Classical and Opera Features

UK Festivals 2022 Preview: 10 music extravaganzas not to be missed

by Steven Johnson

In the first of three festival season previews, we present our eclectic pick of UK-wide events


Reissues Roundup: Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood, Daft Punk, ABBA

by Ian Wade
Wendy Carlos, Neil Young, Rose Royce, Arthur Russell, XTC, Mercury Rev, Rick Astley and The Associates also feature in May 2022’s picks
Reissues Roundup: Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood, Daft Punk, ABBA

Reissues Roundup: Record Store Day 2022

by Ian Wade
From Taylor Swift to Suede, from Angelo Badalamenti to Sugababes, this year’s RSD’s reassessed, reboxed, reworked and repackaged specials for your delighted perusal
Reissues Roundup: Record Store Day 2022

Reissues Roundup: T Rex, Rufus Wainwright, Suzi Quatro, Sparks

by Ian Wade
From T Rex to Gazelle Twin, from Rufus Wainwright and Sparks to Suzi Quatro and Norah Jones, April’s selection goes big and goes hard
Reissues Roundup: T Rex, Rufus Wainwright, Suzi Quatro, Sparks

Midlake’s Eric Pulido: “We had a desire to embrace the gift of each other, and ...

by Steven Johnson
The Texas folk-rock ensemble’s frontman on new album For The Sake Of Bethel Woods, being inspired by the theme of family, band dynamics and finding purpose in loss
Midlake’s Eric Pulido: “We had a desire to embrace the gift of each other, and ...

Reissues Roundup: Franz Ferdinand, Goldfrapp, Suicide, Kraftwerk

by Ian Wade
March’s spotlight also falls on Tinariwen, War Child, Broadcast, Pink Floyd, John Barry, Dennis Bovell, Bon Iver and much else besides
Reissues Roundup: Franz Ferdinand, Goldfrapp, Suicide, Kraftwerk

Mark Lanegan: In Remembrance

by Sam Shepherd
The death at 57 of the Screaming Trees frontman and serial collaborator deprives music of a voice that filled ears with warmth and heart
Mark Lanegan: In Remembrance

This Music Made Me: Sea Power

by MusicOMH
Ahead of the release of new album Everything Was Forever, founding member and guitarist Martin Noble mines his music memory for the albums that influenced him most
This Music Made Me: Sea Power

Reissues Roundup: The Divine Comedy, Felt, Silver Apples, Jenny Lewis

by Ian Wade
February’s gathering-up is upon us, also featuring Funkadelic, Joy Division, Paul McCartney, Cat Stevens, Los Campesinos! and more than a little Mod action
Reissues Roundup: The Divine Comedy, Felt, Silver Apples, Jenny Lewis

Reissues Roundup: Saint Etienne, Aretha Franklin, Bernard Butler

by Ian Wade
New year, new reissues! Herewith, January’s stately transglobal meander through compilations, anniversary editions and music history from across the years
Reissues Roundup: Saint Etienne, Aretha Franklin, Bernard Butler

musicOMH’s Top 50 Albums Of 2021

by Michael Hubbard
In a year notable for its challenges, new original albums emerged to save the day. Our writers listened, loved and listed
musicOMH’s Top 50 Albums Of 2021

Reissues Round-up: Gorillaz, Fela Kuti, The Communards, Can

by Ian Wade
December’s batch of new-but-olds also stars big movie soundtracks, Belinda Carlisle, The Waterboys …and the return of Dudley and his Futurist Desk
Reissues Round-up: Gorillaz, Fela Kuti, The Communards, Can

New Christmas Albums 2021 Round-up

by Ian Wade
A deep dive down the chimney into Christmas season-specific music, starring Kathryn Williams, Chilly Gonzales, ‘The Soul Santas’… and a Michael Bublé ornament
New Christmas Albums 2021 Round-up

Aimee Mann: “There’s something in the zeitgeist where people are ready to talk abou...

by Steven Johnson
The LA-based songwriter on the theatrical origins of her new album Queens Of The Summer Hotel, writing in character, and the changing nature of how women are seen
Aimee Mann: “There’s something in the zeitgeist where people are ready to talk abou...

Ladyhawke: “Everyone’s having to navigate this together at the same time. T...

by Ben Hogwood
Pip Brown on comeback album Time Flies, pandemical collaborations, anxiety and depression, motherhood and video games
Ladyhawke: “Everyone’s having to navigate this together at the same time. T...

Black Monument Ensemble’s Damon Locks: “I’m ravenously looking for inspiratio...

by Steven Johnson
The Black Monument Ensemble founder on creating community through music, conflict in American race relations, the Chicago music scene and his work teaching art in a men’s maximum security prison
Black Monument Ensemble’s Damon Locks: “I’m ravenously looking for inspiratio...

Reissues Round-up: David Bowie, Radiohead, Joni Mitchell, Fela Kuti

by Ian Wade
November’s reissues column, also featuring Atakora Manu, Kylie Minogue, Goldfrapp, Mud, Inspiral Carpets, Os Brazoes, The Shangri-Las and Slade
Reissues Round-up: David Bowie, Radiohead, Joni Mitchell, Fela Kuti

La Luz: “I want all of our albums to feel like you are going on a journey” – ...

by Steven Johnson
Shana Cleveland on the background to their fourth album, how living remotely has influenced her writing, being challenged in the studio, and their live plans
La Luz: “I want all of our albums to feel like you are going on a journey” – ...

Roxanne de Bastion: “Music is the best tool for empathy. It’s such a good w...

by Ben Hogwood
With two US tours, a Glastonbury appearance, over 500 gigs and a self-released debut album behind her, the Berlin-via-West-Midlands songwriter returns with a “cathartic” second work, produced by Bernard Butler
Roxanne de Bastion: “Music is the best tool for empathy. It’s such a good w...

Reissues Round-up: James Bond, Judas Priest, Kylie Minogue, R.E.M.

by Ian Wade
Our pick of October’s repackaged records, from Motörhead via The Beatles to Donna Summer, Pink Floyd, Carroll Thompson and Spice Girls
Reissues Round-up: James Bond, Judas Priest, Kylie Minogue, R.E.M.

Spotlight: Metallica – Metallica (The Black Album) 30th Anniversary + The Metalli...

by Ross Horton
Heavy metal was pushed into the mainstream in 1991 by one of the greatest albums of all time. Its impact on metal, rock and even pop music shouldn’t be underestimated
Spotlight: Metallica – Metallica (The Black Album) 30th Anniversary + The Metalli...