I’ve watched them many times, have them on dvd but I’m still very excited about Anthology being scrubbed up. I’ll be watching.

Loved this week’ Freak Zone @stuartmaconie.bsky.social talked to Steve Hanley and Stewart Lee and played tracks from Trout Mask Replica plus Tomorrow’s World and new oddities. What’s not to like? Not totally sold on Caravan though…

Excellent weekend Rick n roll from Thee Headcoatees triumphant return

Can’t remember the last time I listened to Sugar’s Copper Blue, I’d like to think I have since the 90s but can’t be sure. Listened to it this morning and every song hit me as a memory or old friend.

Can’t quite take in the news about Mani. He was what drew me to the Stone Roses and the shows I saw Primal Scream do with him in were some of the best rock and roll I’ve seen live. RIP

This is a lovely surprise. A deep, reflective podcast about my times in music, particularly NME days & my connection to Irish music. Cheers Paul McDermott @learnandsing.bsky.social for including me in his landmark series - To Here Knows When. www.paulmcdermott.ie/bonus-episod...

I do enjoy Wild Billy Childish

My first Val McDermid. Won’t be the last.

Glad to see Nigel Farage has finally remembered Nathan Gill, former leader of Reform in Wales - found guilty of taking bribes from Russia. Maybe he'll now remember how much he took from Putin's propaganda broadcaster Russia Today for all his TV appearances when he was a MEP?

British Birds were excellent in Halifax last night.

I was lucky to be asked to take part in the Halifax Town festival having a conversation with @stuartmaconie.bsky.social about his Beatles book With a Little Help From Their Friends. Mr Maconie was a lovely man, generous with his time. We could’ve listened to his insights on the Beatles all day.

What’s been happening here?

Enjoyed the Bob Mould interview on Word in Your Ear, reminded me how this guy had been making excellent music since my formative years. Really underrated.

Lots of great events in the Town festival in Halifax. These are my top tips. I’m hosting @stuartmaconie.bsky.social Book now!

Anyone hear Live and Let Die?

Spent a fine Sunday lunchtime listening to Nick Drake’s Making of Five Leaves Left. Well put together and fascinating.

The two local shops near me have stopped selling @theguardian.com if I want a print copy, which I do, I need to travel to a supermarket. Not the end of the world but certainly close to the end of the print edition.

I was thinking Gary Barlow would be an excellent narrator for Thomas the Tank Engine

Listening to @johnrobbofficial.bsky.social on Music Maps podcast talking about Oasis is making me believe I want to read about Oasis. The passion he has for them is infectious. And I’ve never liked them.

Genuinely sad to see that @traceythorn.bsky.social won’t be writing for @newstatesman.com anymore. Her columns have been excellent and will be missed. Maybe a collection could be published…

@johnharris1969.bsky.social piece in Mojo that reappraises Beatles for Sale. I’ve long loved that record and Mr Harris is spot on when he suggests it was paving the way to their later stuff. @mojomagazine.bsky.social

Nine years since Jo Cox was murdered. If only we could remember that we have more in common.

Anyone seen Shifty by Adam Curtis? It’s fantastic. On iPlayer

@beatlesbookspod.bsky.social excellent interview with @stuartmaconie.bsky.social on the latest ‘pod’

Doing a bit of homework. I thought I knew the Beatles world. I was wrong. @stuartmaconie.bsky.social new book is a must read.

A Level invigilation continues, PE = no band t shirts. Maths = two Rolling Stones, Tyler the Creator and a Megadeath.

Happy birthday @wendredasmith.bsky.social

It’s finally happened. This week’s Private Eye has had to be discarded as it’s so bleak. Not the magazine’s fault. It’s the state we are in.

Very strong and good episode of News Agents today. @lewisgoodall.com

Bit of half term enjoyment and homework. Think you know everything about the Beatles? No you don’t.

Blue Labour is not Labour. It is a Tory fractional group. Its main architect is mates with Farage and Bannon.

My favourite music writer of recent years doesn’t disappoint with this collection of encounters with aging rock stars. Insightful but also occasionally troubling.

Most woke Dr Who yet. And it was great!

Cheery news from Australia?

Looking at the Runcorn vote, people didn’t turn out. The government needs to look at its policies on welfare. Go left with these. Stay green. Push UK energy. Stay on course with the NHS. Middle of the road with immigration. Tough but fair. Get people out to vote. Economy wise hit up not down.

Caught up with new @taskmaster , always worry when I don’t know many of the contestants. No need to worry. It was hilarious. Again

Only been an EE customer for 48hrs and I want out.

Powerful, important writing from @johnharris1969.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

At last, the season is over. #leicestercity

Last Sunday with Observer before it’s taken over by Tortoise Media

The Hepworth Gallery may be one of my favourite places. They get space right, the cafe is great and my kids have a great time every visit.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Sparks may be the greatest band ever.

No Spotify! Record time

I was out on a morning walk listening to @stuartmaconie.bsky.social and Mark Radcliffe on @bbc6music.bsky.social and got excited as I knew the teatime themetime. I excitedly texted but after I realised I was listening on catch up

The new Pulp record takes me back to their last album We Love Life which I think is an underrated classic. With a modern twist of course.

Another cracker from @nightingalesuk.bsky.social

Leicester City relegated tonight

Invigilated A level progress assessments this week. Only two music T shirts so far - Green Day and Niall Horan and Mother Mother

I had to listen twice to take everything in!

This is well worth a listen as are all the episodes.