Pop
Dazzling – if you ignore the music: Beyoncé, at Murrayfield Stadium, reviewed
Scheduling open-air concerts in mid-May in northern Europe is a triumph of hope over experience. I last spent time with…
The new Pogues: The Mary Wallopers, at O2 Forum Kentish Town, reviewed
I was listening the other week to a solo album by an ageing rock guitarist, once terrifically famous. It was…
Heartfelt but bland: Ed Sheeran’s – (Subtract) reviewed
Whether by accident or design, the mathematical theme of Ed Sheeran’s previous album titles (+, ×, ÷ and = respectively)…
A phenomenally exciting new band: The Last Dinner Party, at Camden Assembly, reviewed
A user’s guide to how pop music works in the 21st century. Step one: you see a great new band.…
Americana Coldplay: The National’s First Two Pages of Frankenstein reviewed
Once upon a time, rock bands wished for nothing more than to look as though they posed a clear and…
Glorious: Elton John’s farewell tour, at the O2 Arena, reviewed
Elton John has now been retiring for nearly five years. The Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour began in Allentown, Pennsylvania,…
Why can’t I let go of my records?
I’m not a natural lender. I’m a reasonably soft touch when it comes to money, but regarding the important things…
Why supergroups nearly always suck
Recently in these pages, ruminating on the ghastly Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I wrote that music does not…
Pretty, charming and largely unremarkable: Devonte Hynes & the LSO reviewed
Think of pop music as being like the parable of the sower. These days the seed falling on stony ground…
The most exciting live band in Britain right now: Young Fathers, at the O2 Academy, reviewed
There are several reasons why Young Fathers currently feel like the most exciting live band in Britain, but for now…
Full of love: Butler, Blake and Grant, at the Union Chapel, reviewed
Years ago, I asked Robert Plant what he felt about the world’s love of ‘Stairway to Heaven’. He said he…
His nasal American-Yorkshire voice struggles to convince: Yungblud, at OVO Hydro, reviewed
Even before albums became bloated, thanks to the largesse offered by CDs and streaming, most contained filler: those so-so songs…
The crowd was the star of the show: Carly Rae Jepsen, at Alexandra Palace, reviewed
The other week I saw a T-shirt bearing the caption ‘For the girls, the gays and the theys’. And if…
Down with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
There is footage on the internet of Robert Smith, lead singer in the Cure, being interviewed on the occasion of…
Going Metric
Why aren’t Metric stars? In their native Canada, several of their albums have gone platinum, but the rest of the…
Two of Scotland’s most inventive solo musicians: Fergus McCreadie, Maeve Gilchrist + Mr McFall’s Quartet reviewed
Folk is the Schiphol of Scottish music. Eventually, every curious traveller passes through. From arena rockers to rappers, traditional music…
A brilliant show : The 1975, at the O2, reviewed
The great country singer George Jones was famed not just for his voice, but also for his drinking. Once, deprived…
Beautiful bleakness crowned with slivers of hope: John Cale’s Mercy reviewed
There’s a case to be made for John Cale being the most daring ex-member of the Velvet Underground. Lou Reed…
Not everything Bowie did was genius – he was more interesting than that
I’m generally not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, but one occurred to me recently as the younger members of…
Christmas songs that will reduce your gas bills
It’s unlikely that Irving Berlin was pondering the energy price cap when he composed the seasonal standard ‘I’ve Got My…
Why I love Rod Stewart
Reader, I let you down. But I did so for the right reason: for love. On a night when all…
Like A-ha after an extensive rewilding process: Sigur Ros, at Usher Hall, reviewed
Plus: it’s quite clear that MUNA are going to be huge What is it with Icelanders and mushrooms? Just weeks…
The joy of B-sides
Paul Weller releasing a collection of solo B-sides is cause for mild celebration. After all, the Jam were one of…
A generational pop talent: Rina Sawayama, at the O2 Academy Brixton, reviewed
The first time I saw Franz Ferdinand was at the sadly lost Astoria, just after the release of their first…
