Barry Adamson

The Profile

Barry Adamson is a British musician and composer from Manchester. He first gained recognition as the bassist of Magazine and later worked extensively with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. Since the late 1980s he has released a series of solo records blending post-punk, jazz, soul and cinematic, soundtrack-inspired styles.

Former Magazine bassist; longstanding collaborator with Nick Cave (including The Birthday Party nexus and The Bad Seeds, returning for Push the Sky Away sessions in 2013); acclaimed for filmic solo albums such as Moss Side Story and Oedipus Schmoedipus, and for soundtrack work.

A praise-filled review of Barry Adamson’s Know Where to Run highlights his Manchester roots, Magazine and Bad Seeds pedigree, and genre-splicing solo craft. The album blends soul, Motown flashes, acid jazz and pop hooks with filmic textures. Tracks like Cine City, Up in the Air and Death Takes a Holiday drive the groove, while ballads and cinematic pieces show his vocal and compositional range. Recorded in Brighton with Paul Pascoe, it’s framed as a confident culmination of his past work.