Album Reviews
Man/Woman/Chainsaw – Cannonball
The Londoners' trademark kinetic energy has translated to an audacious debut record that's crammed with enough ideas to make you dizzy
BBC Proms Reviews
Under African Skies: The Songs of Graceland review – an energetic and uplifting tribute
The 40th anniversary of Paul Simon’s Grammy-winning album was celebrated with flair and panache at the BBC Proms, with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nu Civilisation Orchestra and a cast of vocalists
Opera Reviews
Un ballo in maschera review – Rodula Gaitanou’s revival hits its stride at OHP
Desole's Gustavo and Plowright's commanding Madame Arvidson lead a strong cast in a beautifully lit, atmospherically staged Verdi production
BBC Proms Reviews
Elder Conducts Weber’s Oberon review – a bicentenary Proms premiere full of wit and orchestral flair
The ORR and Monteverdi Choir bring period-instrument brilliance to Weber's chivalric fantasy, with Tamsin Greig's narration a delight
BBC Proms Reviews
Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony review – Kahchun Wong’s Hallé is simply magnificent
Alexandra Dariescu's Boulanger Fantasy and a breathtaking Rachmaninov make this one of the BBC Proms' finest concerts
Features
North York Moors Chamber Music Festival / De Mowbray Music Festival 2026 preview – a remarkable Yorkshire summer
Two Yorkshire festivals offer extraordinary music in August, from a Thomas Adès world premiere to Tosca in a Thirsk church
BBC Proms Reviews
Rachmaninov’s ‘Paganini’ Variations review – Søndergård stuns with Shostakovich
Kirill Gerstein's revelatory Rachmaninov and a visceral Symphony No. 11 make this one of the BBC Proms' most gripping evenings
BBC Proms Reviews
Kavakos Plays Tchaikovsky review – Paavo Järvi’s Scriabin is the revelation of the night at the Proms
A Dani Howard world premiere and Leonidas Kavakos' commanding Tchaikovsky precede an extraordinary account of Scriabin's neglected Second Symphony
BBC Proms Reviews
Mahler’s First by Heart review – Aurora Orchestra at their most compelling at the BBC Proms
Nicholas Collon and Aurora Orchestra's memorised Symphony No. 1 is a remarkable achievement, despite a slightly overlong theatrical first half
Spotlights
Reissues Roundup: Robyn, New Order, The Waterboys
Our Important Voice In Reissues and Compilations makes one of his periodic returns, this time with a haul that also includes Hot Chip and Scritti Politti
Spotlights
Reissues Roundup: Kraftwerk, DJ Shadow, The Rapture
This month's critical collections compedium also zeroes in on Italo Disco, Stax and Beastie Boys
Previews
London summer music festivals 2026 preview
As another busy summer approaches on the music festival front, we share our picks of the capital's finest offerings
Live Reviews
Madness @ On The Beach Festival, Brighton review – “nothing short of joyful”
Suggs and co deliver a masterclass in three-minute pop/ska classics and create a sense of community that feels increasingly rare
Live Reviews
Caroline & My New Band Believe @ Queen Elizabeth Hall, London review – “arresting blasts of dissonance with languid melody”
Two forward-thinking, genre-splicing ensembles push boundaries and find new paths while celebrating Rough Trade’s 50th anniversary
Live Reviews
Sunn O))) @ Institute, Birmingham review – “relentless endlessness and monstrous riffs”
The drone metallers offer up a deafening form of ritual healing in support of self-titled 10th album
