Mark Ronson Performs Tribute to Amy Winehouse at Greenwich Summer Sessions

Mark RonsonMark said “it’s been a shit week and it’s great coming out to play to you guys, that’s the great thing about music.”
 
Midway through his set Mark played a stripped down version of Amy Winehouse’s ‘Rehab’ after which he commented:
 
 “If you love Amy and her music make sure you clap your hands right now.  I went to her service yesterday and a Rabbi said ‘a persons life is measured in deeds, not years’, hers was pretty f*cking special.  I’m not getting emotional or morbid but it’s nice to share this moment with people who appreciate good music.  Amy Winehouse was a genius and has made more brilliant music than I’ll ever make”.
 
Mark invited Charlie Waller of The Rumble Strips to the stage for an encore of ‘Back to Black’ (Amy had once told Mark that The Rumble Strips version was ‘f*cking better than ours’).  The night ended with another emotional rendition of ‘Valerie’, this time lead vocals were provided by Amy Winehouse’s two backing singers of the last ten years along with the entire Greenwich Summer Sessions audience who Mark invited to sing as loud as they could.
 
Mark’s set list which also included guest performances from Kyle Falconer (The View) Kurt Hunt (Plastic Little) and Alex Greenwald (Phantom Planet) was as follows:
 
Valerie
The Bike
Song
Loose It
Just
Oh My God
Ooh Wee
The Last Night
California
Rehab
Animal
You Gave/ Stop Me
Somebody To Love Me
Bang, Bang, Bang
Encore:
Back To Black
Valerie

Noisettes and more confirmed for Greenwich Summer Sessions

Staged over six nights at the spectacular and historic riverside location of the Old Royal Naval College, the Greenwich Summer Sessions (part of The Greenwich Festivals: Music, supported by Greenwich Council) takes place from 26 to 31 July.
 
The locally based band Noisettes will be supporting BRIT Award wining Mark Ronson and his groundbreaking new band The Business Intl. Noisettes first propelled to fame with the catchy hit “Don’t Upset The Rhythm” in 2009. Since then the group have been unstoppable with their acclaimed debut album ‘What’s The Time Mr Wolf?’ spawning five singles. Two years on from a second album, ‘Wild Young Hearts’, awash with stomping electro-rock and galloping funk grooves, the band are set to return with their third album, a set of sleek pop songs steeped in soul, dizzy on disco and harking back to the days of blues and jazz greats. With their undeniably infectious tunes, Noisettes are set to put on an electrifying performance at Greenwich Summer Sessions.
 
Announced as support act for local heroes Squeeze are the folk pop duo Turin Brakes with their live band. Their debut album “The Optimist LP” was nominated for the Mercury Prize and spawned hit single “Underdog (save me)”. The boys have since produced four critically acclaimed studio albums and toured the world.
 
Punk icons Buzzcocks, confirmed as support for Irish punk folk heroes The Pogues, have thrilled audiences for over thirty years. They have a track record spanning eight studio albums, over twenty singles and EPs, a staggering collection of compilations, covers by other bands and songs on film soundtracks and advertisements. Their latest album ‘A Different Compilation’ (released 27 June) brings together 24 of the band’s bestloved and iconic songs ensuring their timeless anthems continue to delight audiences into the 21st century. The once called ‘Beatles of punk’ have always delivered undiminished passion and energy and will make for a great addition to the Saturday night.
 
It has also been announced that top DJ’s Emma B and Ross Allen will be DJing at the Sessions for The Divine Comedy and Mark Ronson, respectively
 
Set in a beautiful and intimate open-air atmosphere, the GSS is set to become one of the most established live events in London’s music and cultural calendar. Staged in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College on the River Thames, in the centre of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, this six-night run of concerts, is a high quality event that is the highlight of the borough’s cultural programme as part of The Greenwich Festivals.
 
As well as experiencing these top class acts in this amazing location, the audience will also have the chance to explore everything else that is on offer at the Sessions. Food and refreshments at the event will be available by a vast array of outlets including Yo Sushi!, who will be making their first festival appearance at the event, the wholesome and fresh Soulful WrapPie Minister who will be brining The PMobile (pies on the move) to the Sessions as well as the famous Jimmy’s Farm, as featured on BBC2.
 
Furthermore, joining us at the Sessions will be the British Music Experience Bus. The British Music Experience, presented by The Co-operative, is Britain’s’ museum of popular music and is located just across the river at The O2. They will be setting up camp throughout the concert series to bring the audience elements of their thriving music programme forthem to interact with.  The ‘British Music Experience on Tour’, is a nationwide music education tour, in partnership with The Co-operative,showcasing a slice of the museum itself. It’s it intial send off took place in Trafalgar Square by musician Kate Nash. The tour, in the form of a traditional 1968 Routemaster London bus, has been created as a mobile replica of the music museum. Throughout spring it has visited schools up and down the country with the aim of inspiring young people to engage with music.
 
Local residents can purchase tickets for GSS, minus booking fee, at the Bull Frogs Clothing Co, 22 Greenwich Church Street, London SE10 9BJ, 020 8305 2404.
 
LINE-UP
 
26 July – The Divine Comedy (Neil Hannon solo)/José González, Emma B to DJ
27 July – Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. + Noisettes. Ross Allen to DJ 
28 July – Status Quo + Nine Below Zero
29 July  - Squeeze + Turin Brakes
30 July – The Pogues + Buzzcocks
31 July – “Songs of the Key in London” curated by Chris Difford, acts to be announced shortly
 
 
Tickets are on sale now and are priced as follows:
 
Tuesday July 26th / The Divine Comedy (Neil Hannon Solo) + José González / Standing from £27.50 / Seated from £42.50 / VIP tickets available + booking fee
 
Wednesday July 27th / Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. + Noisettes / Standing from £27.50 / Seated from £42.50 / VIP tickets available + booking fee
 
Thursday July 28th / Status Quo + Nine Below Zero / Standing from £35.00 / Seated from £50.00 / VIP tickets available + booking fee
 
Friday July 29th / Squeeze + Turin Brakes / Standing from £32.50 / Seated from £47.50 / VIP tickets available + booking fee
 
Saturday July 30th / The Pogues + Buzzcocks / Standing from £35.00 / Seated from £50.00 / VIP tickets available + booking fee
 
Sunday July 31st / “Songs in the Key of London” curated by Chris Difford / Standing from £25.00 / Seating from £40.00 / VIP tickets available + booking free