David Byrne: Who Is the Sky? review – great songs, if you can withstand the wacky jokes and miaowing

His last album was criticised for being too upbeat during Trump 1.0 but became a phenomenal live show, and the Talking Heads frontman remains sunny – almost to a fault

End of the Road review – from industrial rackets to pristine folk, festivals don’t get more varied or vital

Full of warmth despite the rain, highs include Mexico City experimentalists Titanic and Vermont songwriter Lily Seabird’s gorgeously open-hearted voice

Gorillaz review – after 25 years, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s cartoon band are still riveting and relevant

Dressed like a vicar, Albarn leads his band – joined by a choir, a string quartet, De La Soul and more – in renewing Demon Days’ downbeat drama

AG Cook review – the hyperpop auteur delivers a thrilling Brooklyn show

Brooklyn Paramount, New YorkThe super-producer, whose big name collaborators include Charli xcx and Beyoncé, goes maximalist for a euphoric, high-energy Friday-night triumph

Addison Rae review – pop’s newest A-lister has the stagecraft of a veteran

Once a viral TikTok dancer, Rae has only performed live a handful of times, but is remarkably assured as her voice glides across pounding club-ready beats

Sabrina Carpenter: Man’s Best Friend review – smut and stunning craft from pop’s best in show

​The controversy-courting star is in perfect alignment with producer Jack Antonoff, on detailed and utterly delightful tracks that make her previous hit album seem rudimentary in comparison

Cmat: Euro-Country review – deeply relatable, gloriously catchy Celtic pop from a true one-off

Who else could combine soul, yodelling, Jamie Oliver and Calpol into such charming songs about the messy modern psyche? Only Europe’s best new breakout star

Nova Twins: Parasites & Butterflies review – fearless rock duo balance anthems and introspection

Trailblazers Amy Love and Georgia South push the boundaries of their trademark hybrid rock sound while confronting mental health and naysayers

Blood Orange: Essex Honey review – an exquisitely eclectic portrait of grief

Gorgeous melodies ground Dev Hynes’s questing fifth album, via dancefloor rhythms, indie pop and languorous funk – and cameos from Lorde and Zadie Smith

Will Smith review – post-slap tour has shoutalongs, self-help sermons and a touch of David Brent

His most recent album may have tanked but it works better played live, and Smith is endearing as he continues to get jiggy with it

Krankenhaus review – Lake District castle has the antithesis to boring corporate music festivals

Featuring steam train trips and guided walks between the bands, organisers Sea Power have made something special in this dung-scented corner of the north

Reading and Leeds festival review – Chappell Roan slays and Bring Me the Horizon power the circle pits

Thousands of post-GCSE teens join acts from pop-poet Antony Szmierek to rap megastar Travis Scott, before Hozier blazes and Wunderhorse go off like a rocket

Nourished By Time: The Passionate Ones review – committed, full-hearted post-R&B

Marcus Brown’s second album makes a plea for big feelings in earthy vocals, rolling breakbeats and a contender for song of the summer

Bleak Squad: Strange Love review – Australia’s newest supergroup sound like they’ve been together for years

Four music greats – Mick Harvey, Mick Turner, Adalita and Marty Brown – have created a genuine collaboration that leaves room for all their talents

Coldplay review – after 12m tickets sold, this tour is still a mindblowing spectacle

They may be as cloyingly earnest as ever, but even amid an overwhelming production full of fireworks and lovehearts, Chris Martin and co are in total control