Rory's Digital Garden

(you can click on the headings to expand/collapse each section)

Me

About

My name is Rory Allen, I am (loading) old. You can email me at rory@hogwild.uk - I like to be emailed and aim to respond to every one that I get!

Books

Since 03 Jun 2024 I have read 26 books.

Currently Reading
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Essay/Lecture

READING
Against Interpretation and Other Essays
Susan Sontag
23 Jul 2026
Searoad
Ursula K. Le Guin
08 Jul 2026
The Dry Heart
Natalia Ginzburg
07 Jul 2026
The God of Small Things
Arundhati Roy
04 Jul 2026
The Rise of the Network Commons
Armin Medosch
17 Jun 2026
Women and Power
Mary Beard
16 Jun 2026
Stoner
John Williams
10 Jun 2026
Up All Night
Imogen Willets
02 Jun 2026
Uses of the Erotic
Audre Lorde
27 May 2026
Freedom
Jonathan Franzen
18 May 2026
Vulture Capitalism
Grace Blakeley
22 Mar 2026
The Innocent
Ian McEwan
15 Feb 2026
Underworld
Don DeLillo
12 Oct 2025
The Poisonwood Bible
Barbara Kingsolver
12 Sep 2025
End Zone
Don DeLillo
24 Aug 2025
The Establishment
Owen Jones
31 Jul 2025
Crossroads
Jonathan Franzen
13 Jul 2025
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde
25 Jun 2025
The Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger
10 Jun 2025
The Secret History
Donna Tartt
06 May 2025
The Trading Game
Gary Stevenson
05 Dec 2024
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
Olga Tokarczuk
07 Nov 2024
Atonement
Ian McEwan
15 Jul 2024
The Corrections
Jonathan Franzen
08 Jun 2024
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Ernest Hemingway
03 Jun 2024
Fiesta (The Sun Also Rises)
Ernest Hemingway

Gigs

Since the start of 2025 I have been to (loading) gigs. (loading) of those were in (loading), and (loading) were at (loading).

I only count gigs that I saw someone at other than the band I was playing in (if I was playing), so some gigs I played feature but not all.

Date Venue City I Saw Notes
20.07.26 Queen Elizabeth Hall London Caroline, My New Band Believe One of the best gigs I've ever been to, enjoyed MNBB much more than at the Windmill and Caroline played one of the best sets I've ever seen.
02.07.26 The Windmill London Fool Times seeing them becoming silly - I think now 5 times at the Windmill alone. I won't stop
25.06.26 Electric Ballroom London Snail Mail Been waiting to see her since getting very into her first and then second album at uni (thanks Milky Joes), just as good as expected
29-31.05.26 The Goods Shed, SVA Stroud A bunch of people I forgot exactly who we saw but had an amazing time at the first multi-day Seasoning festival
28.05.26 The Windmill London Fool Continue to be better every time
06.05.26 Supersonic Paris Samuel Dvorin and The Phantom Blue Playing with Otala, these guys were cool and proper post-rocky, American sound that I like, hopefully will play again if they come to the UK
03.05.26 Sebright Arms London Ewan Samms, Wasabi Playing with Otala, somehow my first time seeing Ewan play, they're awesome and I'm a sucker for slide guitar. Wasabi were also a really nice watch
01.05.26 The Lanes Bristol Uncle Junior Playing with Otala, fun gig and boogied to shit music with the Haal lot afterwards
26.04.26 O2 Brixton London Big Thief I'd been waiting a long time and it was so worth it. Had the best pizza of my life at Theo's Camberwell just before too
25.03.26 Eventim Apollo London Geese, Westside Cowboy Wowweeeee. One of the best gigs I've ever been to, wscb deserve everything they've got and more, Geese the same.
20.03.26 Earth London Buck Meek, Kisser Buck Meek !! Amazing set, played joe by the book so i'm happy
14.03.26 St Augustine's Church Brighton Flip Top Head Last minute decision to go during a day trip to Brighton with Ana Sienna Sophia and Issy. Lovely to see them and they played better than ever, the venue really suited them.
28.02.26 Elephant's Head London Folly Group Playing with Otala, first time seeing Folly Group, nice to see Louis again after recording. They're an awesome band and all very nice.
26.02.26 Old Blue Last London Blue Bendy, Cowboyy Aaages since I'd seen cowboyy, great to see them playing again. Blue Bendy awesome as always.
24.02.26 The Windmill London Fool Love these guysss. First time seeing them with Daisy and she's a great addition.
06.02.26 Rock City Nottingham Miles Kane, Villanelle Playing with Otala, Villanelle were pretty funny, Oasis tribute may be too harsh but not far from the truth. Miles Kane was also funny, sadly no TLSP songs...
01.02.26 Sebright Arms London Curser, Auntie Playing with Otala, didn't catch much of Curser but Auntie were really cool. Young and geniune.
31.01.26 Rossi Bar Brighton Contrail, Maidin Playing with Otala, Maidin were cool, Contrail were awesome, hope to see them/play with them again.
30.01.26 The Croft Bristol Paper Crowns, Neverlove Playing with Otala, both supports very enjoyable to watch.
29.01.26 Heartbreakers Southampton irreversible, Bailey Berrill Playing with Otala, irreversible is Alex from Divorce Attorney's ambient project, really enjoyed it. Made me feel how I felt watching Godspeed when you're 20 mins in and realise you've been standing completely still and just thinking. Bailey Berrill was really cute, seemed like a bunch of friends playing the singers songs and having a nice time and they were catchy.
01.12.25 The Roundhouse London Cameron Winter Whoah
18.11.25 Heaven London Frankie Cosmos, Babehoven Been listening to them since I was ~15, really happy they played a bunch of oldies including Being Alive which someone shouted out as a request. Babehoven really nice, my friend Jacob made sure we came in time to see their whole set
11.11.25 Elephant's Head London Tex Crick Really nice. Knew him from a live set with Connan Mockasin but he was even better with a full band
7.11.25 The Windmill London Little Grandad I was playing with Fool who knew the band and it was great. Lovely vocal harmonies
31.10.25 O2 Brixton London Black Country New Road, Blue Bendy They were dressed up as Fontaines D.C. for halloween. Great sets from both bands
28.10.25 The Windmill London My New Band Believe, Curbside Lambsear MNBB were good but CL were my favourite of the night, one of the members of Caroline and another member I think, raw folky electronica
26.11.25 The Windmill London Pink Eye Club I was playing in Otala, fun gig. PEC fun to dance to
10.11.25 Old Blue Last London Mleko Playing with Otala, cool early BCNRy (sorry!). All really nice people
09.10.25 The Roundhouse London A.G. Cook, Proc Fiskal Great set, he's such a funny character. Cool visuals and a MIDI piano. Proc Fiskal was similar and great sound but didn't seem to like being on stage...
01.10.25 Purple Turtle Reading Oyama, Kiosk Playing in Otala, first time in Reading, not desperate to return. Both bands really cool though, Oyama nice and scandi sound (icelandic) and Kiosk cool electronic kinda smerzy duo
21.09.25 KOKO London Clipping. Free ticket from my friend & bandmate Charlotte (thanks char). Amazing sound, heavy, bit hard to see and had a hangover but really enjoyed
08.09.25 The Windmill London HAAL, Allarme, Paper Hats Love HAAL awesome bunch of guys making sick music. Other two were nice as well but didn't see too much of their sets, allarme quite loud and paper hats good as usual
14.08.25 We Out Here Dorset NoName, Kokoroko, Nala Sinephro, 4am Kru, MJ Cole, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Ben UFO, Mia Koden, Luke Una, Channel One, Gilles Peterson, Astrid Sonne, Loyle Carner First time going and will definitely be going back. Amazing festival with some of my best friends. Gorgeous weather the whole weekend too!
04.08.25 Shacklewell Arms London That Fog, Frownland2007 Playing with Otala, That Fog is Eddie's new project with his girlfriend, I enjoyed it a lot. Frownland was cool but maybe too unstructured for me to get properly into
03.07.25 Wembley Stadium London Lana Del Rey, Addison Rae Awesome, played Venice Bitch one of mine and Issy's favs and Addison was really good, had been listening to her album a lot since it came out
20.06.25 O2 Brixton London LCD Soundsystem Went with Issy Mina & Johnny, really great set but SO HOT. Heatwave and no AC, dripping sweat
16.06.25 Victoria Park London LIDO - Charli XCX, A.G. Cook, Gessafelstein, Magdalena Bay, Kelly Lee Owens, Bladee, The Japanese House Great weather and acts. Charli really good but annoying af kid fans, they seemed to be having fun once they stood up though so hard to hate. Gessafelstein unexpectedly very enjoyable. J house really nice in the evening lull
03.06.25 Islington Assembly Hall London Caroline One of my fav bands and albuums of the year and completely done justice by the live set. Incredibly respectful crowd, all just listening and enjoying
31.05.25 Paper Dress Vintage London Fool First time meeting Luca and Saul properly from Fool, love those guys and love their music. Good set but sadly only 20 mins
22.05.25 The George Tavern London Martial Arts, Bloodworm, Porchlight All 3 as great as usual. Lovely to see Euan again after ages and all the MA lot
04.05.25 Wanderlust Festival Southampton Skydaddy, Terra Twin Playing with Otala, didn't see as many acts as planned as most were on the other day. Skydaddy great though, Terra Twin were fun
02.05.25 DUST Brighton Billy. E. Marsh Playing with Otala at a Flip Top Head promoted gig. Love to see those guys and their friend Billy was great, solo acoustic and poetry very enjoyable and moving.
27.04.25 The Windmill London Fool First time seeing Jacob's new other band. They're really good
25.04.25 The George Tavern London Outlander, HAAL Lovely to see HAAL after they stayed on my floor the night before, great as always. Outlander really cool and post rocky too
20.04.25 The Windmill London Body Orchestra Playing with Otala, no full band for BO this time but still really cool, atmospheric
16.04.25 The Victoria London Paper Hats, More Money Playing with Otala, all bands good but not a big fan of the venue... Too far out and gig room too soundproofed so nobody comes in from the bar
12.04.25 Outer Town Festival Bristol HAAL, Enola Gay HAAL great as always + thanks guys for letting us stay! Stayed up with Lilian & Ethan DJing in their attic - fun times
29.03.25 The Windmill London Westside Cowboy They're great
28.03.25 MOTH Club London The Stingrays Playing with Otala, main band was the guy from yellow days which I wasn't familiar with but it was v fun and I always love being at moth
17.03.25 The Windmill London Mount Palomar, Nixer, Balderdash All acts greeat, especially MP, proper big beat danceable shit
13.03.25 The Lexington London Keg, Known For Playing with Otala, great crowd and Keg awesome
11.03.25 Sebright Arms London Fruit, Van Quan Always lovely to see the Fruit lot, great set. Van Quan really cool too, bit like cowboyy, would like to see them again
03.03.25 Old Blue Last London Legss, Porchlight Lots of new material from L, really like it, every time they change their sound it seems to be for the better but without losing anything essential to their sound. Porchlight really enjoyable
02.03.25 George Tavern London Deathcrash, Child, The Cowards 2 eddie projects both great, Deathcrash were playing under a fake name, amazing to see them somewhere so small
23.02.25 George Tavern London Fatberg, Divorce Attorney, Mountain Peaks Otala EP release gig, really fun!
20.02.25 The Windmill London Martial Arts, Holly Head Lovely to see MA as always, great set from both bands. Not seen HH since we played together in Apr 2023 (same one as with truthpaste), nice to see Joe again
05.02.25 The Waiting Room London Samxemma Finally saw them with Issy, great set. Saw them before they got famous and got the badge to prove it...
01.02.25 MOTH Club London Blue Bendy, Web Playing with Otala, really amazing gig to be able to play. Love Blue Bendy's album a ton
29.01.25 The Social London Westside Cowboy First time seeing them, went with Charlotte, they're incredible. Followed since I saw the members i knew from diekaidie started something new so happy it's come to something this good
27.01.25 Old Blue Last London Human Resources Otala's IVW gig, fun!
10.01.25 George Tavern London Truthpaste Really like these guys! Been trying to see them since playing together in Apr 2023 and loving their set

Desert Island Discs ?

  1. Ry Cooder - Bop Til You Drop album cover

    I Think It's Going To Work Out Fine - Ry Cooder

    This song evokes the feeling its name describes. Ry Cooder can make a guitar sing more soulfully than any words could. I'm not sure the rest of this list is ordered but I know that this is #1 every time.
  2. Little Feat - Sailing Shoes album cover

    Willin' - Little Feat

    I've found America 🇺🇸 very interesting for most of my life, probably partly thanks to the stories my Dad has told me about his time living in Florida repairing vintage aircraft, and this song reminds me both of him and of the caricature of the USA that I dream(ed) of.
  3. Pavement - Wowee Zowee album cover

    Black Out - Pavement

    Continuing on the imaginary exploration of a country I've never been to, this track feels like the other side of America, watching the slacker skateboard types killing time to avoid the ennui of suburbia.
  4. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky album cover

    Impossible Germany - Wilco

    One of my favourite guitar soloes and seeing it live in Manchester was nothing short of transcendental. I listened to this album (as well as YHF) a lot during the final two weeks of cramming for my final degree coursework, so listening to this reminds me of my breaks, when I'd walk around The Ponderosa and look at the sky blue sky.
  5. Bill Ryder-Jones - West Kirby County Primary album cover

    Tell Me You Don't Love Me Watching - Bill Ryder-Jones

    My friend Johnny put this album on when we were planning a walking expedition, probably soon after it came out so 2015/16, and I've loved it ever since. His voice is so soft and real that he manages to make the questionable narrative of a song like this sound romantic. Also, finally a British artist in the list!
  6. John Denver album cover

    Leaving On A Jet Plane - John Denver

    This one reminds me of going with my Mum and Sister to pick up my Dad from Manchester Airport when he'd been away for work, and also of Scout camps at Barnswood.
  7. Van Morrison - Saint Dominics Preview album cover

    Saint Dominic's Preview - Van Morrison

    This is one of the first songs my girlfriend Issy shared with me when we had just started talking, and one of many that revealed how much we have in common. I listened to this song a lot during the late winter of 2022, walking between my flat in Netherthorpe and hers near the top of The Botanical Gardens.
  8. Jamie xx - In Colour album cover

    Gosh - Jamie xx

    One of my favourite electronic tracks. Listening usually makes me want to make music of my own.