Kevin Smith had a heart attack back in 2018. For a man in early middle age it’s not altogether unusual, but it did clearly cause some changes in both his lifestyle, and his thinking. For starters, he casts a much more svelte shadow now, but the last couple of years…

Pink Floyd — Animals 2018 Remix Edition (Photo: Rupert Truman and Aubrey Powell Hipgnosis © Pink Floyd Music Ltd) It feels slightly strange to be listening to this album as Roger Waters announces what will probably be his last European tour, at the same time as attracting a storm of criticism for what…

At just after six thirty on the evening of Thursday, 8 September 2022, two footmen came to the railings at the front of Buckingham Palace in London, and attached a wooden frame to them, containing the message that announced, in the traditional fashion, the death of a monarch. This is…

Released as the lead single for October’s Oxymore project, it seems that once again, some parts of JMJ’s fan base are not happy about a man with a 50+ year career, and deep roots in European experimental music daring to do something slightly off piste. …

Scarborough Spa Court, 28 July 2022 — Like so much of tonight’s proceedings, Daniel Kitson’s entrance is unassumingly low key, wandering to the slightly raised stage of the Spa Court in Scarborough at bang on 8, tote bag in hand, clad in casual sportswear. Jazz hands, tits and teeth it ain’t, friends. …

Here we are, in the morning after the night before. As I write¹, Boris Johnson has announced that he is to resign. But for now he plans to cling to office for some time yet, trying to stay on over summer. At this point even that seems too much to…

Some days almost defy description. And 6 July 2022 has been one of them. It didn’t start hugely auspiciously. Nadim Zahawi, who’d been Chancellor for barely 12 hours after the ructions of the previous day, found himself wheeled out to defend the man who given him the job. He gave…

Newcastle Arena, 27 May 2022 — Another one for the “and finally” pile. Nearly two years after the inital date for this gig, the Pet Shop Boys roll into Neil Tennant’s hometown on a Friday night. I’ve always liked the Pet Shop Boys, even though in later years I’ve not followed them that intently¹. They’re one…