German thrash metal, British metalcore and American nu metal: all the best bits from Sonic Temple 2026 day 3 Kreator, Architects and Coal Chamber were some of the highlights on another stellar day of metal Metal Hammer · May 17
“I didn’t have a guitar, so he let me play this Strat that he got from Jimi’s old guitar tech. It was the best-playing guitar ever”: My Chemical Romance's Ray Toro was strictly a Les Paul man, until he got his hands on one of Jimi Hendrix's Strats A guy named Jimmy gave him a guitar owned by Jimi, and it was a revelatory experience Guitar World · May 17
10 Photos of Eurovision 2026 Winner, Dara Dude: Bulgaria Wins Amid 5-Nation Boycott as UK Crashes to Last Place With 'Nul Points' Dara's Bangaranga gives Bulgaria its first Eurovision win in a tense Vienna final marked by protests, a five‑nation boycott and another painful 'nul points' night for the UK. International Business Times UK · May 17
Anne-Sophie Mutter review – star violinist celebrates 50 years in brilliant style Mutter’s anniversary tour opened with a programme of Beethoven, André Previn and – ever a champion of new music – the European premiere of Aftab Darvishi’s Likoo, a rhapsodic lament for women under the Iranian regime The Guardian - UK · May 17
“I played that on just about every Eagles record”: Don Felder names the most important guitar in his 300-strong collection Every guitar is painstakingly ordered in his vault, but there's one he finds himself grabbing more than most Guitar World · May 17
How to watch 'Academy of Country Music Awards' 2026 for FREE from anywhere — stream the ceremony online, nominees, host See all the winners from the biggest night in country music, live from Las Vegas — here's how to watch 'Academy of Country Music Awards' 2026 from anywhere Tom’s Guide · May 17
“They’d always played fast and loose with traditional song structures. This album pushed it even further”: Big Country wouldn’t have called Steeltown a prog record – but it is 1984 release tackled issues of the day cleverly and with incredible musicality Louder · May 17
“It was the record that changed our lives. The record that won us freedom of creative expression”: Rush frontman Geddy Lee recalls how the band's 1976 prog classic 2112 transformed their fortunes No one at the record company was happy to hear that Rush had another concept record. But this time the prog trio stuck the landing on a sci-fi epic that changed everything MusicRadar · May 17
“Learning how to be a good second guitar player is essential”: Veteran producer Dann Huff on the unsung art of session guitar Huff knows a thing or two about being a session guitarist, having contributed to records by A-listers such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and George Benson Guitar World · May 17
UK’s 2026 Eurovision entry Look Mum No Computer issues statement after coming last Youtuber Sam Battle is the third UK entry in a row to earn zero in the public vote The Independent UK · May 17
Bulgaria wins Eurovision Song Contest, Israel comes second again Bulgaria won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time on Saturday in a final overshadowed by five countries' boycott over Gaza, claiming a dramatic victory despite another big public vote for Israel that again secured it second place. France finished in 11th place. Radio France Internationale · May 17
"I think that losing a parent as a child had an adverse effect. There was this melancholy, a sadness that never really went away." How a profound loss informed Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy's solo album Year of the Tiger The Alter Bridge and Slash frontman channeled a childhood tragedy into his emotionally raw 2018 solo debut album Metal Hammer · May 17
“I heard him say in some interview that if you only play electric guitar, you're half a guitar player”: Her guitar playing had already reached the ears of millions, but a key piece of advice from mentor Johnny Marr re-shaped her approach Already an established instrumental composer, Rebecca Mardal took up acoustic guitar at the Smiths man’s suggestion, and she changed her playing style after he gave her a slimmer neck than she’d used before Guitar World · May 17
Steven Soderbergh used AI in a documentary about John Lennon. And he wants to talk about it The day John Lennon was shot in 1980, he and Yoko Ono gave an interview to a San Francisco radio crew from their home in New York’s Dakota Apartments The Independent UK · May 17
Evening Standard · May 17 Eurovision winner Dara had ‘doubt and anxiety’ about taking part in song contest The 27-year-old won the competition at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria, with her song Bangaranga.
The Guardian - AU · May 17 Harry Styles review – a genuinely charismatic performer who has pulled off one of the hardest tricks in pop Johan Cruijff Arena, the Netherlands Styles’ first stop in his Together, Together tour, which will see him perform lengthy residencies around the world, is a reminder of how talented he is
Evening Standard · May 16 Eurovision 2026: UK’s Look Mum No Computer last as Bulgaria wins first trophy Bulgaria won the contest for the first time with Israel taking second place amid protests
The Independent UK · May 16 Tension, tears and Bangaranga: Bulgaria wins a historic, fraught Eurovision Song Contest Contest viewed by estimated 120 million people, with Bulgaria beating Israel thanks to huge score in public vote
The Guardian - UK · May 16 Bulgaria wins 70th Eurovision contest with Dara and Bangaranga The UK finished last as the contest, held in Vienna, saw five countries boycott it over the participation of Israel
BANG Premier · May 16 Bulgaria win Eurovision Song Contest Bulgaria's Dara has won this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
Evening Standard · May 16 Billy Joel offers tribute to Vienna during Eurovision final The Austrian city is the title of one of his most famous songs.
The Independent UK · May 16 The 10 best performances at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest final in Vienna has showcased acts from 25 countries
The Independent UK · May 16 ‘It’s a crime against humanity’: UK’s Look Mum No Computer met with scathing reviews after final performance One person joked the UK will not be let back into the EU after Look Mum No Computer’s performance
Evening Standard · May 16 Look Mum No Computer performs in Eurovision final as Israel gets mixed reception Look Mum No Computer, whose real name is Sam Battle, performed his song Eins, Zwei, Drei at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria.
AAP · May 16 'Iconic' Delta act eclipsed in Eurovision boilover Delta Goodrem has finished fourth at Eurovision, confounding hopes for a first Australian winner as Bulgaria soared to its maiden win.