James Gadson obituary
Drummer who brought an irresistible melting pot of styles to hits by Marvin Gaye, Gloria Gaynor and the Jackson 5
Tori Amos review – fans hang on every note of this dramatic deep dive into her back catalogue
The masterful performer previews her allegorical new album about the ‘fight for democracy over tyranny’ amid a set full of immaculate musicianship
Holly Humberstone: Cruel World review – Taylor Swift fave trades gothic melancholy for pop glow-up
The British singer-songwriter replaces introspection with euphoric choruses, 80s synths and even happy hardcore on her vivid second LP
‘The biggest, baddest, saltiest chick you would ever see’: why no one sang the blues like Big Mama Thornton
Gay, fearless and utterly unique, Thornton had a hit with Hound Dog before Elvis – but was then fleeced and forgotten. One hundred years after her birth, a new documentary sets the record straight
Michael Roberts obituary
Other lives: Singer with the Bridewell Taxis who played to packed venues and made the indie charts in the ‘Madchester’ era
Dream-pop at its most divine: Cocteau Twins’ 20 greatest songs – ranked!
Forty years on from the release of their Victorialand album, we rank the Scottish band’s 20 best tracks, from goth beginnings to weightless masterpieces
My New Band Believe review – beautiful ideas burst from ex-Black Midi man’s lovable debut album
Smoothing out the jump-cut chaos of his previous band, Cameron Picton brings entirely acoustic instrumentation to bear on these lovely, beguiling songs
Belle and Sebastian review – joyful anniversary tour makes debut album brighter than ever
On a tour playing Tigermilk and If You’re Feeling Sinister in full on alternate nights, Stuart Murdoch and co wittily reanimate their world of aesthetes and misfits
Suzi Quatro review – at 75, her signature scream is still thrilling
There is something eternally teenage about the trailblazing rocker, who can still deliver at her glam-era best – but her rambling reminiscences are a bit Alan Partridge
Harry Styles announces jazz, pop, indie and electronic artists for his Meltdown festival
London festival will feature an intimate Styles performance as well as appearances from Warpaint, Kamasi Washington, Devonté Hynes and more
Pet Shop Boys review – no hits? No problem on first night of a masterful obscurities run
The era-defining duo’s ultras are suitably spoiled in the first of this intimate five-day run, showered with rarities that put a different spin on their well-known history
‘I couldn’t see, breathe or sing. I blacked out twice’: why are so many metal bands wearing masks?
From Sleep Token to Ghost and Slaughter to Prevail, the genre’s biggest stars are using freaky facial disguises. Are they hiding behind them – or revealing their true nature?
Some might pay: Noel Gallagher guitar used to write Oasis’s second album to be auctioned
Signed acoustic guitar used on (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? – the bestselling album of the 90s – could fetch up to £60,000 at Sotheby’s
Keith Altham obituary
Journalist who pioneered the role of rock music PR in the UK and looked after the Rolling Stones, the Who and the Beach Boys
‘I over-articulated to stop my braces sticking to my lips’: how Five Star made Rain Or Shine
‘We performed it everywhere, even on Miss World. Once, on tour, a fan pulled me into the pit – but my hunky Italian security guard put me back on stage’