marcusa
@marcusa.bsky.social
Tech journalist, analyst, IT director and indie music and film fan. Up the Boro. Available for writing marcus@bmob.co.uk
Mark E. Smith is now Pro-Vice Chancellor at Oxford University.
If only he had kept up with that group he was in instead of going into academia, who knows what could have happened ;-)
If only he had kept up with that group he was in instead of going into academia, who knows what could have happened ;-)
January 15, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Mark E. Smith is now Pro-Vice Chancellor at Oxford University.
If only he had kept up with that group he was in instead of going into academia, who knows what could have happened ;-)
If only he had kept up with that group he was in instead of going into academia, who knows what could have happened ;-)
The findings are in a new book by Prof. Daisy Fancourt who researched the benefits of participating in cultural events on health. So what are you waiting for? Go buy some tickets to a gig now, and live a happier life. 2/2 www.newscientist.com/article/2506...
How to extend and improve your life by getting more creative
Growing evidence reveals that creativity is one of the best-kept secrets for boosting your health. From live theatre to a quick crafting break, here’s how to harness the power of art in your everyday ...
www.newscientist.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:01 PM
The findings are in a new book by Prof. Daisy Fancourt who researched the benefits of participating in cultural events on health. So what are you waiting for? Go buy some tickets to a gig now, and live a happier life. 2/2 www.newscientist.com/article/2506...
Going to gigs is good for you! In fact people over 50 going to gigs "have nearly half the risk of developing depression over the next few years." And it's not just me saying that because I'm desperate to justify my ridiculous gig habit to my wife. 1/2
January 9, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Going to gigs is good for you! In fact people over 50 going to gigs "have nearly half the risk of developing depression over the next few years." And it's not just me saying that because I'm desperate to justify my ridiculous gig habit to my wife. 1/2
Headliners were Manchester "punk trio YAANG". I have heard nothing by them. I don't care, I trust the promoters Joy and if two bands I like are support then I'm quids in. They were awesome so worth every penny. it was £8 by the way. Yes, just £8!
January 9, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Headliners were Manchester "punk trio YAANG". I have heard nothing by them. I don't care, I trust the promoters Joy and if two bands I like are support then I'm quids in. They were awesome so worth every penny. it was £8 by the way. Yes, just £8!
Second band on is Mleko - the main reason I'm here. They're a Manchester 7-piece that make "Neo-Confused-Folk-Rock music". No doubt that'll be the number one genre in my 2026 Spotify Wrapped. I heard one track by them and I was sold.
January 9, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Second band on is Mleko - the main reason I'm here. They're a Manchester 7-piece that make "Neo-Confused-Folk-Rock music". No doubt that'll be the number one genre in my 2026 Spotify Wrapped. I heard one track by them and I was sold.
First up was Darlington's Pollyfromthedirt who I've heard a few good things by. Weirdly I spent Christmas just outside of Darlo in Richmond. The panto in Richmond always has the baddies running away to Darlo. It's a weird place. He plays "Grey-skied anglo ambience" which suits me fine.
January 9, 2026 at 8:35 PM
First up was Darlington's Pollyfromthedirt who I've heard a few good things by. Weirdly I spent Christmas just outside of Darlo in Richmond. The panto in Richmond always has the baddies running away to Darlo. It's a weird place. He plays "Grey-skied anglo ambience" which suits me fine.
First gig of the year tonight, but in a late change of plan I decided to sell my Dry Cleaning ticket and opted for some new bands at the Lexington. So looking forward to Yaang, Mleko and Pollyfromthedirt.
January 9, 2026 at 7:11 PM
First gig of the year tonight, but in a late change of plan I decided to sell my Dry Cleaning ticket and opted for some new bands at the Lexington. So looking forward to Yaang, Mleko and Pollyfromthedirt.
Is it just me, or does anyone else think the start of "Antidepressants" by Suede is just a slowed-down version of Magazine's "Shot by Both Sides"? youtu.be/gM2XO9coeLU
Suede - Antidepressants (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Suede HQ
youtu.be
January 6, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Is it just me, or does anyone else think the start of "Antidepressants" by Suede is just a slowed-down version of Magazine's "Shot by Both Sides"? youtu.be/gM2XO9coeLU
Well that was quite a tear jerker made me almost appreciate Shakespeare. Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal acting their socks off and a fantastic Max Richter score. Definitely going to be an award winner. youtu.be/_L8UH5-1z3k
Hamnet | Teaser Trailer (Universal Pictures) – HD
YouTube video by Universal Pictures UK
youtu.be
December 30, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Well that was quite a tear jerker made me almost appreciate Shakespeare. Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal acting their socks off and a fantastic Max Richter score. Definitely going to be an award winner. youtu.be/_L8UH5-1z3k
Out at the Everyman for a preview of Hamnet.
December 30, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Out at the Everyman for a preview of Hamnet.
This is a neat little idea from @olof-loves-ai.bsky.social Unsurprisingly my most used word of 2025 is Brighton www.madebyolof.com/bluesky-wrap...
marcusa.bsky.social's Bluesky Wrapped 2025
Check out marcusa.bsky.social's year on Bluesky!
www.madebyolof.com
December 30, 2025 at 12:44 PM
This is a neat little idea from @olof-loves-ai.bsky.social Unsurprisingly my most used word of 2025 is Brighton www.madebyolof.com/bluesky-wrap...
Non! RIP Brigitte Bardot www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...
Brigitte Bardot, French screen legend, dies aged 91
Bardot became a celebrated sex symbol in 1950s and 60s, but later embraced animal rights activism and an increasingly controversial political stance
www.theguardian.com
December 28, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Non! RIP Brigitte Bardot www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...
One of the things I look forward to the most at Christmas is seeing the rooms people stay in at parents/in-laws. Just search on the hashtag #DuvetKnowItsChristmas and prepare to laugh your socks off. Then go donate. Happy Christmas everyone!!
Unbelievably, #DuvetKnowItsChristmas generates such good will on social media that over the years we've raised somewhere approaching a quarter of a million quid for homeless charities. If you can spare a bob or two, sling some to Centrepoint, and here's the link: www.gofundme.com/f/duvet-know...
Donate to Duvet Know It's Christmas, 2025, organized by Rhodri Marsden
Unbelievably, it's the 15th year of this thing.
What is it?
Improbably, the nig… Rhodri Marsden needs your support for Duvet Know It's Christmas, 2025
www.gofundme.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:41 PM
One of the things I look forward to the most at Christmas is seeing the rooms people stay in at parents/in-laws. Just search on the hashtag #DuvetKnowItsChristmas and prepare to laugh your socks off. Then go donate. Happy Christmas everyone!!
Noooooooo!! www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...
Singer Chris Rea dies age 74
Rea was known for a string of hits including Driving Home For Christmas.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Noooooooo!! www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...
Headliner at the Town Hall was the one and only rock superstar, Robert Plant, who these days errs more to English folk than the blues and is the better for it.
December 21, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Headliner at the Town Hall was the one and only rock superstar, Robert Plant, who these days errs more to English folk than the blues and is the better for it.
First up tonight were West Country four piece Burr Island. Who played a very mellow laid back folk set that was very heavily influenced by Simon & Garfunkel. Definitely worth checking them out.
December 21, 2025 at 11:45 PM
First up tonight were West Country four piece Burr Island. Who played a very mellow laid back folk set that was very heavily influenced by Simon & Garfunkel. Definitely worth checking them out.
A very long 320+ mile journey to go out tonight for my 90th gig of the year in my home town. But it's worth it, as tonight it's Robert Plant at Middlesbrough Town Hall.
December 21, 2025 at 11:45 PM
A very long 320+ mile journey to go out tonight for my 90th gig of the year in my home town. But it's worth it, as tonight it's Robert Plant at Middlesbrough Town Hall.
A space groovy track from the Quatermass III gig at The Lexington. youtu.be/i1_mUcTwGYk
If you like it go buy their album at Bandcamp quatermass3.bandcamp.com/album/quater... @3quatermass.bsky.social
If you like it go buy their album at Bandcamp quatermass3.bandcamp.com/album/quater... @3quatermass.bsky.social
Quatermass III at The Lexington, London, 16th Dec 2025
YouTube video by MarcusA
youtu.be
December 17, 2025 at 9:30 PM
A space groovy track from the Quatermass III gig at The Lexington. youtu.be/i1_mUcTwGYk
If you like it go buy their album at Bandcamp quatermass3.bandcamp.com/album/quater... @3quatermass.bsky.social
If you like it go buy their album at Bandcamp quatermass3.bandcamp.com/album/quater... @3quatermass.bsky.social
Night out in Soho with old mate Mark visited The Social exhibition of Matthew Rich designed '80s Hacienda and PSV hulme gig posters. Was at quite a few of the gigs including these Alan Vega and SPK ones.
December 17, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Night out in Soho with old mate Mark visited The Social exhibition of Matthew Rich designed '80s Hacienda and PSV hulme gig posters. Was at quite a few of the gigs including these Alan Vega and SPK ones.
Headliners tonight were space glam-synth-rock band Quatermass III who consist of former members of the World of Twist, Earl Brutus and The Dials. I saw them this time last year in Brighton and had to see them again. It's been a very long wait but it was worth it.
December 16, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Headliners tonight were space glam-synth-rock band Quatermass III who consist of former members of the World of Twist, Earl Brutus and The Dials. I saw them this time last year in Brighton and had to see them again. It's been a very long wait but it was worth it.
First up tonight is Manchester singer Nico Harmony. She's the daughter of Stella Grundy, who fronted Intastella and Spencer Birtwistle Intastella and the Fall. So big shoes to fill.
December 16, 2025 at 9:16 PM
First up tonight is Manchester singer Nico Harmony. She's the daughter of Stella Grundy, who fronted Intastella and Spencer Birtwistle Intastella and the Fall. So big shoes to fill.
Out Tonight to see Quatermass III at the Lexington (again!!) for their album launch with support from Nico Harmony.
December 16, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Out Tonight to see Quatermass III at the Lexington (again!!) for their album launch with support from Nico Harmony.
Just spotted this at a local auction. My parents had one of these Woolworths Christmas trees when I was a kid. Massive waves of Christmas nostalgia.
December 13, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Just spotted this at a local auction. My parents had one of these Woolworths Christmas trees when I was a kid. Massive waves of Christmas nostalgia.
Out tonight at The Hope & Ruin Brighton to See David Devant And His Spirit Wife supported by the Would Be Goods.
December 12, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Out tonight at The Hope & Ruin Brighton to See David Devant And His Spirit Wife supported by the Would Be Goods.
Out tonight at The Hope & Ruin Brighton for a Hidden Herd new music discovery night to see Winter Gardens, Big Fear, GIFTHORSE and Snowy Mountain.
December 10, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Out tonight at The Hope & Ruin Brighton for a Hidden Herd new music discovery night to see Winter Gardens, Big Fear, GIFTHORSE and Snowy Mountain.