The Courteeners are back with a new record – and continue to personify everything wrong with present-day Manchester music

Thirty years on, Metallica’s incendiary debut continues to occupy a crucial place in metal history

Five bass-driven classics, plucked straight from some of the greatest rhythm sections in history

The Nottingham chart-topper brings his debut record to a sold-out Academy

Guitarist Jake Pitts talks to Joe Goggins on headlining the Kerrang! tour, concept records and embracing chaos

Proving that Barbershop’s not just a country for old men

Frontman Scott Hutchison spoke to Joe Goggins on major labels, breaking America and his real thoughts on Mumford & Sons

The NME Awards tour bill-toppers met Joe Goggins to talk Tarantino, Mercury nods and being the world’s unlikeliest headliners

Resident child birth expert Tom Ingham pushes out 5 songs in the field of birth…

The hip hop legends brought Bizarre Ride II to Sound Control for a rare Manchester show

Django Django, Miles Kane, Palma Violets and Peace comprised the bill for the famous jaunt’s newest incarnation

We take a look back at where it all started for one of the most influential bands in history

As Los Campesinos! so brilliantly put it, romance is boring, so let’s focus on the other bits – the heartbreak and the sex

To Kill A King live in session for University of Manchester student media

Conor Oberst’s post-hardcore side project finally made their Manchester debut

Dan J quizzes Belgium’s favourite DJ on playing Parklife, percussion and popularity

The Nebraskan post-hardcore outfit are back – and louder, sharper and angrier than ever before

The latest offering from Cave and co. is a majestic exercise in restraint

George Bailey mourns the death of creative record design as the digital craze takes over

Fall Out Boy become the latest band to join in the reunion fever, James Birtles investigates their motives