Ryan1984

Went shopping, to the pub for dinner and to see Shang-Chi at the cinema today - all packed, very few face coverings about. Like Boris getting bored with it, the public have clearly decided the pandemic is over. I can’t see us going back to lockdowns - they won’t stand for it.

Little Simz is awesome. Now listening to Motorists - Canadian guitar-driven indie pop with a little bit of a grunge type undertone. Pup meets Teenage Fanclub.

I was a little concerned that the hour-plus running time might have seen some lulls but glad to be wrong. It’s all awesome.

I can’t see it happening. Boris is bored with it now (no distancing/restriction in parliament anymore) and knows another lockdown will get the Covid Death Group on his back again. Also, the public have been told ‘vaccines are the way out of this’ for the past year. Not sure even this lot could get away with a u-turn on that, despite the incredible loyalty of their supporters.

Having done (sober) weekends at Reading for the past 20 years - I cut down to the one day this year - this just sounds like the normal post-festival experience. Need to be careful and test etc for Covid but it does sound like three days of breathing in dust leaving its mark.

Another England match, more disgraceful scenes from the crowd. These racists will never stop - not sure what the authorities can do?

Yes, the Reading flu - every year. Dry cough and then black boogers for a week or two after. Part of the festival experience. I saw lft tests on the floor but all negative.

Went for the day yesterday. Wolf Alice were great but seemed to have a very short set, Biffy awesome and Liam good but the sound was all over the place, which I think affected the atmosphere. Lauran Hibberd, Holly Humberstone, Fur all good as well. Saw a few lateral flow tests thrown on the floor but all negative. Thought they did the Covid requirements well (at the day entrance anyway). What was with the queues for food? Seemed crazy busy all day? Does going cashless hold things up? What was the general view on the two main stages? I liked it.

Is it about Scott Hutchison? It feels like it is.

Listened to most of the new Chvrches album on my morning run. Sounded good!

To be honest, this year they are doing well to get any bands/acts with status in as it’s all so last minute. Just enjoy the fact the festival is taking place.

So, I know next to nothing about gardening but recently had some sleepers put in towards the back of my garden (a very shady part). Any recommendations or tips for the best plants to go in that might add some colour over the winter? And if it’s better to put pots in there?

Annoyed they clash with Wolf Alice. Fur on the Introducing Stage do Coral-esque jangly indie-pop and Lauren Hibberd sounds good.

Didn’t she headline there in 2014? (Self-titled album cycle)

I liked the album on first listen but this tweet nails the reaction:

Lorde, Villagers and Deafheaven so far today… Enjoyed them all. There’s also Swim School’s debut EP - up next.

Doesn’t look like it’s on any streaming site at the moment. Try charity shops or a DVD site?

I think there was a Guardian article (I know…) the other day that said the Tories won’t get rid of him as he’s a proven winner. They can make life difficult when he’s in power but when he has that background of victories and nothing sticks to him, they value their majority over everything else. Same kind of thing Cummings was saying when he said they used him as a pawn.

Saw The Cribs tonight in Kingston. First gig in 566 days. Was so good.

It’s definitely worth watching - or rewatching 15 Storeys High - now. Brilliant series from Sean. RIP.

Going to throw this one out there… Could it see her actually play the hits? Could the Eavii afford her?

Belatedly started my August playlist:

It’s definitely feeling more normal out there. Still think we might have one more bump in the autumn/winter when Covid and flu season combine but just have to stay sensible.