Music

A string of new music this year provided beautiful and uplifting sounds, but with a dark undercurrent

How British music turned away from America and learned to love the continent

The Italian constitution sets an obligation for the government to promote a crucial part of the nation’s identity

After Nemo's 2024 victory, Eurovision has become increasingly political for the Swiss

Our annual round-up of the people Britain could do without has stirred up some strong views

The forgotten Scottish philosopher’s legacy resurfaced last week when his historic cello was played for the first time in 220 years

The flawed star who floored a nation

For Indochine and The Cure, two of the greatest bands associated with France and Britain respectively, pessimism is their signature sound

How the band may have played a bigger part in the country’s history than is yet appreciated

In September, the senate suddenly announced 10% cuts to the city’s arts budget

Ireland’s pubs are struggling but a music festival brings people to the streets

The Feargal Sharkey-approved hip hop trio are tearing up the world with message-based rap that’s neither hectoring nor earnest

Graham was one of the most high-profile critics of Reagan’s visit to Bitburg. It was personal

Giving a police escort to a woman who has been a terror target was the right thing to do

The biggest-selling Portuguese music artist in history was instrumental in popularising the fado genre worldwide

The Mail and Express claimed EU flags had been banned and seized on the Last Night - but thousands were seen being waved by the crowd

Scooter have found themselves at the heart of a minor diplomatic incident between Germany and the UK

Where is Han Solo when you need him?

Thirty timeless classics shot on the continent

This international jazz summer school has become a unique utopia for lovers of the genre

I may not be a fan of Oasis, but people’s excitement about their reunion is infectious

Our editor-at-large's rundown of the pick of the week’s cinema, books and music

Few things in music sound more like the punchline to a joke than a millionaire mouth organist, but Thielemans forged a brilliantly idiosyncratic path

During the singer’s 10-night residency in Munich, she understood exactly what Germans need to hear

How Råpunk – raw punk – brought pure rage to Sweden

If opera needs a way to entrance new, younger audiences, this production of Samson needs to get on the road

With his gramophone recordings, the Italian transcended the closed world of performance to become a global phenomenon

How Berlin made the notorious, magnificent Einstürzende Neubauten

Bands that played Spain in the heady aftermath of Franco’s death have been rewarded with remarkable loyalty

The remarkable legacy of the late singer, who epitomised both French cool and French angst