1. SAVE THE TOMB OF THE EAGLES

One of my favorite places in the world is the neolithic Tomb of The Eagles on Orkney. Instead of making it easy for themselves and just reburying it, the farming family that owned the land it occupied tried to run it for the benefit of visitors, with young volunteer archaeologists staffing a museum full of amazing objects.  They marked out a stunning route from the farm to the tomb and installed a little trolley on wheels with a rope so you couldn’t haul yourself along the entrance passage into the chamber. I have visited three times and I loved it.  But obviously covid wiped out tourism temporarily and picking up the financial pieces proved impossible and this incredible place closed to the public.
These people of the Island of South Ronaldsay (below) are trying to crowdfund reopening the Tomb so please help!

About the Tomb

The internationally famous Neolithic chambered cairn at Isbister, known as the Tomb of the Eagles, occupies a spectacular clifftop location in the South Parish of South Ronaldsay. The 5,000+ year-old burial tomb is currently in private ownership. For over 20 years it was a successful family-run, and family-friendly, visitor attraction comprising the chambered cairn, scenic walks, a Bronze Age burnt mound, and a visitor centre. The Tomb provided employment opportunities for young people, and established itself as a much-loved and unique part of South Ronaldsay and Orkney’s tourism scene.

Why is it closed?

In 2020 the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the suspension of tourism activity, and the tomb was closed to visitors. It did not reopen, and the family has now decided to retire, and to sell the Tomb and associated assets.

What are we doing about it?

With the family’s full support, we, the South Ronaldsay community, are working to buy these assets, reopen the tomb, and redevelop the site using sustainable tourism principles.

To buy the site and make it safe, we are actively applying for funding from several places, including the Scottish Land Fund, the National Heritage Lottery Fund, and Orkney-based resources. Crowdfunding and sponsorship from local businesses will then help us staff and run the site, creating a sustainable and welcoming hub for the South Ronaldsay and wider community.

What has happened so far?

We have commissioned expert surveys of the tomb itself to assess its structural integrity, of the buildings and land that will support the visitor experience, and of the financial viability of running the site as a community-owned place. Each report has shown that our plan is viable, as long as we can upgrade the facilities already in place. Best of all, the 5000 year-old tomb remains in excellent condition!

Why this crowdfund?

Through our crowdfunder campaign, we hope to raise a minimum of £20,000 to re-open the visitor centre, including renovating the museum displays, shop and toilet facilities, and providing a snack and hot drinks service. If successful, we plan that the centre and site will once again welcome visitors starting in late summer 2025.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/tomb-of-the-eagles

2. SAVE THE MOTH CLUB, HACKNEY, LONDON

Why can’t we have nice things? Predictably this superb grass roots music and comedy venue, with real atmosphere and fantastic sound and sightlines where we shot much of King Rocker, is at risk of closure due to a dodgy housing development. Two housing proposals have been deliberately split into two applications to avoid the obligation to include social housing. Save The Moth Club here

https://www.change.org/p/moth-club-faces-second-building-planning-application

3. NEW MERCH

Along with WAXFACE’s usual line of Stewart Lee merch there are new for 2025 t-shirts and hoodies on the Man-Wulf theme, all of the highest quality. I’d wear them myself but I’d look arrogant. Waste the money your Nan gave you for Xmas here

wax-face.com/stewart-lee

4. MAN-WULF BY THE PRIMEVALS

Glasgow’s garage punk veterans The Primevals announce a new single as featured in the new Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf U.K. tour.
There are 3 versions
Side a I’m The Man-Wulf
Side b I’m The Man-Wulf (long nail edit)
Plus a 9 minute I’m The Man-Wulf (long nail version) (I LOOOOOVE THIS!!)

Vinyl sides a&b were released on a 7” 45 in January.
See The Primevals live JUNE 27^th London Hope & Anchor, 28^th Preston Ferret.

https://primevals.bandcamp.com

5. BASIC LEE IS ON NOW TV

https://www.nowtv.com/ie/watch/entertainment/collections/ultimate-comedy/asset/stewart-lee-basic-lee…/A5EK6949itCVNKaChrDXN

You’ll have to subscribe though.

Here is a thorough, and not entirely positive, review from a thoughtful young man on Youtube, still better than most pro-critics.
https://youtu.be/kdOYgqCzJ4s?si=1uIZBn8tMWsAiS0h

6. STEWART LEE VS THE MAN-WULF

John Mackay & Sally Homer, in association with Debi Allen/Curtis Brown present
STEWART LEE vs THE MAN-WULF BRAND NEW SHOW

UK TOURING THROUGHOUT 2025

NB: TICKETS FOR THESE SHOWS WILL REMAIN AT THE ADVERTISED PRICE. SURGE PRICING IS IMMORAL AND TICKETMASTER AND OASIS ARE WANKERS, ENCOURAGED BY SUCCESSIVE TORY CULTURE SECRETARIES IN THEIR CRIMINAL ENDEAVOURS.

In this brand-new show, Lee shares his stage with a tough-talking werewolf comedian who hates humanity. The Man-Wulf lays down a ferocious comedy challenge to the culturally irrelevant and physically enfeebled Lee. Can the beast inside us all be silenced with the silver bullet of Lee’s unprecedentedly critically acclaimed style of stand-up.

STEWART LEE vs THE MAN-WULF Opened at Leicester Square Theatre in December 2024 the new show will tour to UK cities throughout 2025.

I AM VERY PLEASED WITH HOW THIS SHOW IS SHAPING UP – PRESS IS COLLECTING HERE.

April 2025

Tuesday 1st April 2025 – Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – TICKETS
Wednesday 2nd April 2025 – Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – TICKETS
Thursday 3rd April 2025 – New Theatre, Peterborough – TICKETS
Friday 4th April 2025 – Palace Theatre, Southend – TICKETS
Saturday 5th April 2025 – Palace Theatre, Southend – TICKETS
Sunday 6th April 2025 – Palace Theatre, Southend – TICKETS
Tuesday 22nd April 2025 – Royal & Derngate, Northampton – TICKETS
Wednesday 23rd April 2025 – Royal & Derngate, Northampton – TICKETS
Monday 28th April 2025 – Playhouse, Nottingham – TICKETS
Tuesday 29th April 2025 – Playhouse, Nottingham – TICKETS
Wednesday 30th April 2025 – Playhouse, Nottingham – TICKETS

May 2025

Thursday 1st May 2025 – Playhouse, Nottingham – TICKETS
Friday 2nd May 2025 – The Mach Arena, Machynlleth Comedy Festival – TICKETS
Saturday 3rd May 2025 – The Mach Arena, Machynlleth Comedy Festival – TICKETS
Sunday 4th May 2025 – The Mach Arena, Machynlleth Comedy Festival – TICKETS
Tuesday 6th May 2025 – Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool – TICKETS
Wednesday 7th May 2025 – Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool – TICKETS
Thursday 8th May 2025 – Playhouse, Leeds – TICKETS
Friday 9th May 2025 – Playhouse, Leeds – TICKETS
Saturday 10th May 2025 – Playhouse, Leeds – TICKETS
Monday 12th May 2025 – Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton – TICKETS
Thursday 15th May 2025 – King’s Theatre, Portsmouth – TICKETS
Friday 16th May 2025 – The Forum, Bath – TICKETS

June 2025

Wednesday 18th June 2025 – Leicester Square Theatre, London – TICKETS
Friday 20th June 2025 – Leicester Square Theatre, London – TICKETS
Saturday 21st June 2025 – Leicester Square Theatre, London – TICKETS
Saturday 21st June 2025 – Leicester Square Theatre, London – TICKETS

July 2025

Saturday 5th July 2025 – Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, London – TICKETS
Sunday 6th July 2025 – Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, London – TICKETS
Sunday 6th July 2025 – Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, London – TICKETS
Saturday 12th July 2025 – Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, London – TICKETS
Sunday 13th July 2025 – Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, London – TICKETS
Sunday 13th July 2025 – Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, London – TICKETS

September 2025

Monday 8th September 2025 – Lighthouse, Poole – TICKETS
Tuesday 9th September 2025 – Lighthouse, Poole – TICKETS
Wednesday 10th September 2025 – Hall For Cornwall, Truro – TICKETS
Thursday 11th September 2025 – Northcott Theatre, Exeter – TICKETS
Friday 12th September 2025 – Northcott Theatre, Exeter – TICKETS
Saturday 13th September 2025 – Westlands Entertainment Venue, Yeovil – TICKETS
Sunday 14th September 2025 – Westlands Entertainment Venue, Yeovil – TICKETS
Tuesday 16th September 2025 – New Theatre, Cardiff – TICKETS
Wednesday 17th September 2025 – New Theatre, Cardiff – TICKETS
Thursday 18th September 2025 – New Theatre, Cardiff – TICKETS
Friday 19th September 2025 – New Theatre, Cardiff – TICKETS
Saturday 20th September 2025 – New Theatre, Cardiff – TICKETS
Wednesday 24th September 2025 – Hippodrome, Darlington – TICKETS
Thursday 25th September 2025 – Gala, Durham – TICKETS
Friday 26th September 2025 – Theatre Royal, Glasgow – TICKETS
Saturday 27th September 2025 – Playhouse, Edinburgh – TICKETS
Sunday 28th September 2025 – His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen – TICKETS

October 2025

Friday 3rd October 2025 – Aberystwyth Arts Centre – Great Hall, Aberystwyth – TICKETS
Tuesday 7th October 2025 – Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes – TICKETS
Wednesday 8th October 2025 – Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes – TICKETS
Thursday 9th October 2025 – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford – TICKETS
Friday 10th October 2025 – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford – TICKETS
Saturday 11th October 2025 – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford – TICKETS
Wednesday 15th October 2025 – Grand Theatre, Swansea – TICKETS
Thursday 16th October 2025 – Grand Theatre, Swansea – TICKETS
Friday 17th October 2025 – Bristol Beacon, Bristol – TICKETS
Saturday 18th October 2025 – Bristol Beacon, Bristol – TICKETS
Tuesday 21st October 2025 – Storyhouse, Chester – TICKETS
Wednesday 22nd October 2025 – Storyhouse, Chester – TICKETS
Thursday 23rd October 2025 – Opera House, Buxton – TICKETS
Friday 24th October 2025 – Opera House, Buxton – TICKETS
Saturday 25th October 2025 – The Baths Hall, Scunthorpe – TICKETS
Wednesday 29th October 2025 – Cast, Doncaster – TICKETS
Thursday 30th October 2025 – Cast, Doncaster – TICKETS
Friday 31st October 2025 – Harrogate Theatre, Harrogate – TICKETS

November 2025

Saturday 1st November 2025 – Harrogate Theatre, Harrogate – TICKETS
Sunday 2nd November 2025 – Harrogate Theatre, Harrogate – TICKETS
Monday 3rd November 2025 – Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle Upon Tyne – TICKETS
Tuesday 4th November 2025 – Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle Upon Tyne – TICKETS
Friday 7th November 2025 – The Anvil, Basingstoke – TICKETS
Saturday 8th November 2025 – Rose Theatre, KIngston – TICKETS
Sunday 9th November 2025 – Rose Theatre, KIngston – TICKETS
Tuesday 11th November 2025 – Brighton Dome, Brighton – TICKETS
Wednesday 12th November 2025 – Brighton Dome, Brighton – TICKETS
Thursday 13th November 2025 – Brighton Dome, Brighton – TICKETS
Friday 14th November 2025 – Brighton Dome, Brighton – TICKETS
Saturday 15th November 2025 – Brighton Dome, Brighton – TICKETS
Monday 17th November 2025 – Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham – TICKETS
Tuesday 18th November 2025 – Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham – TICKETS
Wednesday 19th November 2025 – Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham – TICKETS

7. SNOWFLAKE/TORNADO

Stewart’s 2019-2022 touring show Snowflake/Tornado, which was originally broadcast as a BBC Special in Autumn 2022 is now available to buy or rent “on demand” from www.mediagarageproductions.com

Both shows also appear to be free as part of the current Amazon Prime rosta, but buy them from us to defeat American fascism.

We are currently preparing a physical release of these shows but it’s got delayed as I got pneumonia and have been bogged down in picking through a wealth of possible, and very exciting, audio extras, where the material worked much better than in the broadcast show itself.

8. FESTIVAL STAND-UP SETS 2025 (the usual 30 mins greatest hits shit)

24th May 2025 Bearded Theory, Derbyshire

Iggy Pop, The Manics, Thee Sisters O’ Mercy, Yard Act, Left Field, Throwing Muses, The Selecter, The Lovely Lovely Eggs, my pals Asian Dub Foundation, Cool distaff Japanese Ramones Shonen Knife, The Alarm (!!!!???), Beans on Toast, dub legends Zion Train, Angeline Morrison, Miki Berenyi from off of The Shoegazing Lushes, The Vaselines, Stick In The Wheel, Paul Heaton, and afro-rock avatars W.I.T.C.H.
www.beardedtheory.co.uk.

18^TH – 20^TH JULY Toldpuddle Martyrs’ Festival, Tolpuddle, Dorset. I will be doing 20 mins on a mixed bill here one night. Looks great. https://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/festival

22^nd – 24^th August Krankenhaus, Muncaster Castle, Lake District  Sea Power, Arab Strap, the legendary Throwing Muses, Jane Weaver, The Lovely Lovely Lovely Eggs, the awesome Richard Dawson, the amazing Nightingales, King Rocker film, the quirky Personal Trainer, the mesemerising Ex-Easter Island Head, the hypnotic Alison Cotton. www.krankenhausfestival.com

9. BENEFIT SHOWS

The Burning Parrot, Just Stop Oil fundraised, Walthamstow Trades, London, 8^th April https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-burning-parrot-comedy-fundraiser-tickets-1245032508749?aff=oddtdtcreator Me, Judy Boom, Henry Morris, Rosie Holt, Harley Brewer, Cameron Ford.

10. IDLER FEST 11-13 JULY, HAMPSTEAD HEATH, LONDON

I will be amongst the knobheads being grilled at the Idler magazine’s annual 3 day garden party. It’s a lovely event. “FENTON HOUSE & GARDEN, HAMPSTEAD, LONDON. The Idler Festival is a weekend of philosophy and merriment, comedy, talks, music, workshops and salons in the bucolic surroundings of Fenton House and gardens near Hampstead Heath. You’ll be entertained and enlightened by the Idler’s favourite thinkers, comedians, writers, and musicians. There’ll be walks, ukulele, bibliotherapy, agony aunts, beekeeping and plenty of time to loaf under the apple trees. There’ll be dancing lessons on the lawn, loafing to DJs in the orchard and salons in the house. Join us for our dream garden party. Headlining a stellar line up will be comedians Michael Palin and Stewart Lee and former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. Plus Daisy Dunn, Miranda Sawyer, a mini pilgrimage with Guy Hayward, evensong on Sunday and much more to be announced. “Britain’s best arts and literary festival,” Spectator”

https://www.idler.co.uk/festival/

CODE : DAMP AT THE BFI, LONDON, WEDS 25^TH JUNE

CODE: DAMP Experimenta Mixtape. Curated by Sophie Sleigh-Johnson. + Q&A with Sophie Sleigh-Johnson, hosted by Stewart Lee

A new book on the dark shadows of 1970s British TV comedy, centred around the work of Leonard Rossiter, provides the inspiration for a new Experimenta Mixtape in which, as ever, no further information is provided in advance of the event. The textures, domestic surrealism and atavistic underbelly of the British television sit-com are unpicked and excavated in singular, idiosyncratic fashion in Sophie Sleigh-Johnson’s strange, new book CODE: DAMP, and this one-off, adjunct, ExperimentaL, film and television, cut-up, screening mix.  With references to The Fall, the situationists, medieval musical instruments, 1970s horror, and Holsten Pils, Sleigh-Johnson’s world is at once: weird, wonderful and frightening.

GO FUND JOHN MANN, COMEDY’S ESSEX UNCLE

Comedy fans of a certain age will remember John Mann as a safe pair of hands, great gagsmith, classic era Big Breakfast energy courier, and indefatigable supporter of new ‘90s talent at the Harlow Square comedy club. Now he needs your help. Promoter Jim Howarth writes, ““Hi there everyone, Jim Howarth here and I am coming to you for help raising some funds for one of our own in the comedy industry. John Mann has been making people laugh for over 30 years and during that time he has up there with the best of them. He has written for some of the biggest names in the business, and some less so. he has mentored and supported and generally been one of the nicest people in our industry. Those close to him will know he has been unwell for a while, but he has been soldiering on but even the toughest soldier have their limits. John has barely worked for the last 2 months as he barely worked and financially that has put him in a very tough situation.He has a serious long term respiratory issue and on top of that he has pneumonia, with an infection on his lung which is proving very difficult to shift.  Despite being unwell, John helped to deliver one of my own shows while I was poorly in hospital, and in the past he has helped to raise funds for me at my own time of need. His first thought is always to look after others, and he is always on hand to advise and support. It is now it is time to return the favour by offering him our support.  Please give whatever you can to help John get through this difficult situation, he gives so much to others, me in particular and whatever we can raise I know will be a huge help to John.  These are the pit falls of being self employed, we have to push through difficult times as we lose income. I am hoping we can take away some of the pressure he finds himself under so he can focus on his recovery.  Thank you in advance for your support, and please spread this across our industry to make sure as many people see this as possible. Jim, Comedy Hotspot”

https://www.gofundme.com/f/john-mann-needs-our-help

GO FUND PETER DAVID, RADICAL HULK WRITER.

In the 90s it was Al Murray, whose own landlord alter-ego displays a Hulkish bent, who turned me on to the amazing work Peter David was doing in rebooting The Hulk comics, foregrounding with great humour and imagination, and in a modern way, all the kind of moral and psychological dilemmas that were handled in broader strokes in Lee and Kirby’s classic 60s comics, and the collected editions I have of his work have survived numerous culls and domestic upheavals. Of course as a Marvel comics writer David gets no share of profits from any further exploitation of the creative contributions he has made, and as an American he lives in a fascist shithole where healthcare is costly business for creatives and freelancers. Some guy called Graham Murphy says … “Hi, friends. I’m restarting a fundraiser for Peter David and his family. Peter’s health issues continue to be a challenge. He has been in recovery now forthree years!Peter is steadily improving – even with his kidney disease, minor surgeries, and some recent small strokes. But Medicaid, which had been taking care of his Long Term Disability, has just dropped him. As a result, medical care and living expenses are mounting beyond current control. So, we are reaching out to you for help. I’ve known Peter and his family for many years. They are the nicest, kindest, and most generous people you will ever meet. Let’s return some of that kindness and generosity and help them make it through this. Please donate and spread the word. Thank you!”

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-peter-david

14. THE OLDEST COMEDY CLUB IN BRITAIN

Joe Bor’s doc about Downstairs At The King’s Head in Crouch End, London, which I am in, is now on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9rNqqk3T3M

15. I ARROGANTLY RECOMMEND

BEN MOOR’S A THREE DAY THING The unassuming performance-art-comedy legend that is Ben Moor has a new project on the go, A Three Day Thing. He says…

“My new stage piece is called A Three Thing Day, and it is highly upcoming. I previewed it at the awesome Bookseller Crow On The Hill in Crystal Palace in late January and I got some great feedback from the lovely audience. Here’s yet another brief excerpt:

My sister puts the plant milk on the table – it comes in a landscape carton to differentiate it from the other kind – switches the TV off – it’s been showing That’s Riduckulous! The World’s Funniest Duck Videos.

The aquarium has objects from dry land at the bottom, presumably to acclimatise the fish life for what they’ll be swimming through in the future as the seas rise.

It’s a surreal and melancomic journey through a day when I had three things to do, including detours about snacks and dolphins, the nature of time, and different forms of vertigo.  I’m currently learning and editing the script, and it should be good to go by the time summer comes round, when I hope to be taking it to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.  The wonderful Simon Oakes and his band Suns of the Tundra are composing and recording a beautiful music score, and I will be printing the full text (along with some other new writing) in a book to be published in July.

More details in the next mailout, but for now, I’ve scheduled some work-in-progress performances…

16.00 Saturday 29th March 2025 A THREE THING DAY – WORK-IN-PROGRESS at  THE LAUGHARNE WEEKEND, a weekend of literature, comedy and performance in Carmarthenshire, the home of Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood. This has an absolutely amazing array of people like John Shuttleworth, Lucy Cooke, Stewart Lee and Mike Brearley, so that’s poetry, zoology, comedy and cricket sorted.

I’ll be stumbling through the new show in the marquee behind Browns Hotel and enjoying the excellence on offer at all other times. SOME TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
20.00 Wednesday 23rd April 2025 A THREE THING DAY – WORK-IN-PROGRESS COLCHESTER ARTS CENTRE I’ll hopefully have got the show a little closer to the final thing by the time of this date as part of the terrific Colchester Arts Centre’s Wonderful Wednesdays. It’s Pay What You Can Afford. TICKETS ON SALE HERE

12.00pm Sunday 4th May 2025 A THREE THING DAY – WORK-IN-PROGRESS

MACHYNLLETH COMEDY FESTIVAL Another fantastic bill for this weekender of oddball comedy excellence. Tons of great acts (lots off the telly even) over the Bank Holiday in a lovely setting and a marvellous festival spirit. And the camping in the sheepfield is always a highlight of a perennial celebration of comedy and creativity.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
16.00pm Saturday 7th June 2025 A THREE THING DAY – WORK-IN-PROGRESS EXETER COMEDY FESTIVAL Last year’s inaugural Exeter Comedy Festival was a joy – great programme, delicious pizza and special late-night acts too!

Again – what a brilliant set of comedians – Christie, Hegley, Long, Hill, Watson, Adamsdale, Brookes etc.  TICKETS ON SALE NOW

11th-13th July 2025 A THREE THING DAY – WORK-IN-PROGRESS

THE IDLER FESTIVAL A special few days of summer ease at Fenton House in Hampstead celebrating the pleasures of taking things slowly. There’ll be talks from Michael Palin, Rowan Williams and Stewart Lee; dancing, strolling, loafing.

I’ll have the show nearly ready by now and will probably be on early on the Saturday… TICKETS ON SALE NOW”

TIRZAH GARWOOD: Beyond Ravilious, Dulwich Picture Gallery London, until 26 May 2025. 

https://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/about/press-media/press-releases/first-major-exhibition-of-modern-british-artist-tirzah-garwood-among-2024-highlights-at-dulwich-picture-gallery/

The first major exhibition devoted to the artist and designer Tirzah Garwood (1908–1951) since 1952. Best known until now as the wife of Eric Ravilious and as the author of the autobiography Long Live Great Bardfield, Garwood excelled as a fine artist and printmaker. Her diverse and enchanting works are gems of the mid-20th century.

ITHELL COLQUHOUN – BETWEEN TWO WORLDS Tate St Ives, Feb 1^st – May 5^th.  Coincidentally, I have a routine about Ithell in the new show! “The first major exhibition of visionary artist Ithell Colquhoun. One of the most radical artists of her generation, Ithell Colquhoun was an important figure in British Surrealism during the 1930s and 1940s. An innovative writer and practicing occultist, Colquhoun charted her own course, investigating surrealist methods of unconscious picture-making and fearlessly delving into the realms of myth and magic. Colquhoun explored the possibilities of a divine feminine power as a path to personal fulfilment and societal transformation. Her understanding of the world as a connected spiritual cosmos brought her to Cornwall, where she deepened her creative explorations, inspired by the region’s ancient landscape, Celtic traditions, and sacred sites. This landmark exhibition of over 200 artworks and archival materials traces Colquhoun’s evolution, from her early student work and engagement with the surrealist movement, to her fascination with the intertwining realms of art, sexual identity, ecology and occultism. It culminates in a room dedicated to Colquhoun’s interpretation of the Tarot deck – her most accomplished fusion of her artistic and magical practice. Explore Colquhoun’s enthralling, multi-layered universe through writings, drawings, paintings, early theatre projects and mural designs, many of which have never been shown publicly before. The exhibition will debut at Tate St Ives in February 2025, journeying to Tate Britain from June to October 2025.” Here’s an audio guide to this with bits of me on it https://www.tate.org.uk/story-player/ithell-colquhoun

THE FALLEN LEAVES Mod-punk veteran assassins. MAY 3^rd Stockton-On-Tees Volume, 4^th N’Castle Billy Bootleggers, 31^st London Dublin Castle, June 8^th Southsea Edge of The Wedge, SEPT 27^th London Dublin Castle

DEAN WAREHAM Galaxie 500/Luna guitar guru on the road. APRIL 1^st Glasgow Garage, 2^nd M’cr Band On The Wall, 3^rd Liverpool Rough Trade, 4^th Leamington Spa Assembly, 5^th Leeds Brudenell, 6^th Bristol Fleece, 7^th London 229

JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH One of the all-time funniest character comics. Surely he can’t go on for ever?  The once so elderly John is now younger than his creator Graham! APRIL 6^th Glasgow, 11^th Scarborough Spa, 14^th Exeter Phoenix, MAY 16^th Bude Lit Fest. An inspiration! Oppressive kitchen sink surrealism in spades!

EX-EASTER ISLAND HEAD Groovy minimalists. APRIL 20^th Colchester Arts

DAVID LANCE CALLAHAN I cannot arrogantly recommend enough the former Moonshake and Wolfhounds man’s amazing solo folk-blues-noise workouts, nailing the state of the world over a superb stripped down sound in some great small venues that we all should support.

APRIL 3^rd Penzance Acorn; 16^th Leytonstone What’s Cookin’.

MAY 9th Brighton Hope and Ruin.

JUNE 5th Birmingham Rock’n’roll Brewhouse, 6^th Sheffield Bishop’s House.

AUGUST 3^rd Chilterns Awamu Together Festival

FOLK ROOTS, NEW ROUTES – CARVED HEADS OF SHIRLEY COLLINS AND DON LETTS BY CORIN JOHNSON The Fitzrovia Chapel, London, April 4^th – 15^th.  The chapel is one of London’s hidden gems and so are these two icons of Englishness.

MEKONS/NIGHTINGAKES. STEWART LEE April 12^th – Signature Brew, Haggerston, London. I host an album launch show by Welsh country punk legends the Mekons w support from The Nightingales and a short set from me.

THE MAGPIE ARC Fabulous young British country-folk-rock act on the road, augmented for the final time by the mighty guitar legend Martin Simpson APRIL Thursday 17th – The Glasshouse, Gateshead Buy Tickets, Tuesday 22nd – The Phoenix, Exeter Buy Tickets, Thursday 24th – Chapel Arts, Bath Buy Tickets

HAWKWIND 2025. Another implausible trip for the psychedelic survivors, Dave Brock still imperious, even from his octogenarian stool. APRIL 17th – Gateshead Glasshouse, 18^th – Guildford G Live, 19^th – Bournemouth Pavillion, 20^th – B’ham Symphony Hall. MAY 9^th – Aylesbury Waterside, 10^th – Liverpool Auditorium, 11^th – M’cr Bridgewater Hall, 23^rd – Sheffield City Hall, 25^th – Cambridge Corn Exchange, 26^th – London Barbican

OSCAR MCLENNAN … is one of the people that made me want to do comedy, although he was really a performance artist, and I didn’t have a name for that when I saw him describe terrible domestic scenes while crawling on the floor as Turkey Bones and The Wild Dogs’ Helicopter Man shredded the Warwick Arts Centre studio PA in 1984. He has a new cd out https://oscarmclennan.bandcamp.com/album/snow-on-the-river and a launch for it in Dublin on Sunday April 20^th  https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/snow-on-the-river-album-launch-tickets-1232613372779?aff=oddtdtcreator

RICHARD DAWSON Unmitigated art-folk genius, and funny with it

APRIL 23^rd & 24th M’cr Stoller Hall, 25^th Kendal Brewery Arts, 27^th Leeds City Varieties, 29^th London Clapham Grand, MAY 1^st Cardiff Gate, 2^nd Notts Metronome, 17^th Gateshead Glasshouse, 20^th Edinbro Pleasance, 21^st Glasgow St Lukes, 22^nd L’pool Philharmonic, 23^rd Brighton St Georhe’s , 24^th Folkestone Quarterhouse.

MARTIN SIMPSON Folk guitarist who mines the hidden connections between British and American traditional musics with taste and virtuosity. APRIL 26^th London Kings Place. JULY 21^st Croydon Ruskin House. SEPT 6^th Howden Shire Hall

THE ICEMAN AT TABERNACLE GALLERY, NOTTING HILL, LONDON

April 28^th – 4^TH May. Anthony Irving Iceman (aim) says, “aim is surfacing from deepest Dorset for his first London show which is taking place at the Tabernacle Gallery in Notting Hill. Here is a group of paintings from the previous 10 years selected by aim himself. There is also a series of more recent paintings based on The Iceman’s ground-breaking Lecture at the Bill Murray Club in September 2024 where The Iceman explained his Block melting work in the form of an academic lecture. All aim’s paintings are based on the live performance and relational work of The Iceman who has spent his adult life melting Blocks of ice for reasons that escape most people. The Iceman and aim are one and the same person. Humanly speaking, they coalesce as Anthony Irvine.“The Blocks live on”-that is the Iceman’s mantra and now aim’s as well. aim’s paintings have been described in numerous ways. He looks forward to hearing more adjectival phrases to describe his work during this run. aim is sometimes labelled as an ‘outsider’ artist because of the raw energy of his painting style and the idiosyncratic subject matter. But aim himself simply describes himself as a “painter with clear aims.” Although in one sense the pieces could be described as obsessional self-portraits, in another sense they are paintings of ‘Everyman’ and “’Everywoman’ in life’s struggles and joys. Taking a leaf from Andy Warhol’s dictum that Business is the best kind of art to heart,The Iceman will be clearly delineating the prices of individual paintings. He will also be offering a wide spectrum of aesthetic merchandise for sale at bargain prices: Postcards, Posters, his ’75 braimnd new paintings’ art Book, his “Melt It! Book”, etchings, engravings, signed block photocopies on authentic fax paper, Melt It Badges and even his children’s book, “Lockdown Melter”, will all be available for purchase. Truly there is something for everyone. The Iceman will have a padlocked cash box on site and provide his own security for his priceless paintings and all goods. aim hopes visitors enjoy viewing his insightful canvases. The opening do is at 7pm on 29^th April 2025 [Thank you to “Music Business Associates” for kindly sponsoring the refreshments for that event] The Iceman/aim will be in the Tabernacle Gallery in person every day of the run. But he will not be shaking anyone’s hand, for health and safety reasons, due to the freezing effect of such a gesture. *Thank you to Artcetera, Bournemouth who generously supply aim with free quality cut-offs of mounting board upon which to paint. **FYI The Iceman’s Blockbuster Documentary film “Melt It!The Film of the Iceman” is due to be released this year 2025”

https://iceblocked.co.uk/aims-selections-taimbernaimcle-gaimllery-28th-april-4th-may/

WATERBOYS The Waterboys ebb and flow like the tides of time, under the ongoing stewardship of mad Mike Scott. He saw the crescent. MAY 1^st Basingstoke Anvil, 2^nd Bath Forum, 3^rd Bexhill-On-Sea De-La-Warr, 5^th Brighton, 7^th Nottingham Rock City, 8^th Liverpool Philharmonic, 9^th Sheffield City Hall, 10^th Gateshead Glasshouse, 12^th Blackpool Opera House, 13^th M’cr Bridgewater Hall, 15^th York Barbican, 16^th Birmingham Symphony Hall, 18^th Bournemouth Pavillion, 19^th Cardiff New, 20^th Cambridge Corn Exch, 22^nd Bristol Beacon, 23^rd Oxford New, 24^th Stockton Globe, 25^th Llandudno Venue Cymru, 27^th Guildford G Love, 28^th Leicester De Montfort, 31^st London Roundhouse. JUNE 1^st London Roundhouse, 7^th Dublin 3 Arena.

MACHYNLLETH COMEDY FESTIVAL The greatest comedy festival in the world. Book your bell tent now to avoid disappointment. I am doing MAN-WULF 3 times, John Shuttleworth is on, Celya AB etc etc. Make sure to see Ben Moor’s A Three Thing Day. May 2^nd – 4^th. Once visited, never forgotten.  DON’T TELL ANYONE ABOUT IT OR YOU WILL RUIN IT!!!!

https://machcomedyfest.co.uk

DEAD PIONEERS Native American hardcore punk. Superb.  MAY 13^th Norwich Voodoo Daddy’s, 14^th London Dome.

CHRIS PACKHAM PORTRAIT BY RICHARD ANSETT on display at The Fitzrovia Chapel, London May 14^th-21^st . The building alone is worth seeing. https://www.fitzroviachapel.org/series/chris-packham-endangered-species/

BEVIS FROND Psychedelic survivors reaching a late career phase of imperial majesty MAY 16^th Lewes Con Club, 17^th & 18th London Lexington, AUG 8^TH Built Wells Kozfest.

DINOSAUR JR The Crazy Horse of the hardcore era in another turn of the wheel MAY 18^th M’cr Albert Hall, 20^th Glasgow Barrowlands, 22^nd London Troxy

SAMANTHA CRAIN Heart-rending Choctaw country-folk. MAY 19^th Brighton Green Door, 20^th London Neon 194, 21^st M’cr Gullivers

THE NIGHTINGALES Birmingham post-punk leg-ends hit the road again. When will it end? MAY 21^ST Leeds Brudenell, 22^nd Newcastle Think Tank, 23^rd Glasgow Stereo, 24^th M’cr Deaf Institute, 25^th B’ham Castle & Falcon, 27^th Bristol Exchange, 28^th Brighton Chalk, 29^th Cambridge Junction, 30^th London Oslo, 31^st Swansea Bunkhouse. ALSO —– The Nightingales release their first studio album since 2022’s much-praised ‘The Last Laugh’. Celebrated in the Stewart Lee-narrated film King Rocker of 2020, where the curtain was raised on the magic of the “long serving  punk/alternative rock volunteer” (The Quietus) Robert Lloyd, The Nightingales are as pertinent as ever as they release a poignant tirade on modern times heralded, quite rightly, as ‘The Awful Truth’. Released on April 4th on Fire Records, their new album ‘The Awful Truth’ is a modern mutant music hall interpretation of the day’s news, a haunting jolt into realism narrated with all the angst of an insistent, slightly dishevelled late-night newscaster.  BUY A BUNDLE HERE. https://thenightingales.org.uk

BOOTHBY GRAFFOE & ANTONIO FORCIONE May 28^th, The Old Woollen, Leeds. A MUST!! ONE OFF SHOW!!!! “20 years ago a stand-up comedian made an album with a virtuoso guitarist. They did a bunch of shows and got a bunch of 5 star reviews. Then they toured Australia, and won a bunch of awards. One of which they left in an Italian restaurant in Adelaide.  Now they’re back, performing songs from Wot Italian? and some other songs too.  Boothby is funny & Antonio is one of the best guitar players in the whole wide world. Seriously.” https://oldwoollen.seetickets.com/tour/antonio-forcione-boothby-graffoe-wot-italian-

SONGHOY BLUES The Mali Clash. JUNE 1^st Sheffield Crookes, 2^nd Leeds Brudenell, 4^th B’ham Castle & Falcon, 6^th London Islington Assembly Hall, 7^th Bristol Thekla

BO NINGEN Japanese art psyche-punks JUNE  5^th Liverpooo Arts, 7^th London Dome.

0SEES I am a late adopter of the extreme noise power of this veteran combo, amazing live, who share the same t-shirt provider as me.  JUNE 9^th Edinburgh Liquid, 15^th Bristol Marble Factory, 16^th M’cr Ritz, 18^th Glasgow Galvanisers, 20^th Leeds Irish Cent, 21^st B’ham Digbeth Crossing, 23^rd London Electric Ballroom, 24^th London Earth, 25^th Brighton Chalk.

LEN PRICE 3 Durable punk-mods. JUNE 18^th – 229 London

CHRIS ECKMAN Former frontman of dark alt country prgenitors The Walkabouts in what I think is his first UK date this century. June 19^th Water Rats, London

SKEP WAX WEEKENDER July 17^th – 20^th, Islington, London

Four nights of radical indiepop – Thursday and Friday evening at the Lexington, Saturday evening at Islington Town Hall, Sunday (4pm) back at The Lexington: see full line-up below. The ‘Weekender’ ticket will admit you to all four nights. Day tickets are available for each of the four shows.
Thursday (The Lexington) Jeanines, Sassyhiya, Panic Pocket
Friday (The Lexington) The Would-Be-Goods, The Orchids, Swansea Sound
Saturday (Islington Assembly Room) Heavenly, Lightheaded, Crumbs
Sunday (The Lexington), Marlody, The Gentle Spring, Special Friend
Venue addresses: The Lexington, 96-98 Pentonville Rd, London, N1 9JB.
Islington Assembly Hall, Upper St, London, N1 2UD. (The venues are less than a mile apart.)
Heavenly’s new 7″ single will go on sale at this event.
Ticket prices include £1.50 Venue Levy for Islington Town Hall.
The Lexington is 18+ admission, The Islington Assembly Hall is 16+

https://wegottickets.com/f/13685

MILLIONS OF DEAD COPS / MDC American hardcore heroes of NO KKK NO FASCIST USA chant fame. AUG 4^th – New Cross Inn, London

EDWYN COLLINS Orange Juice’s indiepop originator SEPT 27^th Glasgow Theatre Royal, 29^th Buxton Opera House, 30^th Bath Komedia. OCT 2^nd S’hampton Central Hall, 3^rd Brighton St Georges, 4^th London RFH, 6^th Norwich Epic, 7^th Manchester Albert Hall, 8^th Newcastle Boiler Shop

BOB MOULD Hardcore punk pioneer of Husker Du/Sugar lineage. NOV 18^th Glasgow Oran Mor, 19^th Leeds Brudenell, 20^th London Dome

SAINTS 73-79 Superb! The original line-up of the Australian Punk progenitors, but with Mudhoney’s Mark Arm deputising for the departed Chris Bailey (a gentleman and a scholar who once came to my show!). His co-writer and co-guitarist Ed Kuepper remains undimmed and the rhythm section will rattle your bones. NOVEMBER 21^ST Bristol Trinity, 22nd Leeds Project, 23^rd Glasgow Garage, 24^th M’cr Academy 2, 26^th London Camden Electric

16. IN OUR LAMENTATIONS 2025

Barre Phillips (Jazz bassman, 1934)
Bob Grover (Brighton Piranha, 1956)
Riro (Japanese sea otter, 2007)
Nora Orlandi (Spaghetti symphonist, 1933)
Ed Askew (Acid folkie, 1940)
Tony Slattery (The vile blows of the world made him reckless, 1959)
David Lynch (He erased our heads, 1946)
Landy Randerson (Museum access pioneer, 1949)
Garth Hudson (Bandolier, 1937)
Brian Murphy (Instantly aged actor, 1932)
Rab MacWilliam (Hackney historian, 1951)
Barry Goldberg (His flag was electric, 1941)
Peter Yarrow (He left on a jetplane, 1938)
Snowy Fleet (Easybeater, 1939)
Jamie Muir (Absolute fucking rhythmical genius, 1942)
Mike Ratledge (Moon in June Soft Machine man, 1943)
Gabriel Yacoub (Malicorne muso of French folk, 1952)
Bill Fay (Christian mystic songwriter seer, 1943)
Roberta Flack (Made Ewan MacColl sexy, 1937)
Gene Hackman (an actor who knew when not to,1930)
Jay Rayner’s Observer restaurant column (1999)
David Johansen (New York Doll, 1950)
Bill Dare (Even his socks were funny, 1959)
Johnny Green (A gentleman, a dandy, and always a pleasure,)
Ken Parker (The Blue Bender, 1943)
Edweena Banger (Her nose bled, 1959)
John Cassady (Planetary penman, 1971)
Joey Molland (His finger was bad, 1947)
Peter Farrelly (Fruuppster, 1949)
Jesse Colin Young (He got it together, 1941)
Brian James (Lord of The Damned, 1955)
Roy Ayers (Good vibes, 1940)
Bob Rupe (Brilliant Gutterball and Silos bottom end)
Nadia Cassini (Starcrash starlet, 1949)
Nike Arrighi (The Devil Rides Out, 1944)
Bill Smith (Original Corrie, 1936)
DG Hessayon (Garden expert who answered my questions, 1928)
Elliot Ingber (Winged Eel Fingerling, 1941)
Leanne Cowie (Scientific drummer, 1964?)
George Foreman (Meat griller, 1949)

17. AN IMPRISONED CLIMATE CHANGE PROTESTOR WRITES…

This heroic young man, George Simonon, has written about his time in prison for climate change activism for the Guardian

“‘The prison system is insanely broken’: a climate activist on his experience in jail

George Simonson says you learn about society by seeing how it treats its prisoners – and jail has strengthened his belief that change is crucial

Wed 19 Mar 2025 05.00 GMT

George Simonson, 24, from London, had recently graduated in mechanical engineering from the University of Edinburgh when he was given a 24-month custodial sentence for climbing a gantry over the M25 in 2022. He was also found guilty of criminal damage and sentenced to a further six-week custodial sentence for spraying paint on a wall of Exeter University in 2023. He sent this letter from prison before he was released in January.

I remember the day I was sentenced like it was yesterday. I was filled with anxiety the entire time. It’s a strange situation to be in, not knowing whether or not you’d have your liberty at the end of the day, or for how long it might be taken away. My mind was racing and I had no idea how to operate.

At the moment the judge read out my sentence, I felt so many things at once. Sadness, strength and some relief, if I’m honest. Simply because the uncertainty was gone. I stood up and blew kisses to my family and partner who were sitting in the gallery. I wanted them to know that I was going to be OK.

But I didn’t look at the judge. I wanted those precious moments to be shared with the people I love. As I walked down to the court cells, my eyes filled with tears. I didn’t know when I’d see any of them next and I didn’t know what the next few months would bring.

The whole experience has shaped me and made me who I am today

My first few days in jail felt like weeks. It was the end of summer and it was something like 30 degrees at HMP Chelmsford. The heating was on constantly and the tiny windows offered no relief. The Olympics were on, so I and my co-defendant, who I was sharing with, spent our time watching and re-enacting the events in our hot, sweaty cell. I’ll always be grateful for his company during that time. It was the first time in prison for both of us so we were able to work through it together.

It took several weeks to sort out communication with my family. Several times my application forms would get lost or forgotten about by staff.

I was hungry a lot of the time, too: vegan options weren’t on the menu, so often I’d have digestive biscuits for dinner and eat my cereal with water rather than milk. I didn’t kick up too much of a fuss. I was new on the wing and I knew that prison wasn’t going to be particularly nice.

I was sustained by the belief that a better future is possible. I fought for it, and now, as a result, I’ve been sent to prison. But I wasn’t going to let the experience break me.

The action itself was over two years ago now. I remember many friends, family and even strangers were supportive, but some weren’t. One family friend told me that they would run me over if they were stuck in the traffic I caused. I understand their anger, and I just hope that one day they will understand why I chose to take this action – simply, I didn’t think there was any other option left.

The days here run on a rigid routine which changes only slightly between weekdays and weekends. In the week, we wake up at 7.30am. I listen to the radio while I eat my prison-issue breakfast and drink my coffee. We’re unlocked at 8.05am and I leave the wing after a pat-down from the guards. Thankfully, I’m in full-time work, so I spend much of the day fixing bicycles in the workshop for a charity. There is a two-hour break at lunchtime when we’re locked up again. After work in the afternoon, we’ll grab our dinners before going to the gym, which we can attend a few times per week. We aren’t allowed out into the yard during the week, so I only spend five to 10 minutes each day outside walking to and from work.

On the weekends, it’s a lot slower and loneliness often creeps in. I’ll have biscuits with my coffee for a treat. I play card games, write letters or watch TV in my cell. We all dread the weekend: Saturdays and Sundays feel longer than the working week.

If I was alone it would be so much worse, but the people I’ve met in here have given me so much strength and support. They’re friends that I’ll keep in contact with once I’m released.

I’m convinced that civil resistance works, and it’s absolutely justified when you’re fighting for the survival of the human race. I’d voted, signed petitions, written to my MP, attended marches … I tried all the conventional ways to make my voice heard like everyone else, but it didn’t change a thing. So I feel content with the choices I’ve taken. Ultimately, the action that I took did work: it played a part in getting the demands of no new oil and gas drilling into the Labour manifesto. And now it’s policy.

It angers me that politicians have known about global warming and climate change for decades. They’ve known that fossil fuels are causing it, and they’ve known that it’s going to kill, displace and starve millions of people. But they ignored it.

Whatever stability people had is ripped away when you step inside 

Our politicians are perfectly willing to lead when the country goes to war, but not when it comes to stopping emissions, which will save lives. In light of all of this, it was clear to me that civil resistance was the only option left. I didn’t do it for fun, for attention or for the sake of it. I did it because I knew that it could work. We’re taught about Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and the suffragettes in school: they’re celebrated as heroes now. But nobody pays much attention to the fact that they were absolutely vilified by the government, the judiciary and the journalists at the time.

In the end I’ve done what I can, and a judge chose to send me to prison for it. I don’t blame him, and I don’t spend my time wishing things had gone differently. The whole experience has shaped me and made me who I am today.

You learn about society by seeing how people are treated in its prisons, and it’s an absolute mess in ours. This whole experience has deepened my understanding of our system and strengthened my conviction that change is desperately needed. Not reform – we need revolutionary change. The prison system is insanely broken – people here are not treated like human beings.

The entire apparatus is executed with maximum emphasis on punishment and a superficial mention of rehabilitation. Many people resort to smashing the contents of their cells or self-harming as a way to access the help that is available. It is absolutely no wonder that re-offending rates are so high when those leaving prison are in a worse way than when they came in.

And whatever stability people had in their lives before prison, whether it’s housing or employment, is ripped away when you step inside and there is minimal help to put things back together. Once you’ve received a prison sentence, it’s harder to get a mortgage, car insurance, or a job. How is any of this fair? This country has a huge problem and the evidence is hidden away behind razor wire and brick walls where nobody can see it.

I’m going to be released with extraordinarily broad licence conditions, with the purpose of stopping my involvement in “political activism”. Really, these conditions will mean that the probation service can pick and choose which elements of the political process I can be involved in. I’ve been told that I won’t be able to attend meetings of the Labour party, for example, or post anything to do with protesting on my social media, despite the fact that freedom of assembly and expression is protected by the European convention on human rights. Lack of cooperation results in imprisonment for the remainder of the sentence. In my case, that would be 19 months.

Before I got involved in civil resistance, I was so depressed. I buried my head in the sand because I felt so powerless in the face of it all. I was terrified about what the rest of my life would be like.

Looking at the positives, though, I’m going to come out of prison with a fresh appreciation for the things around me. I can’t wait to savour the things that gave me happiness. I took so much for granted before. Whether it’s walking in nature, listening to music, or spending time with my family and partner, I’m going to savour every minute. Even things like being able to use a toilet or shower in privacy and go to sleep knowing you won’t be woken up by a night guard. There’s a lot to settle back into, but I feel lucky that the day of my release is coming – something that many people in here don’t have.