Music
Vampire Weekend's Chris Baio is going after Trump
Reinventing the protest record — In Man of the World, Vampire Weekend's Chris Baio deals with the aftermath of the Trump election, addressing his own feelings of anxiety and guilt as an American expat living in London.
Written by: Biju Belinky
Perfume Genius is outrunning his fears, searching for peace
I'll be your mirror... — Outcasts often seek shelter in the music of Perfume Genius. But after finding stability in his own life, Mike Hadreas has realised that sobriety doesn't fix everything. It just casts a harsher light on the underlying problems.
Written by: Laura Snapes
Getting deep with Father John Misty, pop's great philosopher
Total Entertainment Forever — Josh Tillman shot to stardom for his sardonic wit and bare-all songwriting. Now that he's drawn the world's attention, he's got a message for all of us: life is a cosmic joke.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Watch Gorillaz and friends takeover a seaside amusement park
Demon Dayz live — Peep Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's new music festival as it happens, at the revamped Dreamland in Margate.
Written by: Gabriela Helfet
How playing heavy metal in Iran can put your life in danger
Rock in a Hard Place — Journalist and life-long heavy metal fan Orlando Crowcroft spent six years penetrating the rock and metal scenes in the Middle East, finding a new generation of rockers, rappers and metalheads who are flogged, imprisoned and exiled for writing songs that give a voice to those otherwise unheard. This is an extract from his book, Rock in a Hard Place.
Written by: Orlando Crowcroft
The rise, fall and rebirth of electro pioneers Silver Apples
A long, strange trip... — From '60s space cadets to modern-day mavericks, the far-out sounds of Silver Apples are finally getting due recognition.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Punk band Pissed Jeans will have you screaming at the kitchen sink
Why Love Now? — Back in 2013 we caught up with Matt Kosloff from Pissed Jeans, a noisy punk band based in Philadelphia. With the release of their LP Why Love Now, and some UK tour dates coming up, we pulled this from our archive.
Written by: Shelley Jones
A beautifully blunt interview with Omar Souleyman
From wedding singer to dance sensation... — Syria's funkiest export is as no-nonsense as they come: rocking the same style and attitude, regardless of success. In the week he puts out a new album and plays Field Day London, the legend granted us a bullshit-free interview.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Beautiful Alice is London's purest DIY music festival
Beautiful Alice Festival 2017 — Losing someone you love is painful, especially when they're the kindest, most giving person you'll ever have the good fortune to meet. Alice Barnett was one of those people, but at Beautiful Alice Festival - 3 June 2017 - she'll be celebrated and remembered, with headliners including Dub Pistols, The Japanese House and Freestylers.
Written by: Harry Jefferson-Perry
Punk band LIFE still believe in the radical power of youth
So should you... — Trump, Brexit, austerity – these are all subjects the Hull punks behind LIFE are tackling on their debut album, reminding us of the power of anger and hope.
Written by: Biju Belinky
