Music was my first love…

This is the soundtrack to a life well travelled — classic albums, deep cuts, backstories, playlists and concert memories that deserve a place on your turntable or in your headphones.

You’ll find first-hand reviews of landmark albums, reflections on unforgettable live shows, and playlists to match a mood, a moment, or a destination. Some of the records here are well known. Others might just surprise you.

Songs for a Japan Trip: A Playlist
Jamie Riddell Jamie Riddell

Songs for a Japan Trip: A Playlist

A personal playlist for a trip around Japan, from ‘You Only Live Twice’ and ‘Kyoto Song’ to ambient Japanese artists and a few tracks chosen purely for mood.

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Como encontrar a Abbey Road em Londres
Jamie Riddell Jamie Riddell

Como encontrar a Abbey Road em Londres

Um guia prático para encontrar a Abbey Road em Londres. Saiba onde fica a famosa faixa de pedestres dos Beatles, como chegar, o melhor horário para fotos e o que esperar ao visitar o local.

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In Search of the Division Bell
Jamie Riddell Jamie Riddell

In Search of the Division Bell

A first-hand journey into the Cambridgeshire Fens to identify the exact location of Pink Floyd’s The Division Bell album cover, and to understand how Ely Cathedral shaped one of rock’s most enduring images.

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Father’s Day Gifts for the Music-Loving Dad
Gifts Jamie Riddell Gifts Jamie Riddell

Father’s Day Gifts for the Music-Loving Dad

From limited-edition rock art to vinyl classics, here’s your 2025 guide to Father’s Day gifts that go beyond the cliché. Whether he’s into Bowie, Beatles, or just building Lego guitars, these music-inspired ideas are made for the dad who still knows how to turn it up.

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Hard Times are Over

Hard Times are Over

In November 1980, John Lennon and Yoko Ono released Double Fantasy, their collaborative album that would tragically become John’s last. Its closing track, “Hard Times Are Over,” feels particularly poignant—a hopeful message at the end of a turbulent decade. Let's take a look and listen this heartbreaking final song.

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Concert Review: Lauren Mayberry at the O2, London
Concert Reviews Jamie Riddell Concert Reviews Jamie Riddell

Concert Review: Lauren Mayberry at the O2, London

Lauren Mayberry, best known as the former Chvrches frontwoman, wowed the O2 crowd supporting London Grammar. Her solo set previewed tracks from her debut album Vicious Creature, blending introspective lyrics with infectious energy. With a sound that recalls Siouxsie Sioux & The Cure, Mayberry delivered a standout performance that left me eager for more!

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Concert Review: London Grammar at the O2, London
Concert Reviews Jamie Riddell Concert Reviews Jamie Riddell

Concert Review: London Grammar at the O2, London

Seeing London Grammar live at the O2 in London was an unforgettable experience. The setlist blended classics like Hey Now and Wasting My Young Years with newer tracks from Californian Soil and their latest album. Hannah Reid’s incredible voice captivated the audience, from a stunning rendition of Hell to the Liars to a playful moment during You and I when the crowd hesitated to sing back, preferring to hear her soar.With Lauren Mayberry opening and a powerful encore featuring Lose Your Head, this concert was a true celebration of one of Britain’s finest bands.

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Concert Review- David Gilmour at the Royal Albert Hall
Concert Reviews Jamie Riddell Concert Reviews Jamie Riddell

Concert Review- David Gilmour at the Royal Albert Hall

David Gilmour brought The Luck and Strange Concerts to London’s Royal Albert Hall, blending Pink Floyd classics with new material in an intimate, atmospheric setting. With the upcoming release of his Rome concert film and live album, revisit what made these shows so special in my full review — complete with highlights from the performance.

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