There’s nothing like seeing artists playing live. The energy, that electricity that can’t be replicated elsewhere is one of my favourite experiences in life. New artists are passionate and give their all. At the moment, though, I’m recovering from hip replacement surgery, so unable to see music like I used to. This town has noContinue reading “Keep It Live”
Category Archives: 2026
After the BAFTAs
In a day where Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education promised in her keynote speech that children with special educational needs and those from impoverished backgrounds were going to get extra governmental support, I couldn’t help but sigh, swear and roll my eyes. Ill believe it when I see it. She spoke of herContinue reading “After the BAFTAs”
A Song For Jesse Jackson
Reverend Jesse Jackson has died. A key figure of the civil rights movement and instrumental in getting Barack Obama to the White House, his upbringing was tough. He was tougher, yet his message was that of peace and unity. A brilliant orator and a great man. There’s a song that I immediately thought of whenContinue reading “A Song For Jesse Jackson”
Album Review : Maria BC- Marathon
Non-binary, California -based artist Maria BC has a duality to their work. This, their third album, occupies liminal spaces between sleeping and awake states. Their gorgeous ambient sounds can turn from soothing to jarring. It keeps the listener on their toes. Maria BC is a classically trained vocalist, and it shows. Their range is subtleContinue reading “Album Review : Maria BC- Marathon”
The Gaulier Effect
Phillippe Gaulier has passed away at the age of 82. The French clown genius who alongside mentor Jacques Lecoq taught Bouffon clowning as well as more traditional technique, was a real trailblazer, teaching to countless actors and performers. Eschewing the more rigid, serious Stanislavsky method which was so beloved by a whole generation of methodContinue reading “The Gaulier Effect”
TV Review: Small Prophets
Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) is a man living life on pause. His girlfriend Clea went missing on Christmas Eve seven years ago, and never returned. He’s unable to move on and stuck in a literal dead end (a suburban Manchester cul-de-sac). Working in a DIY store, where he cracks wise with his one friend KaseyContinue reading “TV Review: Small Prophets”
The Lolita Problem
Kidcore; Jenna Ortega as ‘Wednesday’, ‘St Trinians’, ‘Pretty Baby’, Jodie Foster in ‘Taxi Driver ‘, a young Britney Spears, Natalie Portman’s early roles, Kawaii, groupie tales, sexy young models, schoolgirl strippers, Page 3 and of course, the book from which the fetish arose- these are all massive cultural touchstones for many fans of pop culture.Continue reading “The Lolita Problem”
Reblog
Reblog
Cat Lovers
In a predominantly dog lovers’ town, I’m a cat person. I glance sideways, but there are few moggy types there, and I’m sitting alone with a group of people who are immune to magical feline charms. I seem to forever be the sore thumb here. Bowie and The Cure sang about them; Angela Carter wroteContinue reading “Cat Lovers”
Hit The North 