Articles
Ranked: 15 astonishing record labels that changed the face of rock
From Sun to Sub Pop, these 15 labels redefined rock, shaping sounds, scenes, and cultural attitudes across decades of music
Robbed from the grave: the mysterious tales of composers’ missing body parts
Steve Wright peers into the coffin as he investigates the deceased composers whose bodies continued to go on their own adventures
Suicides, debt, paranoia: the tragic tale of rock's most doomed band
They had the talent and the tunes, but not the luck. Badfinger’s story is rock’s most poignant, heartbreaking tragedy
Goodbye, Summer of Love: 15 albums that slammed the door on the Sixties
When the ’60s dream soured, rock got darker, stranger, and more truthful. These 21 albums chart the moment idealism met reality
Ivors Classical Awards 2025 names 34 nominees
The composers and librettists will compete in six categories with the winners announced at BFI Southbank on 11 November
Sophomore slumps: 15 second albums that squandered that debut magic
From rushed follow-ups to overblown experiments, these 15 'difficult second albums' prove that early success can be a tough act to follow
The most terrifying jump scares in classical music
Who needs visuals? The great composers are masters at getting us jumping out of our skins with just the terrifying force of music,
as Tom Service explains
They said WHAT? 15 rock stars who crossed the line
From drunken rants to political scandals, here are fifteen moments when rock’s biggest icons took rebellion too far – and paid for it
Sex, darkness, death: The Doors albums, ranked
Dark, seductive, and dangerous — The Doors’ albums ranked, from shadowy psychedelia to seductive, poetic rock masterpieces
Nine iconic bands who tried for the big reunion... and missed
Not every reunion rocks. Eight legendary bands tried to recapture the magic – and proved some breakups should stay permanent.
From the Middle Ages to Miles Davis, these are the 10 best trumpeters of all time
Leading trumpeter Matilda Lloyd traces the history of her instrument through ten influential players, from the Tudor era to the present day
1967 was rock's year of revolution. We've ranked its 21 greatest albums
1967 wasn’t just psychedelia — these 21 albums reveal brilliance across rock, soul, folk, and avant-garde, redefining music forever
These 11 bands faced tragedy... then came storming back
From devastating losses to triumphant comebacks – these bands turned tragedy into rebirth, proving that music’s spirit can survive anything
The 7 greatest baritone roles in opera
British singer and composer Roderick Williams shares his most enjoyable operatic baritone roles
Sound familiar? Rock's 11 most infamous plagiarism disputes
From Bitter Sweet Symphony to My Sweet Lord, these 11 rock and pop disputes show when inspiration crossed the line - or did it?
'Humpty Dumpty' lyrics and backstory (is it about Richard III?)
Humpty Dumpty is a nursery rhyme we can all recite with gusto but do you know its origins?
How to programme the perfect concert
Violinist Fenella Humphreys shares the joys and complications of choosing the perfect repertoire for an exciting, varied and satisfying concert
‘I thought in that moment, please can I just die’ – pianist Francesco Piemontesi on his best and worst concert performances
Top Swiss pianist Francesco Piemontesi remembers the best and worst performances of his career - including forgetting what he was playing!
These 11 bands each managed just one album. If only they'd done more
From The United States of America to Jeff Buckley, these 11 brilliant acts released only one album – and we’re still yearning for more
Yacht rock: the 15 greatest albums, ranked
Smooth grooves, shimmering production, soulful vocals, sun-drenched sophistication — the definitive 15 Yacht Rock albums sail effortlessly through California with cool and polished perfection
Cold, hunger, totalitarianism: why Westerners gave up everything to study music in the Soviet Union
In the late 1980s, British pianist James Kirby braved cold, hunger and totalitarian rule to study in Moscow. Here he shares his memories with Anthony Cheng
Dvořák Cello Concerto: how a heartbroken composer’s lost love inspired his greatest work
A yearning for his homeland and the devastating loss of a beloved friend give the Czech’s work an almost unbearable pathos, explains Jo Talbot
These 15 classic albums were born from pain, loss and heartbreak
From heartbreak to tragedy, these 15 albums turn grief into art, capturing raw emotion, personal turmoil, and enduring musical brilliance
Kate Bush called this her 'mad' album. But it might be her best
Kate Bush’s The Dreaming: dismissed as 'mad' on release, now hailed as a radical masterpiece of sound, vision, and daring