get Used to This
Summer of '69 (with Adrian O'Neill on guitar)
Whiskey in the Jar (Acoustic)