Glastonbury 2025 has finished for another year, but vapour trails of outrage remain in the air. Sir Keir Starmer, our UK prime minister, is currently embroiled in a row about the broadcast of Bob Vylan, the punk duo and their chants of ” Death to the IDF”. Politically incendiary playlists? Not on his watch. AsContinue reading “Peace, Love and Keir Starmer”
Tag Archives: Politics
TV Review: Shifty
Film maker Adam Curtis has many detractors: his naysayers suggest he’s cynical, paranoid, unwatchable, a conspiracy theorist. I think this is all a tad unfair. He simply curates archive footage, patchwork style, adds ideas and weaves it all deftly together, both a satirist and retro-futurist. He lets the viewer go along with his non -linearContinue reading “TV Review: Shifty”
Not Coming Soon To A Multiplex Near You…
Ex-Bros. The latest episode in the Top Gun franchise focuses on two plucky young pilots and their narcissistic attempts at decimating the entire planet in a myriad of nefarious ways… Errr… I mean, the breakdown of a wholesome and utterly genuine friendship between Maverick and Goose. What went oh so wrong with the bros? TrulyContinue reading “Not Coming Soon To A Multiplex Near You…”
Album Review: Ezra Furman- Goodbye Small Head
As the culture wars rage on, Ms Ezra Furman plays in the rubble, seeking diamonds. This is a return to form after the slightly disappointing previous album, All Of Us Flames, which seemed at times like she was coasting through a more commercial sound. There are no such problems here. As the transphobic laws wereContinue reading “Album Review: Ezra Furman- Goodbye Small Head”
Three Film Satires For the Second Trump Administration
President Donald J Trump’s second swing into politics has already seen deportations, trade wars and a complete lack of remorse for a plane and helicopter crash that could have been prevented. Then there is the farcical inauguration itself, with more than a tilt towards oligarchy: tech billionaires placed front and centre, right in front ofContinue reading “Three Film Satires For the Second Trump Administration”
More Arts Cuts
Another year, another series of job cuts to the creative arts sector in Scotland. Despite promising millions of pounds in arts investment in this country, yet again we’ve witnessed more U turns from the Scottish government and Creative Scotland, meaning that struggling artists, companies, writers, directors, dancers and so on won’t be able to getContinue reading “More Arts Cuts”
Album Review: Sinkane-We Belong
Sudanese- American Ahmed Gallab, who records as Sinkane, reflects the global village in this glorious new album, his eighth. Whether joyful and gospel inflected (Come Together, We Belong) disco workouts (the campy How Sweet Is Your Love) or songs of resistance (Everything Is Everything, and the fiery standout track Invisible Distance) which feel like anContinue reading “Album Review: Sinkane-We Belong”
Overlooked Classics: Queen and Slim
This is not Bonnie and Clyde, nor Mickey and Mallory. It isn’t Badlands or Heathers, it’s far too rooted in reality. Queen and Slim, a feature debut from Melina Matsoukas, with screenplay by Lena Waithe and James Frey, punches you in the gut before kissing you full on the lips. It’s beautiful,brutal and devastating. WhenContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Queen and Slim”
Podcast Review: Things Fell Apart
In this time of noise, overload and division, it’s easy to get deep into doomscrolling and overwhelm. So it’s wonderful that writers and broadcasters like Jon Ronson exist in the world. As with his brilliant books (he’s tackled everything from social !media cancellation, to the roots of psychopathy) his podcast Things Fell Apart, takes on theContinue reading “Podcast Review: Things Fell Apart”
Preview: Women In Revolt! @ Tate Britain
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”
Hit The North 