By Darren Grayer. Formed in 2023, Better Joy is the creation of Manchester based singer/songwriter Bria Keeley. She began writing songs at university before forming the band which then released four singles in 2024, followed by last month’s six track ep, Heading Into The Blue. The band have been...
Articles with the Tag Southampton
Book review: Modern Poetry & Frank: Sonnets, by Diane Seuss
By Anita Foxall. Modern Poetry and Frank: Sonnets were my first encounters with Diane Seuss’s poetry, both Fitzcarraldo Editions published in February this year which I picked up from Southampton’s own October Books. This Michigan born poet grabbed my attention as soon as I started reading the first...
Southampton artist Lucy Kitchen named Turner Sims’ Turn It Up local associate for 2025
Turn It Up is development opportunity for musicians from Southampton and SO postcodes. Launched in 2024 by University of Southampton music venue, Turner Sims, the inaugural winners of the scheme were folk duo Pegasuses. Supported by funding from Arts Council England, the programme aims to help local musicians turn...
Teenage Waitress – a Rock n Roll Powerpoint on Songs, comes to the Railway, Winchester
Southampton’s Daniel J Ash, who writes and records solo music under the project name Teenage Waitressis putting on a special gig with a twist on in Winchester on April 26. He explains: “As a songwriter of quite a few years, and a lecturer in songwriting at the University of...
Opinion: Is Saving Grassroots Venues Enough? Why Ed Sheeran’s campaign for music education is so important
By Christopher Taylor. On 23rd March 2025, Ed Sheeran shared a letter in this Facebook post calling for the Labour Government to ‘repair decades of dismantling music’ through an increase of support for young musicians. His five-point proposal focuses on increasing music provision in schools through increased funding,...
Reader’s letter: We condemn misleading and inflammatory coverage of local school’s Easter plans
By Adnan Chaudry, Southampton Stand Up To Racism. Southampton Stand Up To Racism strongly condemns the misleading and inflammatory coverage by sections of the media regarding Norwood Primary School’s decision on its Easter celebrations. We are also deeply concerned by the involvement of MPs who do not represent the...
Pride in the Shirt project to combine football and arts for young LGBTQIA+ community
An exciting new project is combining football and arts for the LGBTQIA+ community in Hampshire. Pride In The Shirt seeks to create a safe, inclusive space for young LGBTQIA+ people (16-21yrs) in Hampshire to be active and creative. The project will be staffed by LGBTQIA+ sports coaches and arts...
Review: Beans On Toast with support from William Crighton, The Joiners, Southampton
By Spring Wise. I arrived at The Joiners very shortly after doors, and the place was already buzzing and glowing (25/3/25). The crowd brought a summertime festival vibe to a Tuesday night in March and love was in the air. William Crighton, all the way from Australia has the...
Review: Welly Instore, Vinilo, Southampton
By Katie Isham. As a Welly newcomer, I was excited to experience the fun and frolics live at their Vinilo Instore on Tuesday (25/3/25) teatime. As a woman of a certain age, I was also excited to be out on a school night, and even more excited by the...
Placeholder Poetry returns to Southampton, featuring Nasim Luczaj, Carrie Myshkin & Eden Wright
Left-field poetry performances return to Southampton next month, courtesy of Placeholder and Wire Wool Events. Wire Wool Events and Placeholder Poetry join forces once more for the fifth instalment of the hugely popular poetry evening held at The Bookshop Alehouse, Southampton. On Thursday 10th April three original thinking poets...