Secretariat return
A pleasure to invite former MU colleagues to Eden Park as we hosted John Smith OBE and his wife Sandra, Horace Trubridge, Jane Austin, plus David Ashley and his partner Sarah.
Becks at home
The new football season is marked in classic fashion by a series of pre-competitive friendlies across the country and this afternoon saw Beckenham Town entertain Leatherhead in a fiesty clash.
MMF Summer Party
My thanks to the Music Managers’ Forum for the invitation to their Summer event this evening at Two Tribes Brewery, Campfire Taproom, Tileyard Road, N7. Great to catch up with Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, Paul Scaife, Stephen Budd, plus MMF’s leadership, Annabella Coldrick and Anneliese Harmon.
Ashes drama
Ben and I were to be found on the Laker balcony at the Oval today for the last day of the Ashes series. The weather once again did the teams no favours.
MU Conference
A successful and satisfying week in Birmingham as the MU hosted its biennial Delegate Conference at the Park Regis Hotel at the top of Broad Street.
UK Music party
UK Music’s annual Summer Party took place this evening in the elegant surroundings of the Institution of Engineering and Technology in Savoy Place, central London.
Lower Marsh
Julie and I caught the train into Waterloo this afternoon to drop in at Iklectika and ‘Waterloo’s Paradise’, a collection of artists’ units next door to Archbishop Park.
Yvette Cooper MP
I joined members of the local Labour Party this evening at Ruskin House in Croydon, as Yvette Cooper MP addressed those in attendance about current party policies and the state of politics in general.
Mags galore
An extremely pleasant lunch with Paul Geoghegan, Managing Director of the Music & Leisure Division at the Mark Allen Group. A suite of magazines, which includes Gramophone, Jazzwise, Songlines and the newly launched Musicals.
ELO Experience
Julie, Ben and I drove over to Croydon this evening for a much-awaited performance in the Ashcroft Theatre by the renowned ELO Experience. The band is the leading tribute to the marvellous songs and recordings of Jeff Lynne.
MPG by the River
A pleasant evening courtesy of the Music Producers’ Guild at the BFI, The Riverfront on the Southbank. Their summer event certainly attracted an enthusiastic crowd from across the industry. My thanks to Executive Director Cameron Craig for the invitation.
Southbank Saturday
A highly enjoyable afternoon courtesy of Julie, who kindly had bought tickets for us to ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ at the County Hall on the Southbank.
A crucial win
Ben starred as Beckenham CC 5th XI scored an important away victory this afternoon in Dulwich over league rivals Streatham & Marlborough CC.
The Musician (summer)
The summer 2023 issue of The Musician is scheduled to be dispatched in print format to members from today. The 74th edition for which I have been editor. In line with members’ requests, the journal will also be available in audio, from the MU website as a pdf, and as a large print file in 24 point.
Boot Alley
After many years as a Beckenham resident, I am starting to truly take in those little tucked away corners that can be found in and around the town centre.
Farewell cocktail
I am hardly a heavy drinker, but I thought it would be good to abstain completely for a while. So I enjoyed a final cocktail this afternoon in town (at the Coral Room, WC1).
Friday blast
A raucous evening at the Oval as Surrey hosted Kent in a T20 Blast fixture. We were blessed with spring sunshine, a party atmosphere and some special cricket.
Music Week Awards
I met up with highly-respected producer James Reynolds in Battersea last night, as we joined over 1,400 guests at the Music Week Awards.
Otford tea
While Ben was playing for Beckenham CC in Otford, Julie and I strolled around the area, which proved a very pleasant way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon.
Cumberwell Park
A regular date in my relatively slim golf calendar is the charity event hosted by Neil and Sarah Davies at Cumberwell Park in Wiltshire.
Inside front cover
My thanks to Guy Meredith at Future for the opportunity to promote the MU’s work in royalty collection and distribution in the June edition of Music Week.
Park Regis
A day trip with my colleague Amy to Birmingham to visit the venue for the MU Delegate Conference in July.
Eurovision up West!
It’s Eurovision week! A joy to meet the wonderful Sandie Shaw and Katrina (of the Waves) this evening.
Caring Soul video