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.

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 →

Posted in Canal and River life, London, Photos | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

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 →

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

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 →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A 2021 musical sampler: 20 + 40

Posted on December 27, 2021 by John S

I published a piece on my top twenty albums of 2021 just before Christmas. I said then that a lot of the songs that I’ve enjoyed most this year aren’t from albums. Some are on EPs, some are just singles; … Continue reading →

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My Top Twenty Albums of 2021

Posted on December 24, 2021 by John S

It has been another great year for music. We didn’t get live music back until the second half of the year, but a lot of artists had clearly been using their time productively during the lockdowns in 2020 and the … Continue reading →

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

Alfa Mist at the Barbican, 4 December 2021

Posted on December 11, 2021 by John S

Last Saturday Kath and I went to see Alfa Mist and his band play a sold-out concert at the Barbican. Based in the City, near Moorgate, the Barbican Centre is not so far away from where Alfa Mist grew up, … Continue reading →

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Kelly Lee Owens at EartH, Hackney, 2 December 2021

Posted on December 5, 2021 by John S

I first came across Kelly Lee Owens at End of the Road in 2019. A late night show in the Big Top, which I got to about half way through. All was darkness, except for the glow of the stage. … Continue reading →

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A taste of the London Jazz Festival 2021

Posted on December 2, 2021 by John S

This year’s London Jazz Festival ran from 12 to 21 November. It took place in locations across London, ranging across the genres associated with jazz and in locations as large as the Royal Festival Hall and the Barbican, to pubs … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

London Grammar at Alexandra Palace, 12 November 2021

Posted on November 15, 2021 by John S

London Grammar are a trio – singer and occasional guitarist Hannah Reid and multi-instrumentalists Dan Rothman and Dominic “Dot” Major. They’re Londoners, but formed at Nottingham University. Their debut album, If You Wait, was released in 2013. That was followed … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Three concerts: Arlo Parks, Nubya Garcia, Holly Humberstone

Posted on November 10, 2021 by John S

November marks an upsurge of concert-going for me – a combination of rearranged gigs, new shows and the forthcoming London Jazz Festival. The month got off to a flying start with the three shows reviewed here. Three artists whose reputations … Continue reading →

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