Here’s the playlist for episode #49, first broadcast Wed 29 July, 2015. The Campfire Songbook entry was Willie Nelson. Listen to the full show online HERE and here’s what I played…

The more I think about it, the more optimistic I feel about Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour leadership campaign. I sincerely think Mr Corbyn has a shot at not just winning the leadership but actually becoming Prime Minister in five years – yes really – for two big, specific reasons that nobody seems to be discussing…

Here’s the tracklisting for Midnight Campfire #48, first broadcast on Juice 107.2 on Wed 22 July, 2015. The second hour is themed on flags and this week’s Campfire Songbook entry is Carole King. It’s a really fun show, though I was less planned than usual. Here’s the AUDIO and here’s what I played…

I failed to write anything useful during the election campaign. Then I failed to write anything useful afterwards. 44,000 words wasted, just so. Turns out, here’s the meagre bite I have to write about it…

Here’s Midnight Campfire episode #47, one of my favourite shows for a while. The second hour is themed on hunting, to coincide with the government bottling out (for now) of revisiting the hunting bill. The playlist isn’t partisan though, because the folk canon is full of great songs that eulogise hunting, as well as some great anti-hunt songs. It gets very trad towards the end. I also profile Union Music Store’s new compilation of protest songs Land Of Hope And Fury, plus Townes Van Zandt sings this week’s Campfire Songbook entry. As usual I’ll stick an audio link here soon as I can – and here’s what I played…

Here’s the playlist for Chris T-T’s Midnight Campfire episode #46, first broadcast Wed 8 July on Brighton’s Juice 107.2. I loved this one. It’s quite a ‘demanding’ show from a music point of view (and ran a bit short for some reason) but I had a load of fun. First ever censoring as well, of the Warren Zevon – though it’ll be in full on the TotallyRadio archive. There are two songs from the Shirley Inspired tribute album to Shirley Collins (including Stewart Lee singing beautifully!) and the Campfire Songbook entry was provided by Elkie Brooks. Here’s the online audio and here are the tracks…

Last week I spoke at The Hub’s OneDayer conference at Cecil Sharp House, which focuses on tech innovation and live music. My brief was to offer five tips for direct-to-fan communication, for artists just starting out. I used notes instead of a slideshow – and was quite rambling and informal – but here are the Top 5 Tips I shared. There is audio, which I’ll link here when they publish it…

Here’s the playlist for episode #45 of Midnight Campfire, first broadcast Wed 1 July 2015 on Brighton’s Juice 107.2. No theme this week but I enjoyed the show a lot, I love the mix. Judy Collins provides the Campfire Songbook entry. LISTEN ONLINE HERE and here’s what I played…

The current debates around gender bias in live music, specifically festival lineups, are important but I think people are focused too closely on big names and headliners. We’d learn a ton more by looking at smaller stages and events aimed at ’emerging artists’. I’ve done two quick bits of number crunching in that area, at The Great Escape and BBC Introducing, to see how they shape up…

Here’s the playlist for Midnight Campfire episode #44, first broadcast Wed 24 June 2015. The Campfire Songbook entry was the John Parish and Polly Jean Harvey version of  ‘Is That All There Is?’. I’ll throw up the ‘listen online’ link as soon as it’s ready – but for now, here’s what I played…