Paul Hanley
01 November 2026
JK Rowling, George Lucas, Thomas Harris and the strange art of tanking your own winning formula
A new Hannibal Lecter theatre adaptation shows that great characters are often better off in someone else’s hands
Read the full article21 October 2026
Why are ‘serious’ music fans so snobbish about tribute acts?
We are willing to forgive holograms and ex-bandmates playing the hits – but not a good old-fashioned impersonator
Read the full article19 August 2026
Every music biopic gets two things horribly wrong – and The Beatles films will be no exception
Each rock movie is packed with clichés about real events and songwriting. Now Sam Mendes has that problem fourfold
Read the full article19 August 2026
Now that’s what I call the best music books ever!
Most music biographies are lazy and rubbish. Here are 10 exceptions
Read the full article30 June 2026
Andy Burnham likes decent music. That doesn’t guarantee he’ll be a decent PM
The PM-in-waiting’s playlist choices are sound. But then so were Boris Johnson’s
Read the full article17 June 2026
We are failing: Rod Stewart, Morrissey and the indescribable hell of the late gig cancellation
A dash from a scrapped concert to a Scotland match has piled on the disappointment for ticket-holders. What would Mark E Smith have made of it all?
Read the full article