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Stuart Bailie

@stubailie.bsky.social
1K followers 389 following 320 posts

Author: The Song is Nearly Over (2025), Terri Hooley: 75 Revolutions (2023), Trouble Songs (2018) and 75 Van Songs (2020). Music journalist. Editor, Dig With It. Ex NME. stuartbailie.bandcamp.com

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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The Mary Wallopers playing at Garvaghy Road, Portadown, 01.10.26. Photos by Stuart Bailie
Andrew and Charles Hendy from the Mary Wallopers, playing live on a portable stage at the Garvaghy Road, Portadown, 01.10.26. Photo by Stuart Bailie. Andrew and Charles Hendy from the Mary Wallopers, playing live on a portable stage at the Garvaghy Road, Portadown, 01.10.26. Garvaghy Residents Group leader Breandán Mac Cionnaith is speaking into a microphone. Photo by Stuart Bailie. Andrew Hendy from the Mary Wallopers, playing live on a portable stage at the Garvaghy Road, Portadown, 01.10.26. Photo by Stuart Bailie. An audience for the Mary Wallopers, playing live on a portable stage at the Garvaghy Road, Portadown, 01.10.26. Photo by Stuart Bailie.
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Huartan and friends. Garvaghy Road, Portadown. 28.09.26.
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
The @lthanwordsfest.bsky.social, celebrating music books & authors, is due for Belfast, Jan 27. I've been to a few of the Manchester events & they're excellent. Admirable writers plus musicians you care for. John Robb is a regular host & contributor. I'm involved & getting excited at the names, TBA.
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Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign @ipsc.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
This is solidarity! Well done to these principled artists, and yet again our Irish creatives making us proud. Artists of conscience stand with Palestine, always. #FreePalestine
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
This Friday in Dublin, with the mighty Eamon Carr and Pat Thomas and Steve O'Toole. At Chapters Bookstore, 7pm. Will be great. Ticket link: www.eventbrite.ie/e/chapters-b...
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Save Lough Neagh Rally at Finn McCool Statue, Antrim, 27.08.26. Photo by Stuart Bailie
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Birmingham 81 @birmingham81.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Happy birthday to Kevin Rowland. Here are Dexys Midnight Runners performing Come On Eileen live on No. 73 in 1982. Watch the full performance with added interruptions by Sandi Toksvig at youtu.be/dUw91rW_4RY
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The Write Stuff @itsthewritestuff.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Fri. 4th Sept. Night before The Waterboys @itsthewritestuff.bsky.social @patthomashistorian.bsky.social with @stubailie.bsky.social & @carrport.bsky.social @chaptersbookstore.bsky.social ⬇️ TICKETS ⬇️ 🌐 www.thewritestuff.ie © The Write Stuff #thewritestuff #chaptersbookstore #dublin #thewaterboys
The Write Stuff Stuart Bailie Chapters Bookstore Dublin Fri. 4th Sept. The Write Stuff Eamon Carr Chapters Bookstore Dublin Fri. 4th Sept. The Write Stuff Pat Thomas Chapters Bookstore Dublin Fri. 4th Sept. The Write Stuff Chapters Bookstore Dublin Fri. 4th Sept.
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
I was on Radio 4 earlier, talking about the successful visit of the Fleadh to Belfast and the transformative power of music. Fifteen minutes in... www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
PM - Questions for Met over handling of serial sex offender Simon Levy - BBC Sounds
Former Safeguarding Minister Jess Philips tells PM of 'fundamental cultural problem'
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Some images from the RÓIS and @huartan_ gig at The Limelight, Belfast. I'm enjoying the Fleadh and I'm glad that these two acts were part of it. Untamed, contrary, future-trad. I've written a review for Dig With It. Read it here: www.digwithit.com?p=3872 Photos @stu_bailie
RÓIS singing live at The Limelight, Belfast, 07.08.26. Part of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Photo by Stuart BailieRÓIS singing live at The Limelight, Belfast, 07.08.26. Part of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Photo by Stuart BailieHuartan, performing live at The Limelight, Belfast, 07.08.26. Part of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Photo by Stuart BailieHuartan, performing live at The Limelight, Belfast, 07.08.26. Part of the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Photo by Stuart Bail
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Some photos from the wonderful Belfast TradFest programme. Music was cherished and challenged. Impeccable standards, every year. I've written a review for Dig With It. Here's the link: www.digwithit.com?p=3856
Three members of Cuas, live at Belfast Tradfest, 29 July 2026. Photo by Stuart BailieGino and Cathal, live with Four Men And A Dog, Belfast Tradfest, 01 August, 2026. Photo by Stuart BailieMacdara Ó Faoláin, live at Belfast Tradfest, 28 July 2026. Photo by Stuart BailieMaeve O’Donnell, uilleann piper, live at Great Hall, Stormont Belfast Tradfest, 30 July 2026. Photo by Stuart Bailie.
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Rachel McCarthy features in the new Playlisted selection for Dig With It. Her selected artists include Minnie Ripperton, Patsy Cline & Tom Waits. Rachel is a singer, songwriter, storyteller, artist & photographer. You can read her selection here: www.digwithit.com?p=3841 Photo credit: Joe Laverty
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
The return of SOAK, playing live again after a few turbulent years. New songs, bonus lightness, fridge magnets, philosophy and a Lost in Translation shirt. An Eastside Arts event. Photo by Stuart Bailie. I've written a review for Dig With It. See here: www.digwithit.com?p=3832
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Dónal O’Connor, musician, film-maker, co-founder and Artistic Director of the reliably great Belfast TradFest choses his playlist for Dig With It. Including Lúnasa, Miles Davis, Free, Barzaz and Anouar Brahem Trio. Read Dónal's Playlisted feature here: www.digwithit.com?p=3822
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Brendan Hark! T'is nearly Halloween. @brendanjharkin.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
The French Nazis that Loyalists brought over to Sandy Row last night have spray painted a message of support for Gisèle Pelicot's rapist husband just in case you thought the "protect our women" brigade are anything other than human tumours
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Always top value. open.substack.com/pub/thenewcu...
open.substack.com
The New Cue #608 July 13: David Holmes
"We had a Gelignite bomb thrown into our house."
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Channel 4 News @channel4news.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Family and UN call for Israel to release jailed Gaza doctor www.channel4.com/news/family-...
channel4.com
Family and UN call for Israel to release jailed Gaza doctor
The lawyer for one of Gaza's most prominent doctors, Hussam Abu Safiya, who has been detained in Israel since 2024, has raised concerns about his physical deterioration.
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
#FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Pertinent song about the Democratic Unionist Party, homophobia and culture wars. Released by Hand Models in 2019, assisted by Wynona Bleach, Problem Patterns, Joel Harkin and others. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2alc...
youtube.com
Hand Models - Last Leaves on a Tree
YouTube video by Hand Models
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
A couple of summer dates you might enjoy. Terri Hooley &Stu Bailie @ The Harrison Hotel, Belfast, next Thurs, July 2. A night of music, spoken word, chaos & magic. Then Aug 29, The Wake, West Sussex. Talking about my book,The Song is Nearly Over. Links to both events in the comments. Excited!
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Father's Day hint. Old fellas like music books. Especially when they're signed or personalised. Bandcamp link below, or DM me. #fathersday stuartbailie.bandcamp.com
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Let's talk about Seamus Heaney, Oscar Wilde, Brendan Behan, Edna O'Brien...
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Two worthwhile records from the Irish borderlands, by The Shamrock Showband and Mark McCausland, aka McKowski. I really liked watching The Spin and the soundtrack is the best company. My reviews on the Dig With It site: www.digwithit.com?p=3811
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Belfast 16.05.26. Have a great weekend, good people. Photos by Stu Bailie #ilford #ilfordhp5plus #hp5plus #ilfordfilm
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
My Self Aid review ran 40 years ago in Record Mirror. Chieftains, Pogues, Costello, U2, Clannad, Geldof, Christy Moore, Van, Gary Moore, a Thin Lizzy tribute & more. All the music family connections. Gael Force ascending. I also wrote about it in my book, The Song is Nearly Over. I'm still relating.
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Lloyd Cole on Bowie in the Seventies. lloydcole.substack.com/p/bowie-in-t...
lloydcole.substack.com
Bowie In The 70's
My take on one of the greatest decades. This is going to take much longer than I'd thought. I need to re-listen, and fact check. Hopefully I'll get it finished before I leave June 11th.
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Random AVA festival pic by Stu Bailie.
AVA Festival people outside a waltzer fairground ride at the Titanic slipyard, Belfast, with shipyard cranes in the background.Photo by Stuart Bailie.
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
William Coupon has gone. His work was great.
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Mucker at the QUB Students' Union, Belfast. 21.05.26. A fantastic night. Punk rock solidarity, rage, fragility and hope. Aided by Problem Patterns and Them 'Uns. Good work, Brendy, Pando, James and Ewen.
Mucker playing live at the QUB Students' Union, Belfast. 21.05.26. Sweaty, punk rock scenes. Photo by Stuart Bailie.Mucker playing live at the QUB Students' Union, Belfast. 21.05.26. Sweaty, punk rock scenes. Photo by Stuart Bailie.Mucker playing live at the QUB Students' Union, Belfast. 21.05.26. Sweaty, punk rock scenes. Photo by Stuart Bailie.Mucker playing live at the QUB Students' Union, Belfast. 21.05.26. Sweaty, punk rock scenes. Photo by Stuart Bailie.
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Pete Paphides @petepaphides.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
I simply don't know what to do with how great the new Arab Strap single is. If it was a person, I'd want to stand near it and occasionally rest my head on its shoulder. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VeB...
youtube.com
Arab Strap - You You You (official video)
YouTube video by Arab Strap
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Lauren is brilliant. Gary is inspirational. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
Desert Island Discs - Gary O'Donoghue, journalist - BBC Sounds
Gary O'Donoghue, journalist, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
A Save Lough Neagh march from the Battery Bar to the Ardboe Cross, Co Tyrone, 17.05.26. Bernadette Devlin McCaliskey was one of the guest speakers. #saveloughneagh #speirgorm Photos by Stuart Bailie
A Save Lough Neagh march from the Battery Bar to the Ardboe Cross, Co Tyrone, 17.05.26. A group shot of the marchers on the road. Photo by Stuart BailieA Save Lough Neagh march from the Battery Bar to the Ardboe Cross, Co Tyrone, 17.05.26. Singer Joshua Burnside holding a placard, Save Our Lough. #saveloughneagh.
Photo by Stuart Bailie 
A Save Lough Neagh march from the Battery Bar to the Ardboe Cross, Co Tyrone, 17.05.26. Bernadette Devlin McCaliskey was one of the guest speakers. A photo of Bernadette on a flatbed truck.
Photo by Stuart Bailie A Save Lough Neagh march from the Battery Bar to the Ardboe Cross, Co Tyrone, 17.05.26. A surfer on the march with a surf board, with the message, Cut The Crap. #saveloughneagh.
Photo by Stuart Bailie
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
I saw Dead Goat and loads of other great stuff at Kilkenny Roots Festival at the weekend, included the Big Star Quintet. I've written a short blog. You can read it here: www.digwithit.com?p=3802
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♫·¯·♪J𝕒𝐦𝕖𝓈 B𝓻Δⓓ𝐋€𝕐 ♫·¯·♪ @jimibradley.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Just bought this, absolutely killer comp, highly recommended! @bandcamp.com would be great to create a tag to make charity comps like this easier to find on the site...
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Occupied Minds Vol. 1 is out tomorrow, May 1 on Rudimentary Records. An important compilation, with RÓIS, Huartan, Phi Kieran, Timmy Stewart, Dani Larkin, Rory Friers and more. A benefit for Medical Aid for Palestine. Here's a review,on first impressions: www.digwithit.com?p=3791
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
I really like @originstorypodcast.bsky.social. Heavy research and sweary asides. The history lessons I wish I'd heard as a young thing. Series 8 was terrific. I'm sure this will be also.
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
This Saturday, I'm at Kilkenny Roots Festival - in convo with Allan Jones. On the same programme as the Big Star Quintet, Rodney Crowell, Dead Goat, Seamus Fogarty, Chris Stamey, Florry and heaps of other lovely stuff. I'll be signing books and looking delighted. kilkennyroots.com/booking/stua...
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Magnificent.
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Channel 4 News @channel4news.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
The man who rescues books from rubble: Omar Hamad opens Phoenix library in Gaza www.channel4.com/news/the-man...
channel4.com
The man who rescues books from rubble: Omar Hamad opens Phoenix library in Gaza
The recent turmoil in the Middle East began in one place, that is Gaza. Although a ceasefire has been in effect there now for six months, Israel continues to regularly conduct strikes.
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
The Harrison, Belfast, July 2 - Hooley & Bailie’s Beatnik Bop. Join Terri and Stuart for spoken word, leftfield prose & guitar shenanigans. It will be entertaining, provocative & messy - in the greatest ways. McKowski Cafe, The Harrison, 45 Malone Rd, Belfast. Tix: www.eventbrite.sg/e/terri-hool...
Event artwork for July 2, featuring a photo of Terri Hooley and Stuart Bailie
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
I interviewed Andy Kershaw at his flat in 1986. Barrence Whitfield was kipping on his couch and Robyn Hitchcock dropped by. Andy seemed keen, unaffected. I saw him often at gigs & at the Banner's diner in Park Road, Crouch End. Positive memories. I was sorry to hear all the painful news later. RIP.
Andy Kershaw interview by Stuart Bailie. Record Mirror, December 1986. Andy Kershaw interview by Stuart Bailie. Record Mirror, December 1986.
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Moya Brennan was a lovely human being and an astonishing singer and musician. I wrote an online appreciation of Moya yesterday morning when I heard the news of her passing. Since then, I've added a few parts and uploaded it to my Dig With It site. You can read it here: www.digwithit.com?p=3777
Moya Brennan with a harp behind her, performing at the Empire Music Hall, Belfast, 2024
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
This Saturday in Dún Laoghaire. Myself and Dan Hegarty in conversation about the book, The Song is Nearly Over. At Volume Records, 75 York Rd, 7.30pm. Readings, signings, all the stuff. Free admission but best to register: www.eventbrite.ie/e/stuart-bai... Will be great!
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derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
pete hegseth firing everyone but his tailor
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Belfast 28.03.26
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Cultra, 08.03.26 "All I know is a door into the dark.." Photos by Stuart Bailie #ilford #ilfordfilm #hp5
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Tomorrow in Belfast - with Imagine Festival. Working Against the Clampdown: Who's Afraid of the Arts? Alice Adams Lemon - Equity Kevin Gamble - Féile an Phobail, Ruth McCarthy - Outburst Arts Kwame Daniels - DJ, founder of Bounce Culture. Free tickets: imaginebelfast.com/event/workin...
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Belfast 21.03.26. Photos by Stuart Bailie.
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Stuart Bailie @stubailie.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
This will be great. The launch of Kevin Dunn's book about Stiff Little Fingers' Inflammable Material. Chats with the author, Henry Cluney, Brian Young and myself. Also acoustic performances from Henry and Brian. Oh Yeah Music Centre, Thursday, 16 April. www.ohyeahbelfast.com/events/infla...
ohyeahbelfast.com
Inflammable Material: Book Launch | Oh Yeah Music Centre
To celebrate the book release of Inflammable Material by Kevin Dunn, the Oh Yeah! Centre will be hosting a panel discussion and Q&A session about Belfast punk during The Troubles.
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