By Nick Mabey. “Well if this is madness then I know I’m filled with gladness”. Sums it up really. The lyric from their eponymous first-album song may not have arrived until the encore but it was present throughout the evening. Madness have always been a reminder to not take...
The slow wheels of my Freedom of Information request with Southampton City Council
By Ralph White. How long do you think that it might take for a reasonable Freedom of Information request to be fulfilled? Two weeks? Two months? A year? (Surely not) Mine took……13 months. I asked what I had thought was a straightforward question, which was how much it...
Review: Tom Jones, TK Maxx Summer Sessions, Guildhall Square, Southampton
By Katie Isham. Actual Tom Jones? Several people I told about my upcoming Saturday night date in Guildhall Square couldn’t quite believe it. Yes, actual Tom Jones I’d affirm. The Welsh legend. The 84-year-old superstar. The object of many affections (Nan would be very jealous if she was still...
Creative writing – poetry: “That’s Silly”
In Common has a platform for people to share creative writing – short stories, observations, poem etc. Today, we’re sharing a poem from a local writer. Please get in touch if you would like your work to be featured: editor@in-common.co.uk. By Gavandeep Chahal. ‘That’s Silly’ what’s that on your...
Turner Sims’ Summer Festival returns this month
Festival fans looking for affordable entertainment this summer will find plenty to enjoy at Turner Sims’ Summer Festival from 28 – 30 June. Live music, food stalls and free family activities will spill out of the venue and across the gardens of the University of Southampton’s Highfield Campus. Incredible...
Trans Pride returns to Southampton this month
Trans Pride Southampton returns for its third annual event this year. This year’s event will take place on the 29th June 2024. This event will begin with a protest march through Southampton, setting out from Oxford Street and finishing at the event’s venue, Edmund Kell Unitarian Church. The march...
Peace protest for Palestine to be held in Southampton this weekend
With the ongoing onslaught on civilians in Gaza by Israeli forces, this weekend there will once again be a peace protest held in Southampton, calling for a ceasefire. The protest will take place on Saturday, June 15th, from noon, outside the Civic Centre (opposite Stage Door). It is the...
October Books marks Independent Bookshop Week
October Books is Southampton’s main independent bookshop. Next week is Independent Bookshop Week, 15th – 22nd June and October Books is celebrating the occasion with a special event and by offering savings for everyone through the week. On June 17th, they will will be joined by Brazen Books founder...
Wickham’s DiElle to support Scouting For Girls in Swanmore
By Vicky Greer. Hampshire singer-songwriter DiElle will support Scouting For Girls at their Swanmore College show on 22nd June. The singer, who has been featured on BBC radio several times and who has performed for King Charles, is known for her vulnerable lyrics and stripped-back acoustic sound, described as...
Music Venue Trust announces ‘manifesto for grassroots music’
The Music Venue Trust (MVT), the charity which represents hundreds of Grassroots Music Venues (GMVs), has called upon politicians from all parties to “seize the moment” ahead of the forthcoming UK General Election on July 4th, and to help save the sector from the deepening crisis it finds itself in....