Jon Hill
LightNews LightNews
banner
kimjonhill.com
Jon Hill
@kimjonhill.com
55 followers 36 following 95 posts
Looking out of place in the front row since 2008.
Posts Replies Media Videos
kimjonhill.com
My musical 2025 in one image. 52 shows, on stages in Cambridge, London, Bedford, and - for one night only - Cologne. See the alt text for details!

Thanks to the artists, venues, technicians, and promoters represented here; and to the others doing similar work all over the country. Roll on, 2026! ❤️
A composite image of photos taken at gigs in 2025, presented in an irregular but symmetric grid. The image contains pictures of Submotion Orchestra; Sleeper; Jeffrey Lewis; Nerina Pallot; Katey Brooks; Baxter Dury; She Drew The Gun; Amelia Coburn; The Beths; Doves; Prima Queen; Alan Sparhawk; Desperate Journalist; Coach Party; Hamish Hawk; Du Blonde; The Orchestra (For Now); Anna Erhard; Self Esteem; The Popguns; China Crisis; Picture Parlour; John Otway; C Duncan; Honeyglaze; lilo; Betty Taylor; Allo Darlin'; Skunk Anansie; Young Knives; Low Girl; Little Comets; Bambara; Men Without Hats; WH Lung; Heartworms; Erika Vikman; Luke Sital-Singh; Paul Goodwin; The Boy Least Likely To; The Stanleys; She's In Parties; This Is The Kit; Chuck Prophet; Black Country, New Road; The Lottery Winners; John Grant; Morganway; Chartreuse; Joan As Police Woman; Oi Va Voi; and Nell Mescal.
January 2, 2026 at 5:42 PM
kimjonhill.com
Finally - finally! - got to see a #ThePopguns gig, at @thelexingtonlondon.bsky.social on Saturday night. I’ve been hooked since hearing Still Waiting For The Winter on the Indietracks 2014 compilation. That they played it just made the night better still.
A black and white photo of Wendy Pickles from the band The Popguns, on stage at The Lexington, London. She has raised her palms to the crowd as she sings into her microphone at the front of the stage.
December 15, 2025 at 9:48 PM
kimjonhill.com
For one still early in her career, Jojo Orme - #Heartworms - has remarkable control over the stage, the crowd, and the space she performs in. Utterly compelling at Scala on Monday night. Style and substance, and songs that stay with you.
A black and white photo of Heartworms, the stage name of Jojo Orme, performing at Scala in London. She is pictured in silhouette, holding an electric guitar with bright lighting behind her.
December 11, 2025 at 7:25 PM
kimjonhill.com
My Christmas cards by @happytoast.co.uk arrived and I could not be more delighted by them.
A set of five original Christmas cards, hand-drawn by HappyToast.
December 7, 2025 at 7:14 PM
kimjonhill.com
I really appreciate it when bands like @young-knives.bsky.social bring the things you associate with a big venue - custom lighting, banners, huge flags - to a place like #ThePortlandArms. It makes everything else about the show bigger too. Just like it did last night.
A black and white photo of Henry Dartnall and The House of Lords from the band Young Knives, on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK. The brothers are both playing guitars and leaning in to sing into the same microphone. A bright stage light is shining over The House of Lords’ left shoulder.
November 28, 2025 at 7:01 PM
kimjonhill.com
It was good to catch up with #LowGirl touring their new album at #ThePortlandArms in Cambridge last night. Two years since they played the Blue Moon, the bigger room really suits their sound: inventive, melodic indie with sharp production.
A black and white photo of Sarah Cosgrove from the band Low Girl, on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK. She is playing a bass guitar and standing in front of an illuminated “Portland” sign.
November 27, 2025 at 8:10 PM
kimjonhill.com
If Vanessa from Virgin Records had been at @cambridgejunction.bsky.social last night, she’d have seen exactly why the #LotteryWinners sold it out weeks ago. A great show, an easy affinity with the crowd, and a touch of class as they paused their set to play Sally Cinnamon in tribute to #Mani.
A black and white photo of Katie Lloyd, Robert Lally, and Thom Rylance of the band The Lottery Winners, on stage at Cambridge Junction. Lally and Rylance are embracing at the front of the stage as Lloyd, smiling, looks on in the background.
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
kimjonhill.com
When @dublonde.bsky.social played Scala back in February, I said how much I’d enjoyed it despite them not being fully fit.

Well, on Wednesday night they came to Cambridge’s #PortlandArms, firing on all cylinders. Great show - and candid stories - to a packed house.
A black and white photo of singer-songwriter Du Blonde on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK. Their right hand is raised, and their left hand is holding the neck of an electric guitar.
November 14, 2025 at 2:30 PM
kimjonhill.com
Last night’s @diymag.com showcase at @thelexingtonlondon.bsky.social was a genuine double-header, with the room full long before the music started.

I enjoyed #ShesInParties when they played Cambridge back in October, and they were every bit as good here. (1/2)
A black and white photo of Katie Dillon from the band She’s In Parties, on stage at The Lexington, London. She is standing behind a Korg keyboard with her arms outstretched and singing into a microphone.
November 12, 2025 at 8:53 PM
kimjonhill.com
Is there already a term for a gig that you took a bit of a chance on, but it turned out to be great? If not, I’m calling it a “Betty Taylor”, after #BettyTaylor, who were just that at #TheGrace in London last night.

They’ve come a long way to play! Go and see them. You will not regret it.
A black and white photo of (L-R) Kayla Smart, Sophie Patrick, and Claire Chittick of the Australian band Betty Taylor, on stage at The Grace in London. All three are playing electric guitars.
November 11, 2025 at 9:02 AM
kimjonhill.com
A very welcome Tuesday night visit to #TheBlueMoon in Cambridge by #lilo (pron. lee-lo), who brought along their full band as well as their songs and harmonies. Folk, indie, a dash of country, and good humour despite a broken-down tour van! Nice evening, that.
A black and white photo of Christie Gardner and Helen Dixon from the band lilo, on stage at The Blue Moon, Cambridge. They are standing side by side, playing guitars and singing into stand microphones.
November 6, 2025 at 11:04 PM
kimjonhill.com
From note 1 of song 1 to the last strains of the not-an-encore, @despjournalist.bsky.social were on superb form at a very full, very warm @thelexingtonlondon.bsky.social last night. A band - a voice - that I could never tire of hearing.
A black and white photograph of Jo Bevan and Simon Drowner of the band Desperate Journalist, on stage at The Lexington, London. Simon is in the background, playing a bass guitar. Jo is in the foreground, leaning away from the microphone that she’s singing into.
November 3, 2025 at 9:09 AM
kimjonhill.com
It does not feel like nine days since the triumphant return of #JohnGrant to @cambridgejunction.bsky.social - immediately preceded by the equally triumphant return of #Lynks.

In different ways, both outstanding at what they do. I’d see either again in a heartbeat.
A black and white photo of the artist Lynks on stage at Cambridge Junction with their two dancers. They are dressed - in their own words - as a gimp-yeti-tennis player. A black and white photo of John Grant on stage at Cambridge Junction. He is standing at the front of the stage, wearing sunglasses, and singing into the microphone that he’s holding in his right hand.
October 21, 2025 at 9:45 PM
kimjonhill.com
The second instalment of #ShinyNewModel festival at @cambridgejunction.bsky.social last Saturday. Great addition to the local live music scene. Kudos to @greenmindgigs.bsky.social and all the acts who took part. Highlights for me? #BlueCinema, #PanicShack, #HomeCounties, and #ShesInParties.
Malka Kovalenko of the band Blue Cinema, on stage at Cambridge Junction as part of the Shiny New Model festival. The band Panic Shack, on stage at Cambridge Junction as part of the Shiny New Model festival. The band Home Counties, on stage at Cambridge Junction as part of the Shiny New Model festival. Katie Dillon of the band She’s In Parties, on stage at Cambridge Junction as part of the Shiny New Model festival.
October 19, 2025 at 10:52 AM
kimjonhill.com
I part ways from the @allodarlin.bsky.social tour at this point, but #EartHHackney was a great place to leave it.

Different production (and loads of different songs) from Tuesday. Special guests! But the same joy. And they still played Capricornia. ❤️

Glasgow; Manchester - look after them, yeah?
A black and white photo of Elizabeth Morris Innset from the band Allo Darlin’, on stage at EartH Hall, Hackney, London. She is playing an electric guitar and singing into a microphone on a stand.
October 10, 2025 at 10:19 AM
kimjonhill.com
Tonight’s @allodarlin.bsky.social gig at Nottingham #OldColdStore was full of the joy that keeps me - and so many others - coming back for more.

Some very welcome surprises on the set list, too. Anticipation already building for Thursday…
A black and white photo of Elizabeth Morris Innsett and Bill Botting from the band Allo Darlin’, on stage at The Old Cold Store, Nottingham, UK. Elizabeth is away from her microphone, dancing while playing the ukulele. Bill is to her left, playing the bass guitar.
October 8, 2025 at 12:12 AM
kimjonhill.com
A really lovely gig by @kathrynwilliamsuk.bsky.social at @cambridgejunction.bsky.social last night. A new album and a huge catalogue of songs to draw from makes for shows that are as fresh and engaging and charming as ever.
A black and white photo of Kathryn Williams on stage at Cambridge Junction, UK. She is behind a music stand, playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone.
October 7, 2025 at 5:25 PM
kimjonhill.com
Without a doubt, the hottest ticket in London last night was the UK debut of #ErikaVikman at #TheGarage. Language is no barrier when you - and your band - perform like that. Fantastic, friendly crowd and a show that I’ll remember for a long time.
Finland’s Erika Vikman on stage at The Garage in London, UK. She is singing into the microphone that she holds in her right hand, while wreathed in stage smoke and bathed in yellow light.
October 5, 2025 at 8:54 PM
kimjonhill.com
We are _so_ ready. ❤️
allodarlin.bsky.social allodarlin.bsky.social @allodarlin.bsky.social · Oct 4
We are ready! Are you guys ready?
slumberlandrecords.com Slumberland Records @slumberlandrecords.com · Oct 3
That super special set of Allo Darlin' shows is *next week*!
Oct 7: Nottingham [sold out]
Oct 8: live in session for BBC 6 Music from 9pm
Oct 9: London, EartH
Oct 10: Glasgow, Stereo
Oct 11: Manchester, Band on the Wall
Tickets: li.sten.to/allo-darlin-...

@allodarlin.bsky.social @fikarecordings.com
October 4, 2025 at 9:20 PM
kimjonhill.com
Especially after missing out first time round, I remember the euphoria of the first #Sleeper reunion shows. Eight years on, their live sets incorporate new songs and revisit old ones with the same vitality. A quality gig at Camden #ElectricBallroom last night.
A black and white photo of the band Sleeper on stage at Electric Ballroom, Camden, London. Jon Stewart and Louise Wener are front of stage, playing guitar and singing, respectively. Andy Maclure is visible in the background, playing drums.
October 4, 2025 at 4:20 PM
kimjonhill.com
Four albums in, @thebeths.bsky.social are at the point where, if they played everyone’s favourite song, they’d be on stage for three hours or more.

It also means that the normal-length set they played at the Roundhouse last night was full of everything that’s great about them. I love that band.
A black and white photo of Elizabeth Stokes of NZ band The Beths, on stage at the Roundhouse, London. She is leaning forward to sing into a microphone as she plays her electric guitar. An Orange-branded amplifier is visible in the background.
September 27, 2025 at 12:02 PM
kimjonhill.com
There is something very special about a big room full of people falling completely silent to listen to _that_ moment of a show. It happened more than once during Black Country, New Road’s hometown gig at Cambridge Corn Exchange on Wednesday night. Emotional, that one.
A black and white photo of Georgia Ellery, from the band Black Country, New Road, on stage at Cambridge Corn Exchange. She is playing an acoustic guitar, singing into a microphone, and looking up into the crowd.
September 26, 2025 at 6:19 PM
kimjonhill.com
Not for the first time, my immediate thought after going to a @nerinapallot.bsky.social gig is that I’d quite like to go to another Nerina Pallot gig.

Two excellent sets at a sold-out @storeysfieldcentre.bsky.social last Saturday. She’s the kind of artist that room was made for.
A black and white photo of singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot on stage at Storeys Field Centre, Cambridge, UK. She is seated, playing an electric piano and singing into a microphone.
September 22, 2025 at 10:00 PM
kimjonhill.com
Last night’s @bambaranyc.bsky.social gig at #ThePortlandArms - a masterclass in taking advantage of a small venue to interact with the crowd and bring them into the show. Loud, and sweaty, and dynamic in all the right ways.
A black and white photo of Reid Bateh of the band Bambara, on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK. Reid is at the front of the stage with his bandmates behind him. His right arm is raised as he sings into the microphone that he holds in his left hand.
September 4, 2025 at 10:00 PM
kimjonhill.com
It is always a pleasure when @thisisthekit.bsky.social visit Cambridge. Fab show at @storeysfieldcentre.bsky.social on Sunday night. Could just be me, but I thought they rocked a little harder than usual. Kate Stables channeling her inner Ian Anderson, perhaps?
A black and white photo of Kate Stables and Jamie Whitby-Coles of This Is The Kit, on stage at Storeys Field Centre, Cambridge, UK. Jamie is playing the drums at the back of the stage. Kate is at the front of the stage, playing a banjo and standing on one leg.
September 1, 2025 at 10:52 PM