Fintan O’Toole: We need schools for messers, dreamers and misfits

Great explosion in English rock music was unintended result of art schools

Johnny Rogan obituary: One of the most well-regarded music biographers of his generation

London Irish writer’s tenacity and attention to detail did not always please his subjects

Kiwi Jr: Football Money review – terrific collage of college rock and classic pop

The Canadian band channel Kinks and Pavement in a 30-minute burst of new wave

Laurie Shaw: Helvetica review – A glitchy, scrappy pop-punk state of Britain

Kerry-based artist’s songs brim over with clever ideas and easily spotted influences

‘I’m 20 stone. I’ve had six albums out. I’m okay for exposure'

Years of thankless touring and ignored albums have worn his patience thin, but Thomas Walsh hopes his new Pugwash album will set the record straight

Ray Davies unpicks his entanglement with the US on Americana

Ray Davies: My new question to people is, do you know who you really are

The former driving force behind the Kinks on identity, politics and timeless characters in his songs as the musical ‘Sunny Afternoon’s comes to Ireland

Andy Murray and Mark Rylance among UK New Year honours list

Tennis number one and Oscar-winning actor both knighted for their recent achievements

Biffy Clyro: ‘The saddest music can be the most joyous’

The Scottish power rockers have always sought to chart a brutally honest course through life’s trials in their music

Pugwash: Play This Intimately (As If Among Friends) - Album Review

Johnny Marr: 'It’s not about being perfect, it’s about having the right kind of attitude'

With The Smiths, he helped push the boundaries. Now Johnny Marr is back in the limelights as a solo act.

Ray Davies: ‘Sometimes the great songs write you’

The Kinks legend comes to Dublin to promote new book Americana

Sailors crank up fitness to meet America’s Cup challenges

Sailors are still not widely viewed as traditional athletes, but the Cup sailors certainly view themselves that way

The Leisure Society: Alone Aboard the Ark