Pop Valley

OTD: (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay and the tragedy of posthumous hits

On this day in 1968, Otis Redding achieved an unorthodox feat, though he wasn’t alive to witness it.

Mar 16 • Sam Rodgers

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Music lineage in Kendrick Lamar’s 'reincarnated'

Sampling, Signifying, and West Coast Hip-Hop.

Mar 3 • Charlie Edmondson

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February 2026

The Story of the New York Herald

Words by Chinmayee Das

Feb 27 • chinmayee das

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The Epstein effect has Starmer on the brink

Peter Mandelson’s involvement with Jeffrey Epstein is reshaping British politics, and the consequences are far from over.

Feb 9 • Kai Austerfield

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The China visit was a mixed bag

To quote an old Chinese proverb, “a friend is a path.”

Feb 2 • Kai Austerfield

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January 2026

Fascism, cocaine and the occult: Station to Station at 50

In the wake of the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s seminal tenth album, Station to Station, we look back on its legacy and the story of his most…

Jan 29 • Sam Rodgers

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It’s been a great week for Keir Starmer

He was tested from Washington to Westminster.

Jan 25 • Kai Austerfield

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December 2025

Echoes: The death of Peter Ivers and the life of David Jove - part three

For a time, Jove and Ivers were inseparable.

Dec 29, 2025 • Sam Rodgers

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Echoes: The death of Peter Ivers and the life of David Jove - part two

New Wave Theatre was a frenzied collision of music, theatre and comedy - a show where art was elevated above commerce and authenticity reigned over…

Dec 19, 2025 • Sam Rodgers

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Female sports fans can’t catch a break - again

A tired fan’s response to Sky Sports and The Financial Times - words by Niamh Beattie.

Dec 8, 2025

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Through the lens: Gig photography by Harry Proctor

Some of Manchester-based photographer Harry Proctor's best shots of 2025.

Dec 3, 2025

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November 2025

Sitting with cinema: a revision of Blow-Up

Words by Emily Violet

Nov 19, 2025

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