Music

  • Review

Il Trovatore, Royal Opera House, review

What struck contemporary audiences as powerful and new – a supposed witch burnt at the stake, an abducted baby, a mother burning the wrong baby, an amorous rival killing his brother without realising his identity against the backdrop of civil war – is to us all but risible, were it not for Verdi’s melodic genius.

  • Review

Carole King, Hyde Park, review: 'Triumphant'

A solo reprise of her deathless hit “You've Got A Friend” – tweaked to reference London – made a fitting finale to Carole King’s belated but triumphant attempt at a whole-album set.

  • Review

Earth, Wind & Fire, The O2, gig review

When it comes to fusing together musical styles in a way that delivers huge commercial success and critical approval, few bands can claim the same success as Earth, Wind & Fire. Taking heed of the blueprint set out by funk pioneers like George Clinton, and building upon it layers of soul, jazz, disco and more, the Los Angeles band had become one of the planet's biggest pop acts by the late Seventies.

Metronomy interview: ‘A return to form’

Joseph Mount is not a nostalgic person. You might think the mastermind of Metronomy is, given that his latest album is entitled Summer 08. Certainly French journalists do, since their press release states it’s a “nostalgic” album, and resulting interview questions have been vexing him.

  • Review

Open’er Festival, Gdynia, Poland, review

The first day of Open’er Festival in Gdynia, Poland, was like a proverbial middle finger to the UK’s decision to leave the EU, showing just how much Europe has to offer on a cultural level. With a line-up rivalling that of Glastonbury, combining mainstream acts such as Florence and the Machine with accomplished up-and-comers like Canadian singer-songwriter Mac DeMarco, Open’er failed to disappoint.