Simon Coates
@simonjcoates
writer @discogsofficial.bsky.social, @thewiremagazine.bsky.social, (NY) Observer & others | producer | artist "utterly cretinous" - man on Facebook "brilliant work" - Amnesty "finally..." - Dua Lipa
For the latest issue of The Wire magazine, I reviewed new albums from Petrozavodsk (Forest Fire) and Anti-Soul Organization (First Biennial Report on Studies & Research in Textures & Rhythm). On sale now in store and online🎚️
An exhibition of album covers from the early days of the Greensleeves record label is coming to London. Free entry 💥
Crucial dub maker recreates a crucial dub album. Following his appearance at this year's Le Guess Who? festival, Scientist is coming to the UK in early 2027.
Bristol massive: Jah Tubbys World System alongside Fatman Sound System at the Trinity Centre on Fri, June 12. Jah Tubbys is celebrating 55 years as a sound system, and has been building sound equipment since 1971.
Legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins passed away yesterday, aged 95. He was the last remaining musician from Art Kane's 1958 photo, A Great Day In Harlem, that captured 58 jazz legends, including Count Basie, Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie.
London - a celebration of Sun Ra. Exhibition & music with talks from Thurston Moore & Paul Smith (founder of Blast First) & DJ set by Peter Dennet (Art Yard). 22 May, 18:00. Free Entry.
It's been three years since Jah Shaka left us. Many treasured memories of Shaka dances at The Rocket, The Dub Club, Jackie's and others. Sorely missed.
Spendid afternoon spent in the company of Wild Billy Childish & CTMF at London's premier music venue, The Lexington. Punk rock, rock'n'roll, rockabilly and some (probably libellous) anecdotes. Excellent.
Alongside Peaches, Darryl Jenifer from Bad Brains, The Hives and others, I've been on New York's East Village Radio lately. My two-hour show (as Ubu Kung) is now on Mixcloud and available for listening anytime - tracklist below, listen here ➡️ www.mixcloud.com/EastVillageR...
Back on the radio after around 5 years, it's great to link up with old friend Arthur Kurzmin to take over his show for New York's East Village Radio station. My one-off, Ubu Kung mix broadcasts today at 10AM New York time and 2PM London time. Listen online here > eastvillageradio.com/indexevr/
Outsider art? Folk art? Does it matter? A joyous exhibition of work by the late, self-taught artist Beryl Cook at The Box in Plymouth. Very welcome in these dark times. Go if you can.
My latest for The Wire magazine is a review of the Dub Dystopia Vol.1 set out of Manila curated by Camille Banzon. Manila really is making things happen right now; a vibrant, intersupportive music scene that's on the up. Check out Dub Dystopia Vol.1 on Bandcamp here > lnkd.in/eifQh2Kp
The excellent new Prince Far I mural in the Downtown Kingston Art District, Jamaica, created by Junior Moore of The Tamlins
Strangely moving to visit the new David Bowie Centre at the V&A Storehouse. Maybe it's due to the current parlous state of mainstream music, but it's worth wondering where the world would be without the influence of the wondrous chameleonic alien.
My latest for the New York Observer is a review of the 'Wright of Derby: From the Shadows' exhibition that's on now at London's National Gallery. Read it here 👉 observer.com/2025/12/exhi...
Legendary Jamaican trumpeter Eddie 'Tan Tan' Thornton has died aged 94. A member of Georgie Fame's Blue Flames band, Tan Tan also played with Rico Rodriguez (pictured), Jazz Jamaica, Aswad and on The Beatles' track, 'Got To Get You Into My Life'. RIP.
More sad news. The inimitable British photographer Martin Parr died yesterday. RIP to a gifted social documentarian and image maker.
My latest short film, 'The Moon is a Pyramid Under Water', is screening at Stuttgart's IDK Festival on Nov 28. Taking place at the Kulturinsel Stuttgart, Güterstraße 4, doors open at 6PM and entry is free. - pictured: stills from the film
"For most of her life, she helped her family bring up their kids and worked on cattle stations. Then, in her late seventies, she began to paint." My New York Observer latest is a review of the Emily Kam Kngwarray exhibition on at Tate Modern right now. Read it here > observer.com/2025/11/art-...
With W.I.T.C.H. currently touring Europe, maybe it's time to find out how they helped shape the Zamrock sound via my @discogsofficial.bsky.social list on the psych-heavy 70s rock sound here 👉 www.discogs.com/digs/music/e...
"I don't often dream, but when I do, I dream about Kylie Minogue's hotpants." - Nick Cave Preview episodes of the forthcoming TV adaptation of Nick Cave's The Death of Bunny Munro novel, plus a chat with Lord Cave and Matt Smith (who plays Bunny) at the Royal Festival Hall last night. Cosy.
'Art Nouveau in the UK: how British artists drew influence from Europe' - my latest for Art UK looks at how the Art Nouveau movement became a fixture of UK art and design. Check it here 👉 artuk.org/discover/sto...
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.
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.
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
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...
The terrifying, violent thugs arrested in London yesterday for supporting Palestine Action included clear threat to our safety, La Pethick (left), aged 89.
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.