Black Sky Thinking
Essays, investigation and opinion on today’s cultural landscape
Black Sky Thinking
#BlackGirlMagic: Reclaiming The Beliefs Of The African Diaspora
On International Women's Day Zahra Dalilah explores the music of women who are re-engaging with the magical traditions of African culture, from Princess Nokia to Azealia Banks. (Images from Princess Nokia's 'Brujas' video)
Black Sky Thinking
A Blast From The Bass Panzer: Feeling Deep Vibrations In Miami
German artist Nik Nowak took a 4000 watt 'sound panzer' to Miami for a noise battle involving Infinite Livez and rare coral. Kristen Gallerneaux connects the rumbles through WWII bombing campaigns, hearing problems, new tech and heavy rhythms
Black Sky Thinking
Stop The Music: How Rocketing Business Rates Will Kill Small Venues
The Government's recent review of business rates will almost certainly put grassroots and independent venues across the country out of business. Patrick Clarke speaks to venue owners to explore the very serious repercussions.
Black Sky Thinking
I Was Struck By Teenage Lightning: On Milo’s Downfall & The Abuse Of Boys
In the wake of Milo Yiannopoulos' career-ending comments on the sexualisation of young boys, Luke Turner writes that this might be an opportunity to bring the little-discussed subject of male sexual abuse out into the open
Black Sky Thinking
When Bono Vox Met Trump’s Number Two Mike Pence: The CIA Tapes
As David Stubbs wheeled his son's pram past the US embassy he chanced upon a brown manilla envelope of the CIA transcripts of surveillance of top rock band U2 in advance of their singer Bono's friendly chat with President Trump's dastardly assistant Mike Pence
Black Sky Thinking
tQ Columnists Recommend Bandcamp Labels You Should Buy From Today
With Bandcamp set to donate 100% of their share from sales made today in response to Donald Trump's Executive Order banning citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the US, tQ's columnists have got together to recommend labels you should be purchasing records from
Black Sky Thinking
The Rise Of Fear & The Strange Death Of The UFO
UFOs were once at the heart of popular culture and science fiction, with even an American president claiming he'd had a strange encounter. Jeremy Allen looks at the strange decline of the little green men, asking if it's a symptom of our troubled age
Black Sky Thinking
Cast Off Thy Smartphone & Be Healed: Debunking The Digital Detox
It's that time of year when all sorts of snake oil salespeople fill our lives with guilt and shame with diet plans, dry January and, most recently, the idea of a digital detox. David Bennun stares gleefully into a glowing screen to tell them what for
Black Sky Thinking
Why The Problems With Philip Anschutz Go Beyond Coachella
Philip Anschutz, an ultra-conservative multi-billionaire, is making a fortune on counterculture via the tours and festivals he promotes. The profits indirectly benefit some grim causes - but what can we do against it, asks Joost Heijthuijsen
Black Sky Thinking
PUNK’S NOT DEAD: An Essay & Film By Bill Drummond
Bill Drummond was asked to appear on telly to talk about Joe Corré burning a load of punk junk. Instead he's made a 60 second film and written the text below about why the true spirit of punk is not a nostalgic archive, but an energy that will never die. Photo by Tracey Moberly
Black Sky Thinking
Why Fabric’s Reopening Is A Pyrrhic Victory & The War Is Not Won
fabric will soon reopen under a new set of stringent licensing conditions after a deal was reached between the club, police and local authority. Here, Christian Eede looks at why the club's concessions for reopening might have come at a greater cost than they were worth
Black Sky Thinking
Leonard Cohen Was Right: Songs & Years Of Wisdom Examined
Quietus writers Tom Hawking, Kate Hennessy, Julian Marszalek, Erin Lyndal Martin, Akira The Don, Chris Roberts, Cian Traynor and Luke Turner examine the lyrics of Leonard Cohen, and the truths both universal and personal that they carry. Thanks to Chris Carter for permission to use the image of Peter 'Sleazy' Christopherson in his Leonard Cohen jacket. First published in 2014
Black Sky Thinking
From The Ramblers To Punk: Why We Need A New Age Of Trespass
Last week a group of London punks staged a gig on the Thames foreshore in a defiant statement of public rights over our land. Gary Budden argues that they're in a fine tradition stretching back through the ramblers of the Kinder Scout trespass and the 17th century Diggers - and that is a tradition we need to uphold.
Black Sky Thinking
Underground Tehran: Techno & Experimental Electronic Music In Iran
Mollie Zhang speaks to Ash Koosha, Sote, Hadi Bastani and Siavash Amini about the electronic underground in the Iranian capital, how scenes can be nurtured in a difficult environment, brain raves, and the similarities and differences between Tehran and London
Black Sky Thinking
Fabric’s Closure & The Rise Of A New British Puritanism
The news that London nightclub Fabric is to close has stunned the music community. Here, Luke Turner argues that this is another battle lost on Britain's rightwards shift towards a bland, corporate new puritanism of the strange post-Brexit landscape. Photo thanks to the Islington Tribune
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