Dave Simpson

‘The Ziggy Stardust suit sparked my adolescent awakening’: Moby, Goldie, Natalie Merchant and more delve inside Bowie’s archives As a huge new public collection opens this weekend, famous fans pick out their touchstones – from the game-changing wardrobe that gave birth to glam to the synthesiser that drove his Berlin years

‘The Ziggy Stardust suit sparked my adolescent awakening’: Moby, Goldie, Natalie Merchant and more delve inside Bowie’s archives

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Anyone going to @deershed.bsky.social at the weekend? I'll be in conversation with the great @davesimps0n.bsky.social on Sunday at 1.10pm in the Buckendz stage, talking about my new book Maybe I'm Amazed, music, neurodivergence & more

Uncomfirmed as yet, but initial feeling from SA camp is that it was most likely Lunch With Casey, which Dave along with many other viewers called Casey Jones.

Saw the likes of Blur, Radiohead and the Verve for the first time at the Duchess of York in Leeds. It's a Hugo Boss shop now. First New Order gig was at the tiny Brannigans aka the F Club.

Interesting. I will try and get clarification, but Dave did specifically say "a TV show called Casey Jones" and that show was shown in the UK well into the 1970s, so may have been the same in the US.

‘Climate change is going to cull us as a species’: folk hero Peggy Seeger on Bob Dylan, the ultimate love song and touring at 90 The musician and activist answers your questions about her marriage to Ewan MacColl, being the inspiration for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, and her mother’s legacy

I put Guardian readers' questions to the inspirational Peggy Seeger, who is on the road at 90! www.theguardian.com/music/2025/m...

Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band, Co-Op Live, Manchester, May 14, 2025 Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band reviewed in concert at the Co-Op Live in Manchester on May 14, 2025

I saw Broooooooooooooce @springsteen turn rage against events in America into an unforgettable arena-sized protest music masterclass. www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/bruc...

Harnessing chaos and charm, Pere Ubu’s David Thomas rewrote rock’n’roll The bandleader, who has died aged 71, created a vast body of work that influenced everyone from Ramones to REM, thanks to his absurdist energy

In tribute to Pere Ubu's great and now sadly late David Thomas, a true one-off. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/a...

Meta are using three of my books to train AI, without permission/recompense. I support the
@societyofauthors.bsky.social
protest today and demand that Meta #DoTheWriteThing and compensate authors for the work they stole. #MakeItFair #MetaBookThieves

‘They’re still under there, they never got out’: the Futureheads’ Barry Hyde commemorates his mining heritage The musician was commissioned to create an album inspired by the north-east’s mining history – and then discovered his ancestors died in a local disaster

I really enjoyed meeting Barry Hyde: Futurehead, publican, music teacher, musical social historian and top chap. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/m...

Steve Reich: ‘We all wish art could counter the direction of US politics. But it can’t’ Now 88, the minimalist composer has reissued his life’s work. He answers your questions about Bowie, the Grateful Dead, spirituality – and his complicated friendship with Philip Glass

I had a fascinating and at times very amusing chat with the great @stevereich.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/music/2025/m...

UK reggae pioneers Steel Pulse: ‘We told punk fans – you can pogo, but please don’t spit at us’ They won a Grammy, risked being shot in the US and were adored by Bob Marley. As they go on tour, the band look back on half a century of being a voice for the voiceless

The great Steel Pulse spoke to me about punk, Bob Marley, wearing KKK hoods onstage and how it all started with drumming on the sofa :-) www.theguardian.com/music/2025/m...

‘We joke about who’s getting their knees done’: the rock veterans still touring into their late 70s Yoga and ice baths have replaced all-nighters, but musicians such as Graham Nash, Bonnie Raitt, Rick Wakeman and Elkie Brooks aren’t planning to retire any time soon

I spoke to #rickwakeman @bonnieraitt.bsky.social @grahamnashreal12.bsky.social and #elkiebrooks about touring in their late 70s and beyond. Respect! www.theguardian.com/music/2025/m...

The Damned: how we made New Rose ‘Audiences hated us, motorcycle gangs chased us’ … fuelled by amphetamine and cider, this bunch of former toilet-cleaners and gravediggers made Britain’s first punk single

"Suddenly New Rose was 'the first British punk single. Everything happened very quickly after that." RIP the great Brian James. www.theguardian.com/music/2018/m....

‘We spent £100,000 doing a gig in a scout hut!’ The Beta Band on debt, disastrous decisions – and their defiant comeback Fiercely original and stunning live, they should have been massive – but they imploded. As the Scots return, they relive disowning their debut album, blowing Top of the Pops – and getting shocks off t...

www.theguardian.com/music/2025/m...

Dear Nasa, please send me to Mars! The photographer who showed Britain – and space – in colour From ghost trains to backstreet weddings, from demolition sites to ‘alien’s eye views’ of Leeds, groundbreaking photographer Peter Mitchell captures our changing world with his trusty ‘Blad’ – and onc...

I spoke to the legendary (and lovely) Leeds-based photographer, Peter Mitchell. www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

Uriah Heep review – after 56 years, progressive heavy rockers bid a blistering live farewell They may not have created any true rock touchstones, but they still have the powerhouse vocals and guitar skills to get the audience on their feet

The Heep. Still 'umble. Still 'eavy. And a lot of fun live. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/f...

The Waterboys’ Mike Scott: ‘I love Prince’s version of The Whole of the Moon. And Graham Norton’s’ Ahead of his new Dennis-Hopper-themed album, Scott answers your questions on jamming with Dylan, the magic of Ireland and why he’s had more than 80 bandmates

Had a very nice chat with @mickpuck.bsky.social of @waterboysmusic.bsky.social band www.theguardian.com/music/2025/f...

Marianne Faithfull: 'I don't think I had any choice but to be decadent' The star of pop and film talks to Dave Simpson about being cast as a sex kitten of the 60s, drugs, homelessness, and why she will never sell Mick Jagger's love letters

An interview I did a few years back with Marianne Faithfull who, along with everything else, was an absolute hoot. www.theguardian.com/culture/2013...

‘My job was making hits’: Clive Langer on taking Bowie, Dexys and Madness to No 1 – and why he turned Madonna down He skied with Bowie, boozed with Madness and recorded the Teardrop Explodes on acid. But does he regret blowing it with Dave Grohl? The great producer relives his smashes, parties and 11am vodkas

I had a cup of tea and a natter with Clive Langer, brilliantly storied producer of so many pop classics and now back with his fab band the Clang Group
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/j...

‘It was carnage – in the best way!’ Manic Street Preachers, Sleaford Mods, KT Tunstall and more pick their favourite small gig venues The drinks are thrown, the crowds are feral – and the bands are right in your face. On independent venue week, musicians talk about their most cherished concert sweatboxes I love the bit in John Niven’s book O Brother where he goes back to where he saw…

‘It was carnage – in the best way!’ Manic Street Preachers, Sleaford Mods, KT Tunstall and more pick their favourite small gig venues

Post your questions for Mike Scott of the Waterboys The Scottish singer, songwriter and musician, who has remained the only constant member throughout the band’s 40-year career, is taking on your questions

Something you've always wanted to ask @mickpuck.bsky.social? Now's your chance. www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...

10cc/Strawberry Studios pop colossus Graham Gouldman told me about some of the most famous - and not so famous - moments of his much-storied career.

‘We’ve been through the wringer’: Doves on addiction, breakdowns – and touring without singer Jimi Goodwin Their new album Constellations for the Lonely ranks among their best work. But as they prepare to go on the road, the Williams brothers talk about their momentous decision to play without Goodwin

I caught up with the mighty Doves for the first time in far too long. www.theguardian.com/music/2024/d...

Paul McCartney review – extraordinarily sublime and humblingly beautiful Stretching an almost three-hour set from the Quarrymen through to the ‘final Beatles single’ this is like an arena-sized Last Night at the Proms, with Beatlemania

Incredible near three hours with Macca, 82, who does it all again this evening. www.theguardian.com/music/2024/d...