8 h. ago Kae Tempest at Village Underground review: spitting bars and radiating trans joy

An intimate gig allowed the poet and rapper to debut new songs — and a new voice

Politics

15 h. ago ‘I feel as though I’ve been in chains’: the bittersweet life of lovers rock legend Mari’ Pierre

The British-Guyanese singer topped the reggae chart with 1978’s Walk Away, but despite work with Robert Plant and others, she’s rarely returned to the studio. This interview might change that In December 1978, Marie Pierre was at No 1 in the UK reggae chart with the lovers rock classic Walk Away, a beautiful tearstained lament on a troubled relationship. Her 1979 debut album Love Affair, powered by another enduring scene song in Choose Me, remained one of Trojan’s best-selling albums well into the 1980s; Pierre, with her crystalline multi-octave voice, seemed destined to follow her contemporary, Silly Games singer Janet Kay, into mainstream pop-reggae success.But in the 46 years since, Pierre has never released another album. A career that promised so much has – despite TV work and successful backing singing gigs with Robert Plant, Donna Summer and Chaka Khan – been one of frustration and thwarted ambition. Misfortune, mistrust and mistreatment, personal and professional, have sidel...

Politics

19 h. ago ‘It was like a freight train hit us’: How Justin Bieber changed the world (really)

Screaming girls. Puppy-love songs. That haircut. As the Canadian superstar’s debut album turns 15 – the same age he was when he became internationally inescapable – Mark Beaumont takes a look at his fast rise and often overlooked legacy

Events

33 h. ago Zadie Smith on the magic of Tracy Chapman: ‘She didn’t just look like us – she was singing our songs’

The novelist was just 12 when the ex-busker stunned a mammoth crowd at the Free Nelson Mandela concert – and sent everyone racing to Woolworths for her astonishing debut album. Its simple, honest, perfect songs of protest have mesmerised the writer ever sinceOn 11 June 1988, I was 12 and sitting with my family watching the Free Nelson Mandela Concert on TV. As a clan, we were old hands at trying to free Mandela, having done our fair share of marching and boycotting over the years, and this concert felt like the culmination of all that. There was a lot of excitement in the room: we squeezed on to the sofa and opened the windows wide. (If the wind’s blowing in the right direction, you can hear a Wembley audience roar from Willesden.)Many world-famous musicians played that day. Most of them I don’t remember, but one I will never forget: Tracy Chapman. I think a lot of people feel that way, though when you rewatch the footage you realise what she was up against at the time. Nobody cheer...

Events

44 h. ago What to stream: Elton John & Brandi Carlile, Michelle Williams on FX and Kevin Bacon hunts demons

Michelle Williams starring in the FX dramedy “Dying for Sex” and Elton John and Brandi Carlile teaming up for the album “Who Believes In Angels?”

Politics

5 d. ago Elton John in 'awful state' over making album while war is going on in Middle East

Sir Elton John has opened up about making his latest album featuring Brandi Carlile but admits his mind was in two places during the recording due to conflict in the Middle East

Events

5 d. ago Elton John plays classics, new songs with Brandi Carlile at London Royal Palladium show

Elton John plays classics, new songs with Brandi Carlile at London Royal Palladium show  KSLX

Culture

5 d. ago Elton John and Brandi Carlile break out classics and debut new songs at one

Elton John and Brandi Carlile break out classics and debut new songs at one-off London Palladium show  NME

Politics

5 d. ago Elton John, Brandi Carlile Bring the Groove, and Messages of Hope, to London

Elton John, Brandi Carlile Bring the Groove, and Messages of Hope, to London  Hollywood Reporter

Politics

5 d. ago Elton John, Brandi Carlile Bring the Groove, and Messages of Hope, to ‘Who Believes in Angels?’ Album Concert in London

Elton John, Brandi Carlile Bring the Groove, and Messages of Hope, to ‘Who Believes in Angels?’ Album Concert in London  Hollywood Reporter

Culture

6 d. ago Elton John tells how he ‘stepped up to mark’ to make new album at London gig

An Evening With Elton John And Brandi Carlile saw the musical pair play tracks from their new collaborative album.

Politics

6 d. ago Elton John and Brandi Carlile to perform in ‘unforgettable’ ITV concert special

The concert, An Evening With Elton John And Brandi Carlile, will be hosted by Schitt’s Creek actor Dan Levy.

Culture

6 d. ago ITV announces Evening With Elton John and Brandi Carlile as superstar duo preview new album

The special will air on ITV - with the evening providing the audience with a special concert as Elton and Brandi preform solo hits and tunes from their new album Who Believes in Angels?

Culture

7 d. ago Wet Leg Debut Seven New Songs at Intimate Shows in Brighton and London

Wet Leg Debut Seven New Songs at Intimate Shows in Brighton and London  Billboard

Culture

1 week ago Brandi Carlile, Elton John to hit the stage in London for CBS album special

Brandi Carlile, Elton John to hit the stage in London for CBS album special  Tennessean

Events

2 w. ago Elton John and Brandi Carlile Concert in London Will Be Filmed for CBS Special

Elton John and Brandi Carlile Concert in London Will Be Filmed for CBS Special  Rolling Stone

Culture

2 w. ago Elton John/Brandi Carlile London Concert to Be Filmed for April CBS Special

Elton John/Brandi Carlile London Concert to Be Filmed for April CBS Special  Variety

Culture

3 w. ago Massive Attack debut atmospheric unreleased song as part of immersive 'Un:Plugged' installation in London

Massive Attack debut atmospheric unreleased song as part of immersive 'Un:Plugged' installation in London  NME

Economics

3 w. ago Massive Attack debut atmospheric unreleased song as part of immersive 'Piccadilly Un:Plugged' installation in London

Massive Attack debut atmospheric unreleased song as part of immersive 'Piccadilly Un:Plugged' installation in London  NME

Economics