Rough Guide to Barbès

Abiba Coulibaly

The Parisian neighbourhood of Barbès is relatively unknown, but is an established haunt of visiting and exiled musicians, as well as fertile ground for the development of Western musical styles among younger artists,

Rough Guide to Opera

Nicky Garsten, Andrew Kenningham and Kevin Read

Sex, tragedy, incest, weapons of mass destruction… This is a gentle guide into a genre which is often dismissed as obscure, high-pitched warbling.

Rough Guide to '90s hip hop

Frank Gavurin

Smooth rap, jazzy backing... with both classics and some more obscure tracks, check the rhyme on this alternative '90s US hip hop.

Rough Guide to Riot Grrrl

Molly Tie

The riot grrrl ethos has kept its momentum with scenes popping up all over the world, paving the way for many female-fronted bands today who still take inspiration from the work of bands performing 30 years ago.

Mozart gets a makeover:

bops' the magic flute

Elsa Kenningham

Learn how the Bristol Operatic Society combined magic, masonry and Mods to put on a production during a pandemic.

Rough Guide to The Beatles

Ruby-Leigh Smith

The all-time band you feel you should know - a rough guide to a group that defined the Swinging Sixties and continue to inspire musicians across genres. Find out which infamous lyric was originally "scrambled eggs" & who 'Hey Jude' was originally written for!

Rough Guide to Electronic Body Music

Kai Daniel Malloy

Metallic clanging, the judder of a pneumatic drill, hoarse shouts in an aggressive tongue... Despite its severe first impressions, EBM fuses elements of dance and industrial music to create a lively and danceable genre.

Rough Guide to Brazil

Suzie Beckley

Did you know that musicians living in apartment blocks used to get so many complaints from their neighbours that they had to sing in low voices, resulting in the hushed tones that make bossa so distinctive? Travel to Brazil for a treasure trove of music with a "faraway feel".

Rough Guide to Bob Dylan

Cal Bakaya

"If there is one thing true about Dylan, it's that he's a bastard". Whether you are uninitiated, a dabbler or a committed sceptic, get catapaulted into the colourful world of Bob Dylan and you may just be converted.

Rough Guide to Soul

Amy Hind

Soul continues to birth and influence countless sister genres, from funk to R&B and hip-hop, proving that the genre is truly timeless. 

Rough Guide to Shoegaze

Bonnie Dowler

Discover a genre characterised by ethereal, other-worldly vocals and droning guitar riffs which come together to create immersive walls of sound.

Rough Guide to German Hip Hop

Elsa Kenningham

Do you know who the dinosaurs of Hamburg hip hop are or which German city has the tagline 'poor, but sexy'? Get roughly guided through an underappreciated genre which is infused with politics.

Interview: Sleep Walking Animals

Emily Wolfin

Tom Glynn-Carney discusses his influences and creative process, as well as where he gets his inspiration, the differences between acting and performing music, and how to stay creative during lockdown.

Rough Guide to KATE BUSH

Edie McWhinnie

From screaming like a banshee to deep Barry White tones... This is a sonic adventure through some highlights of Kate Bush's ecclectic (and eccentric) discography.

Rough Guide to Jazz

Emily Wolfin

If you have ever felt intimidated by jazz, this guide will provide you with an appropriately accessible, yet diverse collection of tunes, from the delicate, to the downright groovy...

Rough Guide to European Romani

Lucy Kenningham

A rough guide to the music of European Romani. Featuring haunting vocals, rhythmic percussion, soaring fiddles and lots of wild acceleration...

Rough Guide to South Africa

Thomas Beavis

A rough guide to the music of South Africa - from 18th century hip hop to modern day rap.

Rough Guide to Emo

Yvette Parry

If you’re looking for a trip down memory lane, or to explore a genre you tried so desperately to avoid, then this Emo guide is here for you! From the obvious anthems, to the niche numbers, Yvette Parry offers a sweeping guide through the genre.

How to Dance While Everyone's Watching

Thomas Beavis

Expert advice on how to shake your booty in a COVID-appropriate way. A must-read for any music lovers wanting to reenter their beloved venues in style.

Cosmos Playlists

A collection of our cosmos-themed playlists, along with descriptions from their creators: Suzie Beckley's 'strange noises', Ellie Fernyhough's 'hallways to other worlds' and Kai Daniel Malloy's 'космос'.  

A Conversation with Lola Young

Caitlin Thomson

Helicon catches up with award-winning singer-songwriter, Lola Young, hailing from South London. Her debut Intro is a nuanced, atmospheric allegory about love and growth. Her latest release ‘Pick Me Up’ is languidly jazzy, a single from upcoming EP Renaissance. Music Editor Caitlin Thomson caught up with Young to discuss creative process, success in the industry, and artistic influence.

LIVE REVIEW: King Krule

Caitlin Thomson

Caitlin Thomson reviews King Krule's Man Alive! launch gig in Bristol, presented by Rough Trade. Characterised by Krule's bassy moan or violent howl, this moody, turbulent performance of affection, fear, abandonment and fury well sated his aesthetically fatalist fans.

Oslo Twins: An Interview

Caitlin Thomson

Caitlin Thomson interviews Oslo Twins, a gorgeous dream-pop band that claim influences of Portishead and Beach House, looking forward to their live set with Helicon at our EDEN launch.

LIVE REVIEW: black midi

Eve Rosenberg

Eve Rosenberg reviews black midi's sold out gig at The Marble Factory. A chaotic and immersive gig in which the band journeyed down a wild, extended path of improvisation. 

DJ INTERVIEW: SHIM

Caitlin Thomson

Our music editor interviews Shim, aka Ed Deacon, who came in first place in our DJ mix competition, in anticipation of his set at the Love Inn in January. 

DJ INTERVIEW: Skeleton King

Caitlin Thomson

Our music editor interviews Skeleton King, aka Daniel Brashaw, who came in second place in our DJ mix competition, in anticipation of his set at the Love Inn in January. 

DJ INTERVIEW: KAI

Caitlin Thomson

Our music editor interviews Kai, who came in third place in our DJ mix competition, in anticipation of his set at the Love Inn in January. 

LIVE REVIEW: Sampa The Great

Annabelle Lily

The band entered to huge cheers: three singers; the drummer; and SilentJay. A key member, he manages everything from percussion, to sax, to production for Sampa The Great. It was a humble assembly. They began with jazzy, choral intros whilst the crowd eagerly awaited Sampa's entrance. 

LIVE REVIEW: Simple Things Festival

Cecilia Hviding

Curated by a selection of its leading promoters, the festival has become a beacon for innovation and risk-taking by giving a platform to some of the underground's leading names and those it believes are worthy of your ears...

PREVIEW: Kissing Futures @ The Old England

Caitlin Thomson

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A preview of the multi-faceted artist Livia Rita’s avant-garde eco-feminism in anticipation of the Kissing Futures night.

LIVE REVIEW: THE LONDON AFROBEAT COLLECTIVE

Caitlin Thomson

The 9-piece collective hopped onstage, tuning and testing their respective instruments just after 10.30pm, in front of gaudy red curtains...

Live Review: Jordan Rakei

George Smith

On a cold, slightly drizzly Tuesday evening in Bristol, Jordan Rakei provided an intimate evening of soul and jazz in celebration of his third album Origins, through the warmth of ethereal harmonies and poetic lyrics.

LIVE REVIEW: The Murder Capital

Sean Turnland

Sean Turnland reviews The Murder Capital’s bristol gig, waxing poetical on this post-punk band’s dichotomy of masculinity and vulnerability.

LIVE REVIEW: Swim Deep

Serafina Lee

Serafina Lee reviews Swim Deep’s Bristol gig, reminiscing about her younger self’s love for the cult-favourite indie band.

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