Neil McCormick
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Daily Telegraph music critic. Author of Killing Bono, #Zero. Ghostwriter of U2 by U2. Know all.
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Articles by Neil McCormick
Sex, drugs and smashed guitars – Jimi Hendrix’s roadie tells all
The keepers of the Grateful Dead's history During this year's Days Between — from Aug. 1 to 9 — NPR Music is publishing a series of stories about what keeps drawing people to the Grateful Dead and how they plan to carry the band's legacy forward. Inside a climate-controlled facility located in a redwood forest just a few miles from the …
A track-by-track guide to Paul Simon’s Graceland at 40
How many musical masterpieces have been censured by the United Nations? When Paul Simon’s Graceland was released in August 1986, his choice to record with musicians in South Africa plunged the American singer-songwriter into controversy, leading to condemnation by the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid for breaking its cultural boycott.
Nick Cave reunites with Kylie Minogue in a spellbinding Bad Seeds show
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' concert in Preston Park, Brighton, was a kind of rapturous homecoming for the Australian émigré, who has made the British seaside town his base for decades. It was even blessed by the appearance of an even more famous Aussie immigrant icon, Kylie Minogue , who glided on in a lacy white ballgown to sprinkle some glamorous pop magic on a barnstorming rock concert.
Ariana Grande's temper tantrum is like being attacked by a lovely butterfly
Ariana Grande has warned fans that her new album, Petal , comes from a place of “unfiltered rage”. “It's a little feral,” she said in a recent interview. “It's definitely from a place I've been maybe too shy or polite to tap into before. This kind of just feels like, ‘F--- it.'” Well, if you are wondering what Grande sounds like when she's angry, try to imagine being assaulted by a particularly lovely butterfly.
Glen Hansard always found a way to bring the music out of people
Glen Hansard was a shining light of Irish music. He was a maverick and a true artist – a gregarious, warm, thoughtful and caring lover of people and songs, to be found at the centre of so many good things, strumming his guitar, singing and playing because that’s where he found his best self. And so many other people found their best selves with him. I was shocked to hear of his death, in a motorbike crash, aged just 56.
Boy George’s new pro-Israel song might not be his best, but it is his bravest
Boy George has released a new song defending Israel’s unpopular military campaign in Palestine. Now there’s a headline you wouldn’t see in Smash Hits. We Will Dance Again is a loping reggae anthem which opens with the lyrics “You say genocide, I say war / When you’re attacked, it’s what the army’s for”. The flamboyantly transgressive 65-year-old British frontman for 1980s pop band Culture Club could not be accused of pulling his punches.
Madonna is upstaged by a frog at the World Cup half-time show
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A World Cup half-time show that won by playing it simple
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A World Cup half-time show that won by playing it simple
Colombian superstar Shakira delivered a striking performance down on the pitch - AFP The World Cup half-time show was surprisingly nimble on its feet for a major sporting extravaganza. Rather than going for the kind of spectacular blockbuster staging often seen at sporting events such as the American football Super Bowl, the World Cup rather surprisingly opted to keep things charming, friendly and intimate.
The new Rolling Stones album proves they're still rock's most thrilling band
Neil McCormick “This never gets old!” Mick Jagger barks, deep into the Rolling Stones' 25th studio album, Foreign Tongues . And it turns out he's right. There is more than enough vitality, wit, richness, energy and joy on offer here to make the case that rock 'n' roll still rules in the modern pop firmament, and the Stones remain its greatest advocates.
My night with Jagger, Wood and a host of stars – turns out rock 'n' roll isn't dead
Neil McCormick The Rolling Stones still know how to throw a party. Last night in London, the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world took over a luxury hotel by the river Thames to throw an old-school record-company blowout for their 25th album, Foreign Tongues . There were cocktails, canapés, stars of film and TV, a spectacular drone light show, and an impromptu set by Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood.
I was at Oasis’s unforgettable Knebworth gig in 1996 – bring on next year
Over two nights, a quarter of a million people gathered at Knebworth Park, Hertfordshire, to watch Oasis perform in 1996 - Alamy Stock Photo I was at Knebworth to see Oasis receive the Britpop crown in August 1996. It was an all-time great concert, in part because it was so much more than a concert – it was a generational coming of age, a celebration of the unifying force of pop music: one nation under a wall of guitars and towering choruses.
At 85, Dionne Warwick’s voice has aged – her artistry has not
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Madonna throws a sweaty dance party to reclaim her crown
Confessions II is Madonna’s 15th studio album and her first release in seven years Madonna has thrown a dance party, with herself as guest of honour. Everyone is invited. As the title implies, Confessions II is a sequel to her most successful album of this century, reuniting the indefatigable 67-year-old with British producer Stuart Price, architect of Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005), which sold more than 10 million copies and featured the hitsHung Up and Sorry.
An uncomfortable truth about legacy rock bands
Bob Dylan 3 hours ago 61 Years Ago Today, One of the ‘Greatest Bob Dylan Covers of All Time’ Hit No. 1 Men's Journal - Brian Particelli • 3h While beloved by fans and regarded as one of the “greatest songs of all time,” Dylan’s version was never released as a single.
Self Esteem gives London’s newest venue the debut it deserves
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Self Esteem gives London’s newest venue the debut it deserves
Self Esteem's bold theatrical vision brought life and personality to the British Airways Arc in Hammersmith - Matthew Baker/Getty "Welcome to the British Airways Arc," announced Rebecca Lucy Taylor, dutifully promoting the new London venue's sponsors with the polite brightness of a model air stewardess. "Let's give this place the energy it needs!" Well, she and her enthusiastic audience certainly did that.
Elvis Costello is one of my musical heroes. Is his voice past its sell-by date?
He was once characterised as the angry young man of New Wave songcraft. Now a venerable 71-year-old vintage hero, Elvis Costello became visibly choked up as he acknowledged “so many old friends” who had come out to see him at the Royal Albert Hall . “I might not be getting frail, but I'm getting a little emotional as I get old,” he admitted. Monday night marked his 32nd appearance at the stately Victorian venue, which he first played with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1982.
Elvis Costello is one of my musical heroes. Is his voice past its sell-by date?
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Twenty-five albums in, the Rolling Stones are still rock’s most thrilling band
Despite their ages, the now-trio – from left, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood – are still gathering no moss - Kevin Mazur "This never gets old!" Mick Jagger barks, deep into the Rolling Stones' 25th studio album, Foreign Tongues. And it turns out he's right. There is more than enough vitality, wit, richness, energy and joy on offer here to make the case that rock 'n' roll still rules in the modern pop firmament, and the Stones remain its greatest advocates.
Elvis Costello is one of my musical heroes. Is his voice past its sell-by date?
He was once characterised as the angry young man of New Wave songcraft. Now a venerable 71-year-old vintage hero, Elvis Costello became visibly choked up as he acknowledged “so many old friends” who had come out to see him at the Royal Albert Hall. “I might not be getting frail, but I’m getting a little emotional as I get old,” he admitted. Monday night marked his 32nd appearance at the stately Victorian venue, which he first played with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1982.
Harry Styles evokes Hockney for stadium art with a human centre
Harry Styles brings substance to go with the style on the first night of his run of concerts at Wembley - Anthony Pham/Shutterstock Neil McCormick Fri, June 12, 2026 at 10:23 PM UTC 3 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. He shoots, he scores. Harry Styles’s first night at Wembley Stadium felt like an easy yet glorious win.
Harry Styles evokes Hockney for stadium art with a human centre
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Kraftwerk once predicted the future; now they are stuck in the past
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Kraftwerk once predicted the future; now they are stuck in the past
The quartet stood almost motionless at their synthesisers throughout their concert at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday - Andy Paradise They came, they saw, they… did not do much else. When Kraftwerk, the greatest and most influential electronic group of all time, played on Thursday to a packed Royal Albert Hall, their sound was huge and pristine, their visuals vivid and bold, and their performance… static and lifeless. Even their most ardent admirers have come to expect nothing more.
Taylor Swift’s new Toy Story song is hard to hate
Swift's single celebrates the inevitability of love with melodious charm and light wit - Gareth Cattermole Has there ever been such a hype of wild expectation about such a lightweight pop trifle? Taylor Swift's standing as the most popular musician in the world almost overweighs her new single, a cheery two minute country pop ditty celebrating the inevitability of love with melodious charm and light wit.
Ed Sheeran’s imperial phase is over
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Ed Sheeran’s imperial phase is over
Is the era of Ed Sheeran’s chart domination at an end? This week, the Suffolk singer-songwriter revealed he has parted ways with his record company, leaving Warner Music Group after 15 astonishingly successful years that took him from one-man-band busker to stadium-conquering superstar. Through Warner labels Atlantic and Asylum, Sheeran has released eight albums with combined sales of more than 170 million, and scored 14 UK number one singles, including Shape of You and Perfect.
‘Wait till you hear the stuff Keith’s playing on the new Stones album’
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‘Wait till you hear the s--- Keith’s playing on the Stones’ new album’
Andrew Watt with Keith Richards: The producer has worked with the Rolling Stones on their upcoming new album - Kevin Mazur Andrew Watt is the hottest rock producer in the world, a 35-year-old guitar wizard who has produced music for the Rolling Stones and two of the Beatles. “Just saying that sounds like a fake statement,” admits Watt with giddy laughter.
Paul and Ringo's reunion will put a smile on every Beatles fan's face
Neil McCormick “Grandpa Paul sounds old,” you might think during the opening bars ofAs You Lie There. Really, every one of McCartney's 83 years can be detected in his shaky, thinning voice, reminiscing saucily about a teenage crush over dreamy acoustic chords.
Paul and Ringo’s reunion will put a smile on every Beatles fan’s face
At 83, Paul McCartney proves his melodic instincts remain gloriously undimmed - Mary McCartney Paul McCartney, old and new, ancient and contemporary, come together on The Boys of Dungeon Lane, the 27th studio album of his post-Beatles career. The melodious pop genius of his youth and the venerable elder statesman of rock culture look back with rheumy, sentimental eyes on the memories and influences of his youth.
Dara’s ludicrous sound mash was actually a banger – and gave Eurovision its bounce back
Bangaranga, performed by Dara, came from nowhere to triumph at the 70th Eurovision - HELMUT FOHRINGER I don’t think anyone saw that coming. In a nail-biting conclusion to a typically ridiculous Eurovision song contest, only a nutty, maximalist electro dance banger from Bulgaria saved the Eurovision from itself.
The 10 best Rolling Stones albums – ranked
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The Rolling Stones are back with a pile-driving blues stomp – but good luck finding it
Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards performing in Missouri, 2024 - Gary Miller/Getty The Rolling Stones are back: the original bad boys of rock ‘n’ roll still carrying the torch for dirty, bluesy guitar grooving. Under the guise of garage-rock alter-ego, the Cockroaches, they’ve released a one-sided, white-label, vinyl-only single titled Rough and Twisted. First, the good news.
The 10 best Rolling Stones albums – ranked
The Rolling Stones have released a new single called Rough and Twisted - Paul Natkin/Getty Images The Rolling Stones are back, the original bad boys of rock ’n’ roll still carrying the torch for dirty, bluesy guitar grooving. Under the guise of their garage rock alter egos the Cockroaches, the Stones are sneaking out a new white label single at select record stores on Saturday.
Harry Styles’s new album has all the emotional heft of a perfume advert
All the news is bad and the world is going to hell in a handcart. Is Harry Styles the low-stakes hero we need right now? The former One Direction superstar’s fourth solo album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally., arrives with an air of arty inconsequentiality that belies its blockbuster status.
Olivia Dean doesn’t need to be edgy or angsty to be the best of British pop
Olivia Dean won a Brit Award in every category she was nominated for - Isabel Infantes/Reuters Olivia Dean has been crowned Britain’s new pop queen. On Saturday evening, the bright and charming 26-year-old singer and songwriter swept all the categories she was nominated in at the 2026 Brit Awards. She ended the night with four trophies clutched in her arms – and the whole weight of the British music business on her slender shoulders.
Olivia Dean sweeps the BRITs with four awards
We all knew a sweep was coming at this year's Brit Awards. And so it did – with Olivia Dean, the 26-year-old Londoner who has become a sudden global sensation, scooping four of the five awards she was nominated for.
Elvis Presley was the most handsome and electrifying performer who ever lived
The film stitches together unearthed concert footage of Presley into a rhapsodic 97-minute showcase This new Elvis Presley concert movie is an intimate, sweaty and explosively joyous experience that revives the King’s reputation as one of the greatest performers of all time.
A track-by-track guide to George Michael’s Faith, the greatest British album of the 1980s
George Michael's Faith LP Do we still have faith in George Michael? The late, great British pop star’s debut solo album will turn 40 next year. Faith is reissued on vinyl this week, presaging anniversary celebrations for what is surely the greatest British pop album of the gaudy, colourful, flashy and excitable decade upon which the Wham! man stamped his simultaneously macho, emotional, swaggering, sensitive and sexually fluid identity.
U2 are back on the barricades with their most political work in years
U2 return with Days of Ash, a rush-released EP of protest songs sparked by global conflict and unrest - Sam Jones Irish rock superstars U2 have rush-released a six-track EP of political protest songs, Days of Ash. Addressing conflicts in America, Israel, Palestine, Iran, Sudan and Ukraine, in tones ranging from punky rage to weary lullabies and aching laments, Days of Ash pulls no punches.
Robbie Williams: ‘Congratulations to me for not being in the Epstein files’
‘All I’ve ever had was audacity and a cheeky wink’: Williams performing at Brixton Academy on Sunday - Jim Dyson/Getty Robbie Williams celebrated his record-breaking 16th number-one album with an entertaining “intimate” show at London’s Brixton Academy. “Everybody’s making a big deal about me beating the Beatles,” Williams smugly announced.
This cool sibling duo are rock’s next big thing
Matt and Issey Cartlidge of the Molotovs performing at the 100 Club on Monday night - Jim Dyson/Getty Images Teenage sibling duo the Molotovs played an explosive show in the hallowed ground of the 100 Club on London’s Oxford Street on Monday night, rocking the landmark punk venue with the energy and fervour of their long-lost heroes the Jam.
Grammy Awards 2026: British star Olivia Dean wins Best New Artist
Classy pop singer-songwriter Olivia Dean continued her ascent by winning Best New Artist - Shutterstock “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” announced Bad Bunny, as the Puerto Rican singer and rapper became the first Spanish language artist to ever win Album of the Year at America’s premiere music awards ceremony. It was a significant victory on many levels, showcasing how strong Latin music has become as a global commercial pop force.
Bruce Springsteen’s new Trump protest song has just upped the ante
Bruce Springsteen, pictured at a rally for Kamala Harris, has renewed his attacks on Donald Trump in a new song - Christian Monterrosa/AFP/Getty This time it’s personal.
Harry Styles has become Britain’s biggest pop star without even trying
Effortless: Harry Styles performs at the Grammy Awards in 2023 - Mario Anzuoni/Reuters Harry Styles has recently slipped quietly back into contention for the role of biggest pop star in the world. The former One Direction boy-band pinup and stadium-conquering solo superstar ended two and half years of silence with a new single, accompanied by announcements of a new album and a new tour. By the time he has completed six nights in Wembley Stadium in June, Styles will be inescapable once more.
Harry Styles has become Britain’s biggest pop star without even trying
Effortless: Harry Styles performs at the Grammy Awards in 2023 - Mario Anzuoni/Reuters Harry Styles slipped quietly back into contention this week for the role of biggest pop star in the world. The former One Direction boy-band pinup and stadium-conquering solo superstar ended two and half years of silence with a new single, accompanied by announcements of a new album and a new tour. By the time he has completed six nights in Wembley Stadium in June, Styles will be inescapable once more.
Take That interview: We’re open to taking Robbie back
Now a three piece, Take That comprises (L-R) Mark Owen, Gary Barlow and Howard Donald “From the beginning, I never wanted to be in a band,” admits singer and songwriter Gary Barlow. But contemplating the giddy rise, bitter collapse and triumphant return of pop powerhouse Take That, the 55-year-old star has come to an interesting conclusion.
Take That: ‘Being a pop star at 20 is unhealthy. You can’t compare it to normal life’
Now a three piece, Take That comprises (L-R) Mark Owen, Gary Barlow and Howard Donald “From the beginning, I never wanted to be in a band,” admits singer and songwriter Gary Barlow. But contemplating the giddy rise, bitter collapse and triumphant return of pop powerhouse Take That, the 55-year-old star has come to an interesting conclusion.
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