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Articles by Classic Pop
Inaugural Electric Summer festival hailed a success by orgainsers
The inaugural Electric Summer festival, which took place on Sunday 30 August 2026 and featured a headline performance by Howard Jones alongside Classic Pop favourites Heaven 17 and Blancmange at Taunton’s Vivary Park, has been hailed as a huge success by organisers. Jez Damsell, director of Souvenir Events and curator of the festival, said: “The feedback we’ve seen following Electric Summer has been nothing short of phenomenal.
Top 20 Double Albums
Double albums were once viewed in some quarters as the ultimate in artist indulgence, but the format arguably spawned some of the most creative and inspiring music in rock and pop history Words by Barry Page Although its provenance stretches back to the 50s, the double album was popularised in the ensuing decade by the likes of The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix, whose cultural standing afforded them the opportunity to work outside of the narrow parameters of vinyl’s optimal playing time...
Live review – Soul II Soul at Birmingham’s Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival
Soul II Soul , Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival, Birmingham 10 July ★★★★ The number of Black British acts from the 80s and 90s who managed to make a sizeable international splash on their own terms is ridiculously small. But one who succeed in not only making an impact on the world stage – and taking on the ruling US R&B elite – was Camden collective Soul II Soul, whose unique amalgamation of soundsystem and club culture, British gospel and London street fashion truly reshaped the genre.
Black Nail Cabaret Q&A
Formed in 2008 and known for their dramatic stage appearance, Black Nail Cabaret features Emese Arvai-Illes on vocals and keyboardist Krisztian Arvai. The dark pop duo from Hungary join Howard Jones, Heaven 17, Blancmange and an impressive line-up of contemporary acts that includes Mesh, Neon Fields and Agency-V at the inaugural Electric Summer taking place at Taunton’s Vivary Park on 30 August 2026.
Birmingham’s NEC to host the inaugural RetroCon
Sponsored Partnership A three-day event is being launched to celebrate the pop culture of the 80s, 90s and Noughties. Held from 2-3 May at the NEC in Birmingham, the inaugural RetroCon will feature a DJ set from Pat Sharp and an appearance from Beverly Hills, 90210 star Jason Priestley. Pat Sharp, fondly remembered for hosting the wacky ITV children’s game show Fun House, is also known for his work as a radio presenter throughout the 80s, 90s and beyond.
Top 20 Single-Artist Soundtracks Original
From sci-fi classics and dystopian dramas to rom-coms and thrillers, Classic Pop counts down the Top 20 single-artist soundtracks Words by Barry Page Over the years, picking the right music for a movie or TV series has often proven to be as important as casting or directorial choices, and some multi-artist soundtracks are among the biggest-selling albums of all time.
Top 20 classical-influenced pop Original
From Janet Jackson, Madonna and Lady Gaga to Falco, Queen and Sting, in the genre-spanning world of pop and rock, many acts were hooked on classics – here are our Top 20 classical-influenced pop… Words by Barry Page Musical inspiration doesn’t come out of thin air, and behind every hit single there’s some form of creative stimulus. Ingrained since childhood and entwined in our cultural fabric, classical music has proven to be highly influential over the years.
The Lightning Seeds Interview
Having battled through a period of hardship, The Lightning Seeds’ Ian Broudie joins Classic Pop to reflect on a career in pop, talks life on the road and the possibility of new music Words by Jordan Bassett In 2025, Ian Broudie still hasn’t got round to finishing his breakout song, Pure.
Live review - The Psychedelic Furs at The Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
The Psychedelic Furs at The Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, 22 October 2025 ★★★½ The first show of their seven-date UK jaunt finds The Psychedelic Furs in tight form following a run of well-received North American dates. Formed in London in 1977, The Furs’ mix of Roxy Music, Bowie and punk placed them towards the front end of the 80s new wave deluge.
Top 20 Swansong Singles
Whether a career was ended by a messy breakup, an amicable split, or – whisper it – death, some acts’ final singles were often up there with their very best work… Here’s Classic Pop’s Top 20 Swansong Singles Words by Barry Page Ending a musical career on a high note isn’t a common phenomenon, with many acts releasing a number of lacklustre singles in the last knockings, but there are plenty of exceptions in our latest countdown.
Top 20 Concept Albums
First conceived in the 1960s, concept albums changed the way we listened to music, and they continue to inspire new generations of artists, as our latest rundown confirms Words by Barry Page The idea that a collection of songs should be listened to collectively rather than individually has certainly divided music lovers and critics over the years, and the concept album is seen by many as an emblem of bombast and pretension – a signifier of excessive hubris and overblown ambition.
Classic Pop issue 96 is on sale now!
Read Time: | 13th August 2025 In Classic Pop issue 96 we have a world exclusive interview with cover star Howard Jones as he looks back on his career as a synth innovator and celebrates the 40th anniversary of his Dream Into Action album with a new tour.
Cast - John Power interview
Having kicked off an epic 2025 by playing to huge crowds and attracting international attention during the opening shows of their mega stadium tour with Oasis, there’s still much more to come from Cast. Before the year is out they play an extensive tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their landmark debut album All Change and headline the Shiiine On Weekender.
Inside the album art of 1985
In 1985, many of the musical artists that we’d grown to love worked alongside the cream of creative talent to embrace varied concepts and techniques from the art world into their album’s sleeve designs. Here, we dive into a dozen of the year’s best. By Andrew Dineley By 1985, The Smiths were only on to their second album release but frontman Morrissey had already gained quite a reputation for not holding back on his opinions.
Top 40 best Human League songs
From the experimental synth-pop of debut Being Boiled to the mainstream chart genius of Don’t You Want Me and way beyond, Classic Pop picks out the Top 40 Best Human League songs It’s been an adventure for all of us synth-pop obsessives. In an ongoing career that spans an incredible 45 odd years, The Human League have had plenty of space to explore the majority of their musical whims, some mind-blowing, some not so much.
Top 20 Difficult Second Albums
In music industry circles there’s a saying that you have a lifetime to write your first record, but only 12 months to write your second album. It’s a cliché, of course, and the truth is that a paucity of new material is just one reason that some acts have struggled to follow up a stellar debut. The weight of expectation can be burdensome, while internal frictions and the loss of key members can be other major obstacles to overcome.
Classic Pop issue 95 is on sale now!
In Classic Pop issue 95 we have an exclusive interview with cover star Bryan Adams who reveals all about his feisty new album Roll With The Punches and why he’s still passionate about flying the flag for guitar music worldwide. We also catch up with Tony Hadley to hear how his childhood inspirations in the family home have prompted his forthcoming tour of big band music that sees him tackling the crooners and reinventing some Spandau Ballet classics.
Bristol Sounds All-Dayer Round-Up
Bristol Sounds Live featuring The Fratellis, Canons Marsh Amphitheatre, Bristol, Saturday 28 June 2025 Bristol Sounds bounced into a sunny Glastonbury weekend as the perfect, inner-city alternative to the crowded fields of Pilton. This year, the summer series spanned five days, with headliners including Supergrass, Kaiser Chiefs, Texas, The Fratellis, and Olly Murs.
Classic Pop issue 94 is on sale now!
Classic Pop is officially a monthly magazine again… Classic Pop issue 94 is on sale now, and we’re so excited to be bringing you a brand new issue every single month from now on. In Classic Pop issue 94 we meet Heaven 17 for our world exclusive cover feature as they unveil new music and their upcoming ‘electropopumentary’ project, plus look back on their incredible career.
The Bluebells - Sisters Q&A
The Bluebells’ acclaimed debut LP Sisters is being reissued in deluxe expanded form. A remastered version of the 1984 album, containing the singles I’m Falling and Young At Heart, will be available as a double LP for the first time on black or limited edition purple vinyl. In addition, a deluxe 3CD/DVD set scoops up B-sides, non-album tracks, live and extended versions as well as previously unreleased BBC performances from The Old Grey Whistle Test and Top Of The Pops.
David Gray - Dear Life interview
David Gray once – quite literally – captured the sound of the city. His breakthrough album, White Ladder, was recorded in his bedroom in north-east London with such a DIY set-up that its biggest single, Babylon, features the sound of a car driving by outside. Some 26 years later, Gray is still inspired by the chaos of urbanity.
Win NOW - Yearbook 1989
COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED NOW – Yearbook 1989 celebrates a fantastic year in pop across three stunning formats – a standard 78-track 4CD set, a special edition 78-track 4CD set which includes a 28-page booklet packed with notes about all of the featured tracks, and a 42-track 3LP, pressed on pink vinyl.
Top 20 Live Albums
For fans unable to secure a ticket for the hottest seat in town, these classic live albums offer the next best thing. Words by Barry Page Crucial snapshots of an unrepeatable moment in time or fan-rinsing cash-ins, whatever your opinion of live albums, they’ve become an important part of the musical landscape since time immemorial, with some even immortalised as major cultural milestones – Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison being a prime example.
Various Artists - More Sin: Box Of Sin 2
Various Artists – More Sin: Box Of Sin 2 (Demon) ★★★★½ Disco Discharge’s second round-up of the tracks that rocked the gay clubs of the 80s is a delight – and an education Gay clubs have long been the laboratories for pop’s future. From 60s mod and 70s disco to the SAW sound, the LGTBQ+ community heard it all first and, as we saw in Disco Discharge’s first Sin boxset, the 80s were blessed with a particularly good soundtrack.
Sparks tour the UK this June and July
Sparks MAD! tour comes to the UK this June and July. Legendary pop pioneers Sparks continue to break new ground and are releasing their brand new album MAD! in May followed by the MAD! tour. Catch them this June and July for some very special performances at Eventim Apollo London, O2 Apollo Manchester, Royal Concert Hall Glasgow (sold out), Playhouse Edinburgh, and The Halls, Wolverhampton.
Classic Pop issue 93 is on sale now!
In Classic Pop issue 93 we meet Sparks – brothers Ron and Russell Mael – for an exclusive cover feature as they take us inside their stunning new album MAD! We also catch up with Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barratt who reveal all about their collaborative LP Loose Talk and Erasure’s Andy Bell tells us why he’s striking out on his own with solo record, Ten Crowns.
Classic Pop issue 93 is on sale now!
In Classic Pop issue 93 we meet Sparks – brothers Ron and Russell Mael – for an exclusive cover feature as they take us inside their stunning new album MAD! We also catch up with Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barratt who reveal all about their collaborative LP Loose Talk and Erasure’s Andy Bell tells us why he’s striking out on his own with solo record, Ten Crowns.
Camp Bestival 2025 competition - win a family ticket
A family ticket worth £1,370 is up for grabs in our Camp Bestival 2025 competition The UK’s favourite family festival is heading back to Dorset’s Lulworth Castle from 31 July to 3 August with a hugely impressive lineup that features inaugural Camp Bestival headline appearances from Sir Tom Jones and Sugababes, plus a carnival-filled live show from Basement Jaxx.
Win A Signed Copy Of Andy Bell’s New Solo Album
Classic Pop is offering readers the chance to win one of five signed copies of Andy Bell’s new solo album, Ten Crowns. Due for release on 2 May via Crown Recordings, Ten Crowns sees the Erasure frontman collaborate with acclaimed producer Dave Audé (Beyoncé, Rihanna, Lady Gaga) on 10 brand new electropop gems.
Win NOW - Yearbook 1998
NOW – Yearbook 1998 celebrates a fantastic year in pop across three stunning formats – a standard 80-track 4CD set, a special edition 80-track 4CD set with notes about all the tracks, and a 43-track 3LP, pressed on neon violet vinyl. Embark on a musical journey through one of the most dynamic years in pop with NOW – Yearbook 1998! Whether you’re reliving the hits or discovering them for the first time, this collection brings you the best from the singles charts of 1998.
Win NOW - Yearbook 1998
NOW – Yearbook 1998 celebrates a fantastic year in pop across three stunning formats – a standard 80-track 4CD set, a special edition 80-track 4CD set with notes about all the tracks, and a 43-track 3LP, pressed on neon violet vinyl. Embark on a musical journey through one of the most dynamic years in pop with NOW – Yearbook 1998! Whether you’re reliving the hits or discovering them for the first time, this collection brings you the best from the singles charts of 1998.
Win Deacon Blue tickets and new album
Classic Pop is offering readers the chance to win Deacon Blue tickets and a copy of their new album, The Great Western Road, on CD. This year marks 40 years since Ricky Ross met Dougie Vipond and they started to form Deacon Blue. The songs on the new album reflect the journey the band has taken and remain honest to the age and experience they all share.
Win Deacon Blue tickets and new album
Classic Pop is offering readers the chance to win Deacon Blue tickets and a copy of their new album, The Great Western Road, on CD. This year marks 40 years since Ricky Ross met Dougie Vipond and they started to form Deacon Blue. The songs on the new album reflect the journey the band has taken and remain honest to the age and experience they all share.
Classic Pop issue 92 is on sale now!
In Classic Pop issue 92 we meet INXS’s Andrew Farriss and Kirk Pengilly who reveal all about the band’s breakthrough album Listen Like Thieves as it receives the 40th anniversary deluxe reissue treatment.
Classic Pop’s Top 20 TV Themes
Popular television shows often come packaged up with a memorable title tune, and some even crossed over into the pop charts, as our Top 20 TV Themes confirms. Words by Barry Page Just like a stellar pop song has the evocative power of taking us back to a particular time in our lives, a great TV theme can have an equally transportative effect.
Classic Pop’s Top 20 TV Themes
Popular television shows often come packaged up with a memorable title tune, and some even crossed over into the pop charts, as our Top 20 TV Themes confirms. Words by Barry Page Just like a stellar pop song has the evocative power of taking us back to a particular time in our lives, a great TV theme can have an equally transportative effect.
Win A Prize Bundle Worth £100
We value your feedback – win a prize bundle worth £100 by telling us what you think… Your opinions help shape Classic Pop and the ads you see in the magazine. Fill out our quick survey and not only will you improve your magazine, you will also be in with a chance of winning a prize bundle.
25 essential Christmas pop songs
We’ve got your festive playlist covered, pop fans. Here are our top 25 Christmas songs from your favourite classic pop artists that’ll have you wishing it was Christmas every day… We kick off this Christmas countdown of classic pop songs with something slightly more traditional: Alison Moyet’s version of the 16th century Coventry Carol. King Herod’s story may not be the most popular festive tale to tell, but Moyet makes her musical talent known in this electronic take on the British carol.
Classic Pop Reader Survey 2025
Complete our Reader Survey 2025 and be in with a chance of winning a huge prize bundle Let us know what you think about Classic Pop to be in with a chance of winning this incredible prize bundle of vinyl and CD releases from our friends at NOW Music – worth over £350. Whether you read our content via the print magazine, digital editions, through our website, or on social media, we need your feedback.
Top 40 best movie soundtracks
From thrillers to chillers, sci-fi to rom-coms, cinema would be nothing without music – here Classic Pop picks the Top 40 Best Movie Soundtracks We’ve looked at all eras of classic pop to chart the most important, beguiling and spell-binding soundtracks of the past five decades. Some are simply great souvenirs of impressive movies, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But others push the boundaries of the connection between film and music itself.
Top 40 80s debut albums
HOME > Features | Top 40 | Top Songs | Read Time: | 14th April 2025 Classic Pop may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we think you will enjoy. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT We take a look at the best debut albums of the 80s… Debut albums are often the purest example of any artist’s work. It can be the result of years of dreaming, planning and writing, so much so that some singers and groups never better their first record.
Top 20 Rare & Collectable Records
From the affordable, through to the eye-wateringly expensive and the virtually unattainable, we present our Top 20 Rare & Collectable records… Words by Barry Page While streaming may have had a substantial impact on the sales of physical product, collecting old vinyl, CDs, music memorabilia and paraphernalia remains as popular as ever.
Bronski Beat share Why? (40th Anniversary Doc Short)
Bronski Beat share Why? (40th Anniversary Doc Short), a new short film directed by Matt Lambert. The documentary tells a story of resilience, power, community and solidarity using Bronski Beat’s enduring anthem Why? as its thematic spark point. The short film honours those who speak up and put themselves on the line for the sake of love – those in the frontlines often being the most at risk. Watch Why?
Online Exclusive - Moseley Folk Festival Review
Moseley Folk & Arts Festival, Birmingham, 30 August to 1 September 2024 ★★★★☆ Classic Pop heads to a folk festival to find Dexys, Belle And Sebastian, and CMAT all kicking up a storm. Nestled in a private park in a Brum suburb, Moseley Folk Festival has long taken a flexible approach to the term ‘folk’. So while there’s the clear tones of such established folk faves as Kate Rusby, the festival’s broad programming ensures Classic Pop’s interest is piqued.
Ultravox Exclusive: Lament Deluxe Edition Preview
In collaboration with Chrysalis Records, Classic Pop can share an exclusive Ultravox lyric video of Steven Wilson’s Remix Edit of White China. This White China Steven Wilson Remix Edit offers a sneak preview of the exceptional extended remix disc that accompanies Lament 2024 Deluxe Edition.
Live review - Robbie Williams at BST Hyde Park
Live review – Robbie Williams at BST Hyde Park: The Angels star played a two-hour spectacular on Saturday. Arriving on stage with a troupe of 10 dancers, the former Take That star kicked things off with a bang with Let Me Entertain You, followed swiftly by 1960s Chris Kenner classic, Land Of A Thousand Dances, Strong and the much revered Come Undone. Pausing to introduce the audience to the story of his life, Williams took the crowd back to 1990 and his boy band roots.
Q&A: 90s dance duo D:REAM
Peter Cunnah was the tartan-suited frontman, Al Mackenzie the DJ; club buddies who became pop stars and yes 90s dance duo D:REAM wrote that epoch-defining hit… But there is a lot more than just Things Can Only Get Better in their story – we’re talking a brilliant platinum-selling debut LP, drug epiphanies, cocaine addiction, a falling out over whether or not to support Take That and eventually reconciliation… Words BETH SIMPSON How did the pair of you first meet?
Kylie’s Hyde Park support acts announced
MARINA, Anitta and Altégo are the first artists named as Kylie’s Hyde Park support acts at BST on Saturday 13 July.
Classic Pop renews partnership with Bath Mind
Classic Pop are delighted to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 by announcing our renewed support for Bath Mind, a local and independent mental health charity operating in Bath and North East Somerset. Anthem, who publish Classic Pop, have a mission is “to help people lead happier healthier lives”, so we have always felt very closely aligned with issues related to mental health and wellbeing.
Top 20 hip-hop singles of the 80s
Emerging straight outta the Bronx in the summer of 1973, hip-hop has come a long way since its humble beginnings, with the 80s being a particularly fertile period for the globe-conquering genre… here we pick out Top 20 hip-hop singles of the 80s Given its current worldwide popularity, it’s hard to comprehend that hip-hop originated more than 50 years ago in the impoverished neighbourhoods of New York, where street parties were regularly held to boost the morale of the city’s African-American...
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