I’d very much recommend this book from @robburl.bsky.social - a history of the (dying?) art of the TV Political Interview and a memoir of a life in political broadcasting. Witty, heartfelt and balanced.

This is a fascinating book - on how the classical world was always interconnected and the whole east/west division is a lot muddier than we’ve been led to believe. How The World Made The West by @josephinequinn.bsky.social

Particularly great curation from @thenewcue.bsky.social this week. Can’t get enough of the tracks from Really Good Time, Lauren Auder, Max Cooper and, blimey, The Black Crowes open.substack.com/pub/thenewcu...

I have a horrible feeling this is me

I have the cursed hardback of this, but will be buying copies for all my friends when the paperback comes out. It’s fantastic.

I regularly post updates on this story because it's an atrocity on an incomprehensible scale but people don't really talk about it www.reuters.com/business/hea...

1976 was the worst ever for music, no contest. #totp

Love this book. Page-turner essays on 20 American #1s that changed the musical landscape, from The Twist to Trap. Amazing work @tombreihan.bsky.social

This is a fantastic bit of shoegazey pop by @dearyband.bsky.social - very happy to hear they’re supporting The Twilight Sad at a gig I’m already going to in April youtu.be/CjvMfS4aFxQ?...

Yep, sold. Plenty of shows here that I’d want to see in the world. Take my money.

The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station by CMAT is my absolute favourite track of the year, but otherwise my most played of 2025 pretty much are my best of 2025. Not a bad year at all.

“Too many numbers, and not enough poetry”. I feel like this went under everyone’s radar this year, which is a real shame because it’s gorgeous. @emmapollock.bsky.social music.apple.com/gb/album/fut...

The #comcompod with @stuartgoldsmith.bsky.social and Adam Riches is superb, a real insight into his creative process and refreshingly honest about the industry. I was also lucky enough to see Dungeons and Bastards in 2022 so great to hear it was cathartic for him!

Zucker told @filmstories.bsky.social this weeks ago, but they’re too classy to make a thing of it

Well, @nationoflanguage.bsky.social were incredible at The Roundhouse last night. Four great albums, and the live versions, with extra energy and power, might be even better.

Just finished ConspiracyLand by @mariannaspringbbc.bsky.social - examining how and why conspiracies spread, showing compassion for those caught up in them, and exposing the algorithms that allow them to take hold. An important book.

Well, I’ve just spent nearly 400 pounds to see four elderly Germans stare at their laptops for a couple of hours. How’s your day going? #kraftwerk

There seems to be some *confusion* among Reform supporters over Nathan Gill being one of them “But, but, Reform didn’t exist when he took his Russian bribes” “But, but he was in UKIP” “But, but it has nothing to do with Farage, he barely knew the guy” So here’s a little history lesson 👍🏼🧵 1/14

Just discovered the wonderful @fujiyaandmiyagi.bsky.social thanks to @petepaphides.bsky.social ‘s excellent Patreon newsletter. If you like the sound of a wry British LCD Soundsystem, dive in. youtu.be/G0E8MWb3hgo?...

Every word of this. I was outside Waterloo in the evening and in among the middle-aged people in Union Jack jumpers making their way home after a lovely racist day out were groups of emboldened young white men draped in flags, roaming the streets. Not my London.

Keep thinking of arguments for why it would be completely insane to dump a prime minister with a huge majority just 14 months in, and also about how if he's not going to say a single word in opposition to the kind of shit we saw today then I no longer feel convinced by any of those arguments.

No concerns about @ohgodwhatnow.bsky.social post-Dorian - great episode today with @alisonjourno.bsky.social @zoegrunewald.bsky.social @hannahfearn.bsky.social and ace new addition @jasonhazeley.bsky.social www.patreon.com/posts/138669...

As a GenXer I found Escape by @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com absolutely fascinating. I wonder where those online spaces where like-minded weirdos can safely connect are now? Are things even worse now than when the book came out? uk.bookshop.org/p/books/esca...

Congratulations to @comedyclub4kids.bsky.social - a great initiative, really well deserved.

Time to go. #edfringe is such a joy to attend and this year felt bigger than ever. It’s great to see and so important that @edfringe.bsky.social continues to thrive and support new artists. Hope everyone didn’t lose too much money.

Final #edfringe recommendation: Hold On To Your Butts from Recent Cutbacks @pleasance.co.uk - Jurassic Park done by two guys, some sound effects, random props, loads of physicality and loads of fun.

Always a pleasure to see @watsoncomedian.bsky.social at @pleasance.co.uk #edfringe - saw his debut 20 years ago and he’s still great.

More #edfringe recommendations: @pierrenovellie.bsky.social - You Sit There, I’ll Stand Here @monkeybarrelcomedy.bsky.social - superb eloquent observation and self-deprecation, fast becoming one of my favourite comics. He has an extra show on Saturday.

If you have 8+ kids at #edfringe in the next couple of days, you could do a lot worse than take them to @foxdogstudios.bsky.social Robo Bingo Kids at Underbelly. Really original interactive fun.

Today’s #edfringe must-see: Dan Rath, Tropical Depression @monkeybarrelcomedy.bsky.social - a deadpan avalanche of crafted gags

It’s billed as WIP, but Ahir Shah has written an incredible #edfringe show, veering between hilarious comedy and affecting personal stuff with skill. Do see if you can at @monkeybarrelcomedy.bsky.social

Loved the WIP from @jlukeroberts.bsky.social at @monkeybarrelcomedy.bsky.social just now - properly unfinished and closer to the true spirit of @edfringe.bsky.social than many other shows. And very, very funny.

Today’s wholehearted @edfringe.bsky.social recommendation: @samnicoresti.bsky.social at @pleasance.co.uk - such an engaging and interesting comic voice with loads of proper gags www.edfringe.com/tickets/what...

Am at @edfringe.bsky.social and today’s strong recommend is Jessica Barton in Dirty Work at Underbelly: naturally funny, someone who can have you in fits without a word. Definitely a star in the making. www.edfringe.com/tickets/what...

Thanks to @thenewcue.bsky.social for alerting me to the fact that there’s a new Emma Pollock song out there, and it’s typically gorgeous. youtu.be/BGha5USPW5o?...

I’ve read loads of Bowie books but picked up Bowie Odyssey 71 by Simon Goddard as it covers the making of my favourite album of his. It’s wonderful, full of colour and context, almost a novelisation of a chapter of his life. I’ll be buying the rest. uk.bookshop.org/p/books/bowi...

“Forty years ago, I was the fifth most successful cheeseburger van owner in the wider Dundee area. After four decades of hard work, innovation, positive mental attitude, spatula practice and two deaths, I am up to third.” If you can get hold of this by @neilforsyth.bsky.social you’re in for a treat

Latest from me: on why learning disability is the frontier of human liberation, & how so much of its history is still ignored and overlooked. This is all about @stephenunwin.bsky.social's landmark new book Beautiful Lives www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

1985 really was peak mullet, wasn’t it? #liveaid

“Charli is dressed for a rave PA; Neil for clearing some boxes out of his garage. Charli is brat summer; Neil is geezer winter.” Loads of hilarious, quotable insights from Dorian at Glastonbury for @thenewcue.bsky.social. The bit on Rod Stewart made coffee come up through my nose. In a good way.

Has Jayne Middlemiss ever delivered a link without one suggestively arched eyebrow? #totp

Watching these #totp repeats reappraised Never Ever for me - i rather enjoyed the lovely harmonies and the diamond-formation terrible-posture dance routine. Obviously after the ninety eighth appearance I hate it all over again

I was there too! Cardiacs were brilliantly baffling, Dodgy went down really well, Boo Radleys strangely flat, and Blur amazing. And I’d completely forgotten Sparks were there, to my shame!

My first introduction to the genius of Brian Wilson was on the Good Morning Vietnam Soundtrack, and I suspect I’m not alone. RIP. music.apple.com/gb/album/i-g...

Track of the Week: Inept Apollo by @nationoflanguage.bsky.social - I love these guys. Vintage synth sounds and melancholy pop hooks peppered with sunshine. Must be a new album coming soon? youtu.be/xjCgSSepzrA?...

Oh, to hell with it. Who wants my Unbound incompetence story! Yay!

Any self-respecting comedy nerd should read this. Although I got it through Unbound, so it may well be that @jemroberts.bsky.social hasn’t seen my money yet…

Track of the Week: Kae Tempest, Know Yourself. His last track, Statue In The Square, was superb, tackling bigots with steel and wit. This is lighter, more reflective, with a great pop hook, and equally good. music.apple.com/gb/album/sel...