3 d. ago Music can lift mood, foster community and even rewire brains – but does it need to have a purpose?

The therapeutic role music can play is the focus of a string of new books and even an entire BBC radio station. But why can’t we just listen to music for music’s sake?Growing up, I never questioned the intrinsic value of classical music. My father practising classical and jazz guitar was the aural wallpaper to my childhood, and at my rural state school I took lessons on the recorder, the violin, the cello, the trombone, the piano. The after-school clubs on offer included, somewhat implausibly, an ocarina ensemble. Music was art, and wasn’t art the point of it all, when you got right down to it? The reason to live, after we cater for all our basic needs? It was certainly what led me to become first a classical musician, and then a music historian.But when my dad died unexpectedly in 2019, it threw my relationship with music into sharp relief. All of a sudden, I couldn’t bear listening to it. It was too painful, or it grated on my nerves and made me angry. I started to question how an...

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3 d. ago Rylan Clark halts show before declaring 'love' for BBC Radio 2 co

Rylan Clark stunned his BBC Radio 2 listeners when he stopped his show in its tracks to make a gushing statement about his colleague Liza Tarbuck

Politics

3 d. ago Rylan Clark puts BBC Radio 2 show 'on hold' as he declares 'love' for co

BBC Radio 2 star Rylan Clark told listeners he had just returned from filming season 2 of 'Dating Naked UK' before halting the show to share his affection for a co-star

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6 d. ago Voices: Magaland is having its faith tested – maybe St Donald is only human after all

Everyday Americans who voted for Trump to make them rich have had a rude awakening from his market-plunging tariffs, says Jon Sopel

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1 week ago Rylan Clark's BBC replacement says 'nobody knows' amid concerns over host's absence

Rylan Clark's BBC Radio 2 replacement Owain Wyn Evans was flooded with messages from listeners, as he questioned the presenter's whereabouts live on air

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2 w. ago Today Programme listeners call out tension between Emma Barnett and Nick Robinson on their first show together since 'clashing egos' row

Emma Barnett, 61, and Nick Robinson, 61, tried to pretend it was business as usual, but Radio 4 listeners were less than convinced, noting an icy air between the pair on Thursday morning.

Events

2 w. ago David Schwimmer reveals he couldn’t listen to Friends theme tune for years

Actor says he had to hear I’ll Be There for You so many times, he could no longer bear itThe Friends actor David Schwimmer spent years unable to listen to the theme tune of his smash-hit comedy, he revealed yesterday. According to the star, he was forced to hear it so many times at the height of his fame that the mere sound of it made him feel miserable.“I’ll be really honest, there was a time for quite a while that just hearing the theme song would really uggh,” he said during an appearance on Matt Lucas and David Walliams’ Making a Scene podcast. Continue reading...

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2 w. ago Rylan Clark says 'can I check this isn't Gordon Ramsay' after stealing from restaurant

BBC Radio 2's Rylan Clark bizarrely asked a listener whether he was none other than celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay during his radio broadcast

Events

2 w. ago Paul Barnes dies as tributes pour in for BBC radio and TV legend

"His knowledge was vast and his keenness to pass that on to a loyal band of like-minded listeners made for memorable radio shows."

Events

3 w. ago Radio is back – Gen Z's listening habits are changing the face of media

Analogue tech has never been more popular - surprisingly

Politics

3 w. ago BBC cuts off expats from tuning into scores of radio stations and podcasts in 'devastating' blow for overseas listeners

Expats to be cut off from scores of radio stations and Sounds content as the broadcaster tries to slim down its international output and prioritise UK licence holders

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4 w. ago 'Faith in humanity' restored for Celtic band Skerryvore as stolen bagpipes found by radio listener

Skerryvore said the bagpipes had been found by a ‘good Samaritan’

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last month Celtic rock band Skerryvore tells of 'absolutely revolting end' to 'incredible' Australia tour

Skerryvore was on a tour of Australia

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