The great leap forward
In June 2003 they were merely the opening act at Glastonbury. This month they're the headliners at Reading. Polly Vernon catches up with the Darkness on tour in Europe - and finds a band with angst in their spandex pants.
Seb Hunter's 10 steps to heavy metal stardom
A perfect pitch
Everyone likes a surprise - and Britain's anarchic army of buskers will often provide one. As London gives its street artistes new legitimacy, Tom Cox meets some of the most idiosyncratic, committed - and rather good - performers around.
Nellie Mckay
She supports animal rights, loathes the very idea of cool and writes witty raps mixed with Fifties pop. Emma Warren is entranced.
The big fela
Polygamist, revolutionary and founder of Afrobeat: Fela Kuti was a protest singer like no other. On the eve of a steries of UK commemorations of the Nigerian star's life, Peter Culshaw recalls his memorable encounters with the Black President who had a liking for Handel.
Stage sins and crimes
Some need a little help from the audience to turn their live show into a disaster - others can mess it up without any assistance from anyone.
The justification
Last month's 10
Paul Morley picked the the bestrock tomes for seaside summer reading.
Song of the month: 'Jesus Walks' by Kanye West
One of US hip hop's chief selling points is its ability to make a spiritual mountain out of a self-obsessed molehill, as summed up neatly by rap's newest superstar on 'Jesus Walks'.
Worst of the month: House arrest
Mutiny: Yada Yada (Underwater £14.99) Emma Warren wonders why four-four house still insists on going through the motions.
Live review: Man on a mission
When the world's most debauched club celebrated its tenth birthday, Howard Marks wasn't going to miss the action.
Live review: Go with the flow
The chief of Norway's best jazz festival once threw his wife into a waterfall. Stuart Nicholson had a less traumatic time there.
Music on TV
Justin's secrets and fries.
Tim Smit meets Brian Wilson
Tim Smit, who produced records by the Nolans and Barry Manilow before creating the Eden Project in Cornwall, quizzes laconic legend Brian Wilson about his favourite Beach Boys song, his ecological interests, his pets, and the belated release of 'Smile'.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy
The Channel 4 newscaster owns up to being an indie kid with a penchant for hip hop who now needs to revitalise his musical life. Can Peter Paphides help him?
The reggae poser
Della loves Eek-A-Mouse and capoeira, is very particular about her coffee, but can't deal with the Sainsbury's Babylon, as Tom Cox discovers.
Why I'll never get over the rainbow
Every child needs an idol, but few imagine their favourite singer has actually become one of the family. Susie Boyt's unshakeable love for Judy Garland even extends to the star's children - and all of their emotional baggage...
Editor's letter
Caspar Llewellyn Smith: Of all the many strange things written about the Darkness, perhaps the strangest is that they are a novelty act, a mere stunt.
Musical differences
As the sun comes out, all your musical snobbery should evaporate - let's welcome some proper seasonal rubbish into the pop charts.
Barometer
This month's ups and downs
Email and letters
What you thought of last month's OMM.
