Alan Dearling was lucky enough to enjoy a wonderfully mis-spent youth in the 1960s, travelling to the early rock and pop festivals and experiencing the delights of early Pink Floyd, the Beatles, Hendrix, the Doors, Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band and Jefferson Airplane. But he’s even more interested in what he’s listening to and seeing live now!

Early in his life, he contributed a few drawings and words for the UK’s underground press in International Times, and more later in Melody Maker and became a respected writer and active festival/gig organiser. He has written and published a large number of books about creative work with young people and social policy. Over the years, Alan has worked at a number of universities including Brunel, Cardiff and Queensland University of Technology. Alan is also proud to be involved with his friends and colleagues supporting the Futurological Free Cultural Spaces Symposia. His books on youth cultures, alternative lifestyles, eco-protest, festivals and new Travellers include: A time to travel?; No Boundaries; Alternative Australia – celebrating cultural diversity; Another kind of Space; Battle of the Beanfield; Youth Africa Music Experience and Travelling Daze.