The last two weeks have seen the MU raise its profile once more at both the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences, in Brighton and Manchester respectively.
Tag: Events
Ashridge GC
Last night I drove from MU HQ in Oval to Hemel Hempstead, where I stayed overnight, so that I could make an early start at Ashridge Golf Club, the venue for the annual PPL and PRS for Music Golf Day.
Wembley sunshine
My son Ben and I caught the train from Marylebone out to Wembley Stadium this afternoon and, having enjoyed the England band playing the classics around the Bobby Moore statue, met up with my long-term England match friend Peter Brown before taking our seats in the F Section behind a goal (in what was once the home fan C Section at the old Wembley).
Upstairs at Ronnie’s
A fun evening in Soho in the company of Mark Batchelor as we shared a curry at the Delhi Brasserie and dropped in at Ronnie Scott’s following an invitation to the Cuban music night being held in the Upstairs’ bar.
Brighton 2019
I travelled by train on Sunday from East Croydon to Brighton to attend and organise the MU’s Delegate Conference, which occurs every other year and is an opportunity for members to hear of, and question if appropriate, the work of the Union’s Executive Committee (EC) and Officials in the previous two years.
PPL turns 85
The top floor of the Oxo Tower on London’s southbank was the venue for PPL’s 85th anniversary event this evening. Artists, journalists and representatives of all the trade organisations, enjoyed the summer sun burning up the outdoor walkway, which offered a superb view of the river.
MPA Summer Party
I attended the third annual MPA summer party this evening at Kings Place in Kings Cross. Also there on behalf of the MU were Jamie Pullman and Natalie Witts from our London office and we spoke to many friends from across the industry, including Peter Leathem and Andrew Ames of PPL.
Prince’s GC
A superb day at a Joe Denly Testimonial event in the company of a number of Kent county cricket professionals at Prince’s Golf Club, Sandwich. I arrived mid-morning after driving down from Beckenham to find the course, sited directly next to the easterly facing coastline, benefiting from warm summer sunshine and a noticeably fresh breeze.
Black Deer festival
Julie, Ben and I drove down to Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells, yesterday afternoon for the second Black Deer Festival. The event now attracts a huge array of Americana, country and roots music artists, both homegrown and from across the Atlantic, and the rolling hills bathed in June sunshine made for a welcoming sight.
UK Music Party
Maddy Radcliff, Diane Widdison and I travelled the short distance from MU HQ to the Southbank Pavilion this evening to attend UK Music’s annual Summer Party in the Weston Pavilion.
Pullman Express
My wife Julie had very kindly bought me a day trip on the Pullman Express as part of my 60th birthday events and so this morning we travelled to Victoria Station and made our way to Platform 2 where the Pullman reception lounge is located.
Bebel Gilberto
Mark Batchelor kindly booked tickets for us to catch a rare UK live performance by Brazilian/American vocalist and Bossa Nova specialist, Bebel Gilberto. She is the daughter of João Gilberto and singer Miúcha and has been performing in the family tradition in Rio since an early age.
Drake Yolanda Award
I could be found tonight at the excellent Under the Bridge venue, Stamford Bridge, Chelsea, for the inaugural Drake Yolanda Award event.
Ivors Academy
The Ivors Academy was launched this week, following the renaming and rebranding of BASCA, the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.
StradFest
The Strad magazine in partnership with John & Arthur Beare Violins hosted the first ever StradFest at the Royal Institution, Albemarle St, Mayfair today. The event consisted of a series of workshops, presentations, seminars and exhibition stands across two floors, with the MU stand positioned outside the entrance to the main theatre.
John Edney
This afternoon I walked from Eden Park to Elmers End, so that I could attend the memorial service to orchestral trombonist, educator and MU activist John Edney at Beckenham Crematorium.
Showstopper!
Julie, Ben and I caught the train into town this afternoon from Eden Park to meet up with Lisa at Covent Garden station. We walked around the corner to Masala Zone and enjoyed an excellent meal, before Lisa and Ben headed for Charing Cross and home, while Julie and I walked to Shaftesbury Avenue where Julie had bought tickets for the improvisational musical show, Showstopper!
Chandos Arms
I was turning 60 on Monday 18 February and so it seemed totally appropriate to mark the moment with live music. By happy chance, there was to be a Just East of Jazz promotion at the Chandos Arms in Colindale, north London, featuring the legendary sax player Derek Nash from the Jools Holland Band.
UK Americana
I have spent the last two days working at the excellent Americana Conference 2019, hosted once again by the UK Americana Association at Hackney House, Curtain Road. This consists of a series of panels and presentations, all of which were kicked off this year by keynote speaker Rhiannon Giddens, who introduced the 2019 Conference theme of diversity, equality and inclusivity.
Talentbanq
A fun evening at Holborn Pizza Express thanks to an invitation from Ray Jones to attend the December Talentbanq showcase.
Stamford blues
It what is now apparently an annual fixture, AFC Bournemouth were drawn away to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup once again. The timing of the quarter final game, in midweek and just before Christmas, meant that it was relatively easy to purchase tickets from the official Cherries site.
Christmas fayre
It’s been a busy social period, as the UK Music lunch was followed by tonight’s annual festive drinks at Republic Media in Highgate Village, superbly hosted as ever by Sue Harris and the team.
UK Music party
My thanks to UK Music today for the invitation to The Library, Shoreditch House, Ebor Street, London E1, for their annual Christmas lunch for communications representatives and journalists in the music industry.
PPL at St James’s
An early sign that the Christmas drinks season is underway, the PPL and PRS for Music December reception, took place this afternoon at its now regular venue, 7 St James’s Street, near the end of Pall Mall.
