My latest “blog from 20 years ago today” features the first @belleandsebastian.bsky.social gig in Bristol, and memories of the very first time we saw them, a memorable evening at The Union Chapel. substack.com/@andrewthoma...

You know you are Hebden Bridge when these are in the room of your B&B

We had a fun night in Paisley watching the exciting new talent of @radhikagovindrajan.bsky.social and The Primevals who have been around a little longer

General tickets go on sale tomorrow for @glasgoespop.bsky.social It will soon be time another poster to go up.

The latest blog from “20 years ago today” talks about the obscure music that we loved stating to be featured in nostalgic books and newspaper features substack.com/@andrewthoma...

My latest “blog from 20 years ago today” is up on Substack. Features a gig by The Strokes that I’d forgotten about, anticipation for the first gig in Bristol for Belle and Sebastian. An admission of failure on a piece of classic literature substack.com/@andrewthoma...

Dreadfully sad to her that Danny Coughlan (Crybaby) has passed away after a long illness. A lovely, funny and charming man, who was also a brilliant songwriter and singer. We mourn the loss of his wonderful talent, most of all though we mourn the loss of mischievous company. He was a gem.

GAME has ‘The Greatest Garden Centre Scene In Cinema History’, words from @grumpymantom.bsky.social , spoken by @gidcoe.bsky.social BBCR6. Next: 12/02 - DUBLIN - Light House Cinema 13/02 - LIVERPOOL - Plaza Cinema 25/03 - LONDON - Prince Charles Cinema [Tickets in Bio] #invadafilms #gamefilm2025

There was a period when virtually every record I bought had Sly Dunbar playing drums on it. Only saw him playing live once, that was with Black Uhuru. Sad to hear that he has died.

More screenings for our film GAME 12/02 - DUBLIN - Light House Cinema 13/02 - LIVERPOOL - Plaza Cinema 25/03 - LONDON - Prince Charles Cinema

When you inadvertently turn up a friends birthday party, in nearly matching attire

My “latest” blog from 20 years ago today. Features a lovely album on @invadarecords.bsky.social, my first thoughts on a new thing called MySpace and planning a trip to Scotland. Some things never change! open.substack.com/pub/andrewth...

I was very fortunate to attend another brilliant Walkers and Talkers session this morning. Such a treat to hear the wonderful observations and anecdotes from the author, journalist and broadcaster Pat Murphy. So many great stories about his time in the company of sporting greats

Fabulous show on @bbcsounds.bsky.social hosted by the excellent Richard King. A fascinating look at the experimental music scene of the New York scene in the 70’s www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Fabulous to see Game again, this time with a great Q&A as well. Brilliant indie U.K. film making. What a lovely cinema The Curzon, Clevedon is.

I probably played The Scream by Siouxsie And The Banshees more often than any other album in the period from its release in late 1978 and into the early 80’s. Sad to hear that Kenny Morris has left us

Latest blog from 20 years ago today. Cinema “week” (actually 9 cinema visits in 9 days) ends, with contrasting feelings on French cinema. Thoughts on the perfect cinema neighbour, and my first music purchases of the year substack.com/profile/3838...

Blog from this day in 2006, via link below. Our week of cinema continues, news of a residency for Grumpyman and first gigs of the year are not far away. substack.com/@andrewthoma...

Now playing

Now playing

Just updated Substack with my blog from 20 years ago. A typical weekend of the era. Played football for Bryan Munich, played some tunes at a Grumpyman night, went to the cinema a lot. And and lost my wallet! substack.com/@andrewthoma...

From 1984, I’m in here somewhere

The next of my blogs from 20 years ago. This is from the start of a crazy week of going to the cinema as much as we could! substack.com/@andrewthoma...

Space is The Place Bristol

I had a blog in the 2000’s. Inspired by the author Mieko Kawakami talking about her old blog recently, I’ve decided to repost entries 20 years on as I go through the year. Of limited interest to others, it will remind me of things we heard, read and saw. substack.com/@andrewthoma...

January sunshine

Over 40 years of watching Bristol City with these mates. Plenty of ups and downs along the way but having fun is always a priority. 5-0 win today, good start to 2026

The perfect record for the lull of a Sunday between Christmas and New Year @traceythorn.bsky.social A Distant Shore 1982

Pretty intense afternoon yesterday

Your reminder that the @gidcoe.bsky.social @6music.bsky.social obit show is always amongst the best music radio shows of the year. Part 1 is on BBC Sounds, part 2 is on this evening. Unmissable radio

Hoping that Sufjan is doing well

Great review of a great record

Attention fellow denizens of Bristol and its environs! The annual festival of lyric, Pop vs Poets 4, is nearly upon us! Sunday 21 Dec 2 - 6 pm at the wonderful hidden gem that is the Knowle Constitutional Club, it is also our last show of the year! Join us! Full details here fb.me/e/9cWgs8h19

Happy birthday to the splendid @nigetassell.bsky.social you can catch up with his backstory here rainstoppedplayinspectionat3.wordpress.com/2025/12/11/n...

Lovely sunset out the back

Murmuration fun at Ham Wall watching

Happy 90th birthday to one of my favourite buildings in the U.K. the magnificent De La Warr Pavilion

It's true. Lovely Tom came round for coffee and biscuits. (Btw, Tom used to be the manager of the excellently named Bristol football team Bryan Munich.)

My latest cricket chat is with the author, journalist and editor @nigetassell.bsky.social we chat about schoolboy sporting memories, a great day where he was in the company of cricket and music legends, and much more. Click below to read rainstoppedplayinspectionat3.wordpress.com/2025/12/11/n...

A wonderful evening with Shack last night

Tomorrow night, come on down to the Rock and Roll Brewhouse in #Birmingham for a fine evening of great music with the fabulous Jamie Perrett and yours truly. Tickets in link below. All lovingly curated by @goldbergradio.bsky.social See you there!

“An utterly unique piece of work. It feels vaguely familiar but none of it actually is. To bring that level of freshness to a small independent production is quite an achievement. 9/10 - BBC Radio Wales. GAME is in Birmingham this coming Wednesday, Bristol 12-14 & 19-21st Dec. More showings coming.

This is a great read for your Indie music pal of a certain age. Recommend

The oddest, most unexpected Christmas album has already been heard in our house. Bob Dylan, what a guy.

A day late but it’s up Advent Calendar from Angela Harding

“But you grow up and you calm down And you’re working for the clampdown You start wearing the blue and brown And you’re working for the clampdown” The Clash / Working for the Clampdown.

What a night that was

Found this brilliant little Italian cafe in Sheffield this morning. A fine start to the day at Caffe Tucci

Sheffield wandering

Well that was a little disappointing