Simon Coates
@simonjcoates.bsky.social
writer @discogsofficial.bsky.social, @thewiremagazine.bsky.social, (NY) Observer & others | producer | artist | "utterly cretinous" - man on Facebook "brilliant work" - Amnesty "finally..." - Dua Lipa
Ahead of Tarek Atoui's new Turbine Hall commission for London's Tate Modern gallery, I wrote about the remarkable artist for the Hyper Culture site. Read it here > www.hyperculture.co/breaking-the...
Breaking the Sound Barrier: Tarek Atoui at the Tate Modern
The Tate Modern gallery’s Turbine Hall commission series is one of those rare things: a forward-thinking, artist-supporting initiative located at a global arts institution that is open to all and free...
hyperculture.co
The next screening of my short film 'The Moon is a Pyramid Under Water' takes place as part of the NOIS//E 2026 Festival and Symposium in Milan. The festival runs from 13th to 15th November at the Fondazione Sozzani, and tickets are available online.
Monday night - new dub sounds from Omega Institute at The Old England BS6. www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/the...
LEEDS: recent The Wire cover stars Space Afrika present an exclusive Q&A, signing and screening of their film, Opera Omnia, at Hyde Park Picture House on Sept 30. Tickets here > www.jumborecords.co.uk/events-singl...
Greggs pastries, Anglo-French relations and post-Brexit diplomacy, my latest for the New York Observer looks at the story behind the arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry for the first time in 1000 years observer.com/2026/08/muse...
How the Bayeux Tapestry Became a Tool For Diplomacy
France’s loan to the U.K. offers a roadmap for how art and mutual understanding can bring nations together. Perhaps other countries could try it.
observer.com
Signed. These ghouls know what they did. They turned a Disability accomodation into a scandal because their mediocrity was threatened by fairer access. I'm taking my gloves off. The press in the West is a suppressive force with no oversight and I have receipts of my fucking own.
QQ - Did y'all just like and repost without comment? Or did you sign it AND then share with a call to action for your network? Even if you think 'it's complicated.' He shouldn't be dead. Period. Also the media pointing at Cambridge rn to distract from them is... 😡
Simon Coates@simonjcoates.bsky.social · 2mo agoThe only reason I can think of as to why there are fewer than 50,000 signatures here is that people haven't seen it yet. — Jason Arday: Demand a public inquiry now — goodlawproject.org/petition/jas...
I signed immediately. I spent the week leading up to his sad death almost waiting for the inevitable. It was so obvious that a pile-on like that, on such a sensitive person, could only end tragically. I was reminded of Caroline Flack. Then it happened. Strange how quiet his critics are now.
It's 51k as 9.00am. "It is simply the decision of someone who has reached the limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endure." published 5/8/26. Found dead 14/18/26 Sign for Jason Arday and for the inevitable next target- unless stopped.
I signed that petition, i wonder if X and FB not allowing it to be posted on their social media sites
The only reason I can think of as to why there are fewer than 50,000 signatures here is that people haven't seen it yet. — Jason Arday: Demand a public inquiry now — goodlawproject.org/petition/jas...
Jason Arday: Demand a public inquiry now | Good Law Project
Commission an immediate public inquiry into how to ensure a responsible press given its contribution to Dr Arday’s tragic death.
goodlawproject.org
In the latest edition of The Wire magazine, I've reviewed Paul Beaudoin's 'signal loss', and Alex Zhang Hungtai's 'Orion/Mother' and 'Dras' albums. The magazine is available online now and in stores from today. It's the one with the mighty Space Afrika on the cover.
Oxbow and Buñuel frontman Eugene Robinson has suffered a severe stroke that's robbed him of the ability to write, read or speak. So his wife Kasia has launched a crowdfunder to help cover his medical bills. www.decibelmagazine.com/2026/07/20/h...
Help Buñuel Frontman and Decibel Columnist Eugene Robinson Get His Voice Back - Decibel Magazine
Legendary underground musician and author Eugene Robinson suffers stoke, GoFundMe campaign to offset medical expenses launched.
decibelmagazine.com
My latest for The Art Journal takes a look at Corsica's Biennale Bonifacio. Check it here ⤵️ www.theartjournal.com/articles/in-...
A Biennale Finds Politics on the Dancefloor| The Art Journal | The Art Journal
From deserted nightclubs to former military barracks, Nimu Dormi examines how celebration has shaped the island's social and political identity
theartjournal.com
For the latest issue of The Wire magazine, I reviewed new albums from Petrozavodsk (Forest Fire) and Anti-Soul Organization (First Biennial Report on Studies & Research in Textures & Rhythm). On sale now in store and online🎚️
An exhibition of album covers from the early days of the Greensleeves record label is coming to London. Free entry 💥
New Mondo Times: Mexican Institute of Sound & Meridian Brothers, New Radio Alhara mix, Primavera Sound Festival review, Alvarius B.,Ibrahim Alfa Jnr, Hannah Peel & BeiBei Wang, Damaged Bug, a new playlist and more.. Subscribe pls! undomondo.substack.com/p/malarial-d...
Malarial Dream
Mexican Institute of Sound & Meridian Brothers, New Radio Alhara mix, Primavera Sound Festival, Alvarius B.,Ibrahim Alfa Jnr, Hannah Peel & BeiBei Wang, Damaged Bug, a new playlist and more..
undomondo.substack.com
Writing for Art UK last year, I featured David Hockney in an article on how drawing is a form of disruption. Gifted, mercurial and absolutely a class-A disruptor, may the great man rest in peace. @artukdotorg.bsky.social artuk.org/discover/sto...
Drawing as disruption: twentieth-century artists who used drawing as a protest
Explore 1 million artworks from 70,000 artists and 3,500 places for free. Art UK is the leading digital space to discover the UK’s public art collections.
artuk.org
Odd short doc looking at the mighty Jah Shaka through the eyes of an early 2000s Spanish TV channel. Good to hear the great man take the mic, though, as most think he just spun records. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH6G...
youtube.com
My first for The Art Journal looks at how the ICA's 1968 exhibition, Cybernetic Serendipity, set the template for the use of AI in contemporary art. Check it here 👇 www.theartjournal.com/articles/cyb...
The Forgotten Origins of AI Artworks | The Art Journal | The Art Journal
A little-seen show at London’s ICA introduced many of the ideas now driving a multibillion-dollar market
theartjournal.com
I wrote an article on how small and medium-sized music venues can harness AI to their advantage for Live DMA, the European network of national live music associations. Read it here ⤵️ live-dma.eu/magazine/how...
How can small and medium-sized music venues harness AI? - Live DMA
Independent music spaces often lack the budget and manpower to spend time working out ways to use AI. How can they harness these tools while maintaining their environmental integrity and unique cultur...
live-dma.eu
Crucial dub maker recreates a crucial dub album. Following his appearance at this year's Le Guess Who? festival, Scientist is coming to the UK in early 2027.
In light of the critical mauling Jack White is getting for his first solo art exhibition, I wrote something for the New York Observer that looks at whether or not the art rock stars make is worth collecting. Read it here 👇
Can Rock Royalty Really Make Art Worth Owning?
Less partisan collectors shouldn’t automatically shy away from paintings and sculpture crafted by big-name musicians, though caution is advised.
observer.com
Incredibly sad to hear from Adrian Sherwood that reggae archivist and the force behind the Blood & Fire label, Steve Barrow, has died. This is a loss that will be felt deeply across the music world.
Ijahman Levi and Earl 'Chinna' Smith 📷 Arlene Green-Bromfield
Bristol massive: Jah Tubbys World System alongside Fatman Sound System at the Trinity Centre on Fri, June 12. Jah Tubbys is celebrating 55 years as a sound system, and has been building sound equipment since 1971.
Legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins passed away yesterday, aged 95. He was the last remaining musician from Art Kane's 1958 photo, A Great Day In Harlem, that captured 58 jazz legends, including Count Basie, Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie.
