Putting Andi Peters in charge of the BBC's flagship music show was like taking an epileptic bull to a china shop at sticking a strobe light in its face. The kids presenter took over Top Of The Pops earlier this year and managed to loose a few million viewers, the result of this has given Top Of The Pops the shove to BBC2 next Spring on a Sunday early evening slot making the producers of The Antiques Roadshow very happy indeed. As the nail starts tapping on the 'Pops coffin the organizers managed to squeeze in a live concert at Sheperds Bush Empire before the show makes it demise to the big TV show heaven in the sky.
The night was a glorified TV recording for the weekly music show where each act performed three singles, one of which would be aired on the telly and all three to played on Radio One. First off was the bastard sons of Busted, otherwise known as McFly who, due to technically difficulties had to perform one number twice. We knew this because at the time the concert was being shown on TV screens in the VIP bar where we were chatting to Chris Moyles. The breakfast show host was part of four presenters (Reggie, Scott Mills and Ferne Cotton making up the team) who linked each act together at different spots in the thearte under the watchful eyes of Andi Peters. After the McFly boys had finished singing about three different colors in a girls hair we thought this was a reasonable time to take our seats to watch some decent live music.
The balcony level we were on doubled up as the VIP area where we spotted Lenry Henry, Linford Christie and a completely fed up Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen who face looked like a victim from his TV show after they had seen his makeover attempt in their house! Daniel's sister, Natasha Beddingfield gave us a surprising good and uplifting performance with her new song and her two recent chat topping hits, These Words and Single. Next on the bill was Fame Academy's Lemar who seems to be popping up everywhere we go. This year we have managed to cross paths with the singer at The Brits, MOBO Awards, Party in the Park and The Hall Of Fame Awards so poor old David Sneddon, who actually won the competition is probably foaming at the mouth. The same may go for 'Steve' winner of this years X Factor. Less than 24 hours ago he was being attacked by Sharon Osbourne and competing against the Opera quartet, G4 to win a million pounds recording deal. After winning the prize Steve was cheered by the whole audience and fluffed the opening lines to his song. Tonight he was welcomed by half cheers and half boos. Maybe booing was what he needed, to try and give him a kick up the arse and try to stop fluffing his lines - it wasn't! He messed up yet again and had to start his song for a second time which hilariously meant the presenters had to introduce him for a second time which resulted to yet more booing. Fantastic!
From one pop act from a TV gameshow to another, this time it was the manufactured Girls Aloud who gave a reasonable performance without screwing up. Whilst Steve was taking notes we were giving a pretty good performance from Jamellia, one of the biggest female singers from 2004 who has warmed her way to many blokes hearts and other body areas in the past 12 months.
The final two acts of the night had the biggest cheers. First off to add some indie to the dominated night of pop the hardest working band at the moment, Razorlight played their three biggest hits. Next February they play Alexander Place proving just how popular they have become thanks to the music press and of course ABLE2UK - who without us they would be nothing! In a matter of fact loads of bands owe us so much this year. U2's return the charts? Us! Madonna's sell out tour this Summer? Wouldn't have sold one aisle if it wasn't for ABLE2UK. The final act, Kylie - who we again carried through this year, delighted the crowd with two classic numbers and her recent number 2 chart topper, I Believe In You. The diva put a stop to the photographers snapping away after a first number, but thanks to the lame security (we even made our way to the back of the stage without a AAA pass!) the photographers happily continued taking shots until she left the stage just after 10.30pm.
We ended the night at the after show with Chris Moyles, Razorlight and Scott Mills in the VIP bar whilst Jo Whiley was loitering around the gents toilets. Apparently she received a text from her producer, Piers who had broken down somewhere after a Christmas party.
The night was another great build up to Christmas, although with Andi Peters behind it reports are coming in that next years concert will be held in the pub across the road!
Take a look at the
picture above of
Ferne, Moyles
and the other
one. If you can
come up with a
witty caption
then you could
win some TOTP
goodies. Just
us heading your
entry 'TOTP
COMPO' before
December 30th.