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.

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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This is the Kit at the Royal Albert Hall, 8 March 2022

Posted on March 25, 2022 by John S

  This is the Kit is a band that plays what you might call alternative folk. It’s the vehicle of the multi-talented Kate Stables, who sings and plays guitars and banjo, with core members Rozi Plain on bass, Neil Smith … Continue reading →

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Tony Visconti’s Holy Holy at the Barbican, 13 March 2022

Posted on March 14, 2022 by John S

Last night was a night of nostalgia, the best sort of nostalgia. A celebration of the music of David Bowie, performed by Holy Holy, a group put together by the great producer Tony Visconti, who worked with Bowie on many … Continue reading →

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Concert catch up: Wolf Alice, Big Thief, Butch Kassidy/Legss, Echo and the Bunnymen

Posted on March 10, 2022 by John S

With the senseless, barbaric invasion of Ukraine by Russia dominating our thoughts, one sometimes wonders what the point of writing about pop music is. But I guess that while we are lucky and privileged enough to do so, it remains … Continue reading →

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Walking the Wandle

Posted on February 13, 2022 by John S

The River Wandle is one of those well-kept London secrets – unless, of course, you happen to live close by. For me, until recently, it was simply a river that flowed into the Thames in Wandsworth, in south-west London. And … Continue reading →

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Turnstile and Chubby and the Gang at the Roundhouse, 1 February 2022

Posted on February 3, 2022 by John S

Straight up: this was one of the greatest nights of live rock’n’roll I have ever had the pleasure to witness. And I very nearly didn’t go. No-one else I usually go to concerts with wanted to go. There was an … Continue reading →

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Goat Girl at the Roundhouse, 18 January 2022

Posted on January 27, 2022 by John S

Last week I went up to the Roundhouse with friends Shane and Tony to see Goat Girl play in the round, one of a short programme of concerts which are all-seated, forming the best part of a circle around the … Continue reading →

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