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Another one bites the dust

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Top Tracks in Fakenham is closing after 18 months – sort of – and going back to being an online shop.

I haven’t yet been as they only open 4 days a week, and are closed on Sundays and Mondays, which is when I am passing by en route from West Runton to home.

In other news, Holt Vinyl Vault is facing a rent rise and is considering its options.

https://www.toptracksmusic.com/

John Douglas 1963-2026

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Obituary

John Douglas of the Trashcan Sinatras (and Mr Eddi Reader).

“From Stephen, Davy, Paul and Frank We are devastated to inform all of you that we have lost our dear friend and brother John after a brief illness. John died peacefully in the early hours of Monday the 3rd August 2026, surrounded by loved ones, his beautiful voice and songs filling the room.”

Vicki Wickham, 87

by 3 Comments

Obituary

Produced Ready Steady Go!, co-wrote the English lyrics to You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me, ran Track Records US, managed Dusty Springfield and LaBelle.

Bonnie Tyler, 75

by 13 Comments

Obituary

A statement on her website says she died “unexpectedly” last night in hospital in Portugal “as a result of the illness that she was being treated for”

In May, the south Wales-born singer was placed into an induced coma after emergency intestinal surgery in Portugal

Last month, her spokesperson said she was out of the coma but remained “very unwell and in intensive care”

GROOVY, LAIDBACK AND NASTY A History of Independent Music in Sheffield

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Author:Daniel Dylan Wray

The post-war Sheffield music scene evolved, without external influence, for decades.

Terry Thornton opened the first jazz club, Club 60, in a damp cellar beneath a pub and, two years later The Esquire, in an old flour mill (which went on to become The Leadmill), with gigs by Vance Arnold and the Avengers, featuring local gas fitter Joe Cocker.

Across town, ex-con Peter Stringfellow hired church halls and set himself up as a promoter (and shagger) with gigs by Screaming Lord Such, some Scousers called The Beatles (whatever happened to them, eh?), before setting up The Mojo Club and hosting gigs by the likes of Ike & Tina Turner.

Sheffield got a reputation for being “The Arsehole of the Musical Universe” and local performers, including Tony Christie, were able to refine their acts away from the spotlight.

A 1971 City Hall show by T-Rex was the Sheffield equivalent of the Sex Pistols at Manchester’s Lesser Free Trade Hall half a decade later – in the audience were members of ABC, the Human League and Def Leppard.

The availability of dole, housing benefit, and ex-industrial buildings for peppercorn rent, provided fertile ground for the nascent » Continue Reading.

A Tribute to Syd Barrett – Official 80th Anniversary Celebrations

by 9 Comments

10/10/2026

Well, this looks interesting… from the Cambridge Corn Exchange FB.

“A Tribute to Syd Barrett – Official 80th Anniversary Celebrations – 10 October 2026 Syd Barrett is being celebrated for what would have been his 80th birthday at Cambridge Corn Exchange, the site of his final performance in 1972. On 10 October, a special concert features Kula Shaker, Soft Machine, Men on the Border, Diana Silveira & The Psychedelic Circus, Radhika and Pünk Floyd, with additional surprise guests still to be announced. A commemorative double album is released on 9 October 2026, alongside a 3–9 October exhibition exploring Barrett’s life, art and legacy. Find out more: https://www.cornex.co.uk/events/a-tribute-to-syd-barrett-official-80th-anniversary-celebrations Tickets go on sale on 19 June 2026, 10AM.”

RIP Brian McFie, 65

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Obituary

Guitarist with The Big Dish, Lola In Slacks, The Countess Of Fife and others. Played with Craig Armstrong and Marianne Faithfull. Also a painter.

And a lovely fella, died after a stinker of a cold, just shy of his 66th birthday.

Life’s little gripes

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Someone I sort of vaguely know through someone else has launched Quibble, a website calling for the public to list their first-world problems. His first thought: the cookie acceptance pop-up.

My first thought: the “Made in the Czech republic” sticker on the back of a new LP, which means it was pressed at GZ and is going to need a deep clean before I can even play it.

I’m sure the AW hive mind can think of many, many, more.

https://www.quibble.org.uk/

Dexys Midnight Runners new album ‘LOVE’

by 20 Comments

04/09/2026

“Dexys Midnight Runners have today announced details of their new album, ‘LOVE’ on Heavenly Recordings, Friday 4th September 2026. The first single and video from the album ‘My Life In England Pt.1’ is OUT NOW across streaming platforms and available to watch on Youtube. ‘LOVE’ is a deeply personal and emotionally rich album that may mark the final chapter in Dexys Midnight Runners extraordinary musical journey. Their first release under the Dexys Midnight Runners name since 1985’s Don’t Stand Me Down, LOVE gathers stories spanning Kevin Rowland’s life – from his 2nd generation Irish childhood and family relationships to late-life romance, loss and reconciliation. Built around themes of love in all its forms, the album moves beyond traditional romance to explore ageing, memory and emotional connection. Produced by Belfast musician / DJ David Holmes and with additional contributions from long-time collaborators Sean Read, Mike Timothy, Jim Paterson and string arranger Brian Irving. ‘LOVE’ is available to pre-order on vinyl, CD and digitally. Across the UK there are record store events taking place → https://dexysofficial.lnk.to/LOVE_RecordShopTour Check the link in the bio for formats via the Dexys music store and retail links → https://dexysofficial.lnk.to/love Official Store https://dexysofficial.com/ Released September 4th via » Continue Reading.

The Fat Lady Sings

by 4 Comments

30/11/2026

Record label Last Night From Glasgow is re-releasing both albums by late-80s/early-90s nearly-rans The Fat Lady Sings.

To mark the occasion, Nick Kelly and the Johnson-era lineup (i.e. not including founding member Robert Hamilton on the drums) are playing one Monday night in late November at Oran Mor.

ATM: Zumerzet

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At Easter, Mrs F and I will be hiring a campervan (same make, same range, different model to the one we’re thinking of buying) and heading to Priddy, which is half-way between Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole.

We have three full days there, and 24 hours in Devizes on our way back to the hire place.

What should we see while we’re there?

Any south-west AWers fancy a mini-mingle over a cuppa?

Jesse Jackson, 84

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Obituary

US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has died at the age of 84. Jackson died peacefully on Tuesday morning surrounded by his family. In the 1960s, Jackson fought for civil rights alongside Martin Luther King Jr.

Not many people have had a rap written about them by Grandmaster Melle Mel.

Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show

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20/02/2026

The campervan show at the NEC starts tomorrow and ends on Sunday. Live performers include “Graeme Hall, best known as ‘The Dogfather’”. Erm, if you say so.

Mrs F and I are going on Friday if anyone would like a mini-mingle over an over-priced cup of lukewarm tea or an over-priced lukewarm bottled beer in an aircraft hangar.

I’ll be the middle-aged bloke wearing jeans, a fleece and sturdy walking boots. You can’t miss me.

Hen Hoose Collective

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I happened to switch on the wireless at the weekend, just as all-female and non-binary Hen Hoose Collective played live on Loose Ends.

The collective includes AW-friendly names such as The Anchoress, Emma Pollock, Inge Thomson*, Karine Polwart, Kathryn Williams, Frances McKee, Sarah Hayes (Field Music), Ray Aggs (Sacred Paws), and others.

I happened to switch on the wireless last night, just as the repeat was broadcast.

Interview on Sounds from 11:00 with the live performance from 14:00. Video of the studio version in the comments.

(*) Inge is Mrs F’s bridesmaid’s cousin, trivia fans.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002qrc6

RSD 2026

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18/04/2026

The first of 2026’s opportunities to pick up pointless coloured vinyl and zoetrope pressings of records you already have. Hurrah!

As usual, I’ll be buying albums by the Colourfield and Talking Heads (CBS demos – finally I can ditch my bootleg LP) and many non-RSD bargains from my tiny local shop’s massive warehouse clearout.

Probably of most interest is the FGTH Peel & Kid Jensen sessions (from the recent massive CD box set).

ATM: ISP

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I’m sure we’ve had this discussion recently, but the latest I can find is from 2017.

OpenReach have recently swapped my connection to the house from copper to fibre, so I can now shop around. I’m out of contract with BT and paying a stink.

I need: 1. Internet (currently 150MB/s, which is enough) 2. Landline (mobile reception here is poor, elderly parents, etc) 3. Two mobile SIMs (our maximum data use is 7GB per month)

I know they’re all awful, but who is least worst?

The Offsprings both have their mobile SIMs through Tesco Mobile and seem happy enough

HELP(2)

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Recorded predominantly across one week in November 2025, the record which “carries forward the spirit of the original” HELP album was formed under the stewardship of acclaimed producer James Ford and was brought to life through a close collaboration with Abbey Road Studios

HELP (2) includes contributions from Anna Calvi, Arctic Monkeys, Arlo Parks, Arooj Aftab, Bat For Lashes, Beabadoobee, Beck, Beth Gibbons, Big Thief, Black Country, New Road, Cameron Winter, Damon Albarn, Depeche Mode, Dove Ellis, Ellie Rowsell, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Graham Coxon, Greentea Peng, Grian Chatten, Kae Tempest, King Krule, Nilüfer Yanya, Olivia Rodrigo, Pulp, Sampha, The Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg and Young Fathers.

In addition to the musicians taking part, renowned filmmaker and Academy Award Winner Jonathan Glazer acted as Creative Director for HELP(2), working with Academy Films to oversee filming and art direction for the project.

A press release reads: “Glazer and Mica Levi’s concept was simple – “By Children, For Children” – with his team handing the cameras over to children in order to see the world through their eyes and serve as a constant reminder of the reason for the endeavor to the audience and all involved.

“Each child » Continue Reading.