The High Window is an online poetry journal, free to read, and a very good one indeed. The new issue is out and, as with every issue, there’s a lot of wonderful stuff in there. Less usually, this issue includes something by me. It’s called ‘Above the Party’. Go and have a look. I’m not quite sure why I wrote a poem about a recording session in the 1990s with my then band The Regulars, but I’m glad I did (and a shout out to Chris, Paul, Rob, Sarah, Shelley and Stu if any of you are reading).

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At Sheffield’s Festival of Debate later this spring I’ll be taking part in a performance and public conversation about poetry and the city. The other featured poet is Ben Dorey and the discussion will be hosted by Richard Steadman-Jones of the University of Sheffield’s School of English. My reading will be from the Sheffield Almanac. The event is on Friday 19 May at 99 Mary Street. More details and booking info nearer the time.

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Staying with the School of English, a couple more of my poems will feature in the new issue (#13) of the Route 57 creative writing journal, which is put together by students and staff from that very department. There’s a launch event at the university on 30 March, if you fancy it. I’ll probably be one of many contributors doing a short performance. The last one was excellent and very varied. And there’ll be free wine, if that helps.

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Other impending opportunities to see me in the flesh will be some mostly musical full-length sets at Nest café in Crosspool, Sheffield (6 April) and the final Going Up The Country weekender in Congleton (11 June). As ever, if you’d like me to come and play in the pub on your corner, your front room, or your local 80,000-capacity arena, please get in touch.

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The new issue of When Saturday Comes (April 2017, #362, in print) includes a ‘Match of the Month’ feature by me, about a recent game between Sheffield United and Scunthorpe. As a Grimsby Town supporter I apparently have some kind of genetic obligation to be derogatory about Scunny. But that’s boring, so I haven’t. Besides, I liked the way they dug in that day and played their part in a terrific match. If you’re not a subscriber you can order a copy from the WSC website.

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Finally, no, I won’t be part of the line-up for Indietracks 2017. Having performed last year, I didn’t apply to play again this time. But I’m sure you won’t let that put you off. The first group of artists have been announced and tickets are on sale now: you know what to do.