Lanre Bakare
@lanre-bakare.bsky.social
Culture writer, debut non-fiction WE WERE THERE out 17 April 2025 via The Bodley Head https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/453942/we-were-there-by-bakare-lanre/9781847927477
Pinned
Lanre Bakare
@lanre-bakare.bsky.social
· Jun 19
The racial violence in Ballymena repeats a pattern that’s blighted Britain for years. We must wake up to that | Lanre Bakare
History tells us attacks on migrants are a predictable result of political failings, distorted media coverage and far-right opportunism, says Lanre Bakare, an arts and culture correspondent for the Gu...
www.theguardian.com
On Ballymena, 1919 and a history of violence www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Lanre Bakare
Featuring @lanre-bakare.bsky.social @joemayes.bsky.social and more! Read the full list: www.thenerve.news/p/books-of-2...
December 9, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Featuring @lanre-bakare.bsky.social @joemayes.bsky.social and more! Read the full list: www.thenerve.news/p/books-of-2...
Exclusive: Barbican to shut its doors for a year during a multimillion renovation project starting June 2028 www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Barbican to close its doors for a year for multimillion-pound renovation
London site’s theatre, music venue and galleries to close in June 2028, in first stage of upgrades before 50th anniversary
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Exclusive: Barbican to shut its doors for a year during a multimillion renovation project starting June 2028 www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
I’m back on tour. Come see me in Durham, London (x2) and Bath!
September 30, 2025 at 3:08 PM
I’m back on tour. Come see me in Durham, London (x2) and Bath!
I'm entering into the world of Substack.
My free newsletter is called No Archive and is the kind of writing I don't get to do as much nowadays: irreverent and off the cuff.
The first piece is about Hulk Hogan, WWF/E and race. open.substack.com/pub/lanrebak...
My free newsletter is called No Archive and is the kind of writing I don't get to do as much nowadays: irreverent and off the cuff.
The first piece is about Hulk Hogan, WWF/E and race. open.substack.com/pub/lanrebak...
'When it comes crashing down and it hurts inside': On Hulkamania, WWF + race
A debut post about growing up watching wrestling in the 1980s and looking back now to see the racial faultlines all too clearly following Hulk Hogan's death
open.substack.com
September 9, 2025 at 7:48 AM
I'm entering into the world of Substack.
My free newsletter is called No Archive and is the kind of writing I don't get to do as much nowadays: irreverent and off the cuff.
The first piece is about Hulk Hogan, WWF/E and race. open.substack.com/pub/lanrebak...
My free newsletter is called No Archive and is the kind of writing I don't get to do as much nowadays: irreverent and off the cuff.
The first piece is about Hulk Hogan, WWF/E and race. open.substack.com/pub/lanrebak...
Reposted by Lanre Bakare
Tickets are on sale now for Hidden Histories with @lanre-bakare.bsky.social & @jakecampbell88.bsky.social at Durham Book Festival.
Both authors highlight the unsung stories of people from across the North, painting a portrait of a diverse and rich heritage: newwritingnorth.com/event/hidden...
Both authors highlight the unsung stories of people from across the North, painting a portrait of a diverse and rich heritage: newwritingnorth.com/event/hidden...
August 15, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Tickets are on sale now for Hidden Histories with @lanre-bakare.bsky.social & @jakecampbell88.bsky.social at Durham Book Festival.
Both authors highlight the unsung stories of people from across the North, painting a portrait of a diverse and rich heritage: newwritingnorth.com/event/hidden...
Both authors highlight the unsung stories of people from across the North, painting a portrait of a diverse and rich heritage: newwritingnorth.com/event/hidden...
Nice write up of WWT in TLS. Will do a post at some point about “political blackness” …
My review of Lanre Bakare’s excellent book We Were There is in this week’s TLS
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
@lanre-bakare.bsky.social
@thetls.bsky.social
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
@lanre-bakare.bsky.social
@thetls.bsky.social
Staking a claim
It’s 1974, and Steve Caesar, a teenager whose family recently migrated from the Caribbean, is about to go on stage. The setting is the Wigan Casino, an
www.the-tls.com
July 4, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Nice write up of WWT in TLS. Will do a post at some point about “political blackness” …
Reposted by Lanre Bakare
My review of Lanre Bakare’s excellent book We Were There is in this week’s TLS
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
@lanre-bakare.bsky.social
@thetls.bsky.social
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
@lanre-bakare.bsky.social
@thetls.bsky.social
Staking a claim
It’s 1974, and Steve Caesar, a teenager whose family recently migrated from the Caribbean, is about to go on stage. The setting is the Wigan Casino, an
www.the-tls.com
June 26, 2025 at 9:49 AM
My review of Lanre Bakare’s excellent book We Were There is in this week’s TLS
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
@lanre-bakare.bsky.social
@thetls.bsky.social
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
@lanre-bakare.bsky.social
@thetls.bsky.social
On Ballymena, 1919 and a history of violence www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The racial violence in Ballymena repeats a pattern that’s blighted Britain for years. We must wake up to that | Lanre Bakare
History tells us attacks on migrants are a predictable result of political failings, distorted media coverage and far-right opportunism, says Lanre Bakare, an arts and culture correspondent for the Gu...
www.theguardian.com
June 19, 2025 at 1:13 PM
On Ballymena, 1919 and a history of violence www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Enjoyed this look at manc Morrissey diehards by The Mill. Would love someone to do something similar in east LA - arguably the biggest Moz fanbase outside the north west of England. manchestermill.co.uk/does-manches... Does Manchester still love Morrissey?
Does Manchester still love Morrissey?
A night at Co-op Live with the icon’s die-hard fans
manchestermill.co.uk
June 11, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Enjoyed this look at manc Morrissey diehards by The Mill. Would love someone to do something similar in east LA - arguably the biggest Moz fanbase outside the north west of England. manchestermill.co.uk/does-manches... Does Manchester still love Morrissey?
Real storyline from the game is Brennan Johnson’s hair
May 22, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Real storyline from the game is Brennan Johnson’s hair
When we were drawing up plans for world domination, Start The Week was top of the list of shows to get on.
I was lucky enough to be on with Tiffany Jenkins and Geoff Dyer who both have fascinating books out (a memoir and a history of privacy and its limitations).
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
I was lucky enough to be on with Tiffany Jenkins and Geoff Dyer who both have fascinating books out (a memoir and a history of privacy and its limitations).
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
May 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
When we were drawing up plans for world domination, Start The Week was top of the list of shows to get on.
I was lucky enough to be on with Tiffany Jenkins and Geoff Dyer who both have fascinating books out (a memoir and a history of privacy and its limitations).
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
I was lucky enough to be on with Tiffany Jenkins and Geoff Dyer who both have fascinating books out (a memoir and a history of privacy and its limitations).
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Lanre Bakare
Enjoyed talking about STRANGERS & INTIMATES on @BBCRadio4 #StartTheWeek on history as private, personal & political, with the hilarious, Geoff Dyer (HOMEWORK) & the insightful @lanre-bakare.bsky.social (WE WERE THERE). Brilliantly chaired by @tds153.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Start the Week, History: private, personal and political
Tom Sutcliffe talks to Tiffany Jenkins, Geoff Dyer and Lanre Bakare.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 12, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Enjoyed talking about STRANGERS & INTIMATES on @BBCRadio4 #StartTheWeek on history as private, personal & political, with the hilarious, Geoff Dyer (HOMEWORK) & the insightful @lanre-bakare.bsky.social (WE WERE THERE). Brilliantly chaired by @tds153.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Lanre Bakare
@ayshahtull.bsky.social and I spoke with @lanre-bakare.bsky.social on the history of black Britain outside of London, in his hometown of Bradford. Two things he’s an expert on.
www.channel4.com/news/lanre-b...
www.channel4.com/news/lanre-b...
Lanre Bakare on the forgotten voices of Black Britain
When people think about Black British history, London is often seen as its cultural heart.
www.channel4.com
April 25, 2025 at 9:31 PM
@ayshahtull.bsky.social and I spoke with @lanre-bakare.bsky.social on the history of black Britain outside of London, in his hometown of Bradford. Two things he’s an expert on.
www.channel4.com/news/lanre-b...
www.channel4.com/news/lanre-b...
Reposted by Lanre Bakare
2️⃣ Lanre Bakare: We Were There
Join writer & broadcaster Désirée Reynolds for a conversation with @lanre-bakare.bsky.social, who will set out a compelling portrait of modern Britain that weaves Black stories far away from the capital into our national narrative.
🎟️ loom.ly/PTNOEzw
Join writer & broadcaster Désirée Reynolds for a conversation with @lanre-bakare.bsky.social, who will set out a compelling portrait of modern Britain that weaves Black stories far away from the capital into our national narrative.
🎟️ loom.ly/PTNOEzw
Lanre Bakare: We Were There
We Were There is about a Black Britain that for too long has been unknown and unexplored – the one t…
loom.ly
April 29, 2025 at 9:26 AM
2️⃣ Lanre Bakare: We Were There
Join writer & broadcaster Désirée Reynolds for a conversation with @lanre-bakare.bsky.social, who will set out a compelling portrait of modern Britain that weaves Black stories far away from the capital into our national narrative.
🎟️ loom.ly/PTNOEzw
Join writer & broadcaster Désirée Reynolds for a conversation with @lanre-bakare.bsky.social, who will set out a compelling portrait of modern Britain that weaves Black stories far away from the capital into our national narrative.
🎟️ loom.ly/PTNOEzw
Reposted by Lanre Bakare
Huge thanks to everyone who came along to our event last night with @lanre-bakare.bsky.social & Lisa Williams! 🤩
If you missed out, you can watch the livestream over on our website, and also order a signed copy of We Were There below 😊
www.theportobellobookshop.com/978184792747...
If you missed out, you can watch the livestream over on our website, and also order a signed copy of We Were There below 😊
www.theportobellobookshop.com/978184792747...
April 29, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Huge thanks to everyone who came along to our event last night with @lanre-bakare.bsky.social & Lisa Williams! 🤩
If you missed out, you can watch the livestream over on our website, and also order a signed copy of We Were There below 😊
www.theportobellobookshop.com/978184792747...
If you missed out, you can watch the livestream over on our website, and also order a signed copy of We Were There below 😊
www.theportobellobookshop.com/978184792747...
Had a blast on 6Music chatting to Zakia Sewell about my new book WE WERE THERE which is all about Black British culture in the 70s and 80s. Listen back here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
April 20, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Had a blast on 6Music chatting to Zakia Sewell about my new book WE WERE THERE which is all about Black British culture in the 70s and 80s. Listen back here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Lanre Bakare
🗣️ 1 May - Lanre Bakare: We Were There
Join @lanre-bakare.bsky.social to explore his new book We Were There, in which he sets out a compelling portrait of modern Britain that weaves Black stories far away from the capital into our national narrative.
Get tickets ➡️ loom.ly/PTNOEzw
Join @lanre-bakare.bsky.social to explore his new book We Were There, in which he sets out a compelling portrait of modern Britain that weaves Black stories far away from the capital into our national narrative.
Get tickets ➡️ loom.ly/PTNOEzw
April 16, 2025 at 11:01 AM
🗣️ 1 May - Lanre Bakare: We Were There
Join @lanre-bakare.bsky.social to explore his new book We Were There, in which he sets out a compelling portrait of modern Britain that weaves Black stories far away from the capital into our national narrative.
Get tickets ➡️ loom.ly/PTNOEzw
Join @lanre-bakare.bsky.social to explore his new book We Were There, in which he sets out a compelling portrait of modern Britain that weaves Black stories far away from the capital into our national narrative.
Get tickets ➡️ loom.ly/PTNOEzw
Londoners - I’ll be at Waterstones Trafalgar Square tomorrow night with Emma Dabiri. Last few tickets remaining www.waterstones.com/events/we-we...
April 14, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Londoners - I’ll be at Waterstones Trafalgar Square tomorrow night with Emma Dabiri. Last few tickets remaining www.waterstones.com/events/we-we...
The first review is in for We Were There!
Colin Grant in The (Mighty) Observer declares We Were There is “sharply intelligent history” that “admirably achieves what it sets out to provide” and is a “necessary corrective”.
Feeling blessed 😇
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
Colin Grant in The (Mighty) Observer declares We Were There is “sharply intelligent history” that “admirably achieves what it sets out to provide” and is a “necessary corrective”.
Feeling blessed 😇
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
Lanre Bakare
lanrebakare.com
April 7, 2025 at 6:01 AM
The first review is in for We Were There!
Colin Grant in The (Mighty) Observer declares We Were There is “sharply intelligent history” that “admirably achieves what it sets out to provide” and is a “necessary corrective”.
Feeling blessed 😇
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
Colin Grant in The (Mighty) Observer declares We Were There is “sharply intelligent history” that “admirably achieves what it sets out to provide” and is a “necessary corrective”.
Feeling blessed 😇
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
We Were There is on the cover of Guardian’s Saturday culture pages!
It’s incredible to see Ellery Hanley, Nightmares on Wax, Empire Road and all the other figures from the book, assembled together and brought to life in print.
Live dates, pre-order link and playlist: www.lanrebakare.com/events
It’s incredible to see Ellery Hanley, Nightmares on Wax, Empire Road and all the other figures from the book, assembled together and brought to life in print.
Live dates, pre-order link and playlist: www.lanrebakare.com/events
March 22, 2025 at 9:51 AM
We Were There is on the cover of Guardian’s Saturday culture pages!
It’s incredible to see Ellery Hanley, Nightmares on Wax, Empire Road and all the other figures from the book, assembled together and brought to life in print.
Live dates, pre-order link and playlist: www.lanrebakare.com/events
It’s incredible to see Ellery Hanley, Nightmares on Wax, Empire Road and all the other figures from the book, assembled together and brought to life in print.
Live dates, pre-order link and playlist: www.lanrebakare.com/events
Reposted by Lanre Bakare
We’re thrilled that @lanre-bakare.bsky.social will be coming to the bookshop on 28th April to celebrate his new book: We Were There: How Black culture, resistance and community shaped modern Britain. 💥
More info & tickets here: www.theportobellobookshop.com/events/lanre...
More info & tickets here: www.theportobellobookshop.com/events/lanre...
March 16, 2025 at 10:47 AM
We’re thrilled that @lanre-bakare.bsky.social will be coming to the bookshop on 28th April to celebrate his new book: We Were There: How Black culture, resistance and community shaped modern Britain. 💥
More info & tickets here: www.theportobellobookshop.com/events/lanre...
More info & tickets here: www.theportobellobookshop.com/events/lanre...
Reposted by Lanre Bakare
Your second headliner!🎉
@lanre-bakare.bsky.social's work focuses on the intersection of art, race & culture. His book, We Were There, is about a Black Britain that for too long has been unknown and unexplored – the one that exists beyond London
Info & tickets ➡️ festivalofdebate.com/2025/lanre-b...
@lanre-bakare.bsky.social's work focuses on the intersection of art, race & culture. His book, We Were There, is about a Black Britain that for too long has been unknown and unexplored – the one that exists beyond London
Info & tickets ➡️ festivalofdebate.com/2025/lanre-b...
March 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Your second headliner!🎉
@lanre-bakare.bsky.social's work focuses on the intersection of art, race & culture. His book, We Were There, is about a Black Britain that for too long has been unknown and unexplored – the one that exists beyond London
Info & tickets ➡️ festivalofdebate.com/2025/lanre-b...
@lanre-bakare.bsky.social's work focuses on the intersection of art, race & culture. His book, We Were There, is about a Black Britain that for too long has been unknown and unexplored – the one that exists beyond London
Info & tickets ➡️ festivalofdebate.com/2025/lanre-b...
Reposted by Lanre Bakare
If anyone is about 18th March I'll be giving a public seminar for the Manchester Uni history department. The talk will be exploring photographs of industrial struggle, race and resistance and discussing 'Bolton's Grunwick', a mill strike in 1978. All welcome! events.manchester.ac.uk/event/event:...
History Research Seminar - 'Bolton's Grunwick': Bulmer and Lumb and Asian Working Class Resistance | Events at The University of Manchester
events.manchester.ac.uk
March 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM
If anyone is about 18th March I'll be giving a public seminar for the Manchester Uni history department. The talk will be exploring photographs of industrial struggle, race and resistance and discussing 'Bolton's Grunwick', a mill strike in 1978. All welcome! events.manchester.ac.uk/event/event:...
🚨Tour klaxon🚨 I’m taking We Were There out on the road in April and May. Please come and say hi!
March 4, 2025 at 2:24 PM
🚨Tour klaxon🚨 I’m taking We Were There out on the road in April and May. Please come and say hi!
New project launches today looking at class, the arts and the leadership of some of our biggest institutions. Our analysis shows:
Nearly a third (30%) of artistic directors and other creative leaders were educated privately compared with a UK average of 7%.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Nearly a third (30%) of artistic directors and other creative leaders were educated privately compared with a UK average of 7%.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Working-class creatives don’t stand a chance in UK today, leading artists warn
Exclusive: Analysis by the Guardian shows a third of major arts leaders were educated privately
www.theguardian.com
February 22, 2025 at 7:03 AM
New project launches today looking at class, the arts and the leadership of some of our biggest institutions. Our analysis shows:
Nearly a third (30%) of artistic directors and other creative leaders were educated privately compared with a UK average of 7%.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Nearly a third (30%) of artistic directors and other creative leaders were educated privately compared with a UK average of 7%.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...