Music

The Sex Pistols: The Sound and the Fury

It has become the habit amongst some to criticise the Pistols for being ‘crap’ or ‘selling out’ but such an attitude is to massively miss the point, writes Simon Duckett
The giant in the mirror: jeen-yuhs review

Coodie and Chike’s Netflix trilogy gives viewers an insight into the rise and troubles of creative powerhouse and hip-hop icon Kanye West, writes Mayer Wakefield
Radical Christmas Songs, Vol. IV

Morgan Daniels' pick of radical Christmas songs
Panther Power: the life and legacy of the young Tupac Shakur

Rapper Tupac Shakur opened up a fork in the road for the music argues Mayer Wakefield
The man who fought Hitler all his life: The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff – Review

The Young ‘Uns show, The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff, provides a vivid, theatrical depiction of one man’s role in the key struggles of the 1930s, writes David McAllister
Palestinian culture and resistance - video

As part of Counterfire's Revolution! Festival of Marxist Ideas, Dave Randall hosts Shahd Abusalama of Hawiyya Dance Company, Mustafa Sheta from The Freedom Theatre and Z The People of 47Soul
Summer of Soul - film review

The recently released Summer of Soul shows us a side of the counterculture that deserves to be better known, argues Jim Aindow
Soundtrack to the Brixton Uprising 40 years on

Marking the 40th anniversary of the uprising in Brixton, Dave Randall looks at the music that accompanied the struggle
Jazz and Justice: Racism and the Political Economy of the Music - book review

Gerald Horne’s Jazz and Justice is an illuminating history of the material conditions of African-American Jazz musicians in its classic decades, finds Martin Hall
Yet another 10 radical Christmas songs

Avoid the lockdown blues with Morgan Daniels' pick of radical Chrismas songs
What about the beat?

While much of the discourse around popular music might emphasise the importance of singers, it’s really all about the beat, argues Martin Hall
The revolutionary Beethoven

In the 250th year of Beethoven's birth, Chris Wright reflects on the revolutionary edge of the great composer's music
'True Black music will be heard tonight': the life, music and politics of Rahsaan Roland Kirk

The political activism of this talented jazz musician is often overlooked, but it's a legacy worth remembering, writes Dave Randall
'Enough' is enough: an interview with Slovo's Dave Randall

The author of Sound System: The Political Power of Music and founder of south London music collective Slovo speaks to Mayer Wakefield
Jazz and the anti-war movement

Chris Nineham reflects on the history of jazz music and the anti-war movement ahead of Stop the War's event with Shabaka Hutchings marking the 75th anniversary of the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Bob Dylan: Rough and Rowdy Ways - review

Morgan Daniels reviews 'Rough and Rowdy Ways', the latest studio album from Bob Dylan
White Riot - film review

Rubika Shah's White Riot excellently documents the building of a movement, finds David Randall
Murder most foul - another death knell for the sixties

Dylan's recent release should still interest fans for its musical content but is a rambling collection of references that does the sixties no favours, argues Martin Hall
Ten more radical Christmas songs

Following last year's pick, Morgan Daniels gives us ten more radical Christmas songs
London is Calling: remembering the iconic album 40 years on

"‘Cause London is Drowning … And I live by the river." Philosophy Football’s Mark Perryman recalls an epic album
Lessons from the remarkable life of Paul Robeson – part 2

Paul Robeson's extraordinary life is a lesson to us today, writes Tayo Aluko
Lessons from the remarkable life of Paul Robeson - part 1

Paul Robeson's extraordinary life holds many lessons for the present day, writes Tayo Aluko
Rolling Thunder Revue: a Bob Dylan story by Martin Scorsese

Scorsese's new documentary shows Dylan grasping at the truth of an America that was figuring out what it wanted to be
Why we need a movement: Stop the War at Lowkey's concerts - video

The Stop the War Coalition supported Lowkey's recent tour around the country, this is a video of National Officer Shabbir Lakha speaking at the London concert
Theresa - the powerful new song from Cabinet of Millionaires

Unlike the Prime Minister, Cabinet of Millionaires' Theresa is reliably good, with a catchy tune and a powerful message, writes Graham Lockwood
The Making of a Two Tone Nation

40 years on, Mark Perryman celebrates the debut release from The Specials
Nostalgia for the future: Luigi Nono - book review

This excellent edition of Luigi Nono’s writings offers an invaluable insight into the unity of thought of one of the twentieth century’s greatest musical minds, writes Richard Pratt
Israeli Eurovision boycott: let the battle begin

With the contest taking place in Tel Aviv this year, we must supercharge campaigners’ demands for a full boycott, argues Dave Randall
Ten radical Christmas songs

Tis the season to be radical with Morgan Daniels' pick of Christmas songs
Stick in the Wheel in Dublin - gig review

Stick in the Wheel are an urban folk group rooted in the tradition but with a hard, forward-looking sound and attitude, reports Josh Newman
Restoration Tragedy review - an experimental encounter between early music, punk and politics

This celebration of 'the world turned upside down' is a perfect blend of folk, punk, and English radical history, writes John Rees
To be called a political artist is no insult - Rachid Taha tribute

An obituary for the iconic Algerian singer who stood up against war and racism
The Rhyming Guide to Donald Trump

Potent Whisper makes the case for protesting against Donald Trump
Childish Gambino: This is Trump’s America

Sean Ledwith argues Childish Gambino's latest track and video, This Is America is the new voice of the American musical resistance.
Obituary of anti-apartheid jazz legend Hugh Masekela (1939-2018)

Hugh Masekala, the jazz legend and anti-apartheid activist from South Africa, passed away last week. Dave Randall looks at his extraordinary life and pays tribute.
Another world is possible: Download new anti-Tory track today

Just one day left to get Captain Ska's "Sons and Daughters" onto the Official Christmas Charts and ensure the anti-austerity message is mainstream
Anti-Theresa May song could be No 1 at Christmas

We don't want the Tories relaxing over the holiday period, so let's get this to number one this Christmas
Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust: Joe Strummer remembered

The punk pioneer and agitprop legend would have been 65 this week, this is what John Rees wrote when he died in 2002
Why Radiohead are wrong to play in Israel

By ignoring the pleas of Palestinians, the band will help the Israeli government’s propaganda effort, writes Dave Randall
Sound System: The Political Power of Music

Dave Randall’s Sound System is a wide ranging and highly engaging discussion of politics and music that you just can’t put down, finds Sofie Mason
Jeremy Corbyn conquers Glastonbury Festival as millions watch worldwide

The Labour leader received a welcome ordinarily reserved for rock stars, writes Kara Bryan
'There have always been exciting political artists'

Dave Randall, activist, musician and writer, talks about the politics of music and his recently published book
A riot of our own

Next weekend marks the 40th Anniversary of The Clash’s debut album. Mark Perryman asks what the 1977 punk and politics mix was all about.
Trump up the volume

Now is the time to get creative and infuse our music and culture with politics, argues Dave Randall
Tupac Shakur: Rap Revolution

A look at the political life of Tupac Shakur, and the implications for today's black movement, from Sean Ledwith
The Letters of Joe Hill

The collected writing of a folk balladeer, Wobbly and activist inspires workers and scares the right in equal measure today, finds Adam Tomes
Where have all the flowers gone?

Mark Perryman of Philosophy Football reviews the new wave of rebel music
Beyonce, black lives and the Super Bowl

Musician Dave Randall looks at the furore surrounding Beyonce's performance at the Super Bowl
We can be heroes: remembering David Bowie with a purpose

Philosophy Football's Bowie shirts are a fitting memorial for the late artist, writes Mark Perryman
Rock against racism: when black and white united

Jim Aindow looks at the history and impact of an inspirational anti-racist movement told through the photos of Syd Shelton in an exhibition at the Rivington Place gallery
Rock against what?

Mark Perryman welcomes the release of the Orgreave Justice Double CD of rebel music, old and new
Taken for a Ride: has Mark Gardener been tricked by the pro-Israel lobby?

Ride frontman Mark Gardener has agreed to perform in Tel Aviv. Tommy Mack looks at the arguments around the cultural boycott of Israel
‘All Together Now’ - how should we remember the 1914 Christmas truces?

Britain seems to have gone truce-mad. But this extraordinary moment in World War One is interpreted in very different ways. Nick Megoran explains why it matters
Video: Captain SKA - War Crime

Captain Ska couldn't wait any longer for the Chilcot enquiry to be released, so he's published his own verdict
A breath of fresh air

Mark Perryman reviews an exceptionally strong list of autumn political reading
Cassetteboy's latest video: Cameron's conference rap

Based on David Cameron's speeches, this video by Cassetteboy accurately sums up Conservative policy - contains swearing

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Music

Music

It has become the habit amongst some to criticise the Pistols for being ‘crap’ or ‘selling out’ but such an attitude is to massively miss the point, writes Simon Duckett

Coodie and Chike’s Netflix trilogy gives viewers an insight into the rise and troubles of creative powerhouse and hip-hop icon Kanye West, writes Mayer Wakefield

Morgan Daniels' pick of radical Christmas songs

Rapper Tupac Shakur opened up a fork in the road for the music argues Mayer Wakefield

The Young ‘Uns show, The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff, provides a vivid, theatrical depiction of one man’s role in the key struggles of the 1930s, writes David McAllister

As part of Counterfire's Revolution! Festival of Marxist Ideas, Dave Randall hosts Shahd Abusalama of Hawiyya Dance Company, Mustafa Sheta from The Freedom Theatre and Z The People of 47Soul

The recently released Summer of Soul shows us a side of the counterculture that deserves to be better known, argues Jim Aindow

Marking the 40th anniversary of the uprising in Brixton, Dave Randall looks at the music that accompanied the struggle

Gerald Horne’s Jazz and Justice is an illuminating history of the material conditions of African-American Jazz musicians in its classic decades, finds Martin Hall

Avoid the lockdown blues with Morgan Daniels' pick of radical Chrismas songs

While much of the discourse around popular music might emphasise the importance of singers, it’s really all about the beat, argues Martin Hall

In the 250th year of Beethoven's birth, Chris Wright reflects on the revolutionary edge of the great composer's music

The political activism of this talented jazz musician is often overlooked, but it's a legacy worth remembering, writes Dave Randall

The author of Sound System: The Political Power of Music and founder of south London music collective Slovo speaks to Mayer Wakefield

Chris Nineham reflects on the history of jazz music and the anti-war movement ahead of Stop the War's event with Shabaka Hutchings marking the 75th anniversary of the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Morgan Daniels reviews 'Rough and Rowdy Ways', the latest studio album from Bob Dylan

Rubika Shah's White Riot excellently documents the building of a movement, finds David Randall

Dylan's recent release should still interest fans for its musical content but is a rambling collection of references that does the sixties no favours, argues Martin Hall

Following last year's pick, Morgan Daniels gives us ten more radical Christmas songs

"‘Cause London is Drowning … And I live by the river." Philosophy Football’s Mark Perryman recalls an epic album

Paul Robeson's extraordinary life is a lesson to us today, writes Tayo Aluko

Paul Robeson's extraordinary life holds many lessons for the present day, writes Tayo Aluko

Scorsese's new documentary shows Dylan grasping at the truth of an America that was figuring out what it wanted to be

The Stop the War Coalition supported Lowkey's recent tour around the country, this is a video of National Officer Shabbir Lakha speaking at the London concert

Unlike the Prime Minister, Cabinet of Millionaires' Theresa is reliably good, with a catchy tune and a powerful message, writes Graham Lockwood

40 years on, Mark Perryman celebrates the debut release from The Specials

This excellent edition of Luigi Nono’s writings offers an invaluable insight into the unity of thought of one of the twentieth century’s greatest musical minds, writes Richard Pratt

With the contest taking place in Tel Aviv this year, we must supercharge campaigners’ demands for a full boycott, argues Dave Randall

Tis the season to be radical with Morgan Daniels' pick of Christmas songs

Stick in the Wheel are an urban folk group rooted in the tradition but with a hard, forward-looking sound and attitude, reports Josh Newman

This celebration of 'the world turned upside down' is a perfect blend of folk, punk, and English radical history, writes John Rees

An obituary for the iconic Algerian singer who stood up against war and racism

Potent Whisper makes the case for protesting against Donald Trump

Sean Ledwith argues Childish Gambino's latest track and video, This Is America is the new voice of the American musical resistance.

Hugh Masekala, the jazz legend and anti-apartheid activist from South Africa, passed away last week. Dave Randall looks at his extraordinary life and pays tribute.

Just one day left to get Captain Ska's "Sons and Daughters" onto the Official Christmas Charts and ensure the anti-austerity message is mainstream

We don't want the Tories relaxing over the holiday period, so let's get this to number one this Christmas

The punk pioneer and agitprop legend would have been 65 this week, this is what John Rees wrote when he died in 2002

By ignoring the pleas of Palestinians, the band will help the Israeli government’s propaganda effort, writes Dave Randall

Dave Randall’s Sound System is a wide ranging and highly engaging discussion of politics and music that you just can’t put down, finds Sofie Mason

The Labour leader received a welcome ordinarily reserved for rock stars, writes Kara Bryan

Dave Randall, activist, musician and writer, talks about the politics of music and his recently published book

Next weekend marks the 40th Anniversary of The Clash’s debut album. Mark Perryman asks what the 1977 punk and politics mix was all about.

Now is the time to get creative and infuse our music and culture with politics, argues Dave Randall

A look at the political life of Tupac Shakur, and the implications for today's black movement, from Sean Ledwith

The collected writing of a folk balladeer, Wobbly and activist inspires workers and scares the right in equal measure today, finds Adam Tomes

Mark Perryman of Philosophy Football reviews the new wave of rebel music

Musician Dave Randall looks at the furore surrounding Beyonce's performance at the Super Bowl

Philosophy Football's Bowie shirts are a fitting memorial for the late artist, writes Mark Perryman

Jim Aindow looks at the history and impact of an inspirational anti-racist movement told through the photos of Syd Shelton in an exhibition at the Rivington Place gallery

Mark Perryman welcomes the release of the Orgreave Justice Double CD of rebel music, old and new

Ride frontman Mark Gardener has agreed to perform in Tel Aviv. Tommy Mack looks at the arguments around the cultural boycott of Israel

Britain seems to have gone truce-mad. But this extraordinary moment in World War One is interpreted in very different ways. Nick Megoran explains why it matters

Captain Ska couldn't wait any longer for the Chilcot enquiry to be released, so he's published his own verdict

Mark Perryman reviews an exceptionally strong list of autumn political reading

Based on David Cameron's speeches, this video by Cassetteboy accurately sums up Conservative policy - contains swearing