Phil Taylor (Music Observer)
@musicobserver.bsky.social
Loving music! Supporting independent artists
🎶 Music blogger musicobserved.substack.com
🎶 Music editor @leftlion.bsky.social
🎵 Writer @clashmusic.com @diymag.com @thesongbirdhq.bsky.social 🎶
therealmusicobserver (at) gmail (dot) com
🎶 Music blogger musicobserved.substack.com
🎶 Music editor @leftlion.bsky.social
🎵 Writer @clashmusic.com @diymag.com @thesongbirdhq.bsky.social 🎶
therealmusicobserver (at) gmail (dot) com
Is this the best Gracie Abrams song ever?
Cedar is exquisitely simple
open.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Another @diymagazine.bsky.social NEU Bulletin out today! Thrilled to see my Cliffords mini-review heading it up this time :)
diymag.com/feature/the-...
diymag.com/feature/the-...
The Neu Bulletin (Cliffords, Florence Road, Blossom Caldarone and more!)
DIY’s essential guide to the best new music.
diymag.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Another @diymagazine.bsky.social NEU Bulletin out today! Thrilled to see my Cliffords mini-review heading it up this time :)
diymag.com/feature/the-...
diymag.com/feature/the-...
Last year I selected 8 artists who I thought should be followed in 2025 — Today I’m revisiting them to see how it worked out…
musicobserved.substack.com/p/revisited-...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/revisited-...
Eight exciting artists revisited
How did my predictions work out?
musicobserved.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Last year I selected 8 artists who I thought should be followed in 2025 — Today I’m revisiting them to see how it worked out…
musicobserved.substack.com/p/revisited-...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/revisited-...
Reposted by Phil Taylor (Music Observer)
Live Report: Live At Leeds - In The City 2025
Karl Blakesley goes in search of the next big thing - KEO, Child Of Prague, Last Train (and more!) prove to be highlights...
www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...
Karl Blakesley goes in search of the next big thing - KEO, Child Of Prague, Last Train (and more!) prove to be highlights...
www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...
November 17, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Live Report: Live At Leeds - In The City 2025
Karl Blakesley goes in search of the next big thing - KEO, Child Of Prague, Last Train (and more!) prove to be highlights...
www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...
Karl Blakesley goes in search of the next big thing - KEO, Child Of Prague, Last Train (and more!) prove to be highlights...
www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...
Reposted by Phil Taylor (Music Observer)
Played Cymru is our in-depth look at the Welsh music scene...
This month, Tom Morgan profiles The Family Battenberg, Po Griff, Asidhara, Hollow Blessings, CATTY + Why Horses?
www.clashmusic.com/features/pla...
This month, Tom Morgan profiles The Family Battenberg, Po Griff, Asidhara, Hollow Blessings, CATTY + Why Horses?
www.clashmusic.com/features/pla...
November 6, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Played Cymru is our in-depth look at the Welsh music scene...
This month, Tom Morgan profiles The Family Battenberg, Po Griff, Asidhara, Hollow Blessings, CATTY + Why Horses?
www.clashmusic.com/features/pla...
This month, Tom Morgan profiles The Family Battenberg, Po Griff, Asidhara, Hollow Blessings, CATTY + Why Horses?
www.clashmusic.com/features/pla...
Some thoughts on last week‘s @adwaithmusic.bsky.social gig at the legendary 100 Club!
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
Adwaith: The 100 Club, London [Live]
Dragons under the streets of London
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Some thoughts on last week‘s @adwaithmusic.bsky.social gig at the legendary 100 Club!
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
Ellur has a brilliant new EP out today!
My photos of Ellur, with Fright Years, and Cara Flynn at The @bodeganotts.bsky.social last week with this review by @musicobserver.bsky.social for @leftlion.bsky.social Magazine Nottingham
leftlion.co.uk/features/202...
leftlion.co.uk/features/202...
Gig review: Ellur at The Bodega, with Fright Years and Cara Flynn
In the middle of a breathless and busy UK tour, Yorkshire-based indie-pop purveyor Ellur stopped off at The Bodega, bringing happiness and a uniquely collective experience. With Fright Years as m...
leftlion.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Ellur has a brilliant new EP out today!
Yesterday I somehow managed to publish my regular Monday new music post despite a very hard day. Have a read! Coincidentally, all the artists I featured are from Scotland…
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
November 4, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Yesterday I somehow managed to publish my regular Monday new music post despite a very hard day. Have a read! Coincidentally, all the artists I featured are from Scotland…
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
I write quite a lot outside of my Substack blog. One of my favourites is the @diymagazine.bsky.social Neu Bulletin — short (~100 word) reviews of new music. It’s always a great list.
I wrote two for this week’s edition (Chloe Qisha and Cardinals)...
diymag.com/feature/the-...
I wrote two for this week’s edition (Chloe Qisha and Cardinals)...
diymag.com/feature/the-...
The Neu Bulletin (Cardinals, Mei Semones, Chloe Qisha and more!)
DIY’s essential guide to the best new music.
diymag.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:31 AM
I write quite a lot outside of my Substack blog. One of my favourites is the @diymagazine.bsky.social Neu Bulletin — short (~100 word) reviews of new music. It’s always a great list.
I wrote two for this week’s edition (Chloe Qisha and Cardinals)...
diymag.com/feature/the-...
I wrote two for this week’s edition (Chloe Qisha and Cardinals)...
diymag.com/feature/the-...
Whether Monday is just beginning or ending for you, check out my new post with lots of new music recommendations…
musicobserved.substack.com/p/treat-or-t...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/treat-or-t...
Treat or treat: The MOnday 27.10.25
New music from Ber, CATTY, Charlotte Carpenter, Hana Lili, Loupe and Sigrid
musicobserved.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Whether Monday is just beginning or ending for you, check out my new post with lots of new music recommendations…
musicobserved.substack.com/p/treat-or-t...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/treat-or-t...
Reposted by Phil Taylor (Music Observer)
Live Report: Twisterella Festival
All eyes are on the North East this month - what better time to soak up new music in Middlesborough, then?
Phil Taylor picks out the key sets -
www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...
All eyes are on the North East this month - what better time to soak up new music in Middlesborough, then?
Phil Taylor picks out the key sets -
www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...
October 20, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Live Report: Twisterella Festival
All eyes are on the North East this month - what better time to soak up new music in Middlesborough, then?
Phil Taylor picks out the key sets -
www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...
All eyes are on the North East this month - what better time to soak up new music in Middlesborough, then?
Phil Taylor picks out the key sets -
www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...
I'm back with more new music stuff - have a read:
musicobserved.substack.com/p/this-serve...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/this-serve...
This server's not down: The MOnday 20.10.25
Back and catching up, with new music from
musicobserved.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:25 PM
I'm back with more new music stuff - have a read:
musicobserved.substack.com/p/this-serve...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/this-serve...
It’s that time of year again … Twisterella is a small multi venue festival that punches well above … I’ve written a bit about it here:
musicobserved.substack.com/p/twisterell...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/twisterell...
Twisterella is my happy place
More than just a metro festival
musicobserved.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:43 AM
It’s that time of year again … Twisterella is a small multi venue festival that punches well above … I’ve written a bit about it here:
musicobserved.substack.com/p/twisterell...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/twisterell...
Calling independent artists! If you’re looking for some support and feedback on publicising your music without spending a fortune, I think I can help!
musicobserved.substack.com/p/how-to-sta...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/how-to-sta...
How to stand out: My services for artists
Photo by Marija Zaric on Unsplash
musicobserved.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Calling independent artists! If you’re looking for some support and feedback on publicising your music without spending a fortune, I think I can help!
musicobserved.substack.com/p/how-to-sta...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/how-to-sta...
I caught up with Americana-meets-pop/rock artist Amber Saqladi recently, to find out about her newest music and delve a bit deeper into what makes her tick.
She shared some great stories and insights...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/letting-go...
She shared some great stories and insights...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/letting-go...
Letting go of the outcome: Amber Saqladi [Interview]
Time to catch up about all things 'Liquor', creative serendipity and music that heals
musicobserved.substack.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
I caught up with Americana-meets-pop/rock artist Amber Saqladi recently, to find out about her newest music and delve a bit deeper into what makes her tick.
She shared some great stories and insights...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/letting-go...
She shared some great stories and insights...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/letting-go...
One of the best albums of the year is finally out. SPRINTS - All That Is Over.
Also, you know when you actually really like your own writing? That’s how I feel about this review! Check it out:
musicobserved.substack.com/p/sprints-al...
Also, you know when you actually really like your own writing? That’s how I feel about this review! Check it out:
musicobserved.substack.com/p/sprints-al...
SPRINTS: All That Is Over [Album]
SPRINTS may just have created the album of the year.
musicobserved.substack.com
September 26, 2025 at 9:57 AM
One of the best albums of the year is finally out. SPRINTS - All That Is Over.
Also, you know when you actually really like your own writing? That’s how I feel about this review! Check it out:
musicobserved.substack.com/p/sprints-al...
Also, you know when you actually really like your own writing? That’s how I feel about this review! Check it out:
musicobserved.substack.com/p/sprints-al...
Reposted by Phil Taylor (Music Observer)
In town this weekend? If so we'd highly recommend you making a trip to see the 'Relic' exhibition by Kid30 and friends . It's open til Sunday, free to get in and likely to be one of those 'we were there' moments...
leftlion.co.uk/features/202...
leftlion.co.uk/features/202...
Exhibition review: Relic at 28 Broad Street
Kid30 and friends bring you an immersive, bleak and humourous take on the future in this pop-up exhibition showing this weekend only in Nottingham City Centre...
leftlion.co.uk
September 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM
In town this weekend? If so we'd highly recommend you making a trip to see the 'Relic' exhibition by Kid30 and friends . It's open til Sunday, free to get in and likely to be one of those 'we were there' moments...
leftlion.co.uk/features/202...
leftlion.co.uk/features/202...
I’ve got news…
My brand new zine is out now!
Download below (all free) ⬇️
musicobserved.substack.com/p/music-obse...
My brand new zine is out now!
Download below (all free) ⬇️
musicobserved.substack.com/p/music-obse...
Music Observer: The Zine
It’s here. Edition 1, available to all.
musicobserved.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 9:33 AM
I’ve got news…
My brand new zine is out now!
Download below (all free) ⬇️
musicobserved.substack.com/p/music-obse...
My brand new zine is out now!
Download below (all free) ⬇️
musicobserved.substack.com/p/music-obse...
Sharing an oldie but goodie today - an @oddbeholder.bsky.social track from 2021 which has left a clear impact on me … 🎶😎
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
Odd Beholder: Disaster Movies
Music I’ve been wanting to mention for ages — this one’s from ’21
open.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Sharing an oldie but goodie today - an @oddbeholder.bsky.social track from 2021 which has left a clear impact on me … 🎶😎
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
This is how my Monday post turned out this week - check it out for new music and a great video!
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
After the blood moon: The MOnday 08.09.25
New music from She's In Parties, Sports, The Family Battenberg, Yndling and better joy
open.substack.com
September 10, 2025 at 7:29 AM
This is how my Monday post turned out this week - check it out for new music and a great video!
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...
Some gigs just hit different. Tuesday's performance by Ella Clayton at Dalston Curve Garden in London just made all the clichés valid: magical, wondrous, atmospheric. All that and more. You can read more on the blog (in fact, please do!)
musicobserved.substack.com/p/ella-clayt...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/ella-clayt...
Ella Clayton, Dalston, London [Live]
Magical doesn’t begin to describe this
musicobserved.substack.com
August 21, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Some gigs just hit different. Tuesday's performance by Ella Clayton at Dalston Curve Garden in London just made all the clichés valid: magical, wondrous, atmospheric. All that and more. You can read more on the blog (in fact, please do!)
musicobserved.substack.com/p/ella-clayt...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/ella-clayt...