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
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 · last wk.🚨 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 · last wk.The 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 · last wk.Rubber 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.
#OTD 50 years ago, @johnlennonofficial.bsky.social was granted his green card (actually blue!) allowing him permanent residency in the U.S., as reported by @apnews.com The poignancy in his words and the circumstances then, as today, cannot be overemphasized.
Amy McGrath@smallmegapixel.bsky.social · last yr."I've said this many, many times. I have a love for the country." As reported by @apnews.com here is @johnlennonofficial.bsky.social receiving his green card, allowing for permanent residency in the US. July 27, 1976.
This series looks just 🥵🥵🥵 of course with Hudson Williams... and @racheltalalay.com in one of the director seats! The trailer is on YouTube and fair warning: 🔞
Attitude Magazine@attitudemag.bsky.social · last wk.Take a look here! www.attitude.co.uk/culture/film...
Slorch Week has officially begun when @gleafer.bsky.social goes all surfs up. Let's goooooo! 🦈 🌊
Gleafer@gleafer.bsky.social · 2w agoIT’S OFFICIALLY THE 26th! Let the SLORCHening begin! #goodomens #slorchweek My contribution:
This is not an 'inside trend' for me. Since my life imploded two years ago and I escaped, whimsy-maxxing is a joyful savior. My toaster and drink glasses: Museum of Modern Art. Miffy decor. Snoopy trinkets. Pop art prints. And my water bottle? Comedic Staged stickers w/David Tennant & Michael Sheen!
What Is Whimsy Maxxing? Inside the Trend That’s Bringing Fun into the Everyday
Who said the whimsical can’t be practical, too?
today.com
🚨 Michael Sheen will be on The Folk Show, 29 July on BBC Radio 2, sitting in for Mark Radcliffe. "His selections range from revival classics to fresh releases from Wales. Hear young folk-rock band MWSOG, Jethro Tull, & tracks by Kate Rusby and The Unthanks that both hold memories for Michael."
"Proudly Port Talbot. A new name rooted in our town & inspired by the Welsh word for the hearth–the place people gather. When the theatre reopens March 2027, Yr Aelwyd begins a new chapter while continuing a long tradition of bringing people together thru live entertainment, creativity & community."
Yr Aelwyd - English Captions
YouTube video by The Princess Royal Theatre
youtu.be
The star-studded cast has been announced for Welsh National Theatre's highly anticipated upcoming stage production, Owain & Henry
Star-studded cast unveiled for Welsh National Theatre epic
Nation.Cymru Staff The full cast has been announced for Welsh National Theatre’s highly-anticipated upcoming stage production, Owain & Henry. First announced in April 2025, Owain & Henry is penned by…
wp.me
Congrats to my fellow birthday fella Don Henley. When I interviewed him back in 1992, I did manage to make that comparison (doesn't happen often). He may come across as a bit gruff (not a lie) but he was happy to sign my Walden Woods book with the preface, "I'm sorry, darlin'. What's your name?"
Robin Williams: "Politics. 'Poli' a Latin word meaning 'many' and 'tics' meaning 'bloodsucking creatures.'" Miss you sweet Robin on your heavenly birthday. 😘
