iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The next screening of my short film 'The Moon is a Pyramid Under Water' takes place as part of the NOIS//E 2026 Festival and Symposium in Milan. The festival runs from 13th to 15th November at the Fondazione Sozzani, and tickets are available online.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

LEEDS: recent The Wire cover stars Space Afrika present an exclusive Q&A, signing and screening of their film, Opera Omnia, at Hyde Park Picture House on Sept 30. Tickets here > www.jumborecords.co.uk/events-singl...

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

In the latest edition of The Wire magazine, I've reviewed Paul Beaudoin's 'signal loss', and Alex Zhang Hungtai's 'Orion/Mother' and 'Dras' albums. The magazine is available online now and in stores from today. It's the one with the mighty Space Afrika on the cover.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

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🎚️

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

An exhibition of album covers from the early days of the Greensleeves record label is coming to London. Free entry 💥

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

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.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Ijahman Levi and Earl 'Chinna' Smith 📷 Arlene Green-Bromfield

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

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.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

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.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

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.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

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.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

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.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

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...

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

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/

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

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.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

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

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

The excellent new Prince Far I mural in the Downtown Kingston Art District, Jamaica, created by Junior Moore of The Tamlins

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Courtesy of the mighty Dennis Bovell

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

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.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

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...

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

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.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

More sad news. The inimitable British photographer Martin Parr died yesterday. RIP to a gifted social documentarian and image maker.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

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

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

"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-...

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

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...

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

"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.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

'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...

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

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.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

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.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

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

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

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...

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

The terrifying, violent thugs arrested in London yesterday for supporting Palestine Action included clear threat to our safety, La Pethick (left), aged 89.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

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.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

I wrote about how drawings document the dizzying number of relationships in The Bloomsbury Group for Art UK. Read it here 👉 artuk.org/discover/sto...

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Helluva line-up for this Mark Stewart memorial festival taking place from tomorrow. Venue is Rockaway Park, roughly 20 mins outside Bristol. Entry is free, although any donations will go to Bristol homeless charities.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Drawing is fundamentally important to artists' development - and to society in general. This and more is discussed in my article about the 25th anniversary of London's Royal Drawing School for Art UK. Check it here > artuk.org/discover/sto...

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

I had the pleasure of writing about Manila's experimental music scene for the latest edition of @thewiremagazine.bsky.social. The new issue is in stores now, or you can subscribe to The Wire here > www.thewire.co.uk/shop/subscri...

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

My first for world-famous music mag, The Wire, is a look at the experimental music scene in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The piece is in issue 497, available in stores now. And, if you're not already a Wire subscriber, go here to find out how you can change that ➡️ www.thewire.co.uk/subscriptions/

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

"Drawing St Ives: Modernism and French Rot in Twentieth-century Cornwall" I wrote about Modernism and drawing in post-war St Ives for the Art UK site. Read the story here > artuk.org/discover/sto...

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

One key reason for UK-based musicians and composers to complete the UK Music survey is that the info is used to measure things like the impact of Brexit and prove that the UK music biz is a crucial part of culture and economy. Check the survey here ⤵️ surveyd.bilendi.com/survey/selfs...

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Two live dates for friends and collaborators Checkpoint 303: tonight in Montreal and Apr 26 in San Francisco. Standing up for Palestine. Making noise for Gaza.

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

Latest from Mexican artist Chavis Mármol - a nine-ton Olmec head crushing a blue Tesla Model 3

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

You may not read about it in the press but the Rock & Roll Public Library is one of the best exhibitions in London right now. Bursting with memorabilia Mick Jones (The Clash, Big Audio Dynamite) has collected over time, it's free and has been extended until Mar 22. 📍4 Flitcroft St WC2H 8DJ

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

This Christmas, strive for the gift of unionisation 🎄

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

"As his experiments continued, Davenport embraced the inevitable by-product of letting paint roll down surfaces: the mess on the floor." My latest for Art UK profiles UK painter Ian Davenport. Read it here > artuk.org/discover/sto...

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Word reaches that Matt Hancock has just nipped out to buy an onion during the COVID inquiry lunch break. Unclear as yet what for 😢

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Simon Coates @simonjcoates.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Goddess vibes in these 2019 photos of Margaret Atwood 📷 Tim Walker

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