Darren Grayer
@darrengrayer.bsky.social
From the New Forest. Music lover, gig goer, regular Riley/Coe correspondent.
Music/gig reviews for www.in-common.co.uk
Rescue greyhound owner. MDANT.
Music/gig reviews for www.in-common.co.uk
Rescue greyhound owner. MDANT.
Pinned
Darren Grayer
@darrengrayer.bsky.social
· Jun 19
Last month it was announced that The Joiners, Southampton, would be included in an initiative by Music Venue Trust to take community ownership of venues.
We caught up with the iconic venue's booker, Ricky Bates.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/06/19/i...
We caught up with the iconic venue's booker, Ricky Bates.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/06/19/i...
Interview: Ricky Bates of legendary Southampton venue The Joiners - In-Common - Southampton
Words: Darren Grayer. Pictures: Chris Moorhouse. The recent news that Southampton music venue The Joiners is in line to be granted funding from the Music Venues Trust was gratefully received by everyo...
www.in-common.co.uk
Still pinching myself at being invited to the most iconic music venue on the south coast to interview the man who makes it all tick, and what funding from the Music Venues Trust will mean for all involved.
Please share, not for my benefit, but for the sake of all small independent music venues.
Please share, not for my benefit, but for the sake of all small independent music venues.
Young Southampton band Welly were absolutely superb in their home city on Wednesday night.
Catch them as soon as you can!
Catch them as soon as you can!
"The energetic delivery in their performance coupled with tunes that you’ll have in your head for days guarantees smiles all round."
See the full gig review of Welly at Southampton's Papillon.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/10/16/r...
See the full gig review of Welly at Southampton's Papillon.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/10/16/r...
Review: Welly, Papillon, Southampton - In-Common - Southampton
By Darren Grayer. Young Southampton band Welly have been making quite a name or themselves since forming in 2021. Their live performances are noted for their energetic approach filled with crowd inter...
www.in-common.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Young Southampton band Welly were absolutely superb in their home city on Wednesday night.
Catch them as soon as you can!
Catch them as soon as you can!
I can't claim to being a TV fan back in the day, but I was never going to turn down the chance to speak to Wendy James or review her gig at The Brook.
I have a lot of admiration for an artist who still loves what she does and appreciates those who come to watch her do it.
I have a lot of admiration for an artist who still loves what she does and appreciates those who come to watch her do it.
"Rock n roll runs through her veins"
See the full gig review of Wendy James at The Brook.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/10/12/r...
See the full gig review of Wendy James at The Brook.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/10/12/r...
Review: Wendy James, The Brook, Southampton - In-Common - Southampton
By Darren Grayer. Wendy James really needs no introduction to anyone who was around at the end of the 80s. Numerous Top Of The Pops appearances with her chart-topping band, Transvision Vamp, and cove...
www.in-common.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 9:22 AM
I can't claim to being a TV fan back in the day, but I was never going to turn down the chance to speak to Wendy James or review her gig at The Brook.
I have a lot of admiration for an artist who still loves what she does and appreciates those who come to watch her do it.
I have a lot of admiration for an artist who still loves what she does and appreciates those who come to watch her do it.
Couldn't be happier. As @marcrileydj.bsky.social always says- one of the greatest bands ever!
October 1, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Couldn't be happier. As @marcrileydj.bsky.social always says- one of the greatest bands ever!
Reposted by Darren Grayer
Southampton Ukulele Jam's incredible uke30 hour marathon raises more than 10 times target for 4 local charities - and counting
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/08/11/s...
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/08/11/s...
Southampton Ukulele Jam vs The UKe-athon – charity fundraiser smashes target - In-Common - Southampton
Over the weekend (Saturday the 9th to Sunday the 10th of August 2025) Southampton Ukulele Jam (SUJ) overwhelmingly accomplished a most marvellous thing. By playing their ‘tiny toy instruments’ for 30h...
www.in-common.co.uk
August 11, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Southampton Ukulele Jam's incredible uke30 hour marathon raises more than 10 times target for 4 local charities - and counting
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/08/11/s...
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/08/11/s...
A friend asked me if I could build a ramp for her dad, who has had a stroke and is really struggling to get about. Someone gave her a quote for 6k, so I told her I could probably come up with something. Built this for a whole lot less.
August 7, 2025 at 7:09 PM
A friend asked me if I could build a ramp for her dad, who has had a stroke and is really struggling to get about. Someone gave her a quote for 6k, so I told her I could probably come up with something. Built this for a whole lot less.
Update.Remarkable effort from the local music community. £35k target met in less than five days. Heartening stuff!
So sad to hear The Railway Inn in Winchester is in trouble.
A lovely venue and the only one of its kind in the city.
Please share and consider donating if you can
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/YlbkNB1...
A lovely venue and the only one of its kind in the city.
Please share and consider donating if you can
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/YlbkNB1...
Save The Railway Inn
Our aim is raise funds to secure the future of the Railway Inn as a community hub and music venue.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
August 5, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Update.Remarkable effort from the local music community. £35k target met in less than five days. Heartening stuff!
Reposted by Darren Grayer
So sad to hear The Railway Inn in Winchester is in trouble.
A lovely venue and the only one of its kind in the city.
Please share and consider donating if you can
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/YlbkNB1...
A lovely venue and the only one of its kind in the city.
Please share and consider donating if you can
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/YlbkNB1...
Save The Railway Inn
Our aim is raise funds to secure the future of the Railway Inn as a community hub and music venue.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
July 31, 2025 at 12:16 PM
So sad to hear The Railway Inn in Winchester is in trouble.
A lovely venue and the only one of its kind in the city.
Please share and consider donating if you can
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/YlbkNB1...
A lovely venue and the only one of its kind in the city.
Please share and consider donating if you can
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/YlbkNB1...
So sad to hear The Railway Inn in Winchester is in trouble.
A lovely venue and the only one of its kind in the city.
Please share and consider donating if you can
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/YlbkNB1...
A lovely venue and the only one of its kind in the city.
Please share and consider donating if you can
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/YlbkNB1...
Save The Railway Inn
Our aim is raise funds to secure the future of the Railway Inn as a community hub and music venue.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
July 31, 2025 at 12:16 PM
So sad to hear The Railway Inn in Winchester is in trouble.
A lovely venue and the only one of its kind in the city.
Please share and consider donating if you can
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/YlbkNB1...
A lovely venue and the only one of its kind in the city.
Please share and consider donating if you can
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/YlbkNB1...
Reposted by Darren Grayer
Future Arts Centres’ national campaign, Our Freedom: Then and Now.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/07/24/t...
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/07/24/t...
The Point Launches Flags for Freedom community project - In-Common - Southampton
The Point announces a new community-led project as part of Future Arts Centres’ national campaign, Our Freedom: Then and Now.
www.in-common.co.uk
July 26, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Future Arts Centres’ national campaign, Our Freedom: Then and Now.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/07/24/t...
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/07/24/t...
Follow this man. I've heard he's got a pretty decent taste in music!
I’m only 90,000 followers off 100,000. COME ON… WE CAN DO THIS BY THE END OF PLAY TODAY! ✊
July 26, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Follow this man. I've heard he's got a pretty decent taste in music!
In 1989, when Transvision Vamp were on the radio and TOTP every five minutes, and Wendy James was on the front cover of just about everything, someone had suggested I would get to interview her one day, I'd have laughed so hard part of my body might have become detached.
Guess what I've just done?
Guess what I've just done?
July 25, 2025 at 4:54 PM
In 1989, when Transvision Vamp were on the radio and TOTP every five minutes, and Wendy James was on the front cover of just about everything, someone had suggested I would get to interview her one day, I'd have laughed so hard part of my body might have become detached.
Guess what I've just done?
Guess what I've just done?
Happy 19th birthday to Daisy, our remarkable cat. Cancer survivor and having to share her home with a greyhound for the last 5 years.
July 24, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Happy 19th birthday to Daisy, our remarkable cat. Cancer survivor and having to share her home with a greyhound for the last 5 years.
This is just brilliant and will hopefully lead to more big venues and promoters actually doing something to help save small venues.
July 21, 2025 at 8:02 PM
This is just brilliant and will hopefully lead to more big venues and promoters actually doing something to help save small venues.
58th birthday spent out on a little boat trip watching the sunset over Greece. Stunning!
July 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM
58th birthday spent out on a little boat trip watching the sunset over Greece. Stunning!
Reposted by Darren Grayer
A tiny advert for tomorrow’s Heavenly show in London.
July 18, 2025 at 2:06 PM
A tiny advert for tomorrow’s Heavenly show in London.
I'm lucky enough to have a few decent pubs local to me, but if you're looking for somewhere to spend a sunny afternoon, nowhere else comes close, and the ploughman's is out of this world. I might even serve you an ice cream 🙂
July 9, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I'm lucky enough to have a few decent pubs local to me, but if you're looking for somewhere to spend a sunny afternoon, nowhere else comes close, and the ploughman's is out of this world. I might even serve you an ice cream 🙂
My take on a nostalgia filled evening in Southampton as the Summer Sessions continue
See the full gig review & photos of The Human League, with support from Thompson Twins and Blancmange at the latest Southampton Summer Session last night.
Were you there, or did you hear the massive sing-along to Don't You Want Me?
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/06/27/r...
Were you there, or did you hear the massive sing-along to Don't You Want Me?
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/06/27/r...
Review: The Human League - TK Maxx presents Southampton Summer Sessions - In-Common - Southampton
Words: Darren Grayer. Photos: Rhona Murphy. Formed in 1977, The Human League’s influence on electro-synth pop music can still be felt nearly 50 years on. After an initial experimental phase, the origi...
www.in-common.co.uk
June 27, 2025 at 12:15 PM
My take on a nostalgia filled evening in Southampton as the Summer Sessions continue
My take on a nostalgia filled night in Southampton as the Summer Sessions continue
See the full gig review & photos of The Human League, with support from Thompson Twins and Blancmange at the latest Southampton Summer Session last night.
Were you there, or did you hear the massive sing-along to Don't You Want Me?
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/06/27/r...
Were you there, or did you hear the massive sing-along to Don't You Want Me?
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/06/27/r...
Review: The Human League - TK Maxx presents Southampton Summer Sessions - In-Common - Southampton
Words: Darren Grayer. Photos: Rhona Murphy. Formed in 1977, The Human League’s influence on electro-synth pop music can still be felt nearly 50 years on. After an initial experimental phase, the origi...
www.in-common.co.uk
June 27, 2025 at 12:13 PM
My take on a nostalgia filled night in Southampton as the Summer Sessions continue
In other news, I've been very kindly offered to review the Human League's gig tomorrow, which reminded me of this. Anybody here like.....
June 25, 2025 at 6:19 PM
In other news, I've been very kindly offered to review the Human League's gig tomorrow, which reminded me of this. Anybody here like.....
Back at the house of cats to try and lay the hearth stone. Proving difficult! 🙂
June 25, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Back at the house of cats to try and lay the hearth stone. Proving difficult! 🙂
Reposted by Darren Grayer
Fascinating insight into the challenges for independent grassroots UK music venues.
Last month it was announced that The Joiners, Southampton, would be included in an initiative by Music Venue Trust to take community ownership of venues.
We caught up with the iconic venue's booker, Ricky Bates.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/06/19/i...
We caught up with the iconic venue's booker, Ricky Bates.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/06/19/i...
Interview: Ricky Bates of legendary Southampton venue The Joiners - In-Common - Southampton
Words: Darren Grayer. Pictures: Chris Moorhouse. The recent news that Southampton music venue The Joiners is in line to be granted funding from the Music Venues Trust was gratefully received by everyo...
www.in-common.co.uk
June 20, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Fascinating insight into the challenges for independent grassroots UK music venues.
Reposted by Darren Grayer
Still pinching myself at being invited to the most iconic music venue on the south coast to interview the man who makes it all tick, and what funding from the Music Venues Trust will mean for all involved.
Please share, not for my benefit, but for the sake of all small independent music venues.
Please share, not for my benefit, but for the sake of all small independent music venues.
Last month it was announced that The Joiners, Southampton, would be included in an initiative by Music Venue Trust to take community ownership of venues.
We caught up with the iconic venue's booker, Ricky Bates.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/06/19/i...
We caught up with the iconic venue's booker, Ricky Bates.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/06/19/i...
Interview: Ricky Bates of legendary Southampton venue The Joiners - In-Common - Southampton
Words: Darren Grayer. Pictures: Chris Moorhouse. The recent news that Southampton music venue The Joiners is in line to be granted funding from the Music Venues Trust was gratefully received by everyo...
www.in-common.co.uk
June 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Still pinching myself at being invited to the most iconic music venue on the south coast to interview the man who makes it all tick, and what funding from the Music Venues Trust will mean for all involved.
Please share, not for my benefit, but for the sake of all small independent music venues.
Please share, not for my benefit, but for the sake of all small independent music venues.
Still pinching myself at being invited to the most iconic music venue on the south coast to interview the man who makes it all tick, and what funding from the Music Venues Trust will mean for all involved.
Please share, not for my benefit, but for the sake of all small independent music venues.
Please share, not for my benefit, but for the sake of all small independent music venues.
Last month it was announced that The Joiners, Southampton, would be included in an initiative by Music Venue Trust to take community ownership of venues.
We caught up with the iconic venue's booker, Ricky Bates.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/06/19/i...
We caught up with the iconic venue's booker, Ricky Bates.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/06/19/i...
Interview: Ricky Bates of legendary Southampton venue The Joiners - In-Common - Southampton
Words: Darren Grayer. Pictures: Chris Moorhouse. The recent news that Southampton music venue The Joiners is in line to be granted funding from the Music Venues Trust was gratefully received by everyo...
www.in-common.co.uk
June 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Still pinching myself at being invited to the most iconic music venue on the south coast to interview the man who makes it all tick, and what funding from the Music Venues Trust will mean for all involved.
Please share, not for my benefit, but for the sake of all small independent music venues.
Please share, not for my benefit, but for the sake of all small independent music venues.
At the pub where my wife works today. Ee-aww, ee-awways comes in for a pint when it's hot
June 18, 2025 at 6:55 PM
At the pub where my wife works today. Ee-aww, ee-awways comes in for a pint when it's hot
I know, sorry, couldn't resist it!
June 18, 2025 at 2:14 PM
I know, sorry, couldn't resist it!