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.