On this day in 1978: #RockAgainstRacism ✊️

Some more pictures from my spell in Marseilles. 📸 John Earls

ICYMI my latest ‘Hanging Out a Window’ column reflects on an online photographic exhibition I co-produced during lockdown on the fifth anniversary of its opening. Read and subscribe (free) here: johnearls.substack.com

On this day in 1979, Paul Simonon of #TheClash did this: Pics; Pennie Smith Yours truly

Latest edition of Unite Research’s monthly Bargaining Brief is now available (for members only) on the @unitetheunion.bsky.social website here: resources.unitetheunion.org/unite-at-wor...

My latest ‘Hanging Out a Window’ column is out and it reflects on an online photographic exhibition I co-produced during lockdown that opened five years ago today. Read and subscribe (free) here: johnearls.substack.com

Au revoir Marseille. Et merci. 📸 John Earls

Enjoyed the ‘Alberto Giacometti - Sculpting the Void’ exhibition at Marseille’s Musée Cantini. A fascinating selection of plaster and bronze sculptures, paintings, drawings and prints exploring the question of emptiness in the artist’s work.

Not going to miss this rare occasion where I can actually say to cold tub enthusiast @chrisstovell.bsky.social: View from the cold tub in Marseille. Temperature: 26°C. Water temperature: Brrr!

Enjoyed Marseille’s ‘Fêtes de quartiers’ (neighbourhood festivals) yesterday “to encourage interaction between residents, promote local businesses, and revitalize neighborhoods through cultural, sporting, and educational activities”. A welcome reminder things can be different.

ICYMI my latest ‘Hanging Out a Window’ column is a paean to Gustav Mahler’s Eighth Symphony. Read and subscribe (free) here: johnearls.substack.com

My latest ‘Hanging Out a Window’ column is out and it’s a paean to Gustav Mahler’s Eighth Symphony. Read and subscribe (free) here: johnearls.substack.com

Getting to see and work with @spectralheron.bsky.social is one of the delights of TUC Congress conference and working in the trade union movement. She’s a great colleague as well as being generous, natty and a fellow #MDANT. 🙏

Brighton. 📸 John Earls

Traeth #TomTomos #LlunYDydd

Brighton. 📸 John Earls

One for @desdelboy.bsky.social who I know likes both dogs and Brighton. 📸 John Earls

ICYMI my latest ‘Hanging Out a Window’ column is a review of Paul Weller’s latest album ‘Find El Dorado’. Read and subscribe (free) here: johnearls.substack.com

Brighton. 📸 John Earls

Happy birthday Pat Nevin. Chelsea FC legend and one of my favourite interviewees when I produced Idiot Strength fanzine in 1980s.

Happy birthday Sofi Jeannin, Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers. 📸 John Earls

I’m off out lads! @tufac.bsky.social

Good luck and best wishes to all Stones fans travelling to Scunthorpe (birthplace of the late great Liz Smith) today. It’s another tough game that will require the sort of purposeful performance that was shown on Tuesday night. UTS! @sufcofficial.bsky.social v @wealdstonefc.bsky.social

Thanks to @punkandnewwave.bsky.social we learn that on this day Paul Weller released Wild Wood (1993), The Jam released The Bitterest Pill (1982) and The Jam’s Start was at No 1 in UK charts (1980). You can read my review of Weller’s new album ‘Find El Dorado’ here: johnearls.substack.com

From listings section of NME, 22 February 1986. Greater London Council Jobs Year presents ‘Heroes: Contemporary Music for Working People’ featuring Paul Weller Tom Robinson Ewan McColl Peggy Seeger @punkandnewwave.bsky.social

Notes from Kenton Rec. 📸 John Earls

My latest ‘Hanging Out a Window’ column is out and it’s a review of Paul Weller’s latest album ‘Find El Dorado’. Read and subscribe (free) here: johnearls.substack.com

Finished David Peace’s remarkable ‘Munichs’. It’s a riveting novel centred on 1958 Manchester United Munich air crash and its aftermath focused on those involved and their families. The multiple voices and his particular style of repetition combine well and evoke a different era.

Kimpton Fitzroy London Hotel (formerly Hotel Russell), Russell Square, London WC1. 📸 John Earls

The British Museum, Great Russell Street London WC1. 📸 John Earls

Good morning. UTS!

“Oh, what a night! Watching Wealdstone on a Tuesday night”. A gutsy performance of real character to beat decent Southend team 3-2. They were gifted two goals and who knows where 12 mins of added time came from, but two Adarkwa goals in 2nd half ensure 3 points. UTS!

First home evening ENL game of the season and it’s a tough one. After a run of WWWLLL Stones need to get some points on the board again. It’s Stones v Shrimpers under the lights at Grosvenor Vale. Big crowd expected so get down there and make some noise. UTS!

ICYMI my latest ‘Hanging Out a Window’ column is has some cultural highlights and recommendations from August. Read and subscribe (free) here: johnearls.substack.com

Happy 80th birthday Van Morrison. I first saw him live when I was 20 and he was 40. Come a long way since! Here’s my favourite story about him. Goes against his reputation for grumpiness (which by all accounts is pretty true). www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

“…I went home and listened to Jimmie Rodgers and Frank Williams in my lunch break Bought five woodbines at the shop on the corner and went straight right back to work…”

“I'm going to the darklands To talk in rhyme With my chaotic soul…” @punkandnewwave.bsky.social

‘Stay united’ - Just one of the many wise suggestions to improve your day by @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social in this edited extract from his forthcoming ‘Good Days: An A-Z of Hope and Happiness’. Article here: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

I see yer man Chalamet was at the Chelsea game today. Reminds me of the time he (virtually) dropped by my place in February 2021 for the pre-premiere bash for the King Rocker film featuring the mighty @nightingalesuk.bsky.social. Big fan of ‘Idiot Strength’ apparently 😉

“Good night and good riddance”. Remembering John Peel.

My latest ‘Hanging Out a Window’ column is out and has some cultural highlights and recommendations from August. Read and subscribe (free) here: johnearls.substack.com

Jenny Saville’s ‘The Anatomy of Painting’ exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery is unmissable. Been a fan since I first saw ‘Propped’ (1992) at YBA ‘Sensation’ exhibition in 1997. First time I’ve seen ‘Aleppo’ (2017-18) which I found particularly affecting. An amazing artist. On until 7 Sept.

Honoured to be at the memorial concert, celebration and fund raiser for the great Louis Moholo-Moholo at @100clublondon.bsky.social tonight. It was a special evening. ‘You Ain't Gonna Know Me 'Cos You Think You Know Me’ was a moving finale.

Terrific evening listening to the sublime soundscapes produced by Hayden Pedigo and his guitar at @kingsplacelondon.bsky.social. A music of sparse American beauty. Recommend his latest album ‘I'll Be Waving as You Drive Away’. 📸 Ellen Earls

Last of the spuds (Sharpe’s Express) from the the garden. From soil to plate in hours. Delicious. Great accompaniment to the evening barbecue.

A terrific header from Obiero on 69 mins puts the Stones level after Boston’s lead on 48 mins. Alas, Boston snatch it on 79 mins. Those early 9 points in first 3 games looking increasingly valuable. Stones on the box! UTS! Boston Utd v @wealdstonefc.bsky.social

Safe travels and best wishes to Stones fans travelling to today’s game at Boston, birthplace of Janetta Mary Ornsby, suffragist and co-founder of Women's Engineering Society. Can we bounce back to winning ways after disappointment of Saturday? UTS! Boston United v @wealdstonefc.bsky.social

Last night I watched Alan Parker’s film The Commitments for only the second time since its release in 1991. I watched it with two of my children who were about the same age I was when I first saw it. Screenplay by Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais and Roddy Doyle. Magnificent.

Charlie Watts playing in Alexis Korner’s band in April 1983 in a gig to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Marquee in London. @punkandnewwave.bsky.social 📸 John Earls

Good morning. UTS!