From Pitchfork to Q, music criticism is under attack. We must fight for the magic it can inspire

Yes, critics help us make sense of the millions of songs released every month – but the best writing transcends the music, says John Doran, editor of the Quietus

Singer Rebecca Ferguson tells of music industry abuse in MPs’ report

DJ Annie Mac also provides evidence to report that says racism and misogyny is ‘endemic’ in the sector

Over a third of UK grassroots music venues are loss-making, charity finds

Alarm in sector as cost of living crisis and rent rises mean that 125 independent venues either closed or stopped hosting live music in 2023

‘Greedy and dishonest’ touts sold tickets worth £6.5m, court hears

Ed Sheeran and Little Mix fans among those targeted by firm that resold on Viagogo and StubHub

Taylor Swift’s people shut down speculation about her sexuality – but risked rebuking her LGBTQ fans

The star’s team slammed an editorial that compiled theories about her queerness. But Swift constructs stories about herself – why shouldn’t they compete with other interpretations?

Taylor-made deals: how artists are following Swift’s rights example

The singer’s public fight over ownership of her work has lit the way for a new generation of musicians – especially young women – demanding more control over their output

CDs shine as UK music sales in 2023 jump to near record figure

Taylor Swift dominates album market, while best-performing track is Miley Cyrus’s Flowers

Vinyl is back for good and that’s exciting. Don’t let the greed of big labels ruin it

Mainstream music’s take-up of the format has led to soaring demand, driving out indie labels and driving up prices, writes Guardian columnist John Harris

‘Clubbing just isn’t cool’: UK’s New Year’s Eve revellers switch to warehouse or home parties

Smaller clubs are losing out to mega raves, private events and even livestreams, say music industry insiders

Taylor Swift and Rolling Stones drive Christmas surge in UK vinyl sales

More than 250,000 vinyl records were sold last week, the most since the turn of the century

Beyoncé and Blondie song fund Hipgnosis delays results amid valuation concerns

Company says songs have been assessed as worth more by independent valuer than recent transactions in the sector

Beyoncé and Neil Young song fund Hipgnosis sells 20,000 songs for £18m

London-listed music investor sells ‘non-core’ rights at a discount to raise cash as it battles debt pile

Kendrick Lamar concert in Kigali kicks off drive to put Africa on the global gig circuit

Move Afrika, launched by grandson of Nelson Mandela, aims to draw on success of Afrobeats and support a new generation of musicians

Bath music venue Moles and Nozstock festival close due to cost of living crisis

‘Live music at grassroots level is no longer economically viable’ says co-owner of the cherished gig venue

Sir Robin Millar: the vinyl revival is exposing artists’ climate ‘hypocrisy’

The producer and disability campaigner who made hits with Sade and Everything But the Girl says it’s time records were banned to save the climate