Goldie's Fab Four #10

The cultural highlights of my week

Pete Astor

It’s always a bit strange talking about ‘pop’ music that isn’t actually hugely popular, but how else can we categorise the brilliant Pete Astor?

He’s always written immensely catchy songs with intelligent, thoughtful lyrics which have somehow failed to trouble the mainstream charts.

Alan McGee, who knows a thing or two about spotting emerging musical talent, signed Pete’s band The Loft to Creation Records in 1984, and he’s released albums intermittently ever since, whether in the Weather Prophets or as a solo artist.

In a career spanning acoustic show which I promoted at the Rock n Roll Brewhouse, Pete showed what the great British public have been missing.

He played two sets, enlivened with a selection of fresh anecdotes, and left three dozen people heading back into a chilly Birmingham night, convinced that they had seen one of the gigs of their life.

Somewhere Boy – Channel 4

This BAFTA nominated drama series is one of the freshest things I’ve seen on TV in ages. 

Lewis Gribben plays Danny, a kid persuaded by his Dad that the outside world is populated by monsters, following the untimely death of his mother.  His media consumption is limited to old Westerns and classic romantic movies, and the series provides a soundtrack to match.  

Danny is eventually forced (with great reluctance) to interact with his wider family who, not unnaturally, view this strange lad with suspicion.

Creepy and sinister at times, Somewhere Boy is not easy viewing; but you can’t turn away either.

Samuel Bottomley as Aaron and Lisa McGrillis as Danny’s aunt are as compelling as Gribben, and Pete Jackson’s script is a twisty delight.

Grand Central Kitchen (Stephenson Place, Birmingham B2 4BL)

Stuck for somewhere to eat close to Birmingham’s New Street station?  Keen to avoid the endless chains that dominate the city centre?  Let me introduce you to Grand Central Kitchen, a friendly and accommodating café right next to the tram stop outside the main rail terminal.

 The offering is pretty traditional – breakfasts, burgers, pizzas, paninis – but within that remit, the food is excellent and the welcome warm.  Fussy eaters like myself (no wheat, no dairy) aren’t made to feel like the awkward squad – gluten free bread is available on request for example – and there are veggie options too.  Highly recommended.

The Capitol (Forest Hill, London SE23 3TW)

Wetherspoon do a great job rescuing and repurposing traditional venues, and The Capitol – an Art Deco former theatre in South London originally built in 1929 – is a prime example.  Unfortunately, and for reasons that aren’t quite clear, it’s now been put up for sale, so enjoy it while you can.

My picture shows the beautiful exterior, but it’s even better from the inside where you can look up and see lovingly restored friezes above the bar, as well as the renovated Circle which would have once offered posh punters an elevated view of the stage.

Like all Spoons, it offers sometimes excellent beer at always affordable prices – and has a decent food offering too. 

It was busy when I popped in on a Saturday evening, so hopefully will continue as a pub when Tim Martin’s gang have departed.