Belfast-born poet, academic and essayist whose work explored the everyday with wit and straightforward syntax
January 2024
‘Feel no shame for what you are’: the greatest songs about the new year
From Abba to U2, midcentury vocal groups to 00s emo, we highlight songs that clear up the previous year’s party and look to a fresh start
November 2023
Van Morrison review – gently shakes, rattles and rolls back the years
The 78-year-old’s voice is still strong but his reworkings of early rock’n’roll tunes are more wily than wild
September 2023
Richard Davis obituary
US jazz bassist who worked with Van Morrison and Sarah Vaughan and later became a professor of bass at Wisconsin University
January 2023
The perfect song
Mark Seymour: Sweet Thing by Van Morrison is the most perfect song of all time
The ‘agonisingly beautiful’ song from 1968’s Astral Weeks inspired the Hunters & Collectors singer to write love songs – and continues to taunt him
August 2022
Mo Ostin, US record exec who signed Jimi Hendrix and the Kinks, dies aged 95
Headhunted by Frank Sinatra, the head of Warner/Reprise oversaw classic releases by the likes of Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac and Prince
May 2022
Van Morrison takes legal action against Northern Ireland health department and minister over Covid article
The musician’s action comes in response to a Rolling Stone article by minister Robin Swann defending his department’s response to the pandemic
November 2021
Northern Ireland health minister to sue Van Morrison over Covid remarks
Legal action comes after singer hit out at Robin Swann over handling of Covid restrictions
September 2021
Pee Wee Ellis obituary
Sweet Thing review – drama of struggling children is a low-key delight
July 2021
Eric Clapton refuses to play venues that require proof of vaccination
Clapton says he won’t perform for a ‘discriminated audience’ after vaccination passports made mandatory for clubs and venues this autumn
June 2021
Rolling Stones, Tom Jones and more join campaign for law change on streaming
Musicians join Paul McCartney, Kate Bush and others in campaign for better remuneration from companies such as Spotify, and creation of industry regulator
May 2021
Alexis Petridis's album of the week
Van Morrison: Latest Record Project Volume 1 review – depressing rants by tinfoil milliner
The veteran bluesman loudly wakes up the sheeple with this boring and paranoid double album, reminiscent of a dinner party with a bitter divorcee
April 2021
The music essay
Rockin' in the free world? Inside the rightwing takeover of protest music
It’s easy to laugh at hardcore patriots misunderstanding Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA, but such appropriation is increasingly widespread – and dangerously twisting the truth
February 2021
Johnny Rogan obituary
Music biographer whose tenacity and meticulous attention to detail did not always please his subjects
January 2021
Van Morrison to start legal action over Northern Ireland Covid ban on live music
Music legend stirs further pandemic controversy, challenging recent ‘blanket ban on live music’ in court
September 2020
Van Morrison review – transcending the pandemic with mystic soul
Northern Ireland health minister criticises Van Morrison anti-lockdown songs
Brief letters
Van Morrison: follow the tune but forget the message
Medical experts v anti-vaxxers: the Covid-19 information battle
