The Inspireography Tour with the mighty Jess Silk came to its climax in London after eight fantastic dates in the very best of company.
There’s something magical about shows with Jess. Not only is she next level as a singer and songwriter, but she performs at LEVELS, and that in turn makes me dig deeper. I’m guessing you already know that, because the fraction of those gigs which hadn’t sold out in advance were packed by walk-up, and I LOVED every single night.
It’s not just the music though, it’s the camaraderie of touring and sharing space and time with ace people like Caroline, Joe Zux, Steve White and the Protest Family, and Connor Wilson; it’s the teasing and the in-gags and the hugs and the memories.
And you can’t beat that.
Sad to finish, but as plans are already underway for next November, I won’t be sulking for long.
Massive THANK YOU to all the venues and promoters, sound and lighting folks, and bar staff who made it possible; and a special THANK YOU to everyone who rocked-up to support us, especially those who helped MASSIVELY by bagging tickets in advance. We so much appreciate the chance to play our big gigs in small rooms and hopefully pass on a little strength, courage, and hope for the road ahead.
Right. I have a new album out in February and a stack of work to do. The year end blog will appear around Christmas time, but until then, love and solidarity to you all x
Photos by Kate Clark, Lyric Lounge Review, Joe Zux, Chip Hamer, and many more. Apologies if I’ve missed your name. Love and respect to all x
‘SONGS & VERSES’ the long-promised collection of my lyrics and poetry has landed.
Published by Picket Line Press, it covers two decades of material from 2004’s ‘An Exile In Suburbia’ to last year’s ‘Sledgehammer Songs’ over 300 carefully selected pages.
I cannot thank Chip Hamer enough for making this happen, and Mark Welland for how incredible it looks and feels in your hands. From the colour panels when the album changes, to the way the songs have been edited to read as they should without constantly returning to the chorus as they do in song form.
As always, once the printing costs were covered ‘SONGS & VERSES’ has been raising money for folks struggling, through London strike funds to WSO Central outreach.
Each song covers an aspect of the horrorshow we are witnessing here and abroad, and all funds raised will be split between Pauline Town at WSO Central and Hull Unity Shop.
These songs are outtakes from the new album ‘Punk Rock Prepared Us For This’ due next February, and for lovers of real formats, they will be bonus tracks on the CD version of the main event.
Thanks as always for your incredible support, it is always very much appreciated.
Absolutely made-up to be heading back out on the road with the fantastic Jess Silk again this November.
Jess is a magnificent songwriter, and her levels of performance are through the roof, with a staggering consistency.
I absolutely LOVED last year’s tour because when you’re a part of a run of really special nights, you are reminded that music can still hit you in all the best ways, even after all these years.
This year, there will be extra collaborations, a few new towns and a few old ones, and some very special guests.
May Day Festival Of Solidarity returns to Old School House, Barnsley on Sunday May 4th with doors at 1.30pm and music from 2pm sharp.
We have another stellar line-up for you featuring Mary Moden & The Male Members, Bard Company, Poetry On The Picket Line, Paddy Nash, Efa Supertramp, Steve White & The Protest Family, and a co-set from Jess Silk and Joe Solo to close the night.
Our compere is Bearded Tit, and as always we have speakers from across the trade union movement and community campaigning groups including John Dunn from Orgreave Truth & Justice Campaign, Sarah Woolley from the BFAWU, Heather Wood and Betty Cook from Women Against Pit Closures, John Stewart RMT legend, and Pauline Town for WSO.
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.
You basically get an hour of each of us plus a couple of collaborations, and the first four dates have been an absolute BLAST.
After the tour I’ll be holing-up for the winter recording my side of the next album. That’s not due until early 2026 though, so don’t start saving just yet!
In the meantime, I can’t stress enough about bagging tickets. There are only 9 left each for Otley and London, 2 for Loughborough, while Newstead and Chesterfield sold out before we even started! Get on it!
See you down the front x
Photos by Mark Whyatt, Kate Clark, and Emma Jane Smith.
On Friday 4th October, the 10th Anniversary edition of my best-known album ‘No Pasaran’ goes live for pre-order on Bandcamp; and for the first time ever, it is available on vinyl too.
My comrade-in-crayons Kevin Pearson has delivered new sleeve art in the theme of ‘Sledgehammer Songs’, and my incredible musical partner Rebekah Findlay has designed a beautiful picture disc image drawing inspiration from the song lyrics.
The album is strictly limited to 250 vinyl copies and 200 CDs, so you’ll have to be quick.
There are lyric-inspired t-shirts too, featuring the album’s three main characters- Jack Atkinson, Tommy James, and Penny Phelps.
Plus, the usual mugs and tote bags in album sleeve and lyric designs.
Also very excited to be launching the ‘No Pasaran’ children’s book telling the story of Jack Atkinson and the International Brigades in three different languages as an educational resource for younger minds. Again illustrated by Kevin, I’m really proud of it and I hope you’ll bag a copy if you have young rebels of tomorrow in your life.
Everything goes live to pre-order around 7.30am on Friday, with the music dropping on all streaming services from Monday 4th November.
There will also be two brand new videos dropping, too. On Monday, a new film to accompany the title track will be released; and on 14th October ‘Blood Runs Red’ will follow, the latter a full new version which we’re very excited about.
So keep a look out! And be quick! There will not be a re-press!
My new album ‘Sledgehammer Songs’ will be released to Bandcamp in full from midnight tonight.
I am so looking forward to this music finally being out there in the world.
After a very hectic pre-order day on February 1st I completely sold out of CDs and almost half the vinyl went too!
Thankfully, CDs are restocked now and tomorrow brings not just the music, but a stack of associated merch including t-shirts, tote bags, mugs, and a hoodie….
‘Sledgehammer Songs’ will follow on the other streaming platforms on Monday. You can find me on all of them, but none do anywhere near as much to support artists as Bandcamp, so I will always prioritise them ahead of the rest.
And the first leg of my tour supporting the album begins on March 30th and doesn’t really let up. You can find ticket info at linktr.ee/joesolomusic and it would be FANTASTIC to see you down the front.
So the headlines:
ALBUM TOMORROW- please buy red/black splatter vinyl or CD.
TOUR IMMINENT- please buy tickets and fill venues.
MERCH TOMORROW- please feel free to accessorise accordingly.
This week,’The Last Miner’ became the second Sledgehammer song released from the imminent new album.
It features The Hatfield Brigade and Rebekah Findlay, and you can watch the accompanying video here:
It was shot by Michael Lee Toas during the recording session at NUM HQ in Barnsley late last year, and it’s pretty poignant, so be warned.
‘Sledgehammer Songs’ goes live on Bandcamp on Friday 1st March and follows on the other streaming platforms Monday 4th.
Ahead of that, there’s an online ‘Listening Party’ on Wednesday 28th February 8pm, when the full album will be streamed on Bandcamp and I’ll be available to answer questions.
There will also be a third single before then.
‘Tie ‘Em To A Brick’ features the incredible pairing of Carol Hodge on piano and vocals, and Rebekah Findlay on violin.
Joe Solo 