Rolling Programme

Renowned DJ, artist, and cultural provocateur Justin Robertson ventures back into the world of fiction with his second novel, The Trial of Jonah. A wildly imaginative and darkly humorous narrative, the book explores the tangled roots of creativity, the intangible magic of art and the dark larceny at the heart of all human endeavours.

Following the proceedings of the trial of Jonah Plantagenet—A son of a demon god sent on a holy mission to plunder history for its artistic treasures—the novel is an electrifying journey through time and culture.

From the mists of prehistory to the underground scenes of late 20th-century counterculture, Jonah wreaks havoc across art, music, and philosophy, stealing brilliance from the likes of J.G. Ballard, Kandinsky, and even the Beatles. As his misdeeds mount, Jonah must finally confront the ultimate question: what does it mean to create when creation itself is an act of possession?

Robertson, celebrated for his contributions to the dance music world and his genre-defying artistry, brings the same boundary-pushing energy to his new novel. The Trial of Jonah is as much an ode to the creative process as it is a searing critique of its darker undercurrents.

Infused with wit and absurdity, the novel draws on Robertson’s encyclopaedic knowledge of music, art, and history to weave a kaleidoscopic tale of rebellion, reinvention, and redemption.

With a narrative that traverses Roman Britain, the arcades of Slough, and the birth of Acid House, The Trial of Jonah is as much a love letter to counterculture as it is a philosophical inquiry into the nature of art. Robertson’s distinctive voice—a blend of punk ethos, erudition, and irreverent humour—shines through on every page.

Free event but booking advised.

Justin Robertson will be performing a DJ set with special guest Noel Watson on the evening of Saturday 8 March in Ulster Sports Club. https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Belfast/Ulster-Sports-Club/Twitch—Justin-Robertson–Noel-Watson/40563019/