2 h. ago One to watch: Asha Banks is storming the worlds of music and acting

Superstition is working its magic for asha banks — she’s smashing it on stage, screen and behind the mic

Events

52 h. ago Even Happy Birthday has a dark side: my quest to tell the history of the world in 50 pieces of music

The Nazis adopted Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. Happy Birthday hides a tale of corporate greed. And Putin uses Shostakovich’s Leningrad symphony as a call to arms. That’s why I put them in my soundtrack to the complexities of human existenceThe idea was always a ludicrous one: to reduce millennia of human musical history – not to mention billennia of the Earth’s sonic geology – into a book of 50 pieces of music. And yet that’s the challenge I decided to take on. The most pressing question was: why? To which my answer was: the inevitable failures and gaps of the project are precisely where its interest lies.The next concern was how. Called A History of the World in 50 Pieces, the book is not a digested history of music, nor a list of my favourite songs, performances or recordings. Instead, it’s centred on the definition of a “piece of music”. This is a democratic principle – a belief that works don’t belong only to their creators but are shared and reinterpreted by generations of musicians...

Culture

55 h. ago Trump’s tariffs are choking small US manufacturers – even those making music magic

EarthQuaker Devices has served Smashing Pumpkins, PJ Harvey and Radiohead but says tariffs add costs up to 30%Julie Robbins and her team at EarthQuaker Devices have made guitar pedals for some of the biggest names in the world of music. The Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, PJ Harvey and others have sought out the company’s bespoke, handmade pedals for their unique sounds and designs. Its most popular model, Plumes, has sold over 67,000 devices.Their made-from-scratch effects petals use more than 1,000 components, many which are imported directly from countries such as China and Vietnam or are bought from companies that bring them in from overseas. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Greater Manchester club named on of the world's 'best' in new guide

The city centre venue sits alongside some of the world's biggest clubbing institutions

Politics

4 d. ago It’s not just you, Christmas music is starting to play earlier

New data shows that people are getting into the festive spirit earlier than ever this year, and also playing more Christmas music

Politics

4 d. ago Spotify down LIVE as worldwide blackout hits millions of users

Spotify is down for people across the world, with the music streaming giant saying it is working on a fix while reports of an outage pour in

Events

9 d. ago Universal Music Group expands global portfolio of retail stores for superfans, with new shop locations in New York and London

Universal Music Group expands global portfolio of retail stores for superfans, with new shop locations in New York and London  Music Business Worldwide

Politics

9 d. ago “One of the most significant artefacts in rock music history”: Kurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged Martin D

“One of the most significant artefacts in rock music history”: Kurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged Martin D-18E – the world’s most expensive guitar – has been donated to the Royal College of Music London  Guitar World

Culture

1 week ago River Taff bursts banks as Storm Bram continues to batter Wales

River levels have been extremely high throughout Tuesday and parts of Blackweir in Cardiff are now flooded

Events

1 week ago Nick Cave’s Veiled World documentary is a captivating look at the musician’s songwriting genius

Sky’s film assembles some of the Australian musician’s closest friends and collaborators for an in-depth look at the dark, mysterious worlds he conjures, and the eclectic characters dwelling in them, writes Roisin O’Connor

Culture

2 w. ago Ultimate Christmas car playlist: 25 expertly chosen songs 'guaranteed' to boost your mood

Music psychologist Dr Claire Renfrew has created the 'World's Happiest Christmas Car Playlist', designed to help keep everyone smiling during stressful holiday journeys

Politics

2 w. ago All the World Cup Draw 2026 performers as Heidi Klum to host star

The Village People and Robbie Williams are on the lineup for today’s event in Washington DC

Politics

2 w. ago Jimmy Eat World tickets for Bleed American Anniversary tour and how to get presale

Jimmy Eat World return to the UK in August 2026 with a trio of massive artists for some enormous outdoor concerts celebrating Bleed American's 25th anniversary.

Politics

2 w. ago Village People among stars to perform at Friday’s World Cup draw

Star-studded event will be hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart

Politics

2 w. ago Diddy would bite you & cut your neck during fights, says childhood pal as shamed mogul’s horrific upbringing revealed

FOR decades, he was the heart and soul of the rap world, a God-like figure in the music industry whose name alone opened doors. But since last year, P Diddy – the man who once bragged he could make anyone a star – has been behind bars. In October 2024, he was found guilty of...

Sport

2 w. ago Madonna slams Trump administration for cancelling World AIDS Day commemoration

Popstar says she will ‘continue to honor World AIDS Day’

Politics

2 w. ago Designer who created Whitney Houston's most famous gowns admits working with her was 'really tough'

Marc Bouwer, 66, made hundreds of ensembles for Houston, creating looks for her 'world tours, red carpet appearances and music videos.' But he admitted that dressing her was not 'always easy.'

Events

2 w. ago 'World's loneliest man' found four years after dying as music in flat was still playing

Branislav Tešanović, dubbed 'the world’s loneliest man', shocked a whole nation when his body was found in his flat nearly four years after his death, lights still on and the radio still playing

Events

3 w. ago Warner Music signs deal with AI song generator Suno after settling lawsuit

Music company representing Coldplay and Ed Sheeran had sued tech platform alleging mass copyright infringement Business live – latest updatesWarner Music has signed a licensing deal with the artificial intelligence song generator Suno after settling a copyright infringement lawsuit it launched against the service a year agoWarner, the world’s third-largest music company and home to acts including Coldplay, Charli XCX and Ed Sheeran, is the first of the major record labels to officially partner with the company. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Elton John to headline Rock in Rio 2026 – three years after 'farewell' shows

Sir Elton John has announced a one-off gig at one of the world's biggest music festivals, and says he can't wait to prove he and his band are sounding 'as good as we ever have'

Politics