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.

Citadel Festival, Gunnersbury Park, 14 July 2019

Posted on July 16, 2019

This weekend, Gunnersbury Park, a large park close to the A4 and the North Circular as they meet at Chiswick roundabout in West London, played host to the Lovebox and Citadel festivals. Put simply, Lovebox is rap, soul and dance, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kylie at Hampton Court Palace, 21 June 2019

Posted on July 8, 2019

KYLIE! Our favourite Aussie pop star is back in Europe for a tour, which recently took in the Legends slot at Glastonbury, as British and Irish readers may have seen on the BBC. I still haven’t watched that show on … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

lovelondonscenes 162 – the City in black and white

Posted on June 23, 2019

A week or so ago I had an afternoon stroll through the City. I got off the tube at Holborn and headed east, down High Holborn, over Holborn Viaduct, along Newgate Street and Cheapside eventually to Leadenhall Street, where most … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Billie Marten at Islington Assembly Hall, 13 June 2019

Posted on June 16, 2019

I first came across Billie Marten last year. I was listening to 6 Music one morning and she was playing a session on Tom Ravenscroft’s programme, when he was covering for Lauren Laverne. I was immediately taken by the mellow … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

The Music of Nashville, May 2019

Posted on June 8, 2019

This May my wife Kath and I spent a week in Nashville, Tennessee (I spent a further week in the state, exploring Memphis and Chattanooga – more of that another time). It was something that I’ve wanted to do for … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Big Thief at SWX Bristol, 24 May 2019

Posted on May 25, 2019

Big Thief are a band from New York who play music that gets defined as indie/folk, although they don’t fit easily into any category. They are: Adrienne Lenker (vocals, guitar), Buck Meek (guitar, backing vocals), Max Oleartchik (bass) and James … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

On re-reading “1984” – the Brexit connection

Posted on May 24, 2019

Over the last few days I’ve done a fair bit of travelling. Memphis to Chattanooga by bus, then back to Nashville, and the flight home via Detroit. Amongst other things I took the opportunity to re-read George Orwell’s dystopian classic … Continue reading →

Posted in Random stuff | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments