Michael Hann
@michaelhann.bsky.social
Writer for newspapers and magazines, sleevenotes etc. Two books: Denim and Leather, and The Gospel of the Hold Steady. QPR supporter, hoping always that change really is possible
Reviewed Radiohead, and a great new band who aren’t Radiohead. www.spectator.co.uk/article/thom...
Thom Yorke reminds me of David Brent: Radiohead reviewed
There were times watching Radiohead’s first UK show for seven years when Ricky Gervais came to mind. As Thom Yorke dad-danced around the circular stage in the middle of the arena, his bandmates all hu...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Reviewed Radiohead, and a great new band who aren’t Radiohead. www.spectator.co.uk/article/thom...
How long before the BBC are more embarrassed by keeping Rooney than by getting rid of him?
November 22, 2025 at 11:21 PM
How long before the BBC are more embarrassed by keeping Rooney than by getting rid of him?
This is a brilliant and horrifying piece of reporting. www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
A year-long investigation reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:26 PM
This is a brilliant and horrifying piece of reporting. www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
Another magnificent O2 Arena organisational masterpiece. Radiohead on at 8.30. Got here at 7.55. In a 250 yard queue at Gate E. No queue at all at Gate H. But no redirection of the queue
November 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Another magnificent O2 Arena organisational masterpiece. Radiohead on at 8.30. Got here at 7.55. In a 250 yard queue at Gate E. No queue at all at Gate H. But no redirection of the queue
The Daily Mail redefining “aerial” here.
November 15, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The Daily Mail redefining “aerial” here.
I reviewed King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, via diversions into James Last and “London Has Fallen”. www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
The rise of psychedelia
On YouTube – and I urge you to look it up – there is a magnificent piece of footage from German TV, in which big band leader James Last leads his orchestra into a medley of hard rock hits, opening wit...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I reviewed King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, via diversions into James Last and “London Has Fallen”. www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
Reposted by Michael Hann
This is a brilliant idea dreamt up by our mates @pigsx7.bsky.social . If you have any old instruments or kit knocking about then please see below!👇🏼 Thank you.. and thanks to them for being such great people. ❤️
November 10, 2025 at 12:22 PM
This is a brilliant idea dreamt up by our mates @pigsx7.bsky.social . If you have any old instruments or kit knocking about then please see below!👇🏼 Thank you.. and thanks to them for being such great people. ❤️
“Waste” is always money spent on other people and other people’s families.
November 5, 2025 at 10:58 PM
“Waste” is always money spent on other people and other people’s families.
70 years since the birth of Rock’n’Roll, I went looking for signs of life … www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
‘Everyone seems to be on Zimmers’: after 70 years of hip-shaking thrills, is rock’n’roll dead?
It is now seven decades since Little Richard sang Tutti Frutti – and a rip-roaring new type of music burst out into the world. But is rock’n’roll about to die out? Our writer goes searching for signs ...
www.theguardian.com
October 20, 2025 at 8:52 AM
70 years since the birth of Rock’n’Roll, I went looking for signs of life … www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
I reviewed Simply Red. I like Mick Hucknall more with each passing year. www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-d...
In defence of Mick Hucknall
Before Simply Red came on stage at the Greenwich peninsula’s enormodome, the screens showed a clip of a very young Mick Hucknall being interviewed. What he wanted, he said, was to be a great singer. U...
www.spectator.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 11:59 AM
I reviewed Simply Red. I like Mick Hucknall more with each passing year. www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-d...
I write about the late Ace Frehley. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
Without Ace Frehley, Kiss could not have achieved their extraordinary greatness | Michael Hann
The guitarist was the most proficient musician in the original lineup and his bludgeoning ‘monster plod’ was central to their sound
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 9:33 AM
I write about the late Ace Frehley. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
Told you he wasn’t dead
October 17, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Told you he wasn’t dead
I wrote about I Want To See the Bright Lights Tonight. www.ft.com/content/fd38...
I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight — Americana with a dash of Englishness from Richard and Linda Thompson
Heavily influenced by The Band, the 1974 track by the folk-rock duo also featured a Manchester horn ensemble
www.ft.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:07 AM
I wrote about I Want To See the Bright Lights Tonight. www.ft.com/content/fd38...
I wrote about the late John Lodge. Spent the afternoon listening to the Moody Blues. They were really very good. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
John Lodge was a pioneering force of British rock’s most underrated band
The late musician helped steer the Moody Blues into an exciting and groundbreaking new era of psychedelia
www.theguardian.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I wrote about the late John Lodge. Spent the afternoon listening to the Moody Blues. They were really very good. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
I went to see Lady Gaga and the Beths, though not sharing a bill. www.spectator.co.uk/article/like...
Like Gabor Mate set to club beats: Lady Gaga, at the O2, reviewed
Lady Gaga’s show was to begin at 7.30 prompt, we were told. No opening act. And at 7.30 something did happen: the big screen over the stage started showing a film of Ms Gaga, clad in scarlet finery, ...
www.spectator.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I went to see Lady Gaga and the Beths, though not sharing a bill. www.spectator.co.uk/article/like...
This is the most transparent administration ever! The people demanded the files, and the White House is opening them up!
September 26, 2025 at 10:15 PM
This is the most transparent administration ever! The people demanded the files, and the White House is opening them up!
I wrote about the late Danny Thompson, who invented a new vocabulary for British music. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/s...
From Kate Bush to Pentangle to T-Rex, the late Danny Thompson’s musical brilliance knew no bounds
The bassist, who has died aged 86, was an extraordinary and wildly versatile presence in British music, bringing his personality into everything he played
www.theguardian.com
September 25, 2025 at 8:50 AM
I wrote about the late Danny Thompson, who invented a new vocabulary for British music. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/s...
You’d think the MOTD producers might have looked at Rooney’s management career and pondered whether he had difficulty articulating his undoubted genius for football. But no. He’s famous, so put him on telly.
September 20, 2025 at 10:52 PM
You’d think the MOTD producers might have looked at Rooney’s management career and pondered whether he had difficulty articulating his undoubted genius for football. But no. He’s famous, so put him on telly.
I went to last night’s Together for Palestine concert. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/s...
Together for Palestine concert: Benedict Cumberbatch, Damon Albarn and Neneh Cherry take stage at galvanising and star-studded gig for Gaza
Scores of artists, speakers and activists appear a four-hour fundraiser curated by Brian Eno – but it’s Palestinian voices who make the biggest impression
www.theguardian.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:23 AM
I went to last night’s Together for Palestine concert. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/s...
I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Literally
Ruin a song by adding the word ‘literally’ to the title. I’ll start.
Love will literally tear us apart.
Love will literally tear us apart.
September 13, 2025 at 7:37 PM
I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Literally
Reposted by Michael Hann
I wrote about Viv Prince of the Pretty Things. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/s...
Spinal Tap eat your heart out: the Pretty Things drummer Viv Prince forged the blueprint for rock’n’roll hijinks
Stories of meth drinking, crayfish slinging and laying carpet onstage while Sandie Shaw played briefly made him rock’s most unhinged wild man
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2025 at 10:47 PM
I wrote about Viv Prince of the Pretty Things. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/s...
Incredible
Viv was out neighbour growing up. He wore a lot of patchouli oil and would sometimes appear at the front door very drunk. Nice tho (I was a kid)
September 12, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Incredible
I wrote about Viv Prince of the Pretty Things. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/s...
Spinal Tap eat your heart out: the Pretty Things drummer Viv Prince forged the blueprint for rock’n’roll hijinks
Stories of meth drinking, crayfish slinging and laying carpet onstage while Sandie Shaw played briefly made him rock’s most unhinged wild man
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2025 at 10:47 PM
I wrote about Viv Prince of the Pretty Things. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/s...
I reviewed the best festival, @endoftheroadfestival.com www.spectator.co.uk/article/brit...
Britain's loveliest, most thoughtful festival
The last weekend of August is my favourite of the year. That’s when I pootle down to Cranborne Chase to the loveliest, most thoughtful festival in the UK. End of the Road is a festival for those who l...
www.spectator.co.uk
September 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
I reviewed the best festival, @endoftheroadfestival.com www.spectator.co.uk/article/brit...