The O2 Academy Islington was buzzing on Friday night for the much anticipated Vive Le Rock Awards 2024. After last year there were high hopes for this star studded evening and it did not disappoint. We were in for a night of fantastic music, special guests, a few surprises and of course some legends being recognised for their talent and impact on the world of music.
The man to thank for this fantastic event took to the stage first. Eugene Butcher (Editor of Vive Le Rock magazine and front man of Desperate Measures NZ) introduced the evening by thanking the crowd and making a dedication to the “Original Rude Boy” Neville Staple, who last year won the award for the Best Roots Artist and was missed on the stage this year!
And then we were off!
Straight into the music the growing crowd was craving with the fantastic Vive Le Rockers; led by Paul-Ronney Angel, along with Slim on keyboards (and later in the evening – accordion), Tom Hodges and Stuart Dace on Saxophones, Egil Stemkens on the bass and Nicky Forbes on drums. If last years awards were anything to go by we were in for a treat with this group of incredibly talented musicians! After a fabulous instrumental that got the crowd eager for more, the revolving door of special guests began….
First in our star studded line up was Lily from The Meffs who performed Joan Jett’s infamous ‘Bad Reputation’ exuding punk energy and interacting with both the band and the crowd as well as us photographers in the pit, which made for an electric performance.
Next up was Alan Clayton of The Dirty Strangers who came on stage to sing ‘Gold Cortina’. The crowd was chanting and singing along with every word and the night was well and truly underway!
After Lily and Alan gave us a glimpse of what to expect from the evening, Paul-Ronney Angel took his guitar off and stepped to the front of the stage; pint in hand and paid tribute to the late great Shane MacGowan who left us at the end of last year, leaving a hole in the music world and breaking hearts with his departure. The Vive Le Rockers payed a beautiful tribute to MacGowan by giving us two Pogues songs. Joined on stage by Steve Lynch on the banjo, and Desperate Measures’ Michael Gaffney on guitar, the first was ‘The Old Main Drag’ and then straight into ‘If I Should Fall From Grace With God’. A quick glance around the Academy saw lots of hands on hearts and closed eyes singing every word and remembering a great man.
Energy levels were soon brought straight back up as the next guest was welcomed to the stage. The guitar was back on for Angel as he beckoned on Norwegian musician Casino Steel for ‘Thank God This Bar Is Closing’ which got the crowd roaring for more guests and more music!
The Vive La Rockers weren’t quite done with Steel at the end of the song and requested he stayed for just one more, so we were treated to ‘Brickfields Nights’ to the delight of the Academy crowd.
The last guest of the first set from the Vive La Rockers was the incredible Charlie Harper of UK Subs to perform their song ‘C.I.D’ which was of course a hit with everyone in the room. The song was not the end of the appearance from Harper as Eugene came round the corner followed by a birthday cake; candles and all! The room erupted in song, singing Happy Birthday to Charlie Harper ahead of his 80th birthday next month – what a way to finish the first part of the Vive Le Rock Awards 2024!
After a short break, we were back in action! Glasses had been re-filled and the crowd was still buzzing, including some famous faces in the shape of Norman Watt-Roy and Rhoda Dakar who were clearly enjoying the experience.
Our MC for the evening took to the stage; Vice Squad’s Beki Bondage returning to her role as MC after last year’s awards, and she was welcomed with cheers and applause from the room.
Sigue Sigue Sputnik guitarist and Glen Matlock’s right-hand man Neil X was welcomed to the stage to present the first award. X made a heartfelt speech about the influence the recipient had on his own music – and the height and style of his hair! With a career spanning more than 50 years: from Roxy Music to producing the Sex Pistols and of course being a Womble! You guessed it – Vive Le Rock’s Guitar Legend was Chris Spedding. It was a thrill to see him walk out to collect his prize, and we looked forward to seeing him play later on.
Grade 2 were thrilled to be given the award for New Act by Eugene Butcher himself! Quireboy’s Spike then took to the stage to award Album of the Year to The Damned for Darkadelic. The well-deserved award wad accepted by keyboardist Monty Oxymoron, drummer William Granville-Taylor and producer Thomas Mitchener.
The Voice of a Generation award came next and Seggs, along with David Ruffy of Ruts DC were pleased to present it to the one and only Kirk Brandon of Theatre of Hate and Spear of Destiny, who danced onto the stage to receive it. Brandon was visibly emotional and dedicated the award to his sister Jane and brother Milo. We later found out he gave his award to his sister at the end of the night.
For the last of the first round of awards Beki Bondage brought out Republica’s Saffron, who was emotional when talking about what a hero the recipient had been to her – she was even in her fan club at the age of 13! It was with great pride she welcomed Toyah Wilcox to the stage to receive the Icon award! Wilcox took Saffron’s hands before collecting it and the moment they shared was truly beautiful. Toyah posed for our cameras at front of stage with rock horns in the air…a true icon.
A quick reset and the crowd were ready and raring to take in more great music! The Vive Le Rockers took the stage once again for another star studded set.
First up they were joined by Gizz Butt (Janus Stark and The Prodigy circa late 90’s) and our very own MC Beki Bondage for a dedication to the late Geordie Walker. Their rendition of Killing Joke’s ‘Requiem’ went down a treat with the Academy crowd. After receiving his award, Chris Spedding was our next guest and what a reception he got! He performed two of his hits; ‘Silver Bullets’ and ‘Motorbikin’’- the latter seeing Tomi Rae Hynie and Millie Watson join the band on stage to provide fantastic backing vocals.
The music legends kept on coming with a fantastic rendition by Saffron and the Vive Le Rockers of Rebulica’s ‘Ready To Go’. The crowd was jumping and completely transfixed by her performance and she was visibly having the best time on that stage!
From one female powerhouse to another, the Vive Le Rockers welcomed the icon herself…Toyah gave a fantastic performance of ‘I Wanna Be Free’ accompanied brilliantly on guitar by Desperate Measures’ Michael Gaffney.
Gizz Butt returned to the stage with the maestro himself Eugene Butcher to perform the AC/DC classic ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ complete with phenomenal guitar solos by Butt that had the crowd going absolutely wild and jaws dropping at his unmeasured skill. It was brilliant seeing Eugene own the stage – his voice suited the song as well as his punk rock attitude. What a treat!!
Beki Bondage was back for another and she did not disappoint. Her tribute to Tina Turner and rendition of ‘Nutbush City Limits’ went down a storm and left us wanting more!
And more we got!
The last guest and last song of the set was the brilliant Jim Jones performing the MC5’s ‘Kick Out The Jams’, yet another tribute of the night for the recently deceased Wayne Kramer.
What a band the Vive le Rockers are, and what fantastic guests they had join them throughout the evening!
Before the final award of the night we were treated to a stunning set from the fantastic Theatre of Hate. Kirk Brandon showed everyone just why he won Voice of a Generation. He sounded fantastic, and with bassist Stan Stammers marching around the stage commanding the attention of the audience, Chris Bell behind the kit and the incredible Clive Osborne on saxophone, we witnessed a special and exciting set that wasn’t nearly long enough for the Islington crowd.
They wanted more, so they’re in luck that Theatre of Hate are currently touring!
Next up was the last award of the night. Barry Cain (one half the team behind the 80’s magazine Flexipop) came on stage to present the award for Best Live Act to Ruts DC. Cain could not emphasise enough how fantastic a live band they are and if we didn’t believe him we soon would! The stage was set for us to see just why they are so deserving of this honour. Ruts DC took the stage to give us a five song set that left the crowd in awe of the talent they have honed since the late 70s and since reforming in 2007. Starting with ‘Psychic Attack’ and ending with, of course, their 1977 hit ‘Babylon’s Burning’, the crowd hung on every word and every chord. Segs introduced a very special guest for ‘In A Rut’ and ‘Babylon’s Burning’ – none other than brilliant Zac Starkey who showed us that his guitar playing was a match for his drumming! What a set it was!
So the evening was coming to a close but there was one more band to take the stage. The final act of the evening was none other than punk rock royalty Sham 69. When founder and front man Jimmy Pursey walked on stage, a bottle of Jack Daniels in hand and the anarchy symbol on his top we knew were in for a punk rock finish to a punk rock night. Pursey prowled the stage with as much menace as he has in the 70s, and the band were on fire too – with Robin Guy on drums, Dave Parsons on guitar and Dave Tregunna on bass. The band had us all loving every moment of their 10 song set, which included opener ‘What Have We Got’, ’14 Years’, ‘Angels With Dirty Faces’ and the classics ‘If The Kids Are United’ and ‘Hurry Up Harry’.
The Vive Le Rock Award 2024 was a celebration of good music and good people. We were treated to amazing performances by some real music legends and took moments throughout the evening to remember those we have lost.
So the question is, Eugene Butcher…same again next year?
The awards in full:
Guitar Legend: Chris Spedding
New Act: Grade 2
Album of the Year: Darkadelic (The Damned)
Voice of a Generation: Kirk Brandon
Icon: Toyah Wilcox
Best Live Act: Ruts DC
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Vive Le Rock Awards 2024: A Night of Music Legends and Iconic Tributes @ RockNews
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