David Pattie
@davidpattie.bsky.social
Teaches Drama at University of Birmingham. Scot. And unfeasibly tall.
Written about Beckett, UK theatre, popular music, Eno, Kraftwerk, Velvets, Talking Heads, and why gigs look the way they do.
Written about Beckett, UK theatre, popular music, Eno, Kraftwerk, Velvets, Talking Heads, and why gigs look the way they do.
My experience is it's changing back- students I've had this year have been better at reading/catching up/ thinking.
November 29, 2025 at 7:22 PM
My experience is it's changing back- students I've had this year have been better at reading/catching up/ thinking.
True- mind you, streaming incomes make it hard for any musician, in a group or solo.
November 29, 2025 at 3:36 PM
True- mind you, streaming incomes make it hard for any musician, in a group or solo.
Yes, it’s moved on. Status of music has changed, generational spokespeople are in hip-hop, rock as a genre’s fragmented (Metal’s where you’ll find a flourishing band scene, as is Indie, etc).
November 29, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Yes, it’s moved on. Status of music has changed, generational spokespeople are in hip-hop, rock as a genre’s fragmented (Metal’s where you’ll find a flourishing band scene, as is Indie, etc).
... ah. Always check the alt text. Rookie mistake.
November 29, 2025 at 12:14 PM
... ah. Always check the alt text. Rookie mistake.
'During a flight to Rome, the Pontiff prepares to resolve a knotty theological problem.'
November 29, 2025 at 12:09 PM
'During a flight to Rome, the Pontiff prepares to resolve a knotty theological problem.'
There's stuff on the rise and fall of Rock as a genre- but I suppose it depends on how you define bands (or how you count number 1s). There's an argument that we haven't seen the end of rock bands so much as their apotheosis in live performance (which is where the money is).
November 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
There's stuff on the rise and fall of Rock as a genre- but I suppose it depends on how you define bands (or how you count number 1s). There's an argument that we haven't seen the end of rock bands so much as their apotheosis in live performance (which is where the money is).
& as the father of an autistic child with a fantastic sense of humour: folks like me need it too.
November 28, 2025 at 3:06 PM
& as the father of an autistic child with a fantastic sense of humour: folks like me need it too.
Good article, Kathryn.
November 28, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Good article, Kathryn.
'You're a big man, but you're in bad shape. With me it's a full time job. Now behave yourself.'
November 28, 2025 at 1:45 PM
'You're a big man, but you're in bad shape. With me it's a full time job. Now behave yourself.'
Been in academia for a while: things have changed a lot, but it was accurate for the time it was broadcast.
November 28, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Been in academia for a while: things have changed a lot, but it was accurate for the time it was broadcast.
That's a real shame- the Dickens biography is an absolutely fantastic piece of work.
November 27, 2025 at 8:12 PM
That's a real shame- the Dickens biography is an absolutely fantastic piece of work.
Presumably after building some very long bridges.
November 27, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Presumably after building some very long bridges.
First time I ever saw you, I thought to myself 'that's the kind of guy who knows his Japanese railways.'
Vindication. At long last.
Vindication. At long last.
November 27, 2025 at 6:15 PM
First time I ever saw you, I thought to myself 'that's the kind of guy who knows his Japanese railways.'
Vindication. At long last.
Vindication. At long last.
I too have this in my head. (Pause) Retribution will come. Oh yes. It will come.
November 27, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I too have this in my head. (Pause) Retribution will come. Oh yes. It will come.
What's a low-return degree?
November 27, 2025 at 8:23 AM
What's a low-return degree?
Autobahn. A side 1 track 1 that changed popular music.
November 27, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Autobahn. A side 1 track 1 that changed popular music.
Not that I'm counting, but this is the fourth time you've made me laugh loudly on a crowded train.
November 26, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Not that I'm counting, but this is the fourth time you've made me laugh loudly on a crowded train.
