Editor's Log 021
Heavy headlines, light disappointments, and me running on empty.
Hi all,
Welcome back to the Editor’s Log! Sorry I’m late, life got in the way.
Monday
Guvna B has announced his new album. I’m a big fan - The Village Is On Fire was phenomenal, and the lead single Rest My Head is already sounding strong. Really looking forward to this one. (And, ideally, an interview…)
I went to the Ken Carson show. Honestly, I didn’t love it. He barely interacted with the crowd (didn’t even say “London” once) which always makes a difference. I did meet him afterwards though, and he seemed nice enough. It’s not really my sound, so maybe I’m missing something.
Tuesday
John Galliano has been tapped for a two-year partnership with Zara, where he’ll be “re-authoring” their archives. I’m not entirely sure how exciting Zara’s archives can be, but Galliano’s Galliano… we’ll see.
A major report also dropped: Black music accounts for roughly 80% of UK music revenue. Not exactly shocking, but still important to see it quantified like that.
On a much darker note, India is moving to roll back the rights of its transgender population. The proposed bill would significantly undermine protections for non-binary and trans people more broadly. Really disheartening to see.
Wednesday
Dylan Law, one of the Green Party’s deputy mayoral nominees, was interviewed by Jason Okundaye for i-D. He’s only a couple of years older than me and comes across well; thoughtful, grounded... Good on him.
15 years ago, XLR8R released its final print issue. Mad to think about. A publication that literally helped coin “dubstep” just quietly disappeared and most people didn’t clock it. I wonder who’ll be next to go...
The Femcels also linked Gymskin. At a time when the incel/manosphere conversation is everywhere, Gymskin feels like a much healthier counterpoint.
Thursday
Lily Allen’s West End Girl cover is now in the National Portrait Gallery. I wrote about the album through its cover last year, so I definitely need to go and see it in person.
V&A East has announced its inaugural exhibition, The Music is Black, opening April 18. It’s set to explore 125 years of music, style, and community in the UK. Really excited for this, especially to see what Jacqueline Springer does with it.
Friday
In another blow to trans rights, the state of Kansas is requiring IDs to reflect “sex at birth,” effectively invalidating the licences of thousands of trans drivers. It’s difficult to overstate how damaging policies like this are.
Homme FC, a transmasc football team, got their first magazine feature in The Face (written by Tiffany Lai). What they’re building is really exciting, and I hope we see more initiatives like this!!
Youngsta also has new music on the way via Tempa. It’s named after Plastic People and features the club on the cover, so you already know it’s built for the dance.
And Gabriel Moses shot his girlfriend for EE72. It looks incredible. I need someone to love me like that.
Saturday
Wellcome Collection is opening a new exhibition, Tenderness and Rage, on May 29. It explores HIV/AIDS through protest, care, and lived experience: from the UK epidemic in the ’80s and ’90s to the present. Definitely one for the list.
In the afternoon, I went to the Medmo x Mura x Hooded pop-up. There’s a lot of potential there, some really strong ideas, but parts of it felt slightly underdeveloped. Didn’t end up buying anything, but definitely ones to keep an eye on.
Sunday
Finally, Travs Presents is celebrating its fourth birthday at Colour Factory next month. I can’t make this one, so I’m delegating attendance to all of you.
Until next week,
Sik
P.S. I’m exhausted.