Live Review: The Fast Show Live @ Edinburgh's Usher Hall
I watched all six closely during the show and I did get a real sense that they were enjoying donning the wigs and costumes and playing these characters again. There was no feeling of them going through the motions...
Nov 9
New (to Me) Music - October
I know it's a hugely popular and critically-acclaimed album, but apart from the songs below it wasn't my cup of tea. However, like I've mentioned before and, as you probably know yourself, it can take a few listens of an album to really 'get' it...
Oct 27
New (to me) Music - September
I first discovered the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain when I was scrolling through YouTube a couple of weeks ago. The band's live...
Sep 28
New (to me) Music - August
I'm tentatively typing this with my non-dominate left hand while my right arm is securely trapped within a cast for the next month or so.
Aug 29
Books I've Read in 2025 (Part 1)
As well as being more proactive in discovering more music, 2025 has also been the year I’ve made an effort to read more books instead of endlessly scrolling and faffing around on the internet... So to make a change from the constant music posts, I thought I’d share the books I’ve read so far this year.
Aug 8
New (to me) Music - July
I was only familiar with opening track and UK Top 12 hit, I Got You. I love the song enough to have added it to my Fave Songs playlist, so I was hoping to find equally fantastic delights within the album.
Jul 27
New (to me) Music - June
Although I’ve highlighted several songs from the 11-track album, Got To Have Love, is definitely the standout, and it was swirling around in my head long after I finished listening...
Jun 28
2025 XTC Fan Festival
An evening of music was kicked off by Dan Barrow who performed the entirety of The Big Express, exceptionally well. Admittedly, it's not an album I have listened to that often compared others in the XTC arsenal, so I didn't know much of the lyrics to be able to sing along, but it was a fantastic performance, nonetheless.
Jun 25
Book Review: In The Lap of The Gods
While every submission revealed something to me, what stood out most were those of the fans. Their love of the band and how it impacted their lives in small, or more significant ways, really jumps off the page...
Jun 14
Gig Review: The Upbeat Beatles @ MacArts
Having missed out on seeing The Bootleg Beatles due to covid in 2020, and not having a chance in hell of getting to a McCartney gig where I’d get a decent view, I decided to buy a ticket for this gig. I mean, I didn’t care if they sounded or looked like them, it’s all about the songs, innit?
Jun 3
New (to me) Music - May
I like to pay particular attention to the choice of the closing track of an album. I think it should be one that brings out an emotion in the listener, or at least one that you can remember the tune of ten minutes after hearing it...
May 29
Gig Review: Glenn Tilbrook @ The Birdwell Venue, Barnsley
...in between songs, he would natter to the audience. Quite self-consciously it seems as he referred to himself several times, almost apologetically, as “Rambling Glenn Tilbrook”...
May 20
