This is an enormously exciting bit of news . Tate Britain has just announced a new exhibition, starting on November 8th, showing the seismic shift in female-led art, politics and culture in the UK. Because it’s not just about Thatcher, The Clash and The Sex Pistols. WOMEN IN REVOLT!ART AND ACTIVISM IN THE UK 1970-1990Continue reading “Preview: Women In Revolt! @ Tate Britain”
Category Archives: Pop culture
Put Blood In The Music: Sonic Youth and John Zorn
This film, directed by Charles Atlas for The South Bank Show in 1989, was what made me fall in love with SY, and admire Zorn. Using a fanzine type approach to his montage – talking heads floating in front of New York street scenes, it’s a typically playful approach from Atlas (more of whom, later).Continue reading “Put Blood In The Music: Sonic Youth and John Zorn”
The Trouble With Irony
In the first part of this millenium, it seems you couldn’t move for irony. Arched of brow,barbed of zinger, pop culture was dominated by irony. It gave us nu-rave, refurbished arcade games, vintage style, the Burlesque and cabaret revival, and- arguably most prominently – comedy that to many was just plain offensive. I get it,Continue reading “The Trouble With Irony”
The Austerity Era Hogarth
Christopher Spencer, who makes wonderful collage art as Cold WarSteve, is a Birmingham artist who I adore. He’s the austerity era Hogarth as far as I’m concerned. The main image (above) is his Coronation postcard, created to celebrate the best of the UK. It’s got everyone from Bowie to The Clash, Laura Mvula to LilyContinue reading “The Austerity Era Hogarth”
Another Song for Barbie: Shonen Knife- Twist Barbie
Forget Nicki Minaj or even Aqua, there’s only one song about Barbie that I’ve time for, the ultimate anthem for the famous doll, IMO, and it’s the mighty Shonen Knife with Twist Barbie. The lyrics are so cheeky, a satire of western beauty standards : ” Blue eyes, blond hair, tight body, long legs…Bam bamContinue reading “Another Song for Barbie: Shonen Knife- Twist Barbie”
In Solidarity With Georgie Grier
A young actor, Georgie Grier, recently took to social media to post a teary message after her Edinburgh Festival play, Sunsets, only had one attendee in the audience. Comedians including Dara O’ Briain and Jason Manford reached out to reassure her that one day it would be funny and that it’ll get easier. They’re absolutelyContinue reading “In Solidarity With Georgie Grier”
Pee Wee V Letterman
Few comic characters were ever as fully-formed as Pee Wee Herman. Based on “the most annoying kid in my class at school”, Paul Reubens’ character was a kitsch mash-up of everything that makes children so fascinating and hard to box in. He was capricious, silly, smartass and extremely odd, existing in his own little bubble,Continue reading “Pee Wee V Letterman”
Mercury Prize 2023
What does everyone reckon to this year’s Mercury Prize nominations then? I’m pleased at the diversity this year, as I like a wide range of music. It’d be excellent to see Shygirl win for Nymph , as she bends beats into interesting shapes, and Sega Bodega are superb producers.Lankum are great, but I can’t imagineContinue reading “Mercury Prize 2023”
Film Review: Meet Me In The Bathroom
Of course, the title’s a drugs reference as well as a song, but this vivid and compelling film by Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern, based on Lizzy Goodman’s book, focuses on the dizzying rise of early 2000s bands The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs Interpol, and many others, with rare footage of wild early club gigsContinue reading “Film Review: Meet Me In The Bathroom”
“The Idiots Are Winning”: Part Three
What did Nathan Barley ever do for us? Well, he anticipated apps; Dapper Laughs, cloutrage, posho influencers, hipsters, and trending. He was making random, faux-artistic and pointless #content before pretty much anyone at the time…at least, on TV. His cruel viral pranks on poor timid Pingu (Ben Whishaw) arrived at the time of ‘happy slapping”Continue reading ““The Idiots Are Winning”: Part Three”
Hit The North 