We’ve lived in Reading for over twenty years, and yet somehow the influx of younglings for the Reading Festival takes us by surprise every August Bank Holiday Weekend. The event has changed a lot over the years—far less rock and indie oriented, much more attuned to a young audience readying for college and uni who like their pop, dance and rap.
It’s bigger than ever, with an estimated attendance of 100,000 festival-goers over the weekend. I haven’t been in years, but always enjoy seeing the kids with their huge rollie suitcases and rucksacks, utterly unprepared for the experience which awaits them. Looks like this weekend is going to be a wet one. That won’t dampen the spirits—sometimes the rain makes for the most memorable experiences. I wish everyone heading off to Richfield Avenue a safe, fun time. Pro tip—the big Tesco on Napier Road might just save your life.
Wherever you are, whenever you are, however you are, welcome to The Swipe.
Rob is reading…
A Sorceress Comes To Call by T. Kingfisher. One of those fantasy novels which wears its world-building lightly, focussing instead on story and character. Briefly, it’s the tale of a gold-digging mother with the power to control people remotely, her beaten-down daughter and the family who become the sorceress’ target. It’s cleverly done, light without being insubstantial, unafraid of shocking moments and sharp twists. It was long-listed for both the Hugo and Nebula, and deservedly so.
Rob is watching…
Lanterns. We’re trying to use the HBO Max membership we snagged for the Commonwealth Games for a few months, and a police procedural featuring DC Comics’ space cop franchise is right up our alley. It’s extremely well written, with great central performances from both Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierce as the two Lanterns investigating a murder with world-changing consequences. The ending of episode one was a gasp-out-loud moment for me (although I should know by now that death in the superhero realm means precisely bupkiss). You’ll get more out of Lanterns if you know the lore, but it’s crafted precisely enough that non-comics fans can enjoy it. Maybe have a pet nerd to hand for the more obscure moments.
Rob is listening…
To Brandon Flowers. The Killers’ main man restlessly explores other genres on his solo outings. With his new album Thrasher, he’s gone full on rhinestone cowboy, with highly agreeable results. Brandon commits fully to the bit but this is no novelty act or satire. You can feel the love in these songs. Start with this, where he channels a chicken-fried Neil Diamond.
Rob is eating…
I’ve only tried a spice bag a couple of times, with variable results. I find they skew too salty for my tastes.. The logic behind making your own version of the post-pub recovery mechanism seems a bit counterproductive, but I do fancy giving this a go if only to finesse the seasoning. Plus, fried oysters are a treat we need to embrace more. This whole bit about eating them raw has never felt right to me.
Rob’s Low-Key Obsession Of The Week…
Look, if the phrase ‘supersonic trebuchet’ doesn’t fill your head with light and your heart with joy, then I’m afraid you’re in the wrong place.
A love story to the Acapulco in Halifax, a nightclub straight out of my teenage dreams and nightmares. Honestly, I think I’d have the time of my life here.
Hugh Howey, now best known as the author of the novels on which Silo is based, has built and released a bespoke novel-writing programme. He’s included all the code so if you’re feeling fruity you can dig in and tweak to your heart’s content. Neo is a work in progress, so perhaps hold off on doing anything absolutely essential on it, and always make sure you’re working with the latest build, but I like the way this looks. I am planning a new laptop purchase this winter and will definitely be giving this a go then.
A good use for AI from Craig Mod. Plowing though huge datasets and presenting conclusions in an easily digestible form is a benefit I don’t think anyone can argue with, as long as we ignore the environmental impact and potential for a catastrophic crash to the global economy and I’m sorry I really just help myself.
I run on two or three cups of coffee a day, never after 11am. This is a habit tuned after decades of stimulant abuse and the realisation that sleep is quite important, actually. This exploration of what energy drinks actually do to us (you’re still tired, you just don’t realise it) is pretty un-nerving. We may all be asleep at the wheel—or at the least dozing off…
Remembering how movie special effects used to be done before CGI took over. Skill, clever optical tricks and precise technique combined to create something magical.
This is a great primer on the way of the Ninth Art. Telling stories by using sequential pictures and text has been a formative narrative technique for a very long time. If you’re not somewhere in a field in Reading or Leeds feeling the rain seep into your pants while watching Charli XCX, this link may turn out to be a beneficial use of your time.
I’m running short on links this week. The one-two punch of Tim Curry and Dolly Parton moving on took the wind out of my sails, so I’ll end early and with a couple of tributes. Firstly Tim, whose body of work exemplifies an actor with a thirst for life, a delight in the absurd and a knack for knowing just when to put the pedal to the metal. I could have included anything from Legend, Clue, The Muppets Treasure Island and so on and so good, but for me it’s always been about that castle off the highway and the freaks within.
Oh, Dolly. Her passing has genuinely knocked me sideways. She was the best of us, a woman of talent, unbreakable will and business nous which, when twinned with the biggest and most open of hearts, gave us a secular saint. Plus she was big on getting kids reading, which only makes her more angelic in my book.
An example. She was on holiday in Ireland in 1990 and ended up in a pub where the landlord, an enterprising soul, talked her into giving a brief performance. The end result was magical. Where did the pro-grade cameras and lightning come from, though?
Dolly was always up for a collaboration from all colours of the musical spectrum. Pal Jillian pointed me at this, where she joined Boy George for a bouncy bit of synth-pop. She never sang back-up, though. This is still a Dolly tune.
And finally. Yes, I know, I know, this is dirty pool. But it’s been a strange old week, and sometimes you just need an ugly cry to clear the pipes and restart your motor. Have a great long weekend, however damp you get round the edges.
See you in seven, fellow travellers.
EXCUSES AND HALF TRUTHS 