Music

With so many big name acts to see at this year Leeds Festival, it's easy to forget about some of the exciting up and coming talent on the line-up.

Ticketmaster’s decision to close down two controversial resale websites is leading to fresh hopes that the tide is turning against ticket touts. Chris Burn reports.

Weather plays an important part in the songs of Simple Minds.

Joan Armatrading is one of this country’s most acclaimed singer-songwriters. She talks to Chris Bond about why she feels she was born to write songs.

Manchester band James are on tour and have a new album out that addresses current global issues. Andrew Steel reports.

Yorkshire-born singer Jane McDonald will be ringing in the festive season in Leeds, after announcing a one off Christmas show at First Direct Arena.

The last time Natalie Merchant played in the UK, in support of 2015’s Paradise Is There: The New Tigerlily Recordings, she brought a full backing band and string quartet. In reaction to this, the former 10,000 Maniacs front-woman has returned to perform at a handful of intimate, picturesque venues with just long-time partner and guitarist Erik Della Penna.

Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason talks to Sherna Noah about changes in the music industry and the tour of his supergroup.

The last time Natalie Merchant played in the UK, in support of 2015’s Paradise Is There: The New Tigerlily Recordings, she brought a full backing band and string quartet.

In the 1960s he was one of the busiest arrangers and musical directors in British pop, working with such stars as Dusty Springfield, Billy Fury, Helen Shapiro and the Walker Brothers as well as a pre-fame David Bowie and Tom Jones.

Sir Tom Jones has apologised to fans after his concert at York Racecourse on Friday was cancelled due to stormy weather conditions, leaving the singer "so disappointed".

Singer songwriter Suzanne Vega is on a classic album tour. She talks to Duncan Seaman ahead of her gig at Leeds Town Hall.

Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney has announced he is doing an impromptu gig in Liverpool today.

Classic album tours are, by their very nature, bound to be evocative for musicians and audiences alike. For American singer songwriter Suzanne Vega, the process of revisiting two of the most fondly regarded albums in her catalogue – Solitude Standing, a five-million-seller in 1987, and 99.9F °, the 1992 record on which she pioneered ‘industrial folk’ – has been intriguing.

THERE are several things that make Sheffield great; the hills, the rich musical heritage, the rip-up-the-rule-book Lord Mayor, the self-deprecating sense of humour, the Super Tram.

One of the most respected figures in British jazz, Denys Baptiste performs in Hull this weekend. Duncan Seaman reports.