Steve Lamacq: Going Deaf For A Living

Steve Lamacq sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo (given to him by John Peel) or “The Cat” (due to his ability as a goalkeeper), is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music.

DJ and journalist Steve Lamacq celebrates 30 years in the music industry with a new, intimate one man-show of anecdotes and observations, clocked up over three decades of championing new music. Since swapping his fanzine for a job at the NME, the music obsessive has seen more than 5,000 gigs and banged on endlessly about music he’s found. But Going Deaf For A Living isn’t just his story; it’s a fond exploration of the life of all music fans from the first record you buy to the best gig you’ve ever seen.

Expect frontline stories from his NME days (inc. interviewing Nirvana in a Shepherds Bush B&B) and about life at Radio 1 and BBC 6Music, where, over 20 years he’s booked sessions for numerous Next Big Things; interviewed Noel Gallagher 17 times; and, in 2013, was awarded the prestigious radio gong, the Sony Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Anyone who has ever been asked by parents or friends, whether they really need to own so many records, will soon warm to Lamacq’s story, as he amiably tells of his journey from being a starstruck fan outside a 1980 Undertones gig, through phases as journalist for the NME, record company boss and club DJ, before finding his home at The Evening Session. Along the way, Lamacq gives his viewpoint of such now-legendary events as the night the Manic Street Preachers Richey Edwards carved the words “4 Real” in his arm in response to a challenge to his group’s artistic integrity, and the appearance of a noticeably refreshed and abusive pair of Gallaghers in the Radio One studios. In addition, cameos from such legends as Kurt Cobain, John Peel and, crucially, Chris Evans (“Nice Chap!”), keep Lamacq’s tale lively, and often very amusing.” Steve Price.