The Fat Angel Sings

This month, there are two cover stars, and they’re quite unconnected, unless you count the fact that they’re both brilliant: Led Zeppelin and XTC. The Zep feature catches the rock behemoths as they work on their colossal double-LP, “Physical Graffiti“. Zep author Dave Lewis examines the making of the album and remembers the day he bought it in February 1975. We present a double-page spread of PG memorabilia while Nick Anderson compiles a PG discography and David Stubbs assesses the LP’s sonic impact today.

The XTC feature, meanwhile, finds three members of the band routinely described as The Post-Punk Beatles talking in-depth to RC about their incredible run of albums from 1978’s “White Music” and “Go 2” through “Drums And Wires”, “Black Sea”, “English Settlement” to 1986’s “Skylarking” and beyond. Elsewhere, we meet Brit-reggae/dub pioneer, Dennis Bovell MBE, and one half of 80s baroque pop duo, Shelleyan Orphan, and we run down the 45 best 45s ever made by Sheffield pop groups/singers.

Paul Weller Stars In The New MOJO! From The Jam, through The Style Council and solo stardom, Paul Weller’s 50 Greatest Songs are celebrated in the brand new MOJO. Plus, an all-new interview with the man himself, a CD of Northern Soul floor fillers and a choice of TWO covers!

Also this month: an exclusive interview with The Beatles’ Ringo Starr (with a little help from his friends, including Paul McCartney), Edwyn Collins, Donovan, INXS, indie recidivists The Tubs and Jon Savage revisits 1965 in 20 earth shaking 45s.

There’s new music from Manic Street Preachers, Wilco, Sharon Van Etten, Nadia Reid, Toumani Diabate, Eddie Chacon, Squid , Horsegirl and more. Jeff Buckley: The Movie!, Cher by Cher, all the Quincy Jones you need, in the studio with The Zombies’ Colin Blunstone, King Jammy’s soup love and the transfiguration of Träd Gräs Och Stenar.

Critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter Nadine Shah, Manchester synth-pop band W.H. Lung, psych legends Gong & Melbourne rockers Tropical Fuck Storm were just some of the new names announced for Manchester Psych Fest last week!

You can now check out some of their best tracks on the official MPF 2025 playlist HERE, alongside singles from all the artists who’ll be joining us this August including GOAT, Deadletter, George Clanton, Honeyglaze, Anna Erhard, PINS and many more.

With many acts and activities to be unveiled over the coming months, the 2025 festival will bring over 70 leading live acts, live visuals from Innerstrings, food, art, DJs, workshops and yoga to Manchester Academy, Albert Hall, O2 Ritz, MPF’s bespoke outdoor stage at Projekts Skate Park, Gorilla, YES, Deaf Institute & The Bread Shed for another incredible edition on 30th August 2025.