“Young People Today!”

To the Tung Auditorium this evening with P to see The Young ‘uns on their twentieth anniversary tour.

I’ve blipped them at least a couple of times before and seen them play as often as circumstances have allowed, and they remain one of my favourite live acts. Genial, hilarious, deeply politicised without ever being preachy - David Eagle, Sean Cooney and Michael Hughes (L-R) are phenomenal harmony singers and engaging raconteurs. Their performances of traditional songs, contemporary songs from their native Teeside, cover versions both expected and unexpected, and Sean’s own beautiful compositions are a joy to experience. (Although, some audio clips of their earliest teenage performances, which they were generous enough to share with the audience tonight, reveal that they haven’t always been the vocal dynamos that they are now!)

They may all be turning 40 during the course of this tour but their revelation that Billy Bragg’s ‘Between The Wars’ was written the year before they were born made me realise how young they still are, and how much of an old codger I’ve become!

My Young ‘uns musical selection/video to accompany today’s blip is Sean Cooney’s song ‘Be The Man’ https://youtu.be/OhZFrVMV0tI?si=ZrVGQupTDbXLJPqy written about, and featuring, Matt Mahmood-Ogston whose partner of 13 years, Naz, took his own life due to homophobia within his own family. You can read more about Matt and Naz’s story at https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/mar/21/my-boyfriend-killed-himself-because-his-family-couldnt-accept-that-he-was-gay?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

In a week in which the UK Supreme Court has caused immense pain and fear to trans, non-binary and intersex people with its ruling on what being a ‘woman’ means, I worry that very hard-won gains for LGBTQIA+ people are under concerted attack, and I applaud all allies - including The Young ‘uns - for standing up in support of us in all our diversity and beauty. Your support can save lives.

On another note entirely, earlier today we happened to be down by the docks on Dublin Street, which provided an opportunity to pay homage (see Extras) to this Barry Feinstein photo of Bob Dylan on the same street back in the year that I was born… 1966 https://musichead.com/products/bob-dylan-standing-in-street-liverpool-england-1966-by-barry-feinstein

Thanks to P for her assistance!