Jarvis Cocker

From Slade v Wizzard to Bob the Builder v Westlife, winners and losers recall the struggles

‘How to Be Invisible’, a collection of lyrics from across the singer’s 40-year career, will have introduction by novelist David Mitchell

Technology and hyperanxiety have diluted the dissident power of pop music

From an ambient legend to punk newbies, discover the music that deserves a second listen

A cool festival offer in Iceland, garden-themed holidays and much more

Last week, the KLF broke 23 years of silence on why they burned a million pounds, and launched a new novel, band and funeral home

Twelve acts are up for this year’s prize, which picks the best album by a UK or Irish act

‘You can’t dance to the metric – you can’t evaluate the thing that is priceless’

Erik Weber’s photographs are starkly beautiful works in their own right – but they also amplify the reputation of an outstanding American writer neglected for too long

The hedonistic years and a near-death experience took their toll on Marc Almond, but he remains productive and still has a knack for reimagining others’ songs

Philip King’s raison d’etre after 13 years running his hit televised concert series is still the same: ‘We provide a safe house for rambling troubadours from around the world. They find it inspiring and uplifting here’

He’s a vital element in Arcade Fire, but Will Butler is ‘stoked’ to be going on the road with a small band in support of his minimal-sounding solo album, ‘Policy’

Where were you when The National played the Cobblestone? As the US band gear up for their Irish tour this month, we look back at their gigs here down the years, with the help of the folks who organised them

Conn O Midheach won’t be wrapping himself in the St George’s Cross tonight, but he can finally identify with an English football team

Purists hopping mad over Metallica should just grin and bear it

Lynn Barber was the UK’s first celebrity interviewer, and is renowned and feared for her scathing honesty. But how will she fare when her own interviewing tips are used against her and she is asked about sex, drugs, fame and death threats?

Radiohead, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Beck and Johnny Marr have all queued up to work with Connan Mockasin, but the shy New Zealander with the childlike voice says he often thinks of giving it all up

Blur, Oasis, Pulp. Hard to believe it now, but back in the 1990s they were the epitome of cool. These days they’re part of the establishment and modern life is still pretty rubbish. In the run-up to Blur’s IMMA gig next week, time to ponder how Britpop fell flat

When you hold the camera up to record a moment, are you really there at all?