Category Archives: Music – concerts, lists, reflections

My Top Twenty Albums of 2020

Posted on December 24, 2020 by John S

2020… A year to forget in so many respects. But a year in which the music didn’t die, despite all the restrictions put on it. Quite the opposite in fact – without the solace and inspiration of music all the … Continue reading →

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The Last Track

Posted on October 14, 2020 by John S

I was listening to Mary Anne Hobbs’ show on BBC 6 Music the other day. She was about to play an Autechre track, which will be the last piece on the forthcoming album. She said she often listens to the … Continue reading →

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“Everybody Hurts” – Two songs that resonated on a June day this year

Posted on September 27, 2020 by John S

I was looking through notes I’d made on my phone earlier today. I came across this piece I’d written on 16 June with the intention of posting it with some photos I’d taken of central London by the river on … Continue reading →

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50 Latitude moments, from 2012 to 2019

Posted on July 17, 2020 by John S

Yesterday we would have been crawling up the A12 to Henham Park in Suffolk, for the start of the latest Latitude festival. It would have been my ninth and Jon G’s tenth. But like so many things, it had to … Continue reading →

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40 from 2020

Posted on June 12, 2020 by John S

BBC 6 Music has just had a day where all the DJs played their favourite tracks of the first half of 2020. I listened to quite a lot and loved it. And, as ever, discovered a few new tunes I … Continue reading →

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Graceland – the Book and the Place

Posted on April 28, 2020 by John S

This is a blog I’ve been meaning to write since last year. One of the many pleasures of the End of the Road festival are the interviews that take place in the mornings and early afternoon in the literary tent, … Continue reading →

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Moses Boyd at the Electric Brixton, 12 March 2020

Posted on March 15, 2020 by John S

Moses Boyd is a leading member of the new generation of jazz artists who have been causing a bit of a sensation in recent times. His new solo album “Dark Matter” ventures far and wide in its musical influences, but … Continue reading →

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BBC 6 Music Festival – the Roundhouse, 8 March 2020

Posted on March 12, 2020 by John S

The BBC 6 Music festival was held in London this year – Camden, in north London, to be precise. Tickets for the three day event sold incredibly quickly, but I managed to get a couple for Sunday for the main … Continue reading →

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Big Thief at Hammersmith Apollo, 27 February 2020

Posted on March 5, 2020 by John S

Big Thief are one of my favourite bands at the moment. I love their combination of folk, Americana and indie with an off-kilter element which reminds me a little of Radiohead. Singer Adrianne Lenker has a fragile but versatile voice … Continue reading →

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GospelbeacH and Danny George Wilson at the Betsy Trotwood, Clerkenwell, 1 March 2020

Posted on March 2, 2020 by John S

On Sunday I went down to Clerkenwell, early evening, to see a gig at the Betsy Trotwood pub which had been organised by a friend of mine, Paul. I think I’m keen on music, but I’m absolutely not worthy in … Continue reading →

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