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Arusa Qureshi

@arusa.bsky.social
1.8K followers 297 following 92 posts

Author of Flip the Script (404ink) and words sometimes in the Quietus, NME, Guardian, The Forty-Five etc. Trustee @ Music Venue Trust & Hen Hoose www.arusaqureshi.com

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Reposted by Arusa Qureshi
The Quietus @thequietus.com · 17/09/2026
'The kind of challenge that is extremely alluring—a harsh, industrial landscape, with heavily distorted synths and chopped up patterns that Ximya works in tandem to amp up a well-curated sense of tension.' Kim Ximya - Dogma buff.ly/CDEZpaU
Kim Ximya - Dogma album cover. A cluster of horses heads that appear to be carved out of a grainy blueish grey material.
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The Stage @thestage.co.uk · 13/08/2026
Edinburgh Festival Fringe – ★★★★ Review: One Hundred Voices – National Theatre of Scotland’s interactive audio installation is meaningful and moving. 👇
thestage.co.uk
One Hundred Voices review at Edinburgh Fringe: meaningful and moving
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The Stage @thestage.co.uk · 11/08/2026
Here’s a round-up of every show The Stage’s team of critics has given a four or five star rating at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026. We will be updating this list daily. 👇
thestage.co.uk
Edinburgh Fringe 2026: the top theatre to see so far
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Wrote about the return of the King’s for the new issue of @thestage.co.uk 💌 www.thestage.co.uk/features/res...
thestage.co.uk
Restoring the King's Theatre in Edinburgh
The King’s Theatre in Edinburgh is on the cusp of completing a complex, four-year redevelopment. Arusa Qureshi meets the people striving to future-proof this historic building
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The Stage @thestage.co.uk · 13/07/2026
★★★★ Review: Lear – Consistently strong performances in @pitlochryft.bsky.social's staging of Shakespeare’s tragedy, led by Maureen Beattie Read the full review in The Stage 👇
thestage.co.uk
Lear at Pitlochry Festival Theatre: Maureen Beattie is magnificent
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
A chat with Dara Dubh in today’s @scotnational.bsky.social www.thenational.scot/culture/2627...
thenational.scot
The performances of this alternative-folk artist are brimming with harp and soul
AS one of the world’s oldest instruments, the harp has been through numerous developments over the years, evolving from the arched harps of…
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The Stage @thestage.co.uk · 10/07/2026
Edinburgh Fringe 2026: The Stage's team of critics pick the shows they are most looking forward to across this year's @edfringe.bsky.social and Edinburgh international festival programmes.👇
thestage.co.uk
Edinburgh Fringe 2026: the best theatre shows to see this year
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
A joy to speak to the folks behind one of my favourite things at the Fringe! Underground Monk Show in @theguardian.com 🫡 www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/j...
theguardian.com
Underground Monk Show: inside Edinburgh fringe’s cult comedy of the highest order
This late-night escapade became a word-of-mouth festival favourite. The show’s creators discuss the method behind its madness – and why you’ll laugh without knowing why
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Spoke to Cowboy Hunters for @scotnational.bsky.social 💫
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Spoke to the lovely Jo Mango for @scotnational.bsky.social www.thenational.scot/news/2623396...
thenational.scot
New album sees Jo Mango turn pain and absence into song
‘I DON’T think we should run away from grief or sadness or the complicated nature of things that can be good and bad at the same time,” Jo…
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
A review for @thequietus.com
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
I really loved this book, strongly recommend!!
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404 Ink @404ink.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
MEGA SALE: ALL books are £5 on our website until we close the shop on Tuesday 30th June (or we sell out!). Help us have a great send off: www.404ink.com/shop
404ink.com
Buy bestselling books — 404 Ink
Buy 404 Ink's books: Nasty Women, Chris McQueer, Helen McClory, Jason Reynolds, Creeper, Elle Nash, Nadine Aisha Jassat and more.
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Maybe my favourite interview I've ever done? Spoke to the wonderful Arooj Aftab about her cats for @thequietus.com ❤️
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Happy @bloodyscotland.bsky.social launch day! 🗡️
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The Stage @thestage.co.uk · 29/05/2026
★★★★ Review: Once – Original creative team reunite for this soul-stirring revival of the hit musical. 👇
thestage.co.uk
Once at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre: camaraderie and charm
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Dani Garavelli @danigaravelli.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
V glad @libbybrooks.bsky.social wrote this, it needed highlighting. What's happening at BBC Scotland is awful - such a loss of talent will be difficult to reverse. Women are vanishing from other spheres too (also, way to go, Libby, on her last week in the job). www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...
theguardian.com
‘Deep unease’ at BBC Radio Scotland as majority of axed presenters are women
Changes are part of sweeping shake-up by Victoria Easton Riley, BBC Scotland’s new head of audio and events
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Andy Catlin @andycatlin.com · 19/05/2026
Good times tonight at @bellfieldbrewery.bsky.social with Solas previewing some of their bumper line-up for this June's festival inc Bee Asha + Euan Stamper + Ramtajam + @arusa.bsky.social 👏
A singer onstage during a concertA singer onstage during a concert playing a harmonium in front of wall with the words 'Bellfield Brewery' written on itA guitarist onstage during a concertA DJ selecting songs on a laptop in the middle of a live set
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
A chat with @carlajeaston.bsky.social for @scotnational.bsky.social
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
I had a really good time 🥲 www.theguardian.com/music/2026/a...
theguardian.com
Ne-Yo and Akon review – joyous joint tour is like time-travelling to a messy night out in 2010
From So Sick to Smack That, this double-headliner provides major millennial nostalgia – but goes to show how varied their respective careers were at their peak
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Hidden Door @hiddendoorarts.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Hidden Door 2026 line-up REVEALED 👀 From 3rd – 7th June, we'll bring together over 100 creatives for live music, immersive art installations, dance performances, poetry and spoken word, unique collaborations and much more. Full details: hiddendoorarts.org/hidden-door-... #HiddenDoorFestival
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
From last weekend, a chat with Kevin and Zahra, co-curators of Glasgow’s Creatives of Colour Festival. For @scotnational.bsky.social
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The Stage @thestage.co.uk · 07/04/2026
★★★★ Review: The High Life: The Musical, Still Living It! – Exquisitely ridiculous return to the madcap world of the Scottish cult comedy 👇
thestage.co.uk
The High Life: The Musical review at Dundee Rep: collective joy
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The Stage @thestage.co.uk · 07/04/2026
★★★★ Review: What I’m Here For – Visually striking collaborative medical drama from Scotland’s Vanishing Point and Denmark’s Teater Katapult 👇
thestage.co.uk
What I’m Here for review at Tron Theatre, Glasgow: sharp and often brutal
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
A chat with the excellent Comfort for @scotnational.bsky.social 💛 www.thenational.scot/culture/2599...
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The Stage @thestage.co.uk · 01/04/2026
★★★★ Review: Outskirts – Feel-good musical comedy centred around a Glasgow gay bar. Read The Stage's review 👇
thestage.co.uk
Outskirts review at Òran Mór, Glasgow: Feel-good musical comedy centred around a Glasgow gay bar
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The Stage @thestage.co.uk · 27/03/2026
★★★★ Review: Flora – Bold and poignant new musical uncovers the tumultuous true story of one of Scotland’s most famous daughters 👇
thestage.co.uk
Flora at the Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow: fascinating story
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Big fan of the new ELUCID & Sebb Bash! A review for @thequietus.com
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
A chat with the wonderful Miwa Nagato-Apthorp for @scotnational.bsky.social 🧡 Read online: www.thenational.scot/culture/2593...
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The National @scotnational.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
A production company has been blasted for creating a 'two-tier' review system, which allegedly implies that both critics and audiences in Scotland are 'less important' than their London counterparts
thenational.scot
Row erupts over 'two-tier' system as London papers favoured over Scots critics
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404 Ink @404ink.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Coming soon! The 404 Ink Bursary for small presses and accompanying crowdfunder will launch in mid-March. This will give away at least £3,000 to small presses - we hope to raise more to pay it forward to even more people.
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
A review of Medea, seen at the Byre in St Andrews last week
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
My review for @thestage.co.uk
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Spoke to Lexa Gates for @thefortyfive.bsky.social’s Feb digital cover ✨
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Brownbear @brownbearofficial.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Re:imagined Live at The Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh is officially going to be a live album 🙌🏽 Come along for a huge night of music, where our back catalogue will be performed alongside a string ensemble 🎻 This is going to be huge 💿
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
My first review for @thestage.co.uk 🙌
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
A review of the new Jill Scott for @thequietus.com ✨ thequietus.com/quietus-revi...
thequietus.com
Jill Scott – To Whom This May Concern | The Quietus
A decade on from her last album, the influential neo-soul pioneer returns with an album of deft storytelling, rich jazz instrumentation and a cast of collaborators including Tierra Whack, Trombone Sho...
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Music Venue Trust @musicvenuetrust.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Our Annual Report highlights the stark truth that 59% of grassroots music venues no longer receive regular national touring shows. Whole regions - towns and cities with millions of people - have effectively vanished from the UK’s touring map.
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Libby Brooks @libbybrooks.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Love the sound of this 'Scottish indie folk supergroup', written up here by @arusa.bsky.social Qureshi www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/j...
theguardian.com
Between the bars: theatrical gig about life after prison reveals hard truths of homecoming
A Giant on the Bridge, performed by a ‘Scottish indie folk supergroup’, draws on dozens of interviews about the confines former prisoners experience on the outside
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
It was a joy to speak to Jo Mango, Liam Hurley and Phil Crockett Thomas about the wonderful A Giant on the Bridge for @theguardian.com. It's on tour soon – don't miss it!
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
In today’s @scotnational.bsky.social chatting to the folks behind @henhoose.bsky.social and their new album The Twelve 💖
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Independent Arts Projects (IAP) @iaponline.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
The last thing to read before you switch off for Christmas🎄 Our wonderful blogger @arusa.bsky.social talks to Kirstin Abraham about facilitating multi-sensory outdoor workshops for neurodivergent families. A thoughtful read for the festive season✨ 🔗 www.independentartsprojects.com/blog-theres-...
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
A wee end of year music round-up for @scotnational.bsky.social feat. legends like Jacob Alon and @henhoose.bsky.social ✨
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Pleased to have contributed some words to @thefortyfive.bsky.social’s great AOTY list 🌟 thefortyfive.com/opinion/best...
thefortyfive.com
The 45 best albums of 2025 – as voted by The Forty-Five
You need to hear these gems
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Jenessa Williams, PhD @jenessawilliams.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
🎸 🖤 🤘 New publication just dropped, and this time it's open access! 🎸 🖤 🤘 Williams, J. N., & Sobande, F. (2025). Note to scene: Gender, race and rose-tinted nostalgia in emo. European Journal of Cultural Studies, 0(0). lnkd.in/eMmjq6ue
Image including an abstract for an academic journal article titled 'Note to scene: Gender, race and rose-tinted nostalgia in emo':

Abstract
Twenty years on from its mainstream breakthrough, the popularity of emo music has resurged, offering new opportunities to appraise its cultural legacy. While acknowledging the creative and cathartic qualities of emo as fans, we reflect on how the intersections of race and gender have (not) been thoroughly engaged with in prior research on the genre. We also demonstrate how improvements concerning representation in emo are still constrained, with people of colour (POC) – particularly Black women – carrying heavy self-advocating responsibilities. Through a two-part case study – first, the marketing and booking of When We Were Young festival and second, a reflexive first-person analysis of music journalism surrounding emo’s ‘new wave’ acts – we explore how emo has been (re)branded for old(er) and new(er) generations in the 2020s, how musical belonging and expertise is negotiated within the culture, and how nostalgia narratives can serve to romanticize emo’s exclusionary past at the expense of its more inclusive future.

Keywords:
Black alt, emo, gender, music festivals, music journalism, nostalgia, popular music, punk, race, subculture
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Last Amplifi of the year at @thequeenshall.bsky.social 🥰 Big thanks to Lamaya and headliners Uninvited @weareherescot.bsky.social
LamayaUninvited
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The Forty-Five @thefortyfive.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Our cohort of some of the country's most opinionated music writers have voted – it's our albums of the year
thefortyfive.com
The 45 best albums of 2025 – as voted by The Forty-Five
You need to hear these gems
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Argonaut Books @argonautbooks.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
We need your help. @waterstones.bsky.social, without any direct communication with us, will be opening their 6th Edinburgh branch less than 100 metres from our front door at the Foot of the Walk in Leith. Please read on for more information www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562908... (1/2)
heraldscotland.com
Anger as Waterstones snaps up prime site on doorstep of independent bookshop
UK's biggest bookselling chain under fire over plans for new store beside Edinburgh tram line.
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 08/11/2025
It was a real joy to chat with Roony for @thequietus.com 🙌
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Arusa Qureshi @arusa.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
The first Big Amplifi at @thequeenshall.bsky.social last night was really special 💌 thanks to Theon Cross, Azamiah and Gaia for kicking things off
GaiaAzamiah Theon Cross
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