Ray's Gigs

Daily news and reviews of gigs bars clubs restaurants product launches films theatre fashion shows books art galleries hotels competitions interesting places to visit ...and much more!

Aftershow News: 23rd June 2018

Billy Idol + The Professionals live at Brixton Academy.
After-show party from 10.45pm to 11.30pm.
Around 70 or 80 guests are here in the backstage bar.
It is a pay bar here.
All The Professionals are here.
Sex Pistols/Professionals drummer Paul Cook told me they were driving straight down to
Isle of Wight Festival after as they were due on stage Sunday afternoon.
Also here was Tony James who was in Generation X with Billy Idol.
Billy Idol & band were doing meet & greet stuff in the dressing rooms area so not sure
if they made it here...my sore throat & chesty cough were playing up so headed off home...

Aftershow News: 23rd June 2018

Psychedelic Furs live at The Royal Festival Hall, London.
10.30pm to 11.20pm.
Afterparty for around 80 guests in one of the many bars here at this venue.
It is a pay bar but all the band turn up after they have towelled themselves down.
No sign of Meltdown curator Robert Smith so perhaps he is only going to certain shows.
Jordan was here .She is an English model and actress noted for her work with Vivienne Westwood and the SEX boutique in the Kings Road area of London in the mid-1970s, and for being a fixture at many of the early Sex Pistols performances.
She also was in the punk film ' Jubilee ' that came out in 1978.
She went AWOL by the seaside for 30 years but since the 40th anniversary of punk in 2016 she
has been going to loads of gigs again.
Singer Richard Butler left at 11.15pm and i left a few minutes after him.

Aftershow News: 23rd March 2018

Stiff Little Fingers live at The Forum, London.
11.10pm to 12pm.
After-party in the balcony bar for around 50 or 60 guests.
It is a pay bar.
The SLF band members eventually turn up.
It was still in full swing when i departed the building.

Aftershow News: 4th January 2018

Black Country Communion live at Hammersmith Apollo.
After-party in the balcony bar of the venue.
I was there from 10.15pm to 11.30pm but the event was due to finish at midnight.
Around 100 guests are here with a nice buzzy atmosphere...it's a pay bar...
All the band turned up,with Joe Bonamassa the first to arrive and Glenn Hughes the last to arrive.
Joe was a lot more chattier and friendlier than i expected.
Glenn was the one that posed for the most photos here.
Also here was Gerry O'Connor from The Dubliners who had joined them on stage earlier.
Had a chat with me old mucker Gary from top KISS tribute band Dressed to Kill.
I saw them play many great shows...he has just left the hand after 27 years...
Also here was Dante from Spinefarm Records and BCC pr Peter Noble.
Also the usual suspects from Classic Rock and Metal Talk.
All four band members were still here when i departed.
When I left the venue there was still 20 fans outside waiting for autographs etc.
A good party.

Aftershow News: 8th September 2017

11.15pm to 1am....
Dave Stewart & Friends at Shepherds Bush Empire,London.
There was an afterparty in the Level 1 bar which was really good.
Much better than most of the parties held here which are a bit tame and average.
Around 100 guests here and very buzzy and lively.
All the guests from the concert were here including Bob Geldof , Clem Burke, Martin Chambers,
Jon Stevens and Dave Stewart arrived with a big cake and the choir singing 'Happy Birthday' to him.
Top celebrity photographer Richard Young was here (I spoke to him the evening before at The
Dylan Jones book launch) for all the evening taking photos.
Other guests included rugby legend Lawrence Dallaglio.
The Appleton sisters from All Saints.(One of whom was married to Liam Gallagher).
Also Razorlight singer Johnny Borrell.
It was a pay bar but there was lots of Chinese food on trays being handed out.
A great party.

Aftershow News: 3rd May 2017

10.20pm to 11.45pm
Blondie live at The Roundhouse,London.
Aftershow party in the balcony bar.
A big crowd of over 100 guests i reckon....pay bar...
Did not see Debbie Harry or Chris Stein here as they probably stayed backstage.
Drummer Clem Burke and other band members were here.
Other folks here included John Giddings (Blondie booking agent) ,Alan Edwards (Blondie pr),
Steve English (security at The Roundhouse in the 1970s punk heyday ),Patti Palladin, Brix Smith, Jenni Cook (wife of Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook),
Mark Jones ( Wall of Sound records),guitarist James Stevenson,Jen(singer with The Priscilla's).
Also here was fashionista Daniel Lismore who the previous night was at an event in London
and got Jo Wood to write the word "C***" on his arm and then got a photo taken with politician
Nigel Farage with his arm and fingers pointing at him...see the picture in Wednesdays Standard paper...

Aftershow News: 10th April 2017

10.15pm to 12pm...
The Pretenders at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
Around 150 guests in the venue downstairs bar.
Chrissie Hynde,Martin Chambers and the rest of the band are here.Also Jeff Beck,Sex Pistol Glen Matlock,
Patti Palladin (recorded a great album with Johnny Thunders in 1988 called Copy Cats) and punky reggae dj Don Letts.
It is a pay bar but I brought a couple of bottles of wine from my hospitality box here which came in very handy.
Great to see a lot of friends here.

Aftershow News: 9th April 2017

10.45pm to 12.30pm
Sting at Hammersmith Apollo,London.
Around 70 or 80 guests are in the balcony bar.
Sting and all his band turn up here.
Also here was Trudie Styler,Bob Geldof ,Jimmy Nail
and London Major Sadiq Khan and Stings booking
agent John Giddings.
Both the support acts Joe Sumner and The Lost Bandoleros were here.
Most band after-parties i don't even mention anymore as they are so lousy but this was one of the really good ones.
We had a quick chat with Sting and mentioned about both how his son and his guitarist Dominic son are both on stage with them and he joked
"family members are cheaper'.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan was again very friendly.
We joked to him asking him ' have you got a body double?" as he has been at many gigs yet still fitting in his heavy workload.
He said "The Police were his fave ever band ".
Sting's (and many other big names) agent John Giddings
told us some great stories about bands he has worked with but I was sworn to secrecy.
A full complimentary bar so we had some Jack Daniels
and cokes .Also lots of yummy hot food.
As I know that this venue has no proper catering i asked the waitress "where did the food come from ?"
She replied 'Stings personal on tour chef did the food".
A great party.

Aftershow News: 16th December 2015

11.15pm to 12pm.
Bernard Fowlers Allstars at The Scala,London.
Around 100 folks here at the aftershow upstairs.
Most of them are the younger crowd.
The dj is playing the tunes loudly and it's lively.
It is a pay bar.
Most of the band members are here but no sign of
Ronnie Wood or Bernard Fowler.
Folks here included Glen Matlock,Mick Taylor whose
autograph i sneaked,Jo Wood,Leah Wood,Tyrone Wood,
Georgia May Jagger,Brix Smith-Start and Jamie Laing from Made In Chelsea.

Aftershow News: 18th February 2015

12pm to 2.30am...
NME Awards 2015 afterparty at Cuckoo Club,Swallow Street,London W1.
Around 200 here over the two floors.
It is a full free bar except champers which creates a lively atmosphere and plenty of folks are dancing.
I expected quite a few faces from the awards but only Royal Blood,La Roux and magician Dynamo are here.
A good party though.

Aftershow News: 13th February 2015

10.45pm to 11.45pm...
Kaiser Chiefs live at The 02 Arena,London.
A big crowd of around 200 folks in one of the big rooms on
the ground floor.
There are tunes playing in the background.
The band turn turn up but no other faces.
A pay bar and pretty tame overall.
It was on until 1am but I left 11.45pm to get the tube
back to West London.

Aftershow News: 21st December 2014

11.20pm to 12.30pm...
The Cure live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.
Over 100 folks here in the balcony bar.
There are dj sounds in the background.
Despite three sold out shows at this venue it is still a pay bar.
Members of The Cure turn up here but Robert Smith stayed in the dressing room area while I was there.
A nice party atmosphere vibe as we had a few celebs here
including Professor Brian Cox who presents those BBC Science programmes.He had his own show here on Dec 18 and 19 and The Cure played four songs each night.
Also here was Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran.
Celeb make-up artist and mascara supporter Charlotte Tilbury who owns www.charlottetilbury.com.
Also a couple of comedy folks who were Dom Joly from
tv programme Trigger Happy and Karl Pilkington who had that tv series with his mate Ricky Gervais.
A decent party that was due to finish at 1am but I departed
at 12.30pm.

Aftershow News: 18th December 2014

Starz live at The Garage,London.
First ever UK show by American rockers Starz whose debut album came out in 1976.
After the show finished the band were in the main venue for 15 mins signing stuff and posing for photos then from 11pm to 12pm was the aftershow party in a room near the main stage.About 40 or 50 here.
All the band are super nice and friendly
but sad to hear like so many bands of the 1960s and 1970s that they were ripped off by poor management and record companies not paying royalties etc.

Aftershow News: 13th December 2014

11.15pm to 12pm.
Public Image Limited live at Indigo at The 02 complex,
London.
Around 100 folks in the VIP bar upstairs.
Quite a few are John Lydon's mates from North London including Reggie who PiL wrote the
track 'Reggie Song' about.
Lu (PiL guitarist) and Bruce (PiL drummer) are here but John Lydon stayed in the dressing room area
while I was there.
A pay bar and i departed at midnight even though it was a 1am finish as i had to get the last tube back to civilisation.
If it was a great event I would have stayed but it was pretty average to be honest.

Aftershow News: 9th November 2014

11.10pm to 12.30pm...
Billy Idol live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.
Afterparty in the circle bar for around 50 or 60 people.
A sold out show but it's still a pay bar.
Guests here included Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook and his family,Tony James(played with Billy Idol in Generation X ) ,Rusty Egan ( was drummer in The Rich Kids and Visage ) and photographer Dennis Morris who took great photos of Sex Pistols and Bob Marley in the 1970s.
Billy Idols band members turned up then eventually Billy Idol turned up with his mum and other members of his family.You could say they were The Bromley
Contingent....Geddit?

Aftershow News: 29th October 2014

11.45pm to 6am...29 Oct 2014...
Mario Testino - 60th birthday party at Chiltern Firehouse, 1 Chiltern Street, London, W1.
This was a mega bash for sure as one of the worlds top photographers has hired out
the number one most coolest and most talked about venue in London for his 60th birthday.
He has taken over all of the venue so 300 folks here.
A full complimentary bar including champers until 6am---and yes we stayed until the end.
Lots of nice food from the kitchen too.
Mario Testino held court in a white tux, surrounded by fashionable friends including Kate Moss,Naomi Campbell,Jade Jagger,Valentino, Nicky Haslam, Hugh Grant, Tom Parker Bowles and Stella McCartney. Sienna Miller, Rita Ora and Poppy Delevingne got into the Cuban theme donning Hispanic red dresses, while Keira Knightley, Suki Waterhouse, Eva Herzigova and Clara Paget added even more glamour to the evening. Stylish couples Mark Ronson and Josephine De La Baume and David Walliams and Lara Stone were also among A list revellers.
Nick Rhodes looked great in a gangster suit.
The event was a 10pm start and I got there at 11.45pm but missed Kylie Minogue coming
out of a cake to sing 'Happy Birthday' to Mario.I think Kylie left early as I did not see her at all.
I got my photo taken with Noel Gallagher and had a nice chat to Yasmin Le Bon who said she was 50 today.
She still looks fantastic.
At 2am I noticed the bar tab had risen past £27,000.
Pictures of Mario from all stages of his life on the walls in the basement area.
There was a dj in one room all night and at 1am a fun 30 mins drag show was in another room.
I think Noel Gallagher left around 3am.
At 4am folks sang 'Happy Birthday' to Mario as he cut the cake with Naomi Campbell,Jade Jagger,
Yasmin Le Bon and Rita Ora all nearby.
Some stayed later than others.Mario Testino and Philip Treacy were here until 6am like us with 30 others.
Some celebs were staying here as it is also a hotel.
A totally mega party.

Aftershow News: 19th October 2014

10.40pm to 11.30pm...
Tony Hadley live at The Theatre Royal,Drury Lane,
London WC2.
Spandau Ballet singer has a party on the final night of his UK tour for around 70 people who are friends and family.
No other members of Spandau Ballet are here.
It was pay bar and bit of a weird one as the bar actually closed at 11pm due to their Sunday curfew and we were all out at 11.30pm.
Tony Hadley turned up and was friendly and chatty to all.
When I left by the stage door there were still 30 mainly women fans waiting for him.

Aftershow News: 10th October 2014

10.45pm to 12.30pm...
Hans Zimmer Revealed And Friends live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.
A big crowd here in the venues balcony bar with over 200 folks here because there were over 70 people on stage and most of them are here.
Promoter Harvey Goldsmith is here and is well happy that
the shows have both sold out so he has laid on a full free drinks and buffet for all in celebration of that.
I have a few Jack Daniels n cokes and some grub.
I did not see Hans Zimmer himself or Johnny Marr who joined him on stage earlier but I could have missed them as there were so many people here.
A dj is playing some tunes in the background.
The only other face I spotted was Darius Danesh.
It was on until 1am but I left at 12.30pm.
A nice party.

Aftershow News: 23rd September 2014

10.20pm to 11pm...
Placebo live at The Roundhouse,London.
Around 50 people in one of the venue balcony bars.
The band do not show while i was there as they stayed in their dressing room area.
A pay bar and no other faces from other bands.
The band may or may not have have turned up after I left at 11pm.

Aftershow News: 9th September 2014

10.30pm to 11.30pm...
Ray Davies live at The Royal Festival Hall,London.
Around 50 people in one of the rooms in the maze that is the backstage area of this venue with
endless rooms,corridors,stairs,lifts etc.We had a bit of a Spinal Tap moment when trying to exit the building.
Marc Almond was here and Ray Davies eventually turned up looking a bit frail these days.
A pay bar.
Thanks to my old mucker Pat Gilbert from Mojo
magazine for getting me in to the afterparty with him.

Aftershow News: 6th August 2014

11pm to 11.30pm...
Blink 182 live at Brixton Academy,London.
Around 50 or 60 folks in the VIP bar backstage.
No faces here from other bands and Blink 182 stay in the dressing room area while I was there so not sure if they eventually came out here.
It was good watching the army of roadies taking down the stage show through the windows of the bar here.
A pay bar and as expected pretty tame here.
I only stayed for 30 mins as had to get the tube back to
West London and lots of Blink 182 fans waiting for the band as I left via the backstage door.

Aftershow News: 11th May 2014

10.10pm to 11pm...
Courtney Love live at Shepherds Bush Empire,London.
Around 40 folks in the Level 1 bar.
An early start for the afterparty as the gig finished at 10pm.It was a pay bar.
All her backing band turn up but Courtney stays in the dressing room area.
Ginger Wildheart was here as I think he was in her band.
I left at 11pm and it was due to finish at midnight.
Pretty average really.

Aftershow News: 12th April 2014

11pm to 12pm...
Manic Street Preachers live at Brixton Academy,London.
Over 100 people in the backstage bar.
A dj is playing some cool tunes.
The band are not here as they stayed in the dressing room area but may have come in here after I left as it was due to finish at 1am.No other faces here.
A pay bar and pretty tame overall really.
When I left via the backstage door around 50 Manics fans were still there waiting for autographs.

Aftershow News: 11th April 2014

10.15pm to 12pm...
Dave Davies live at The Barbican,London.
Around 50 or 60 folks in the huge backstage area of this
venue with complimentary beers and wines for all.
Dave and the band are all here being chatty and friendly.
Also here are the couple from the support act Laura & Pixi who were in high spirits.
Only downside was the lack of other faces here as no sign of brother Ray or any other musicians despite it being his first UK show for 13 years.
A nice party though.

Aftershow News: 26th March 2014

11pm to 12.15am...
Steel Panther live at Brixton Academy,London.
Aftershow party in the backstage bar for around 100 folks.
Despite it being the end of a long European Tour it is still a pay bar.
Some of the girls who danced earlier on stage with the band were given wristbands by roadies for the party so they brought a bit of colour to the event...and exposed flesh.
While we there only the lead singer came out to say hello.
It was on to 1am so other band members may have come out after we departed but overall it was pretty tame.

Aftershow News: 16th March 2014

11pm to 12pm...
Mike And The Mechanics live at Hammersmith Apollo,
London.
Over 100 folks here in the balcony bar.
All the band members turned up and others here were
Nick Mason(Pink Floyd drummer)
Neil Murray(ex Whitesnake bassist and other bands)
John Giddings(the bands booking agent and well as loads of other acts)
David Emanuel(fashion designer who made Princess Diana's wedding dress)
Tony Smith(the manager of Genesis and Mike Rutherford who I presume was the bloke with his trademark long beard).
We had a nice chat with Mike Rutherford and got a photo with him.

Aftershow News: 25th February 2014

Wilko Johnson featuring Roger Daltrey live at Shepherds Bush Empire,London.
I was here 10.30pm to 12.15am.
Around 100 folks in the Level 1 bar at the venue and promoters AEG have provided a full free bar which is nice.
Wilko and all his band turn up along with Roger Daltrey and tonight's keyboard player Mick Talbot.
A good number of faces here including Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook,his daughter Hollie who is recording her second album,Blondie drummer Clem Burke,
Bob Geldof,Zak Starkey,Jeremy Clarkson and blues guitarist Stephen Dale Petit who has a great new album out.Also NME 1970s journo Charles Shaar Murray.
Some industry folks here too including booking agent Rod MacSween who told me KISS unlikely to play the UK in 2014 as they are about to announce a massive three month North America tour with some very special guests who I cannot say until the official announcement.
Also Rob Hallet from AEG.Richard England from Cadiz Music who look after Wilko Johnson.
The Who manager Bill Curbishley and the folks from Outside pr.
An excellent aftershow party.

Aftershow News: 1st February 2014

Family live at The Shepherds Bush Empire,London.
I was there from 11pm to 12pm in the Level 1 bar although it was planned to finish at 1am.
All the band pop in here at some point.
It's a pay bar and a surprise sighting was violinist Nigel Kennedy.

Aftershow News: 28th October 2013

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.
Around 70 or 80 people in the circle bar.
A dj playing some good tunes including a couple of Lou Reed tracks which was nice to hear.
Nick Cave has a cool looking crowd here.All types of trendy/funny beards etc.Nick and all the band turn to say hello to all.Only other face i notice is Nick Lowe.A pay bar here.
I was there 11pm to 11.45pm but it was due to finish at 1am.

Aftershow News: 14th October 2013

Wilko Johnson live at Koko,London.
Around 50 folks are here in the upstairs bar.
Wilko is here with Norman Watt-Roy.
Also members of the support act Ruts DC.
Also here is Richard England who owns CADIZ MUSIC who are currently the label Wilko is on and CADIZ celebrate 10 years in business this month.
Also here were Chris Musto (ex Johnny Thunders Band,ex Glen Matlock Band and now current Bermondsey Joyrider) and Gary Lammin(ex Cock Sparrer and now current Bermondsey Joyrider).Also here was comedian and presenter Phil Jupitus.
I was there 11pm to 1145pm.A pay bar here.