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Hilary Duff review – first gig in 18 years for former teen icon is euphoric, escapist fun

Despite never being a huge pop force after her years as Disney star Lizzie McGuire, fans come from Brazil and Saudi Arabia for Duff’s charming, self-deprecating return

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds review – an electrifying crescendo of faith, fury and fragile joy

Returning to Australian stages after nine years, the band delivers a fierce, generous set that draws on four decades of music

Emmylou Harris review – spine-tingling goodbye from 78-year-old country legend

The lived-in dustiness of her voice only enriches her storytelling, with her greatest songs now more devastating than ever

Sleaford Mods: The Demise of Planet X review – vulnerability and versatility widen potty-mouthed appeal

The duo’s 13th album finds Jason Williamson as baffled and infuriated as ever at the state of the world, with help from some unexpected collaborators

Robbie Williams: Britpop review – a wayward yet winning time-machine trip back to the 90s

Framed as the music Williams wanted to make post-Take That, Britpop surpasses pastiche and swerves unpredictably. Homoerotic paean to Morrissey, anyone?

Biffy Clyro review – triumphant set marks a thunderous renewal

Coming off the back of a rough period, the Scottish band find reconnection, renewal and purpose in their singular mix of pop, rock and metal

Jenny on Holiday: Quicksand Heart review – Let’s Eat Grandma innovator’s knowing new-wave reinvention

In Jenny Hollingworth’s first solo venture, her singular songwriting powers shine in swooping vocals and transcendent pop melodies

Blue: Reflections review – a clunky rehash of their Y2K boyband heyday

The four-piece try to tap into modern pop’s deep well of nostalgia but come off like Westlife on a bad day

Taylor Swift: The End of an Era review – as she breaks down over the terror plot, it’s impossible not to feel her pain

The singer’s tears over the Islamic State terrorist plot against her show and Southport attack make this behind-the-scenes docuseries about her world-conquering tour more moving than anyone could have anticipated

Robert Plant’s Saving Grace review – self-effacing superstar still sounds astonishing

Playing a mix of traditional folk and radically rearranged acoustic Led Zeppelin classics, the former Zep frontman is in fine voice – but also happy to step out of the spotlight

Melody’s Echo Chamber: Unclouded review – an enchanted, balmy garden of dreampop

Blooming strings, mellifluous guitars and airy vocals make Melody Prochet’s fourth album a calming place to visit – even if there’s a lack of standout tracks

Dove Ellis: Blizzard review – Irish indie enigma’s glorious debut justifies the buzz

With shades of Jeff and Tim Buckley, the Galway-born artist writes tunes so strong they seem as familiar as old friends

Jamiroquai review – hat-sporting acid jazz superstars are slick but lack substance

The novelty headgear tally is high and frontman Jay Kay is in impressive voice – but strong material is smothered by polished playing and flashy production

Life in One Chord review – the Dunedin sound through the eyes of a music maverick

Based on a memoir by Straitjacket Fits frontman Shayne Carter, this documentary maps out the New Zealand town that birthed an indie movement

Wolf Alice review – indie chameleons sparkle on a glam-rock bender

With 70s rock references, tinselly backdrop and some full-on cabaret-theatre vibes, the four-piece have undergone their most fun and complete reinvention yet

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← Older posts
  • Bach: Sonatas & Partitas album review – Capuçon brings warmth, restraint and reflection
  • Megadeth: Megadeth review – conspiracy theories and combustible fingers on thrash metallers’ curtain call
  • Hilary Duff review – first gig in 18 years for former teen icon is euphoric, escapist fun
  • GBSR Duo: For Philip Guston review – Feldman’s marathon minimalism rewards deep listening
  • BBCSO/Schuldt review – Phibbs cello concerto brings cohesion to uneven programme
  • Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds review – an electrifying crescendo of faith, fury and fragile joy
  • Death of Gesualdo review – a creepy and compelling combination of beauty and horror
  • Emmylou Harris review – spine-tingling goodbye from 78-year-old country legend
  • CBSO/Yamada review – Moore’s trombone adventures into Fujikura’s sonic oceans
  • A$AP Rocky: Don’t Be Dumb review – a charismatic, playful return, but it’s no slam dunk
  • Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore: Tragic Magic review – tragedy and hope in a dreamlike haze
  • Sleaford Mods: The Demise of Planet X review – vulnerability and versatility widen potty-mouthed appeal
  • Brahms: Late Piano Works album review – Anderszewski leans into the sorrow of these intimate miniatures
  • Robbie Williams: Britpop review – a wayward yet winning time-machine trip back to the 90s
  • Igor Stravinsky: Late Works album review – kudos to Reuss for bringing this spellbinding music to life
  • The Makropulos Affair review – Simon Rattle leads a sensational and thrilling semi-staging
  • Biffy Clyro review – triumphant set marks a thunderous renewal
  • Are ‘Friends’ Electric? review – Elaine Mitchener redefines what singing means in virtuoso tour-de-force
  • An English Song Winterreise review – Roderick Williams masterfully mirrors Schubert’s iconic song cycle
  • BBCNOW/ Bancroft/ Gerhardt review – intriguing connections, magic and melancholy beauty
  • Toni Geitani: Wahj review – radiant new frontiers in Arabic electronic experimentalism
  • Jenny on Holiday: Quicksand Heart review – Let’s Eat Grandma innovator’s knowing new-wave reinvention
  • In Search of Youkali album review – Katie Bray is outstanding in this voyage around Weill
  • Eric Lu: Schubert Impromptus album review – mature and mesmerising
  • The Cribs: Selling a Vibe review – songs of lost innocence and bitter experience strike a perfect, punchy balance
  • Brendel is celebrated in a glorious musical evening of silliness, sublime playing and warm affection
  • Shimmer review – National Youth Orchestra welcome the new year in bracing, stylish style
  • Iain Ballamy: Riversphere Vol 1 review – an exquisite flow of genre, harmony and improv
  • Blue: Reflections review – a clunky rehash of their Y2K boyband heyday
  • Boulanger: La Ville Morte album review – The celebrated teacher’s early opera is brought back to life

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