20 years ago today I played my first gig at Mr Kyps (RIP) in Poole. Two decades should feel like a long time but a few things make this day feel like it was yesterday.1. The bands who inspired us at this time are still going strong (I just saw Million Dead’s 20th anniversary lastContinueContinue reading “10.08.05: Braking Fast at Mr Kyps”
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Nostalgia or the norm? Unpacking the curious case of vinyl’s long play
“Vinyl’s back!” those of us over the age of 30 still casually proclaim in conversation, blissfully ignorant to the fact that it’s been back for over a decade now. Some might argue it never really went away. One of four of my 7” vinyl boxes, collected through the 2000s vinyl ‘dark age’. “A decade! Surely that can’tContinueContinue reading “Nostalgia or the norm? Unpacking the curious case of vinyl’s long play”
7,231 days later: The Million Dead returnth
This week I got to be in the room for the early 2000’s UK post hardcore band Million Dead’s first show in 20 years. The room in question being the same one where they played their ‘last’ show in September 2005; the legendary Joiners in Southampton. I wasn’t there for the previous show, looking atContinueContinue reading “7,231 days later: The Million Dead returnth”
Wild In Art’s sculpture trails make the fun of collecting accessible to all
If you’ve lived in the UK during the past 15 years you’ve probably seen, at the very least, one in a series of sculptures curated by Wild In Art. The business works with local partners to create public art trails, using identical sculptures painted by a range of artists. Embedded in the concept is the spiritContinueContinue reading “Wild In Art’s sculpture trails make the fun of collecting accessible to all”
‘Andor’ celebration in Fordingbridge
A one day conference dedicated to the Star Wars TV series ‘Andor’? Take a bow Dave Tree! To bring 13 members of the production team to Fordingbridge Town Hall to talk about their work on the show was an incredible feat.The only event of its kind, for a series that is also the only ofContinueContinue reading “‘Andor’ celebration in Fordingbridge”
Glorious Sunset
It looked like I may have a space of a few weeks without any shows. There was one I’d pencilled in as a possibility, knowing it would likely be a solo excursion. Then, a couple of other events found their way to me. At the tail end of April I accompanied Ed Shaw to seeContinueContinue reading “Glorious Sunset”
Collecting Star Wars VI: Celebration
All roads, or hyperspace lanes, lead to Celebration, as we conclude our trilogy of articles covering the go-to events for Star Wars collectors.
Collecting Star Wars V: Echo Base Live
In the second article of a trilogy covering ‘go to’ events for Star Wars collectors, we move north to find the Force in a midlands shopping centre.
Collecting Star Wars IV: Farthest From
Kicking off a trilogy of articles about the ‘go to’ events for Star Wars collectors, we begin in the unlikeliest of places: Fordingbridge, Hampshire (or is it?)
The proud, the few, Descendents
This week I got to see the iconic punk band, Descendents playing in Bournemouth. They were more or less done with regular touring when I got into them around the time of their 2004 release Cool To Be You. The idea that they’d be playing 20 minutes from my house, 21 years later was inconceivable. ThisContinueContinue reading “The proud, the few, Descendents”
Collection hunting at Barry Potter toy fairs
As a vibrant UK toy fair scene bubbles to the surface from the underground, one event organiser has been in the game for over 30 years.
A hangover you do deserve
February was a busy month and included three gigs, running at almost one per week, bringing the 2025 total to a respectable five so far. First up were Bowling For Soup at the BIC. A venue almost four times the size of the one I saw them play at their supposed height 21 years ago. We spentContinueContinue reading “A hangover you do deserve”
Liam Toms 