The Top 10 Albums of 2011

The Courier music writers pick out the top 10 albums of 2011, packed full of ‘Christmas’ crackers. The list includes a few surprise additions as well as some interesting omissions, all made up of each music writers individual top 10 being added up divided, by seven and then halved, creating the ultimate top 10 of albums from 2011

Cultural Moment: Amy Winehouse RIP: 1983-2011

One of the saddest events to hit the music world this year was the death of Amy Winehouse, as she became another member of the 27 club. Despite her troubled lifestyle she was an unbelievable talent with musicians from all over the world and every genre imaginable paying tribute to her

Top of the Flops: Worst 4 Singles of 2011

Music columnist Sam Summers casts a critical eye over the worst #1 singles of 2011. Featuring 4 of the most annoying artists bothering the charts at the moment, these are perfect to give to someone you dislike for Christmas. A nursery tune destroyed, a hat wearing bell end, some auto-tuned dirge and one of the worst professors around all feature

Live Review: The Black Dahlia Murder

Your Gran’s favourites The Black Dahlia Murder, Skeletonwitch and Fleshgod Apocalypse hit toon

Live Review: Defenders of the Faith

A heavy metal feast featuring: Trivium, In Flames, Ghost, Rise To Remain and Insense

Live Review: Reel Big Fish

Our very own Union plays host to the Ska-Punk legends in only the second gig since its re-opening

Album Review: The Maccabees – Given To The Wild

A natural progression for these youngsters

Album Review: The Weeknd – Echoes Of Silence

The line between Abel Tesfaye and his alter ego become even more blurred on his latest release

Live Review: Howler

After the release of debut album in January, the indie-rockers make their Newcastle debut