Helen Reade

Christmas Eve ‘book flood’ at ours.
A night of gentle reading.
#Jólabókaflóðið

My book is I Don’t Take Requests by the legendary DJ Fat Tony ✨

What’s yours?

My cat, Jerome, is under my desk warming his paws under the portable radiator.

Look at the toes peeking out 😍

Mate! That’s brilliant! Love that we were young kids with dreams and you’ve achieved yours so consistently! Makes me happy!
Glad JV was nice - he genuinely seems into his music. Did you see him on the panel with Lydon & Marky Ramone sparring? On YT - is daft / cringey / pantomime as per!

I will never understand the love this film has.
Hated it when it came out - everything through a male gaze, even the woman whose husband cheated.
Not ‘feel good’ to me - vomit inducing!
Now, When Harry Met Sally on the other hand… best romcom ever!

Talking of legendary places taken over, on Sunday I was driven past the former Laurel Tree pub in Camden, now a BrewDog.
If you danced there in the 90s at Blow Up you’ll have fond memories of those sweaty nights (but not the awful stairs). Met some of the best people I know there.
Good times!

I’m very grateful I got inside, drank whiskey and fulfilled a teenage dream before it was turned into a John Varvatos shop…
I took my kids to the site on our NYC trip so they could at least see the spot where so much of the music they love was played. Wasn’t the same, obvs.
What a place tho!

I see you, fellow Velveteen Rabbit Reader!
The love is real.

Fantastic book! Really enjoyed the writing re-igniting my memories.
Looking forward to the doc!

Last Uk gig ever for Front 242 & I loved every minute.
Got into as a teen in ‘86 via my Dutch boyf - we danced to No Shuffle in an odd Belg seaside club.
I interviewed them as a young journo - were kind & intelligent.
38 yrs on still dancing for 1.5hrs!
Brilliant pioneering sounds.
“Always ahead!”

I’ve been following them for 6 years now (200 cap venues) and when I saw them on this tour I said to my mate “Absolutely getting Echo &Bunnymen vibes…“ so I’m chuffed you see it too!
They’ve stepped it up magnificently and the complexity of songs is a good nod to E&TB.
There’s STILL more to come!

Manchester, early 2025

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As a member, I'm glad you're here too!
Let's make some Trouble :-)

It was great fun! Loved the set afterwards and was smitten by the music from Zi Lan Liao. Talented family.

😂 remember you doing that at Laurel Tree!
There was another record you did similar with that got me but my blistered memory fails! Was it the ‘new’ Pulp one?

Good stuff! Don't give in to it, either!
Enjoy FDCs tonight - wish I was going but just a bit too far there and back in a night. Best live band for me right now - enjoy m'darling!

This has made me smile today! Great work!
Reminds me of my son doing something similar with CD covers for comps he made for the car (with catalogue numbers and bar codes haha!). May our imagination always run free.

My favourite joke ever - still makes me laugh 😆

Hello lovely you! Looking forward to your wit and wisdom, as per usual. A lovely day :)

hello to you, too!

Listen to this.
The superbly talented Zi Lan Liao - a very interesting musician and warm human. I bought the 'Chinese Dub' album from her and it's wonderful.
How fortunate to be at such an intimate event to hear her music. Hope it's ok to share.

Day 2 - LtW (eve)
Beyond excited & he didn't disappoint! Jah Wobble & the Invaders of the Heart. The Wobble was entertaining AF. Extremely talented Zi Lan Liao moved me to tears with piece on the guzheng. The collab w their talented children was ace - check out Tian Qiyi - brilliant! Get Carter <3

Day 2 - LtW (day)
Sessions inc Lawrence (Felt) for Gary; Postcards from Scotland w Grant McPhee talking Scots Indie '83-'95; Lindsay Reade (no relation) w/ Terry Christian re her book of letters from Tony Wilson; quick dosa & paneer curry; Chris Charlesworth reminiscing about Melody Maker in 70s.

Early exit from LtW fest as off to New Century Hall for Kneecap gig. Venue comms not great as they were on @8.30 - we got there at 8.50 and they were off by 9.30 but it was 40mins of fierce fun with a bouncing floor. PA sound rough but band gave energy & enthusiasm. Sooo many phones up for duration

Day 1 - Louder Than Words...
Ultra cool Kid Congo Powers (Gun Club, Cramps, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds...) sharing his life from starting the Ramones fan club (W coast) to popping round Lux & Ivy's house - yep, as weird as you'd think.
His memoir Some New Kind of Kick promises to be a riotous read!

Stage backdrop depicting a record and the festival title of Louder Than Words - a genre based literary festival celebrating words and music. Two empty chairs await their occupants.

Back from an interesting, fun and inspiring weekend at Louder Than Words festival in Manchester (can't find them to tag on here).
Great authors, varied panels and enthusiastic volunteers - what's not to love about a bunch of music fans communing over books?!
Daily highlights coming up...