Shortly before I was coming to UCL for my first year abroad, I was excited to find out about an event organised by a London underground music agency called Half Baked at Pratersauna Club, one of the most prominent clubs in my hometown of Vienna.
I went to the Half Baked showcase and it didn’t take me long to realize that my concerns about an unsatisfying electronic music scene in London were totally unjustified. Half Baked provided quality electronic beats and a charming atmosphere, and I would soon find out that every Half …

Thomas Chesover reviews UCLU Jazz Society’s ‘slick masterpiece’, Funked Up!

… that you (probably) haven’t heard of. TIM ZHA highlights a few of the best underappreciated releases of the past year

SION THOMAS takes a look at the resurgence of one of the great soul artists

Sion Thomas speaks to Canadian “celebration rock” duo Japandroids

Mark Power Smith looks at the popular obsession with authenticity in music

Tim Zha speaks to Rotterdam-based bedroom musician Crafting

Sion Thomas discusses the new legislation affecting DIY music venues across the UK

Brad Mehldau is internationally revered as one of America’s finest jazz pianists, and
rightly so. His music is warm and accessible. The listener is teased with familiar tunes,
yet the technical virtuosity and comprehensive tonal range maintains the interest of
the more astute jazz ears. His concert was pitched as one of the highlights of this year’s
London Jazz Festival, and this was reflected in its preamble. The crowd were punctual,
and feverishly excited.
Yet for all the anticipation, Mehldau emerged somewhat underwhelming. He opened
with a lovely, albeit rather safe, rendition of Paul McCartney’s Great Day, …

Ben Harris holds a lens up to the vacuous world of contemporary pop