They were one of the most colourful acts of the decade, yet the vibrancy and melodies of Culture Club’s second opus belied the heartache and tensions that inspired it –…
Review: Bryan Ferry And His Orchestra – Bitter-Sweet
“We just make music for ourselves, and if anyone else likes it, it’s a bonus.” This sentiment was once the self-righteous domain of indie purists everywhere, but it appears it’s…
Bananarama announce new album and tour!
Bananarama have announced their first new album in a decade, In Stereo, as well as a series of intimate shows across the UK. For the past three decades, Bananarama’s Sara Dallin…
Review: Soft Cell, The O2, London live
For their last-ever live show, Soft Cell said hello in style and waved goodbye almost three hours later – leaving fans with great memories of an unforgettable night. When Dave…
Thursday Night Fever: Top Of The Pops
Top Of The Pops transformed itself into a non-stop party showcase for the 1980s pop explosion. Those who were there, including Heaven 17’s Martin Ware and DJ Janice Long, look back…
One Hit Wonder: Air Supply – All Out Of Love
There have probably been thousands of soft-rock songs about pain and loss, and Air Supply’s contribution to this much-maligned genre was an enormous worldwide hit in 1980. The Australian band…
Review: Marianne Faithfull – Negative Capability
Marianne Faithfull’s still only 71, but anyone who saw her touring recently will be aware of her ailments. She spends much of each show sitting regally in a throne-like chair,…
Superfan: Mute Records – Dennis Yarwood
Devoted fans show us their collections and pop memorabilia. In this edition of Superfan, Dennis Yarwood from Flixton, Manchester shows us his Mute Records stash… Q When did you first become…
Review: The Police: Every Move You Make: The Studio Recordings
Only an accident of birth made The Police a New Wave band. Sting was a sharp, slick songwriter; Andy Summers had hung with Hendrix and strummed with Soft Machine and…
Nile Counsel: Nile Rodgers interview
Few musicians have successfully navigated popular culture with the skill and bravado of Nile Rodgers. The guitarist’s pioneering band Chic first galloped onto the UK charts in 1977 with Dance,…