The Windmill is a flat-roofed pub in Brixton that for the past two decades has been at the epicentre of the capital’s underground music scene. Everyone from Mica Levi to Fat White Family to Black Midi has passed through its doors, which are presided over by a series of roof dogs including the legendary Ben the Rottweiler. With the help of impressionistic sketches by his son Otto, Will Hodgkinson goes on a spiritual journey to the heart of the Windmill, seeking to understand why this former Irish boozer has become such a magical space of freedom and discovery.

-The illustrations throughout are by Will's son Otto Hodgkinson

-The cover is embossed and has flaps that include a tear-out bookmark featuring a fascinating timeline of this iconic venue's special moments.

About the Author

Will Hodgkinson is the author of Guitar Man, Song Man, The Ballad of Britain and The House Is Full Of Yogis. He has written for Mojo, Vogue, the Guardian and Monocle, and as chief rock and pop critic of The Times he enjoys far more time in dives like the Windmill than is fitting for a man of his age. The first gig he went to, aged thirteen, was the Stingrays at the longgone Clarendon in Hammersmith and his favourite album is Forever Changes by Love.