CATEGORIES

Ones to watch

Rolling Stone UK predicts the acts likely to break out in a big way this year

Ahead of his time

He may have been dubbed the \"saviour of pop\", but teenage star and BRIT nominee Sekou is taking a levelheaded approach to his newfound fame

A MESSAGE TO YOU

Give or take Hot Chocolate, well ahead of Hi-Tension et al, Cymande were the first black British band of note. With influences ranging from soul, funk, and reggae to blues-rock, jazz and calypso, they were big in the States but failed to capitalise on early success. A staple for sampladelic hip-hoppers, they are finally getting their due with a brand new documentary. Cymande says: Lois Wilson

THE ENGINE ROOM

The unsung heroes who helped forge modern music

NY Philharmonic seizes an unlikely Korea opportunity

When an agreed ceasefire ended the Korean War in July 1953, a full and final peace settlement between North and South Korea was envisaged. It never happened.

Keep it in the family

Sibling connections can lead to meaningful musical partnerships – as long as childhood rivalries don't get in the way

Closing the gap

The number of female conductors on the world's orchestral podiums might be rising, but there is still some distance to cover

Out of the Blue

When George Gershwin brought together the worlds of jazz and classical in the premiere of his Rhapsody in Blue 100 years ago in New York, a whole new soundworld was born, as Mervyn Cooke relates

He's got rhythm

Oscar Levant built his reputation as an actor and radio host, but this talented pianist was also a key interpreter of Gershwin's music

Stroud England

Despite the sleepy reputation of its Gloucestershire surrounds, Stroud's Hidden Notes Festival likes to push boundaries

Start spreading the music...

No city has been sounded and celebrated by composers and musicians as thrillingly as New York and, in particular, Manhattan – a place where 800 languages are spoken, and even more musical genres are currently being played, remade and born.

Wish You Were Here

A decade in the making, the debut album from Tarja Turunen’s Outlanders project is the perfect antidote to these chaotic times. Featuring guest appearances from a host of celebrated musicians, including Mike Oldfield, Trevor Rabin and Steve Rothery, it showcases a very different side to the Finnish soprano who’s better known for her dramatic progressive metal and classical recordings. She shares the story behind Outlanders and the Alan Parsons album that inspired it.

Never Say Never

While the days have largely passed when an artist might release two studio albums in quick succession, a decade has elapsed since Moon Safari issued Himlabacken Vol. 1.

The Truth Is Out There

Almost a decade in the making, Earthside's second album, Let The Truth Speak, finds the band in fine form. Yet the story of its creation and subsequent release has been peppered not just with world events, but personal battles. Singer/guitarist Jamie van Dyck and drummer Ben Shanbrom discuss how they rose to the challenges of creating a bold and healing cinematic sound that defies all expectation.

Back To The Future

In 2021, Magenta’s Rob Reed relaunched his old band, Cyan, with a new line-up and a polished reimagining of For King And Country. They’ve now teamed up again to tackle Pictures From The Other Side. Reed and vocalist Peter Jones tell Prog about bringing a new lease of life to old material and why there’s more to come.

THE PROG INTERVIEW

Every month we get inside the mind of one of the biggest names in music. This issue it's Francis Dunnery. Best known for co-founding and fronting It Bites during their 80s heyday, his career has since taken in collaborations with Robert Plant, Carlos Santana and members of Yes, and he even auditioned for Genesis. Now back on the road with It Bites FD, the multimedia artist looks back over his life so far and shares his plans for the future.

Days Of Future Passed

Fifty-one years ago, Germany-based Nektar finally made headway in their native UK with fourth album Remember The Future. The conceptual piece explored prescient themes of the environment and looking after the planet against a sci-fiinspired backdrop. Long-serving bassist Derek 'Mo' Moore recalls the story of the recently reissued record that was way ahead of its time.

SECOND BASE

Despite pursuing multiple projects already, three prog luminaries have concluded they're simply not busy enough. As D'Virgilio, Morse & Jennings press the button on their cunningly titled Sophomore, Prog catches up with two-thirds of the group to find out how they're packing everything in and whether they're likely to make it a hat-trick of albums.

Lifetime

All things must pass, and prog's imperial early-to-mid-70s phase was no exception.

Sonic Dystopia

For his solo career, Riverside's Mariusz Duda wanted to create something as distinct from his day job as possible. He talks to Prog about returning to his first musical love, being creatively selfish, and embracing electronic music on AFR AID.

Sir Tom Stoppard – Roll call

One of Britain's greatest living playwrights Sir Tom Stoppard on being a music fan, having writer's block and the major revival of his play Rock 'n' Roll in London

Hyunjin: The Prince of Versace

With K-pop stars commanding adulation that is off the charts, it's no surprise that major brands are keen for a piece of the action. Recently signed up by Versace as one of its ambassadors, Hyunjin from K-pop sensation Stray Kids chats to Rolling Stone UK about style, his favourite Stray Kids song and which of his band members is "a very naughty boy"

The Song Of The Year Award – A Very British Superstar

After acclimatising to instant fame, PinkPantheress, the singer-songwriter-producer behind 'Boy's a Liar Pt. 2", is confidently laying down her boundaries and refusing to conform to expectations - as she releases her most adventurous work yet

The Breakthrough Award – Coming of Age

With heartfelt songs of crushes and overcoming heartbreak on her number one album The Good Witch, 23-year-old Maisie Peters deftly captures the agony and ecstasy of youth. Here, she discusses her friendship with Ed Sheeran, the ups and downs of being online, and how she mines her personal life for inspiration

Ozzy Osbourne – "I'm Still Here!"

The 'Godfather of heavy metal', Ozzy Osbourne candidly chats to Rolling Stone UK about his life and 50-year career and how his greatest dream is to perform just one more time

On the outside, looking in

Crafting stories out of other people's lives and embracing a new, classic Americana sound, Gia Ford is emerging as a unique and timeless artist

Heirs and graces

Actor Ed McVey has gone from class clown to The Crown as he makes his debut playing Prince William as a teenager and a young man in the Netflix hit. Luckily, he likes the spotlight, as he tells Rolling Stone UK

DOWNLOAD

For putting its loyal fans at the forefront of its annual live - and growing — celebration of heavy metal music as well as adjacent genres, this 20-year-old festival is head and shoulders above the rest

Putting us in the picture

In the middle of their first tour, emerging south London band Picture Parlour fill us in on dealing with criticism and when fans can expect their debut album

Making the world listen

Mannequin Pussy are on fire, and they have no intention of cooling off anytime soon