I met my love by the gas works wall. Dreamed a dream by the old canal. I kissed my girl by the factory wall. Dirty old town, Dirty old town. A song that could have been written for most towns or cities but as it was written by the Dubliner, we will presume it’s about Milton Keynes. Or maybe not. Anyway, the Dublin Legends are appearing at the City Varieties Music Hall on Monday 10th March, see page 8 and you might be able to win a couple of tickets so you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a week early.

If that’s not your thing, there’s also two tickets up for grabs for ex 10cc & Hollies Graham Gouldman’s ‘Heart Full of Songs’ concert also at Leeds City Varieties, this time on 16th March.
Other than that, the usual, Lee fresh from his appearances on TV & radio has his latest show on 28th February, Warren’s busy owl spotting, Alan’s worried about seagulls and Gill’s talking about a special kind of love!

Sweet leaf of the north, you go back and forth – a little brown star to guide us on our way. Sweet Leaf of the North you go back and forth – A symbol of hope in a world that’s cold and grey. Not a Christmas song in the traditional sense but a song of rare beauty from one of the most prolific songwriters of the last twenty years. Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip’s timelss Sweet Leaf of the North, ‘it’s human, it’s real & it’s got soul.’ © Iggy Pop. Read more about Mik on page 20, we’ve a competition for his special Christmas gig at the Brudenell on 22nd December. Gathering together for the good of the local community, Connecting Crossgates have organised Carols in the Park at Manston Park on Saturday 21st December at 6.30 -7.00 p.m. There’s mulled wine and mince pies on offer. Bring a torch or lantern but try not to set fire to the place. Happy Christmas, Peace & Love. All at East Leeds Magazine

Through a crack in the window meanders a breeze. Aids the mimic of crickets through the rustling of leaves. And the ghost need not scare me, they’re welcome within. To share my rye whiskey and watch with me. As the rain pours down in the yard. Rain, a most haunting sound. Rain makes beautiful music and rain brings peace upon all whom it falls. Rain by Martin Stephenson and the Daintees from the Boat to Bolivia album back in 1986, perhaps one of the most beautiful songs ever written about the weather and quite apt as it feels like it’s done nothing but piss it down for about three years now. And as the nights draw in, and National Clock Breaking Week approaches, our thoughts turn to Christmas and who better to start the Christmas festivities than the Medieval Baebes who bring their weird folky mead influenced songs back to Leeds Minster. We’ve a competition on page 12 for two tickets but they really are worth going to see regardless.