I’ve really enjoyed reading Notorious by @ottoenglish.bsky.social - he’s so good at telling gripping stories that go against the usual narrative - this time on people, groups (and in one case, microbes) traditionally thought of as villains.
That final episode of Tiptoe is the most tense, uncomfortable bit of TV I’ve seen in a long time, even though you know how it’s going to end. Masterful writing by Russell T Davies.
Can’t do much other than read in this weather. So, a pleasure to have The Full English by @stuartmaconie.bsky.social - an affectionate, honest and witty travelogue following JB Priestley’s Daimler tracks. Patriotism reclaimed.
Michael Grade confirms that he definitely is what Doctor Who fans knew he was in 1985
The Guardian@theguardian.com · 2mo agoGB News critics want to limit free speech to ‘liberal, Islington consensus’, Grade says
Belatedly getting into Shrinking on Apple TV, and it’s my new favourite show. Script, performances, direction and music - oh wow, the music - all come together beautifully. youtu.be/HIJjT-Dd62k?...
Shrinking — Official Trailer | Apple TV+
YouTube video by Apple UK
youtu.be
Last night I watched four blokes standing motionless at their keyboards for 2 hours. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. @royalalberthall.bsky.social
This is a fascinating, illuminating and rather scary listen.
The News Agents@thenewsagents.co.uk · 2mo ago"Where are these facilities, which need extraordinary amounts of resources, placed? Communities where real people live." The tech industry says we should all embrace AI. Expert Karen Hao says we need to address its exploitation and lack of democracy first www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/the-...
Just finished this, brilliantly written by the late David Cavanagh - an honest, enthralling portrait of British independent music in the 80s and 90s, spending as much time on the near-misses and failures (18 Wheeler?) as the successes of Creation Records.
My recent playlist. Mystery Jets - best track in years. Arab Strap - amazing. Man/Woman/ Chainsaw - LCD Soundsystem with violins:Amazing. the Itch - so catchy. Ed O’Brien - best Radiohead stuff for ages.
My new favourite song. It speaks to me. Arab Strap - You You You (Thanks @petepaphides.bsky.social ) youtu.be/1VeBhMvzdKA?...
Arab Strap - You You You (official video)
YouTube video by Arab Strap
youtu.be
Some good news, at least - new Boards Of Canada, and it does not disappoint music.apple.com/gb/album/inf...
Inferno by Boards of Canada on Apple Music
Album · 2026 · 19 Songs
music.apple.com
Very late to this but the podcast Transmissions - The Definitive Story Of Joy Division and New Order is superb. Plus in the final episode you get the pleasure of hearing Peter Beardsley doing the rap on World In Motion. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
S2E8: World In Motion
Podcast Episode · Transmissions: The Definitive Story of Joy Division & New Order · 23 October 2024 · 44min
podcasts.apple.com
Left To My Own Devices - Pet Shop Boys They Don’t Know - Tracey Ullman Release The Pressure- Leftfield Life On Mars - David Bowie Distant Past - Everything Everything I Should’ve Known- Aimee Mann Just - Radiohead Girls and Boys - Blur Superstition- Stevie Wonder Common People- Pulp
Biley B Hopkins@badfuckinpodcasts.com · 4mo agoDont think too hard. Top ten songs of all time for you
Paediatrics. Which is a problem, because I am a paediatrician.
Merriam-Webster@merriam-webster.com · 3mo agoWhat word is your spelling nemesis? This is a safe space.
All the worst cunts in the world - from journalism to politics, the Kermlin to the White House - are suffering tonight.
I’d very much recommend this book from @robburl.bsky.social - a history of the (dying?) art of the TV Political Interview and a memoir of a life in political broadcasting. Witty, heartfelt and balanced.
This is a fascinating book - on how the classical world was always interconnected and the whole east/west division is a lot muddier than we’ve been led to believe. How The World Made The West by @josephinequinn.bsky.social
Particularly great curation from @thenewcue.bsky.social this week. Can’t get enough of the tracks from Really Good Time, Lauren Auder, Max Cooper and, blimey, The Black Crowes open.substack.com/pub/thenewcu...
The New Cue #576 March 13: Iceage, Kacey Musgraves, Art School Girlfriend The Black Crowes, The Count Ferrara, The Lemon Twigs, Really Good Time, Kevin Morby, Kojaque, The Orielles, Ora Cogan
"A studio of one’s own."
open.substack.com
I have the cursed hardback of this, but will be buying copies for all my friends when the paperback comes out. It’s fantastic.
Joel Morris@gralefrit.bsky.social · 5mo agoTHIS IS NOT A JOKE Be Funny Or Die returns. How comedy works in our brains and makes us human. AUDIOBOOK and E-BOOK available again… at last. OUT NOW! TODAY! NOW! (Paperback in the works for next year.) amzn.eu/d/08CHfg9u
I regularly post updates on this story because it's an atrocity on an incomprehensible scale but people don't really talk about it www.reuters.com/business/hea...
USAID cuts may cause over 14 million additional deaths by 2030, study says
Deep funding cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development and its potential dismantling could result in more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030, according to research published in The ...
reuters.com
Love this book. Page-turner essays on 20 American #1s that changed the musical landscape, from The Twist to Trap. Amazing work @tombreihan.bsky.social
This is a fantastic bit of shoegazey pop by @dearyband.bsky.social - very happy to hear they’re supporting The Twilight Sad at a gig I’m already going to in April youtu.be/CjvMfS4aFxQ?...
deary - Seabird (Official Video)
YouTube video by deary
youtu.be
Yep, sold. Plenty of shows here that I’d want to see in the world. Take my money.
Lead Mojo@leadmojo.co.uk · 7mo agoThe Smelt store is now open for business: if 5,000 of you are willing to chip in £10 plus fees each, we can make some brilliant things Leadmojo.co.uk/smelt
The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station by CMAT is my absolute favourite track of the year, but otherwise my most played of 2025 pretty much are my best of 2025. Not a bad year at all.
