The Divine Comedy made a stop on their current tour at Casa da Música, in Sala Suggia – the orchestra room. The band is promoting their latest, beautiful album Rainy Sunday Afternoon, one of my favourite records of 2025.
If I was asked to describe them to someone who has never heard them, my first description would be baroque pop, which fits particularly well with Victory For The Comic Muse (2006), from which they played my beloved A Lady Of A Certain Age. Baroque pop can also be applied to Achilles, the concert opening song. But, The Divine Comedy are more than that.
Neil Hannon took to the stage in hat, sunglasses, jacket, fronting the band, and it was the beginning of a wonderful musical evening that started with Achilles.
By the end of the third song, When The Lights Go Out, off go the hat and the sunglasses. “I got to take this off”, says Hannon, and removes the glasses. Quickly and playfully questioning the audience: “Are you sleepy?”; Audience: “No.”; “Are you drunk?”; Audience: “No!”
I Want You sees him crouched between the keyboards and the drum kit. The elegant Lady Of A Certain Age, here faster than on record, follows, with me singing along, then “And now for probably my most intellectual song” introduces the upbeat, danceable At The Indie Disco. Neapolitan Girl sees me dancing on my seat.
Mar-A-Lago is lounge hour. Neil has a bar/cocktail station, prepares cocktails for the band, and a glass of wine for Tim Weller, the drummer, while introducing his extraordinary fellow musicians (I’m still marvelling at Simon Little): Andrew Skeet (keyboards), Ian Watson (keyboards, accordion, backing vocals), Simon Little (bass, backing vocals), Tosh Flood (guitar, backing vocals), Rosie Thompson (violin) and the aforementioned Tim Weller (drums).
The audience claps enthusiastically every time a drink is delivered to a band member. For himself, Neil pours red wine. From here onwards things become even more enthusiastic.
There will be Neil on his knees on stage; Neil stepping out of the stage walking in front of the front row, falling to the floor, seating up, sitting on the front row – during Our Mutual Friend – and lots of talking: “Thank you front row. If I ever go too far just call me out. You’re free to dance if you want, to move around, I don’t care. It’s more fun”.
And a dancing party starts by the stage, that will end up fully crowded. I’m the only person dancing in the press/guests box, perched on the heights of a wall. Which is a ton of fun, matching what is going down below.
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, a beautiful romantic song, calms things down a little, and there are now people seated between the front row and the stage: “It’s good you’re sitting down there. It’s like Woodstock”. It kind of is. 🙂
Absent Friends is raising his glass to the audience time and to call on us: “Come on everybody, let’s share the experience.” Down there everyone stands up and dances. Generation Sex not only has an incredibly more partying audience, but the band sound getting louder. Which continues with National Express, the end of the main part.
For the encore we’re treated to To The Rescue, the poignant Invisible Thread, and a delirious finale with Tonight We Fly. And, indeed, flew we did.
The band: Neil Hannon – vocals, guitar, tambourine Andrew Skeet – keyboards Ian Watson – keyboards, accordion, backing vocals, Simon Little – bass, backing vocals Tosh Flood – guitar, backing vocals Rosie Thompson – violin Tim Weller- drums
Setlist: Achilles The Last Time I Saw the Old Man When the Lights Go Out All Over Europe Assume The Perpendicular Rainy Sunday Afternoon I Want You A Lady Of A Certain Age At The Indie Disco Neapolitan Girl Mar-a-Lago by the Sea Bang Goes The Knighthood Our Mutual Friend I Like Bad Ambassador The Heart is a Lonely Hunter Other People Absent Friends Becoming More Like Alfie Generation Sex National Express To The Rescue Invisible Thread Tonight We Fly
My radio show Amazing Songs & Other Delights #94 – Of Art & Image edition is broadcasted Monday, 2nd and 9th, 3-4pm (London time) on Yé Yé Radio: yeyeradio.com (or on the app).
Of Art & Image edition has 15 songs that refer to art, artists, mostly painters, and image, both still and motion. You read more about the programme here.
Tracklist 01: Don McLean – Vincent 02: Manic Street Preachers – Interiors (Song for Willem de Kooning) 03: Death Cab for Cutie – Photobooth 04: The Passions – I’m in Love With a German Film Star 05: John Cale – Magritte 06: Modern Lovers – Pablo Picasso 07: David Bowie – Andy Warhol 08: Bauhaus – Bela Lugosi’s Dead 09: Duran Duran – Girls On Film 10: The Kinks – Picture Book 11: Spoon – I Turn My Camera On 12: Paul Simon – Kodachrome 13: Dire Straits – In the Gallery 14: John Mayer – 3×5 15: Manic Street Preachers – Kevin Carter
words: Paulo Carmona (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro) photos: Telma Mota
It was an intense, youthful, irreverent, dynamic and joyous concert from start to finish.
Almost without interruption, with very little chatter, and no hidden agendas.
This Californian quartet knew exactly what they had come for and did not hold back. They delivered everything they had to give in just under an hour, treating their audience to energetic surf rock infused with plenty of that neo-punk edge characteristic of many North American West Coast bands.
Heavily distorted, striking guitars, a strong and present bass, and an immensely energetic, tightly played and incredibly powerful drum kit. It’s a recipe that never fails.
The first assault came with Way Too Much, Idiot, King Of a Beach and Tarantula. Nathan Williams, the project’s founding member, is effusive and provocative. He urged the crowd to split down the middle, only to then charge at one another. It worked perfectly. The mosh and the slam took over Mouco, and the rest is well known. For a few moments, we are all teenagers again.
A special mention for Nine Is God, a very well-structured and captivating song. They closed their set with Green Eyes and took their leave beneath enthusiastic applause, though without an encore. It is what it is, and that’s perfectly fine.
My radio show Amazing Songs & Other Delights #94 – Of Art & Image edition is broadcasted Monday, 2nd and 9th, 3-4pm (London time) on Yé Yé Radio: yeyeradio.com (or on the app).
Of Art & Image edition has 15 songs that refer to art, artists, mostly painters, and image, both still and motion. The Manic Street Preachers have two songs, from Everything Must Go, their fourth album. One for painting, Interiors (Song for Willem de Kooning), and one for photography, Kevin Carter.
Don McLean’s Vincent is based on Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, while Dire Straits’ In the Gallery is a tribute to sculptor Harry Braun.
Bauhaus and their Bela Lugosi’s Dead are a double reference. The band’s name to the German arts, design, architecture, crafts school, and to Hungarian-American actor Bela Lugosi.
Tracklist 01: Don McLean – Vincent 02: Manic Street Preachers – Interiors (Song for Willem de Kooning) 03: Death Cab for Cutie – Photobooth 04: The Passions – I’m in Love With a German Film Star 05: John Cale – Magritte 06: Modern Lovers – Pablo Picasso 07: David Bowie – Andy Warhol 08: Bauhaus – Bela Lugosi’s Dead 09: Duran Duran – Girls On Film 10: The Kinks – Picture Book 11: Spoon – I Turn My Camera On 12: Paul Simon – Kodachrome 13: Dire Straits – In the Gallery 14: John Mayer – 3×5 15: Manic Street Preachers – Kevin Carter
My radio show Amazing Songs & Other Delights # 93 – And The Circus Came & Left Town edition is now available on mixcloud.
Amazing Songs & Other Delights # 93 – And The Circus Came & Left Town edition combines carnival, fair, fetes, rodeo songs, or songs that mention those things with the circus, the carny, arriving and leaving. You can read more about the programme here.
Tracklist: 01: Bert Jansch – When the Circus Comes to Town 02: Jackson C. Frank – (My Name is) Carnival (2021 remaster) 03: David Bowie – Ashes To Ashes 04: Chic – Le Freak 05: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – The Carny 06: Chico Buarque – Quando o Carnaval Chegar 07: Feira Popular – Carrossel feat. Femme Falafel 08: Elvis Presley – It’s Carnival Time 09: Rufus Wainwright – Going To A Town 10: Gary Lucas – Live Score Tod Browning’s Freaks 1932 The Chase Scene 11: Elvis Presley – Take Me to the Fair 12: The Magnetic Fields – Papa Was a Rodeo 13: The Smiths – Rusholme Ruffians (2011 Remaster) 14: Bert Jansch – (My Name is) Carnival 15: Chico Buarque – Sonho de um Carnaval 16: Kyuss – El Rodeo 17: Elvis Presley – The Fair’s Moving On
Amazing Songs & Other Delights has new editions every first and third Monday of the month, respective repeats second and third Monday of the Month on Yé Yé Radio: yeyeradio.com (or on the app).
words: Paulo Carmona (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro) photos: Telma Mota
I could have begun this article with any of the following titles: The Art of Knowing How to Be on Stage; The Magic of Rock’n’Roll; A British Rocker à la Carte; or The Fever of a Friday the 13th at the End of a Storm. Any one of them would have suited Miles Kane’s concert at the Hard Club in Porto.
But I’ll start by saying that I witnessed one of the finest performances I have had the pleasure to see in recent times, because Miles Kane is utterly captivating on stage. All that mojo spills from every pore of his skin. He wants to be loved and idolised by the audience — and he achieves it with a chameleon-like passport in shades of fine French champagne.
He offers the back of his neck to the crowd at the front, to be stroked like a pampered cat, but always in moderation. Then he erupts with every song, exuding the attitude of a wild, untamed Baudelaire. He smiles, sending sensual sparks with every movement, and his guitar is a lunatic that seems intent on reaching multiple climaxes, so excited is it.
It all began the very moment he set foot on stage, launching into Electric Flower, Rearrange, Trouble Son and Cry on My Guitar, and continued seamlessly, supported by his backing band, who give him the space to shine, until he closed with Come Closer. Naturally.
He thanked the crowd, thanked them again, distributed greetings, autographs, and love to his fans, and withdrew with poise, swagger, and the style of a true artist. And he truly is one.
My radio show Amazing Songs & Other Delights # 93 – And The Circus Came & Left Town edition is broadcasted Monday February 16 & 23, 3-4pm (London time) on Yé Yé Radio: yeyeradio.com (or on the app).
Monday February 14 is Carnival Day. Amazing Songs & Other Delights # 93 – And The Circus Came & Left Town edition combines carnival, fair, fetes, rodeo songs, or songs that mention those things with the circus, the carny, arriving and leaving.
The programme titles comes from Bert Jansch’s When the Circus Comes to Town and Kyuss’ … And The Circus Leaves Town. Interestingly, both albums were released in 1995.
There’s a fair deal of my beloved Elvis, three songs, enough Chico Buarque and Bert Jansch, two songs each.
Bert is essentially the starting point of this show. I’ve only recently found Jackson C. Frank, through the book Dazzling Stranger: Bert Jansch and the British Folk and Blues Revival, and marvelled.
I came up with another of mine apparently implausible to make sense of such diverse type of songs and genres. Feira Popular, Chic, The Magnetic Fields, Kyuss, The Smiths and others keep company to Elvis, Bert, Chico, Jackson C. in a lively, but with sorrow here and there under an upbeat tune, programme.
Also featured is Gary Lucas’ – Live Score for The Chase Scene of Tod Browning’s 1932 film Freaks. And David Bowie’s Ashes To Ashes, for Ash Wednesday.
Tracklist: 01: Bert Jansch – When the Circus Comes to Town 02: Jackson C. Frank – (My Name is) Carnival (2021 remaster) 03: David Bowie – Ashes To Ashes 04: Chic – Le Freak 05: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – The Carny 06: Chico Buarque – Quando o Carnaval Chega 07: Feira Popular – Carrossel feat. Femme Falafel 08: Elvis Presley – It’s Carnival Time 09: Rufus Wainwright – Going To A Town 10: Gary Lucas – Live Score Tod Browning’s Freaks 1932 The Chase Scene 11: Elvis Presley – Take Me to the Fair 12: The Magnetic Fields – Papa Was a Rodeo 13: The Smiths – Rusholme Ruffians (2011 Remaster) 14: Bert Jansch – (My Name is) Carnival 15: Chico Buarque – Sonho de um Carnaval 16: Kyuss – El Rodeo 17: Elvis Presley – The Fair’s Moving On
My radio show Amazing Songs & Other Delights # 92 – The Planets, The Stars and The Universe edition is now available on mixcloud.
Tracklist: 01: Teenage Fanclub – Planets 02: Sturgill Simpson – Mercury in Retrograde 03: Kate Fenner – Transit of Venus 04: The Parlor – Underneath the Universe 05: The Vampires – Sun Gazers (ft. Chris Abrahams) 06: Frank Sinatra – Fly Me To The Moon (ft. Count Basie And His Orchestra) 07: Damien Jurado – Metallic Cloud 08: Dehd – Stars 09: David Bowie – Starman 10: Coldplay – Jupiter 11: Roisin Murphy & DJ Koze – The Universe 12: Raveloe – Clouds Are Release 13: R.E.M. – Saturn Return 14: Hands On Approach – My Wonder Moon
Amazing Songs & Other Delights is broadcasted the first and third Monday of the month 3-4pm (London time) , respective repeats second and fourth Monday of the month on Yé Yé Radio: yeyeradio.com (or on the app).
I don’t remember when I first heard about or listened to Suede. It was long ago, most likely through the British music weeklies.
In September 2024, I joined The Mild Ones, an online Suede fan group. A bit weary at first. However, the Mild Ones are different from most fan groups. Jose (Duarte) and Sara (Bona) the group administrators won my heart, so did the Mild Ones community.
Being part of the Mild Ones left me curious how it is to manage an online open fan community that large for a band that draws such strong emotions as Suede do. The Mild Ones are a place for fun, our life stories, our band crushes, endless creativity from painting to poems, through bracelets and knitting. And music, of course. It’s an equalitarian place. Well known musicians, producers, etc. side by side with fans. It’s a place of debate.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present you The Mild Ones, and my conversation with Jose and Sara.
P.S. Dear Sara, we were not all in love with Brett. Some of us took a fancy to the one behind the drums! 😎
Suede are currently touring the UK. They will tour mainland Europe in March, and Asia in April and May. Suede premiered a new song, Tribe, Saturday January 30th at Guildhall, Portsmouth, England. And I really like it. 🙂 It’s the kind of song that makes you want to pick up a rock instrument and start a band.
How did The Mild Ones begin, was it a spontaneous act of devotion, or something that gathered momentum over time?
Sara Bona (SB): We were honestly quite determined to make this project happen. We had been discussing the idea for a few months, and we were really excited about creating a community for Suede fans which, thanks to the existence of social media, could reach as many enthusiastic fans as possible. When we finally felt the timing was right, we set the wheels in motion. It wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, though. Was it, Jose?
Jose Duarte (JD): Absolutely! We both felt it was necessary to have a space where every fan mattered, regardless of their place of origin, whether they’d been fans forever or just discovered the band, whether they’d seen Suede live a gazillion times or never at all, whether they collected every record or didn’t own a single one. Even casual fans, or those who only like a song or two, are totally welcome. Every opinion counts in our group. But it wasn’t easy to bring so many people together, certainly not.
When you first created the group, what was your vision for it, and how close has the reality come to what you imagined?
JD & SB: We just wanted for Suede fans all around the world to have a public space where they could share their love for the band and find out whether other Suede fans were into the same things we are – other bands, books, films, etc. We didn’t have a long-term plan; it was all pretty improvised, but we had the feeling that there were people out there just like us. And, indeed, there really are!
What does the name The Mild Ones mean to you now, given that most of the fans and the band are older? Does it capture a sense of calm, reflection, or continuity?
SB: Choosing The Mild Ones as the name for the group was a bit tongue-in-cheek, really. We’ve been wild, we still can be wild but, at our age, we just want a little peace in our lives, we just want to be mild, while still loving Suede wildly. We can’t speak for other fans or the band, but that’s how we feel.
JD: In our everyday life, we’re quite mild, we like to go unnoticed but trust me, we can be wild at gigs.
And what does The Wild Ones – the song – still mean to you today, both personally and in relation to the community? SB: I remember watching the video for The Wild Ones on MTV in the 90s, over and over again, after I discovered the band. Back then, I was head over heels in love with Brett (as we all were!), and I was just a 14- or 15-year-old girl, not very good at English yet. Of course, I loved the song but I think I can appreciate the beauty of the music and the lyrics so much more now than I probably did back then. 🙂 JD: The Wild Ones, for me, is the best song Suede have ever composed. Of course, The Asphalt World is the quintessential Suede song but there’s something about The Wild Ones that makes it universal. It reflects an optimism mixed with nostalgia, which makes it very appealing both to us and to most Suede fans. SB & JD: We both feel incredibly honoured that Brett and the band have, in a way, linked our group to that sublime hymn.
Suede isn’t just the thread that binds this community, it seems to live within it. What does Suede mean to you personally, beyond the music? How has their work shaped the way you see or hold this space? SB: Suede have ALWAYS been with me, my whole life since my early teens. They were there when I first fell in love, when I first got my heart broken, when I studied my degree in Translation and Interpreting, which I chose because of my love for the English language and the British culture, when I’ve lost loved ones… They’ve been there in my happiest moments and in my lowest ones. Every single moment of my life is tied to a Suede song. They are my band. And, of course, their music has definitely shaped the person I am today. JD: In terms of music, Suede were my first love. Since the moment I discovered them at 14, they have always been with me. When I felt sad, I found shelter in Suede’s music. I feel their music is like a friend, one that makes me feel I belong. SB & JD: The Mild Ones is mostly about Suede music, but also about the influence that they’ve had on our taste in other forms of art.
Even your dog carries the band’s name – Suede – which feels both tender and symbolic. What does that say about the place the band holds in your daily life?
SB: Well, when I got my dog, Jose said it wasn’t a great name for her. But it wasn’t his decision, really, haha. I think the name suits her perfectly. She’s moody, she’s an outsider, she barks a lot and howls, and her fur feels exactly like suede. Of course, she’s an Andalusian hound, so her name sounds a little different in Spanish. Now I find myself calling ‘Suede’ out loud a million times a day so, she’s an ever-present reminder of my beloved band. 😀 JD: Okay, I was wrong and you were right, haha. The name really does suit her.
The group remains open, where many communities choose to be private. What guided that choice, was it about accessibility, trust, or something deeper about how you see connection? SB: Now my question would be, why do those communities choose to be private? It’s all about the music, nothing to hide there. And yes, it’s certainly easier for people to find the group this way. JD: Sharing content with other groups, at least on Facebook, wouldn’t be possible if the group were private. In the beginning, it was a great way to promote the group around. I agree with Sara: what is there to hide? What’s wrong with your family and friends knowing that you love Suede?
SB: My family and friends are sick and tired of hearing me babble about Suede, hahaha!
Managing a community of over thirteenth thousand members must carry moments of both joy and overwhelm. What have you learned about human nature through holding this space?
SB: In the meantime, we’ve gained fifteen hundred more members! 😀 I’m genuinely impressed with Suede fans but, then again, I totally expected they’d be top blokes and gals! The good moments far outweigh the not-so-good ones. JD: I’ve learnt that, at the end of the day, and deep down, we’re all very similar, which is a good thing. I’ve also learnt that people enjoy being part of something bigger than themselves. They like to participate, give opinions, share their thoughts with like-minded people, and they need to relax after a long day at work. That’s what social media is for, isn’t it? No drama, just fun!
Some members of the band – like Simon Gilbert (Suede’s drummer) – and people who work closely with them are part of the group. Has having Suede themselves within the community affected the way members express themselves, or does it remain a space where everyone feels free to share their opinions?
JD: Not at all! Honestly, it has zero influence. We even wonder if people realise that Simon is a member! We’re also thrilled to have among our fellow Mild Ones other people who work closely with the band, like Paul Khera, Jip Nipius, Mike Christie, Saul Galpern, Justin Welch, Simon Price, Jim Hanner, and plenty of other musicians who are friends with the band: Rialto’s Julian Taylor and Louis Elliot, Emma Anderson, Mark Fernyhough, and Ian Watson, among others. and, of course, the lovely Mariana Enríquez [who wrote the book Porque demasiado no es suficiente: Mi historia de amor con Suede].
SB: And I’m pretty sure Brett must be lurking somewhere too, haha! People here aren’t shy about speaking their minds, even if it’s not always flattering. And that’s perfect: critical thinking and constructive criticism, when said with respect, only makes the space better. Luckily, our members know how to disagree gracefully and still have fun.
Online spaces can often feel fleeting, yet The Mild Ones endured. What keeps it alive, is it the music, the shared nostalgia, or something ineffable that Suede evokes?
SB: In my opinion, Suede isn’t a band for the masses. Their music isn’t easy listening, and the lyrics are not straightforward. I think it speaks directly to certain people, those of us who sometimes feel out of place, those who expect music to say something about life and themselves, those who need to feel poetry and grandness in a world that can sometimes feel devoid of it. It’s music that touches your soul and never lets go. That’s probably why Suede fans are so faithful. It’s not just music; it’s a lifestyle. And once people feel that, they want to stay. JD: The relaxed atmosphere of the group greatly contributes to its permanence. People know they can talk about whatever they want, whenever they want, without others taking offense and, unfortunately, that’s not true for every group on social media, as the algorithm often favours conflict and bad vibes.
Have you witnessed friendships, collaborations, or even transformations emerge from within the group? Things that remind you why you continue? JD & SB: We have, indeed! Many a friendship has been forged within the confines of the Mildlands, about which we are truly happy, as it is a way for fans to connect in a disconnected world, to quote Brett.
Some collaborations have also emerged, notably the project Swayed with Wayne Readshaw, Jo T. Jones and Carlos Rodrigues, who have made a magnificent cover of So Young.
In their own words: “Remote cover of the classic Suede hit ‘So Young’ featuring Jo Taylor-Jones (vocals, bass and keys), Wayne Readshaw (guitars) and Carlos Rodrigues (drums). Via ‘The Mild Ones’ Facebook group, the trio got together online to record this track at each of their homes before it was compiled across 5,365 miles.” But they aren’t the only ones. We’d also like to mention the best tribute band in the world, our Indonesian friends Animal Lazy, as well as other consummate artists who share their striking covers with the group such as Helen Wong, Lunachangue Tak, Maximilien Poullein, Bettina Korn, and Popping Shi, to name a few.
Other talented members have also shared drawings, designs, artistic performances, make-up and jewellery creations with the group including Susan Gallagher, Wanzhou Ji, Carmen B. Leung, Erika Seya, Haruko Masuyama, Laura RK, Ingrid Petry, Lindsey Barton, Mel Langton Art, SW Portraits, Matthew Williams, Hardeep Sihota, Maeve, Isabella Arp, Silvio Balija, Jim Morey, Anna Walsh, Pat Taylor (Patsy), Neil Reid, Simona Valenti, Kay Kitto, Petrol Blue, our two moderators DeanJean Phng and Melissa Waterfield. Even we have shared some poems and drawings ourselves.
We are happy to say that ours is a lovely community full of artistic talent!
Suede’s work often balances elegance with rawness, beauty with disquiet. Do you sense that same duality in the way the community expresses itself? JD: Yes, we do notice that duality. You can come across posts that are particularly harsh about a song or their latest work, but you can also find posts praising their music with beautiful words. But all opinions are more than welcome. SB: One of the things I believe people appreciate most about the group is that they feel free to express themselves in whatever way feels right at the moment. Of course, there are limits: we only ask that people remain respectful towards others and the band, but within those limits, everyone is free to say whatever they want, however they want. And yes, that duality is definitely there.
How do you personally stay inspired as administrators, what restores your energy when things get heavy or chaotic?
JD: When things get tough, I listen to other bands like Radiohead, The Divine Comedy, Manics or Pulp to disconnect a bit from everything related to the group. Then, I go back to listening to Suede to restore my energy. SB: I must confess that I’m not a big fan of social media, so the time I spend on my phone is usually in the group. I’m more of a watcher and reader than a responder, but Jose keeps me informed about everything. That said, I only listen to Suede; I don’t have time for other bands since I have a pretty busy life. And I have Netflix and a lot of books.
After three years, what do The Mild Ones mean to you, not just as a group, but as a living archive of feeling, music, and shared history?
SB & JD: Well, as we’ve mentioned before, this started almost as a joke. We were more like a comedic duo in another space. So the fact that we’ve grown so much, and gone from being just an anecdote to now being the largest Suede fan community, fills us with pride and satisfaction. And it’s all thanks to the fans who, every day, fill our space with stories, anecdotes, photos, information, videos, experiences.
A recent interview with Josh Homme, of Queens of the Stone Age, on GQ Mexico lead me to write a post for The Listening Room HQ on leaving behind what no longer serves, staying present in the pause, and noticing when the old life ends and the next step arrives. It can be read here: here.
Mondo Bizarre Magazine 