Simon Coates

The email address is actually: info@tsetseflymiddleeast.org 🙄

On the lookout for experimental music made by artists/producers living in the Middle East, Africa and the Indian subcontinent for the Tse Tse Fly Middle East radio programme, broadcast on the Chilean station Radio Tsonami. Please email links (no attachments) to: info@tsetseflymiddleast.org 🙏

STOP PRESS: the Tse Tse Fly Middle East radio programme returns to the airwaves with the Chile-based Radio Tsonami, featuring sonic adventures from the Middle East, Africa and the Indian subcontinent. The first episode airs tonight. Listen online here > radiotsonami.org

Ahead of Tarek Atoui's new Turbine Hall commission for London's Tate Modern gallery, I wrote about the remarkable artist for the Hyper Culture site. Read it here > www.hyperculture.co/breaking-the...

The next screening of my short film 'The Moon is a Pyramid Under Water' takes place as part of the NOIS//E 2026 Festival and Symposium in Milan. The festival runs from 13th to 15th November at the Fondazione Sozzani, and tickets are available online.

Monday night - new dub sounds from Omega Institute at The Old England BS6. www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/the...

LEEDS: recent The Wire cover stars Space Afrika present an exclusive Q&A, signing and screening of their film, Opera Omnia, at Hyde Park Picture House on Sept 30. Tickets here > www.jumborecords.co.uk/events-singl...

Signed + signal boosting

Greggs pastries, Anglo-French relations and post-Brexit diplomacy, my latest for the New York Observer looks at the story behind the arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry for the first time in 1000 years observer.com/2026/08/muse...

I signed immediately. I spent the week leading up to his sad death almost waiting for the inevitable. It was so obvious that a pile-on like that, on such a sensitive person, could only end tragically. I was reminded of Caroline Flack. Then it happened. Strange how quiet his critics are now.

Signed. Something needs to happen as a result of this tragedy.

It's 51k as 9.00am. "It is simply the decision of someone who has reached the limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endure." published 5/8/26. Found dead 14/18/26 Sign for Jason Arday and for the inevitable next target- unless stopped.

I signed that petition, i wonder if X and FB not allowing it to be posted on their social media sites

The only reason I can think of as to why there are fewer than 50,000 signatures here is that people haven't seen it yet. — Jason Arday: Demand a public inquiry now — goodlawproject.org/petition/jas...

In the latest edition of The Wire magazine, I've reviewed Paul Beaudoin's 'signal loss', and Alex Zhang Hungtai's 'Orion/Mother' and 'Dras' albums. The magazine is available online now and in stores from today. It's the one with the mighty Space Afrika on the cover.

Oxbow and Buñuel frontman Eugene Robinson has suffered a severe stroke that's robbed him of the ability to write, read or speak. So his wife Kasia has launched a crowdfunder to help cover his medical bills. www.decibelmagazine.com/2026/07/20/h...

My latest for The Art Journal takes a look at Corsica's Biennale Bonifacio. Check it here ⤵️ www.theartjournal.com/articles/in-...

An exhibition of album covers from the early days of the Greensleeves record label is coming to London. Free entry 💥

New Mondo Times: Mexican Institute of Sound & Meridian Brothers, New Radio Alhara mix, Primavera Sound Festival review, Alvarius B.,Ibrahim Alfa Jnr, Hannah Peel & BeiBei Wang, Damaged Bug, a new playlist and more.. Subscribe pls! undomondo.substack.com/p/malarial-d...

Writing for Art UK last year, I featured David Hockney in an article on how drawing is a form of disruption. Gifted, mercurial and absolutely a class-A disruptor, may the great man rest in peace. @artukdotorg.bsky.social artuk.org/discover/sto...

Odd short doc looking at the mighty Jah Shaka through the eyes of an early 2000s Spanish TV channel. Good to hear the great man take the mic, though, as most think he just spun records. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH6G...

My first for The Art Journal looks at how the ICA's 1968 exhibition, Cybernetic Serendipity, set the template for the use of AI in contemporary art. Check it here 👇 www.theartjournal.com/articles/cyb...

I wrote an article on how small and medium-sized music venues can harness AI to their advantage for Live DMA, the European network of national live music associations. Read it here ⤵️ live-dma.eu/magazine/how...

Crucial dub maker recreates a crucial dub album. Following his appearance at this year's Le Guess Who? festival, Scientist is coming to the UK in early 2027.

In light of the critical mauling Jack White is getting for his first solo art exhibition, I wrote something for the New York Observer that looks at whether or not the art rock stars make is worth collecting. Read it here 👇

Incredibly sad to hear from Adrian Sherwood that reggae archivist and the force behind the Blood & Fire label, Steve Barrow, has died. This is a loss that will be felt deeply across the music world.

Ijahman Levi and Earl 'Chinna' Smith 📷 Arlene Green-Bromfield

Bristol massive: Jah Tubbys World System alongside Fatman Sound System at the Trinity Centre on Fri, June 12. Jah Tubbys is celebrating 55 years as a sound system, and has been building sound equipment since 1971.

Legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins passed away yesterday, aged 95. He was the last remaining musician from Art Kane's 1958 photo, A Great Day In Harlem, that captured 58 jazz legends, including Count Basie, Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie.

Italy's Real Rock Records label is reissuing early 90s UK dub album, Earthquake Studio's 'Dub Harder Than Steel'. A rare and sought-after record. realrockrecords.bandcamp.com/merch/rcklp0...

London - a celebration of Sun Ra. Exhibition & music with talks from Thurston Moore & Paul Smith (founder of Blast First) & DJ set by Peter Dennet (Art Yard). 22 May, 18:00. Free Entry.

Absolutely Simon. I still find it surprising when you read the credits to records and Sly and Robbie pop up. Such a talented duo and individuals too.

A good bit of validation if ever there was some. And on days like today god knows it’s needed. Adhering to the adage of ‘what would Weatherall do?’ In these situations is not a bad way to go about living either. Plus, I think that in my music collection his stuff is the most represented.

Really enjoyed writing this one, and am very glad we included Alan Parry and Brian Behlendorf's Intelligent Dance Music List as a definition reference for IDM.

One of my career highlights was when Mr Weatherall played a few of the tracks I produced on his NTS radio show. The man was truly a one-off, and I'm really pleased to know that Disco Pogo are paying tribute with this book. store.discopogo.co/products/a-d...

Respect to Hot Press for running this new interview with the reggae master Horace Andy www.hotpress.com/music/horace...

Lubaina Himid representing the UK at this year's Venice Biennale gives me a chance to post the interview I did with her in 2022 for (another) defunct platform. It's on my Medium site here 👇 medium.com/@SimonCoates...

Happy birthday to the Royal Festival Hall, which opened it's doors 75 years ago today as part of the Festival of Britain. To mark the anniversary we asked people to share their memories of the festival, and I rescued a few more from our archives too... www.southbankcentre.co.uk/magazine/mem...

We’re proud to launch the third and final volume in our Echoes for Palestine series on Bandcamp Friday - every penny you donate today by buying the album goes to the charity Hope and Play and their amazing work with children in Palestine & Gaza. 🇵🇸❤️🖤💚 citiesandmemory.bandcamp.com/album/echoes...

We would love to know what you think of Art UK 💭 This survey will take 15 minutes to complete, and your responses will help us focus our work on your needs 👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GSLW9T2 You will also have a chance to win one of twenty £25 Amazon vouchers. Thank you!

Today is #InternationalJazzDay, so why not have a look at the article I wrote for @discogsofficial.bsky.social about the rich world of Japanese jazz? 👇https://www.discogs.com/digs/music/essential-japanese-jazz-records

If you don't believe Vaporwave, exists you won't need to watch this documentary about the genre 👇https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kNqw7UdENg