Mike Press

@[email protected]
87 Followers
87 Following
52 Posts

Now: Third Ager, writing student, writing about music and culture in London’s Soho, facilitating walking tours | Was: design academic, service design specialist, facilitator, Distanced Gathering co-host | Always: left internationalist

This is the current project:
https://walkonthewildside.substack.com

LocationDundee, Scotland
Mike PressAug 24, 2024
There maybe station platforms with better views…
Mike PressNov 27, 2023
Nick BarlowNov 27, 2023
“Many of Britain’s deep-seated problems – a broken economy, hollowed-out public services, static and falling living standards, the doubling of child poverty since the late 1970s, and the fall in social resilience – can be traced to the way the economy has been turned into a cash cow for the already rich,”
https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2023/nov/27/uk-spends-more-financing-inequality-in-favour-of-rich-than-rest-of-europe-report-finds
UK spends more financing inequality in favour of rich than rest of Europe, report finds

Inequalities of income, wealth and power cost UK £106.2bn a year compared with average developed OECD country

The Guardian
Mike PressNov 24, 2023

Our new book looks back to look forward

https://mikepressuk.medium.com/look-back-to-the-future-b362eecc1b09

#highereducation #middlesexuniversity

Mike PressNov 23, 2023

Our latest book looks back to look forward

https://mikepressuk.medium.com/look-back-to-the-future-b362eecc1b09

Mike PressJul 4, 2023

She Loves You was recorded 60 yrs ago this week.
Our latest post draws on the research we do for our guided walking tours of London’s Soho to tell the story of The Beatles in Soho.

https://open.substack.com/pub/walkonthewildside/p/the-beatles-in-soho

The Beatles in Soho

How London's Soho gave rise to the greatest band in the world

Walk on the Wild Side
Mike PressJul 4, 2023
Nick BarlowJul 4, 2023
Twitter was Glastonbury, but then it got new owners who had Skrewdriver headline every night.
Bluesky wants to be V Festival or a big corporate-friendly gig in Hyde Park, but its userbase are currently acting like its Reading and are throwing bottles of piss at everyone they don't like.
Mastodon is one of those small regional festivals with a lineup that makes no cohesive sense and a crowd that's very middle class but you can have a great time if you put some effort in.
Mike PressJun 21, 2023

Each of our posts explores one of fifty locations we’ve identified in Soho to tell the story of how music was made, performed or inspired by this unique part of London. Our latest steps 100m outside Soho’s eastern boundary to discover the hidden contours of London’s sonic landscape.

We bring you hangings, cries, bells and a musical shrimp man.

https://open.substack.com/pub/walkonthewildside/p/the-art-of-noise

The Art of Noise

The changing aural landscape of St Giles in the Fields

Walk on the Wild Side
Mike PressJun 16, 2023

Ziggy Stardust released #otd in 1972. Our blog post reveals the story behind the cover art and the history of the street where it was created. We explore its unique place in Soho's music history and what it means for Soho’s community - the custodians of its music legacy #davidbowie #londonsoho

Photo by my collaborator Jackie Hopfinger

https://walkonthewildside.substack.com/p/ziggy-played-guitar

Ziggy Played Guitar

The history made on Heddon Street

Walk on the Wild Side
Mike PressMay 30, 2023

In the latest story of our Soho musical odyssey we focus on the day that John Lennon met the Duke and Duchess of Windsor at a gents toilets, in the middle of making one of the greatest songs of all time.

https://open.substack.com/pub/walkonthewildside/p/a-day-in-the-life

A Day In The Life

The day John Lennon met the Duke and Duchess of Windsor at the Broadwick Street Gentlemen’s toilets

Walk on the Wild Side
Mike PressMar 20, 2023

The stories of music in London’s Soho connect people, places and politics. Since the 17th century Soho has offered marginalised people islands of liberty and liberation to exist and be heard. This Sunday Jackie Hopfinger and I are doing two guided walking tours of music in Soho. Photo by Jackie.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/walk-on-the-wild-side-1656209

Walk On The Wild Side

Musical walking tours of London's Soho, exploring the music, history and culture of this unique square mile. We share stories, a Spotify/Apple playlist of music and a souvenir map. Storytelling, photography and conversation are all part of the experience.

Eventbrite