2023 VIVE LE ROCK AWARDS – MILLIE MANDERS, JIM JONES AND BAD BARBEE JOIN AN ALL-STAR LINE-UP AT THE O2 SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE, APRIL 6TH

24th February 2023 0 By Jon Deaux

After three long years of delays and cancellations, the Vive Le Rock Awards will finally take place at London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on Thursday, April 6^th. And the good news is that the next day is a holiday so everyone can all party like it’s 1999!

Featuring all-star chaos and one-off, unique performances, the VLR Awards will salute the legends of punk and rock ‘n’ roll! The last VLR Awards show in 2019 already holds legendary status, but this year the organisers are pulling out all the stops with a packed five-hour-long show!

LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH; (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns)

This year will feature three unique sets by legendary acts. The headliners are none other than ’80s goth punk legends LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH. Joining the band of The Damned’s Brian James, Sham 69’s Dave Treganna and Clash drummer Terry Chimes, will be the one and only Michael Monroe on vocals. Michael was a great friend of Stiv Bators and the only man on the planet to take his place for this one-off performance.

Michael Monroe Band Stockholm 2019

“The ‘Shepherds Bush Empire’ was an old variety gig which is what I think the ‘Vive Le Rock’ show on April 6th is gonna be” states Brian James. “A bunch of different acts doing sensational sets, it’s got all the makings of being a fun, memorable night and a good excuse to play some old ‘Lords’ songs dedicated to the one and only Stiv Bators.”

NEVILLE STAPLE, from The Specials, will lift the roof off with a live set of rudeboy classics with his extraordinary band, and East End street punk/West Ham United legends the COCKNEY REJECTS will rock their classics in a fast ‘n’ furious awards set.

Beki Bondage

The all-star house band, THE VIVE LE ROCKERS featuring Paul-Ronney Angel and members of Ruts DC, Jim Jones All Stars and Urban Voodoo Machine will back artists including MILLIE MANDERS, BAD BARBEE – Elizabeth Westwood (WESTWORLD) and Jennie Belle Star (THE BELLE STARS), JIM JONES and GIRLSCHOOL’s Kim and Jackie. Compere for the event will be Vice Squad frontwoman and trailblazer BEKI BONDAGE who will host the five-hour extravaganza at the new bigger venue, London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire and the awards and champagne will be flowing with special mystery presenters and guests.

“It’s always an honour to be asked to participate in a prestigious Rock ’n’ Roll event, especially when the invitation comes from a man like Eugene who has a bigger quiff than Alvin Stardust,” laughs Beki! “I’d originally planned to go to the VLR awards and get pleasantly hammered but now I’ve been collared into doing some actual work I will have to go easy on the sauce. Hopefully, the night will descend into beautiful chaos, gongs will be given, songs will be sung and planks will be spanked and a great time will be had by all!”

VIP packages are available that include a limited awards T-Shirt, VIP access, aftershow party ticket and Vive Le Rock Annual.