Coldplay, Cyndi Lauper and the Red Arrows: Saturday at Glastonbury 2024 – a photo essay
Day two for the photography team at Glastonbury brought the heat, the Last Dinner Party, a flypast, and an astonishing array of anthems from Chris Martin and co
December 2023
I’m only seeing bands I loved when I was 14. Am I in a musical rut – or is this growing up?
Sinéad Stubbins
I used to be devoted to discovering new music. Now my gig-going is mostly driven by nostalgia – and I’m not alone
December 2022
The music essay
‘I will outshine them all’: the enduring genius of Bloc Party
As US pop-punk band Paramore claim the London band as the primary influence on their new album, we look at how Bloc Party bridged the gap with emo – and continue to inspire young artists today
January 2019
Leave to Remain review – spirited gay-marriage musical from Kele Okereke
In Okereke and Matt Jones’s play, directed by Robby Graham, the story, song and movement are seamlessly integrated
May 2018
From the Internet to Vampire Weekend: can a band survive when members go solo?
When the band have a break and its individual members go it alone - things will never be the same again
April 2018
Culture highlights of the week
What to see this week in the UK
From Funny Cow to Julian Opie, here’s our pick of the best films, concerts, exhibitions, theatre and dance over the next seven days
October 2017
Kele Okereke: Fatherland review – goodbye disco, hello folk
(BMG)
September 2017
Festival No 6 review – Charlotte Church throws curveballs and the Flaming Lips ride unicorns
The Portmeirion festival headliners were as eccentric as the location, with operatic pop covers from Church and a typically psychedelic turn from Wayne Coyne
July 2017
Culture webchats
Kele Okereke webchat – your questions answered on protest music, Pixar films and #GrimeForCorbyn
The Bloc Party frontman is about to release his third solo album, inspired by becoming a father – he’s in the office to answer your questions
November 2016
Observer New Review Q&A
Kele Okereke: ‘Tenderness is important’
The Bloc Party frontman on masculinity, his magpie eye for musical influences and the lessons of impending fatherhood
May 2016
Children's books
10 songs you didn't know were inspired by literature
From David Bowie’s 1984 to Firework by Katy Perry, art imitates art in this selection of literature-inspired songs
February 2016
Bookish blasts
The best books-and-music pairings
Listening to music and reading not only can go together, but can make fantastic partners and intensify both experiences. Here are your favourite pairings – with couples like Stephen King and Petshop Boys, sci-fi and Aphex Twin or Atwood and Beach House
January 2016
Bloc Party: Hymns review – a brave and successful reinvention
Bloc Party review – euphoria greets an unlikely comeback
Bloc Party’s new rhythm section helps the band conjure up compulsive pop malevolence and confirms their status as cult titans
November 2015
Arguments, apologies and scouring YouTube for drummers: how Kele got Bloc Party restarted
The frontman admits ‘it sometimes felt frosty’ in his band. But now, with two new members, he’s ready to clear up why they split and how they made their sensuous comeback
August 2015
Readers recommend
Readers recommend: songs about confusion and delusion – results
Foals, Bloc Party and Disclosure to headline Falls festival and Southbound
October 2014
Kele: Trick review – confident, carnal disco on Bloc Party singer’s second solo album
