John Earls
@johnearls.bsky.social
Director of Research at Unite the Union, writer, music & arts lover, Wealdstone FC season ticket holder, #MDANT, London-Irish. Post in a personal capacity. Subscribe to my blog on cultural and other reflections at https://johnearls.substack.com/
You may see many films this year but you probably won’t see one as urgent or important as Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab. A tough but very necessary watch about a young girl who was killed in 2024 by IDF in Gaza along with six relatives and two paramedics. Go see.
January 21, 2026 at 5:38 PM
You may see many films this year but you probably won’t see one as urgent or important as Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab. A tough but very necessary watch about a young girl who was killed in 2024 by IDF in Gaza along with six relatives and two paramedics. Go see.
Another great bargain from the fantastic @weare1of100.bsky.social. Not just cool creative things but great customer service too. Thank you Richie and team.
Find out more here: weare1of100.co.uk
Find out more here: weare1of100.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Another great bargain from the fantastic @weare1of100.bsky.social. Not just cool creative things but great customer service too. Thank you Richie and team.
Find out more here: weare1of100.co.uk
Find out more here: weare1of100.co.uk
ICYMI my latest ‘Hanging Out a Window’ column a review of Ivan van Hove’s production of Arthur Miller’s ‘All My Sons’.
johnearls.substack.com/p/theatre-re...
johnearls.substack.com/p/theatre-re...
January 20, 2026 at 1:04 PM
ICYMI my latest ‘Hanging Out a Window’ column a review of Ivan van Hove’s production of Arthur Miller’s ‘All My Sons’.
johnearls.substack.com/p/theatre-re...
johnearls.substack.com/p/theatre-re...
Very moved by Chloé Zhao’s film of Maggie O'Farrell’s novel ‘Hamnet’. Read the book (outstanding) and saw the play (good) and this is a very good adaptation. Jesse Buckley is outstanding. Super cinematography (Łukasz Żal) and cinematic framing.
January 19, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Very moved by Chloé Zhao’s film of Maggie O'Farrell’s novel ‘Hamnet’. Read the book (outstanding) and saw the play (good) and this is a very good adaptation. Jesse Buckley is outstanding. Super cinematography (Łukasz Żal) and cinematic framing.
Reposted by John Earls
ICYMI….
And if you’re tempted to start running, my book, ‘Running Kind’ is priced at just 99p this month or free on Kindle Unlimited
tinyurl.com/yjhukhfe
tinyurl.com/yjhukhfe
January 19, 2026 at 9:21 AM
ICYMI….
“If I should fall from grace with God
Where no doctor can relieve me
If I'm buried in the sod
But the angels won't receive me
Let me go, boys…”
@punkandnewwave.bsky.social
Where no doctor can relieve me
If I'm buried in the sod
But the angels won't receive me
Let me go, boys…”
@punkandnewwave.bsky.social
January 18, 2026 at 6:19 PM
“If I should fall from grace with God
Where no doctor can relieve me
If I'm buried in the sod
But the angels won't receive me
Let me go, boys…”
@punkandnewwave.bsky.social
Where no doctor can relieve me
If I'm buried in the sod
But the angels won't receive me
Let me go, boys…”
@punkandnewwave.bsky.social
“That’s the difference between a microwave and an atomic bomb. They are not the same”. Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro on computer generated imagery and AI in another great episode of This Cultural Life with John Wilson.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - This Cultural Life, Guillermo del Toro
Oscar-winning Mexican film-maker Guillermo del Toro reveals his cultural influences.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 18, 2026 at 11:06 AM
“That’s the difference between a microwave and an atomic bomb. They are not the same”. Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro on computer generated imagery and AI in another great episode of This Cultural Life with John Wilson.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Terrific couple of sets from @vijayiyer.bsky.social to start his two-day solo piano residency at a rapt @cafeotodalston.bsky.social. Playing of sensitivity, virtuosity and expression. Concluded with his take on Lennon and Ono’s ‘Imagine’. A privilege to be in the room.
January 17, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Terrific couple of sets from @vijayiyer.bsky.social to start his two-day solo piano residency at a rapt @cafeotodalston.bsky.social. Playing of sensitivity, virtuosity and expression. Concluded with his take on Lennon and Ono’s ‘Imagine’. A privilege to be in the room.
Notes from Kenton Rec.
January 17, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Notes from Kenton Rec.
Rossini - Semiramide (Highlights)
Sutherland, Horne, Rouleau, Serge, Malas.
@londonsymphony.bsky.social conducted by Richard Bonynge.
(Decca, 1969)
Sutherland, Horne, Rouleau, Serge, Malas.
@londonsymphony.bsky.social conducted by Richard Bonynge.
(Decca, 1969)
January 17, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Rossini - Semiramide (Highlights)
Sutherland, Horne, Rouleau, Serge, Malas.
@londonsymphony.bsky.social conducted by Richard Bonynge.
(Decca, 1969)
Sutherland, Horne, Rouleau, Serge, Malas.
@londonsymphony.bsky.social conducted by Richard Bonynge.
(Decca, 1969)
“…I sigh, I cry
It's just a glimpse of heaven when my baby smiles at me…”
It's just a glimpse of heaven when my baby smiles at me…”
January 16, 2026 at 5:39 PM
“…I sigh, I cry
It's just a glimpse of heaven when my baby smiles at me…”
It's just a glimpse of heaven when my baby smiles at me…”
Just a reminder that this is on BBC2 tonight. Set your boxes.
I was absolutely blown away by Lollipop when I saw it. Choked up several times at the rage, frustration and sheer love captured so powerfully in this firecracker of a film. It’s being broadcast on BBC 2 on Friday at 11pm. Can’t recommend it enough. Do whatever you can to see it.
January 16, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Just a reminder that this is on BBC2 tonight. Set your boxes.
My latest ‘Hanging Out a Window’ column is just out and it’s a review of Ivan van Hove’s production of Arthur Miller’s ‘All My Sons’.
johnearls.substack.com/p/theatre-re...
johnearls.substack.com/p/theatre-re...
January 16, 2026 at 8:02 AM
My latest ‘Hanging Out a Window’ column is just out and it’s a review of Ivan van Hove’s production of Arthur Miller’s ‘All My Sons’.
johnearls.substack.com/p/theatre-re...
johnearls.substack.com/p/theatre-re...
January 14, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Terrific ‘Great Lives’ with comedian Stewart Lee on ‘free jazz’ guitarist Derek Bailey. Lee is funny and insightful about the man, his music and his own comedy. Also challenges presenter Matthew Parris brilliantly towards the end.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Great Lives, Comedian Stewart Lee on Derek Bailey
Stewart Lee chooses guitarist Derek Bailey.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Terrific ‘Great Lives’ with comedian Stewart Lee on ‘free jazz’ guitarist Derek Bailey. Lee is funny and insightful about the man, his music and his own comedy. Also challenges presenter Matthew Parris brilliantly towards the end.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Just spent the evening in the company of a 337 year old woman courtesy of ‘The Makropulos Affair’ performed magnificently by @londonsymphony.bsky.social under Simon Rattle in this latest of his cycle of Leoš Janáček operas at the Barbican. Marlis Petersen superb as Emilia Marty.
January 13, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Just spent the evening in the company of a 337 year old woman courtesy of ‘The Makropulos Affair’ performed magnificently by @londonsymphony.bsky.social under Simon Rattle in this latest of his cycle of Leoš Janáček operas at the Barbican. Marlis Petersen superb as Emilia Marty.
I was absolutely blown away by Lollipop when I saw it. Choked up several times at the rage, frustration and sheer love captured so powerfully in this firecracker of a film. It’s being broadcast on BBC 2 on Friday at 11pm. Can’t recommend it enough. Do whatever you can to see it.
January 12, 2026 at 8:13 PM
I was absolutely blown away by Lollipop when I saw it. Choked up several times at the rage, frustration and sheer love captured so powerfully in this firecracker of a film. It’s being broadcast on BBC 2 on Friday at 11pm. Can’t recommend it enough. Do whatever you can to see it.
“…But a chair is not a house
And a house is not a home
When there's no one there to hold you tight
And no one there you can kiss good night…”
And a house is not a home
When there's no one there to hold you tight
And no one there you can kiss good night…”
January 12, 2026 at 7:07 PM
“…But a chair is not a house
And a house is not a home
When there's no one there to hold you tight
And no one there you can kiss good night…”
And a house is not a home
When there's no one there to hold you tight
And no one there you can kiss good night…”
ICYMI my latest ‘Hanging Out a Window’ column is a piece on Pauline Boty and the first TV documentary about her (which is still available on BBC iPlayer). Read and subscribe (free) here: johnearls.substack.com/p/in-praise-...
January 12, 2026 at 8:07 AM
ICYMI my latest ‘Hanging Out a Window’ column is a piece on Pauline Boty and the first TV documentary about her (which is still available on BBC iPlayer). Read and subscribe (free) here: johnearls.substack.com/p/in-praise-...
Post a pic of the venue where you saw your first concert and the band or artist.
January 11, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Post a pic of the venue where you saw your first concert and the band or artist.
Just watched The Smiths on TOTP 1984 performing ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ and the great Johnny Marr looking the coolest thing playing guitar sitting on his amp. What a song. I’m turning in “happy in the haze of a drunken hour”. Goodnight.
January 10, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Just watched The Smiths on TOTP 1984 performing ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ and the great Johnny Marr looking the coolest thing playing guitar sitting on his amp. What a song. I’m turning in “happy in the haze of a drunken hour”. Goodnight.
The sports knowledge and segways of @sundersays.bsky.social never cease to amaze me.
There is a disputed penalty in a Villa v Spurs cup tie in Harold Pinter's The Dumb Waiter (1957) with Spurs winning 2-1 at Villa Park. The two clubs had never met in a postwar FA Cup tie when the play came out - though Spurs beat Villa on their way to winning the cup in both 1961 + 1962.
January 10, 2026 at 7:56 PM
The sports knowledge and segways of @sundersays.bsky.social never cease to amaze me.
The Ballad of Wallis Island is a gem of a film. Pitch perfect performances from Tim Key, Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan. Lovely story (script by and Basden) about the power of music. Funny and poignant. I laughed and cried. Directed by James Griffiths. Highly recommend.
January 10, 2026 at 12:55 PM
The Ballad of Wallis Island is a gem of a film. Pitch perfect performances from Tim Key, Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan. Lovely story (script by and Basden) about the power of music. Funny and poignant. I laughed and cried. Directed by James Griffiths. Highly recommend.
January 10, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Reposted by John Earls
January 10, 2026 at 9:39 AM