Perhaps contrary to expectations, the largest demographic for buying country music is working class women, and right from the 1950s Country more than any other genre of popular music has allowed women an assertive and positive role. This has included a tradition of surprisingly robust almost vigilante responses to domestic violence, even the gorgeous but

National Maritime Museum 18.30-22.00 Thursday 16th February 2012 A satirical extravaganza about China, Britain, imperialism and drugs in the 19th century in verse & music. See narco-capitalists & Chinese lawmakers slug it out, take part in a poetry slam, and watch the weirdest tea ceremony ever. What do the humble cup of tea and the

Legislation which will make it easier for small venues to host live music has been cleared in the House of Commons.

Comedian Phill Jupitus is starring in a new political satire called Big Society!, a spoof music hall show poking fun at Prime Minister David Cameron, the coalition government and pretty much everyone else in a position of power.

David Lammy told Radio 5 live that rap music could be catastrophic to young people if they did not have other male role models.

I listen a lot to Radio 3, the classical music channel, especially first thing in the morning. This inevitably involves listening to BBC news bulletins, which can be quite an ordeal. This morning, as my brain surfaced into consciousness, I heard a strange item, about how the government intends to switch the subsidies it gives to the British movie industry towards more popular movies, presumably aw...

When music is used as a weapon, a shopping aid or an educational tool, we lose sight of its ability to move us.

We normally run these Spotify playlists on Sundays, but, as it's Christmas tomorrow, we thought we'd make an exception for Adrian's selection of festive music. Don't forget Pete Hoskin's selection of more recent Christmas songs, from a couple of weeks ago, too. Distilling your Christmas favourites into a succinct playlist is like trying to cram the creator of the universe ...

The Political Commentator would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a very Happy New Year filled with health, prosperity and joy. And enjoy this classic of the season from Bing Crosby!

While society has become ever more estranged from the great events of the past, music has been on a lazy nostalgia trip of reunions, reissues, recycling and anniversaries.