David Roberts: Rock Atlas

Rockin’ the nation, one town at a time.

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As human beings we’ll always be fascinated with where we come from, hoping that no matter how far-flung or bleak our location, some exciting secret history might be revealed if we dig deep enough.

Thanks, then, to David Roberts for his itchy feet and enthusiasm for this hefty musical gazetteer that sprinkles a bit of (Ziggy) stardust across the UK and Ireland’s rich landscape.

It’s not his first stab; that was in 2011 and was less impressive physically and visually. Now he’s collected 800 spots to visit and added a smattering of notable births. Some entries are obvious and easily accessed. Others – such as the site of Bow Wow Wow’s nudism (Reigate), Ian Dury’s solar-powered park bench (Richmond Park) or the Tyne Bridge for a Nice day out – deserve a pilgrimage.

There are further depths to plumb, of course – from NWOBHM to Napalm Death perhaps – but this is a well-researched launch point for exploration./o:p

Jo Kendall
Jo Kendall

Jo is a journalist, podcaster, event host and music industry lecturer with 23 years in music magazines since joining Kerrang! as office manager in 1999. But before that Jo had 10 years as a London-based gig promoter and DJ, also working in various vintage record shops and for the UK arm of the Sub Pop label as a warehouse and press assistant. Jo's had tea with Robert Fripp, touched Ian Anderson's favourite flute (!), asked Suzi Quatro what one wears under a leather catsuit, and invented several ridiculous editorial ideas such as the regular celebrity cooking column for Prog, Supper's Ready. After being Deputy Editor for Prog for five years and Managing Editor of Classic Rock for three, Jo is now Associate Editor of Prog, where she's been since its inception in 2009, and a regular contributor to Classic Rock. She continues to spread the experimental and psychedelic music-based word amid unsuspecting students at BIMM Institute London, hoping to inspire the next gen of rock, metal, prog and indie creators and appreciators.