Prog
Chris Squire: "The greatest bass player in prog rock history." - his 30 greatest performances
He was one of the most influential and creative rock musicians, who transformed the way the bass was viewed. Chris Squire's impact on the world of progressive rock is still felt to this day, as is the music he played a major role in creating. Prog asks former bandmembers, collaborators and musical fans to share their favourite songs from his back catalogue. Is yours among them?
10+ min |
Issue 160
Prog
HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT'S ADEQUATE/ GHOST OF THE MACHINE
The new album by modern prog mainstays Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate is an expansive, polystylistic release centred on Heisenberg's uncertainty principle.
3 min |
Issue 160
Prog
DIVIDE AND DISSOLVE
Sax, drone and rock'n'roll with an anti-colonial message.
2 min |
Issue 160
Prog
GOODBYE MOUNTAIN
I Am The Manic Whale keyboardist explores his ambient, instrumental side.
2 min |
Issue 160
Prog
AMPLIFIER
Since 2020, Mancunian space rock experimentalists Amplifier have been operating as a two-piece, with guitarist/vocalist Sel Balamir accompanied only by drummer Matt Brobin, some choice backing tracks, and a litany of effects pedals that surround his ever-busy feet.
2 min |
Issue 160
Prog
Evolution Calling!
It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but the prog metal genre is currently undergoing a radical shift with more extreme metal bands embracing their inner prog, and bands with an undeniable prog element playing bigger shows than ever. Members of Jinjer, Blood Incantation and Rivers Of Nihil explain what's going on.
10+ min |
Issue 160
Prog
True Or False
Aband featuring members of Porcupine Tree and King Crimson were always going to be considered a prog supergroup, but O.R.k are continuing to prove there is much more beyond the label. With fifth album Firehose Of Falsehoods another impressive addition to the quartet's catalogue, Prog catches up with bassist Colin Edwin to find out more.
5 min |
Issue 160
Prog
JOHN LODGE
It’s lovely to be here,” says John Lodge. “In fact, it’s lovely to be anywhere,” he adds, adapting the old joke and explaining that just over a year ago he had a stroke. Yet with “Prayers, love and good vibes,” he continues, “here we are.”
2 min |
Issue 160
Prog
SOLSTICE
Since their formation in 1980, Solstice have been led by guitarist Andy Glass through various hiatuses and line-up changes. It took until 2020 and the start of the Sia trilogy to truly find their feet, but this strange route to success has left them in an interesting position.
2 min |
Issue 160
Prog
BLIND CONVERGENCE
Ambitious ambient solo project from Thieves Kitchen guitarist Phil Mercy.
2 min |
Issue 160
Prog
SAVATAGE
It's not entirely accurate to use the word \"reunion\" if a band never broke up in the first place, but semantics aside, it's fair to say that American progressive/ power metal trailblazers Savatage have spent the better part of the past two decades far away, in a land caught between time and space.
2 min |
Issue 160
Prog
The Not-So Odd Couple
When Andy Summers teamed up with King Crimson's Robert Fripp at the dawn of the 80s, it afforded The Police guitarist the chance to rediscover a musical mojo left wanting as a result of phenomenal mainstream success.
7 min |
Issue 160
Prog
STEWART COPELAND
Every month we get inside the mind of one of the biggest names in music.
10+ min |
Issue 160
Prog
The Best Of The Best
Ten years after he passed away, Chris Squire's influence, both as a person and as a musician, remains as powerful as it has ever been. Those who knew him and played with him discuss the man, his talent and his legacy.
10+ min |
Issue 160
Prog
New Beginnings
After riding out a career-jeopardising storm of false starts, line-up changes and cancelled tours, Cambridge six-piece Black Country, New Road return with a renewed sense of drive and purpose - and a fantastic new album, for good measure. Prog catches up with the band to discuss third studio effort Forever Howlong, and how leaving your comfort zone and facing down adversity ultimately bring great reward.
7 min |
Issue 160
BBC Music Magazine
Sonic youth
Korean pianist Yunchan Lim's extraordinary Chopin studio debut offers just a taste of his dazzling musicianship,
10+ min |
June 2025
BBC Music Magazine
A blood-curdling and brilliant Bartók Bluebeard
Christopher Cook is chilled to the bone by a concert take on the composer's nightmarish masterpiece
1 min |
June 2025
BBC Music Magazine
A remarkable display of panache and precision
Malcolm Hayes on why this flawless performance by violinist Lea Birringer is definitely one to remember
1 min |
June 2025
BBC Music Magazine
A blazing B minor mass from Pygmalion and co.
Alexandra Wilson says this latest interpretation of Bach's mighty work is exceptional and a must-listen
1 min |
June 2025
BBC Music Magazine
Jurassic melodies
Come and join a dinosaur choir! That's an invitation that any music-lover would surely want to take up: who could give up the chance to sit next to a velociraptor or T-Rex and put together a Messiah from scratch?
2 min |
June 2025
BBC Music Magazine
All in the mind
The cliché of the ‘mad genius’ has long perpetuated the idea that creativity and mental illness are linked. But, asks Rebecca Franks, how true is that notion?
6 min |
June 2025
BBC Music Magazine
Radiant and whimsical Brahms Piano Quartets
Krystian Zimerman and friends deliver a superb performance for this new album, says Jan Smaczny
1 min |
June 2025
BBC Music Magazine
Bavouzet conjures characterful Ravel
Rebecca Franks enjoys the pianist’s latest take on the complete solo works
1 min |
June 2025
BBC Music Magazine
Concert Heaven Concert Hell
Top artists recall their best and worst performances
2 min |
June 2025
BBC Music Magazine
A beautifully delivered showcase for the viola
Nicholas Kenyon enjoys the marvellous musicality in Timothy Ridout's sonorous survey of solo works for the instrument
2 min |
June 2025
BBC Music Magazine
Orlando Gibbons
From court refinement to London street cries, Gibbons's music captures the very essence of early-Stuart England,
6 min |
June 2025
BBC Music Magazine
Pieces of 8
There's more to vocal ensemble VOCES8 than its ethereal sound, not least a keen commitment to education, as Amanda Holloway reports
6 min |
June 2025
BBC Music Magazine
This complete Ravel song survey is a box of delights
Paul Riley enjoys the latest foray into French vocal works by pianist Malcolm Martineau and friends
1 min |
June 2025
BBC Music Magazine
Liszt thunders away on the piano... but Brahms nods off
On the morning of 12 June 1853, a young man with long blond hair entered an opulent reception room at the Altenburg mansion in Weimar, capital city of the grand duchy of Saxe-Weimar.
3 min |
June 2025
BBC Music Magazine
Perfect peace
The BBC Music team and reviewers on the music they turn to for a sense of calm
4 min |