★★★★☆
There’s something cleansing about witnessing Yusuf/Cat Stevens wander onto the stage in his 75th year and strum through his soulful repertoire. It’s an experience that triggers an emotional response.
★★★☆☆
Amid tech and vocal difficulties, Guns N’ Roses put on a hit-and-miss display that felt as though it belonged to a different era – albeit with some worthy headline moments, writes Greg Wetherall.
★★★★☆
Written and recorded in the wake of the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins and Virginia Grohl, But Here We Are is a heavy album, both in lyric and sound, which lends it a tremendous power.
Tim Gallagher might now be labelmates with Headie One and Bad Boy Chiller Crew, and boast a significant online presence, but he’s more than paid his dues to get there.
Greg Wetherall sat down with anime master Makoto Shinkai to talk about his latest anime masterpiece, Suzume.
★★★☆☆
Wigan outfit The Lathums have grown a reputation for wearing their hearts on their sleeves and belting relatable tunes. Yet whilst From Nothing To A Little Bit More doesn’t always hit the same strides as their chart-topping debut, there’s still plenty to admire.
★★★★☆
Sheffield outfit Reverend and the Makers rolled back the years to deliver welcome upbeat indie at Islington Assembly Hall – and even took to the streets to do so.
★★★★☆
Released fully independently, The Reytons’ second album, What’s Rock and Roll?, might be imitative of others in parts, but has plenty of guitar-heavy strength in its own right, writes Greg Wetherall.
★★★☆☆ Establishing a strong sense of identity can haunt bands as much as it haunts individuals. Dig beneath the sparkling veneer of Liverpool’s indie-pop tunesmiths Circa Waves and you’ll find it is a conundrum that ails them too as they stride into their second decade.
★★★★☆ On the final night of their UK tour, First Aid Kit played Hammersmith Apollo, reeling off tracks from their latest record Palamino as well as old favourites. Greg Wetherall reviews.
White Lung's first album in six years seems set to be their last. If this sadly proves to be the case, it's a terrific way to bow out. Find our Premonition review below.
★★★★☆
It’s been just over a year since Kasabian first took to the stage following singer Tom Meighan’s sudden and controversial departure. Meighan’s best mate, sidekick, and, not to mention, creative foil Serge Pizzorno was always a magnetic onstage presence, but the ease in which he has assumed the role as de facto frontman has probably been a little to everyone’s surprise.
We caught up with critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Anna Calvi to discuss preparation for her fourth album, why she uses a Fender Telecaster and the advice Nick Cave gave to her.
Kurt Vile has expressed his love for experimental pop artist Caroline Polachek. Although he was due to play All Points East festival on Friday on the supporting bill for The National, Vile arrived a day early to catch Polachek’s set from the side of the stage.
We speak to Pixies drummer David Lovering about the band’s forthcoming album, Doggerel, their split and later reuniting, and going out for dinner in Manchester with David Bowie.
“It’s been really nice to get back into the world and play again,” reflects Courtney Barnett from her portal cabin backstage at BST Hyde Park. The 34-year-old is about to wrap up her first clutch of European dates since 2019 with a prestigious supporting slot on The Rolling Stones bill and she’s in a relaxed mood.
The story of Max Pope – who ditched his management, dropped out of the music biz, exchanged musical equipment for gardening tools before coming back stronger – is one of wiping the slate clean, tearing up the masterplan, and doing things on his own terms.
★★★★★
Some experiences in life are almost too overwhelming to do justice through words. Maybe it is meant to be that way, as though having the audacity to even attempt it is a transgression in itself – an act of dilution, detracting from the moment of majesty and turning it instantly into something more prosaic.
