BBC Music Magazine
Lost Bach revealed after 320 years
Two organ works receive modern premiere in Leipzig
2 min |
January 2026
BBC Music Magazine
America's contribution to the history of music is second to none
There's a big new word looming on the horizon. Trouble is, nobody can agree what it is. Some say it's semiquincentennial, others bisesquicentennial. There's also a fierce lobby holding out for sestercentennial. Very confusing for those of us who gave up Latin at 16.
3 min |
January 2026
BBC Music Magazine
Stravinsky, Strauss and The Starman
For David Bowie, who died ten years ago this month, classical music was one many important influences
7 min |
January 2026
Record Collector
Heard Ya Missed Us WELL WE'RE BACK!
Formed in 1976 from the ashes of two great protopunk groups, London-based The Boys rode the first wave of the new musical revolution, recording four albums before disappearing only to rise again.
4 min |
January 2026
Record Collector
THIS WAS THE MODERN WORLD
In the late 70s, as punk’s blast of insurrectionary fire began to flame out, many of those inspired to get up onstage began to look further back for inspiration – to the mods of the previous decade, all sharp sense of style and gritty R’n’B pop.
10+ min |
January 2026
Record Collector
THE ENGINE ROOM
The unsung heroes who helped forge modern music
4 min |
January 2026
Record Collector
BOOM BOOM!
Bob Geldof leads The Boomtown Rats through 50th anniversary celebration
10 min |
January 2026
Record Collector
ALL HAIL "THE CABS
Key movers in the growth of electronic music in the north of England in the 70s, Cabaret Voltaire influenced a host of nascent electronic bands who would take those sounds into the mainstream: neighbours The Human League, Mancunian friends New Order and US industrial behemoths like Nine Inch Nails to name but three.
10+ min |
January 2026
Record Collector
The Collector
This month: DJ Nevio Bencivenni
6 min |
January 2026
Record Collector
STAR FAKER
How did a Long Island teenager persuade the cream of UK/US talent to appear on his private press albums? Welcome to the strange world of Steve Kaczorowski, where nothing is as it seems.
6 min |
January 2026
Record Collector
LABEL OF LOVE IN A SPIN VINYL
We are based in Devon; we release rare and obscure mod/psych/garage tracks from the 60s in 7” vinyl format, giving them a new lease of life and the exposure they deserve.
2 min |
January 2026
Record Collector
Not Forgotten
Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, died 20 November, age 63. The bassist was a member of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream. Joining the Roses in 1987 – replacing bass player Pete Garner – Mani’s presence proved a galvanising force as the group became kingpins of the emergent Madchester scene.
8 min |
January 2026
Record Collector
UNDER THE RADAR
Artists, bands, and labels meriting more attention
4 min |
January 2026
Guitarist
On Record
Recording acoustic guitars at home can be frustrating and rewarding in equal measure - Michael Watts shares some hard-won advice
4 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
AMPLIFIERS
Valves continue to deliver delectable tone in this line-up of world-class heads and combos
1 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
DRIVE EFFECTS
Modern evolutions of classic gear dish the dirt this year
1 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
MARY KAYE STRATOCASTER
Mary Kaye models are probably the most desirable of all 1950s Fenders, so the very first one made must be the ultimate vintage Strat
6 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
BITS 'N' PIECES
Some of the best custom builds can almost happen by chance, believes Dave Burrluck, as he attempts to turn some disparate parts into a valid guitar. What could possibly go wrong?
5 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
Making History
Alex Bishop takes a trip to Oxford to indulge in the beauty and craftmanship of guitars from centuries past
3 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
All Aboard
Reading a manual to find out how to connect your acoustic guitar to Bluetooth might deter some traditionalists, but there is treasure to be found for the adventurous
5 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
Affordable Flight
With plenty already in the line-up, Gretsch has released a new range of both Electromatic and Streamliner Jets that appear modern- aimed and very affordable. What's new?
4 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
The King's Head
The bombastic benchmark of the 'brown' sound has been channelled through a singleended EL34 power section and hybrid preamp, with significant volume and price savings
4 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
Go Getter
Blackstar's palm-sized audio interface is a godsend for players who want better audio on their phone-recorded videos
2 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
Fuzz King
Electro-Harmonix revives the classic three-transistor Tone Bender and evolves it for more sonic variety
2 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
MODDING & UTILITY
Top-class additions to your rig to keep you sounding your best
1 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
Winding Firebird Pickups
People do occasionally ask me to make pickups, but I'm not in the pickup business as such.
6 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
Fretbuzz
A monthly look at must-hear artists from all corners of the guitar world, from the roots of their sound to the tracks that matter most
2 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
STEVE STEVENS
Best known as Billy Idol's collaborator of 40-plus years, Steve Stevens transcends the punk-rock guitarist mould, taking in flamenco, jazz-fusion, prog and classical styles – and he remains as excited about guitar today as he was when he first picked one up
8 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
Bold Strokes
PRS has ignored its existing signature artists during most of its 40th Anniversary year, but finally we get two new artist models that illustrate huge diversity and prove PRS does indeed make guitars for us players
7 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
DELAY & MODULATION EFFECTS
Electro-mechanicals revisited, analogue modulation refined and esoteric ambiences combined
1 min |