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.

Pumarosa at the Village Underground, Shoreditch, 24 October 2016

Posted on October 25, 2016 by John S

Pumarosa. The great space of Village Underground. Dramatically lit. Singer and guitarist is Isabel Munoz-Newsome. Second song was “Cecile”. The awesomeness of “Lion’s Den”. The dance beat of “Priestess”. A big sound, feels like a band destined for great things. … Continue reading →

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Amber Arcades at the Moth Club Hackney, 20 October 2016

Posted on October 21, 2016 by John S

Last night my friend Jon and I went to the Moth Club in Hackney to see a band we really enjoyed at End of the Road. And whose album I have been playing incessantly recently. The album is “Fading Lines”, … Continue reading →

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Augustines at Kentish Town Forum, 18 October 2016

Posted on October 19, 2016 by John S

The Augustines farewell tour! Why? They were doing so well. The official explanations suggest that it just wasn’t working financially. But they had achieved so much. It’s so sad to see them giving up when, you never know, they could … Continue reading →

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Parquet Courts and Eagulls at Kentish Town Forum, 11 October 2016

Posted on October 18, 2016 by John S

Last Tuesday, Jon, his son Louis and I went to see Parquet Courts, supported by Eagulls at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town. The place we used to call the Town and Country Club. I ask you, which is the … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes 117 – The Hive, Kew Gardens

Posted on October 16, 2016 by John S

Yesterday we went to see the most recent attraction at Kew Gardens – the Hive. The Hive is a 17m high latticework of aluminium pieces which represents the structure of a bee hive. It was designed by a British artist … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes 116 – the Nova development, Victoria

Posted on October 7, 2016 by John S

My office used to be in Bressenden Place, near Victoria station. I’m now on Millbank by the river. I walk up to Victoria Street from time to time – it takes about 15 minutes – but usually through the quiet … Continue reading →

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Have you heard? – (78) “Fading Lines” by Amber Arcades

Posted on October 6, 2016 by John S

This is my new favourite album. There are five tracks I absolutely love; and the rest is good too. I had never heard of the band until I went to the End of the Road festival at the start of … Continue reading →

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Dilly Dally at the Scala, Kings Cross, 22 September 2016

Posted on October 1, 2016 by John S

Thursday before last I went to the Scala with my mate Dave, aka DC when he comments on my blogs, to see Toronto band Dilly Dally. I first caught them at End of the Road and really liked them – … Continue reading →

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lovelondonscenes 115 – The Smile

Posted on October 1, 2016 by John S

The Smile is a construction which was built in the courtyard of the University of the Arts, London next to the Tate Britain,  a few weeks ago. It was fascinating watching it slowly appear as I walked to work from … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (154) – So, goodbye Big Sam

Posted on September 28, 2016 by John S

Well that didn’t last long! 67 days after Sam Allardyce was appointed to his “Dream job” as England manager, he left “by mutual consent” after a catastrophic error of judgement in confiding to some Daily Telegraph journalists, posing as businessmen … Continue reading →

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