~Love, Death and Duran Duran~ It needed a fan girl book to get me back into my reading groove this year. Last year was my worst for reading since I got back into the habit in 2008. The book-a-week rule has all but gone out the window but I’m determined for its return in 2013. [...]
Are you a Radio 1 listener? Do you know what the average age of a Radio 1 listener is? 15? 24? That’s what I thought. No, it’s a whopping 30! Bordering on Six Music and indeed Radio 2’s territory. The BBC Trust insists that Radio One should be reaching a younger audience and Chris Moyles’ [...]
Just had to write a quick review on this years Jazz & Blues festival. First of all, the regular reader will know I adore this festival, it’s a highlight of the year and I work my schedule around it. The different between this the 28th and 27th festivals is that last year there was more [...]
I had a feeling that these would come in some snazzy packaging and then when I saw the size of the box, I knew I was right. What I immediately liked were the spare ear buds (silicone or memory foam) that come in 3 different sizes and you can buy spares too (from £2.95). There [...]
Those of you who know me on Twitter will have noticed I’ve been to every single Live Music Friday evening at Urban Coffee Co but now I’m delighted there’s a second coffee house to embrace one of life’s pleasures. I’ve loved live music in coffee shops ever since I first saw a man and a [...]
Last year, OxJam was not only one of my best Birmingham discoveries but one of my favourite days of the year. Last year we caught a few soloists like Neil Ward but the highlight was city favourite Tom Peel at arguably the best venue, The Victoria. So I am very much looking forward to this [...]
I’m bemused and delighted when unsigned bands email to introduce themselves. It sure saves me the trouble of getting to every gig early to see all three or four bands (although I’ll do that anyway!). Wouldn’t it be great though if we heard them in clothes shops, coffee houses and most crucially the radio? I [...]
Supporting live/local music I didn’t set out to break any records but if I did, it will be to hear as much live music as possible. Starting at my own event, Birmingham Vintage Fair to the end of Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival last Sunday, this is the lowdown: June 25th Birmingham Vintage Fair [...]
At the top of my list of those who were taken early, is this talented singer. 1. Mercy Mercy Me 2. She Makes My Day 3. Every Kinda People 4. Johnny & Mary 5. Know by Now More on Robert Palmer
A simple choice for me this week: 1. World in Motion – the best footie song ever recorded 2. Thieves Like Us 3. Temptation 4. Blue Monday – huge in my school days as the first single that we knew of only released as 12″. We all had to go and buy 12″ from then on. [...]
What they’re saying