Richard Balls
@musicbiographer.bsky.social
Music fan and author A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan, Be Stiff: The Stiff Records Story, and Sex & Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll: The Life of Ian Dury. Norwich City fan.
My favourite gig of 2025 was also one of the best I’ve seen in more than 40 years!
@cmatbaby.bsky.social at the UEA in Norwich was a dream of a show and the performance of a megastar-in-waiting. Just wow!
#cmat #Norwich #gig
@cmatbaby.bsky.social at the UEA in Norwich was a dream of a show and the performance of a megastar-in-waiting. Just wow!
#cmat #Norwich #gig
December 9, 2025 at 6:47 PM
My favourite gig of 2025 was also one of the best I’ve seen in more than 40 years!
@cmatbaby.bsky.social at the UEA in Norwich was a dream of a show and the performance of a megastar-in-waiting. Just wow!
#cmat #Norwich #gig
@cmatbaby.bsky.social at the UEA in Norwich was a dream of a show and the performance of a megastar-in-waiting. Just wow!
#cmat #Norwich #gig
Delighted that I will be appearing at Portsmouth Book Festival on Friday 6 March 2026 to talk about the 50th anniversary of Stiff Records and sign copies of my book about the label.
Tickets go on sale on 6 January via the festival website.
#portsmouth #pompey #bookfestival #stiffrecords #punk
Tickets go on sale on 6 January via the festival website.
#portsmouth #pompey #bookfestival #stiffrecords #punk
Be Stiff: The Stiff Records story
Punk exploded in Britain in 1976, changing music forever. As it marks its 50th anniversary, we are delighted to be joined by author Richard Balls who chronicled the story of Stiff Records, the London ...
wegottickets.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Delighted that I will be appearing at Portsmouth Book Festival on Friday 6 March 2026 to talk about the 50th anniversary of Stiff Records and sign copies of my book about the label.
Tickets go on sale on 6 January via the festival website.
#portsmouth #pompey #bookfestival #stiffrecords #punk
Tickets go on sale on 6 January via the festival website.
#portsmouth #pompey #bookfestival #stiffrecords #punk
Winona Ryder demonstrating her impeccable music taste!
#WinonaRyder #Sparks
@sparksofficial.bsky.social
#WinonaRyder #Sparks
@sparksofficial.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Winona Ryder demonstrating her impeccable music taste!
#WinonaRyder #Sparks
@sparksofficial.bsky.social
#WinonaRyder #Sparks
@sparksofficial.bsky.social
Remembering the inspirational Sinead O’Connor on what would have been her
59th birthday.
She was a light that burned so brightly, it still seems impossible that she is gone. Such a huge loss.
#SineadOConnor
Portrait: Andreas Larsson
59th birthday.
She was a light that burned so brightly, it still seems impossible that she is gone. Such a huge loss.
#SineadOConnor
Portrait: Andreas Larsson
December 8, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Remembering the inspirational Sinead O’Connor on what would have been her
59th birthday.
She was a light that burned so brightly, it still seems impossible that she is gone. Such a huge loss.
#SineadOConnor
Portrait: Andreas Larsson
59th birthday.
She was a light that burned so brightly, it still seems impossible that she is gone. Such a huge loss.
#SineadOConnor
Portrait: Andreas Larsson
Disappointing result, but we are certainly showing a lot more spirit under Clement and if we continue to battle like that for points we should stay up.
We looked all but down under Manning, but we are showing signs of recovery and the players look up for it. Next two are massive.
#ncfc #Norwich
We looked all but down under Manning, but we are showing signs of recovery and the players look up for it. Next two are massive.
#ncfc #Norwich
December 6, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Just finished reading this excellent ghost story and can highly recommend. Great unfolding mystery and breathless ending.
#ghoststory #books
#ghoststory #books
December 6, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Just finished reading this excellent ghost story and can highly recommend. Great unfolding mystery and breathless ending.
#ghoststory #books
#ghoststory #books
Looking for Christmas book ideas?
A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan is available in paperback (fully updated) from all good online sellers and bookshops, as well as Kindle and audio.
#christmasbook #shanemacgowan #thepogues #books
A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan is available in paperback (fully updated) from all good online sellers and bookshops, as well as Kindle and audio.
#christmasbook #shanemacgowan #thepogues #books
December 6, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Looking for Christmas book ideas?
A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan is available in paperback (fully updated) from all good online sellers and bookshops, as well as Kindle and audio.
#christmasbook #shanemacgowan #thepogues #books
A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan is available in paperback (fully updated) from all good online sellers and bookshops, as well as Kindle and audio.
#christmasbook #shanemacgowan #thepogues #books
Be Stiff: The Stiff Records Story tells the dramatic inside story of the label that brought you Madness, Elvis Costello, The Pogues and more, and delivered some unforgettable hits.
Available in paperback and Kindle here
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#punk #records #books #stiffrecords
Available in paperback and Kindle here
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#punk #records #books #stiffrecords
December 5, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Be Stiff: The Stiff Records Story tells the dramatic inside story of the label that brought you Madness, Elvis Costello, The Pogues and more, and delivered some unforgettable hits.
Available in paperback and Kindle here
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#punk #records #books #stiffrecords
Available in paperback and Kindle here
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#punk #records #books #stiffrecords
Reposted by Richard Balls
December 1, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Almost 16 years ago I saw @joyformidable.bsky.social at @norwichartscentre.bsky.social and I’ve enjoyed them at various venues since. Tonight I’m looking forward to catching them at the intimate setting of The Holloway. A very special live band.
#norwich #gig
#norwich #gig
December 1, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Almost 16 years ago I saw @joyformidable.bsky.social at @norwichartscentre.bsky.social and I’ve enjoyed them at various venues since. Tonight I’m looking forward to catching them at the intimate setting of The Holloway. A very special live band.
#norwich #gig
#norwich #gig
Two years ago we lost Shane MacGowan. I will always remember his childlike smile, his generous spirit and his humanity. He was a wonderful man and he is so missed.
Sending love today to Victoria Mary Clarke and Siobhan MacGowan on what will be a difficult day.
#shanemacgowan
Sending love today to Victoria Mary Clarke and Siobhan MacGowan on what will be a difficult day.
#shanemacgowan
November 30, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Two years ago we lost Shane MacGowan. I will always remember his childlike smile, his generous spirit and his humanity. He was a wonderful man and he is so missed.
Sending love today to Victoria Mary Clarke and Siobhan MacGowan on what will be a difficult day.
#shanemacgowan
Sending love today to Victoria Mary Clarke and Siobhan MacGowan on what will be a difficult day.
#shanemacgowan
November 29, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Quite the entrance from @cmatbaby.bsky.social at the UEA
tonight. But then we’d expect nothing less.
I honestly think that was one of the most memorable gigs I’ve ever seen. She is the real deal - a superstar in the making.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#norwich #cmat
tonight. But then we’d expect nothing less.
I honestly think that was one of the most memorable gigs I’ve ever seen. She is the real deal - a superstar in the making.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#norwich #cmat
November 28, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Quite the entrance from @cmatbaby.bsky.social at the UEA
tonight. But then we’d expect nothing less.
I honestly think that was one of the most memorable gigs I’ve ever seen. She is the real deal - a superstar in the making.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#norwich #cmat
tonight. But then we’d expect nothing less.
I honestly think that was one of the most memorable gigs I’ve ever seen. She is the real deal - a superstar in the making.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#norwich #cmat
So I finally got to see Gary Numan for the first time last night at the UEA in Norwich and boy did he live up to expectations.
His voice and look has felt alien forever and all these decades later it feels like he inhabits his own genre. And it’s not ‘robot’.
#norwich #garynuman
His voice and look has felt alien forever and all these decades later it feels like he inhabits his own genre. And it’s not ‘robot’.
#norwich #garynuman
November 28, 2025 at 5:36 PM
So I finally got to see Gary Numan for the first time last night at the UEA in Norwich and boy did he live up to expectations.
His voice and look has felt alien forever and all these decades later it feels like he inhabits his own genre. And it’s not ‘robot’.
#norwich #garynuman
His voice and look has felt alien forever and all these decades later it feels like he inhabits his own genre. And it’s not ‘robot’.
#norwich #garynuman
Get 20% off the remastered edition of my Ian Dury biography via the Omnibus Press Black Friday sale. Perfect Christmas gift!
omnibuspress.com/products/sex...
#christmas #book #iandury
omnibuspress.com/products/sex...
#christmas #book #iandury
November 28, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Get 20% off the remastered edition of my Ian Dury biography via the Omnibus Press Black Friday sale. Perfect Christmas gift!
omnibuspress.com/products/sex...
#christmas #book #iandury
omnibuspress.com/products/sex...
#christmas #book #iandury
When Judee Sill died on 23 November 1979, it was a tragic loss to music. Her self-titled debut album and its follow up Heart Food were heavenly, and validated David Geffen’s decision to make her his first signing to Asylum. Check out these beautiful records and tell your friends.
November 24, 2025 at 7:50 PM
When Judee Sill died on 23 November 1979, it was a tragic loss to music. Her self-titled debut album and its follow up Heart Food were heavenly, and validated David Geffen’s decision to make her his first signing to Asylum. Check out these beautiful records and tell your friends.
Reposted by Richard Balls
Be Stiif: The Stiff Records Story is available now. Get your copy here!
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
November 13, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Be Stiif: The Stiff Records Story is available now. Get your copy here!
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan is available in paperback and would make an ideal gift for Christmas 🎅
You can buy a copy here
www.amazon.co.uk/Furious-Devo...
You can buy a copy here
www.amazon.co.uk/Furious-Devo...
November 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan is available in paperback and would make an ideal gift for Christmas 🎅
You can buy a copy here
www.amazon.co.uk/Furious-Devo...
You can buy a copy here
www.amazon.co.uk/Furious-Devo...
The club is rotten from top to bottom. Arrogant off the field and utterly lifeless on it.
The relationship with us - the fans - won’t be rebuilt while Webber remains in charge, and the squad won’t improve if Knapper continues to recruit.
We must keep up the pressure.
#ncfc
The relationship with us - the fans - won’t be rebuilt while Webber remains in charge, and the squad won’t improve if Knapper continues to recruit.
We must keep up the pressure.
#ncfc
November 23, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The club is rotten from top to bottom. Arrogant off the field and utterly lifeless on it.
The relationship with us - the fans - won’t be rebuilt while Webber remains in charge, and the squad won’t improve if Knapper continues to recruit.
We must keep up the pressure.
#ncfc
The relationship with us - the fans - won’t be rebuilt while Webber remains in charge, and the squad won’t improve if Knapper continues to recruit.
We must keep up the pressure.
#ncfc
Bruce Springsteen’s wrangle with Columbia over the release of Nebraska feels like a small hook in which to hang a two-hour film.
However, its power is that it focuses on his agonising struggles with depression before the megastardom that was to come. A triumph.
#springsteen
However, its power is that it focuses on his agonising struggles with depression before the megastardom that was to come. A triumph.
#springsteen
November 17, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Bruce Springsteen’s wrangle with Columbia over the release of Nebraska feels like a small hook in which to hang a two-hour film.
However, its power is that it focuses on his agonising struggles with depression before the megastardom that was to come. A triumph.
#springsteen
However, its power is that it focuses on his agonising struggles with depression before the megastardom that was to come. A triumph.
#springsteen
A date for the diary if you’re a Pogues fan. The Pogue Traders are at The Waterfront in Norwich on Saturday6 December and they’re a brilliant live band. A proper knees-up is in store.
Get your tickets here.
ueaticketbookings.co.uk/event/the-pogu…#norwichc#gigig
Get your tickets here.
ueaticketbookings.co.uk/event/the-pogu…#norwichc#gigig
November 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A date for the diary if you’re a Pogues fan. The Pogue Traders are at The Waterfront in Norwich on Saturday6 December and they’re a brilliant live band. A proper knees-up is in store.
Get your tickets here.
ueaticketbookings.co.uk/event/the-pogu…#norwichc#gigig
Get your tickets here.
ueaticketbookings.co.uk/event/the-pogu…#norwichc#gigig
Be Stiif: The Stiff Records Story is available now. Get your copy here!
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
November 13, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Be Stiif: The Stiff Records Story is available now. Get your copy here!
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Stiff-Rec...
#book #punk #stiffrecords #elviscostello #devo #lenelovich #iandury #madness #thedamned #thepogues
Amid the absolute chaos engulfing our club, the excellent and honest coverage from our local media has been constant. The club has lost touch with the fans, but they haven’t.
Cheers @chrisgoreham.bsky.social
@chrisreevo.bsky.social @jackreeves.bsky.social @bobrutler.bsky.social and the EDP!
#ncfc
Cheers @chrisgoreham.bsky.social
@chrisreevo.bsky.social @jackreeves.bsky.social @bobrutler.bsky.social and the EDP!
#ncfc
November 9, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Amid the absolute chaos engulfing our club, the excellent and honest coverage from our local media has been constant. The club has lost touch with the fans, but they haven’t.
Cheers @chrisgoreham.bsky.social
@chrisreevo.bsky.social @jackreeves.bsky.social @bobrutler.bsky.social and the EDP!
#ncfc
Cheers @chrisgoreham.bsky.social
@chrisreevo.bsky.social @jackreeves.bsky.social @bobrutler.bsky.social and the EDP!
#ncfc
Today is one of those very rare occasions when it would be in the club’s best interests to lose.
Knapper and Manning both need to go if we are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation. A draw or win will only prolong the inevitable.
Knapper Out. Manning Out.
#ncfc
Knapper and Manning both need to go if we are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation. A draw or win will only prolong the inevitable.
Knapper Out. Manning Out.
#ncfc
November 8, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Today is one of those very rare occasions when it would be in the club’s best interests to lose.
Knapper and Manning both need to go if we are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation. A draw or win will only prolong the inevitable.
Knapper Out. Manning Out.
#ncfc
Knapper and Manning both need to go if we are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation. A draw or win will only prolong the inevitable.
Knapper Out. Manning Out.
#ncfc