It was a privilege to be a guest of my pal STU MACAULAY at the amazing BIG SPECIAL/ PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING gig in Toronto last month. This is the 3rd post in that series from that amazing evening.

STU is one of the premier live sound technicians in the world. Just in the last few years he has worked with some of my favourite artists including RIDE, SLOWDIVE, MY BLOODY VALENTINE and BIG SPECIAL (ALL 🇬🇧). (He also does work with heavy metal outfit IRON MAIDEN 🇬🇧 but I don’t hold that against him because that is how he makes his living.)

I have never met a kinder person in my travels in the indie music universe I have inhabited since before STU was born in the UK Midlands.

Here I am with STU at a SLOWDIVE gig in Toronto on September 23, 2023.

Here is a video of SLOWDIVE track “Star Roving” that they played live that night.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sjvkdsASrmI&list=RDsjvkdsASrmI&start_radio=1&pp=ygUhU2xvd2RpdmUgU3RhciByb3ZpbmcgbGl2ZSBUb3JvbnRvoAcB

Studio version on YouTube:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wJpVN-ZZQUw&list=RDwJpVN-ZZQUw&start_radio=1&pp=ygUUU2xvd2RpdmUgU3RhciBSb3ZpbmegBwE%3D

SPOTIFY-

https://open.spotify.com/track/7nq6qpHhCJ3pNOa3KHi8fe?si=sFVgF_iBQ9mZB8TNXWFlbg

(SONG 1497)

STU introduced me to BIG SPECIAL. Here is a pic of their highly regarded (by myself and many others) sophomore LP “National Average” on my showtable.

Here I am with them post-gig last month in Toronto.

Today I have selected the final track on this LP. It is entitled “Thin Horses.” They recorded this with SLOWDIVE vocalist RACHEL GOSWELL. It is a much more sedate song than the duo’s usual electro- punk.

I suspect (but didn’t ask) that this effort happened because of STU’s connection to both artists…

Here it is live with RACHEL

https://m.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=big+special+thin+horses

SPOTIFY-

https://open.spotify.com/track/0SsfKknPb9aAsvq3FxBQRa?si=CVkIscbIQpK4ujuMfGjRTA

(SONG 1498)

Thanks for being such a pal STU. You have enriched my musical life and I appreciate you.

STU’S INSTAGRAM- stumacprosound

Play Loud Friend

1/11/2026