‘We said yes to everything!’ John Reis on his blistering punk career, from Hot Snakes to Rocket from the Crypt

He went from San Diego’s DIY scene to mega-budget albums and Top of the Pops. Now, grieving late bandmate Rick Froberg, he explains why he’s still punk’s hardest worker

‘We put all of life into the mincer’: These New Puritans on their kaleidoscopic new album

Adored by Björk, Massive Attack and Elton John, the cult avant-popsters are back with an album that takes in everything from Greek church bells to Ukraine. We meet the Barnett twins among the Southend amusement arcades

‘We had even more fights than they show in the film’: how we made Dig! with the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Dandy Warhols

‘The gig ended with onstage brawls. It was the most incredible thing I’d ever filmed but the bouncer took the tapes. It took me years to get them back’

Will Smith announces first album in 20 years, Based on a True Story

Actor-rapper will release project on 28 March, including the song Beautiful Scars which makes reference to his infamous Oscars slap

Stedman Pearson obituary

Singer, dancer and member of the 1980s pop group Five Star along with his four siblings

Michael Kiwanuka review – big sounds from the quiet maestro

Touring his understated latest album, Small Changes, the Mercury prize-winner amplifies his gossamer grooves with no loss of charm or sophistication

One to watch: Oklou

The French producer-performer crafts club bangers with classical flourishes, while channeling her rural upbringing

Missed out on Glasto? Here’s 30 major festivals you can still book now

From whomping dub soundsystems and clattering thrash metal to comedy, jazz and kids’ entertainment, this year’s UK festivals have something for everyone – and you’ve still got time to get in on the alfresco action

Iron Maiden making official documentary to mark 50th anniversary

Actor Javier Bardem and Kiss frontman Gene Simmons will be among the talking heads in a film about the British heavy metal band by director Malcolm Venville

Nova Twins on silencing the heavy metal doubters: ‘People don’t question men’

The duo count Elton and Rage Against the Machine among their fans, but being two Black women in a largely white, male scene means working twice as hard. The duo discuss winning over the mosh pit – and why they’ve banned synths

Chappell Roan: The Giver review – saddle up, there’s a new sheriff in town

The midwest princess embraces her roots with a queer country banger about pleasure that toys with the genre’s gender and class cosplay

Clairo review – charming pop-soul from a singer with starpower to spare

Playing material from her wonderful 2024 album Charm against lavish, elegant staging, the US artist has ushered in a confident new era

Courting: Lust for Life, Or: ‘How to Thread the Needle and Come Out the Other Side to Tell the Story’ review – a giant leap forward

The Liverpool foursome’s joyful, floor-filling rock on album No 3 finds a band maturing into greatness

Edwyn Collins: Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation review – the sense of an ending

This rousing, contemplative 10th solo album from the Scottish singer-songwriter has an air of finality

Lady Gaga: Mayhem review – a wholesale rewind to core career values

It’s back to the dancefloor as the US superstar doubles down on what she does best – albeit with one eye on Madonna, Charli xcx, Taylor Swift and more…