Guitar Legends - Friday 15th March - Boom Boom, Sutton

Brief review:  My previous review of the Guitar Legends would have mentioned that I didn't think the vocals were up to scratch. I therefore was slightly reticent about seeing them again, but as Richard hadn't seen them, he persuaded me to go. And I am glad I did as I had no such complaints this time around. An expected set of Rock classics with a couple of surprises thrown in for good measure.

Venue and View:  Pretty central standing of a reasonably spacious floor. Easy access to the bar.

Slade UK - Saturday 9th March - Charles Cryer Theatre, Carshalton

Brief review:  The excellent Slade tribute band come to Carshalton for an intimate show. They are an excellent act combining the key hits with some great deeper dives into the catalogue such as "Gypsy Roadhog" and "Dizzy Mama". Keep On Rockin'!

Venue and View:  Seated a few rows back on the right

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 

Joanne Shaw Taylor - Thursday 22nd February - Indigo2

Brief review:  Joanne is back supporting a new album which seemed especially difficult to buy in the UK for some reason. Her playing was as excellent as ever and it was a good show, but for me there is something slightly lacking since she changed her band. They are all very competent, but there's a lack of the fun element that was with her shows pre-covid.

Venue and View:  Seated, centrally in 5th row

Setlist
In the Mood
Keep On Lovin' Me
All My Love
If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody
Can't You See What You're Doing to Me
Dyin' to Know
Wild Love
Won't Be Fooled Again
Watch 'em Burn
Diamonds in the Dirt
Fade Away
Runaway
Sweet Lil Lies
Bad Love
+
Going Home

Luke Morley - Wednesday 31st January - O2 Academy, Islington

Brief review:  Luke Morley from Thunder promoting his new album - Songs From The Blue Room - which is rather good. The band includes Chris Childs (also Thunder), Dean Howard (T'Pau and many others) and the brilliant Sam Tanner on keys. Excellent evening with a number of other muso friends spotted in the crowd.

Venue and View:  Front Left, standing

Setlist

I Wanna See the Light
Damage
Killed by Cobain
This World
Errol Flynn
Quiet Life
The First Day
I'm the One You Want
Nobody Cares
Lying to Myself
Watch the Sun Go Down
+
A Better Man
Go With the Flow
Lola

Paul Jones and Friends - Wednesday 10th January - G-Live, Guildford

Brief review:  Paul Jones and Friends in Guildford in aid of a prostate cancer charity. The Friends are often quite famous in this annual event. The first half included Mike D'Abo - probably most well known for "Handbags & Gladrags" (Rod hit and theme from "The Office"). Robben Ford was the other first half guest with some neat blues guitar. It does transpire that Mr Jones can indeed play the harmonica. Very well!

There is a "no photo" rule. Without being rude, most of the audience would struggle to get the photo app on their phones. We're in the youngest 2-3% of the crowd, although the claret sales were doing well at the bar in the interval.

Part two bought some pleasant music and some wildly out of time clapping from those seated near us, but alas no mega-stars. It turns out I have seen Jimmy Helms before - in Londonbeat supporting Bryan Ferry at Wembley Arena in 1991! Andy Fairweather‐Low was good, but I feel slightly guilty in saying the evening was underwhelming. It was an expensive ticket, so it's probably just as well it's going to a good cause.

Venue and View:  Seated, front right

Setlist

Leave No Trace (With Jawbone)

Build Me Up Buttercup (With Mike D’abo)

Just Like A Woman (With Mike D’abo)

Hand Bags And Gladrags (With Mike D’abo)

If Youve Gotta Go ,Go Now (With Mike D’abo)

What I Haven't Done (With Robben Ford)

White Rock Beer ....8 Cents (With Robben Ford)

Blues For Lonnie Johnson (With Robben Ford)

Fair Child (With Robben Ford)

Warm Up That Cup (With Jawbone)

Lover Man (With Elaine Delmar)

Summertime (With Elaine Delmar)

Stairway To Paradise (With Elaine Delmar)

Gonna Make You An Offer (You Can't Refuse) (With Jimmy Helms)

I've Been Thinking About You (With Jimmy Helms)

Higher Ground (With Jimmy Helms)

(If Paradise Is) Half As Nice (With Andy Fairweather‐Low)

Wide Eyes And Legless (With Andy Fairweather‐Low)

When They Ring Those Golden Bells (With Andy Fairweather‐Low)

If Youve Gotta Go ,Go Now (Reprise)

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.