FutureFORM: Pearl2 + KisoK + MM’99

Pearl2 Pearl2 are a London-based electronic trio fusing hypnotic club energy with shadowy trip-hop dubs. Their name has become an echo through the city’s underground, built on live performances that are raw, rhythmic and intoxicating, feeding as much on the crowd’s energy as on the trio’s own restless chemistry. Their debut track “Watered Down” opened … Continued

Life Beyond The Neutral Zone #9 – Lias Saoudi

My grandmother on my mum’s side, Patricia, died young, in her early fifties. My memories of her are faint, the approximation of several early childhood encounters at best. When I think of her now all I recall is a cloud of cigarette smoke and skin the texture of cracked leather. Apparently she died while she … Continued

The Wasted Times TV Guide: Week 9 – Lewis Jamieson

Purely coincidental but its all gone a bit ‘hygge’ at Wasted Towers of late. A preponderance of new and rediscovered Danish / Swedish TV brilliance means that this episode of the guide leads with three dramas from the lands of Andersen, Bergman, longboats, and shock European Championship wins (ask your parents).  Starting with the new, … Continued

The Social Gathering: Broadsheet, Week 19

Summer finally arrived this week and the British public suddenly became all sun boiled, stuck in traffic jams on irascible family outings. It’s great to be on holiday isn’t it? Either you’re on one long staycation trying to avoid the Prime Minister and his spawn or you’ve gone abroad and are facing down two week’s … Continued

Where Do We Live Now? Part 9 – Will Burns

IX I wake to a dawn chorus of pure wood pigeon. From somewhere far off, in an instantly-forgotten dream I hear five, six, a dozen birds close to the window, calling. When I wake the birds are still there, still sounding themselves. A link from the dream world to the here and now of the … Continued

Rubbish Tip, Rags and Bones, Summer 1968 – Vashti Bunyan

Rubbish Tip, July 1968 Approaching the town of Derby with the wagon and Bess, we had a choice to make. It was already getting quite late in the day and we needed somewhere to stop – a verge – a field – anywhere we could find wood, water and grass. Should we carry on through … Continued

Islington, London – July 1968 – Vashti Bunyan

July 1968.  London Garden Our first stop in London was in Islington where Robert’s one-time tutor and now friend Anthony Benjamin had a large home and studio. We parked the wagon on the side of the street, walked Betsy the horse through to the back garden and let her loose on the grass.  Anthony and … Continued

LOCALISM

LOCALISM: YOUR NEW LATE NIGHT LOCAL & UNDERGROUND DISCO Localism is the straight up new night just round the corner and open for everyone. You’ll find London’s greatest DJs every Friday night playing the best electronic dance floor music for you and your friends all summer. Free entry, great drinks, an amazing sound system and … Continued

Calvin Love

Calvin Love – Calvin Love is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Edmonton, Alberta, whose songs fold new wave, psych-pop and rock and roll into a shadowy, romantic sound. A restless writer and performer, Love’s records move between night-drive synths, guitar-led hooks and atmospheric storytelling, with recent music including Throw My Shadow To The Sun. These intimate … Continued

The Social Crisp World Cup Draw is in!

The Social Crisp World Cup 2026 Draw results are in! See the entire crisp lineup and group selections below. We kick off next week from Monday, doors open at 5pm. Get in early and enjoy some of the world’s greatest crisps (and beers!). We’re opening up voting to everyone and anyone who wants to take … Continued

THE SOCIAL CRISP WORLD CUP WEEK 4

GROUP 4 29 JUN – 4 JUL 🇺🇸 USA – Cape Cod: Salted 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland – Taylor’s: Haggis & Black Pepper 🇯🇵 Japan – Yamayoshi: Wasabeef 🇮🇷 Iran – Kish Chips: Salt & Vinegar £10 FOR A TASTING TRAY – PROFITS IN SUPPORT OF WAR CHILD ——- This year we have decided to host our own … Continued

Boomerang Process by Roy

I’ve just returned from the sold-out Liverpool launch of PJ Smith’s second collection of stories, Boomerang Process. It was so intensely enjoyable that I knew we had to get him down to London for another bash as soon as possible. We had a delay in getting the books delivered to us, apologies for that, but … Continued

GALEJ

MM’99 Selthe (Live) Archiebeau Eylon (GALEJ) issagirl B2B Jolean (GALEJ) Galej returns to London, The Social for a free event with a live performance by Selthe and DJ sets by MM’99, Archibeau and our resident DJ’s.

The Social Solstice Street Party

THE SOCIAL SOLSTICE STREET PARTY We’re back out front on Saturday 20 June for another bumper street party! We’re over the moon to welcome so many brilliant artists, friends and family back for an all out solstice celebration. Mr Speed, TV For Cats, Marsy and Nadeem Din Gabisi all join us for live sets in … Continued

No Future

No Feelings’, ‘No Fun’, ‘No Future’. The years 1976 to 1984 saw punk emerge and evolve as a fashion, a musical form, an attitude, and an aesthetic. Against a backdrop of social fragmentation, violence, high unemployment and socio-economic change, punk rejuvenated and re-energised British youth culture, inserting marginal voices and political ideas into pop. Rejecting … Continued

Timelines

After the success of our last day event we are back for another one. Bank Holiday Sunday at The Social in Soho. Intimate settings, sweet system and good vibes only. We have curated a line up who alongside our residents will be playing the deepest jungle/drum & bass cuts, from stone cold classics to upfront … Continued

Graeme Park at The Social

Another very special day party in the Social basement as we welcome the legendary Graeme Park to the booth for an all afternoon set, playing from open until close.  Graeme (who actually doesn’t need an introduction) has been playing records for over 4 decades, a resident at the Haçienda for 9 years and is a … Continued

Sunn O))) Listening Party ft. Q&A with Stephen O’Malley

Sub Pop and The Wire Magazine present an early unveiling of the forthcoming self-titled album by the legendary Sunn O))) who shall appear on the Savage Pencil adorned cover of the magazine’s May issue (out on newsstands April 2nd). Scheduled ahead of the record’s official release on Sub Pop—their first for the label and first … Continued

Matt J Bishop & Friends

Matt J Bishop was born in Essex, England during the 1980s and first gained public attention in 2006 as the frontman of London based rock band Switches . He then formed the more electronic Flash Fiktion in 2009, but left in 2012 to focus on solo work.

AIN’T

Ain’t is Hanna Baker Darch, George Ellerby, Ed Randall, Joe Lockstone, and Isaac Griffiths. Ed and George formed the band over a shared love of the stranger end of ‘90s guitar music, and the band’s other members joined shortly after. Following a busy year of gigging around London in 2023, Ain’t released ‘Oar’ and ‘Teething’ … Continued

THIS IS NOT A BOOK LAUNCH: A Celebration of David Keenan and Boyhood

Featuring live performances from:DEEPLY ARMEDSAUL ADAMCZEWSKI (INSECURE MEN)DÖLPHIN Plus DJs:TIA COUSINSMANIFESTO OF BLISSSTUART ALEXANDERTIM MURRAY MICHAEL McKEOWN April 10th from 7pm – 3amTICKETS £13 IN ADVANCE / £15 ON THE DOOR THIS IS NOT A BOOK LAUNCH IS A CELEBRATION – EXCLUSIVELY IN MUSICAL FORM – OF THE PUBLICATION OF DAVID KEENAN’S SEVENTH NOVEL BOYHOOD, … Continued

Joel Sarakula

Imagine if Ray Manzarek were the frontman for the Bee Gees… It’s a neat visual introduction to Joel Sarakula, an artist who writes, produces and performs while gazing out at the world through vintage glasses, vintage threads and long blond hair. His music is informed by a rich, 1970s-inspired palette, drawing on soft-rock, funk and … Continued

The Slates

Three mates from Yorkshire, The Slates are a young, energetic indie band who are passionate about writing anthems and moving a crowd. Since forming in 2019, they have shared stages with 90’s legends Embrace, played at major UK festivals and have sold out every headliner to date.

Barney Artist

Barney Artist is the laid-back, seriously woke rap maestro that demands your attention. The 26-year-old east Londoner fuses 90s era boom bap hip-hop with jazz for a refreshing sound harkening back to legends such as A Tribe Called Quest and The Roots, and taking influence from prolific UK artists including Kano and Ghostpoet.

Charlie Forrest ‘Golden Wisdom’ EP Launch Party

Charlie Forrest introduces his forthcoming EP Golden Wisdom, out on the 15th May via Lewis Recordings. Blending traditional folk with early ’90s Americana, Forrest has forged a distinctive sound rooted in the English countryside, which strongly influences his storytelling and artistic sensibility. Drawn to the imaginative nature of folk and country music, his songs are … Continued

The Indie Social

The Indie Social A new daytime indie showcase built for guitar fans, big hooks and proper new-band energy. Happy Neighbours With 2025 EP Southbank to Battersea under their belt and a headline set at the iconic 100 Club, they blend jangly riffs, driving rhythm and singalong choruses that nod to ’90s greats while sounding completely … Continued

Afterdrive

AFTERDRIVE ‘Fashion’ single release show live at The Social, London on Monday 9th March. AFTERDRIVE return with their new single Fashion, out February 25th 2026, a dark, hazy dive into modern romance. Pre-save Fashion here. To celebrate the release, the band will play a headline London show at The Social on March 9th. AFTERDRIVE are … Continued

Vocal Eyes

The freshest leading urban soulful liquid event is back.The ethos hip hop, vocal,rnb,soul inspired drum n bass alongside live performances “Vocal Eyes” is about Dnb, Liquid Jungle for the soul and with depth, alongside championing LIVE performances from Artists…accompanied by the “Vocal Eyes” band of Artists… We are in a new venue this time, the … Continued

Bloomsbury Continuum Party

A small celebration and preview of some upcoming titles at The Social Readings from new and upcoming books by Tom HodgkinsonHetta HowesPeter ChappellDeborah Lutz (read by Olivia Mills)Yoel NooraliHenry Power Doors open at 6.30pmReadings from 7.15pm – 9.30pm with intervals

ISE

+ Support Nana M Rose Music doesn’t get purer or more authentic than in the hands of ISE, the 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Belgium with a gift for turning personal stories into heartfelt indie rock songs. Over the past few years, she has built a strong and impressive live reputation across Europe, captivating audiences with her … Continued

Exhibition: Welcome To Music City

BUY PRINTS An exhibition celebrating the music of Conor Lumsden aka Music City.  Welcome To Music City with original artwork, photography, and design from the album world. Featuring a series of photographs by Timothy O’Connell, ephemermania from City Rocker’s Eddie Kenrick, and designs by Raissa Pardini.

Exhibition: I Am The Fly – Matthew Rich

3 Nov – 20 Dec A brilliant new exhibition and time capsule of screen-printed posters from Matthew Rich. BUY PRINTS HERE Matthew Rich is a screen-printer and artist based in Glasgow. In 2025 he is a facilitator at the heart of the Glasgow art and music scene but in 1982 he was a working screenprinter … Continued

Exhibition: Dean Chalkley ‘Back In Ibiza’

From 7th June 2025 Dean Chalkley has been taking compelling cultural photographs since the mid 1990s and his work with the likes of Oasis, Idris Elba and Amy Winehouse is widely celebrated.At the tail end of the ’90s, Dean Chalkley found himself in Ibiza, the capital of the clubbing world. For many, the turn of … Continued

Utopia on Film: A Visual Soundscape – A Photography Exhibition by Clare Marie Bailey in collaboration with Gwenno.

Our latest exhibition showcases a collection of images shot on film by Welsh artist Clare-Marie Bailey, who created imagery for Gwenno’s fourth album ‘Utopia.’ Each picture captures a moment in the diverse landscapes that inspired the album—from the vibrant energy of Las Vegas to the urban backdrops of London. The exhibition offers a glimpse into … Continued

Exhibition: Samuel Hickson

Samuel Hickson is an illustrator and cartoonist based in Staffordshire.  His style blends traditional drawing techniques with digital colour and has evolved to fit various contexts including editorial illustration, comics and posters for Stoke-on-Trent raves.  His work has been published in national magazines such as Mojo, Little White Lies and The Big Issue. He writes and … Continued

The Social 25 Years T Shirt!

As part of our ongoing quarter-century celebrations we’ve launched a super limited t-shirt in two colourways, printed by the lovely folks at Simple Print Studio in Bristol. Support The Social and grab yourself a garm to show off! Only £25, all money goes straight back to the venue. Cheers all x

Four Tet at The Social

A surprise Four Tet DJ set in the basement! Part of our on going Social 25th anniversary celebrations.  + Very special guest Chloé Robinson  + Robin and Carl + Pete Fowler (upstairs) 1900 start. £20. Tickets on the door only.  

Hungry Beat

Monday 21 Aug Douglas MacIntyre, co-author of HUNGRY BEAT, joins Vic Godard as they talk to Ben Thompson about the Scottish post-punk period, and two independent labels – Postcard and Fast Product – that changed the landscape of British music forever. Special guest DJ TBA! TICKETS

Social Merch!

We’re back this year with a HOT, fresh run of SOCIALISM caps plus some t-shirts and tote bags, only available at the bar!

Social Membership

Welcome to the brand new Social Membership! After a couple years resetting things here, we’re ready to re-start our much beloved membership scheme. All you need to do to become a Social member is sign up to our mailing list via the button below to receive exclusive offers on tickets, drinks and more. Once you’ve … Continued

The Social Christmas Market 2022

There are few days we love more here at the Social. The Social Christmas Market 2022 is fast approaching, mark Saturday 10 Dec in your diaries. No one knows for sure when this annual Christmas Fayre started here on Little Portland St, some say there were people selling socks, records and nature books here as … Continued

Pet Deaths – ‘now that’s what I call cheap talk’ – The Social

Photo: Dani Bolton (@theredbeanienz) It’s the last week before the Christmas lock downs were enforced, and we’re at a sold out Sunday show with a performance by Social family members Pet Deaths, with the band showcasing new tracks from their as of yet un-released 2nd record ‘Unhappy Ending’. It was but a short couple weeks … Continued

Stonebridge 2022

Our accidental dance tent returns to the fields of Worthy Farm next week for the first time since 2019! We’re back with an absolutely massive lineup of DJs, some Stonebridge classics, some huge new names as well as loads of artists who we’ve had the pleasure of hosting as part of our new and improved … Continued

New (Old) Socialism T-Shirts!

We have joined forces with @weare1of100 to launch the new (old) original Socialism t-shirt! Support your local venue: grab a ticket, arrive early, stay late, have another pint… and now buy a t-shirt HERE! Back by popular demand: the original Socialism t-shirt. A message for the ages that’s guaranteed to annoy all the right people, the classic … Continued

Social Entry Guidelines – Jan 2022

– Please don’t come to The Social if you’re experiencing any symptoms or have been told to isolate. This may seem obvious but it’s important. – We won’t be checking vaccination status or test results on the door, but we encourage you to keep testing regularly and to act responsibly to protect your mates, our … Continued

NYE SOCIAL 23 – CANCELLED

I am very sad to announce that we’re having to cancel our NYE SOCIAL 23 party on 31 Dec. It’s been a really hard decision to make, but on balance we feel it is the right one for us right now. Our headliner Sean Johnston has got Covid and is isolating, he wouldn’t have been … Continued

The Social Christmas Market 2021

Saturday 11 + 18 Dec – midday to 5pm Our legendary market is back over both floors and two Saturdays, stalls packed with music, books, art and other Christmas gifts for good people, and a bar full of booze! Two of the very best days of the year. Come and join us x Special guest stall … Continued

Tape Leaders

After hooking up with Velocity Press during lockdown it is a great pleasure to finally have a real life event coming up on 8 Nov with them here at the venue, for the launch of this fantastic new edition – Tape Leaders: A Compendium Of Early British Electronic Music Composers. A richly illustrated A-Z compendium … Continued

It Is The Social, After All, A Love Story – Joshua Idehen

“Wow, it’s just two corridors on top of each other”. Thats how I described The Social to a mate, the first time we stepped in. the year was 2007, Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip were tearing through radio and Myspace with their debut single, Thou Shalt Always Kill. Their biggest supporter, a DJ called … Continued

People Funny Boy – David Katz

Six months or so into the life of White Rabbit Books  I was contacted by David Katz, informing me his classic authorised biography of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry was out of print.  We agreed the book – most recently updated in 2004 – needed a makeover, revising the original edition and adding new material covering the … Continued

Lightning On The Sun – Nicholas Hogg

In the dingy backrooms of beer-damp pubs, where the snakebite and black  glowed in plastic cups, and the curling wraiths of cigarette smoke  slowly choked us, I’d held the blue volts of youth aloft. Triumphant, above the shaggy-haired crowd too young to drink, already buzzed on Hooch  and hormones, thudding  in the dark of a … Continued

Modern Life Is Ruining Classic Movies – Joshua Idehen

You know what, 2021 is the year that killed some of my favourite movies, dead. So you know how it’s really hard to listen to R. Kelly songs because, well, R. Kelly? I mean, yeah, at one time, in the innocent early noughties, Golden Showers could’ve been a subtitle for the fourth Indiana Jones movie, … Continued

Fully Qualified Survivor – Michael Chapman by Ben Thompson

“And so I’m saying goodbye, although God knows I don’t want to…” ‘You Say’ – Michael Chapman  I’ve listened to no-one’s music more over the last ten years than the Leeds-born guitarist and singer-songwriter Michael Chapman, who died last week at the age of 80. Of all the great guitar players who plugged themselves into … Continued

Rodigan at Live The Social

A true legend. Big love and huge thanks to David Rodigan for joining us here at The Social on Friday night. It was really special to have that happen in the new basement. A killer set and unforgettable night. All the pictures below from Dani Bolton! Respect to Mistah Brown and Champian who smashed it … Continued

‘I am Paint’: Richard Russell Remembers Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry

Soon after Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry threw off this mortal coil on Sunday, I received a missive from my author, Richard Russell, suggesting we might post a ‘remix’ of the passage in his book, Liberation through Hearing, which described his inspiring and extremely unorthodox collaboration with ‘Scratch’ in 2014. This is not an obituary or an account of … Continued

The Year of the Sex Olympics – Rob Young

We’re honoured to publish an extract from Rob Young’s The Magic Box. Dreamt up as a companion piece to Rob’s peerless 2010 book Electric Eden, The Magic Box does for British television what Electric Eden did for this country’s post-war folk music. In this extract, Rob blows the dust off a dystopian classic broadcast by … Continued

Group Therapy Collective

This Monday (9 August) we have a brilliant event happening in the basement, the Group Therapy Collective coming to host a much belated launch party for the two sets of cassettes they released throughout the pandemic last year to support NHS charities and Music Venues Trust. They brought together a properly amazing set of artists … Continued

Music For A Hot Summer – Matt Thorne

When news hit of a new release from the fabled Paisley Park Vaults, we immediately asked The Social Gathering’s Prince correspondent for an overview (of course we’ve got a Prince correspondent – way better than having a bog standard obsequious royal correspondent like the BBC have). So, over to our man Matt Thorne for the … Continued

America Over The Water – Shirley Collins

In January 2022, White Rabbit will publish a revised and updated edition of Shirley Collins’ singular memoir America Over the Water, which chronicles her journey through America’s southern states with Alan Lomax. We are delighted to share a short piece from Shirley below, as well as an ‘in conversation’ with Shirley and her collaborator Matthew … Continued

New Corners To Look At – Jamie Marina Lau

This month saw the publication of Australian author Jamie Marina Lau’s UK debut Gunk Baby – a cutting critique of consumer culture that gets to the core of the dangers of chasing a capitalist agenda and what happens when our lives are taken over by the ‘things’ we fill them with. In her exclusive piece for the … Continued

Monument Maker: Book Nine. Cathedral of All Summers by David Keenan

– Limbless Boys with Blackened Torsos – choristers. – Limping Waiter in a Cafe in Greece – chorister. – Line of German Soldiers Stood Motionless Along the Cliffs – choristers. – The Lion of Judah – ravish me, in the moment, extinguish me, now. – The Little Girls of France – how their fathers kiss … Continued

Three Words – Robby Krieger

My love for The Doors is such that I have been known to walk out of bars, exit cabs and terminate friendship when others disagree with the quality of their radical legacy. The Doors’ impact on the evolution of rock n roll was the equal of any of their peers before or since and their … Continued

Monument Maker: Book Seven. An Attempted Paimon Bibliography by David Keenan

A SIRK publication © The Flashlight/Token Bob, 1995 Victory Garden (short story, originally published in Plus de Choses Dans le Ciel et la Terre #3, 1982) Pirates of the Universe Divide (novelisation of an unmade Doctor Who script submitted to Douglas Adams in the summer of 1979, published by Tara, 1983) Belly of the Fish of Christ, Ship (credited as a ‘found’ … Continued

Souvenir – Michael Bracewell

When we visit a place as a tourist or disciple, we often want to return with a part of that place, an aide-memoire, a memento that in future years will take on an almost religious power, reminding us of a time pregnant with possibility, new vistas, and the sense – ironically of course given the … Continued

An Extract: Bunnyman – Will Sergeant

Ahead of the hugely anticipated (sold out) event with Will Sergeant and Bill Drummond at The Social later this month, we’re extremely chuffed to publish this extract from Will’s forthcoming autobiography Bunnyman. It’s 13 July 1978, a normal night at Eric’s. There is a band on in the main room, but it is a weekday … Continued

A Day In The Unlived Life – Daniel O’Connor

Last week saw the publication of Daniel O’Connor’s astonishing debut Nothing – an irreverent and mischievous novel about a man who can imagine things out of existence; about a world where nothing is as it seems. The Social Gathering is delighted to share an exclusive and equally memorable short story from Daniel about a John Lennon stripper. … Continued

The Social Gathering At The Social

With special guests Lias Saoudi, Anna Wood, Pete Fowler, Sophie Green + more The first in a new series of real life Social Gathering events in the basement of Little Portland St… a chance to invite some of our wonderful contributors downstairs to read, talk and play music. A Social Gathering Social if you like. Or a … Continued

The Wasted Times TV Guide: Week 14 – Lewis Jamieson

It’s been a while, hasn’t it? In the thrill of easing and the queue to get jabbed TV has taken a back seat, a rare thing around here for sure. But there remain some real gems out there to unearth. You’ll need a fair chunk of time for this week’s first highlight. BARON NOIR, (Amazon … Continued

The Social Gathering With Luke Una

(PLEASE NOTE, DUE THE EASING OF RESTRICTIONS DELAY THIS EVENT WILL NOW TAKE PLACE ON FRI 30 JULY) After a year of online gathering, The Social is delighted to be able to finally announce a real life party in the basement. Time to resocialise! Since the start of lockdown, The Social Gathering has become our … Continued

An Extract: William Blake vs The World – John Higgs

Wild, mercurial, uncategorisable – three words that could be applied to both William Blake and the author of a radical new biography of the poet, artist and visionary who has inspired and baffled for generations. John Higgs takes us on an unexpected journey through culture, science, philosophy and religion to better understand William Blake in … Continued

Apple Blossom – Justin Robertson

Acid House guru and astral traveller Justin Robertson has just announced his debut novel The Tangle, due for publication on November 4th this year. The Social Gathering is delighted to share an exclusive extract. Pre-order the book from your favourite book/record shops here: https://smarturl.it/TheTangle Uncle Tobias’s hand gripped young Ethan’s shoulders with an inappropriate firmness. The odour … Continued

IMPOSTER – Karl Hyde, Underworld

The world is covered in a thick fog. I open the kitchen window and sniff the air.  Nothing. No cars, no gunshots. One solitary bird calls out for reassurance that it is not alone.  A light frost thaws. Nature drips with delicate sounds. CAT perches on the edge of the breakfast bar, like a bird … Continued

Wild Nights! – Anna Wood

We love Anna Wood here at The Social Gathering. When we were collating pieces for the collection we put out before Christmas last year (copies available here) we were convinced we needed to finish the thing on a positive note. I mean, remember how bad 2020 was? We were all begging for a shot of … Continued

Long Relationships – Harold Heath

As a very amateur DJ myself it’s great to share this with you today, taken from Harold Heath’s new book Long Relationships: My Incredible Journey From Unknown DJ to Small-time DJ. In this extract Harold recalls his best gig ever, one which came out of nowhere, the most unsuspecting of bookings turned transcendental experience. The … Continued

Unsung Songs: Acetone – James Connor Vincent

It was the album cover that caught my eye. The strange mood that the photograph evoked. That’s something you don’t get with Spotify’s Discover Weekly algorithm and their postage stamp-sized artworks. Trawling record shops, reading music publications, and word-of-mouth are still the best ways of discovering those rare, hidden gems. The album stared back at … Continued

Return to The Paper Lantern: Part 1 – Will Burns

Outside the back door a thin layer of snow has started to settle on the old stonework and the wooden decking. The mulch I’d put down on the borders a week ago is covered in what looks like a delicate lattice of white flakes. I can see my breath on the air as I walk … Continued

The Fairy Tale Of The West Cumbrian Coal Mine – Hayden Thorpe

Human beings themselves are at risk – not just on some survival-of-civilization level, but more basically on the level of heart and soul. We are ignorant of our own nature and confused about what it is to be a human being. Gary Snyder I live on the edge of a magic perimeter. The Lake District … Continued

116 Things That Got Us Through Lockdown – A Collaborative List

Hate to say it, but Joe fucking bloody bastarding Wicks   The Red Book by Jung: always The Terror Luke Unabomber’s occasional Worldwide FM extravaganzas Supporting English products which have survived other pandemics. William Whiteley has been making scissors in Sheffield since the 18th century and is still making scissors in Sheffield. Never mind the … Continued

Peter And The Wolves – David Keenan

Peter Laughner is dead. That’s the first line of the greatest piece of music writing I ever read, “Peter Laughner”, by Lester Bangs, re-published in Bangs’ seminal collection, Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung in 1988 when I was 17 years old. Lester Bangs is dead, too. Yet I have lived with Bangs and Laughner ever … Continued