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.
Quite obsessed at the moment with Lebonese artist Skydaddy. Seen him and his band twice and blown away both times.
The most beautiful but lyrically hard-hitting baroque pop that lends itself to Brian Wilson and The Leftbanke. His music deserves a far wider audience.
The most beautiful but lyrically hard-hitting baroque pop that lends itself to Brian Wilson and The Leftbanke. His music deserves a far wider audience.
November 17, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Quite obsessed at the moment with Lebonese artist Skydaddy. Seen him and his band twice and blown away both times.
The most beautiful but lyrically hard-hitting baroque pop that lends itself to Brian Wilson and The Leftbanke. His music deserves a far wider audience.
The most beautiful but lyrically hard-hitting baroque pop that lends itself to Brian Wilson and The Leftbanke. His music deserves a far wider audience.
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!
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.
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!
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 🙂
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! 🙂
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!
Found a new friend at work this afternoon ❤️
June 17, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Found a new friend at work this afternoon ❤️
Seven years ago today.Beck, supported by Sparks in Bournemouth. One of the best gigs I've ever attended.
May 29, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Seven years ago today.Beck, supported by Sparks in Bournemouth. One of the best gigs I've ever attended.
Top marks for my eldest, who managed to wangle her way into Rough Trade and watch Ezra Furman's instore gig. Not only that, she got her old man a signed copy of Ezra's brilliant new album. That's my girl!
May 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Top marks for my eldest, who managed to wangle her way into Rough Trade and watch Ezra Furman's instore gig. Not only that, she got her old man a signed copy of Ezra's brilliant new album. That's my girl!
Just took my youngest out on a driving lesson. Had to get out and usher this little beauty to safety.
May 13, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Just took my youngest out on a driving lesson. Had to get out and usher this little beauty to safety.
Top night of Australian psych/tropicalia with the splendid Bananagun at Heartbreakers in Southampton. Excellent support from The Stanford Family Band.
May 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Top night of Australian psych/tropicalia with the splendid Bananagun at Heartbreakers in Southampton. Excellent support from The Stanford Family Band.
The most amazing weekend at Southampton's brilliant Wanderlust Festival.
New discoveries, old favourites. English Teacher and Melin Melyn rounding things off yesterday after being almost floored by Skydaddy's staggeringly beautiful set
New discoveries, old favourites. English Teacher and Melin Melyn rounding things off yesterday after being almost floored by Skydaddy's staggeringly beautiful set
May 5, 2025 at 7:14 AM
The most amazing weekend at Southampton's brilliant Wanderlust Festival.
New discoveries, old favourites. English Teacher and Melin Melyn rounding things off yesterday after being almost floored by Skydaddy's staggeringly beautiful set
New discoveries, old favourites. English Teacher and Melin Melyn rounding things off yesterday after being almost floored by Skydaddy's staggeringly beautiful set
The best rock n roll band on the planet? On tonight's showing, they're certainly up there. Staggeringly good from The Courettes at The Joiners tonight.
April 29, 2025 at 9:38 PM
The best rock n roll band on the planet? On tonight's showing, they're certainly up there. Staggeringly good from The Courettes at The Joiners tonight.
Just been reminded of the night 38 years ago when I met my wife. Since then, I've realised how bloody lucky I am
April 24, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Just been reminded of the night 38 years ago when I met my wife. Since then, I've realised how bloody lucky I am
Quite stunning intimate show by Sarabeth Tucek and her excellent guitarist Luther Russell at The Railway Inn, Winchester last night.
Added bonus of seeing all round top man @chopstopfives.bsky.social there as well
Added bonus of seeing all round top man @chopstopfives.bsky.social there as well
April 18, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Quite stunning intimate show by Sarabeth Tucek and her excellent guitarist Luther Russell at The Railway Inn, Winchester last night.
Added bonus of seeing all round top man @chopstopfives.bsky.social there as well
Added bonus of seeing all round top man @chopstopfives.bsky.social there as well
As Sundays go, yesterday was pretty much perfect celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary with a stay at the Grand Harbour, a bite to eat in town, and a trip to The Joiners to see Jane Weaver and Memorials.
April 14, 2025 at 7:21 AM
As Sundays go, yesterday was pretty much perfect celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary with a stay at the Grand Harbour, a bite to eat in town, and a trip to The Joiners to see Jane Weaver and Memorials.
The best of nights at The Joiners with the absolutely sublime Jane Weaver.
April 13, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The best of nights at The Joiners with the absolutely sublime Jane Weaver.
Scottish band Spyres were quite brilliant at The Joiners tonight.
April 10, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Scottish band Spyres were quite brilliant at The Joiners tonight.
Well, that's a nice welcome home.
April 8, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Well, that's a nice welcome home.
Didn't know a great deal about Dehd before last night at Papillon, but the wife loves them. Top night full of surf/garage rock with a very cool stand up drummer
March 26, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Didn't know a great deal about Dehd before last night at Papillon, but the wife loves them. Top night full of surf/garage rock with a very cool stand up drummer