Sarfraz Manzoor
@sarfrazmanzoor.bsky.social
I am a screenwriter (Blinded by the Light), author (Greetings from Bury Park, They), journalist (Guardian, Times and lots of others), I teach at UCL and am working on my first stage play. Mostly though I am a husband and father of two young children.
Reposted by Sarfraz Manzoor
Twenty years ago, over 90% of revenue from recorded music came from physical album sales.
Now, streaming accounts for 84% of that money.
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Now, streaming accounts for 84% of that money.
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Musicians push back on dwindling payments from streaming services
Nearly every song ever recorded is available for about $12 a month, or free if you don’t mind the ads. But while the streaming giant Spotify has conquered the music industry, many of the artists respo...
www.pbs.org
December 8, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Twenty years ago, over 90% of revenue from recorded music came from physical album sales.
Now, streaming accounts for 84% of that money.
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Now, streaming accounts for 84% of that money.
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Not sure what to think about this.
December 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Not sure what to think about this.
I don't think this gets the attention it deserves: From 2014 this is Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's cover of The Bee Gees' Stayin' Alive www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n1G...
Bruce Springsteen - "Stayin' Alive" (Brisbane, 02/26/14)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
www.youtube.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:28 PM
I don't think this gets the attention it deserves: From 2014 this is Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's cover of The Bee Gees' Stayin' Alive www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n1G...
Reposted by Sarfraz Manzoor
He wasn't actually due to resign until an hour later
December 1, 2025 at 4:44 PM
He wasn't actually due to resign until an hour later
The Observer is charging £16/month for subscription. What do people think- worth paying or too much?
November 28, 2025 at 9:36 PM
The Observer is charging £16/month for subscription. What do people think- worth paying or too much?
White by name, racist fuckwit by nature.
November 26, 2025 at 10:43 PM
White by name, racist fuckwit by nature.
I am feeling a bit sad about missing Radiohead at the o2 but consoling myself with the fact I saw them at the Hop and Grape in Manchester on The Bends tour in March 1995.
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I am feeling a bit sad about missing Radiohead at the o2 but consoling myself with the fact I saw them at the Hop and Grape in Manchester on The Bends tour in March 1995.
Reposted by Sarfraz Manzoor
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
There was a brief period around 2012 when The Guardian basically let me interview whoever I wanted. It was a good time. Jimmy Cliff, whose death has just been announced, was among those I talked to. youtu.be/51pJYlg7cXA?...
Jimmy Cliff: 'I always have a positive outlook' -video
YouTube video by The Guardian
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 12:17 PM
There was a brief period around 2012 when The Guardian basically let me interview whoever I wanted. It was a good time. Jimmy Cliff, whose death has just been announced, was among those I talked to. youtu.be/51pJYlg7cXA?...
I’ll admit it: I did not see this one coming.
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 PM
I’ll admit it: I did not see this one coming.
Reposted by Sarfraz Manzoor
Reposted by Sarfraz Manzoor
Elon Musk appears to be the most insecure human being in human history. Money can't buy you love.
I asked grok who was the better role model for humanity, Jesus Christ or Elon Musk. GUESS WHAT.
November 20, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Elon Musk appears to be the most insecure human being in human history. Money can't buy you love.
anyone manage to get tickets for Radiohead for the o2 shows?
November 20, 2025 at 10:44 AM
anyone manage to get tickets for Radiohead for the o2 shows?
Reposted by Sarfraz Manzoor
NEW: Big news in TV world - the great gathering that is the Edinburgh TV Festival may leave Edinburgh.
The city is so expensive in the summer, while organisers want to make it more accessible.
Bids invited from other cities. Another sign of industry strain:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
The city is so expensive in the summer, while organisers want to make it more accessible.
Bids invited from other cities. Another sign of industry strain:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Edinburgh TV Festival could leave Edinburgh
Organisers look at other UK venues amid concerns over costs and industry’s lack of working-class voices
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:28 AM
NEW: Big news in TV world - the great gathering that is the Edinburgh TV Festival may leave Edinburgh.
The city is so expensive in the summer, while organisers want to make it more accessible.
Bids invited from other cities. Another sign of industry strain:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
The city is so expensive in the summer, while organisers want to make it more accessible.
Bids invited from other cities. Another sign of industry strain:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Allister Heath has 100% gone full bananas.
November 19, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Allister Heath has 100% gone full bananas.
Spoiler: no, she can’t.
November 18, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Spoiler: no, she can’t.
He is really paying the price for that friendship.
November 18, 2025 at 11:35 AM
He is really paying the price for that friendship.
Just when I couldn’t love Springsteen more*
*yes of course I know this is AI - I’m not an idiot.
*yes of course I know this is AI - I’m not an idiot.
November 18, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Just when I couldn’t love Springsteen more*
*yes of course I know this is AI - I’m not an idiot.
*yes of course I know this is AI - I’m not an idiot.
You take what you can get with Bob…
A very lovely Bob Dylan gig tonight in Glasgow. He even looked at the audience, and took the applause.
November 17, 2025 at 5:18 PM
You take what you can get with Bob…
Some potentially awkward facts about 'Khan's London.' (this is from Fraser Nelson) frasernelson.substack.com/p/on-the-cas...
November 16, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Some potentially awkward facts about 'Khan's London.' (this is from Fraser Nelson) frasernelson.substack.com/p/on-the-cas...
Reposted by Sarfraz Manzoor
Reposted by Sarfraz Manzoor
And btw as I’ve written I’m not necessarily convinced BBC should survive in its current form. But I’m far more sure, partly because I’m an actual patriot, that its demise shouldn’t come at the hands of a foreign head of state.
November 15, 2025 at 4:16 PM
And btw as I’ve written I’m not necessarily convinced BBC should survive in its current form. But I’m far more sure, partly because I’m an actual patriot, that its demise shouldn’t come at the hands of a foreign head of state.
Quick note: if I post something and you have an issue with it please don’t feel free to let me know because I’m very unlikely to care what you think. Sounds harsh I know but happens to be true.
November 15, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Quick note: if I post something and you have an issue with it please don’t feel free to let me know because I’m very unlikely to care what you think. Sounds harsh I know but happens to be true.
I am in a state of shock after reading of the death of the brilliant Observer journalist Rachel Cooke. She was only 56. She leaves behind a huge body of work but she had so much more to offer I am sure.
I guess none of us know how long we have left- the deadline might be nearer than we think.
I guess none of us know how long we have left- the deadline might be nearer than we think.
November 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM
I am in a state of shock after reading of the death of the brilliant Observer journalist Rachel Cooke. She was only 56. She leaves behind a huge body of work but she had so much more to offer I am sure.
I guess none of us know how long we have left- the deadline might be nearer than we think.
I guess none of us know how long we have left- the deadline might be nearer than we think.