Iain McDermott
@poprambler
Back to NOW! podcast, celebrating the variously compiled world of pop. Popmaster alumni. On the TV and radio from time to time.
Was 1976 the biggest year for what we used to call guilty pop pleasures? And what are yours? The Back to Now podcast heads to a quite unique pop year next week! A special episode with @wadeywade.bsky.social and Alexis Petridis. Subscribe and listen to all episodes: linktr.ee/poprambler
Late to the new yearbook but it’s just been so hot! But worth the wait for this volume. And if you enjoyed the latest episode of (Scottish Podcast Awards shortlisted!) Back to Now then this is great fun spotting what was missing from NOW43 (42 & 44!). 1999 is now complete! linktr.ee/poprambler
41 years ago, Live Aid left an indelible mark on the music world & the fans that watched, listened or were lucky enough to be there. On Back to Now, we revisit 13th July and the summer of pop from 1985 with author @graemethomson.bsky.social Listen & subscribe here: linktr.ee/poprambler
The Back to Now podcast. A special summer episode coming soon. Listen, subscribe and catch all previous episodes at your podcast place of choice. linktr.ee/poprambler
“Whenever I sing ‘Total Eclipse’ the way people sing along still excites me. It’s one of the songs that audiences know all the lyrics to, and it makes me so happy.” As immortalised on the first NOW album in 1983. Side one, Track eight. RIP and thank you, Bonnie Tyler. ❤️
The first truly iconic album of the 1990s? To the memory of Martin Duffy, Denise Johnson and Andrew Weatherall and everyone else who served, danced and celebrated. Come Together. ❤️ #primalscream #screamadelica
Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸 Music is always the common ground. 🙌🏻 #nowmusic #4thofjuly
I remember coming back from holiday with my parents in summer 86 and finding Bucks Fizz in the Top Ten. That’s how crazy the 80s were kids! Anyway, NOW7
Almost a week now, but a great night of memories celebrating Scotland’s finest podcasts. What an honour to be shortlisted and thanks to @scottishpodawards.bsky.social! #scottishpodcastawards2026 #scottishpodcastawards
My sister got a free 7” single voucher when she bought new school shoes from Clark’s. I wanted her to buy Double Dutch, she bought this. Fair enough. I do still talk to her. #totp
And at the risk of shameless podcast promotion, join @ricardoautobahn.co.uk as we revisit this EXACT period of pop! NOW45,,Soring 2000! Pop blether (and Cuban Boys) aplenty. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Enjoying #totp 2000? Well, the brand spanking new episode of Back to Now is available and it’s NOW43 which is Summer 1999 which is almost 2000! Plenty of pop facts, memories and anecdotes with Rob Johnson from PopMusicActivism. Hurrah! linktr.ee/poprambler
To accompany the brand new episode of Back to Now, here are links to the album playlist. No Baz sadly - yet! Rob is working on it. 👏🏼 open.spotify.com/playlist/3bi... music.apple.com/gb/playlist/... linktr.ee/poprambler
A fabulous night at the Scottish Podcast Awards. An honour to be shortlisted and spend the evening with so many creative and passionate podcasters. #ScottishPodcastAwards
It’s an honour and privilege to be shortlisted at the inaugural Scottish Podcast Awards & very excited to be attending the event this Thursday at the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow. THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me over the past six years. #scottishpodcastawards #scottishpodcastawards2026
Have I been waiting for the definitive Prefab Sprout book? Yes. Has it arrived? Yes it has. Thank you @nigetassell.bsky.social and @newmodernbooks.bsky.social for this wonderful book.
To celebrate the latest NOW yearbook & the end of the current #totp series, we party like it’s 1999 with Pop Music Activism’s Rob Johnson. NOW43, a summer of pop madness and so much more. Coming soon. Subscribe, listen and revel in the variously compiled world of pop: linktr.ee/poprambler
A playlist of lots of Scottish artists featured on the NOW Yearbooks/Yearbook Extras. I think they’re all there! 🏴🎉 open.spotify.com/playlist/3j8...
If you’re enjoying #totp 1985, you’ll probably also enjoy the latest episode of Back to Now - NOW5, with @graemethomson.bsky.social - you’re welcome! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Join me and my guest @graemethomson.bsky.social on the latest episode of Back to Now as revisit an iconic summer of music in 1985. Memories, hits and Marillion T-shirts! Available at all podcast places now or here: linktr.ee/poprambler #backtonow #nowmusic #nowthatswhaticallmusic #totp #80s
Peabo Bryson, duetting with Roberta Flack on the huge ballad ‘Tonight I Celebrate My Love’ appeared on the first NOW album in November 1983. Side 3, Track 7. RIP, to a classic RnB singer.
I cannot recommend Hit That Perfect Beat - The London Records Story enough. Narrated by @sian-superman.bsky.social chock full of pop memories from an iconic record label. Revisiting the sound of ffrr reminds me of how ground breaking the times and the label were. Listen at your podcast place now!
Game changing move to Virgin records produced one of the decade’s most iconic albums.