July 2026. Newcastle. Last week my son told me I had “mainstream music taste“. Let that sink in. “Matthew has to be contrary” says Mrs RM. “I suspect your son enjoys winding you up” says ChatGPT. And you can rely on ChatGPT, folks; it told me so. ChatGPT was helping me to find some mainstream… Continue reading “MAINSTREAM MUSIC” AT THE LUBBER FIEND
Tag: Music
TASTES LIKE TRACK SONOMA. TRAMLINES FRINGE 2026.
July 2026. Sheffield. The boys wanted to visit Dad with me, so we all popped down Saturday after a night of fringe fun. Tramlines “proper” is Sheffield’s equivalent of Latitude (ugh), without the pashminas and laughing gas and dangerous proximity to Southwold. 3 days (no camping) of heritage (ugh) bands living off their 2000s hit.… Continue reading TASTES LIKE TRACK SONOMA. TRAMLINES FRINGE 2026.
SCOUSE
July 2026. Liverpool. Since we got back from all that foreign muck in Armenia you’ve had a string of classic UK pubs. The Harp, the Cock, the Rutland, the New Barrack, the KIT, the Tunbridge Wells Spoons…. And a trip to Liverpool on Thursday to see long-term RM favourite Julia Jacklin preview her upcoming 4th… Continue reading SCOUSE
Geese after Gaffel. Gig night in Cologne
No, the bloke with the sword waver isn’t a famous American real ale drinker you might know. March 2026. Cologne. Germany. You left me and our lads in Kupferhut in the Cologne suburb of Mülheim, finishing our second Gaffel and deciding that we were never going to get a third, so let’s get to the… Continue reading Geese after Gaffel. Gig night in Cologne
AIN’T HULL LOVELY ?
February 2026. Hull. Mrs RM was away in Rome with mystery chum, leaving me to fend for myself in Sheffield. Middle age (59 to 99) is supposed to see you settle down to home comforts, isn’t it ? But by Sunday lunchtime I was itching to get out. Half an hour walk down to Sheffield… Continue reading AIN’T HULL LOVELY ?
RETIRED MARTIN’S MARVELLOUS MUSICAL MELODIES FOR 2025
Dave mentioning the brilliant Lola Young reminds me I’ve still to delight you with my Top 10 albums for 2025, so you can start playing them and get your “Spotify age” down from 64 to 24 next year. Goodness know what my actual 24 year old son’s Spotify age is, Matthew having watched Springsteen, Neil… Continue reading RETIRED MARTIN’S MARVELLOUS MUSICAL MELODIES FOR 2025
ROSIE AT THE GRACE
November 2025. Highbury. London. A big (for RM) gig in London, a new venue for me just outside Highbury Station and just below the Arsenal ground, and I find myself with 2 hours to kill before doors. I know it’s imperative I get the largest size Rosie T-shirt before they sell-out, but 2 hours is… Continue reading ROSIE AT THE GRACE
“EVERYTHING IS LEGAL IN A DRESSING GOWN”
April 2025. Sheffield. We’ve actually been spending a bit of time at home in Sheffield of late; grief, I even mowed the lawn last month. It’s been worth my while to power up the Naim SBLs and play a bit of music on Tidal, and Mrs RM has turned on the slow cooker. Of course,… Continue reading “EVERYTHING IS LEGAL IN A DRESSING GOWN”
(WHITE MAN) IN HAMMERSMITH UNDERGROUND CRAFT BAR
November 2024. Hammersmith. The descent by foot into Belsize Park Underground station is not for the fainthearted, but once on the tube you’ve got a quick trip via Leicester Square to Hammersmith. There’s at least one classic punk song about the tube (were The Jam punk ?), and an obvious pick for Hammersmith, too. The… Continue reading (WHITE MAN) IN HAMMERSMITH UNDERGROUND CRAFT BAR
“And the circle, it goes round and round”. LIZZY McALPINE AT BIRMINGHAM O2.
October 2024. Birmingham. October 28th had been the highlighted date in my calendar all year, the day I finally get to see my hero(ine) after two (2) failed attempts due to parental disasters and a tour cancellation. It had looked very likely Monday would see another disaster with Mum still recovering in Addenbrookes, but Mrs… Continue reading “And the circle, it goes round and round”. LIZZY McALPINE AT BIRMINGHAM O2.
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