Tag: Music
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Beyoncé film sparks debate over Afrofuturism
Has Beyoncé romanticised Africa? The superstar’s new movie, the visual album Black Is King, has wowed the critics. But some say she has focused too much on what Africa was in the past.
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Stormzy rocks at the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’
Do experiences matter more than things? According to millions of posts today, this year’s Glastonbury Festival will be the memory of a lifetime for many fans. Is this part of a deeper trend?
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Imagine there’s no Beatles. It’s easy if you try.
How would the world have looked without the Fab Four? That is the question posed by Richard Curtis’s new film, Yesterday. Pop, protest and the sexual revolution might have been very different.
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Music, peace and a flicker of hope in Israel
Can Eurovision help solve the Israel-Palestine conflict? An absurd suggestion, perhaps. But, this weekend, all eyes are on Tel Aviv as it hosts the world’s biggest, glitziest talent contest.
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‘Time to stop listening to Michael Jackson’
In a new documentary, two men allege that they were abused as children by Michael Jackson. They are not the first to speak out against the star. Should we stop listening to his music?
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Maroon 5 wows Super Bowl amid racism row
The Super Bowl halftime show is one of the biggest shows on Earth. But this year, the spectacle was almost overshadowed by controversy over the NFL’s response to anti-racism protests.
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Ariana Grande: your person of the year 2018
How should we respond to tragedy? At just 25, Grande has had enough for a lifetime, including a terror attack at her concert and the death of an ex. But her music is all about staying positive.
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Primary school hit inches towards number one
Is the Christmas chart race still relevant? The pupils of Flakefleet Primary School are having festive fun while raising money for a good cause with their catchy Christmas single.
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Surging demand for modern Christmas carols
Are modern carols better than the classics? This year, hundreds of new carols will be sung in concerts alongside old favourites — some using the Christmas story to tackle grave world issues.
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Elton John ad ‘nothing to do with Christmas’
Is it consumerist rubbish or genuinely touching? The John Lewis Christmas advert has finally been released. It charts the career of music legend Elton John with a signature emotional punch.
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Bad blood: Storm over Swift’s political post
Should Taylor Swift stay out of politics? The singer’s decision to publicly endorse two Democrats in the US midterm elections triggered an outpouring of both praise and scorn.
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Moooove over Mozart as slow radio takes over
Are we sick of bite-sized culture? This autumn, Radio 3 will broadcast long hours of clocks ticking, leaves crunching and cows mooing. Some say we should spend more time in idle reflection.
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Tuneless, dull and dated: anthems under fire
Should we scrap national anthems? A nine-year-old girl has sparked anger by calling out racist lyrics in Advance Australia Fair. It is far from the only national song...
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Aretha: In her voice, we could feel our history
How should we remember Aretha Franklin — as a musician or a civil rights hero? The “Queen of Soul” died last week. She was one of the most celebrated and influential singers in history.
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Dua Lipa, Beyoncé and the art of music videos
Should music videos count towards the charts? Teeming with social commentary and dynamic self-expression, music videos are having a heyday. For others, they are a big-budget distraction.