Huge thank you to The Repair Shop for giving mum and I the chance to talk about my incredible grandmother, trailblazing Northern Irish journalist Kay Kennedy. The work they did on her writing box is quite literally unbelievable. What an amazing experience. 🥰💖

“It gives the audience permission to behave badly.” Lovely to hear Tim Curry talking about Rocky Horror on Radio 4 this morning. & happy 50th to the Rocky Horror Picture Show! This celebration of the Rocky Horror Show’s 50th (stage not film) is among my favourite ever cover stories I’ve written.

I have no idea if they’ll ever hear about this… but to the team (and especially the lovely guy with a beard) at Haymarket station today - I DID go set up my direct debit immediately on the train. If you’re reading this - you should also consider whether you can support @msf.ca msf.org.uk

Huge respect to Lush who have closed their website and all their UK stores today in protest at the genocide in Gaza. ✊🏻

Happy 61st birthday Keanu!! 💖💖 You are most excellent! As I wrote to mark an earlier birthday… www.bigissue.com/culture/film...

Could every week from now on please feature three @fatherjohnmisty gigs? Ideally in the Ulster Hall & @barrowland_ballroom?? I enjoyed it so much, at one point I thought I was going to pass out. This man is a genius. The greatest frontman of my generation. The greatest chronicler of our times.

Thank you for the metal, Ozzy. I’m so glad you got to feel this loved at the end. 🖤

A few days ago, I was in the middle of the greatest day metal has ever seen. I’ve been meaning to say something since then, and share some of the photos… but I’ve been processing (and also a bit shattered). #BlackSabbath #BTTB

Are you off somewhere nice? says the taxi driver. Hell yeah, I grin. Birmingham, I’m coming for ya!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻

This is so powerful. If you’re still wondering which side to be on when it comes to Mo Chara’s disgraceful prosecution for *goddamn terrorism*, can I please recommend you take a couple of minutes to confront who the real terrorists are. Genocide is never justified.

If there is a multiverse (& by my understanding of the science, there pro is), I’m deeply grateful to live in the world where @sparksofficial.bsky.social are still performing AT THIS STANDARD after 5 decades. There’s nothing like when that huge beat hits in The Number One Song in Heaven. 💖

Having survived the longest day, and London heat… I look forward to winter 🖤❄️

Good luck to Mo Chara tomorrow. May the case be thrown out, as it should be.

WHAT a new music Friday!!! The first new Pulp album in 24 years - and it’s already hitting home with spiky insights and sexy hips… AND Creeper’s neck-piercing return to SanguivoreWorld. As bloody catchy as ever. Jim Steinman’s spirit is still alive. And I love it. Music is everything.

I’ve just heard the really sad news that the great Barry McIlheney has died. Baz was a bit of a hero to me.

Singing axolotls! Great look Latvia. #eurovision

The story of the space dogs is much more interesting than the Irish #eurovision song might lead you to believe. (Recommended reading)

Really glad to see that Montenegrin woman with lovely makeup managed to escape the big duvet. #eurovision

Oh, my rave lobster! Feeling sad for Belgium. And a Chalametragedy that we won’t have any Croatia! #eurovision

For a second, I thought Albania had sent Robert Fripp and Toyah to #eurovision

San Marino at #eurovision Pros: I enjoy the accordion appearance, badadadadadada da Cons: not sure I approve of the gum-chewing statue

There were only two people on stage for Italy’s #eurovision but somehow it featured members of Fall Out Boy, The Beatles, The Jam and the Spiders from Mars. And three of them were one guy. #eurovision

Belgium’s S&M rave lobster has split the room here… but I say, go for that falsetto Sebastian! 🦞 🙌🏻 #eurovision

Portugal… always a good opportunity to nip to the loo. #eurovision

Top tip: do not sauna in a suit And yet, Sweden are apparently favourite at #eurovision…

Honestly, let’s not forget that Ukraine showed up from a country at war - for its very survival - to bring that hot prog mess to #eurovision. 🙌🏻

Spain: which costume won it for you? Maleficent shoulders? OR Dolly Parton lingerie? #eurovision

Jeebus Estonia is a handbrake turn. Only in #eurovision could we go from the cancer diagnosis to this! The dance! The tie! The fake stage invasion!! Bloody hell!

Slovenia have gone very very bold. I think the guy had a little upside down cry singing about his real wife’s real cancer. #eurovision

Poland - a lot of weather, sexy velociraptor vibe, Game of Thrones apparently just hit. #eurovision

I’m not against Icelandic Jedward. Not a bad start, #eurovision

This is what art is for. So proud of my @davidtdunlop.bsky.social, who has literally worked his way back from the dead to bring this beautiful work to you. (And it’s yours for less than the price of a coffee. My god, who wouldn’t want to snap that up?!)

Finally caught the excellent Fréwaka… Maybe it’s because I’m Irish, but Na Sidhe feel so much more eerily plausible than the rest of the otherworldly. Living on the edge of what we laughably call civilisation, ready to steal the unwary. If they aren’t there, surely the woods would invent them.

Thanks Paul! Very glad to chip away at the false criticism for Gold Against the Soul! 🖤

Ramping myself up for night two of The Manics at the Barras. I always forget how emotional it is as an experience. Seeing them play Motorcycle Emptiness in front of projections of their young selves… it just breaks me. Almost unbearably poignant.

Happy #recordstoreday from me, The Cure and @monorailmusic.bsky.social!

A bit of good news for your Wednesday…

Made a little dish to mark Chinese New Year! 🧧 新年快乐, to all who celebrate ♥️

Spent a rather lovely bit of time there planning for the Berlinale! Any film friends heading out too? Looking for great movies and interesting people to add to my list to write about ✍️

Absolutely vital reading for all music lovers, as well as those who work in the industry! Incredible work once again by the brilliant people at @musicvenuetrust.bsky.social

Feeling for all the snappers out there who’ve been sent to get photos of the chaos, in the middle of the chaos! 🌪️📷

Happy 35th birthday to They Might Be Giant’s spectacular old album FLOOD!! 💖🎉 @tmbg.bsky.social deeply changed 8-year-old me. And many years later, I had the great good fortune to talk to John Flansburgh about their masterpiece. Read here, from @bigissue.com www.bigissue.com/culture/musi...

Now here’s a fun New Year’s resolution! As a Pokémon hunter might say, Gotta catch em all! Amazing work @musicvenuetrust.bsky.social & @drownedinsound.bsky.social to help us all have a year filled with the true new live talent (*coughs in direction of BBC*) www.drownedinsound.org/58-must-see-...

Jagged joy for the first gig of 2025! Bring the Jesus Lizard! 🖤🙌🏻

This is such an important point. While racists try to make hay from other people’s pain, we must remember to listen to the voices of actual survivors. Now and in the future. (If you want a good first step - support @saywomen.bsky.social)

Thank you @maryannehobbs.bsky.social for the introduction to Makeshift Art Bar! Always love starting the year with new and exciting music out of my hometown. Go Belfast! m.soundcloud.com/makeshift-ar...

I didn’t take a big long break over Christmas this year - and I have to say it’s been positive for my wellbeing. Some quiet days to catch up and plan have made me feel more on top of things. But even better is today - all my brilliant colleagues are back and I remember how much I appreciate them.

Shout out to everyone else that actually worked today… and who now gets to have another weekend! 😜 (Even bigger props to all the essential workers who keep the world spinning every day over this weird time of year. Thank you, all of you! ❤️)

Who has a snack you only eat at Christmas? And why is it Twiglets?

Who else saw the really bright, green meteor over Glasgow tonight? Looked up from watching the Inside No 9 doc and WOW! Quite a shock.