Scam alert: if you get the invite below to the Bournemouth Writing Festival, it's a scam (confirmed for me by the festival director). See the highlighed phrase. I've gotten similar reports of fake invites to the Edinburgh Book Festival, and I'm sure there are others.

Director Ben Wheatley designs the frankly beautiful Film Stories issue 59, on sale now. Here's what you'll find in its 168 pages: filmstories.co.uk/news/film-st...

Damn. Organiser has emailed to say he doesn't have the time for the choir, and with such low numbers last week, he's ending it. 😭

Another six first-time album listens in March from artists including The Lemon Twigs, Split Enz, Kula Shaker, Self Esteem, Julian Cope, and Squeeze! 🎧🎵

Hello! 👋 I’m Gail, a one woman design studio, based in #Manchester My online shop is full of bold & colourful prints, homewares, T-shirts and stationery. Go on, have a nosy gailmyerscough.co.uk

You know that thing you or someone you know likes? I've probably drawn a picture of it. Why not buy a shiny copy to cheer yourself or that person up when you or they look at it. Great idea. www.happytoast.co.uk

On this day in 1999, the band released the single EASTER THEATRE. The song was taken from the band's penultimate studio album, Apple Venus Volume 1. #XTCmusic

This guy when Artemis II flies by.

Three songs for Easter from me and Hugh Nankivell sweethumanafi.bandcamp.com/track/easter...

The Dukes of Stratosphear - The Mole From The Ministry, taken from the 25 O'Clock EP released on this day in 1985. #XTCmusic #Dukesmusic

Latest blog post is up, taking a look at the first Dukes of Stratosphear release on its 41st anniversary gayleramage.co.uk/xtc-annivers...

There were only 3 of us at the rock choir tonight, not incl organiser and pianist. Still, we managed to belt out Journey, Teddy Swims, and Amy Winehouse.

A frown and then "David Tennant?!" confirms they were not aware of it.

There's currently 2 teens here watching Eccleston era of Doctor Who. One has never seen the show before. They're on the last ep now, and so far the newbie really doesn't much like Rose but loves the Daleks. I'm not sure if they're aware of regenerations but I'll know for sure in about 25 mins.

Video game music enjoyers! I’m delighted to announce that Ready Player One returns to @noiseboxradio.com today at 6pm. Why don’t you join me?

Next Sunday we're running a guided walk of London’s Soho. Our theme is The Beatles and what they learned about cultural power. This post gives a little taste of what we’ll be exploring. Free playlist of music and videos, free full colour map - and it’s a fundraiser for Centrepoint homeless charity.

The weather in Liverpool has been horrible, but that hasn’t stopped your intrepid reporter Paul “BBSO” Abbott investigating on your behalf! youtu.be/PdtxqGaSCdY?...

If you see this, post a concert photo you took. Peter Capaldi, 27 February 2026, La Belle Angele, Edinburgh

Currently the interval. Cracking first half.

Yay - Got a complimentary room upgrade at the hotel I'm staying in (a room with slippers, bathrobes, and pillow scent spray). Nay - They somehow managed to charge me twice, within the one payment, for the room (thankfully, they're now refunding the extra amount).

Yesterday, Paul McCartney announced a new album “The Boys of Dungeon Lane”, named after where he played as a kid. In a brilliant piece of marketing, he’s inserted himself into Street View, stealing the street sign and running off with it! maps.app.goo.gl/WAGbbU9ubCuS...

📢 An excerpt from an interview I was lucky to sit in on, with Terry Chambers and Mark Fisher this month. You can hear the full thing on an upcoming ep of the 'What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC podcast'. #XTCmusic

Happy DRUMS AND WIRES day. Join us at 9pm (GMT) tonight as we listen along to the 1979 album. See below for the tracklist we'll be using (since there's quite a lot of variations out there). #XTCmusic

PSA: The creepy episode of Tales of The Unexpected, 'The Flypaper' is just starting on Sky Arts right now.

A reminder of next week's listening party as we enter the Gregory era. 🎸 #XTCmusic

in the national museum of scotland and I'm pleased to see they still have my favourite exhibit here: Rats Fucking in a Sewer While Turds Float Past

I'm just back from the first rock choir session of the year. 3 new songs for us: Journey - Don't Stop Believin' Billy Joel - Still Rock and Roll To Me Trijntje Oosterhuis - What The World Needs Now. I found DSB easiest to sing, and seems I only knew the chorus of the other two.

GHOSTS: The Possession of Button House releases in UK & Ireland cinemas on Friday 23rd October 2026! There’s a date for your diaries. 👻 Who will you be taking to the cinema with you to see it, and who is buying the popcorn? 👀 🍿 #BBCGhosts

Note to self: if you get a rare opportunity to meet and actually exchange words with a member of a band you love, ASK FOR A PHOTO. Dear reader, I didn't ask for a photo. 🤦‍♀️

Ooh, Michael Sheen as new House of Games host? I quite like that choice. No doubt he'll get his other half, David Tennant, on at some point.

Wonderful evening seeing EXTC at The Voodoo Rooms! Terry Chambers on top form, and the new line up was great. Stupidly unhappy that I didn't take any pictures. Still, I got some merch and had a subtle bop to the music.

Probably not going to do my nails like this for tomorrow's gig, but an amateur attempt at XTC'ing my fingernails. Looks like I've thumbed a Creme Egg in the right picture but I couldn't mix the colours to get the Mummer colour.

FESTIVAL seeking MUSICIANS 🎸🎷🎶 Calling all bands, singer-songwriters, electronic music producers or solo musicians from any genre - apply now to be part of Hidden Door Festival 2026. Deadline 25 March - details on our website Comment and tag a band you'd love to see play ❤️

User Manual: The Text Adventure Game Your coworker Dave still has not sent you the screenshots you need to finish the user manual. To send Dave a reminder email, press R. To slap Dave, press S. Obvious exits are North, East, and Awkward HR Meeting Inventory: Pen, Water Bottle, Broadsword

If you see this, post a robot.

Finally arrived.

"People used to be excited about tech, now they dread what data you're going to steal next, they dread what violation of privacy or the environment will turn up next." this whole missive will make you want to stand on your desk and yell "O CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN!," but that bit really got me good

I've written some musings (I'm not clever enough to do a proper critique) about Squeeze's latest album, Trixies. gayleramage.co.uk/album-review...

EXCITING NEWS! PLEASE GET TICKETS AND REPOST! We’re holding our first LIVE General Witchfinders event with Dorchester’s Teasle & Skylark Bookshop. Tue, May 5th for a talk on Folk Horror & the launch of our next zine! Tickets: tinyurl.com/gwL1VE

Almost 10,000 authors have come together to publish an empty book protesting the theft of books by tech companies to train AI models. Titled Don’t Steal This Book, it is empty of text except the names of the authors involved.. 🧵

The House of Lords Digital & Communications Committee just published their report on AI, copyright & the creative industries, and their conclusions could not be clearer. 🧵 1/5

Signed.

Currently giving the new Squeeze album a listen for my next blog post - I preorder the CD and tshirt but neither have arrived yet.

#Edinburgh: Does anyone know a community-minded DJ who specialises in early punk/ska/new wave/similar who might be up for helping with a charity project? I have IDEAS. cc @edinburghminute.com @secretedinburgh.bsky.social

Ooh, I actually like this!

Congrats!

Off to take my mum to the theatre as an early Mother's Day present. Last time we saw a play with the lead actor, we were in lockdown a month later... 👀

The perfect day, apart from release day, to mention my darkly comic book, JOCKULA, for anyone who can't resist a preorder button. It's Scottish. It's daft. It's dark. It's wild. #WorldBookDay books2read.com/b/jockula

I'm looking for train enthusiast in Bristol, UK for an on-camera interview about the history of Temple Meads for my journalism MA. Hoping to conduct the interview at the station tomorrow morning (Thursday) at said station! Please DM me and/or share! #Bristol #trains #railway #TempleMeads