So Emotional: Seven Standout Christina Aguilera Moments

You know as well as us that Christina Aguilera needs no introduction, but we’re going to give her one anyway. Eight albums. Over 100 awards. A soundtrack. A Spanish-language LP. A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Bangers aplenty.

Written by: Helen Payne | Date: Thursday, 18 July 2019

Always Knowingly NSFW: Rammstein's History in Video Nasties

Photo: © Jens Koch They aren't for everyone, apparently, but honestly what’s not to love about German industrial metal giants Rammstein? 

Written by: Jon Stickler | Date: Thursday, 11 July 2019

Melting Into Lunacy: Inside the Mad, Mad World of Phoxjaw

“I had an ice-cream a minute ago. It was, like, a tiramisu. It was nice. I like choc-ices, too. I find them very silly. They remind me of my grandad.”

Written by: Matt Mills | Date: Wednesday, 10 July 2019

Crystal Tumblers and Beer Pong: KISS, the Music and the Merch

Few rock bands have ascended to the iconic heights that KISS currently occupy, but their legacy is a complicated one. On one hand they are a huge arena draw, famed for fire, blood and good times, and on the other they are largely critically derided and dismissed as gimmicky, sleazy, over-the-top t-shirt salesmen.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Tuesday, 09 July 2019

Nothing Lasts Forever: Prince Daddy and the Hyena Talk 'Cosmic Thrill Seekers'

Sometimes you just have to drop everything and do what you have to do. And right now, Kory Gregory is going to pet the dog that’s just walked by. Once he’s back on the phone, the guitarist and lead singer of Albany punk band Prince Daddy and the Hyena returns to describing the pop impulses that underpin their spectacular new record, ‘Cosmic Thrill Seekers’.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Monday, 08 July 2019

Spinning Around: Kylie's Iconic Pop Journey

Fresh from leading the Sunday afternoon crowd at Glastonbury through a pastel-hued, witty, celebratory set in the now traditional legends slot, Kylie Minogue is about to turn her attention to a series of summer shows in the UK that promise plenty of pop sunshine (even if the real thing is yet to RSVP). Here we take a look back at some of the biggest hits and most important turning points in a storied career. Hot pants optional.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Tuesday, 02 July 2019

Wet Plate Portraits: Taking Back Sunday At O2 Academy Bristol

td#right {display:none !important;} Photograph: Gareth Jarvis It’s been 20 years since Taking Back Sunday formed on Long Island, New York. From where we stand right now, we can look back over two decades of thrills, spills, emo classics, mosh pits, long hair, short hair, loud guitars and unadulterated singalongs that helped define the listening habits of a generation. Such a milestone is worth celebrating, and these guys know the perfect way to do so.

Written by: Helen Payne | Date: Wednesday, 26 June 2019

Don't Stop: Fleetwood Mac's Ongoing Evolution

Nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes, and members of Fleetwood Mac falling out with one another.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Friday, 14 June 2019

The Accessible Festival Revolution

Photos: Educational Life Accessibility is a word that has been bubbling under in music for years but now, hand in hand with equality, independence and inclusivity, major measures are being embraced by increasing numbers of forward-thinking festival organisers after years of ground-level work. In fact, the move to improve accessibility for deaf and disabled music fans is becoming something of a revolution.

Written by: Anna Ghislena | Date: Wednesday, 12 June 2019

House Parties To Headliners: Foals' Guitar Riffs Through The Ages

In the 10 years since Foals released their debut album, ‘Antidotes’, Yannis Philippakis, Jack Bevan, Jimmy Smith and Edwin Congreave have naturally evolved.

Written by: Helen Payne | Date: Monday, 10 June 2019

Rocket Man: Elton John's Long Farewell Only Cements His Legend Further

You know the scene: the Sweetwater tour bus towards the end of Almost Famous; Penny Lane telling Patrick Fugit’s Cameron Crowe proxy that he’s home while the broken ensemble sings Elton John’s Tiny Dancer.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Thursday, 06 June 2019

Gimme Five: The Jonas Brothers' Best Moments

Rejoice, pop lover: the Jonas Brothers are heading to the UK in 2020! It’s been six long distraught-filled years since their split in 2013, but finally the boys are back with a new album, ‘Happiness Begins’, a memoir and even an Amazon documentary called Chasing Happiness (which FYI is all we’ve been trying to do since their breakup).

Written by: Helen Payne | Date: Wednesday, 05 June 2019

"Keep It Hydrated, Keep It Fresh, Keep It Real": All Points East Misses The Mark In 2019

Photo: PM Legrand “Keep it hydrated, keep it fresh, keep it real.”

Written by: Helen Payne | Date: Wednesday, 05 June 2019

The First Time Around: What Muse Got Right On 'Showbiz'

Look at the name ‘Newport Centre’ from any angle and you won’t find a lie. It’s a leisure centre in Newport. You’ll smell the chlorine from the swimming pool on your way in, and see glimpses of badminton court markings between rows of Converse once the crowd assembles in front of the stage. It’s an honest venue: no frills, no pretence, no attendant sense of theatre. It’s a blank canvas.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Friday, 31 May 2019

Pass The Baton: Five Seminal Festival Moments

Every festival season brings with it the same hopes and fears. Most of them are toilet-related, naturally, but the optimists among us are always chasing that era-defining high. A great set in perfect surroundings with the correct lubricants (or none at all) can be transcendental, fuelling years of pub reminiscing and I-was-there-whens. 

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Thursday, 30 May 2019

The Sound of the Underground: Tourmates Ithaca and Leeched on Forging Their Path in UK Metal

Ithaca “It’s difficult to be objective about something that was happening while you were at a young age,” ponders Djamila Azzouz, the lead singer of London-based hardcore upstarts Ithaca.

Written by: Matt Mills | Date: Friday, 24 May 2019

Wet Plate Portraits: Alex Lahey At Clwb Ifor Bach

td#right {display:none !important;} Photograph: Gareth Jarvis As Gareth Jarvis sets up for the fourth edition of Stereoboard’s wet plate portrait series in the green room of Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff, Alex Lahey eyes his vintage camera with curiosity. “How old is it?” she asks, before getting excited that the antique brass lens has Melbourne engraved on it. “That’s where I’m from!” she exclaims, before listening intently as it’s explained that we’ll be taking her picture with equipment from the 1800s.

Written by: Laura Johnson | Date: Thursday, 23 May 2019

The Best Of The Fests: Stereoboard's Summer Festival Guide

td#right {display:none !important;} SUMMER. IS. FINALLY. HERE. Festival season is now upon us: the bumbags have been fished from the back of the wardrobe, the wellies have been scrubbed clean of two year’s worth of forgotten Glastonbury mud and you’ve stocked up on various colours of glitter from the craft shop. You discerning music fanatics now have an important choice to make: “Which festivals should you go to?” Stereoboard know your pain. Every year we’re faced with the same dilemma, and with the UK festival scene growing faster than you can count your ever-growing collection of wristbands, it’s never been harder to decide. If only there were some sort of guide to help you through… Here we are then. The best of the fests, organised by where you might be in the country. Because you’re never too far from a weekend of music and merriment. Let’s get started then, shall we?

Written by: Helen Payne | Date: Thursday, 23 May 2019

Less Matrix, More Truman Show: Inside the Sci-Fi Hardcore of We Never Learned to Live

It’s two hours until We Never Learned to Live are set to take the stage for the release show of their second album, ‘The Sleepwalk Transmissions’. The doors to the Black Heart—one of London’s most iconic metal venues—are about to open. A small group of fans have already amassed outside, braving the elements on a harsh, drizzly evening in order to rush in and headbang the cold away.

Written by: Matt Mills | Date: Wednesday, 22 May 2019

Time Ticks By: Madonna's Iconic Career From Holiday to 'Madame X'

In case you hadn’t heard, or if Eurovision isn’t your bag, Madonna is back. The Queen of Pop’s new album, ‘Madame X’, is set to land on June 14 and bring with it the latest in a long line of live extravaganzas, including a huge run at the London Palladium. As we prepare for what’s doubtless going to be a quiet, reserved affair, we thought it wise to wind back the clock and take a look at some of the songs that helped make her one of the most iconic pop artists of them all. Spanning a teetering stack of hits, this is Madonna’s legendary career in 10 foundational moves.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Monday, 20 May 2019