Stewart Smith
@drstewartsmith.bsky.social
Writer: jazz, improvised, experimental, Scotland & the avant-garde @ The Wire, Bandcamp, The Quietus, We Jazz, Guardian. Associate lecturer Newcastle University. Musician. He/him. 🇵🇸
Reposted by Stewart Smith
The fact that this person remains Health Secretary is objectively one of the most significant British political scandals of the post-Covid era. But because he's doing something the media barons like, everyone has decided it's fine.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting says that the British Medical Association, which represents Britain's doctors, is a threat to the NHS. Streeting took a record £225k from private healthcare-related donors in just two years.
British Medical Association ‘threat to future of NHS’, says Streeting ahead of doctors’ strike
Health secretary accuses doctors’ union of ‘cartel-like behaviour’ and tells it to ‘get real’ over pay demands
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:46 AM
The fact that this person remains Health Secretary is objectively one of the most significant British political scandals of the post-Covid era. But because he's doing something the media barons like, everyone has decided it's fine.
Truth
one of the basic rules of late 70s/early 80s jazz
is
every Moers Music record
is worth owning
is
every Moers Music record
is worth owning
John Carter - clarinet: Recorded at Studio 57, Düsseldorf, Germany; August 16, 1979.
November 12, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Truth
Reposted by Stewart Smith
Emily Maitlis & Jon Sopel on The News Agents podcast taking credit for getting the GIDS Tavistock clinic closed down.
Puffed-up journalists with their sense of self-importance think they can’t be radicalised & biased!
History will not be kind to them! 😖
Puffed-up journalists with their sense of self-importance think they can’t be radicalised & biased!
History will not be kind to them! 😖
November 11, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Emily Maitlis & Jon Sopel on The News Agents podcast taking credit for getting the GIDS Tavistock clinic closed down.
Puffed-up journalists with their sense of self-importance think they can’t be radicalised & biased!
History will not be kind to them! 😖
Puffed-up journalists with their sense of self-importance think they can’t be radicalised & biased!
History will not be kind to them! 😖
Reposted by Stewart Smith
Zohran Mamdani and Catherine Connolly's wins, along with the massive rise of the UK Greens after electing Zack Polanski demonstrate that you can be unapologetically pro-trans rights and get huge support.
The Leftists who claimed that trans people should be "pragmatically" abandoned were wrong.
The Leftists who claimed that trans people should be "pragmatically" abandoned were wrong.
November 6, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Zohran Mamdani and Catherine Connolly's wins, along with the massive rise of the UK Greens after electing Zack Polanski demonstrate that you can be unapologetically pro-trans rights and get huge support.
The Leftists who claimed that trans people should be "pragmatically" abandoned were wrong.
The Leftists who claimed that trans people should be "pragmatically" abandoned were wrong.
Reposted by Stewart Smith
Absolutely insane.
Labour would have purged and smeared someone like Zohran Mamdani.
Wes Streeting's politics align far more closely with Andrew Cuomo.
The lessons from Mamdani are about how to defeat both the right - and the bankrupt "centre".
Labour would have purged and smeared someone like Zohran Mamdani.
Wes Streeting's politics align far more closely with Andrew Cuomo.
The lessons from Mamdani are about how to defeat both the right - and the bankrupt "centre".
November 5, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Absolutely insane.
Labour would have purged and smeared someone like Zohran Mamdani.
Wes Streeting's politics align far more closely with Andrew Cuomo.
The lessons from Mamdani are about how to defeat both the right - and the bankrupt "centre".
Labour would have purged and smeared someone like Zohran Mamdani.
Wes Streeting's politics align far more closely with Andrew Cuomo.
The lessons from Mamdani are about how to defeat both the right - and the bankrupt "centre".
Reposted by Stewart Smith
“This festival is a celebration of improvisation as a global, inclusive, and transformative art form.” Stewart Smith looks forward to a celebration of the gamelan at the seventeenth instalment of the Scottish festival
Preview: Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra’s GIOfest
buff.ly/QM9uFi9
Preview: Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra’s GIOfest
buff.ly/QM9uFi9
November 3, 2025 at 6:19 PM
“This festival is a celebration of improvisation as a global, inclusive, and transformative art form.” Stewart Smith looks forward to a celebration of the gamelan at the seventeenth instalment of the Scottish festival
Preview: Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra’s GIOfest
buff.ly/QM9uFi9
Preview: Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra’s GIOfest
buff.ly/QM9uFi9
Reposted by Stewart Smith
Carla Bley's Escalator Over the Hill
Film by Steve Gebhardt (1970)
Bits of this have been on YT before, but I've never seen the entire film.
youtu.be/w-aSKKWz_QM?...
Film by Steve Gebhardt (1970)
Bits of this have been on YT before, but I've never seen the entire film.
youtu.be/w-aSKKWz_QM?...
Carla Bley's Escalator Over the Hill 1970, Steve Gebhardt
YouTube video by bigfootpegrande
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Carla Bley's Escalator Over the Hill
Film by Steve Gebhardt (1970)
Bits of this have been on YT before, but I've never seen the entire film.
youtu.be/w-aSKKWz_QM?...
Film by Steve Gebhardt (1970)
Bits of this have been on YT before, but I've never seen the entire film.
youtu.be/w-aSKKWz_QM?...
Reposted by Stewart Smith
TFEH presents a triple bill of experimental music & weird science by experimental musicians & weird scientists:
ALEATORY MUSIC SYSTEMS / ALISON BEATTIE / VOLE INVASION AT @fruitmarket.bsky.social ON 9/11/25.
www.ticketsource.co.uk/tfeh/tfeh-pr...
#Edinburgh #ExperimentalMusic #FreeImprov #Noise #Eh
ALEATORY MUSIC SYSTEMS / ALISON BEATTIE / VOLE INVASION AT @fruitmarket.bsky.social ON 9/11/25.
www.ticketsource.co.uk/tfeh/tfeh-pr...
#Edinburgh #ExperimentalMusic #FreeImprov #Noise #Eh
October 31, 2025 at 8:52 AM
TFEH presents a triple bill of experimental music & weird science by experimental musicians & weird scientists:
ALEATORY MUSIC SYSTEMS / ALISON BEATTIE / VOLE INVASION AT @fruitmarket.bsky.social ON 9/11/25.
www.ticketsource.co.uk/tfeh/tfeh-pr...
#Edinburgh #ExperimentalMusic #FreeImprov #Noise #Eh
ALEATORY MUSIC SYSTEMS / ALISON BEATTIE / VOLE INVASION AT @fruitmarket.bsky.social ON 9/11/25.
www.ticketsource.co.uk/tfeh/tfeh-pr...
#Edinburgh #ExperimentalMusic #FreeImprov #Noise #Eh
Spoke to the great Neil Charles and Charles Hayward ahead of their Dark Days and Sound Is Now! shows at EFG London Jazz Fest @thequietus.com. Plus a few other top tips including Linda May Han Oh, Izumi Kamura, Tortoise and Mulatu Astatke. thequietus.com/news/the-efg...
The EFG London Jazz Festival Previewed | The Quietus
EFG London Jazz Festival returns this November with ten days of concerts across concert halls and clubs, churches and community spaces. Next to more tightly curated European festivals like Berlin or W...
thequietus.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Spoke to the great Neil Charles and Charles Hayward ahead of their Dark Days and Sound Is Now! shows at EFG London Jazz Fest @thequietus.com. Plus a few other top tips including Linda May Han Oh, Izumi Kamura, Tortoise and Mulatu Astatke. thequietus.com/news/the-efg...
Brought to you by the good folks behind Yeah You & People Like Us, it’s Wild Pop @starandshadow.bsky.social I’ll be performing with @kenosist.bsky.social & Toi Guy as our Deleuzian midi power trio howls again! Helluva lineup!
October 29, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Brought to you by the good folks behind Yeah You & People Like Us, it’s Wild Pop @starandshadow.bsky.social I’ll be performing with @kenosist.bsky.social & Toi Guy as our Deleuzian midi power trio howls again! Helluva lineup!
Reposted by Stewart Smith
Discovered Husker Du when I was 16, in the wake of Nevermind, and they were my absolute North Star for years, and remain so close to my heart. Thanks so much to @thequietus.com for letting me write this. It’s quite long. thequietus.com/interviews/h...
Plans That They Made: Hüsker Dü Interviewed | The Quietus
Stevie Chick talks to Bob Mould and Greg Norton about Grant Hart, American punk and paving the road for Nirvana
thequietus.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Discovered Husker Du when I was 16, in the wake of Nevermind, and they were my absolute North Star for years, and remain so close to my heart. Thanks so much to @thequietus.com for letting me write this. It’s quite long. thequietus.com/interviews/h...
Reposted by Stewart Smith
“One of Europe’s finest improvisors”: Sophie Agnel reviewed
The creative scope of French pianist Sophie Agnel is demonstrated across two remarkable albums, writes Stewart Smith in The Wire 501. Read the full review at The Wire website:
www.thewire.co.uk/in-writing/e...
The creative scope of French pianist Sophie Agnel is demonstrated across two remarkable albums, writes Stewart Smith in The Wire 501. Read the full review at The Wire website:
www.thewire.co.uk/in-writing/e...
“One of Europe’s finest improvisors”: Sophie Agnel reviewed - The Wire
The creative scope of French pianist Sophie Agnel is demonstrated across two remarkable albums, writes Stewart Smith in The Wire 501
www.thewire.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 1:25 PM
“One of Europe’s finest improvisors”: Sophie Agnel reviewed
The creative scope of French pianist Sophie Agnel is demonstrated across two remarkable albums, writes Stewart Smith in The Wire 501. Read the full review at The Wire website:
www.thewire.co.uk/in-writing/e...
The creative scope of French pianist Sophie Agnel is demonstrated across two remarkable albums, writes Stewart Smith in The Wire 501. Read the full review at The Wire website:
www.thewire.co.uk/in-writing/e...
Reposted by Stewart Smith
U.S Army officer Col. Steve Gabavics has gone public on his participation in the Biden Administration's "investigation" into the Israeli assassination of Shireen Abu Akleh, alleging that the USG softened its conclusions about the murder of the Palestinian American journalist to please Israel.
U.S. Assessment of Israeli Shooting of Journalist Divided American Officials
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:34 PM
U.S Army officer Col. Steve Gabavics has gone public on his participation in the Biden Administration's "investigation" into the Israeli assassination of Shireen Abu Akleh, alleging that the USG softened its conclusions about the murder of the Palestinian American journalist to please Israel.
Reposted by Stewart Smith
“Nothing ever dies; everything is infinite. We've been taught a watered-down version of what ’time and space’ is, that we're in a three-dimensional reality, which we are not. We're in a multidimensional reality”.
Onwards / Upwards to the great Jack DeJohnette.
Onwards / Upwards to the great Jack DeJohnette.
October 27, 2025 at 1:02 PM
“Nothing ever dies; everything is infinite. We've been taught a watered-down version of what ’time and space’ is, that we're in a three-dimensional reality, which we are not. We're in a multidimensional reality”.
Onwards / Upwards to the great Jack DeJohnette.
Onwards / Upwards to the great Jack DeJohnette.
Reposted by Stewart Smith
There was no conceivable world in which the British justice system would find one of their own guilty of war crimes when they're enthusiastically supporting a genocide. But even still, the Bloody Sunday verdict is a slap in the face for all Irish people.
October 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
There was no conceivable world in which the British justice system would find one of their own guilty of war crimes when they're enthusiastically supporting a genocide. But even still, the Bloody Sunday verdict is a slap in the face for all Irish people.
Reposted by Stewart Smith
🚨This is an emergency🚨
This Government is currently sitting on an EHRC Code of Practice that will lead to the segregation and exclusion of trans people in public life.
Use our tool to email your MP: tinyurl.com/scrap-the-bathroom-ban
@transsolidarity.bsky.social
#ScrapTheBathroomBan
This Government is currently sitting on an EHRC Code of Practice that will lead to the segregation and exclusion of trans people in public life.
Use our tool to email your MP: tinyurl.com/scrap-the-bathroom-ban
@transsolidarity.bsky.social
#ScrapTheBathroomBan
October 13, 2025 at 12:02 PM
🚨This is an emergency🚨
This Government is currently sitting on an EHRC Code of Practice that will lead to the segregation and exclusion of trans people in public life.
Use our tool to email your MP: tinyurl.com/scrap-the-bathroom-ban
@transsolidarity.bsky.social
#ScrapTheBathroomBan
This Government is currently sitting on an EHRC Code of Practice that will lead to the segregation and exclusion of trans people in public life.
Use our tool to email your MP: tinyurl.com/scrap-the-bathroom-ban
@transsolidarity.bsky.social
#ScrapTheBathroomBan
Reposted by Stewart Smith
Free Greta Thunberg and the rest of the illegally detained flotilla activists.
October 4, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Free Greta Thunberg and the rest of the illegally detained flotilla activists.
Reposted by Stewart Smith
This is grim & dangerous over reach.
This is a government that have lost the moral argument & are still selling arms to Israel. Now further cracking down on dissent.
Absolutely the opposite of what they should be doing - so of course this is what the Labour Government choose.
This is a government that have lost the moral argument & are still selling arms to Israel. Now further cracking down on dissent.
Absolutely the opposite of what they should be doing - so of course this is what the Labour Government choose.
NEW: Home Office announces planned new anti-protest powers, mainly aimed at pro-Gaza protests like those for Palestine Action. Police will be able to consider the "cumulative impact" of repeated protests and potentially order that they be relocated.
October 5, 2025 at 7:44 AM
This is grim & dangerous over reach.
This is a government that have lost the moral argument & are still selling arms to Israel. Now further cracking down on dissent.
Absolutely the opposite of what they should be doing - so of course this is what the Labour Government choose.
This is a government that have lost the moral argument & are still selling arms to Israel. Now further cracking down on dissent.
Absolutely the opposite of what they should be doing - so of course this is what the Labour Government choose.
Hugely excited to be putting on the great Bhutanese experimental guitarist Tashi Dorji @dorjitashi.bsky.social at @starandshadow.bsky.social on Monday 6 October. A post-colonial disembowelment of guitar traditions RIYL Derek Bailey, John Fahey and Bill Orcutt www.starandshadow.org.uk/programme/ev...
Star and Shadow: Tashi Dorji
www.starandshadow.org.uk
October 3, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Hugely excited to be putting on the great Bhutanese experimental guitarist Tashi Dorji @dorjitashi.bsky.social at @starandshadow.bsky.social on Monday 6 October. A post-colonial disembowelment of guitar traditions RIYL Derek Bailey, John Fahey and Bill Orcutt www.starandshadow.org.uk/programme/ev...
Reposted by Stewart Smith
One piece of infallible advice I'd pass on to future generations would be to never trust anyone who says they're neither on the left or the right. They're always on the right.
September 30, 2025 at 4:51 PM
One piece of infallible advice I'd pass on to future generations would be to never trust anyone who says they're neither on the left or the right. They're always on the right.
Reposted by Stewart Smith
LORT BURN SPECIALS: 3
Featuring OWEN HATHERLEY, ANDREW HANKINSON, KATE LISTON and music from BEN LOWES-SMITH
SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER 7PM
@alphabettitheatre.bsky.social
MAKE NEWCASTLE MITTELEUROPA AGAIN
Featuring OWEN HATHERLEY, ANDREW HANKINSON, KATE LISTON and music from BEN LOWES-SMITH
SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER 7PM
@alphabettitheatre.bsky.social
MAKE NEWCASTLE MITTELEUROPA AGAIN
September 30, 2025 at 5:22 PM
LORT BURN SPECIALS: 3
Featuring OWEN HATHERLEY, ANDREW HANKINSON, KATE LISTON and music from BEN LOWES-SMITH
SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER 7PM
@alphabettitheatre.bsky.social
MAKE NEWCASTLE MITTELEUROPA AGAIN
Featuring OWEN HATHERLEY, ANDREW HANKINSON, KATE LISTON and music from BEN LOWES-SMITH
SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER 7PM
@alphabettitheatre.bsky.social
MAKE NEWCASTLE MITTELEUROPA AGAIN
Reposted by Stewart Smith
Newcastle says no to fascism.
The far right brought a hundred or so with them, bussed from far and wide. This city turned out 1000s, from local communities, estates and streets. Geordies of all backgrounds coming together and outnumbering the purveyors of hate by some distance.
Newcastle united.
The far right brought a hundred or so with them, bussed from far and wide. This city turned out 1000s, from local communities, estates and streets. Geordies of all backgrounds coming together and outnumbering the purveyors of hate by some distance.
Newcastle united.
September 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Newcastle says no to fascism.
The far right brought a hundred or so with them, bussed from far and wide. This city turned out 1000s, from local communities, estates and streets. Geordies of all backgrounds coming together and outnumbering the purveyors of hate by some distance.
Newcastle united.
The far right brought a hundred or so with them, bussed from far and wide. This city turned out 1000s, from local communities, estates and streets. Geordies of all backgrounds coming together and outnumbering the purveyors of hate by some distance.
Newcastle united.
Reposted by Stewart Smith
Reposted by Stewart Smith
Whether it is out of sheer incompetence or ideological alignment, this government is doing the far right's work
The only consistent thing they have done since getting in power is echo reactionary talking points. There is not one bad faith reactionary tirade they won't lap up and recite.
The only consistent thing they have done since getting in power is echo reactionary talking points. There is not one bad faith reactionary tirade they won't lap up and recite.
September 14, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Whether it is out of sheer incompetence or ideological alignment, this government is doing the far right's work
The only consistent thing they have done since getting in power is echo reactionary talking points. There is not one bad faith reactionary tirade they won't lap up and recite.
The only consistent thing they have done since getting in power is echo reactionary talking points. There is not one bad faith reactionary tirade they won't lap up and recite.
Reposted by Stewart Smith
Where is Keir Starmer? Where is the leadership?
Fascists marched on our streets yesterday and he hasn’t said a single word.
Instead the Prime Minister spends his time defending the “best pals” of paedophiles.
He is a coward. He should resign.
Fascists marched on our streets yesterday and he hasn’t said a single word.
Instead the Prime Minister spends his time defending the “best pals” of paedophiles.
He is a coward. He should resign.
September 14, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Where is Keir Starmer? Where is the leadership?
Fascists marched on our streets yesterday and he hasn’t said a single word.
Instead the Prime Minister spends his time defending the “best pals” of paedophiles.
He is a coward. He should resign.
Fascists marched on our streets yesterday and he hasn’t said a single word.
Instead the Prime Minister spends his time defending the “best pals” of paedophiles.
He is a coward. He should resign.