‘Almost 30m plays on Spotify!’ When fake bands hit the real-life big time, from Spinal Tap to the Flaming Dildos

How do you invent a convincing fictional band for your play, film or novel? And what happens if they actually top the charts? The creators of Scott Pilgrim, the Commitments, Stereophonic and more reveal all

Taylor Swift announces behind-the-scenes Eras tour docuseries, plus new concert film

The End of an Era will air across six episodes on Disney+, with Swift promising ‘all the stories woven throughout’ record-breaking tour

‘The vocals were on another level’: how Counting Crows made Mr Jones

‘It’s about the night me and my best friend Marty Jones hung out with a flamenco troupe, wishing we were cool musicians too – so we could talk to the girls a little better’

Bruce Springsteen: Nebraska ’82: Expanded Edition review – fabled album falls short of expectations

Rumours of the existence of E Street versions of Springsteen’s masterpiece have swirled for decades, but the reality doesn’t live up to the hype

John Lodge obituary

Moody Blues bass player, singer and songwriter who played a key part in the group’s successes during the 1960s and 70s

Jade review – pop’s quirkiest star transcends manufactured past

Fans sing along to debut album at synth-laden show that showcased the former Little Mix star’s appealing, unvarnished and at times deeply odd shtick

Perfume Genius: ‘I really like body hair! I like a bush. I didn’t even notice Jimmy Fallon censored mine’

The singer on looking like Amelia Earhart, the time he set his mother’s house on fire and his beef with the Octopus Teacher guy

Taylor Swift scores the biggest UK charts opening week since 2017 with The Life of a Showgirl

With 432,000 combined units sold in its first week on the Official Chart, it’s the fastest-selling album since Ed Sheeran’s ÷ (Divide)

John Lodge was a pioneering force of British rock’s most underrated band

The late musician helped steer the Moody Blues into an exciting and groundbreaking new era of psychedelia

Why Harry Vanda is coming out of retirement at 79: ‘The world is going to rack and ruin. I couldn’t help myself!’

The former Easybeat and father of Australian rock on making the country’s ‘best song of all time’, working with AC/DC and releasing his first solo single

Moody Blues singer and bassist John Lodge dies aged 82

Musician died peacefully surrounded by sounds of Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly, family say

Meet Anamanaguchi, the band behind the last Scott Pilgrim video game’s soundtrack – and the next one

Chiptune alt-rock band Anamanaguchi are having a bumper year, culminating in an opportunity to create the soundtrack they’ve always wanted to make – for a new Scott Pilgrim game

Robbie Williams review – tiny Camden gig offers blinding star wattage – and a surprising new song about Morrissey

Previewing new album Britpop to an audience of 600, the star promises ‘no stadium bravado’ and delivers droll new songs alongside stripped-back oldies

Hannah Frances: Nested in Tangles review – ramshackle arrangements power restless revelations

Wayward tempos and snapping drums break fresh ground in this unruly release from the Vermont musician

‘We’ve all done stupid things but we’re all capable of redemption’: spoken-word artist Joshua Idehen on fighting hate with hope

His poem Mum Does the Washing went viral – but he started out parroting conservative talking points online. Now the British-Nigerian vocalist preaches a message of radical positivity