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.

Latitude 2016

Posted on July 19, 2016 by John S

Another year, another Latitude. My fifth. Three days when you shake off the daily grind and just relax, watch 30 bands, drink Tuborg and enjoy the sense of community that is all around. OK, if it rains there is a … Continue reading →

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

Massive Attack and Elvis Costello live, July 2016

Posted on July 9, 2016 by John S

Not together, but two of my all-time favourite artists played in London this month. Massive Attack opened the British Summer Time series of live concerts in Hyde Park on Friday 1 July. Elvis Costello and the Imposters played the Roundhouse … Continue reading →

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

lovelondonscenes 113 – Night view from Hungerford Bridge

Posted on July 9, 2016 by John S

A view I never tire of – the lights of London as darkness falls. Been a bit slack on the London photos recently. Too much work… and football on TV. Plenty stored up, and always something round the corner. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sportsthoughts (152) – Why were England so bad against Iceland?

Posted on June 28, 2016 by John S

So we lost 2-1 to Iceland in the last 16 of the Euros. Had we won, we would have been up against France in the quarters, and didn’t have high hopes about that one. But it would have been par … Continue reading →

Posted in Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Oh England!

Posted on June 24, 2016 by John S

I live and die through England, Through England, It leaves a sadness. (“England” by PJ Harvey) It’s democracy for sure… but oh England, what have you done? A vote for isolation, division, racism, hatred. A deluded vote that doesn’t recognise … Continue reading →

Posted in Random stuff | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Sportsthoughts (151) – Euro 2016 predictions!

Posted on June 11, 2016 by John S

Slightly slow off the mark, as the tournament started yesterday, but France beat Romania as expected, so nothing’s happened to change my views yet. So here are my predictions for the tournament. Guaranteed to be wrong! Winners : Spain Second: … Continue reading →

Posted in Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Wembley Stadium, 5 June 2016

Posted on June 8, 2016 by John S

So, three years on from Bruce’s last appearance at Wembley, we were back on Sunday to enjoy the latest instalment. Last time, in June 2013, I concluded in my review that it was the best concert that I had ever … Continue reading →

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

My Top Twenty – Most played songs on iTunes/iPod

Posted on June 4, 2016 by John S

I’ve compiled plenty of lists of favourites in the past – top tens, twenties, hundred albums, even a 200 tunes. But do they actually represent what I listen to most? I thought I’d  sort my iTunes by “plays” and see. … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections, Music - Top Tens | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Let’s Eat Grandma at Electrowerkz, Islington, 1 June 2016

Posted on June 2, 2016 by John S

Last night my friend Jon and I ventured up to Islington and a venue in an old warehouse called Electrowerkz to see a new young duo called Let’s Eat Grandma. Jon had heard them on 6 Music, and they are … Continue reading →

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

Safety in numbers!

Posted on May 30, 2016 by John S

Today Kath and I, with our friends Jon and Maggie, walked along the Thames path from Cholsey downstream to Tilehurst, just outside Reading. Some very beautiful scenes, which I’ll post later this week; but I loved this scene of some … Continue reading →

Posted in Photos, Random stuff | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments