Author Archives: John S

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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.

Laura Gibson at Oslo, Hackney, 16 August 2017

Posted on August 17, 2017 by John S

  On Wednesday I went to see Laura Gibson at the Oslo, Hackney. A great place for a show. A good space upstairs and an excellent bar downstairs, which serves one of my favourite IPAs, Beavertown Gamma Ray. I first … Continue reading →

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

A few days at the Edinburgh Festival, August 2017

Posted on August 14, 2017 by John S

My wife, Kath,  and I have just spent a few days at Edinburgh Festival. It’s the first time I’ve been to the festival since 1981, when I went up for a week and slept on a friend’s floor, while going … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Some poems – “Growin’ Up – Snapshots/fragments”

Posted on August 8, 2017 by John S

So, this is a new venture for me. Poems. The poems here are snapshots and fragments of memories from the first 25 years of my life. Some of the memories may be faulty, but they are moments which resurface from … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Poems | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Sportsthoughts (160) – Premier League predictions for 2017-18

Posted on August 6, 2017 by John S

Time for the most fruitless exercise of the year – predicting the outcome of this season’s Premier League! Always fun though. All starts again, absurdly, on a Friday –  11 August. Arsenal v Leicester. Same time as the World Athletic … Continue reading →

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Have you Heard? – (83) Catherine McGrath

Posted on August 5, 2017 by John S

Catherine McGrath is a young country singer from Northern Ireland, now based in London. I first came across her at this year’s Latitude. She was first on the Alcove stage at 2pm on the Friday. I liked what the blurb … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Sportsthoughts (159) – An encounter with Ron “Chopper” Harris

Posted on August 3, 2017 by John S

Last night, I and two old friends – Tony and Jon (he who is Dood) – had the pleasure of an evening at Stamford Bridge, sampling the delights of the food and wine that will be on offer to the … Continue reading →

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Chania, Crete – by the sea

Posted on July 30, 2017 by John S

My family and I just spent a week in Crete, just outside the city of Chania. A lazy week, basking in temperatures of over 30 degrees. We managed a few trips into Chania, Crete’s second city these days. The old … Continue reading →

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Latitude 2017

Posted on July 18, 2017 by John S

My Latitude No 6. No 12 for the festival. An annual fixture now, for me and my friend Jon G and various members of our families and their friends. Not our wives though! The thought of four nights and days … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

U2 at Twickenham Stadium, 9 July 2017

Posted on July 11, 2017 by John S

On Sunday we went down to Twickenham to see one of the world’s greatest bands play a show that featured one of the world’s greatest albums. U2 playing the “Joshua Tree”.  An album which is 30 years old this year. … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Words and Music from One Track Minds at Wilton Music Hall, 3 July 2017

Posted on July 4, 2017 by John S

Last night I went with a friend from work to Wilton Music Hall, in East London, to hear some words and music in perfect harmony. Talking of harmony, the last time I went to Wilton Hall was to see the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments