Mark Mckay

My first Val McDermid. Won’t be the last.

Nigel Farage on Russia Today.

Glad to see Nigel Farage has finally remembered Nathan Gill, former leader of Reform in Wales - found guilty of taking bribes from Russia.

Maybe he'll now remember how much he took from Putin's propaganda broadcaster Russia Today for all his TV appearances when he was a MEP?

British Birds were excellent in Halifax last night.

I was lucky to be asked to take part in the Halifax Town festival having a conversation with @stuartmaconie.bsky.social about his Beatles book With a Little Help From Their Friends. Mr Maconie was a lovely man, generous with his time. We could’ve listened to his insights on the Beatles all day.

Hasn’t he heard of British values? Every teacher must abide by them. Oh wait… tolerance is a British value and respect and democracy. Maybe he doesn’t know them.

What’s been happening here?

Enjoyed the Bob Mould interview on Word in Your Ear, reminded me how this guy had been making excellent music since my formative years. Really underrated.

What do you think @traceythorn.bsky.social

Lots of great events in the Town festival in Halifax. These are my top tips. I’m hosting @stuartmaconie.bsky.social Book now!

Anyone hear Live and Let Die?

Spent a fine Sunday lunchtime listening to Nick Drake’s Making of Five Leaves Left. Well put together and fascinating.

The two local shops near me have stopped selling @theguardian.com if I want a print copy, which I do, I need to travel to a supermarket. Not the end of the world but certainly close to the end of the print edition.

I was thinking Gary Barlow would be an excellent narrator for Thomas the Tank Engine

Listening to @johnrobbofficial.bsky.social on Music Maps podcast talking about Oasis is making me believe I want to read about Oasis. The passion he has for them is infectious. And I’ve never liked them.

I’ll burn them all immediately

On the purple button

Every Picture … is still a good lp, am I allowed to still like it or is this like Morrissey?

Genuinely sad to see that @traceythorn.bsky.social won’t be writing for @newstatesman.com anymore. Her columns have been excellent and will be missed. Maybe a collection could be published…

Just been listening to it again. The original songs are fantastic. I like the Ringo and George songs too and you are right it sets up Help and even the inside cover suggests different things coming.

@johnharris1969.bsky.social piece in Mojo that reappraises Beatles for Sale. I’ve long loved that record and Mr Harris is spot on when he suggests it was paving the way to their later stuff. @mojomagazine.bsky.social

You are right. The language used and the lies told just shake up division.

Wonderful lp. Record Store Day particularly poignant

Blues purists turn up?

Nine years since Jo Cox was murdered. If only we could remember that we have more in common.

Excellent line up of legends and great new hopes. British Birds are my favourite new combo

Anyone seen Shifty by Adam Curtis? It’s fantastic. On iPlayer

I was taking notes as I’m interviewing Stuart for the Halifax Town Festival but I bow at your expertise

@beatlesbookspod.bsky.social excellent interview with @stuartmaconie.bsky.social on the latest ‘pod’

Thank you! Really good. Wonderful stories.

Doing a bit of homework. I thought I knew the Beatles world. I was wrong. @stuartmaconie.bsky.social new book is a must read.