davidbelbin.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

In 1984, to general surprise (including her own) Anita Brookner won the Booker for Hotel Du Lac. At the time, I wanted JG Ballard. Failing that, one of two writers I later got to know a little: David Lodge or Penelope Lively. Today, Brookner feels like the right call. www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0qf...

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

Wonderful Jon Dee Graham, who I wrote about last year in the link below, is in dire need of support due to American healthcare issues that have had him kicked out of hospital. More info and the opportunity to donate/subscribe at jondeegrahambears.bigcartel.com www.davidbelbin.com/blog/2024/06...

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Reminder that today is the last day to object to Facebook using your data to feed their AI. You need to go into the privacy center until you get to 'Right to Object' where they deliberately make it hard to enter your email address. However now had an email confirming they won't use any of my data.

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

Reminder that today is the last day to object to Facebook using your data to feed their AI. You need to go into the privacy center until you get to 'Right to Object' where they deliberately make it hard to enter your email address. However now had an email confirming they won't use any of my data.

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

I should add that key to the success of novels in English by 村田沙耶香 are the translations of Ginny Tapley Takemori. Was lucky enough to see her and Sayaka Murata at a fascinating event in Nottingham's @fiveleavesbooks.bsky.social when Convenience Store Woman came out & have a copy signed by them both.

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

Finished Sayaka Murata's The Vanishing World before the footy started and been thinking about it for an hour. Remarkable storytelling re the future of sex and child rearing. Hope more of her novels are translated soon. This recent interview has also stayed with me www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

The setlist for the Dylan show linked below, which includes a terrific new arrangement of All Along the Watchtower and three interesting covers, my favourite of which is Bob's take on Bobby 'Blue' Bland's Share Your Love With Me.

submitted 6 days ago • 1 comment

RIP Sebastião Salgado, one of the greatest photographers of our time, whose work has given me enormous pleasure. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/23/a...

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

Happy 84th birthday to Bob Dylan. Never would have thought, back in 1978, when I saw him twice, that I'd do the same in 2024. And hope to again. Here's a video of a complete show from six days ago. Variable image, good sound, Bob mixing it up nightly. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TzG...

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An urgent message from The Wire magazine Running an independent music magazine is becoming increasingly difficult. We need your support www.thewire.co.uk/in-writing/e...

submitted 7 days ago • 6 comments

Outstanding hour long Ezra Furman show at RT Nottingham tonight, as exciting as the first time I saw her, at another instore, same venue, ten years ago. Suspect there may be some setlist spoilers for Bearded Theory below. Transcendent performance.

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

'I'm going back to New York City, I do believe I've had enough.' On Tuesday night's set in the Outlaw tour, Bob Dylan & his band gave the first vocal performance of Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues in more than ten years. Outdoor show, so nice close up video below. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehfx...

submitted 8 days ago • 1 comment

The Music Venues Trust has so far saved five venues important to emerging artists and has its sights set on buying seven more buildings including the home of Nottingham's brilliant jazz club, Peggy's Skylight. Check out the crowdfunder www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/own-our-ve... + youtu.be/7KuGxXmdLRo?...

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A very happy birthday to Martin Carthy, 84 today, a few days ahead of Bob Dylan, as usual. Today, the Guardian put this lovely recent interview online so here's the link (two, since they keep finding ways to limit access). www.pressreader.com/australia/th... www.theguardian.com/music/2025/m...

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

Sad to hear of the death of Clive Wilmer (a fine poet, great ally of Thom Gunn & brother of Val) who I knew slightly via my partner Sue when she had a Cambridge fellowship. I'd love to share the Guardian obituary, which I read on the iPad edition, but they've stopped making their site searchable...

submitted 9 days ago • 1 comment

I've invested in the Grass Roots Music Venues initiative, both to save important small venues for future new & emerging artists and to help keep places like Nottingham's Peggy's Skylight from the fate of Sheffield's legendary Leadmill. Become a co-owner with me. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/own-our-ve...

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

I've invested in the Grass Roots Music Venues initiative, both to save important small venues for future new & emerging artists and to help keep places like Nottingham's Peggy's Skylight from the fate of Sheffield's legendary Leadmill. Become a co-owner with me. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/own-our-ve...

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

Paul Durcan RIP.

submitted 11 days ago • 1 comment

Great Rough Trade Instore by Billy No Mates tonight. Look forward to seeing Tor again at Metronome in the autumn.

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

He's right: the Scissors were truly phenomenal in Nottingham last night, on the first official date of their reunion tour. A very well sequenced set showcased everything that the band is capable of doing, and Mr. Shears in particular is still absolutely at the peak of his powers.

submitted 13 days ago • 1 comment

I lost interest in Pink Floyd (the first band I saw live) after Wish You Were Here, so the Scissor Sisters' version of Comfortably Numb was my introduction to the song (and probably led to PF performing it at Live 8). One of last night's highlights. Clip.

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

Scissor Sisters’ opening night at Nottingham Arena couldn’t have been better. Joyous, beautifully structured show. A glorious reunion.

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'You can't please everyone so you got to please yourself.' Last night, Bob Dylan opened his outdoor show on the Outlaws tour with the Rick Nelson hit 'Garden Party'. First time he'd played it. I'd forgotten what a good song it was & immediately had to listen again. www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvDG...

submitted 14 days ago • 1 comment

The Boss: telling it like it is Springsteen shining a light on the chaos, threats & injustices of the moment with hope and love in his heart for America 🇺🇸

submitted 14 days ago • 110 comments

Starmer's speech wasn't Powellite. But it was pusillanimous. Thread.

submitted 15 days ago • 0 comments

Bleak news re my favourite venue in the city I'm from. Bummer.

submitted 15 days ago • 0 comments

A month behind opening my New Yorker sub copies but haven't seen this @chaykak.bsky.social article on Bluesky posted here. Good interview with CEO Jay Graber combined with an interesting history of the protocol & platform + a lucid explanation of how it all works. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

submitted 16 days ago • 0 comments