As the time of year for Poland’s finest music festivals is upon us, it’s as good a time as any to reflect on what a miserable experience an outdoor festival can be. Knee deep in a violent blend of mud,… Read More »Middle-aged Memories of Music Festivals
My first experience of Spiderland was in late winter, early in 1998; a natural consequence of my blooming love for Glasgow’s Mogwai and Falkirk’s Arab Strap. I found the music to be astonishing and this seminal album by Louisville band… Read More »To be retained #2 – Slint, All Tomorrow’s Parties. 2005.
I have many lovely memories of R.E.M. Not least, of course, my 2012 visit to Athens, Georgia and the self-led R.E.M. walking tour of the band’s home town, to such places as the 40 Watt Club, Weaver D’s and Wuxtry Records.… Read More »To Be Retained #1 R.E.M – Road Movie
The 8th of June, 2022. An unremarkable afternoon as summer was just beginning. I was in the midst of my bout of COVID, a few days before I travelled to Leica in London for Bruce Gilden’s masterclass. Seemingly out of… Read More »The Delgados. January 2023
Last month, I prefixed my first Christmas in Scotland since 2019 with 3 ferocious nights of live music. Two of my all-time favourite Scottish bands, Idlewild and Mogwai, were playing over 3 successive nights. Idlewild were belatedly celebrating the 20th… Read More »Idlewild and Mogwai. December 2022
I first took up photography at a transitional time in my life. Too many fireworks, the indie record label that I owned and managed was on hiatus and I was desperate for something creative to do. 6 months of self-taught… Read More »A Return to Live Music Photography
