Ten-year-old Arlo's lockdown music fanzine is a global hit

  • Watch Ellie Barker's report.

Music fan Arlo Lippiatt has produced a punk and rock fanzine during lockdown that has sold thousands of copies worldwide.

The ten-year-old from Saltford near Bristol has interviewed some of the biggest bands and artists in the world for his publication 'Pint Sized Punk', including the Manic Street Preachers and Banf from the Super Furry Animals.

Arlo's Pint-sized punk fanzine features interviews with the Manic Street Preachers and other big names. Credit: ITV West Country

With word spreading of the homemade fanzine's global success, in part due to Arlo's unique line of questioning, musicians are now asking him to review their work. 

He says: "My favourite answer is from [Bristol-based band] Beak when I asked them if they like Marmite - because now I have loads of Marmite recipes."

The project was inspired by Arlo's mum Hannah when he told her he was frustrated by home schooling. Credit: ITV West Country

Mum Hannah, an English teacher, encouraged Arlo to start the project, interviewing local bands and artists, when he told her he found home schooling frustrating.

From a young age, Arlo has regularly gone to gigs with his parents and has a natural interest in the local music scene.

She says: "We suddenly had this time together during lockdown that we weren't expecting and I wanted to make an opportunity out of it."

Arlo used his maths skills counting up production costs and practised his handwriting by sending notes to the artists he wanted to speak to.

Arlo was lucky to land an interview with Bunf from the Super Furry Animals. Credit: Arlo Lippiatt

Arlo says: "I started out asking loads of people if they would be involved because I just thought they would say no, but now I'm overwhelmed with interviews."

And with orders coming in from as far afield as America and Australia, Arlo's success has come as a surprise to mum Hannah.

Arlo regularly goes to gigs with his mum and dad and has now turned his love of rock and punk into a global brand. Credit: Family

Hannah Lippiatt says: "We just thought a few tolerant friends and family would give Arlo a pat on the head and say, 'well done'."

But with the orders flooding in, Arlo plans to continue producing the magazine even when he goes back to school.