To Glasgow yesterday for Tenement Trail - an event showcasing dozens of bands around the Gallowgate and centred on the iconic Barrowland Ballroom. I enjoyed Theo Bleak, Vanderlye, The Zebecks, No Windows, Waverley, Gallus, Stride and Chloe Slater. Had to […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

I must admit I always listen to the same 3 or 4 Sonic Youth albums so am giving the others a try. Washing Machine is great. #sonicyouth #music

Braved Storm Amy to head to the Onion Cellar at Leith Depot last night. On the bill were Those Unfortunates, Shinlifter and Lung Leg. Some nice terrace singalongs from Housemartinesque Those Unfortunates. Highlight for me were Shinlifter whose singer was […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Pixelfed seems to be down since yesterday? Or at least my android phone app is giving an error 'the service may be temporarily unavailable ' @pixelfed #pixelfed

They erased Banksy’s mural in London — just like they erase Gaza’s story every day. 💔

Wonderful purveyors of BD for the people of Edinburgh, La Belle Adventure Bookshop held an event yesterday with Jon McNaught, now himself based in the city. I write a little about it and his new book Hors Scène (Off Stage) published by Dargaud. #comics […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Started to use the fediverse alternative to GoodReads. Check out my first review if you feel so inclined https://ramblingreaders.org/book/455584/s/you-me-against-the-world #books

Yesterday I braved the insane crowds in Edinburgh. It was crazy Saturday with peak Festival crowds meeting the bucket hatted hordes heading to see Oasis at Murrayfield. I was going to see Make it Happen at the Festival Theatre. This play examined the financial crisis of 2008, particularly the […]

Doing my Sunday ritual of reading all the newsletters, patreons and what not that get emailed to me. This is a good way to discover new stuff and I backed this interesting looking book on kickstarter which was hyped by Kieron Gillan. Total Recall of the Heart by Phoebe Hedges […]

Got this cool book. You and me Against the World by Saskia Holling. The story of the mid 80s indie scene in Edinburgh via some key bands. I remember seeing Jesse Garon and the Desperados at my local indie disco when I was still at school in Dunfermline. The […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Thoughts and highlights from Sequential Scotland, a new con in Glasgow. https://daredevilsandwarriors.com/2025/08/03/sequential-scotland/ #comics #smallpress

Hit the crowded streets of Edinburgh last night to see a couple of bands at Sneakys. Great sets from Shinlifter and Chunk. Appreciated the optional cat drawing on my hand as my entry stamp. Whole thing organized by Fuzz Bat. #edinburgh #gigs #livemusic #music

After a rather too long a break I have written something on Daredevils and Warriors dot com. Some reflections on Small Press Day and the state of indie comics right now, especially in Scotland. Plus some recommendations for some great books that are funding […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Enjoyed Superman. Good narrative decisions in getting right into the action without long origin story. Bold moral choices taking a stand against genocide with reference primarily to Israel but also Russia. Great casting. Lovely dog. #superman #superman2025 #dc #supermanmovie

Scottish national demo for #palestine in Edinburgh

Been playing a lot of city builder strategy games. Manor Lords is probably the best so far, really beautiful. Started playing Frostpunk which is challenging!

As an immigrant, I’ve never understood the British mentality of we need to control immigration when its own diaspora is all over the globe?

Twitter/ X is MySpace in slow motion

Los Angeles 1937

Edinburgh is the star of a new scandi-noir style detective show. I feared the worst - and yes it does have maverick cops who don't play by the rules and whisky swigging lawyers not to mention the old psychiatrist exposition trope. But! But it is actually […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Great to see tap-on tap-off arriving on the Edinburgh trams. Now payment is integrated with buses so the total you pay will never be more than a daysaver ticket. A big step forward for public transport in the capital. #edinburgh #tram #publictransport

Ah , the royal family. Charles with his 72 houses, Harry wanting the perks without the work and Andrew, well we all know about Andrew. Surprising that there are not louder calls for democratic reform and a Republic. We brought the call to Calton Hill in […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Getting ready to tear down an old shed at the bottom of the garden. But have discovered a hedgehog under a pile of leaves! Guess I will have to move it? Advice welcome 😄 #hedgehog

Also, looking through various artists promoting their work here. My advice would be clearly describe what the music sounds like as best you can, genre "if you like X you will love us" etc. Being cool and humble will not drive any interest. Seeing so many posts like "I have some tunes if you are […]

So for #BandcampFriday I (https://bandcamp.com/alisterb ) went for a combination of wishlist and a couple of bands I saw recommended here on Mastodon. Dominie Hooper was the standout from RSD so excited to get her new track The brilliant Dominie Hooper's new single Land […]

I have never seen a situation so dismal that Tony Blair couldn't make it worse.

Second stop was the False Widow pub in Leith for the Lost Map label and Good Vibes record store presentation. The sun streamed in and the low alcohol beer was tasty. Dominie Hooper was amazing and I will definitely be looking out for her indie folk sounds. R […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Fun was had at Record Store Day in Edinburgh. First stop St.Vincent Chapel in St.Vincent street where, yes, I did buy a St.Vincent CD (among others)! Wonderful music from Withered Hand, Bell Lungs and Haiver and some CDs bought. Very pleased also to get a new […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

The 1000 year old Anglo Saxon carving "The Harrowing of Hell" in Bristol Cathedral. Depicts Jesus rescuing Adam and Eve from Hell. #bristol #hell

Just backed backed TRIBUTE PRESS SPRING CATALOGUE #comics #kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atomichercules/tribute-press-spring-catalogue?ref=thanks-copy

Enjoyed the exhibition Hag today in Dunfermline. A wonderful range of women artists and an examination of societal attitudes towards female ageing. #dunfermline #art #exhibition #jewellery #ceramics #poetry

It was Russia, right? They have been doing this shit in Poland since the Ukraine invasion. #heathrow

I just backed Sparrowsong by Alxndra Cook #comics #kickstarter #smallpress https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/koguchipress/sparrowsong-by-alxndra-cook?ref=thanks-copy

Nice sensory assault last night from Mogwai at the Usher Hall. A lot of love from the audience for them. Ears not ringing too badly this morning! Memorable supports from Kathryn Joseph and Cloth who were both stunning. #livemusic #gig #edinburgh

The thing about the 'big' corporate social media networks is that there is very little sharing, discovery or finding your tribe anymore. You are just a consumer. A consumer of big business products or big business politics.

Visited the monthly open day at the Mansfield Traquiar Centre in Edinburgh. A former Catholic Apostolic Church, it features the incredible arts and crafts murals of Irish, Edinburgh based artist Phoebe Anna Traquiar. The sect believed the second coming […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Listening to Mulatu Astatke. ' New York -Addis-London The story of Ethio Jazz 1965-1975 Sounds amazing. If anyone has recommendations for Ethiopian jazz let me know. And thanks to Edinburgh record library! #jazz #music #np #nowplaying

I have started posting pics to pixelfed https://pixelfed.scot/p/alisterb/792495909396221473

Nice trip to the Record Fair in Edinburgh yesterday at the Art School. Bought a few CD's ranging from £1 to £3! Two live Thelonius Monk, 'Out to Lunch' by Eric Dolphy (listening to it now!). Also got 'Empires and Dance' and 'Good News for the Next World' by Simple Minds (the latter was a punt) […]

Some live music last night at Sneaky Pete's. North Orbital, liked them the first time I saw them and they are even better now. Hutch had an English psychedelic whimsy meets West Coast guitar Americana vibe. Syd Barrett meets Crosby, Stills and Nash #livemusic #gig #edinburgh #scotland

Protest by Greek citizens in Edinburgh and their supporters, drawing attention to a government cover-up of events around the Tempi train crash. #greece #tempi #protest #edinburgh #scotland

"Ye see yon birkie ca’d a lord, Wha struts, an’ stares, an’ a’ that, Tho’ hundreds worship at his word, He’s but a coof for a’ that. For a’ that, an’ a’ that, His ribband, star, an’ a’ that, The man o’ independent mind, He looks an’ laughs at a’ that." […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

The news about TikTok being banned is so interesting. Now TikTok is garbage, and has been used to manipulate elections, a notable recent example is Romania, Trump himself sees its use. But as it cannot be bought by US oligarchs, it must be banned. The overt weaponisation of social media by […]

First visit to Good Vibes Neighbourhood Store and Studios. Picked up Lost Maps Records compilation and a new hat! My son (whose musical taste sometimes overlaps with mine) declared the song Floating by Susan Bear to be "fire". #leith #edinburgh

A wee trip to Leith. Port and portal. #leith #edinburgh #photography

Early morning in #balerno Currently dismantling the tree to the cheery sound of Mozart's Requiem which seems apt.

Snow at Kiba, by Kawase Hasui, 1934 #Japanese #Art #JapanseArt #Ukiyo-e #evening #snow

Waverley Station with a dusting of snow. #edinburgh #train #photography #snow

Most of Edinburgh has suffered torrential rain and high winds. Whereas where I am, it is a bit higher up and a couple of degrees colder. So we have enjoyed a lovely blizzard yesterday. But today a fabulous walk in the dazzling snow. #snow #balerno #edinburgh #photography