Vampire Weekend review – crowd-pleasers, covers and 10-minute cowboy medleys
Billed as a two hour ‘evening with’ the indie perennials, this unconventional set has mixed results but the hits sparkle
Entertainment industry accused of fleecing fans as UK ticket mark-ups reach 41%
Analysis charts rise of ‘sneaky’ fees for gig-goers, as singer Kate Nash says she makes more from selling pictures of her bottom than from touring
Crowded House review – Perth performance much more than a traffic jam on memory lane
With Neil Finn’s sons joining Crowded House on stage, it was clear the band hasn’t become mired in nostalgia
Charli xcx review – a glorious, one-woman triumph
The Brat star commands the stage alone in a joyful arena show that feels more like a warehouse rave
Band Aid 40 fails to reach UK Top 40 in opening week
All-star version of Do They Know It’s Christmas?, spliced together from previous versions, falls short of the No 1 success of those earlier hits
Cher reveals Lucille Ball’s advice pushed her to leave Sonny Bono
Hollywood comedian, who was in sitcom I Love Lucy with her husband, told singer: ‘You’re the one with the talent’
Papa M: Ballads of Harry Houdini review – committed to evolution
Cult American musician David Pajo’s latest solo outing reflects his recent troubles but also his restless desire to change things up
Father John Misty: Mahashmashana review – a superb chronicler of life’s perverseness
Josh Tillman ties together the misery, wit and showmanship of his previous albums on a set laced with strings and swagger
‘I just had to rejoice’: the brilliance and tragedy of ‘fifth Beatle’ Billy Preston
A magnetically vibrant keyboard prodigy who played on Let It Be and worked with George Harrison, Preston later lived through years of addiction. A new film aims to find ‘the dark and the light’ in his story
Joan Armatrading: ‘I love the Beano – in fact, I was in it, having a slap-up meal’
The singer-songwriter answers your questions on the bank robber that inspired her, playing with Bob Dylan and Clarke Peters, and her love of classic comics
Lauren Mayberry: Vicious Creature review – Chvrches singer writes her own pop gospel
The Scottish star’s solo debut is about ‘empowering myself to listen to my own intuition’ – leading her to alternately clumsy and deft songs influenced by Y2K pop
Charli xcx review – feral masterclass in pop presence heralds Brat winter
The star brings hedonistic energy to this arena show, reviving the rush of her 2024-dominating sixth album with sweaty, stage-licking abandon
John Lennon letter inviting Eric Clapton to join supergroup to be auctioned
1971 letter proposes group including Klaus Voormann and Phil Spector to ‘bring back the balls in rock’n’roll’
I set up my own indie label. From Brexit’s brutality to the joy of DIY music, here’s what I learned
After becoming disenchanted by pricey but middling gigs, I rediscovered the underground and became determined to champion it. But the obstacles are considerable
James McMahon obituary
Other lives: Music journalist who was full of enthusiasm for new bands, wrote for the NME and edited Kerrang!