There's lots to like and discover at this year's Wanderlust Festival next weekend. Here's a few random picks I've chosen.

The brilliant debut album from Modern Woman is out tomorrow. I had the great pleasure of speaking to lead singer/songwriter Sophie Harris ahead of the band's performance at next month's excellent Wanderlust Festival in Southampton.

Brighton band The Roebucks, make harmonious, guitar driven Americana and Blues. Great band, lovely people. Make sure you catch them.

Said it many times, but this band deserve a far wider audience.

Not your average trip to Jewson this morning. Fantastic sight!

Quite obsessed at the moment with Lebonese artist Skydaddy. Seen him and his band twice and blown away both times. The most beautiful but lyrically hard-hitting baroque pop that lends itself to Brian Wilson and The Leftbanke. His music deserves a far wider audience.

Young Southampton band Welly were absolutely superb in their home city on Wednesday night. Catch them as soon as you can!

I can't claim to being a TV fan back in the day, but I was never going to turn down the chance to speak to Wendy James or review her gig at The Brook. I have a lot of admiration for an artist who still loves what she does and appreciates those who come to watch her do it.

Couldn't be happier. As @marcrileydj.bsky.social always says- one of the greatest bands ever!

Southampton Ukulele Jam's incredible uke30 hour marathon raises more than 10 times target for 4 local charities - and counting www.in-common.co.uk/2025/08/11/s...

A friend asked me if I could build a ramp for her dad, who has had a stroke and is really struggling to get about. Someone gave her a quote for 6k, so I told her I could probably come up with something. Built this for a whole lot less.

Update.Remarkable effort from the local music community. £35k target met in less than five days. Heartening stuff!

So sad to hear The Railway Inn in Winchester is in trouble. A lovely venue and the only one of its kind in the city. Please share and consider donating if you can www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/YlbkNB1...

So sad to hear The Railway Inn in Winchester is in trouble. A lovely venue and the only one of its kind in the city. Please share and consider donating if you can www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/YlbkNB1...

Future Arts Centres’ national campaign, Our Freedom: Then and Now. www.in-common.co.uk/2025/07/24/t...

Follow this man. I've heard he's got a pretty decent taste in music!

In 1989, when Transvision Vamp were on the radio and TOTP every five minutes, and Wendy James was on the front cover of just about everything, someone had suggested I would get to interview her one day, I'd have laughed so hard part of my body might have become detached. Guess what I've just done?

Happy 19th birthday to Daisy, our remarkable cat. Cancer survivor and having to share her home with a greyhound for the last 5 years.

This is just brilliant and will hopefully lead to more big venues and promoters actually doing something to help save small venues.

58th birthday spent out on a little boat trip watching the sunset over Greece. Stunning!

A tiny advert for tomorrow’s Heavenly show in London.

I'm lucky enough to have a few decent pubs local to me, but if you're looking for somewhere to spend a sunny afternoon, nowhere else comes close, and the ploughman's is out of this world. I might even serve you an ice cream 🙂

My take on a nostalgia filled evening in Southampton as the Summer Sessions continue

My take on a nostalgia filled night in Southampton as the Summer Sessions continue

In other news, I've been very kindly offered to review the Human League's gig tomorrow, which reminded me of this. Anybody here like.....

Back at the house of cats to try and lay the hearth stone. Proving difficult! 🙂

Fascinating insight into the challenges for independent grassroots UK music venues.

Still pinching myself at being invited to the most iconic music venue on the south coast to interview the man who makes it all tick, and what funding from the Music Venues Trust will mean for all involved. Please share, not for my benefit, but for the sake of all small independent music venues.

Still pinching myself at being invited to the most iconic music venue on the south coast to interview the man who makes it all tick, and what funding from the Music Venues Trust will mean for all involved. Please share, not for my benefit, but for the sake of all small independent music venues.

At the pub where my wife works today. Ee-aww, ee-awways comes in for a pint when it's hot

I know, sorry, couldn't resist it!

Found a new friend at work this afternoon ❤️

"Don Broco hit Southampton’s Engine Rooms with the kind of energy you'd expect from a full-blown festival set." See our latest gig review. www.in-common.co.uk/2025/06/11/r...

Seven years ago today.Beck, supported by Sparks in Bournemouth. One of the best gigs I've ever attended.

Top marks for my eldest, who managed to wangle her way into Rough Trade and watch Ezra Furman's instore gig. Not only that, she got her old man a signed copy of Ezra's brilliant new album. That's my girl!

Crikey, popular post alert!

Sparky's Dream hits the spot every single time. Cheers @laurenlaverne.bsky.social

Just took my youngest out on a driving lesson. Had to get out and usher this little beauty to safety.

Top night of Australian psych/tropicalia with the splendid Bananagun at Heartbreakers in Southampton. Excellent support from The Stanford Family Band.

With a little help from some lovely friends, here's our take on a brilliant weekend of music at Southampton's excellent Wanderlust Festival www.facebook.com/share/p/16P9...

The most amazing weekend at Southampton's brilliant Wanderlust Festival. New discoveries, old favourites. English Teacher and Melin Melyn rounding things off yesterday after being almost floored by Skydaddy's staggeringly beautiful set

Looking forward to a music filled weekend in Southampton at the excellent Wanderlust Festival. Anyone else?

Southampton's very own Wanderlust festival and more feature in this month's gig guide. www.in-common.co.uk/2025/05/01/s...

Such was the adrenaline rush I got from this gig, I wrote most of it immediately after getting in, knowing I'd have a job to kip after witnessing what I just had.

World renowned guitarist/songwriter Samantha Fish visits The Brook in Southampton at the end of May. www.in-common.co.uk/2025/04/30/s...

The best rock n roll band on the planet? On tonight's showing, they're certainly up there. Staggeringly good from The Courettes at The Joiners tonight.

The best rock n roll band on the planet? On tonight's showing, they're certainly up there. Staggeringly good from The Courettes at The Joiners tonight.

Just been reminded of the night 38 years ago when I met my wife. Since then, I've realised how bloody lucky I am

Quite stunning intimate show by Sarabeth Tucek and her excellent guitarist Luther Russell at The Railway Inn, Winchester last night. Added bonus of seeing all round top man @chopstopfives.bsky.social there as well

As Sundays go, yesterday was pretty much perfect celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary with a stay at the Grand Harbour, a bite to eat in town, and a trip to The Joiners to see Jane Weaver and Memorials.