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.

Bad Company at the O2 Arena (the Dome), 29 October 2016

Posted on October 30, 2016 by John S

WARNING: if you are under 40 this review may make no sense at all, unless you liked your parents’ record collection. Tonight I succumbed to the temptation of a a huge dose of nostalgia. I saw Bad Company at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker at Shoreditch Town Hall, 26 October 2016

Posted on October 26, 2016 by John S

Back in Shoreditch for another concert. At this rate I’ll have to roll my trousers up and grow a beard! A different sound altogether to Pumarosa on Monday. This time I was at Shoreditch Town Hall for Josienne Clarke and … Continue reading →

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Noiseannoys!

Posted on October 26, 2016 by John S

I wanted to share this playlist with you for no other reason than it is SO DAMN GOOD! I play Lindi Ortega to move me, The Staves to soothe me, Radiohead to enthral me, Bruce Springsteen to inspire me. But … Continue reading →

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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 →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments