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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 13d

Natalie Bergman and band took the roof off North London last night - Union Chapel really is a magnificent venue. Support from Laura-Mary Carter, ex-Blood Red Shoes.

Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 17d

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Sonic Imperfections @sonicimperfections.bsky.social · 17d

Back for a new season tomorrow on @resonancefm.bsky.social at 10pm. An hour of the finest new worldwide experimental/unusual music including Bea Brennan, MOIM and Pat Thomas. stream.resonance.fm/resonance, 104.4FM in Central London or DAB Greater London.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 24d

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ʀak @raksky.bsky.social · 24d

Some would say that even the racist flag-shaggers™ need a deliciously ironic immigrant snacky snack before breaking the nose of the Met Police @metpoliceuk.bsky.social

📼 via tiktok.com/@arowah_/vid...

🥡 @southbankcentre.bsky.social Food Market

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 25d

1000s came to London yesterday to counter the racist march against decency. Before they marched, racists were seen buying food from Indian & Eastern European food stalls. After eating, they marched onwards, demanding migrants be thrown out of the country. Photos here are of the anti-racist marchers.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 26d

Tiny-minded local residents are still trying to get Cornwall's Boardmasters festival censured for programming Bob Vylan, even though the whole thing took place in Aug and went off without a hitch 👍 completemusicupdate.com/cornwall-cou...

Cornwall Council will hold meeting about ‘safety risks’ of Bob Vylan’s August Boardmasters performance - even through there weren’t any

After Bob Vylan’s controversial Glasto set, political activists in Cornwall said the duo’s booking to play Boardmasters in August raised safety concerns. A Cornwall Council committee will discuss thos...

completemusicupdate.com

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 26d

I spoke with artists Jane and Louise Wilson about their uncannily prescient artwork and their new Performance of Entrapment installation at London's Bloomberg SPACE building for The New World magazine. Check it here ⤵️ www.thenewworld.co.uk/simon-coates...

Jane and Louise Wilson, the twins who saw it coming

The uncanny art of Jane and Louise Wilson uncovers the future hidden inside surveillance footage, irradiated film and ancient wood

www.thenewworld.co.uk

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 28d

This looks good - a screening of the 1926 documentary 'Grass' about the migration of Iran’s Bakhtiari tribes, with live musical accompaniment from Peyman Yazdanian. This Fri at Kings Place in London. www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/cla...

Screening of the silent masterpiece Grass (1925) with live music by Peyman Yazdanian • Classical • Kings Place

Join us for an exclusive evening celebrating the centenary of the silent cinema classic Grass: A Nation’s Battle for Life (1925), to be screened in a brand-new restoration courtesy of the Museum of Mo...

www.kingsplace.co.uk

Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Sep 4

I've been writing for the mighty GRAMMYs website again, this time looking at how and why 1985 was a year of seismic change for reggae music, from Sly & Robbie's productions to the Sleng Teng riddim. Check it all here ⤵️

Why 1985 Was A Landmark Year For Reggae: From The GRAMMYs To Sleng Teng | GRAMMY.com

2025 marks the 40th anniversary of the first GRAMMY Award for reggae music, as well as a wealth of milestones in Jamaican music history. From Barrington Levy's hit record to the advent of ragga, 1985 ...

www.grammy.com

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Reposted by Simon Coates

Steve @monkeytennis.bsky.social · Aug 30

Another fine price of writing Simon, I love reading these as there’s always something to learn, especially about the music I’m not really into. I knew all the releases by sight but had only ever ventured into the world of Burial. The first two album blew my mind, like FSOL living in Croydon.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Aug 30

thanks very much old chap

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Aug 30

This one's for the bass heads. I dug into the first decade of dubstep for @discogsofficial.bsky.social. Check it here 👇
www.discogs.com/digs/music/e...

The Albums That Shaped Dubstep’s First Decade

From Horsepower Productions to Burial and Skream, explore the essential albums that shaped dubstep between 2002 and 2010.

www.discogs.com

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Aug 29

"If grocery stores can tempt punters with buy one, get one free offers, then why shouldn’t institutions like Tate Britain do the same?"

Me, wondering about the Edward Burra and Ithell Colquhoun shows on now in London for the New York Observer. More here ➡️ observer.com/2025/08/art-...

At Tate Britain, Edward Burra and Ithell Colquhoun Are a Two-for-One Deal

Dual exhibitions trace how Britain’s 20th-century artists engaged with myth, sexuality and politics on their own terms.

observer.com

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Aug 29

I wrote about how Parisian authorities tried - and failed - to shut down Kneecap's performance at last weekend's Rock en Seine festival for The New World magazine. Check it here > www.thenewworld.co.uk/simon-coates...
@thenewworldmag.bsky.social
@kneecapceol.bsky.social

Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Aug 21

Short of gift ideas for the Swans fan in your life? Fortunately, guitarist Norman Westberg is an accomplished knitter and is selling his scarves online 🧶 > www.etsy.com/shop/thingso...

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Reposted by Simon Coates

mssgc.bsky.social @mssgc.bsky.social · Aug 10

Honestly. What is going on? Why is the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social allowing this to happen? Since when did objecting to genocide make you a criminal? Are we now a totalitarian state? I’m utterly heartbroken watching this.

Bluesky

bouruk.bsky.social

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Reposted by Simon Coates

Richard Dalton @zx23.bsky.social · Aug 10

If the government genuinely believes these people have been duped into supporting terrorists then how about talk to them about what Palestine Action actually does.

I guarantee you each of these arrests convinces these and others that Palestine Action are not terrorists, and UK gov is being stupid.

Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Aug 10

The terrifying, violent thugs arrested in London yesterday for supporting Palestine Action included clear threat to our safety, La Pethick (left), aged 89.

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Reposted by Simon Coates

BrexitPirates @brexitpirates.bsky.social · Aug 10

In the UK, police carry away folk peacefully protesting genocide.
In Gaza, starving aid workers carry away the bodies of victims of that genocide.
We've messed up.

Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Aug 10

The terrifying, violent thugs arrested in London yesterday for supporting Palestine Action included clear threat to our safety, La Pethick (left), aged 89.

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Reposted by Simon Coates

Lordy @lordey.bsky.social · Aug 10

Has any government minister ever been arrested for wasting police time?

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Aug 10

The terrifying, violent thugs arrested in London yesterday for supporting Palestine Action included clear threat to our safety, La Pethick (left), aged 89.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Aug 8

Happy 808 day to those who celebrate 💐

"Roland Corporation celebrates the 45th anniversary of its iconic TR-808 Rhythm Composer today"
sonicstate.com/news/2025/08....

It's 808 Day 2025

Roland celebrates 45 years of rhythm culture

sonicstate.com

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Aug 7

Given 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of Goldie's 'Timeless' album, it seems, erm, timely to re-up the '30 Years of Metalheadz: A Drum and Bass Legacy' list I wrote for @discogsofficial.bsky.social last year. 'Timeless' is there, amongst other Metalheadz gems ⏬ www.discogs.com/digs/music/m...

30 Years of Metalheadz: A Drum and Bass Legacy | Digs

Celebrate 30 years of Metalheadz, the iconic drum & bass label founded by Goldie, through these ten influential releases.

www.discogs.com

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Aug 5

"The show is a chilling reminder that the poisonous waves of prejudice the artists endured during the 1980s have returned"

In this review for the New York Observer, I've covered the 'Connecting Thin Black Lines 1985 - 2025' exhibition at London's ICA. Read it here ⤵️ observer.com/2025/08/exhi...

‘Connecting Thin Black Lines 1985–2025’ at ICA London Is a Stark Reminder of What Has—and Hasn’t—Changed

The urgency of Lubaina Himid’s original curatorial mission remains painfully relevant.

observer.com

Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Aug 3

My latest for the New York Observer is a review of the 'Abstract Erotic: Louise Bourgeois, Eva Hesse, Alice Adams' exhibition on now at London's Courtauld Gallery. Check it here 👇 observer.com/2025/08/revi...

Courtauld Gallery’s ‘Abstract Erotic’ Revisits Structural Sexuality in Sculpture

At times more coy than carnal, works by Louise Bourgeois, Eva Hesse and Alice Adams explore eroticism through ambiguity, restraint and form.

observer.com

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Aug 1

My friend, the artist Ken McCalla, has just started a month-long residency at the Sprout Arts community space in Tooting, South London. Entry is free, Ken is doing an artist talk tomorrow night, and there's a series of print-making workshops across the month. Get down there if you can.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · Jul 30

I wrote about how drawings document the dizzying number of relationships in The Bloomsbury Group for Art UK. Read it here 👉 artuk.org/discover/sto...

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