‘He saw signs saying No Blacks – but he never got bitter’: Sterling Betancourt, the man who brought steelpan music to the UK

Moving to the UK in the 1950s, the Trinidadian musician endured racism and built his own instruments from waste. After his death aged 96, his widow recalls his patience and positivity

Dolly Parton musical set for Broadway this winter: ‘a dream come true’

After a run in Nashville, Dolly: A True Original Musical is set to open in New York in December

BTS review – pure joy and astonishing versatility at K-pop titans’ first UK show in seven years

Fans and cynics are putty in the boyband’s hands as the lads lark their way through a catalogue of tracks that ricochet from hard rap to buttery pop

Madonna was always anti-nostalgia. But looking back on Confessions II has revitalised her music

The veteran pop diva has pressed rewind to move forward on her new record – and beneath the bangers fizz a host of emotionally charged memories

Adapt or die: the Australian live music lovers trying to reinvent an ‘ancient’ and ‘unviable’ industry

With punters drinking less, running costs rising and one-third of the sector wiped out by Covid, venues and promoters are turning the business model on its head

Lauren Bennett, singer on LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem, dies aged 36

British-born vocalist competed on The X Factor before joining the girl groups Paradiso Girls and G.R.L.

‘The song got us signed but I hated it’: how Haircut 100 made Fantastic Day

‘In the early days, we hopped on every bandwagon going – punk, ska, mod, everything. Fantastic Day was always there, just in different styles. The original was more Talking Heads. I preferred that’

‘I was there!’ Writers remember legendary gigs by Beyoncé, Brian Wilson, Britney, Oasis, Daft Punk and more

What’s it like to catch a gig so great it goes down in history? Our writers relive incredible performances by everyone from Amy Winehouse at the North Sea jazz festival to Kanye West at Glastonbury

‘Justin Bieber was played so much in the changing room’: Leah Williamson’s honest playlist

The England and Arsenal player grew up with Enrique Iglesias on repeat, and knows the Bridget Jones soundtrack by heart. But what football song gives her goosebumps?

Jessica Mauboy: ‘Why did I do a kookaburra call for Ellen DeGeneres? Did I think that was cool?’

The singer and host of That Blackfella Show on her most controversial pop culture opinion, her go-to karaoke song and being recognised by police while getting a ticket

Beyoncé releases surprise new track for Fourth of July weekend

Morning Dew (Donk) reportedly conceived for Beyoncé’s second album B’Day, which will be reissued for its 20th anniversary in September

The Rolling Stones: Foreign Tongues review – stomping blues and anti-Musk politics make this another late triumph

Continuing the rejuvenated sound of 2023’s Hackney Diamonds, there’s touching vulnerability from Keith Richards while Jagger confronts war and autocracy

Mark Holden: ‘I started telling the judges off. And that’s really totally uncool’

The 70s Carnation Kid turned Australian Idol judge and barrister on dreams, ageing and his unusual career

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts review – rip-roaring rock history, but why is she playing Gary Glitter?

In her first UK headline show in 16 years, Jett has a terrific knack for a cover version, though she’s a touch nonchalant – and there’s a real misstep

Sienna Spiro: Visitor review – will she be the ‘new Adele’? Not with this merely competent debut

Amid signs of greatness, the already hugely popular British singer fails to live up to her potential, lacking vocal agility and lyrical subtlety