It’s generally accepted that the end of a calendar year is the designated appropriate time for reflection, for looking back while we rest, to recharge the batteries and prepare to move forward when January is upon us. Then 1st January happens and you’re torn from the nostalgic slumber and post Christmas haze. It’s go time,ContinueContinue reading “Looking back, moving forward.”
Author Archives: Liam
January 2026 Mixtape
Tracklisting: 01. Arkells, Portugal. The Man – Money02. Post Sex Nachos – Supergirl03. Georgia – Be Free04. Allie X – Reunite05. Nicolaas, Brothertiger – Overdrive06. Kristiane – Smoke & Mirrors07. Tigers Jaw – Head Is Like a Sinking Stone08. Loviet – CHEERLEADER09. Hazel English – Gimme10. Softcult – Queen Of Nothing11. Prinze George, AFSHEEN -ContinueContinue reading “January 2026 Mixtape”
2025 laid bare
Another year is in the books. It only feels like yesterday I was writing the same words about 2024. Time is marching on, tomorrow I’ll be able to say that next year (2027) I’ll be 40.So often I wonder when it was that I became a responsible adult. Back in the summer I spoke onContinueContinue reading “2025 laid bare”
eoa Conference panel
A month ago today I was sat on a stage in Telford, sharing EO stories alongside Hayley Russel, Stephen Spence and our host Arabella Lewis-Smith. The first day of the eoa conference had been a whirlwind, I was still trying to process everything that happened, particularly the unexpected, while attempting to say something coherent andContinueContinue reading “eoa Conference panel”
10 Years of The Force Awakens
Today is the tenth anniversary of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Kudos to David Tree and team for putting on the closest thing to an official celebration of the fifth highest grossing film worldwide, earlier this month in Fordingbridge – because, where else?On stage in this photo are Lucasfilm Creative Exec, Pablo Hidalgo and CreaturesContinueContinue reading “10 Years of The Force Awakens”
Gigs of 2025
https://youtu.be/IZHB5s8hiv8 Wednesday 15th January 2025: The Coverups at O2 Islington Academy, London w/ The Speedways Friday 17th January 2025: The Early November at The Joiners, Southampton w/ Mark Rose (Spitalfield) Saturday 15th February 2025: Bowling For Soup at Bournemouth International Centre w/ Wheatus, Magnolia Park Friday 21st February 2025: The Lottery Winners at O2 AcademyContinueContinue reading “Gigs of 2025”
December 2025 Mixtape
Tracklisting: 01. Michigander – Not So Merry Christmas02. Ally Evenson – Strawberry03. Lewis OfMan – Smash04. Ash, Graham Coxon – Fun People05. White Reaper – Coma06. Coach Party – Control 07. Permanent (Joy) – Lucky08. Dazy – I Don’t Wanna Think About The Money09. Militarie Gun – Laugh At Me10. JOSEPH – Closer to Me11.ContinueContinue reading “December 2025 Mixtape”
Alternative Exit podcast
Thank you to Andy Farquharson, and Keely Lead from the eoa, for inviting me to be a guest on an episode of the Alternative Exit podcast, recorded live on the show floor at the era Annual Conference last week.The episode is now live via your podcast provider of choice, or you can watch it onContinueContinue reading “Alternative Exit podcast”
The Joiners becomes Community Owned
For a week that started with a celebration of Employee Ownership, it was a fitting pivot to end it on a recognition of ‘Community Ownership’. As of October, the iconic Joiners Arms in Southampton is now owned by Music Venue Properties, a charitable community benefit society (CBS), established to take grassroots music venues out ofContinueContinue reading “The Joiners becomes Community Owned”
Grapevine named EO Rising Star 2025
I returned home from my second from eoa Conference yesterday with a couple of souvenirs, lots of insights and some great memories. I’m not sure if it was more surreal winning EO Rising Star of the Year, or to see these signs on the show floor the morning after! I’m still trying to articulate howContinueContinue reading “Grapevine named EO Rising Star 2025”
Blue Sky Blondes reunion
Here’s a story about one of the unexpected bonuses of employee ownership. Last year I went to the eoa Annual Conference in Telford to represent Grapevine on my own. Knowing this, Emma Hardy from Blue Sky Financial Planning invited me to join her, Lesley Keets and Theresa Osborne for dinner when we arrived ahead ofContinueContinue reading “Blue Sky Blondes reunion”
November 2025 Mixtape
Tracklisting: 01. crushed – exo02. Empress Of – Blasting Through the Speakers03. ELLUM, Transviolet – Midnight Bloom04. Magdalena Bay – Paint Me A Picture05. St. Lucia – People Change06. Purple Disco Machine feat. Jake Shears – Fire + Ice07. TWRP – My Big Day Off08. London Elektricity, Danny Byrd – Echoes In The Dance09. SubContinueContinue reading “November 2025 Mixtape”