Music
In Birmingham’s punk underground, hardcore is queer
Punk Pride — In recent years, a defiantly political queercore scene has begun to emerge in the West Midlands, providing alternative spaces for the area’s LGBTQ+ youth. Stephanie Phillips speaks to those leading the charge.
Written by: Stephanie Phillips
We took techno legend Chris Liberator to a virtual rave, here’s what went down
Stay acid forever — With VR experience In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats currently running at London's Barbican Centre, Simon Doherty brought the acid punk figurehead along to see what he thought, and reflect on the health of the rave scene today.
Written by: Simon Doherty
Bob Vylan top UK Hip Hop and R&B album chart one week after Glastonbury
The people said ‘Nah’ — Despite heavy criticism from politicians and media for leading chants of “death to the IDF”, as well as being dropped by their agent, the punk duo’s 2024 LP 'Humble As The Sun' has seen its purchases and streams spike.
Written by: Molly Baker
Kneecap now have 1.5 million monthly Spotify listeners
Not the story — The number has tripled from 500,000 in January, and comes after months of criticism from media and politicians as the Irish rap trio have expressed support for Palestine.
Written by: Molly Baker
In photos: The people of Glastonbury’s queer heart The NYC Downlow
Elation and family — Once a year, a meatpacking warehouse nightclub springs up in Glastonbury’s South East corner and becomes a site of pilgrimage for the festival’s LGBTQ+ scene. We met the people who make The NYC Downlow so special.
Written by: Isaac Muk
How pop music introduced queer culture to the mainstream
The Secret Public — Between the ’50s to the ’70s, pop music was populated with scene pushers from the margins. A new book by Jon Savage explores the powerful influence of LGBTQ+ folk.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Coming of age in New York’s ’70s punk heyday
I Feel Famous — Through photographs, club flyers and handwritten diary entries, Angela Jaeger’s new monograph revisits the birth of the city’s underground scene, while capturing its DIY, anti-establishment spirit.
Written by: Miss Rosen
In photos: Hundreds gather outside court to protest Kneecap terror charge
‘Free Mo Charah’ — With drums, smoke and applause, protesters greeted the rapper outside court as he was released on unconditional bail.
Written by: Ella Glossop
Analogue Appreciation: Joe Armon-Jones
All The Quiet (Part II) — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, it’s keyboardist, producer and Ezra Collective member Joe Armon-Jones.
Written by: Joe Armon-Jones
Yaya Bey: “Capitalism is exploitation, period”
do it afraid — Ahead of the release of her second 18-track odyssey in just over a single year, we caught up with the prolific singer, discussing the pitfalls of the music industry, European ‘voyeurism’ framing her previous album and breaking narratives set upon her by others.
Written by: Isaac Muk
