Music & Club Culture

Yoko Ono standing with two members of Pussy Riot, wearing colorful balaclavas over their faces.

Yoko Ono interview

“I’m so used to walking the storm… if the storm stops, I wouldn’t know what to do.”

The music, art and activism icon speaks to Arwa Haider [Metro]

Dolly Parton in a denim jacket and polka dot shirt, exuding her signature style and charm.

Dolly Parton Interview

“I’m my own boss, so I’m the only one I tell to kiss my ass”

An audience with the down-home country music superstar [Metro]

A woman lying on the ground, surrounded by sparklers, creating a mesmerizing display of light and joy.

Grace Jones interview

“I am very sensible. But when I party, I party.”

Ladies and gentlemen… here’s Grace! Arwa Haider meets the legend [Metro]

A woman in black selecting items from a shelf in a shop.

Saudi’s bootleg music shops

Arwa Haider moved to Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province when she was 13. She recalls what it was like to be a teenage pop fan in a place where music was frowned upon [BBC Culture]

Paul McCartney holding a large bouquet of flowers, smiling.

Paul McCartney interview

"I often think: 'Was I really in The Beatles? Bloody hell!'"

Arwa Haider meets Macca at his central London HQ [Metro]


Beyonce and J Balvin performing together onstage at the Coachella Festival.

How Latin music shook the world

Hispanic music genres have attracted Beyoncé, Bieber and billions of YouTube hits - and now the entire globe is listening [The FT]

Aurora interview

“You need to put enough light in there, so that there’s hope at the end”

Arwa Haider catches up with the inspirational Norwegian pop icon [The FT]

A woman posing in front of palm trees, creating a serene ambience.

Julia Bullock interview

“Music helps you channel emotions in super-direct ways.”

The star soprano speaks to Arwa Haider about her debut album [The FT]

A diverse group of individuals gathered in a vibrant green room, engaged in conversation and collaboration.

Kagami: a mixed-reality concert

Arwa Haider heads to Manchester International Festival to experience an extraordinary high-tech gig - featuring late legend Ryuichi Sakamoto performing beyond the grave [New Scientist]

A vibrant concert showcasing a grand orchestra illuminated by dazzling lights.

Hardcore, you know the score

Arwa Haider explores how club culture icons including Fabio & Grooverider and DJ Spoony are reworking dance anthems with classical orchestras, and drawing ravers to the symphony [The FT]

A man in a white suit dancing energetically in a nightclub, surrounded by colorful lights and a lively atmosphere.

Disco should be taken seriously

Disco was never designed to grow old gracefully - instead, it has endured with brilliant defiance, writes Arwa Haider [BBC Culture]

Eurythmics: the sound of my life

Eurythmics "made not fitting in feel triumphant" - Arwa Haider on how the genre-fluid synth duo were ahead of their time, and a constant soundtrack to every stage of her life [BBC Culture]