Music

Echoes of Iran: The Forgotten Golden Age of Persian Pop Music

At the dawn of the 1960s and 1970s, Iran entered one of its most culturally vibrant eras. Amid rapid transformation, young Iranians eagerly embraced electric guitars and Western harmonies, seamlessly fusing them with the poetry and melodies of Persian tradition. Psychedelic rock bands thrived in Tehran’s underground clubs, drawing inspiration ...

Iron Maiden Ignites the Eurockéennes Festival

Iron Maiden headlines, Caribbean rhythms are in the spotlight, and controversial artists like rapper Freeze Corleone and Northern Irish group Kneecap spark debate: the Eurockéennes music festival in Belfort opens Thursday for four intense days. “We’re expecting a big turnout this year, with between 115,000 and 120,000 tickets sold — which ...

Oasis Ride the ‘Britpop’ Wave as 90s Nostalgia Sweeps the UK

With "Britpop" bands Oasis and Pulp topping the charts and filling concert halls, a 90s vibe is floating over the UK this summer amid nostalgia for a "cooler" time when people seemed "happier". A trip to high street retailer Marks and Spencer, popular with older shoppers, feels like stepping back 30 years, with Oasis T-shirts flying off the ...

Paul McCartney’s Second Act: From Beatles Split to Wings Glory

“I used to be a music demigod—now I’m unemployed.” That raw line sets the tone for Paul, a touching and intimate graphic novel by artist Hervé Bourhis. The book captures the emotional and artistic rebirth of Paul McCartney in the early 1970s, following the painful breakup of the Beatles and his return to form with Wings. The Beatles ...

Once Upon a Time, the Shiraz-Persepolis Festival: A Symbol of Iran’s Former Glory

In the late 1960s, Iran sought to project a new image to the world. Ruled by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the country was determined to embrace modernity. A bold idea thus took shape: to create an arts festival capable of bringing together artists from all backgrounds, traditions and disciplines. The Shiraz-Persepolis Festival of Arts was born in ...

Black Eyed Peas Light Up Chambord Castle to Kick Off French Tour

The Black Eyed Peas, the American group with over 35 million albums sold, kicked off their French tour on Sunday night with a sold-out concert at the Château de Chambord (Loir-et-Cher), performing for more than 30,000 fans. Wearing straw hats and waving hand fans, Carole and Patrick Atline grabbed front-row spots by 4 p.m. despite the intense ...

Nine Weeks of Music and Emotion Light Up Paris

A massive free concert will celebrate World Music Day in Paris this Saturday, with a major highlight: the return of the Olympic cauldron. It will rise into the night sky to the sound of a new version of a classic Daniel Balavoine song, all under sweltering summer temperatures. Forty years after its release, Sauver l’amour—a beloved French ...

Hellfest 2025 Opens Thursday with Korn, Muse and Linkin Park Headlining

Rock giants Muse, Scorpions and Linkin Park, the nu metal of Korn, punk legends the Sex Pistols... The 18th edition of Hellfest, one of Europe’s biggest extreme music festivals, kicks off Thursday in Clisson, western France. The headliner on opening day will be the iconic California-based band Korn, considered one of the pioneers of nu metal ...

Sober Raves Rise: Coffee, Dance, and Zero Alcohol Vibes in Singapore

Beneath a disco ball, young people sway to dance tracks and viral TikTok hits. But at this daytime party in Singapore, there’s not a single cocktail or pint in sight—just baristas serving freshly brewed coffee. “People think alcohol gives you a buzz, but caffeine can hit just as hard,” says Aden Low, 21, co-founder of the Beans and Beats ...

France Music Week Showcases Strengths and Struggles of Music Industry

The first France Music Week, an international event kicking off Monday in Paris, aims to promote a French music sector praised for its local networks and export successes—but increasingly showing signs of strain. Spearheaded by President Emmanuel Macron, the initiative targets industry professionals with the goal of “putting France on the map ...