Birmingham 81
@birmingham81.bsky.social
Music, architecture, photography, design etc. Sharing my concert photos taken in Birmingham in 81/82 (hence the name). Plus other stuff I've hoarded
Plus you get a great panorama of the Thames and the City from Rotherhithe. I have fond memories of going to a Coldcut warehouse party there in 84 or 85 which had this view from the dancefloor
December 7, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Plus you get a great panorama of the Thames and the City from Rotherhithe. I have fond memories of going to a Coldcut warehouse party there in 84 or 85 which had this view from the dancefloor
The building is worth seeing too. Here are some photos I took on a previous visit to the Finnish Church in London
December 7, 2025 at 9:01 AM
The building is worth seeing too. Here are some photos I took on a previous visit to the Finnish Church in London
Had a lovely time and a delicious lunch at the Christmas Fair at the Finnish Church in Rotherhithe yesterday. It's the closest you'll get to visiting Helsinki without leaving London. Open again today from 12-6
December 7, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Had a lovely time and a delicious lunch at the Christmas Fair at the Finnish Church in Rotherhithe yesterday. It's the closest you'll get to visiting Helsinki without leaving London. Open again today from 12-6
Now you mention it, I remember commenting on that during Tim's Twitter Listening Party, which was my introduction to the LP. It somehow escaped my notice when it was released.
December 7, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Now you mention it, I remember commenting on that during Tim's Twitter Listening Party, which was my introduction to the LP. It somehow escaped my notice when it was released.
#WeekendSingles Morning Wonder by The Earlies and Straight to the One by Balloon were my most played tunes on Spotify this year. They’re both on my Turn of the Millennium playlist of great songs from 1995-2005
🎧▶️ open.spotify.com/playlist/0MW...
🎧▶️ open.spotify.com/playlist/0MW...
December 6, 2025 at 11:19 AM
#WeekendSingles Morning Wonder by The Earlies and Straight to the One by Balloon were my most played tunes on Spotify this year. They’re both on my Turn of the Millennium playlist of great songs from 1995-2005
🎧▶️ open.spotify.com/playlist/0MW...
🎧▶️ open.spotify.com/playlist/0MW...
Sonic Cathedral has released excellent recordings from the two shows on cassette, CD and vinyl.
🎧▶️ soniccathedral.bandcamp.com/album/live-a...
🎧▶️ soniccathedral.bandcamp.com/album/live-a...
December 5, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Sonic Cathedral has released excellent recordings from the two shows on cassette, CD and vinyl.
🎧▶️ soniccathedral.bandcamp.com/album/live-a...
🎧▶️ soniccathedral.bandcamp.com/album/live-a...
Dean Wareham at St Pancras Old Church on this day in 2013. Thanks to @fullofwishes.co.uk for the reminder. He's written about the show here aheadfullofwishes.substack.com/p/dean-wareh...
December 5, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Dean Wareham at St Pancras Old Church on this day in 2013. Thanks to @fullofwishes.co.uk for the reminder. He's written about the show here aheadfullofwishes.substack.com/p/dean-wareh...
Here's my tape of a reggae soundclash between David Rodigan and Barry G that was broadcast on Capital Radio and JBC on 23 Feb 1985, just as the Sleng Teng riddim was exploding. I uploaded the first 45 mins here
🇯🇲▶️ soundcloud.com/user-9667488...
🇯🇲▶️ soundcloud.com/user-9667488...
December 5, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Here's my tape of a reggae soundclash between David Rodigan and Barry G that was broadcast on Capital Radio and JBC on 23 Feb 1985, just as the Sleng Teng riddim was exploding. I uploaded the first 45 mins here
🇯🇲▶️ soundcloud.com/user-9667488...
🇯🇲▶️ soundcloud.com/user-9667488...
#FallFriday Back at the other place, Sean Lennon has revealed that The Fall were his top artists of 2025 according to his Spotify Unwrapped. Buzzcocks at number 5 too 👏👏👏
December 5, 2025 at 7:56 PM
#FallFriday Back at the other place, Sean Lennon has revealed that The Fall were his top artists of 2025 according to his Spotify Unwrapped. Buzzcocks at number 5 too 👏👏👏
Now playing my 1983 UK reissue of Frank Wilson's Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) - slightly less valuable (around £60) but still an absolute beauty in every way
▶️ youtu.be/RijdLIGomTs
▶️ youtu.be/RijdLIGomTs
December 5, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Now playing my 1983 UK reissue of Frank Wilson's Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) - slightly less valuable (around £60) but still an absolute beauty in every way
▶️ youtu.be/RijdLIGomTs
▶️ youtu.be/RijdLIGomTs
Remembering Frank Wilson on his birthday. This test pressing of his Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) is on show at Third Man Records in Detroit. The price Jack White paid for it is secret, but it's been claimed to be the most expensive 7" single ever. Another copy went for £26K in an 2009 auction. THREAD
December 5, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Remembering Frank Wilson on his birthday. This test pressing of his Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) is on show at Third Man Records in Detroit. The price Jack White paid for it is secret, but it's been claimed to be the most expensive 7" single ever. Another copy went for £26K in an 2009 auction. THREAD
I want that Remain In Light promo poster on the wall of the record shop!
Dave Wakeling says that the lyrics of Too Nice to Talk To were inspired by the Birmingham nightclub Barbarella's, where they'd stop the music and turn on the lights at "20 past 2" every morning, 10 minutes before closing time
Dave Wakeling says that the lyrics of Too Nice to Talk To were inspired by the Birmingham nightclub Barbarella's, where they'd stop the music and turn on the lights at "20 past 2" every morning, 10 minutes before closing time
December 5, 2025 at 8:47 AM
I want that Remain In Light promo poster on the wall of the record shop!
Dave Wakeling says that the lyrics of Too Nice to Talk To were inspired by the Birmingham nightclub Barbarella's, where they'd stop the music and turn on the lights at "20 past 2" every morning, 10 minutes before closing time
Dave Wakeling says that the lyrics of Too Nice to Talk To were inspired by the Birmingham nightclub Barbarella's, where they'd stop the music and turn on the lights at "20 past 2" every morning, 10 minutes before closing time
That lovely Sound D'Afrique sleeve was designed by Bruno Tilley who also gave us these beauties. The Reggae Greats series on the right features designs that he commissioned from various illustrators. See more of his work here www.brunotilley.com/about
December 4, 2025 at 10:57 PM
That lovely Sound D'Afrique sleeve was designed by Bruno Tilley who also gave us these beauties. The Reggae Greats series on the right features designs that he commissioned from various illustrators. See more of his work here www.brunotilley.com/about
And this wonderful series featuring commissions by different illustrators and artists
December 4, 2025 at 9:05 PM
And this wonderful series featuring commissions by different illustrators and artists
Love the sleeve design by Bruno Tilley. He worked on lots of my favourite covers from back then
December 4, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Love the sleeve design by Bruno Tilley. He worked on lots of my favourite covers from back then
So much to love here! There's more information about the building and its recent restoration in this Domus article www.domusweb.it/en/architect... (THREAD) 🇮🇹
December 4, 2025 at 8:44 PM
So much to love here! There's more information about the building and its recent restoration in this Domus article www.domusweb.it/en/architect... (THREAD) 🇮🇹
The interior detailing is very stylish and exquisitely finished. The holes in the pillar echo the shopfront's windows
December 4, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The interior detailing is very stylish and exquisitely finished. The holes in the pillar echo the shopfront's windows
It was originally designed as a showroom for Gavina's furniture but is now occupied by the clothing shop Vintage 55. They've preserved the building's original features like this dramatic water feature (THREAD)
December 4, 2025 at 8:29 PM
It was originally designed as a showroom for Gavina's furniture but is now occupied by the clothing shop Vintage 55. They've preserved the building's original features like this dramatic water feature (THREAD)
Even when softened by Christmas decorations, the geometric shopfront is still a bold statement in Bologna's historic Via Altabella (THREAD)
December 4, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Even when softened by Christmas decorations, the geometric shopfront is still a bold statement in Bologna's historic Via Altabella (THREAD)
The very cool Gavina showroom in Bologna, designed by Carlo Scarpa and built in 1961-63 (THREAD)
December 4, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The very cool Gavina showroom in Bologna, designed by Carlo Scarpa and built in 1961-63 (THREAD)
Picked up these 80s gems in Bologna, mostly from the highly recommended Disco D’Oro shop
- VA: Sound D'Afrique (Island 81)
- Paul Haig: Chain (Circa 89)
- Lizzy Mercier Descloux: Suspense (Polydor 88)
- Arlene Phillips’ Hot Gossip: Geisha Boys And Temple Girls (Dindisc 81)
- VA: Sound D'Afrique (Island 81)
- Paul Haig: Chain (Circa 89)
- Lizzy Mercier Descloux: Suspense (Polydor 88)
- Arlene Phillips’ Hot Gossip: Geisha Boys And Temple Girls (Dindisc 81)
December 4, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Picked up these 80s gems in Bologna, mostly from the highly recommended Disco D’Oro shop
- VA: Sound D'Afrique (Island 81)
- Paul Haig: Chain (Circa 89)
- Lizzy Mercier Descloux: Suspense (Polydor 88)
- Arlene Phillips’ Hot Gossip: Geisha Boys And Temple Girls (Dindisc 81)
- VA: Sound D'Afrique (Island 81)
- Paul Haig: Chain (Circa 89)
- Lizzy Mercier Descloux: Suspense (Polydor 88)
- Arlene Phillips’ Hot Gossip: Geisha Boys And Temple Girls (Dindisc 81)
RIP Steve Cropper
December 4, 2025 at 8:25 AM
RIP Steve Cropper
Ha! I’m only in the top 0.1% apparently
December 4, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Ha! I’m only in the top 0.1% apparently
RIP Steve Cropper - one of the greatest guitarists ever
December 3, 2025 at 10:20 PM
RIP Steve Cropper - one of the greatest guitarists ever
The elegant building dates back to before the Fondazione Collegio Artistico Venturoli was founded in 1822. The site was home to the Illyrian-Hungarian College from 1553 and was remodelled by the Bolognese architect Giovanni Battista Torri in 1690 to 1701 (THREAD)
December 3, 2025 at 8:47 PM
The elegant building dates back to before the Fondazione Collegio Artistico Venturoli was founded in 1822. The site was home to the Illyrian-Hungarian College from 1553 and was remodelled by the Bolognese architect Giovanni Battista Torri in 1690 to 1701 (THREAD)