90s and 00s pop fans the land over (present writer included) jumped for joy last week when one of its biggest names, Louise Redknapp, announced her return to music after a break of almost 15 years, with a (now sold out) comeback show scheduled for London in December. https://twitter.com/LouiseRedknapp/status/907892789488312321 Perfecting the fine art of 'pulling … Continue reading #CrazyStupidPlaylist: Louise
Again, I've been somewhat slack with weekly trips in my blogging DeLorean. Rest assured, even with Strictly live blogs returning next Saturday, things are back to normal where #BlastfromthePast is concerned. Ready or not, here comes today's one... As a pop kid at heart, there is a place in it - and a fond one … Continue reading #BlastfromthePast: A1
Before we delve into this week's #BlastfromthePast, a little scene setting for you. Cast your minds back to three days ago. Ah, the start of the weekend. And the time for most people to be clocking off and winding down for the week. If viral videos are your thing, chances are you'll have already seen … Continue reading #BlastfromthePast: Sesame Street
Time for another new weekly feature to the blog. As a lover of all things retro and nostalgic, these new blogs are entitled #BlastfromthePast, and will be showcasing - in some cases introducing to you, the reader - a classic old favourite of mine from music, television, film or books, and having a little catch … Continue reading #BlastfromthePast: Challenge Anneka
Pop music is a funny old game. One minute, you're top of the charts and all over the radio waves and music video channels. The next, you're in the folder marked 'Where are they now?'. And it only takes you to hear a song from the distant past to sit and work out how long … Continue reading #CrazyStupidPlaylist: 15 Turning 15
As we left the first part, we touched on the release of "Viva Forever" being - at the time at least - the Spice Girls' final single as a five piece before Geri walked out of the group in May 1998. Though the Spices would go onto release one final album together - the much … Continue reading A #CrazyStupidPlaylist Special: 20 Years of the Spice Girls (Part 2 – Solo Spices)
Picture the scene exactly 20 years ago, in July 1996. Pop has never mattered the least in such a long time. Take That have split, and neither Gary Barlow nor Robbie Williams are yet emerging with viable solo prospects. Oasis and Blur, the two heavyweights of Britpop, are the main games in town. And Peter … Continue reading A #CrazyStupidPlaylist Special: 20 Years of the Spice Girls (Part 1 – Their Greatest Hits)
It's Boxing Day! Which means a couple of things - firstly, cold meat and pickles in endless bounty (YAY). And secondly, also means it's time for me to hand out my second annual End of Year Prizes on this here blog. Unbelievably it's now been a whole 12 months since we last handed them out, … Continue reading Alex’s End of Year Prizes 2015
All the acts from 2008-12's great British pop renaissance either suddenly flopping hard in the charts and/or launching solo careers of varying degrees of amazingness this year, has led me back to reminiscing on the last time that happened. And when I sat down to work it out this week, I reasoned it must have … Continue reading Rachel Stevens’ “Come & Get It” at 10: celebrating a great lost pop classic.
The biennial Red Nose Day for Comic Relief, one of my favourite charity telethons is back again for its 30th year this year, on Friday 13th March. It's long been a cause I've supported and donated to - and also in its Sport Relief guise on odd numbered years, as it has always, at its … Continue reading Red Nose Day is back!
The Niche Reference 