And it's back... www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/s...

Today's episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast features a fascinating conversation with Stu Rowe  about working with Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding, Terry Chambers, Barry Andrews, Peter Blegvad and Jen Olive. www.xtclimelight.com/2025/09/05/s...

Sharpen up your criticism skills. Join Guardian critic Mark Fisher for a two-hour online How to Write about Theatre workshop on Sat 4 Oct howtowriteabouttheatre.com/product/how-...

Festival? What festival? @playpiepint.bsky.social kicks off the autumn season next week www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/a...

Lovely interview with arts journo @markffisher.bsky.social in the latest issue of @nujofficial.bsky.social's The Journalist magazine

I had the time of my life at the XTC Fan Festival. It was brilliant reliving the experience with Gayle, and it's also great to listen back to the conversation between Dave Gregory and Thomas Walsh, which was a highlight of the event. Thanks so much to @markffisher.bsky.social for inviting us on!

@mealygarage.bsky.social and @alisoneales.com contributed to @markffisher.bsky.social's podcast regarding the XTC Fan Festival in June... Have a listen ❤️ youtu.be/jOLqUeZHPLU?...

This month’s episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast features a highly entertaining conversation between XTC guitarist Dave Gregory and fellow musician Thomas Walsh (Pugwash) recorded at the 2025 XTC Fan Festival in Swindon. www.xtclimelight.com/2025/08/01/x...

And we're off. First review of my 40th consecutive Edinburgh Fringe: www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/j...

The Weir and wonderful www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/j...

In today's episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, we join Alfredo Marziano, the author of the newly published XTC: Skylarking – A Life in A Day, the Making of a Pop Classic. www.xtclimelight.com/2025/07/04/x...

And they call it puppy love www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/j...

And they call it puppy love www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/j...

I did a thing at the weekend. A big thing. I did it with dear friends... and we did it in front of lots of people... at the XTC Fan Festival in Swindon. Somebody mistook for Andy Partridge. Kazoo s were in abundance. I also saw Hugh Padgham, my all time favourite producer. Still on cloud nine...

Pitch Fail Club: Guest Post from @markffisher.bsky.social Mark warm-pitched an editor and shares the full pitch, the feedback, and what he learned. pitchfailclub.substack.com/p/the-post-m... Got a failed pitch? Email [email protected] for a shot at a free annual sub.

@markffisher.bsky.social ‘In this centenary year of (Arthur) Berry’s birth and three decades after his death, the @newvictheatre.bsky.social has dug out the first draft of his final play, spruced it up and given it a belated debut.’ @theresaheskins.bsky.social @fionawallace.bsky.social

Whetting our appetite for the 2025 XTC Fan Festival, today's episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast discusses the joys and challenges of covering XTC songs live, with Dan Barrow, Peter Mills and Martin Malone www.xtclimelight.com/2025/05/30/c...

Late to this particular party. Clegg's a quisling and shill for austerity, betrayed his own ideas for boss class interest. Anything he says is aimed at impoverishing people. He represents no one but the spawn of the Meta family petrie dish. The little sign in front of him should just say CUNT.

As ever, the kids get the best shows www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/m...

I know I'm biased but if there's a more beautifully conceived side project in respectful and imaginative homage to its influences I've yet to come across it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWbS...

I feel lucky to have seen Mother Courage in Horden last night. Amazing company from East Durham and South Africa. Cracking performances, script and singing. Local. International. And all the more special for being shared in a church hall in Horden. 👏 👏 👏

Welcome debut of Ensemble '84 www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/m...

In the news: In which we learn that our leaders find it easier to believe "AI is the future" than to believe that actual, living human beings who make art for a living have rights and deserve respect. Our consent doesn't matter to them. Only appeasing the tech bros matters.

Radiohead/Hamlet mash-up www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/m...

Underground movement www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/m...

“Unions are there to ensure no one can play fast and loose with the law."

Twenty-five years after their final album, XTC continue to inspire. In today's episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, Grammy Award-winning songwriter Madison Cunningham talks about River of Orchids, 1000 Umbrellas and Easter Theatre www.xtclimelight.com/2025/05/02/m...

It’s so funny. Every time I use a public bathroom at the movies I’m expecting someone to yell at me or chase me out or whatever. It never happens. This time a woman stopped me as I was walking out and I was like well, this is it. This is the moment. “Excuse me,” she said. “I love your shoes”

A miniature marathon www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/m...

A restless critic www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/a...

Here's where you can see Terry Chambers and EXTC on their current, extensive North American tour extc.band/tour-dates

Nice mention for EXTC on BBC Radio Wales with Sue Charles and Derek Brockway on Easter Monday. Terry Chambers talking about being back on tour, and how Andy Partridge came up with the name EXTC for the new band. About 14min in www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

this would fix me

🧵NOT BY ME, this is a post from someone who wants to remain anonymous but works extensively with trans people pre-transition. They were asked by someone “why do you think that’s so much [coverage of trans people] in the news at the moment?” This was their response:

Martin O'Connor forges ahead www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/a...

Powell and Pressburger on stage www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/a...

Drums and Wires (1979)

My two books, The Edinburgh Fringe Survival Guide and How to Write About Theatre are among the pirated books being used to train Meta's large language models without permission. I’m asking META to #DoTheWriteThing on Thursday 3 April

In today's edition of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, we explore the fascinating relationship between XTC and cardboard in the company of Professor Penelope Letterhead… Oh, and it is also 40 years since the Dukes of Stratosphear released 25 O’Clock. www.xtclimelight.com/2025/04/01/t...

Catching up with Logan's run www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/m...

The new uk postage stamp, a musical, a couple of TV programmes this year all about Nessie. This musical sounds great I’d love to see it in Pitlochry. www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/mar/24/simpsons-werner-herzog-nessie-nessies-david-lean-loch-ness-monster?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

to face my unchecked fear of nessie being in any water anywhere (because she liked to eat sharks like the one in "jaws") i was given a soft-toy dinosaur wi' a long neck called after her. it was cross-eyed. my "wee nessie" liked "sugar puffs" and "doctor who." www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/m...

Ahead of its opening this Friday in Edinburgh (and not Loch Ness) here is composer and musical director Shonagh Murray talking to @markffisher.bsky.social in @theguardian.com about the new @pitlochryft.bsky.social Capital Theatres musical Nessie. www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/m...

If you go down to the loch tonight www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/m...

"When you start learning Gaelic, you suddenly start to see the country that you’ve been in all your life in a new way." @martocon.bsky.social and Lu Kemp spoke to @markffisher.bsky.social about Through The #ShortbreadTin ahead of its Scottish tour! READ NOW www.scotsman.com/arts-and-cul...

My old XTC tribute, Fossil Fools, did a lovely podcast back in the summer on 2022, with @markffisher.bsky.social - have a listen... I think you'll love it!

Red carpet night at the Lyceum on Friday... www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/m...

Death watch www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/m...

Valentine's day www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/m...

This is joyous. Plus, Rick Buckler is on The Black Sea