What's that you say? A NEW ALBUM... ALREADY?! Well, kinda. BONES was released today. Head to Bandcamp for more info: jonwilks.bandcamp.com/album/bones

Just gonna leave this here

Even if Farage was our PM, I wouldn’t support a foreign regime swooping in and kidnapping him I guess that’s the difference between people who care about human rights and international laws, and people drunk on ideology with no moral compass

Breaking 🔥 Winner of the FiFA peace prize is bombing another country - “a serious military escalation” says BBC’s Lyse Doucet

This fab album 'Needless Alley' from @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social arrived yesterday. A delight to sit and enjoy Jon's brilliant songwriting and musicality while reading the lyric book and admiring the gorgeous artwork by @alexmerryart.bsky.social Check it out here jonwilks.bandcamp.com/album/needle...

I'll be doing a listening party for the Needless Alley this evening, Wed, 7:30pm, online. If you fancy it, drop me a line and I'll let you know how to get in.

I’ve written a behind-the-scenes account of how Eliza, Campbell and I pulled together The Life and Songs of Martin Carthy at EartH Theatre on Saturday night. From half-mad ideas to Bob Dylan’s video, it’s all in here.

RIP Danny Thompson: bassist for Pentangle, Richard Thompson, Nick Drake, Davy Graham, Bert Jansch, June Tabor, John Martyn, Donovan … www.clashmusic.com/news/legenda...

I’ve written a new piece: Why Are Artists Leaving Spotify? A Guide for Listeners. Low payouts, AI slop, Daniel Ek’s €600m weapons investment — the “Spotify exodus” is real, and listeners have choices. Read here... www.jonwilks.online/blog/why-art...

But my favourite song on 'Needless Alley' is @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social 's own. 'Mine is the Sun' is richly mysterious: with landscape, brilliantly coloured, that 'asks us for nothing', a traveller, the oncoming cold. A world, as the best songs are! Highly recommended!

The one song on 'Needless Alley' not by @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social is a cracker: 'Montagu Whaler', about a small boat which served great ships - & saved lives. Written by 'Bernie' Bruen, a sailor who knew his stretchers from his gunnels! A song of loss - with an irresistible tune!

CD Review ! @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social ' 'Needless Alley'. A joy! So much appealing 60s music, I now realise, came from the very young... But later songs can be rueful, witty & wise. Here they are..with guitar work which ranges from energetic to langorous: both lovely.

#NowSpinning #NowPlaying #NowListening Just wonderful. Virtuoso guitar and a now richly venerable voice. And some breathtaking arrangements, accompanied by Sheema Mukherjee on sitar and @elizacarthy.bsky.social on fiddle and voice. Let me swim in a jug of this.

BUY THIS. IT IS COMPULSORY 🥰

New album out today. Mojo says it’s “barely folk, but classy” 😂 Info here: www.jonwilks.online/blog/needles...

Stop selling arms to Israel then.

Really interesting piece by Jon Wilks - I’ve recently cancelled my Spotify subscription and moved platforms. While other streaming services are by no means perfect, at least my money isn’t directly funding causes I disagree with. Recommend this to any artists/listeners thinking of ditching Spotify!👇

Interesting and informative piece by @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social on why, and also, how, he took his music off Spotify www.jonwilks.online/blog/life-af...

Woooot!

Fascists aren’t welcome in our streets. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.

New piece: Life After Spotify: What Musicians Lose — and What They Gain. A field report for any musicians wrestling with leaving Spotify — the playlist trap, the illusion of “discovery,” and what you really gain by stepping away. www.jonwilks.online/blog/life-af...

Where is Keir Starmer? Where is the leadership? Fascists marched on our streets yesterday and he hasn’t said a single word. Instead the Prime Minister spends his time defending the “best pals” of paedophiles. He is a coward. He should resign.

Charlie Kirk was not a “free speech activist” and any outlet that tells you he was is lying to you. He wanted unlimited freedom for himself and as little as possible for the people he hated, ie anyone who wasn’t a white male conservative. His values were trash

Congrats to me ol' mucker Martin Carthy on his nomination for the frickin MERCURY PRIZE!!!! #dontcallhimalegend

Absolutely DELIGHTED to tell you that #thedaddy has been nominated for this year’s MERCURY PRIZE!!!!!! About time, Dad! You total BELTER! 🐟🐟🐟👑👑👑🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🌟🌟🌟 Congratulations team: Ben Seal, Liz, Chris Salt, Kairen Kemp, Jon Wilks, Tim Youster and Dan Macdonald! #transformmethenintoafish

Jon Wilks's Needless Alley is described as a patchwork of memories and marks a more autobiographical approach to his writing after previous trad folk-inclined material. These songs from his mental attic are definitely worth exploring. klofmag.com/2025/09/jon-...

My old friend Rasheed has opened Brighton’s first LGBTQ+-centred record shop, Dream Street Records. A welcoming space that champions queer musicians and artists, it’s already becoming a community hub. Give it a follow and spread the word: www.instagram.com/dreamstreetb...

Folk musician Jon Wilks is releasing his fifth album, Needless Alley, on September 19th. Ahead of the release of his third single tomorrow, watch the video for the catchy "Montagu Whaler". klofmag.com/2025/08/watc... @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social

We’re doing it again! After a rollercoaster of a year.. we sold out of Super Early Bird tickets on site so we have decided to bring our early birds forward so people can still catch the worm! Thank you to everyone that continues to support this event. folkeast.co.uk/tickets-4/

Given that Birmingham International Airport is actually in Solihull (or thereabouts), I think they should wait until Jasper Carrott dies before making this hasty decision. Choices, choices. www.change.org/p/rename-bir...

Some Saturday highlights for ya! Be sure to check out the Les Cousins special anniversary takeover in the barn..

What about Sunday then!

Me and my impressive collection of Martins.

More artists like @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social are taking the decision to remove their music from Spotify for ethical reasons, as Jon explains in his post 👇 Help support Jon and others by buying their music on Bandcamp tomorrow #BandcampFriday 1st Aug when @bandcamp.bsky.social waive their sales fee 🤗

We are at a critical juncture. We need an alternative, now. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

My fifth solo album, Needless Alley, is out on September 29th. You can pre-order it on CD, digital download, or blue translucent vinyl from the link below. Here's the gorgeous canal boat art by Alex Merry. jonwilks.bandcamp.com/album/needle...

I'm taking my music off Spotify. Here's why... jonwilks.online/im-taking-my...

I’ve taken the initial steps to remove my music from Spotify. Thanks to Distrokid, the digital distributor I use, for acting so quickly – it’ll be gone within the next day or so.

Starting to think this might be the last time I do an album and tour. It's sooooo ball-breakingly expensive, exhausting and dispiriting. I just want to stop and sleep until it's all over.

The images of children starved to death in Gaza should be the lead of every news program.

New Cosmic Church @iheartnoise.bsky.social @campradio.bsky.social now on #mixcloud @matthewhiram.bsky.social @sugaarpan.bsky.social @budosband.bsky.social @modernnature.bsky.social Me Lost Me @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social @hivemindrecords.bandcamp.com & loads more ihrtn.net/radio-shows-...

#NowPlaying on Cosmic Church @iheartnoise.bsky.social for @campradio.bsky.social @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social - Strung Out On the Line (ft. Ellie Gowers) - S/R jonwilks.bandcamp.com/album/needle... listen.camp

New Cosmic Church @iheartnoise.bsky.social on @campradio.bsky.social @matthewhiram.bsky.social @sugaarpan.bsky.social @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social House Band @upset-the-rhythm.bsky.social @modernnature.bsky.social @hivemindrecords.bandcamp.com Scree & more Starts 3pm UK time on Saturday listen.camp

www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8mk... My son's latest track. I love this. Proud dad moment.

Go see if you can! Tix in hand for Sheffield - top bloke/musician 😁

Go see Jon! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Gigs, gigs and more gigs! I'll be playing songs from the new album (sometimes with a band) and songs that are much older than that. Venue details and tickets here: jonwilks.online/gigs

Aw, thanks Liza 🥲

My fifth solo album, Needless Alley, is out on September 29th. You can pre-order it on CD, digital download, or blue translucent vinyl from the link below. Here's the gorgeous canal boat art by Alex Merry. jonwilks.bandcamp.com/album/needle...