Thunder - Thursday 26th September - The Garage, Highbury & Islington

One Liner: Amazingly hot gig in a small venue for the classic rockers. One -off show to celebrate their new Greatest Hits album. Did I mention how hot it was?

Setlist
Loser
River of Pain
Higher Ground
On the Radio
Low Life in High Places
Wonder Days
The Devil Made Me Do It
In Another Life
The Thing I Want
Backstreet Symphony
Love Walked In
I Love You More Than Rock 'n' Roll
+
She's So Fine
Dirty Love

T'Pau - Thursday 19th September - Royal Vauxhall Tavern

One Liner: An all too short acoustic set at the legendary South London venue.

Setlist
Heart And Soul
Island
Valentine
I Will Be With You
Secret Garden
Wing and a Prayer
Read My Mind
Nowhere
Bridge of Spies
China in Your Hand
+
Made of Money (with "Gimme Shelter" snippet)

Belinda Carlisle - Wednesday 18th September - Anvil Theatre, Basingstoke

One Liner: Belinda's first night of the tour celebrating 30 years since the release of her "Runaway Horses" album. Beautifully performed with excellent vocals and setlist choice. Glad to have decent 3rd row seats for this one.

Setlist
Runaway Horses
(We Want) The Same Thing
Whatever It Takes
I Get Weak
Circle in the Sand
Deep Deep Ocean
Fool For Love
Vision of You
La Luna
Summer Rain
Our Lips Are Sealed
Mad About You
Valentine
Leave a Light On
+
Live Your Life Be Free
(It's Too Real) Big Scary Animal
Heaven Is a Place on Earth
+
Shades of Michaelangelo

Johnny Warman - Sunday 15th September - Cheam Food and Drink Festival

Stage View from The Sutton Guardian

One Liner: A scarcely believable 17,000 people turned up to the Food and Drink Festival in Cheam Park. Many would have seen or heard Johnny Warman as the headline music act. We were towards the back, but Johnny sounded in good form ripping through the best of his 60's and 70's revue. Even finishing (surprisingly) with Hi Ho Silver Lining.

Setlist
?

https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/17916991.17-000-turn-cheam-food-drink-celebration/

SAS Band - Saturday 14th September - Shepherd's Bush Empire

One Liner: Spike's All Star band celebrate their 25th Anniversary. I'm a big fan of the concept, but have to say the guests and the songs they sing are becoming a little familiar.  After a very slow start, things got more energised when Toyah appeared and "surprise" guest Roger Taylor sang some unexpected tunes, but somehow this wasn't as fun as it should have been.

Setlist
The Jam
Don't Stop Me Now (Patti Russo)
Unchain My Heat (Patti Russo with Laurie Wisefield)
Battle Without Honour or Humanity (Hotei)
Freedom in the Dark (Hotei)
Since You Been Gone (Kip Winger with Neil Murray)
I'm in Love With My Car (Kip Winger)
Suffragette City (Toyah)
Sweet Child O' Mine (Toyah / Justin Hawkins)
I Believe in a Thing Called Love (Justin Hawkins)
I Want It All (Justin Hawkins)
For Your Love (Graham Gouldman)
Dreadlock Holiday  (Graham Gouldman)
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (Madeline Bell)
Melting Pot (Madeline Bell)
Heroes (Roger Taylor)
Under Pressure (Roger Taylor / Justin Hawkins)
Rock and Roll (Roger Taylor)
29 Riff Overture
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Ensemble)
+
With a Little Help From My Friends (Ensemble)

Glitter Band / Slady - Saturday 31st August - Dublin Castle, Camden

One Liner:  Slady (all female Slade tribute) had a guest (male) drummer and exceeded all expectations - they were really good. The Glitter Band were not the version we had seen previously with a decent vocalist (John Springate). This was John Rossall's version. Whilst a key member back in the early 70's, John played trombone - and there's a reason for that I'd suggest. A fun singalong due to the crowd, but otherwise not great.

Setlist
?

Tyla's Dogs D'Amour - Sunday 4th August - The Lexington, Angel

One Liner: Very enjoyable show from the Black Country rocker and chums. The Lexington was a new venue for me and it was one of the shows where not knowing 90% of the songs made little difference to how enjoyable it was. Most of the people standing around us seemed to know every word to every song, so someone out there must have the setlist!?

Setlist
?

Ealing Blues Festival - Sunday 21st July - Ealing

Nick Lowe

Second festival of the weekend - in Ealing for some "blues". Bad Influence get things off to a decent start. I also get to see a bit of Tim Stafell (ex Smile - pre Queen) and The Eel Pie All Stars before the early evening headliner - Nick Lowe.

The affable Mr Lowe jokes about getting the bus to the festival and about feeling a bit of a fraud, because "although I love the blues, I just write pop songs. Is it OK if I play some?". Of course it is and his acoustic performance enthrals the crowd for the next 75 minutes. Highlights include "I Knew the Bride" and "(What's So Funny About) Peace, Love and Understanding". All good stuff.

Bad Influence (with daughter Jess Hayes)

Evening headliners were "Who's Next". I have seen them before, but was surprised that they ventured toward the more "hardcore" elements of a Who set, based around "Live At Leeds" at a festival. To be fair, "Tattoo", "Fortune Teller" and "Heaven and Hell" can be heavy going for all but the hardened Who fans.

Tim Stafell & Paul Stewart Band

Anyway, after 7 hours on my feet, I headed to the exit as they approach their encore. Regrettably this meant I apparently missed "Long Live Rock". Ho, hum... next time maybe. And I will be back for the Ealing Festival - really impressed by layout and organisation.

Who's Next

The Eel Pie All Stars

Scouting For Girls - Friday 19th July - Reigate Festival (Beer Bop-a-Lula)

One Liner: First festival of the weekend and it's a goodie. First year of the Reigate Festival and Scouting for Girls are headlining. Similar format to the Oxted Beer Festival last year - a decent tented stage area and good food and drink (and lots of beer) available around the outside. Family friendly too. A decent fun set - looking forward to their full show later in the year.

Setlist
Still Thinking About You
Heartbeat
This Ain't a Love Song
I Wish I Was James Bond
Bad Superman
Posh Girls
Famous
Elvis Ain't Dead / (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You
Home
It's Not About You
She's So Lovely

The Who - Saturday 6th July - Wembley Stadium

One Liner: Up in the Gods for this one at affordable "half price" seats. Bit too far away to feel involved, this was a decent, if not great show. I applaud Roger and Pete for trying something different, but 99% of the crowd don't really want an orchestra, they just want a small bunch of aging blokes belting out Who classics - ideally in a venue small enough where they can see them without the aid of a screen.


Setlist
[With Orchestra]
Overture
1921
Amazing Journey
Sparks
Pinball Wizard
We're Not Gonna Take It
Who Are You
Eminence Front
Imagine a Man
Hero Ground Zero 
Join Together

[Band Only]
Substitute
The Seeker
Won't Get Fooled Again (acoustic - Roger & Pete only)
Behind Blue Eyes (with strings)

[With Orchestra]
Guantanamo 
The Real Me
I'm One
The Punk and the Godfather (with Eddie Vedder)
5:15
Drowned (acoustic - Pete only)
The Rock
Love, Reign O'er Me
Baba O'Riley