Author Archives: John S

About John S

I'm blogging about the things I love: music, sport, culture, London, with some photos to illustrate aspects of our wonderful city. I’ve written a novel called “The Decision”, a futuristic political thriller, and first of a trilogy. I’m also the author of a book on music since the 1970s called “ I Was There - A Musical Journey” and a volume of poetry about youth, “Growin’ Up - Snapshots/ Fragments”. All available on Amazon and Kindle.

Sportsthoughts (170) – Premier League predictions for 2022-23

Posted on August 2, 2022 by John S

Is this season starting earlier than ever? The first game, Crystal Palace v Arsenal, takes place this Friday, 5 August. I think that’s a week earlier than last season, and presumably has something to do with the intervention of the … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (169): England’s Euro 2022 victory

Posted on August 1, 2022 by John S

Four days to go to the start of the Premier League. Normally we can’t wait, after a few desultory summer weeks; but as I write, a day after the England Women won Euro 2022, beating Germany 2-1, do we care? … Continue reading →

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Latitude 2022

Posted on July 28, 2022 by John S

Time again for Latitude – my tenth. My first was in 2012; and notwithstanding the mud, I got the bug. I’ve been every year since then, with the exception, of course of lockdown year, 2020. Accompanied always by my friend … Continue reading →

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A golden trio of concerts: Greentea Peng, Sharon van Etten, Kacey Musgraves

Posted on June 24, 2022 by John S

A golden trio of concerts indeed! All in the space of a week. Three artists whose music I love; three of the best from recent years. And all playing at rather special venues. Greentea Peng at the Royal Festival Hall, … Continue reading →

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Wide Awake Festival, 28 May 2022

Posted on June 1, 2022 by John S

Not quite summer yet, but the festival season has begun. Wide Awake festival takes place in Brockwell Park, Brixton. Nearest station is Herne Hill. It made its debut in September 2021, delayed by the pandemic. In this, its second year, … Continue reading →

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Gang of three: Mattiel at Lafayette, Portico Quartet at Koko and Gretel Hanlyn at Bermondsey Social Club

Posted on May 25, 2022 by John S

Three concerts from a couple of weeks ago. They happened over a four day spell, from Saturday 7 May to Tuesday 10th. First and third were classic indie-pop; in the middle, some atmospheric electro-jazz. I’ll take them in chronological order. … Continue reading →

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Mabe Fratti at King’s Place, 21 April 2021

Posted on April 29, 2022 by John S

Mabe Fratti is a Guatemalan cellist and composer, based in Mexico. Last year she released a wonderful, entrancing album called Sera Que Ahora Podremos Entendernos. I first heard tracks from it, of course, on BBC 6 Music: Mary Anne Hobbs, … Continue reading →

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King Hannah at Oslo, Hackney, 20 April 2022

Posted on April 26, 2022 by John S

King Hannah are a four piece band featuring, on vocals and rhythm guitar, Hannah Merrick; and on lead guitar and occasional vocals, Guy Whittle. They are Liverpool-based, though Hannah is from Wales. Theirs is not the typical Liverpool indie sound … Continue reading →

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The War on Drugs at the O2 Dome, 12 April 2022

Posted on April 19, 2022 by John S

The War on Drugs are a band that I liked from the first time I saw them, at Latitude in 2012, and have loved ever since they released their fourth album, Lost in the Dream, in 2014. In 2012, not … Continue reading →

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Enola Gay at the Windmill Brixton and Caroline at Cecil Sharp House, 6 and 7 April 2022

Posted on April 10, 2022 by John S

This last week I’ve been to see two up-and-coming bands who, it is fair to say, are on opposite ends of the indie spectrum. And that’s indie in its broadest sense. Both have support from 6 Music, both are selling … Continue reading →

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