Amy McGrath
@smallmegapixel.bsky.social
Music & Pop Culture Scribe | Editorial Board, The Journal of Beatles Studies | Cultural Historian: Actor Michael Sheen | Production Designer + Artist + Ally 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ Substack: writehearpopculture.substack.com
Went over to @letterboxd.social and posted my Substack review of Out There. I'm absolutely positively sure you'll want to add your thoughts as well, given our Bluesky support of our fave actor Michael Sheen 😉
A ★★★★★ review of Out There (2026)
The history of UFO sightings in Wales and the devoted belief in extraterrestrials are the basis for Out There, the debut film from Welsh screenwriter-director Simon Ryninks, starring Iwan Rheon, Aneur...
letterboxd.com
The journey Maz, Little Elis & Bryn embark upon is colored by a not-untypical character inherent to a sci-fi conspiracy narrative, embodied with warmth and the comedic delivery of @mchshe.bsky.social's latter-day long-haired hippie, Shifty Gruff. Out There premieres August 14 at #EIFF
The Michael Sheen Chronicles: Film Review –'Out There'
A teenage astronomy enthusiast, her skeptical best mate, an unhinged ufologist, and a self-described psychic help uncover a truth in a sleepy Welsh town
writehearpopculture.substack.com
New post: Although he's garnered attention due to Sinead O’Connor’s presence on the single “Visions Of You,” Jah Wobble’s fluid lines have been carved into groove/dub space since he had the idea of playing an instrument. My interview from 1992 plus a new album from @cherryredrecords.bsky.social
The 'Alternating Currents' Legacy Interview: Jah Wobble
From the chaos of Public Image Ltd to dub-world fusion, 1992 was a breakthrough year for the bassist and his band Invaders Of The Heart
writehearpopculture.substack.com
New post: Author Sally Roberts Jones has a 40-yr history w/the subject matter Dic Penderyn. Its a narrative written to inform and educate about the life of the 23-yr-old Welsh laborer and coal miner—also known as Richard Lewis—who was hanged on August 13, 1831, for a crime some say he didn’t commit.
Book Review – 'Dic Penderyn: The Man and The Martyr'
The true story of Richard Lewis, the Merthyr Rising, and the execution of a Welsh working-class hero
writehearpopculture.substack.com
In a suburban Home Depot parking lot, five men in orange aprons stand in a semicircle, staring at the ground. “Alas, is not one among us fit to rule?” decries the eldest. From behind them comes a small, quavering voice. “I would like to try.” They turn as one to find young Arthur of Lawn and Garden.
"Well, when the President does it… that means that it is not illegal." Think you know about 'the big enchilada?' Or Bernard Barker? Or how Tricky Dick tanked the stock of The Washington Post and used the FCC to his means? Get in losers. 'Cause we're gonna go it 1970s style.
5 Watergate Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
The Watergate story has so many layers and strangely fascinating details, there is always more to uncover, even for those of us who remember the events unfolding in the early 1970s.
historyfacts.com
The most profound act of solidarity & rebellion you can do on the daily is take care of yourself, prioritize your safety & stability. That will fundamentally annoy, infuriate, & confound your abusers & bullies-- even if they're no longer in your life. Even if they're dead.
It's your friend and mine Patti Browning at @atennantcytoact.bsky.social who does the work we love her for: here's the story on David Tennant and his actual first go-round with improv back in 2018. Pull up a chair for a great read!
@atennantcytoact.bsky.social · last wk.David Tennant’s 2025 improv “debut” at the Comedy Store in London wasn’t actually his first. Seven years earlier, he took the stage with The Groundlings in Los Angeles. So how did that appearance disappear from the story? I’ve dug into what we know about that night.
US readers! We're tickled p⃫i⃫n⃫k⃫ green that Guards! Guards! will be published as a Harper Perennial Olive Edition this September!
Mark the dates August 12, 13, and 14, as I’ll be publishing articles 3 days in a row on Substack! 🤯 8/12: A film review with a familiar Welsh actor. 8/13: A deep dive into the enduring legacy of a 19th-century UK working-class hero. 8/14: An interview from 1991, timed with a new album. Stay tuned.
Reupping this now that the @welshnattheatre.bsky.social & @rosetheatre2008.bsky.social production of Our Town is streaming on National Theatre at Home. If you haven't, get on over to the site and revel in @mchshe.bsky.social and company's performances. Incandescent and timeless.
Amy McGrath@smallmegapixel.bsky.social · 3w ago🚨 Here's the trailer for @welshnattheatre.bsky.social & @rosetheatre2008.bsky.social reimagining of Thornton Wilder's Our Town. Starring Michael Sheen and directed by Francesca Goodridge, the production begins streaming on National Theatre at Home starting August 4. 🏴
60 years ago, The Beatles released 'Revolver.' With no intention of reproducing the songs at live performances, the band turned the studio into an instrument, pioneering the use of double-tracking vocals, tape loops, various recording speeds, and backwards guitars.
John Douglas, guitarist for Scottish indie legends Trashcan Sinatras, has died at the age of 63 after a brief illness. His passing was reported by the group in a social media post. The band had just released their latest LP Ever The Optimist last week.
Trashcan Sinatras “Ever The Optimist” Official Music Video
YouTube video by Trashcan Sinatras Official
youtu.be
"Steeling Ourselves pairs photographs by @jonpountney1.bsky.social with the words of residents interviewed about the [blast furnace] closure [in Port Talbot] and what has followed it." The complete exhibition can be viewed online at aftertheend.org/exhibition
Steeling Ourselves: Port Talbot photography exhibition at Plaza
Steeling Ourselves, a photography exhibition about Port Talbot after the blast furnace closure, is at The Plaza on Talbot Road until 7 August.
swanseabaynews.com
Decades ago, Kris Hansen showed 3M that its PFAS chemicals were in people's bodies. Her bosses halted her work. Now she wrestles with the secrets that 3M kept from her and the world. (Published May 2024)
Toxic Gaslighting: How 3M Executives Convinced a Scientist the Forever Chemicals She Found in Human Blood Were Safe
Decades ago, Kris Hansen showed 3M that its PFAS chemicals were in people’s bodies. Her bosses halted her work. As the EPA now forces the removal of the chemicals from drinking water, she wrestles wit...
propublica.org
Yep, I know y'all know the first music video played when MTV launched #OTD in 1981. But don't forget this was right after it. Fun fact: The song was written by Eddie Brigati & Felix Cavaliere of The [Young] Rascals and released by the band in 1966. 🤯
Pat Benatar - You Better Run (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by PatBenatarVEVO
youtu.be
Michael Sheen, One-Eye King of the Ditch Country™ Actor, 1993. Here's Michael portraying Lamprido in the Cheek By Jowl production of The Blind Men. Along with Don't Fool With Love, this UK/European dual production was first performed at the Arts Centre, University of Warwick on February 17, 1993.
Fortitude, starring Nicholas Cage, Matthew Goode and Michael Sheen, is now in jeopardy after an unencrypted hard drive of the film was stolen from Netflix's office in June. In a lawsuit, writer-producer Simon Afram accuse Netflix of compromising any prospective sale or distribution of the film.
Netflix Sued For $105 Million After Hard Drive of Unreleased Nicolas Cage Movie Was Stolen From Its Office
The lawsuit faults Netflix for losing a drive that contained a copy of World War II thriller 'Fortitude.' The company maintains it's not responsible for the loss of the movie, which it says was delive...
hollywoodreporter.com
Pope Leo received singer and songwriter Patti Smith in private audience this morning. The Pope and Smith are both Chicago natives. She was accompanied by @antoniospadaro.bsky.social, undersecretary for the Vatican's Dicastery for Culture and Education.
S4C will provide extensive television and digital coverage of this year's National Eisteddfod, with live programmes, exclusive online content and special broadcasts throughout the week-long festival wp.me/p8Mk4U-1q6B
All of @stuffbymark.bsky.social work is phenomenal and inspired. I'm a retro-vintage buff plus of course, a #Beatles fan, so everything he's produced is right up my alley. Looking forward to his continuing series on our Fabs.
Stuff By Mark@stuffbymark.bsky.social · 3w agoThe first entry in Volume 3 of The Beatles Film Poster Series - A Day In The Life.
Listen up: I’ve created another in my series of public YouTube Music playlists. Here’s DJ Michael Sheen on Mark Radcliffe’s The Folk Show with his song selections. And yes, there are Welsh musicians. Croeso i chi ffrindiau!
Michael Sheen - BBC Radio 2 The Folk Show
Playlist • Amy McGrath
music.youtube.com
Hansard died in a motorcycle crash in Lucan on the outskirts of Dublin, early on Wednesday morning. Without naming him, Irish police said he was treated at the scene for his injuries but died a short time later. 😭
Glen Hansard, Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter, dies aged 56 in motorcycle crash
Frontman of chart-topping band the Frames had huge success as the star of 2007 romantic drama Once
theguardian.com
And We’re off! youtu.be/spYyFQPkXfw
The Beatles - Rubber Soul (Special Editions)
YouTube video by The Beatles
youtu.be
EggPod Express@eggpod.bsky.social · 3w agoRubber Soul boxes are go! Remix/Recording sessions/Mono mix/US version/Bonus EP Day Tripper & We Can Work it Out mono/remix 2 October. Prepare for an onslaught of teasers!
🚨 Here's the trailer for @welshnattheatre.bsky.social & @rosetheatre2008.bsky.social reimagining of Thornton Wilder's Our Town. Starring Michael Sheen and directed by Francesca Goodridge, the production begins streaming on National Theatre at Home starting August 4. 🏴
Here's the full company for @welshnattheatre.bsky.social production of Owain & Henry, taking place at the @wmccmc.bsky.social Nov 5-28, 2026. As announced, @mchshe.bsky.social will portray Owain Glyndŵr, a leader and military commander and the last native Welsh person proclaimed Prince of Wales.
