Entertainment

Culture, media, creators, and entertainment industry stories.

Perspective: ‘How can a TV show make you feel such emotions?’ The Bluey composer shares the trick to music that ‘hits you in the feels’

Executive context: As the new Bluey album, Up Here, arrives – complete with chamber orchestra – Joff Bush describes how he ‘seeds’ musical elements to draw out powerful emotions.

Editorial Staff Mar 27

Entertainment

Perspective: Add to playlist: the coffee-shop pop of Gianna and the week’s best new tracks

Executive context: With her acoustic guitars and trip-hoppy beats, the London musician recalls a particular era of polished 00s boho-pop.

Editorial Staff Mar 27

Entertainment

Perspective: Flea: Honora review – Chili Pepper turns piper, taking up trumpet for a soulful jazz odyssey

Executive context: Imaginative interpretations of Funkadelic and Frank Ocean sit alongside starry collaborations and gorgeous instrumentals on the bassist’s brassy side project.

Editorial Staff Mar 27

Entertainment

Perspective: ‘A broken heart can turn somebody into a bad Casanova’: breakout R&B star Leon Thomas on defiance, D’Angelo and his ‘doggie’ persona

Executive context: Winning two Grammys last month cemented the New Yorker’s transition from producer for the likes of Drake to guitar-soloing superstar.

Editorial Staff Mar 27

Entertainment

Perspective: Alexander Kluge, author and key film-maker in the New German Cinema movement, dies aged 94

Executive context: A winner of the Golden Lion at Venice, Kluge was a committed pacifist and one of the last living torchbearers of the Frankfurt school of neo-Marxist cultural criticism.

Editorial Staff Mar 26

Entertainment

Perspective: Fcukers: Ö review | Alexis Petridis's album of the week

Executive context: (Ninja Tune) The duo’s snotty nonchalance may capture the post-Brat zeitgeist, but their true appeal lies in a talent for turning vintage dance influences into pointed modern pop.

Editorial Staff Mar 26

Entertainment

Perspective: ‘Black music is not a subculture – it is the engine’: Why the Mobo awards matter more than ever, 30 years on

Executive context: Three decades after launching the awards, founder Kanya King reflects on being ahead of the crowd and why Mobo has always been more than music.

Editorial Staff Mar 26

Entertainment

Perspective: First trailer for Harry Potter TV series reveals much-anticipated new take

Executive context: First real look at HBO’s big-budget small screen take on JK Rowling’s best-selling books also reveals that first season will premiere this Christmas.

Editorial Staff Mar 25

Entertainment

Perspective: Pretty Lethal review – Amazon’s ballerina action thriller puts on a decent enough show

Executive context: A group of American dancers face off against Hungarian gangsters, and a hammy Uma Thurman, in a cheap and cheerful Friday night adventure.

Editorial Staff Mar 25

Entertainment

Perspective: ‘I was shunned, laughed at and underdogged’: Jane McDonald on her wild ride from clubland to cruises to country

Executive context: She has survived heartbreak, death threats and nauseating sexism. In her Mayfair club, the Yorkshire star talks about superfans, viral hits, running away to sea – and her bid to become a Nashville icon.

Editorial Staff Mar 25

Entertainment

Perspective: ‘No one’s tried this before’: a new live music roster aims to ensure opportunities for disabled musicians

Executive context: UnMute has been founded to overhaul ableist booking practices, representing artists with specialist access requirements often deemed too costly by venues.

Editorial Staff Mar 25

Entertainment

Perspective: Raye: This Music May Contain Hope review – a wildly ambitious epic of unbridled self-expression

Executive context: Almost overstuffed with musical ideas, the singer’s second studio album can be self-indulgent and messy, but it’s a heartfelt and exuberant grand statement from an artist determined to go her own way.

Editorial Staff Mar 23

Entertainment

Perspective: Chappell Roan responds to criticism from footballer Jorginho after incident with security

Executive context: Flamengo player accused singer’s security of speaking ‘in an extremely aggressive manner’ to his wife and stepdaughter at hotel in São Paulo.

Editorial Staff Mar 22

Entertainment

Perspective: Moby Critiques Kinks' 'Lola' Lyrics in Honest Playlist

Executive context: The DJ and multi-instrumentalist shares his thoughts on music that has shaped him, expressing discomfort with certain lyrics.

Editorial Staff Mar 22

Entertainment

Perspective: Add to playlist: the sharply observed electro-twee of the Femcels and the week’s best new tracks

Executive context: Following in the footsteps of Heavenly and Tiger Trap, the duo’s high-tempo electroclash-indie-pop deftly explores young womanhood in 2020s London.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Entertainment

Perspective: Grace Ives: Girlfriend review – bedroom-pop auteur goes widescreen for a gorgeous sobriety epic

Executive context: The New Yorker’s third album leaves behind her DIY origins to channel cult pop classics by Lorde and Sky Ferreira.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Entertainment

Perspective: ‘Validation was an insatiable monster’: Dave Grohl on Foo Fighters’ punk-rock return – and life after his infidelity

Executive context: In his first newspaper interview after fathering a child outside his marriage, Grohl discusses his changed outlook, his grief for Taylor Hawkins, and the 430 therapy sessions he’s had.

Editorial Staff Mar 20

Entertainment

Perspective: US rapper Afroman cleared after police sued him over use of home raid footage

Executive context: Chart-topping artist Afroman faces legal victory as lawsuit from Ohio police is dismissed.

Editorial Staff Mar 19

Entertainment

Perspective: ‘We keep secrets because we’re scared’: Guvna B on porn addiction and recovery

Executive context: The award-winning musician opens up about his struggles with stigma and shame while seeking help.

Editorial Staff Mar 19

Entertainment

Perspective: Val Kilmer set to be resurrected with AI for new film

Executive context: As Deep As the Grave, the true story of 1920s archeologists, will bring late actor back with support from his estate.

Editorial Staff Mar 18