As early as the 14th Century, a woman exhibiting signs of sexual confidence, prosperity or self-expression was deemed inherently evil. An excerpt from 1486’s Malleus Maleficarum — perhaps the most notorious “witch hunter’s manual” — reads: “All witchcraft comes from carnal lust, which is in women insatiable… What else is a woman but a foe… Continue reading She’s a witch — influential women, mysticism and reversing misogynistic narratives in music
It will come as no surprise to any regular gig-goer, that concert prices have risen dramatically in recent years; with many summer stadium shows for 2026 already on sale, it seems this trend is only continuing. For example, pop superstar The Weeknd is charging a huge £176 for front standing tickets at his Wembley Stadium shows next year. A report by The… Continue reading The Gig economy: why have concert prices gone so crazy?
Throughout 2025, mostly thanks to the film A complete Unknown hitting cinemas and a further exploration of his career, there has been a rekindling in the interest of Bob Dylan. A whole new generation of youngsters have discovered that nasally-voiced mysterious Jewish boy who roamed Greenwich village in the folk clubs and coffeehouses all those years ago.… Continue reading The politics of Dylan
This year, fans from all musical genres and subcultures have been treated to many great, decade-defining albums, some that have pushed genres to new places, some that have established names and bands into the cultural zeitgeist and some that have set the musical world alight. After a terrific 2024, where Sabrina Carpenter scintillated the mainstream… Continue reading 2025 in Music: A Year of Reinvention, Introspection and Sonic Brilliance
As someone who grew up feeling ‘uncool’, whatever that entails, to see Cameron Crowe brand himself with that very title seems paradoxical. Crowe spent his formative years engulfed by his boundless love for music and his passion for music propelled him into the intoxicating world of music journalism in the 1970s, before a successful career as a filmmaker directing hits such as Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous. Whereas, decades later, my love… Continue reading An Elixir of Rock and Roll: Cameron Crowe’s The Uncool Review
Throwing a party in a country where corruption and crime run rampant and costs soar ever-higher is not for the faint of heart. Good thing Jozi is brimming with resilient, hearty humans who love to groove. Dance music culture in South Africa has black roots planted deeply in the soil of rebellion, as is true… Continue reading The tubes of Johannesburg
London-based goth punk band Sisters of Hysteria aren’t just making noise with their music—they’re making a statement with their style. Known for their striking monochrome aesthetic and effortlessly coordinated looks, the band balances punk aggression with a playful, feminine energy. In this interview, drummer Madeleine Marston, guitarist Hanna Serwiak, singer Lily Crook, and bassist Jessica Ingram open up about the power… Continue reading Sound & Style: How Sisters of Hysteria Craft Their Signature Aesthetic
Through India’s enormous musical terrain, one persisting genre that’s threaded its own way is Indian rap, better known as DHH, or Desi hip-hop. And it’s rising, once again. DHH can be traced back to the 90s, with Bohemia and Baba Sehgal rooting a new sound of Indian music. Whether through reworking American classics (Thanda Thanda… Continue reading Finding Its Way Back: The Rejuvenation of Desi Hip-Hop
In the autumn of 1970, Bob Dylan released an album that critics dismissed as slight, even frivolous. Coming after the raw confessionalism of John Wesley Harding and the country detour of Nashville Skyline, New Morning seemed to many observers like Dylan retreating further into domestic comfort, away from the prophetic voice that had defined the… Continue reading Bob Dylan’s misunderstood masterpiece: the moral sunrise of ‘New Morning
Once John Lennon said: “You’re all freaks anyway. You’re all weirdos. But I’m free!” And for that, he can be called a trendsetter of freedom, and as history knows, not only freedom but peace and endless lovemaking instead of war. While the times Lennon lived through are now often described as the wildly swinging 60s… Continue reading What did the British ‘60s swinging scene actually consist of?
