CAMDEN CRAWL TWEETERS + POLY STYRENE SLEEPS + PALOMA FAITH, TIM BOOTH AND HUGH LAURIE

A QUICK reminder to anyone not heading for the Camden Crawl – though can’t imagine what else you want to do with the long weekend – you can still feel like part of the festivities by catching Graham Coxon, Marques Toliver and more at their Levi’s Crawl set at Proud Camden on Sunday for a separate £10 ticket. Entry free to Crawl wristband holders.


And in case you didn’t see my appeal in our final preview, remember to tweet any Crawl news, sightings, gossip or secret gig rumours to me @roisingadelrab, I’ll be reporting the whole weekend live on Twitter.



• Really sorry to hear about the death of X-Ray Spex frontwoman Poly Styrene. Poly, whose real name is Marianne Elliot Said rejoined the band for a one-off show at Camden Roundhouse in 2008.

In a tribute this week, Jonathan Ross told how X-Ray Spex were the first live band he ever saw – at the Hope & Anchor in Islington.

• Coming up at the Union Chapel – Paloma Faith’s special charity show (May 5) to help raise funds for a friend who suffered brain damage in an accident. She will be joined by Noisettes, her X-Factor favourite Rebecca Ferguson, Michael Nyman, Claire Maguire, Rox, Alfie Boe, David Arnold & Ricky Wilson and the night will be hosted by Keith Lemon.

• Remember when James was great? Maybe Tim Booth can recreate some of their heyday magic when he headlines Koko on Tuesday – maybe he can fill us in.

• Former Record of the Week contenders and all-round new favourites Warehouse Republic play The Bowery on Wednesday – what else have you got do?

• Anyone got a golden ticket for Hugh Laurie’s Union Chapel show on Wednesday? Let me know, is he a better musician or actor?

EXCLUSIVE! John Lydon meets Gary Barlow for first time ever

A couple of weeks ago I interviewed John Lydon (former Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten) at a music studio in East Putney.
He strolled out with a can of Stella in his hand and happily sat down for nearly an hour to chat.
His manager Rambo brought more cans out and vital packs of Marlborough reds.
Lydon was one of the most charming musicians I have met so far.
He was happy to talk about anything, often straying way off point with some lyrical, tongue-twisting observations, often about his beloved Arsenal Football Club.
And then Gary Barlow walked up.
They had a quick chat, agreed to pose for a photo together and then Mr Take That was off.
Lydon told me afterwards he'd never met Barlow before, adding: “He’s a fine lad, nothing wrong with him. I saw him on the Jonathan Ross show. I get on well with Jonathan Ross, I think he’s all right, and if he likes him he must be kosher.”

So above is my exclusive pic of the first and so far only time John Lydon and Gary Barlow have ever met.

You can read my two interviews here:

Click here for John Lydon Interview - Part 1

Click here for John Lydon Interview - Part 2