At the Coop Live to see Hans Zimmer - it’s our “works do” - my colleague and I aren’t going the official one. In the royal box as well!

Just seen Pillion is screening at my local cinema from the weekend. Think I’ll go and watch it again and try and keep my personal opinions out of it. Will also be comfier than FACT - all the cushions in the world cannot make the seats in The Box any comfier. Could that have been my problem?

#Top25of2025 24. Blondshell - If You Asked For A Picture Confessional songs of conflicts with your mother, failed relationships, body dysmorphia and dealing with past baggage - at times sarcastic but always full of attitude - wrapped up in gorgeous 90s guitars Favourite track - Event Of A Fire

#Top31DavidBowie 30. Miracle Goodnight Love songs come in all shapes and sizes - some vomit inducing, others sweet and sincere and others that are real. This is definitely one of the latter. A beautiful song written for Iman. I hope someday someone would want to write this about me!

Cracking this open… 🎄🍫😁

#Top25of2025 25. Big Thief - Double Infinity The word “new age” popped up in reviews of this album. Down to a trio and probably looking to change direction, I still approached with caution - but needn’t have worried - they’ve never sounded as big and gorgeous! Favourite track - All Night All Day

#Top31DavidBowie 31. Loving The Alien To love David Bowie’s music is to love the alien. You never knew what was coming next - some of it didn’t land with everyone (me with Tonight for example 😂) - but doesn’t that happen with all artists? Did Red Dwarf use part of this for their theme?

How to ward off Sunday scaries after a week off work? Ice cream 😁👍🏻 (Yes, I know I had a Funky Chunky Kit Kat earlier. It was a taste tester. Stop pointing at me!)

Me, looking for the Christmas spirit

#Top25of2025 (bubbling under) Here are numbers 26 - 40 (artist and titles in alt text) I did want to hear De La Soul, Lily Allen and Just Mustard’s albums first - which may have changed the list - but with continued gig announcements, the chances of me getting to them before Christmas is slim! 😂

Got back from the shops - Funky Chunky Kit Kat’s at the checkout in Home Bargains First off - thought confectionery at checkouts was now a great big NO!! Secondly - what does a Funky Chunky Kit Kat taste like? I’m about to find out…

It was Suede that lead me to discovering Bowie’s work properly - so fitting that this is the next challenge! I went in with the idea of picking one song from each of his 26 albums, with the remainder for stand alone singles. Soon realised that was impossible with the quality of most of his albums!

Happy St. Andrew’s Day to all my Scottish lovelies 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

#90sTop30 1. Suede - The Drowners Along with Nirvana’s embrace that being gay was perfectly okay - soon after came Suede with this - practically kicking down my speakers to say “Hello! We’re Suede! Your gay? Fabulous! Please, come with us!” For all those who kissed in his room to a popular tune

Glass of wine poured - going to finalise the Bowie 31. His grand comeback and his sad farewell

Got back from seeing Pillion I’m afraid I found this uncomfortable to watch - but I think that’s the point of it It is a beautiful piece of queer cinema - and there are moments of laugh out loud comedy - but a sub-dom relationship with a sub still figuring it out is the bit that made it tough…

I’m in - was starting to putting a list together…

#90sTop30 2. Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit 14. 1991. Awkward teenage years started to kick in. Learning everything around was a bit shit. Also knowing for sure at that age that I was gay - in a time when it was probably best keeping that to yourself. No other album could have been timed better

Half an hour wait for next train - over the road from the Philharmonic Pub - may as well have a pint! Cheers everyone! 🍻

Lou Barlow - Philharmonic Hall Music Room, Liverpool Sometimes you want to jump up and down, or give it your best dad dance, or be pummelled with noise, or sing your heart out. And there are times you want to sit with a pint and enjoy the company of an indie legend - warm, engaging and funny!

Off to see Lou Barlow tonight - should put some of his music on!

@riffraff1971.bsky.social you are a prince! Thank you for alerting me to this! 😁👍🏻

Ticket booked… woo hoo, woo hoo hoo

A bit of Bowie for this afternoon - the 00s output

#90sTop30 3. Radiohead - Creep You know those songs you hear as an awkward teenager and think - that was written for me! This was one of them! Of course they have gone on to do bigger and better things - but it all started here for me and it still hits - even though I’ve come a long way since 1992

Just made sure I’m on their mailing list - not missing this! Manchester on 15th September. Hankies at the ready 😢

#90sTop30 4. Beck - Loser This should be something from his gorgeous “Odelay” album - one of the best 90s albums - but this where I fell in love with Beck - I imagine most people did! This song - and that absolutely brilliant TOTP performance with him breakdancing! The man is a loveable legend!

Another one for the collection (one can never have enough T-shirts!) I was still in school then - and still to discover them - but Green is one of my favourite albums and they played in Liverpool on that tour - which I’m sure I will have gone to if I was a wee bit older/had cooler elder siblings 😂

Home 😁 Kettle on - gasping for a cuppa 🫖

Both the train conductors are bearded bear types! 😁

#TicketStubWed The ticket wasn’t kidding when it said “and many more!”… What started as a Pulp gig turned into the first V Festival! A second stage was added with Elastica headlining. Existential crisis arose - but in the end - bought the ticket to see Pulp! Who were class - as always!

#90sTop30 5. Pulp - Common People The sleeve notes said “There is a war in progress - don’t be a casual(ty). The time to decide whose side you’re on is here. Choose wisely. Stay alive in ‘95” An eloquent “fuck off” to those of privilege who continue to patronise us. The fight starts here.

I know it’s only 11.25 - but got back to Euston quicker than I thought - got an hour to kill before my train home…

Post gig pint. Happy person 😁

Radiohead - O2 Arena, London If you told me at the start of the year, in a year I saw most of my favourite bands, that I’d be seeing Radiohead - I’d be asking for the lottery numbers next! No Karma Police alas - but for a minute there, I lost myself. Well - more than once. Would you blame me? ❤️

And they are selling merch in here! Needn’t have stood in that queue 😂. Cheers everyone! No surprises please…

Ditched the merch queue! Could have just eaten here! Look at this place!!

When I was last here this was called The Millennium Dome 👴😂

Something to read whilst in the queue for merch 🤓

Washing bad pizza down with a pint of Guinness! Should kill off anything bad 😂

I think I’ve just eaten the worst pizza known to mankind. I can’t finish it and I hate wasting food! I really hope I don’t regret this 🤢

#90sTop30 6. Manic Street Preachers - A Design For Life The Manics have always said they would never write a love song - but I beg to differ! I’ve always seen this as a love song to the working classes - a heroic anthem that the working class will always come through - libraries gave us power

All aboard!! Off to that there London… No prizes for guessing why

I like the Christmas Tree in Manchester Piccadilly Station 👍🏻

Breakfast of champions 😁💪🏻

My Bloody Valentine - Aviva Studios, Manchester Noise annoys - but it can also be quite thrilling! Second time I’ve seen them - ear plugs inserted - they play a decibel below the legal limit. Some technical hiccups - but didn’t spoil the vibe! “You Made Me Realise” went on for 10 minutes 💥

Having drink with ex…

Praise all the gods in all the world!! My mate Andy just walked in! I’m going to pray more often 😂

Got to Aviva Studios - used the loo before heading upstairs - tap on my shoulder - it’s my ex! “I thought you’d be here!” he said I said I’d get a beer and meet him upstairs… if I can find him!! 😳 Of all the gin joints…

Like anyone starting their jollies - starts with a pint! Cheers