Dave Simpson

Pierson’s mellifluous vocals radiate positivity in a dozen bouncy tracks that skip giddily between electro-pop, rock, dance and disco

He halted his career after decades of hits, then a dream one night changed everything. From New York to swinging London and apartheid South Africa, he explains his epic journey

An indie/alt-rock supergroup-of-sorts featuring Stephen Malkmus (Pavement, the Jicks), Matt Sweeney (Chavez, Superwolf), Jim White (Dirty Three) and

‘The lyrics reflect the fact that I was in quite a dark place – but subverting it all, in a GCSE English kind of way’

Also featuring Matt Sweeney, Jim White and Emmett Kelly, the quality and variety of songwriting on this self-titled debut album raises it above a stoner jam session

English Teacher won the Mercury prize, Amy Gledhill won the Edinburgh comedy award – and now even Beyoncé wants a piece of the action. Why has ‘God’s own county’ become such an artistic force?

Blossomsmania is in full force at this cheery, beery gig, which has something of the atmosphere of an indie Last Night of the Proms

Gleefully raucous anthems give way to heartfelt goodbyes on the Canadian band’s triumphant farewell tour

‘Its first performance was at Live Aid. The drummer broke his kit, the bass was in a different tuning, David Gilmour’s guitar wasn’t working – and my mic was inaudible’

This hugely moving concert spans every corner of the human experience, finding Cave at a point where time has deepened his music’s power and his connection with his audience