iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 24/08/2026

** Desperate Journalist Cambridge headline show klaxon **

Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 24/08/2026

Consider my Monday morning improved! A Desperate Journalist show or two would be a great way to finish the year. Or start the next one. Or both.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 08/06/2026

Wonderfully, I appear to have found an indiepop cafe on Gressholmen, in the Oslofjord. They were playing @themagfields.bsky.social when I arrived. Now it’s @alvvaysband.bsky.social…

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 07/06/2026

You end up in a particular place and time partly as a result of the decisions you make - some recent, some long ago. I’m grateful for all the decisions that led me to an Oslo apartment last night, in the company of friends, strangers, and (half of) @allodarlin.bsky.social. That was a special thing.

Elizabeth Morris Innset and Paul Rains of the band Allo Darlin’, performing to friends and fans in the living room of an Oslo apartment.

They are playing guitars in the corner of the room. The table in the middle of the room holds drinks cans, snacks, dips, and some flowers in a glass vase.

People are sitting on stools around the edge of the room, and on the floor in front of the table.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 21/01/2026

A common theme of gigs at @bedfordesquires.bsky.social is the quality of the whole bill. Outstanding support from #KateGoreAndTheScreamers and #UglyOzo last Saturday, before an excellent headline set by @ttssfu.bsky.social. The reaction to “Upstairs” felt like the start of something big.

A black and white photo of Tamsin Stephens, aka TTSSFU, on stage at Bedford Esquires. She is playing an electric guitar and singing into a microphone.

A black and white photo of Jessica Baker, aka Ugly Ozo, on stage at Bedford Esquires. She is playing an electric guitar and leaning away from the microphone stand in the foreground.

A black and white photo of Kate Gore and her band The Screamers on stage at Bedford Esquires.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 17/01/2026

Waiting for this year’s 2nd gig to start reminds me to reflect on the 1st: @publicimageltd.bsky.social, last week, at @cambridgejunction.bsky.social. Lydon the frontman is still Lydon. Still spits the lyrics. Still harnesses the anger. Still raises goosebumps when the opening bars of Rise ring out.

A black and white photo of John Lydon on stage at Cambridge Junction. He is holding a microphone in his left hand and its stand in his right as he sings with his head back and his eyes closed.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 02/01/2026

My musical 2025 in one image. 52 shows, on stages in Cambridge, London, Bedford, and - for one night only - Cologne. See the alt text for details! Thanks to the artists, venues, technicians, and promoters represented here; and to the others doing similar work all over the country. Roll on, 2026! ❤️

A composite image of photos taken at gigs in 2025, presented in an irregular but symmetric grid.

The image contains pictures of Submotion Orchestra; Sleeper; Jeffrey Lewis; Nerina Pallot; Katey Brooks; Baxter Dury; She Drew The Gun; Amelia Coburn; The Beths; Doves; Prima Queen; Alan Sparhawk; Desperate Journalist; Coach Party; Hamish Hawk; Du Blonde; The Orchestra (For Now); Anna Erhard; Self Esteem; The Popguns; China Crisis; Picture Parlour; John Otway; C Duncan; Honeyglaze; lilo; Betty Taylor; Allo Darlin'; Skunk Anansie; Young Knives; Low Girl; Little Comets; Bambara; Men Without Hats; WH Lung; Heartworms; Erika Vikman; Luke Sital-Singh; Paul Goodwin; The Boy Least Likely To; The Stanleys; She's In Parties; This Is The Kit; Chuck Prophet; Black Country, New Road; The Lottery Winners; John Grant; Morganway; Chartreuse; Joan As Police Woman; Oi Va Voi; and Nell Mescal.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 15/12/2025

Finally - finally! - got to see a #ThePopguns gig, at @thelexingtonlondon.bsky.social on Saturday night. I’ve been hooked since hearing Still Waiting For The Winter on the Indietracks 2014 compilation. That they played it just made the night better still.

A black and white photo of Wendy Pickles from the band The Popguns, on stage at The Lexington, London.

She has raised her palms to the crowd as she sings into her microphone at the front of the stage.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 11/12/2025

For one still early in her career, Jojo Orme - #Heartworms - has remarkable control over the stage, the crowd, and the space she performs in. Utterly compelling at Scala on Monday night. Style and substance, and songs that stay with you.

A black and white photo of Heartworms, the stage name of Jojo Orme, performing at Scala in London.

She is pictured in silhouette, holding an electric guitar with bright lighting behind her.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 07/12/2025

My Christmas cards by @happytoast.co.uk arrived and I could not be more delighted by them.

A set of five original Christmas cards, hand-drawn by HappyToast.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 28/11/2025

I really appreciate it when bands like @young-knives.bsky.social bring the things you associate with a big venue - custom lighting, banners, huge flags - to a place like #ThePortlandArms. It makes everything else about the show bigger too. Just like it did last night.

A black and white photo of Henry Dartnall and The House of Lords from the band Young Knives, on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK.

The brothers are both playing guitars and leaning in to sing into the same microphone. A bright stage light is shining over The House of Lords’ left shoulder.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 27/11/2025

It was good to catch up with #LowGirl touring their new album at #ThePortlandArms in Cambridge last night. Two years since they played the Blue Moon, the bigger room really suits their sound: inventive, melodic indie with sharp production.

A black and white photo of Sarah Cosgrove from the band Low Girl, on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK.

She is playing a bass guitar and standing in front of an illuminated “Portland” sign.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 21/11/2025

If Vanessa from Virgin Records had been at @cambridgejunction.bsky.social last night, she’d have seen exactly why the #LotteryWinners sold it out weeks ago. A great show, an easy affinity with the crowd, and a touch of class as they paused their set to play Sally Cinnamon in tribute to #Mani.

A black and white photo of Katie Lloyd, Robert Lally, and Thom Rylance of the band The Lottery Winners, on stage at Cambridge Junction.

Lally and Rylance are embracing at the front of the stage as Lloyd, smiling, looks on in the background.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 14/11/2025

When @dublonde.bsky.social played Scala back in February, I said how much I’d enjoyed it despite them not being fully fit. Well, on Wednesday night they came to Cambridge’s #PortlandArms, firing on all cylinders. Great show - and candid stories - to a packed house.

A black and white photo of singer-songwriter Du Blonde on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK.

Their right hand is raised, and their left hand is holding the neck of an electric guitar.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 12/11/2025

Last night’s @diymag.com showcase at @thelexingtonlondon.bsky.social was a genuine double-header, with the room full long before the music started. I enjoyed #ShesInParties when they played Cambridge back in October, and they were every bit as good here. (1/2)

A black and white photo of Katie Dillon from the band She’s In Parties, on stage at The Lexington, London.

She is standing behind a Korg keyboard with her arms outstretched and singing into a microphone.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 11/11/2025

Is there already a term for a gig that you took a bit of a chance on, but it turned out to be great? If not, I’m calling it a “Betty Taylor”, after #BettyTaylor, who were just that at #TheGrace in London last night. They’ve come a long way to play! Go and see them. You will not regret it.

A black and white photo of (L-R) Kayla Smart, Sophie Patrick, and Claire Chittick of the Australian band Betty Taylor, on stage at The Grace in London. All three are playing electric guitars.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 06/11/2025

A very welcome Tuesday night visit to #TheBlueMoon in Cambridge by #lilo (pron. lee-lo), who brought along their full band as well as their songs and harmonies. Folk, indie, a dash of country, and good humour despite a broken-down tour van! Nice evening, that.

A black and white photo of Christie Gardner and Helen Dixon from the band lilo, on stage at The Blue Moon, Cambridge.

They are standing side by side, playing guitars and singing into stand microphones.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 03/11/2025

From note 1 of song 1 to the last strains of the not-an-encore, @despjournalist.bsky.social were on superb form at a very full, very warm @thelexingtonlondon.bsky.social last night. A band - a voice - that I could never tire of hearing.

A black and white photograph of Jo Bevan and Simon Drowner of the band Desperate Journalist, on stage at The Lexington, London.

Simon is in the background, playing a bass guitar. Jo is in the foreground, leaning away from the microphone that she’s singing into.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 21/10/2025

It does not feel like nine days since the triumphant return of #JohnGrant to @cambridgejunction.bsky.social - immediately preceded by the equally triumphant return of #Lynks. In different ways, both outstanding at what they do. I’d see either again in a heartbeat.

A black and white photo of the artist Lynks on stage at Cambridge Junction with their two dancers. They are dressed - in their own words - as a gimp-yeti-tennis player.

A black and white photo of John Grant on stage at Cambridge Junction. He is standing at the front of the stage, wearing sunglasses, and singing into the microphone that he’s holding in his right hand.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 19/10/2025

The second instalment of #ShinyNewModel festival at @cambridgejunction.bsky.social last Saturday. Great addition to the local live music scene. Kudos to @greenmindgigs.bsky.social and all the acts who took part. Highlights for me? #BlueCinema, #PanicShack, #HomeCounties, and #ShesInParties.

Malka Kovalenko of the band Blue Cinema, on stage at Cambridge Junction as part of the Shiny New Model festival.

The band Panic Shack, on stage at Cambridge Junction as part of the Shiny New Model festival.

The band Home Counties, on stage at Cambridge Junction as part of the Shiny New Model festival.

Katie Dillon of the band She’s In Parties, on stage at Cambridge Junction as part of the Shiny New Model festival.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 10/10/2025

I part ways from the @allodarlin.bsky.social tour at this point, but #EartHHackney was a great place to leave it. Different production (and loads of different songs) from Tuesday. Special guests! But the same joy. And they still played Capricornia. ❤️ Glasgow; Manchester - look after them, yeah?

A black and white photo of Elizabeth Morris Innset from the band Allo Darlin’, on stage at EartH Hall, Hackney, London. She is playing an electric guitar and singing into a microphone on a stand.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 08/10/2025

Tonight’s @allodarlin.bsky.social gig at Nottingham #OldColdStore was full of the joy that keeps me - and so many others - coming back for more. Some very welcome surprises on the set list, too. Anticipation already building for Thursday…

A black and white photo of Elizabeth Morris Innsett and Bill Botting from the band Allo Darlin’, on stage at The Old Cold Store, Nottingham, UK.

Elizabeth is away from her microphone, dancing while playing the ukulele. Bill is to her left, playing the bass guitar.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 07/10/2025

A really lovely gig by @kathrynwilliamsuk.bsky.social at @cambridgejunction.bsky.social last night. A new album and a huge catalogue of songs to draw from makes for shows that are as fresh and engaging and charming as ever.

A black and white photo of Kathryn Williams on stage at Cambridge Junction, UK. She is behind a music stand, playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 05/10/2025

Without a doubt, the hottest ticket in London last night was the UK debut of #ErikaVikman at #TheGarage. Language is no barrier when you - and your band - perform like that. Fantastic, friendly crowd and a show that I’ll remember for a long time.

Finland’s Erika Vikman on stage at The Garage in London, UK. She is singing into the microphone that she holds in her right hand, while wreathed in stage smoke and bathed in yellow light.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 04/10/2025

We are _so_ ready. ❤️

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 04/10/2025

Especially after missing out first time round, I remember the euphoria of the first #Sleeper reunion shows. Eight years on, their live sets incorporate new songs and revisit old ones with the same vitality. A quality gig at Camden #ElectricBallroom last night.

A black and white photo of the band Sleeper on stage at Electric Ballroom, Camden, London.

Jon Stewart and Louise Wener are front of stage, playing guitar and singing, respectively. Andy Maclure is visible in the background, playing drums.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 27/09/2025

Four albums in, @thebeths.bsky.social are at the point where, if they played everyone’s favourite song, they’d be on stage for three hours or more. It also means that the normal-length set they played at the Roundhouse last night was full of everything that’s great about them. I love that band.

A black and white photo of Elizabeth Stokes of NZ band The Beths, on stage at the Roundhouse, London.

She is leaning forward to sing into a microphone as she plays her electric guitar. An Orange-branded amplifier is visible in the background.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 26/09/2025

There is something very special about a big room full of people falling completely silent to listen to _that_ moment of a show. It happened more than once during Black Country, New Road’s hometown gig at Cambridge Corn Exchange on Wednesday night. Emotional, that one.

A black and white photo of Georgia Ellery, from the band Black Country, New Road, on stage at Cambridge Corn Exchange.

She is playing an acoustic guitar, singing into a microphone, and looking up into the crowd.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 22/09/2025

Not for the first time, my immediate thought after going to a @nerinapallot.bsky.social gig is that I’d quite like to go to another Nerina Pallot gig. Two excellent sets at a sold-out @storeysfieldcentre.bsky.social last Saturday. She’s the kind of artist that room was made for.

A black and white photo of singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot on stage at Storeys Field Centre, Cambridge, UK. She is seated, playing an electric piano and singing into a microphone.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 04/09/2025

Last night’s @bambaranyc.bsky.social gig at #ThePortlandArms - a masterclass in taking advantage of a small venue to interact with the crowd and bring them into the show. Loud, and sweaty, and dynamic in all the right ways.

A black and white photo of Reid Bateh of the band Bambara, on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK.

Reid is at the front of the stage with his bandmates behind him. His right arm is raised as he sings into the microphone that he holds in his left hand.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 01/09/2025

It is always a pleasure when @thisisthekit.bsky.social visit Cambridge. Fab show at @storeysfieldcentre.bsky.social on Sunday night. Could just be me, but I thought they rocked a little harder than usual. Kate Stables channeling her inner Ian Anderson, perhaps?

A black and white photo of Kate Stables and Jamie Whitby-Coles of This Is The Kit, on stage at Storeys Field Centre, Cambridge, UK.

Jamie is playing the drums at the back of the stage. Kate is at the front of the stage, playing a banjo and standing on one leg.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 25/08/2025

Some bands struggle with where to place their big songs in the setlist. @men-without-hats.bsky.social have a neat solution. Play it at the start. Play a longer version at the end. And play the power ballad version in the encore. Tonight, at The Garage, we could dance, and we did want to. Safely.

A black and white photo of Ivan Doroschuk of Men Without Hats on stage at The Garage, London, UK. He is moving toward the front of the stage while singing into the microphone that he’s carrying on its stand.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 12/08/2025

Just before the end of his set at @cambridgejunction.bsky.social last night, #AlanSparhawk had some words for the crowd: “We made a life and a family out of what you gave us. Thank you.” A fitting close for a show that had by turns been soft, and surprising, and loud, and intimate, and emotional.

A black and white photo of Alan Sparhawk on stage at The Junction, Cambridge, UK. He is shirtless, playing the guitar that’s strapped over his left shoulder, and singing into a microphone.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 31/07/2025

We know how hard it is for touring musicians at the moment, so big respect to @joanaspolicewoman.bsky.social and her outstanding players - Will Graefe and Jeremy Gustin - for coming to the UK and playing @cambridgejunction.bsky.social on Tuesday night. It was a really, really good one.

A black and white photo of Joan Wasser, aka Joan As Police Woman, on stage at Cambridge Junction, UK. Joan is standing as she sings into a microphone and plays one of her two keyboards.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 17/07/2025

Really lovely atmosphere at #ThePortlandArms in Cambridge last night for @nellmescal.bsky.social’s gig - friendly and supportive and inclusive. And not only did the crowd know all the words, but they sang along _in tune_! A pleasure to be there.

A black and white photo of Nell Mescal on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK. Nell is holding her microphone stand with her left hand and her mic in her right as she stands in front of a plectrum-shaped sign reading “The Portland”.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 13/07/2025

Andrew Castle said that the King Of Spain is watching from the Royal Box, which can’t be right because Ashley Giles is nowhere to be seen. #Wimbledon

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 12/07/2025

A rare full-band outing and a headline set for #PaulGoodwin at The Blue Moon in Cambridge last Tuesday night: more songs and richer arrangements. And there’s something about his voice that makes you believe every word he sings.

A black and white photo of Paul Goodwin on stage with his band at The Blue Moon, Cambridge, UK. Paul is playing an electric guitar and singing into a microphone.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 09/07/2025

I got home late tonight. Found this waiting for me. For the first @allodarlin.bsky.social album in over a decade, sleep can wait. #BrightNights

A photo of the Allo Darlin’ LP Bright Nights playing on a turntable with its sleeve propped up behind it.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 06/06/2025

I first saw #TheBoyLeastLikelyTo at #Cornbury back in 2008. It was an absolute pleasure to be at #BushHall last night for a celebration of The Best Party Ever. Balloons! Prizes! BC Camplight anecdotes!

A black and white photo of Jof Owen, Pete Hobbs, and Amanda Applewood of the band The Boy Least Likely To, on stage at Bush Hall, London.

All three are singing into microphones; Pete is also playing an acoustic guitar.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 05/06/2025

I’ve kicked myself for missing a couple of London shows, so I was very pleased to see the #PortlandArms on C Duncan’s itinerary for his latest tour. A solo set with a clever mix of the electronic with the acoustic. A thoroughly lovely evening.

A black and white photo of Christopher “C” Duncan on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK. He is playing a keyboard and singing into a microphone amid smoke and spotlights.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 27/05/2025

No better way of spending a Bank Holiday evening than being in the crowd for #PrimaQueen at the #PortlandArms in Cambridge last night. Musical and joyful and thoughtful in equal measure. Everything that a gig in a grassroots venue should be.

A black and white photo of Kristin McFadden, of the band Prima Queen, on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK. She is smiling as she sings into a microphone and plays her electric guitar.

A black and white photo of Louise Macphail, of the band Prima Queen, on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK. She is smiling as she sings into a microphone and plays her electric guitar.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 24/05/2025

Watching and listening to a group of musicians who obviously enjoy playing together never gets old. That’s what made last night’s gig by #OiVaVoi at @cambridgejunction.bsky.social so good.

A black and white photo of the band Oi Va Voi on stage at Cambridge Junction.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 19/05/2025

Fabulous set at the #BlueMoon in Cambridge on Saturday by the multilingual, multi-instrumental, multitalented #AmeliaCoburn and her band. One of the best things I’ve heard this year.

A black and white photo of Middlesbrough singer-songwriter Amelia Coburn on stage at The Blue Moon in Cambridge, UK. She is playing a ukulele and glancing stage right in between lines.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 10/05/2025

Singer, songwriter, musician, poet, artist… #JeffreyLewis is one of a kind. And on the evidence of last night’s show at @storeysfieldcentre.bsky.social, he’s what two or three hundred people in Cambridge really like.

A black and white photo of Jeffrey Lewis and Valerie Marchesi on stage at Storey’s Field Centre, Cambridge, UK. Lewis is in the foreground, playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone. Marchesi is in the background, playing a bass guitar.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 05/05/2025

Saturday night’s gig in J3 at @cambridgejunction.bsky.social was really a kind of “Evening with…” @kateybrooks.bsky.social, featuring her songs, the stories behind them, chats with the audience, camomile tea, and _that_ voice. And it was all rather lovely.

A black and white photo of Katey Brooks performing at Cambridge Junction. Katey is seated as she plays an electric guitar and sings into a microphone on a boom stand.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 02/05/2025

Good crowd in at @bedfordesquires.bsky.social last night for the welcome return to the road of #CoachParty. Decent bunch. Excellent noise.

A black and white photo of Jess Eastwood and Steph Norris from the band Coach Party, on stage at Bedford Esquires. Jess is in the foreground, singing into a microphone with her bass hanging from its strap. Steph is in the background, with her head down over her guitar.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 28/04/2025

I don’t know for sure that @morganway.bsky.social is their handle on here, but either way… Saturday’s #Morganway gig at #Omeara to close the tour for their new album was joyful and emotional and really very good indeed. “I Feel The Rain” is a tour de force.

A black and white photo of SJ Mortimer, of the band Morganway, singing on stage at Omeara, London. The stand for the microphone that she’s holding in her right hand is decorated with feathers.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 19/04/2025

If you see this post, drop a blue character.

The character Berk from the children's TV series Trap Door, with his friends Drutt and Boni.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 18/04/2025

No amount of cancelled trains, late hotel rooms, or replacement bus services can dim the majesty of @selfesteem.music-social.com.ap.brid.gy at #DukeOfYorks last night. Confident, vulnerable, powerful, sensitive… complicated.

A black and white photo of Rebecca Lucy Taylor - Self Esteem - on stage at The Duke Of York’s Theatre, London. Rebecca is centre stage, singing into a microphone with her left arm in the air. She is also sandwiched between two inflatable tube men.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 17/04/2025

Before tonight’s entertainment starts, a quick salute to #BaxterDury for his show at @cambridgejunction.bsky.social last Thursday night. He might sound laid back on his recordings, but he never keeps still on stage!

A black and white photo of Baxter Dury performing at Cambridge Junction. Baxter has left his microphone stand and is singing at the front of the stage, while holding the cable across his chest.

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