Pop! goes the curriculum: songs to inspire primary school children
Keir Starmer is on a personal mission to promote music to the under-11s. From rock’n’roll to Jonathan Richman, our writers suggest songs for an alternative schooling
February 2024
‘When they cleared the wreckage, it was all that survived’: 10 of history’s most irreplaceable guitars
As Paul McCartney is reunited with his violin-shaped Hofner bass, we look at equally iconic guitars, from Prince’s phallic symbol to Jimmy Page’s double-necked beast
January 2024
Grammys 2024: who will win the big categories – and who should
Can Taylor Swift sweep the board after an astonishingly successful year, or will strong songwriting from the likes of SZA and Olivia Rodrigo be acknowledged?
November 2023
The best vinyl album covers of 2023
The annual Art Vinyl prize for the best designed vinyl album cover has announced its shortlist. Here’s a selection of the best
July 2023
‘On reflection, it’s very uncool’: readers’ scrapbooks of pop fandom
With the Wham! documentary showcasing Andrew Ridgeley’s mum’s scrapbooks of their career, readers share their own shrines to Roxy Music, Metallica, David Bowie and more
June 2023
Download festival review – 20th birthday brings double Metallica, occult glam and a new breed
‘We are the great unwashed!’: Iron Maiden, Metallica and more on 20 years of Download
April 2023
Metallica: 72 Seasons review – solid rather than spectacular
Alexis Petridis's album of the week
Metallica: 72 Seasons review – a poignant if protracted nostalgia kick
March 2023
Metallica buy vinyl factory as format outsells CDs for first time in US since 1987
The thrash metallers have secured their own supply of the high-value format, which is enjoying a 16th consecutive year of growth, ahead of the release of a new album
October 2022
Ranked
The 100 greatest BBC music performances – ranked!
As the Beeb celebrates its centenary, we take a look at its most memorable pop moments, from the birth of grime to the first sightings of Bob Dylan and Bob Marley, plus TOTP goes Madchester and countless classic Peel sessions
September 2022
Taylor Hawkins tribute concert review – stars unite to honour the late Foo Fighters drummer
An eclectic lineup of musicians makes this a curious bombardment of music – but Dave Grohl, his voice cracking with emotion, is the real star of the show
August 2022
‘We just tore each other down’: why Parkway Drive went to therapy
I was a teenage Napster obsessive – and illegal downloading changed my music taste for good
Emma Garland
July 2022
Metallica’s Master of Puppets conjures UK Top 40 hit thanks to Stranger Things
1986 song gets first ever UK chart placing after appearing in season finale, reaching No 22
Experience
Experience: I gave birth at a Metallica concert
The doctor cut the cord as the band finished their set. It was magical
That syncing feeling: how Stranger Things supercharged the music industry
The chart success of first Kate Bush and now Metallica thanks to ‘syncs’ in Stranger Things shows how TV shows and TikTok are increasingly crucial for heritage acts
January 2022
Around the world in 300 dates: Metallica’s black album tour – in pictures
Metallica’s self-titled 1991 album, known to fans as ‘the black album’, helped turn the rock band into global stars. Photographer Ross Halfin accompanied them on an epic tour
September 2021
Drugs, divorce and incessant drum takes: Metallica on making metal’s biggest ever album
Elton John announces new album made with A-list guests in lockdown
