2024 was far and away the most fun, and most successful year I’ve had as a musician, and I wanted to reflect a little while saying THANK YOU to everyone who helped me along the way.

It was book-ended by two album releases and two incredible tours. First came ‘Sledgehammer Songs’…

….my first release on vinyl, and my first to actually chart! I think that surprised us all, and to be honest, I didn’t even know it had until Pete Yen told me, so little importance do I attach to stuff like that, but it was kinda nice anyway. There were three singles from it, and three accompanying videos. Firstly, ‘A Better Way’ which featured the mighty Commoners Choir….

….put together by Lodge Productions and paving the way for the second, ‘The Last Miner’ filmed my Michael Lee Toas during the Hatfield Brigade recording session at the NUM HQ in Barnsley late 2023….

…..and last but by no means least, ‘Tie ‘Em To A Brick’ featuring the incredible Carol Hodge, and my favourite track on the album. Again the work of Lodge Productions…..

The ‘Sledgehammer Tour’ kicked off at The Station in late March, and ended there at the end of July. In between was an exhausting but exhilarating four months of sold out shows, insane singalongs, and WSO fundraising, which almost didn’t squeeze on the poster….

….and to each and everyone who booked me, looked after me, turned out night after night and sang me home, or just helped spread the word to shift those tickets, THANK YOU. The album and tour eventually raised north of £12,000 which was split between Pauline Town at WSO Central, Hull Unity Shop, and Medical Aid For Palestinians. I loved every second…..

….but special mentions for Ernest and Linda for inviting me over to play Derry and Belfast….

….and Rob, Chris, and the incredible team at Solidarity Park Festival who invited me back to Catalunya for three fantastic gigs in Malgrat, Granollers, and Barcelona, where I spent a few very happy days with my comrade-in-crayons Kevin Pearson, whose hand-made print for the album artwork had produced its first ‘WOW’ and whose work with me on the ‘No Pasaran’ children’s book we were now able to deliver to schools in the land Jack Atkinson and the Hull volunteers had fought, and died, to free from fascism…

The first half of the year was also marked with 40th Anniversary marches to remember the Miner’s Strike of 1984-85, and I was privileged enough to sing first in Durham, where I had the great honour of being the token bloke performing at the Women Against Pit Closures March…

….and then be on left pole duties as well as singing at the Hatfield Main event the following weekend….

….we raised the banner once more for Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign in June, which was, sadly, the last time we marched alongside our friend and Comrade, Tweedy, who we lost a couple of days later. Singing ‘The Last Miner’ at his funeral was the toughest performance of the year.

And it was in Tweedy’s name we sang when, a month later, The Brigade joined me on stage at Durham Miner’s Gala, where not even the relentless rain could dampen our enthusiasm….

…..and a massive THANK YOU to all at Durham Miner’s Association for allowing me to become a tiny thread in the rich fabric of such an important and iconic event.

Of course, it wasn’t all albums and tours. There was the annual Three Shall Overcome hike from Scarborough to Robin Hood’s Bay along the Cleveland Way alongside Steve White and Kev Titterton….

There were Lithium Joe gigs….

….there was the small matter of May Day Festival Of Solidarity to get over the line….

…..there were picket lines…

….and ‘The Tour That Wasn’t A Tour’ but which ended up with more dates than the tours themselves….

….there were incredible days like Wigan Diggers Festival….

…..there was getting to sing ‘London Calling’ alongside the incredible Ian Prowse….

….or joining The Men They Couldn’t Hang for a couple of dates on their 40th Anniversary Tour….

….yes, it was pretty special.

By the autumn, the 10th Anniversary edition of ‘No Pasaran’ was ready for release, and it was signalled by two Lodge Productions videos. The first was a serious upgrade for the title track….

….and the second, for the brand new recording of ‘Blood Runs Red’ featuring my long-term musical collaborator, the amazing Rebekah Findlay….

….Rebekah also designed the picture disc vinyl, embellishing Kevin Pearson‘s superlative work with the upgraded sleeve. I am so happy we have marked a decade of my most popular album with something this special.

The year ended with a tour alongside Jess Silk, who I believe is the finest political songwriter of her generation, and who I absolutely LOVED sharing stages with throughout November and December.

Those shows were far and away the most fun I have had in 37 years of playing live, and I think it probably showed….

It was the perfect way to end a brilliant year.

So THANK YOU to everyone who made that possible, from Kevin, Rebekah, Carol, Daniel Lucas, Commoners Choir, Matt Hill, Naomi and Paul, Mark and Kirsty, and Bar, Gaz and Liss for making ‘Sledgehammer Songs’ into what it is; Nevz for looking after all the merch so patiently under pressure; to Mick Lanaghan and the Hatfield Brigade for having my back always; to everyone who continues to book me, promote the shows, share and like my posts and generally help keep things moving; to everyone who turns out to support the shows and sings me home, or runs raffles for the causes, or just props me up with fluids or crisps; and to the often forgotten heroes whose images I have shared above, and whose work comes to define the memories we hold so dear, and whose names are almost always left off the thanks yous….Neil Terry, James McElhoney, Paul and Lindsay Rutland, Milo, various Longbottoms, Mark Whyatt, Tim Hoy, and so many more; to Jess and Caroline for making the last few weeks so ace; and to the memories of those we lost this year, Tweedy, John Charles Beeching, Stephen Doyle, and so many more….we keep on keeping on in your memory.

Here’s to 2025.

I can’t wait to get stuck in.