Category Archives: 2023

Andy Rourke, You Were Wonderful

It would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to the wonderful Manchester musician Andy Rourke, bass player for The Smiths.It’s a desperately sad loss. The Smiths meant so much to me and my generation. His death was announced yesterday. He died aged just 59 from pancreatic cancer. Tributes have been paid by Morrissey,Continue reading “Andy Rourke, You Were Wonderful”

Preview: Mary Quant: Fashion Revolutionary, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow

Few designers epitomised the spirit of the sixties like Dame Mary Quant. The iconic British fashion designer, who passed away last month aged 93, heralded a new freedom from the stultifying previous generation, representing the UK as the new leaders of fashion. Her work was exciting, colourful, bold and youthful, symbolic of the young personContinue reading “Preview: Mary Quant: Fashion Revolutionary, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow”

Bye, Bye B52s

With their wild wigs, wicked wig-outs and smarter than they seemed lyrics, the Athens, Georgia legends The B52s are doing their farewell tour (at least, for now). Rock lobsters are (possibly not) provided. But before we say “Ciao”, here are a few examples of what made them so great: those killer harmonies, sci-fi sirens, surfContinue reading “Bye, Bye B52s”

Lost In Music: Deadletter- The Snitching Hour

Okay, maybe indie isn’t dead, after all. Deadletter have made one of the best singles of the year here. Like The Cribs and The Zutons, with a pinch of The Jam in the bassline, this is a belter. The Yorkshire band are on their way. It’s caustic, catchy as hell, and there’s a nod toContinue reading “Lost In Music: Deadletter- The Snitching Hour”

Bof !

(Sultry French voiceover): Bof says, I don’t have to try too hard. Bof says, so I don’t. I don’t try at all. Bof says, who cares? Bof says, I dream in monochrome, not black and white Bof says, your dreams, they disgust me. Bof is la nouvelle parfum. By Isabelle Adjani. Remember her? She doesn’tContinue reading “Bof !”

Dance Preview: Beautiful Chaos 2.0

Pirita Tuisku and Thabo Mokolobate ‘s collaboration Beautiful Chaos 2.0 explores identity , friendship, culture and the ties that bind in this new collaboration at Assembly Roxy in Edinburgh. Using contemporary dance, film and spoken word, the two explore belonging at a time when it’s never felt more necessary to celebrate humanity and that whichContinue reading “Dance Preview: Beautiful Chaos 2.0”

The Future’s Here Today: McKinley Dixon

We’ve got Little Simz and Loyle Carner, America has Kendrick Lamar and Frank Ocean, and now, future superstar, McKinley Dixon. Fusing jazz, gospel and hip hop , the young rapper has eclectic tastes. He was born in 1995 in Richmond, Virginia, and is now based in Chicago. Eloquent, humble and funny, his music addresses theContinue reading “The Future’s Here Today: McKinley Dixon”

The Future’s Here Today: Uh

The Irish London duo Uh inhabit an exciting place: they play electronic music influenced by the likes of Cabaret Voltaire as much as techno. Siblings Fionnuala and Duncan Kennedy make euphoric, wild and experimental sounds, with Fionnuala’s extraordinary, emotive vocals soaring as the layers of synth build. Their live sound points to something truly unique.Continue reading “The Future’s Here Today: Uh”

Album Review: Alison Goldfrapp- The Love Invention

Alison Goldfrapp as disco diva? The new Kylie, maybe? She’s always had that side to her, the head-rush of the dancefloor, glitter ball, spike heels and the 5 am walk of shame. But on her first solo studio album without Goldfrapp bandmate Will Gregory, she fully indulges her inner Donna Summer. Co- created with RichardContinue reading “Album Review: Alison Goldfrapp- The Love Invention”