Music + Live music reviews
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4 out of 5 stars.
Avril Lavigne at Glastonbury review – pop punk pioneer still gives potent teenage kicks
4 out of 5 stars.The Canadian singer plays to the biggest Other stage crowd of the weekend, all in thrall to an expertly written catalogue that has real strength and depth -
4 out of 5 stars.Her voice, affected by Lyme disease, isn’t what it once was – but her country glamour and crowdpleasing impulses make for a successful legends set
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3 out of 5 stars.While it might have been cancelled after the premiere in 1840, Christopher Alden’s frenetic staging, an effervescent Philharmonia Orchestra and a fine cast show there’s a decent evening’s entertainment in there
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5 out of 5 stars.
Coldplay at Glastonbury review – Chris Martin takes tens of thousands on the adventure of a lifetime
5 out of 5 stars.Fireworks! Lasers! Confetti! More fireworks! Coldplay pull out every last stop for their record fifth headline performance, and you’d be churlish not to love it
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4 out of 5 stars.
Manic Street Preachers / Suede review – co-headliners bring out the best in each other
4 out of 5 stars.More than merely a mutual love-in, this tour finds the two bands – and longterm friends – spurring each other on to be provocative and potent
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4 out of 5 stars.
Nardus Williams/Elizabeth Kenny review – compelling and crystalline duo open Spitalfields festival
4 out of 5 stars.Premiering Roderick Williams’ song cycle about Black Tudors alongside songs from the period itself, the rising-star soprano was elegant, while the uber-lutenist poured her solos like liquid -
4 out of 5 stars.Ben Goldscheider’s solo horn took centre stage in a rewarding and fascinating concert featuring new and older compositions that combined his instrument with live electronics
Hebrides Ensemble/Lamprea review – Schoenberg’s Pierrot is pushed to extremes
3 out of 5 stars.