Plus: UK rapper Berwyn on poverty, perseverance and hostile politics
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Picks of the week
The songs that sum up each year of Tory government
Sleaford Mods, the 1975, Fred Again  
The songs that sum up each year of Tory government
Dave’s lament for the Grenfell atrocity, Dua Lipa’s bedroom disco for a locked-down nation, Kneecap’s Badenoch-riling rap, Elbow’s hymn for asylum seekers … here are the tracks that defined 14 years of Conservative rule
‘Theresa May made the whole country rally against migrants’  
UK rapper Berwyn on poverty, perseverance and hostile politics
‘To be totally the focus of someone, who was really into sex, was fantastic’  
Tracey Emin and Billy Childish on their blazing romance
‘No one understands a woman in her 20s like Billy Joel’  
Gen z finds solace in anti-hustle anthem Vienna
Bronski Beat  
Why their anthem of gay culture resonates 40 years on
‘A death sentence for music’  
The battle for America’s last Live Nation-free city
Glastonbury 2024
The Last Dinner Party justify the hype, Dua Lipa nails it and Coldplay go over the top
The big Glastonbury 2024 review  
The Last Dinner Party justify the hype, Dua Lipa nails it and Coldplay go over the top
From K-poppers Seventeen to performance artist Marina Abramović, via Cyndi Lauper and Little Simz, it was one of the most diverse editions yet. But the real fireworks came with a band who have taken things to another level
When to shower, who to hug, how to get served …  
24 things we learned about the world at Glastonbury 2024
‘Our shirts are from Lidl!’  
32 of Glastonbury’s greatest looks for 2024 – in pictures
South Asians have been insultingly ignored by most music festivals – so thank you Glastonbury
Nikhita Chulani
‘My knees are as strong as Megan Thee Stallion!’  
What 20 celebrities learned at Glastonbury 2024
In pictures  
Backstage at Glastonbury with K-pop sensation Seventeen
Reviews
Alexis Petridis's album of the week  
Kasabian: Happenings – pivot towards pop could almost be Coldplay
Kasabian: Happenings – pivot towards pop could almost be Coldplay
Jazz album of the month  
Norma Winstone and Kit Downes: Outpost of Dreams – bonded by jazz tradition
Book review  
Travelling by Ann Powers – a dazzling life of Joni Mitchell
Album review  
Kiasmos: II – will have you crying tears of joy on the dancefloor
Art review  
Lonnie Holley – America’s wreckage made into magical art
Album review  
Orquesta Akokán: Caracoles – joyous Cuban dancehall
Spotlight
‘Like an island separate from England’: Black joy at Glastonbury
The Guardian picture essay  
‘Like an island separate from England’: Black joy at Glastonbury
It strongly champions Black music – but does Glastonbury feel inviting enough for Black audiences? On a tour of the site, we discover a growing community of new festival fans
Classical
Proms star Elim Chan  
Being who you are is powerful. Not all orchestras can take it
Being who you are is powerful. Not all orchestras can take it
Classical album of the week  
Janáček: The Excursions of Mr Brouček – eccentric opera has sparkle and muscle
Janáček: The Excursions of Mr Brouček – eccentric opera has sparkle and muscle
Opera review  
Un Giorno di Regno – fizzing revival of Verdi’s failed comedy
Un Giorno di Regno – fizzing revival of Verdi’s failed comedy
I’ll take your brain to another dimension …  
My classical DJ set at Glastonbury
My classical DJ set at Glastonbury
Festival review  
Penarth chamber music festival – 10th anniversary of a classy affair
Penarth chamber music festival – 10th anniversary of a classy affair
Opera review  
Edgar – Puccini was right, his biggest flop is a dud
Edgar – Puccini was right, his biggest flop is a dud
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Add to playlist
‘Should not be played indoors’  
Writers on their all-time favourite summertime songs
Writers on their all-time favourite summertime songs
Wild-hearted hits  
Stevie Nicks’ 20 best songs – ranked!
One to watch  
Cruza
Joss Stone’s honest playlist  
I try to avoid karaoke – I get too embarrassed
‘A younger generation has grabbed it’  
BBC pips composer on his tune’s Glastonbury remix
Road to Nowhere  
Guardian readers’ songs to sum up the UK election
You may have missed
The Zawose Queens go from Tanzania to Glastonbury
‘Women have always been sidelined. So we’re radical’  
The Zawose Queens go from Tanzania to Glastonbury
The multi-talented musicians were held back in their home country where even certain instruments were off limits – but they’re ready to take centre stage at Worthy Farm
‘I was nervous. Worried. Insecure. I just didn’t feel safe’  
Rachel Stevens on her life in S Club 7
She has topped the charts and been called the world’s sexiest woman, while also being stricken with anxiety. She discusses Paul Cattermole, therapy and finding her strength
‘I’m getting 500 DMs a day’  
Fish56Octagon, the dressing gown-wearing viral DJ sensation
He’s a 44-year-old marketing professional – and the toast of clubland thanks to his passionate TikToks. Ahead of three Glastonbury sets, ‘Fish’ explains how he’s defying the snobs
‘In one scene, Celine Dion’s dancing. Next, she’s on a gurney’  
Making the film about the singer’s tragic condition
The star has Stiff Person Syndrome, meaning moments of elation can trigger potentially lethal spasms. We meet the director who captured the singer’s Las Vegas home life – and one shocking attack that almost killed her
Live music this week
Body Count ft Ice-T  
An explosive love letter to heavy metal
An explosive love letter to heavy metal
AC/DC  
A poignant lesson on the power of rock’n’roll
Manic Street Preachers / Suede  
Co-headliners bring out the best in each other
Kitty Empire's artist of the week  
The Breeders – effortless pop gems from the grunge era
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