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Lisa Verrico

Lisa Verrico

Lisa Verrico has written extensively on music for Vox, The Guardian, The Observer, the Times and the Sunday Times. Among other publications, Lisa co-authored the autobiography of Noddy Holder.

Author pic by Dwayne Senior

207 articles

List of articles in the library

By date | By artist | Most recently added

The Wedding Present: Wedding Sells

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, January 1993

Twelve Top 30 hits into 1992, David Gedge tells VOX that indie giants the Wedding Present are "not fashionable any more". ...

Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth: Dinosaur Jr.: Walk The Dinosaur

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, March 1993

J. MASCIS IS a grunge fashion guru; all others turn to his band Dinosaur Jr. for inspiration. Indeed, the Seattle scene all but sprang from ...

Lovecraft: interview

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, April 1993

ASK LOVECRAFT to describe themselves, and they'll tell you they're a London-based, five-piece rock'n'roll band. In the flesh, they're a gorgeous, sexily-clad, cosmopolitan collection of ...

Teenage Fanclub: Sells like Spirit

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, July 1993

From the budget-priced Bandwagonesque to best mates with Nirvana and Saturday Night Live — it was but a short Sunday drive for Teenage Fanclub in ...

Eugenius: Smart Moves?

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, September 1993

From the tranquillity of their rural recording location, "Nirvana's favourite band" Eugenius bemoan the very events which triggered their meteoric rise to stardom. ...

M People, The Tyrrel Corporation: M People, Evolution, Tyrrel Corporation: The Academy, Manchester

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, Mixmag, December 1993

UNLESS YOU'VE spent the last six months in an Iraqi jail, you'll have noticed M People. Mike Pickering's house-music-goes-pop combo has grown from a personal ...

The Orb: Live '93 (Island COO 8022)

Review by Lisa Verrico, Vox, January 1994

Q. WHAT'S THE difference between The Orb in concert and The Orb in the studio? A. An amazing light show, a revolving spiky symbol and ...

Elastica: Pulling Power

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, February 1994

Elastica may look rough, but their impoverished image is all part of the game. Inspired by such bands as The Buzzcocks and Wire, and pursuing ...

The Fall: Mark E. Smith: What's Your Problem? Hippies

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, March 1994

Inspired by the title of an Albert Camus novel, Mark E Smith formed The Fall in Manchester in 1977. Smith's snarling vocal style and sharply ...

Snoop (Doggy) Dogg: Snoop Doggy Dogg: What's Your Problem? Absent fathers

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, April 1994

SNOOP DOGGY Dogg, born Calvin Broadus, was brought up by his mother in the working-class suburb of Long Beach, Los Angeles. From early adolescence, when ...

Beck: Def Beck

Profile and Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, June 1994

How can Beck be a Loser? He's ridiculed MTV, yet it still gives heavy rotation to this Kansas runt and his band of OAPs. ...

Jamiroquai: Jay Kay, What's Your Problem? Not Being Black?

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, July 1994

JAMIROQUAI'S 24-year-old Jason Kay (aka Jay Kay) was brought up in Ealing, West London, by his jazz-singer mother, Karen Kay. Inspired by the likes of ...

Oasis: Shake'n'vac

Report and Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, August 1994

They rant against rock'n'rollers in leather keks, yet their hotel-trashing, drug-snorting lifestyle is becoming legendary. Are Oasis hypocrites or Britain's most sussed rock band? ...

Primal Scream, Andrew Weatherall: Andy Weatherall: Pick and Remix

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, November 1994

Andy Weatherall twiddled the knobs that turned a Primals ditty into a House classic, and got himself a job for life. ...

Luscious Jackson: The New York four-piece couch their songs of womanhood in a laidback, yet energetic, jazzy groove…

Report and Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, November 1994

NATURAL INGREDIENTS, the first full-length album from female New York four-piece Luscious Jackson, is the follow-up to World Clique that Deee-Lite never made – funky, ...

Green Day: "It's the Drugs"

Report and Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, December 1994

Californian group Green Day have sped through the past year, with more than a little help from their friends Billy Whizz and Bob Hope. And ...

Oasis: The Making of Definitely Maybe

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, January 1995

From fourth on the bill at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut to the fastest-selling independent debut album in the UK, it's been a staggering year ...

Black Grape, Happy Mondays: Black Grape: Forget It All For An Instant

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, July 1995

After all the pills, thrills and bellyaches, Shaun Ryder felt peckish — so he nipped off to Kentucky Fried Chicken. It took him three years ...

The Chemical Brothers: Exit Planet Dust (Junior Boys Own XOUSTCD1)

Review by Lisa Verrico, Vox, August 1995

Guerrillas in the chemist ...

The Chemical Brothers: Chemical Abuse

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, August 1995

Last year, the Chemical Brothers were just a couple of DJs with a legendary reputation for drug taking. Now they're almost as famous as the ...

Therapy?: Infernal Love (A&M 540379)

Review by Lisa Verrico, Vox, August 1995

Tender loving Cairns ...

The Chemical Brothers: Rock Steady Dance Beat

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Guardian, 25 August 1995

Who says dance and rock don't mix? Lisa Verrico talks to the Chemical Brothers — a DJ outfit who make it work ...

Black Grape, Happy Mondays: Shaun Ryder: Sleazy Ryder

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, October 1995

In the first of a series never, ever to be continued, Shaun Ryder presents his passport to the land of a thousand karma sutra babes. ...

Sleeper: Tourbus Tales: Sleeper

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Vox, October 1995

Please give up this feature for people carrying children or heavy shopping... ...

The Stone Roses: War of the Roses

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Observer, 3 December 1995

John Squire of The Stone Roses talks exclusively to Lisa Verrico about why the band that almost broke up is back. ...

Oasis: Feeling Supersonic, Going Stratospheric

Report by Lisa Verrico, The Observer, 14 January 1996

TO SIGNAL The White Room's return for a new series, a special New Year's eve edition was recorded three days before Christmas. Despite featuring David ...

Electronic — Johnny Marr and Bernard Sumner: Brothers of Invention

Interview by Lisa Verrico, Blah Blah Blah, July 1996

SEPARATELY, they were the architects of some of the greatest British music ever made. Together, they’re trying to do a bit more than that. Ladeez ...

DJ Krush: MiLight (Mo' Wax)

Review by Lisa Verrico, Vox, September 1997

TOKYO! BUM RUSH THE SHOW ...

Mariah Carey: Wembley Arena, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 28 February 2000

IF PROOF were needed that sex sells, Mariah Carey would be a Class A exhibit. Since shelving her sugary image for skintight clothes and raunchy ...

Ricky Martin: Earls Court, London — All mouth and tight trousers

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 15 May 2000

The set for Ricky Martin's show looked great — just a shame about the music, says Lisa Verrico ...

Phoenix: It’s hip hop to be square

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 23 June 2000

Phoenix are French and funky and like some very uncool records indeed, says Lisa Verrico ...

Lewis Taylor: Hanover Grand, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 9 October 2000

IF ADORATION always equalled wealth, Lewis Taylor would be living in a Regent's Park penthouse rather than a first- floor flat in the North London ...

Mel B: Melanie B: Hot

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 14 October 2000

FROM THE bustin'-out-of-her-bikini-top shot on the cover to the comments about her former husband Jimmy Gulzar on the current single 'Tell Me', Mel B.'s debut ...

Guru: Goodbye to all that Jazz: Guru's Jazzmatazz

Report and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 20 October 2000

LATE LAST YEAR Guru, the rapper from Gang Starr, compiled a wish-list of artists he wanted to work with on his upcoming Jazzmatazz album. ...

PJ Harvey: Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 20 October 2000

HEARING P J Harvey's new album, Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea (Universal) is like coming home to find your studious little sister ...

Shea Seger: Borderline, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 20 October 2000

THANKS TO THE likes of Liz Phair, Tori Amos and Alanis Morissette, the '90s saw strong but emotionally fragile, female singer-songwriters become big business. ...

Resolution — New Year's Eve concert: Alexandra Palace, N10

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 2 January 2001

BLIZZARDS, BLACK ICE and freezing fog meant that, for millions of Britons, the first New Year’s Eve of the millennium was spent tucked up at ...

Top of the Itpops

Guide by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 19 January 2001

IF YOU want to know what most people think of Italian music, look no further than the Internet. One English language site dedicated to Italian ...

Papa Roach: Astoria, WC2

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 2 February 2001

IT WAS easy to spot the Papa Roach fans striding through Soho. They travelled in packs — mainly males, but with the odd tomboy babe ...

Orgy, Spooks, Teddy Thompson: Teddy Thompson: Teddy Thompson; Spooks: S.I.O.S.O.S. Vol 1; Orgy: Vapour Transmission

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 2 February 2001

Teddy Thompson has inherited his dad's folk flair, says Lisa Verrico ...

Dido: Scala, London N1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 12 February 2001

WHEN DIDO scheduled her first British tour since becoming a star in America, opening at a small London club must have seemed like a smart ...

LeAnn Rimes, Shaggy: Lure of Mr Lover Lover

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 30 March 2001

Shaggy's breathless tales of sexual conquest will beguile pop fans who enjoy the simpler pleasures, says Lisa Verrico. ...

Table manna

Comment by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 27 July 2001

Everyone is clamouring for CDs brought out by hip restaurants and bars, says Lisa Verrico ...

Whitney Houston, OutKast: Whitney Houston: Houston, still a problem

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 4 January 2002

Troubled superstar Whitney Houston overdoses on sugar, says Lisa Verrico ...

Faith Evans, Christina Milian, Pink: Bubblegum to chew over: Christina Milian, Faith Evans, P!nk

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 11 January 2002

A teen diva can't compete with maturing talent, says Lisa Verrico  ...

The Chemical Brothers: Chemical Brothers: Popping to the Chemist's

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 18 January 2002

The Chemical Bros are just what the doctor ordered, says Lisa Verrico ...

Alanis Morissette: King's College, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 28 January 2002

SOMEONE IN Alanis-Iand has a plan. Rather than announce her imminent return to the charts with a sell-out stadium show or a celebrity-studded party, the ...

Shaggy: Mr Lover Lover (Virgin)

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 1 February 2002

A 14-track compilation of Shaggy tunes is more than a sensible girl can handle, says Lisa Verrico ...

Shakira: Soft rock and the hard sell

Profile and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 8 March 2002

Shakira sells millions of records in her native Colombia, has just conquered America and now has her sights on Britain. Lisa Verrico met her ...

Busta Rhymes, Beverley Knight: Busta Rhymes: Genesis/Beverley Knight: Who I Am

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 15 March 2002

Busta Rhymes is back on song, Lisa Verrico is pleased to report — and Beverley Knight never left it ...

Lisa Lopes, TLC: Lisa Lopes: Rollercoaster career of a troubled star

Obituary by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 27 April 2002

THE POP world lost one of its most colourful characters yesterday with the death of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. ...

Junkie XL, Elvis Presley: Junkie XL: The King is dead cool

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 17 June 2002

Elvis is back at No 1 with a soccer song. Lisa Verrico meets the DJ responsible ...

Bryan Ferry: Royal Albert Hall, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 8 October 2002

WITH CLASSY CROONERS back in fashion, the Roxy Music reunion could not have been better timed. It was perfect for Bryan Ferry, the band's suave ...

LeAnn Rimes, Saint Etienne, Holly Valance: Holly Valance: Footsteps/LeAnn Rimes: Twisted Angel/Saint Etienne: Finisterre

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 11 October 2002

BEFORE BOY BANDS began breeding it was singing soap stars who were the plankton of pop. ...

Christina Aguilera, Las Ketchup: Las Ketchup: Hijas del Tomate/Christina Aguilera: Stripped

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 18 October 2002

CURRENTLY TOP of the charts not only in their native Spain but right across Europe and — as of Sunday — in Britain as well, ...

Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man: Shepherd's Bush Empire, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 19 October 2002

IN THE MID-'90s Beth Gibbons could have pulled a crowd just by reading names from a phone book. She was one of the hippest singers ...

JJ72: The Forum, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 26 October 2002

WITH THE resurgence of rock and a thriving nu-metal scene, there hasn't been much mention of indie music recently. Once the staple of student unions ...

Craig David, Romeo, Justin Timberlake: Justin Timberlake: Justified; Craig David: Slicker than Your Average: Romeo: Solid Love

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 1 November 2002

MICHAEL JACKSON may be all but written off, so there's a vacancy for a King of Pop. Having once been betrothed to Britney Spears, the ...

TLC: Reheated Left Eye leftovers

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 8 November 2002

RATHER THAN spell the end of TLC, the death of Lisa Lopes earlier this year in a car accident has meant a bit of a ...

Sugababes: Music profile: Sugababes

Profile and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 9 November 2002

Sassier than Atomic Kitten, classier than Mis-Teeq, the new Sugababes are the girl group it’s OK for grown-ups to like, claims Lisa Verrico. ...

Xzibit: Forum, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 12 November 2002

FOR THE PAST few years, Xzibit has been tipped to become a hip hop superstar. Yet despite teaming up with Dr Dre on his last ...

Pink: Brixton Academy, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 15 November 2002

THERE WERE TWO types of female fan at Pink's Brixton Academy gig. ...

Rod Stewart: It Had To Be You ... The Great American Songbook

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 15 November 2002

IN BRITAIN, Rod Stewarthasn't a hope of ever being hip again. Like Elton John, he can still sell out shows, but only if he stuffs ...

Dolly Parton: Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 16 November 2002

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN the big boobs and blond wig that have come to define Dolly Parton lies one of music's business brains. ...

Suede: Shepherds Bush Empire, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 16 November 2002

NO BAND STAYS hip for ever and Suede have been falling out of favour for a few years now, but the tepid reaction to their ...

Missy Elliott, Hil St. Soul, Shania Twain: Shania Twain: Up!; Missy Elliott: Under Construction; Hil St Soul: Copasetik & Cool

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 22 November 2002

Why settle for the pleasantly inoffensive tunes of Shania Twain when Missy Elliott and her posse are busy rewriting the hip-hop rulebook. ...

Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Martine McCutcheon: Jennifer Lopez: This is Me… Then/Mariah Carey: Charmbracelet/Martine McCutcheon: Musicality

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 29 November 2002

ON HER NEW album, Jennifer Lopezhas cannily mixed her real life romance with her music. So listening to This is Me… Then feels a little ...

Jay Z: Jay-Z: The Blueprint 2

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 6 December 2002

DESPITE HAVING THE biggest forehead in hip hop, Jay-Z would never name an album after anything cerebral. His follow-up to last year's triple platinum The ...

Talib Kweli: Quality

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 6 December 2002

COMPARE JAY-Z's clumsy raps with his fellow New Yorker Talib Kweli's flowing rhymes and you imagine the two would be poles apart. ...

The Roots: Phrenology

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 6 December 2002

ON PAPER, 2002 has been a bumper year for hip hop. Eminem was man of the moment again, Ashanti appeared out of nowhere and shot ...

Shakira: Latin Chancer

Profile by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 14 December 2002

Shakira should forget the political posturing, says Lisa Verrico, and stick to what she does best — making music and looking good. ...

Shakira: Wembley Arena, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 17 December 2002

NO MATTER where you sat in Wembley Arena on Monday night, you were never far from open-mouthed men trying not to drool at this year's ...

Altered Images, Five Star, The Human League, Kim Wilde: Human League/Kim Wilde/Altered Images et al: Cardiff Arena

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 20 December 2002

YOU CAN LOOK back as fondly on the '80s as you like, but the truth is the music back then was as hit-and-miss as it ...

Music profile: The Christmas No 1

Retrospective by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 21 December 2002

For the first time in years, there are no Christmas novelty singles battling it out for No 1. Yet stars from Elvis to Kylie can't ...

Youssou N'Dour: The Forum, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 24 December 2002

YOUSSOU N'DOUR has much to thank his mother for. On her advice, this year, the Senegalese superstar stopped trying to please the pop audience that ...

Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Sophie's World

Profile by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 4 January 2003

Having established herself as a pop star with her own agenda, Sophie Ellis Bextor is ready to take on America. ...

The Roots: Jazz Café, NW1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 17 January 2003

Someone should have taken Kim Howells to see The Roots live in London, a black hip-hop band fronted by two frantic rappers playing to a ...

Busta Rhymes: It Ain't Safe No More

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 24 January 2003

BUSTA RHYMES is another artist obsessed with September 11, partly because his home was just streets away from the twin towers and partly because he ...

Kelly Rowland: Simply Deep

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 31 January 2003

WHEN DESTINY'S CHILD SPLIT to go solo last summer, no one would have bet against Beyoncé leaving her sidekicks standing. But Beyoncé's solo debut, the ...

Massive Attack: He used to be massive

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 11 February 2003

Massive Attack have just one original member left. Robert Del Naja tells our critic about the struggle to create a fourth album alone. ...

Clipse, Melanie C, Moloko, Spice Girls: Melanie C: Reason/Moloko: Statues/Clipse: Lord Willin'

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 21 February 2003

Melanie C has too much going for her to rejoin the Spice Girls. ...

Evan Dando, The Go-Betweens: Evan Dando: Baby I'm Bored/The Go-Betweens: Bright Yellow Bright Orange

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 28 February 2003

A DECADE AGO, Evan Dando was pretty much the perfect pop star. He was a tousle-haired, scatterbrained blond who posed for teen magazines with his ...

Mira Calix, Vivian Green, Norah Jones, Terri Walker: After Norah

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 10 March 2003

Norah Jones's Grammy-grabbing success has opened the floodgates for young, female singer-songwriters like Terri Walker, Vivian Green and Mira Calix ...

Liberty X: Hammersmith Apollo

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 24 March 2003

SOMETIMES it really is the taking part, not the winning, that counts. Liberty X — the five former Popstars contestants who just missed out on ...

Jurassic 5: Brixton Academy, London SW9

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 25 March 2003

EMINEM MAY have the biggest British hip-hop shows of the year coming up, but he'll have a hard time keeping the crowd as entertained as ...

Jane's Addiction: Is this the band that saved rock?

Profile and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 30 July 2003

Groundbreaking rock band Jane's Addiction are back to inspire a new generation of fans. ...

Eminem, DJ Kool Herc, Vanilla Ice: How to get hip to rap

Guide by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 21 November 2003

EMINEM IS in trouble again, this time over lyrics he wrote a decade ago. The owners of the American hip-hop magazine The Source have outed ...

Nelly Furtado: Looking back to go forward

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 6 December 2003

Pressured by the expectations for her new album, Nelly Furtado dug into her Latin roots for inspiration, she tells Lisa Verrico. ...

Scissor Sisters: Cut to the New York dolls

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 2 January 2004

Our critic goes to the cutting edge of glam as she meets Scissor Sisters, the band most likely to in 2004 ...

Busted, The Darkness: Brit awards: Yanks cannot raise a ripple

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 18 February 2004

WHAT the Brits really needed was a Nipplegate. ...

Tortoise: Shell unsuited: Tortoise

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 20 February 2004

The ever-uncommercial Tortoise ...

Zero 7: When It Falls (Ultimate Dilemma)

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 27 February 2004

Out in the cold: Chilled-out Zero 7 need to thaw ...

Jill Sobule: The sweeter the bitter

Profile and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 9 April 2004

Beneath the pop veneer, Jill Sobule's songs carry a subversive sting. ...

The Rasmus: Dead Letters

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 9 April 2004

Can Helsinki's brand of retro rock conquer our charts? ...

Dogs Die in Hot Cars: Hotter dogs

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 2 July 2004

Scotpop it may be, but Dogs Die in Hot Cars are in a league of their own ...

Ashanti: Concrete Rose (Def Jam)

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 29 January 2005

BACK IN 2002, Ashanti could do no wrong. The first R&B signing to Irv Gotti’s controversial hip-hop label, Murder Inc, the sweet-sounding singer had huge ...

Aberfeldy, David Kitt: David Kitt/Aberfeldy: Lock 17, NW1, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 31 January 2005

THEY MAY SHARE a hip record label in Rough Trade, but the young Scots popsters Aberfeldy and the seasoned Irish singer-songwriter David Kitt were an ...

Snoop (Doggy) Dogg: Snoop Dogg: Hammersmith Apollo, W6

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 14 February 2005

"YOU GOTTA love Snoop," a teenage boy in a backwards baseball cap told me as we waited for the rap star Snoop Dogg to show ...

Harmonia's Hans Joachim Roedelius: The man music tried to forget

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 18 February 2005

Before Kraftwerk, there was Hans-Joachim Roedelius. Meet the neglected pioneer of German electronica. ...

The Features: The Garage, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 23 April 2005

ADMITTEDLY, the Arsenal v Chelsea match taking place at the same time was tough competition, but it was still a surprise to see a small ...

Audioslave: Brixton Academy, London, SW9

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 22 June 2005

OF ALL THE SINGERS to emerge from Seattle's grunge scene, Soundgarden's Chris Cornell looked the least likely to sustain his stardom. His band — which ...

Katie Melua: Apollo, London W6

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 6 February 2006

THE AUDIENCE stayed in their seats all evening, applauded politely at the end of each song and, despite the occasional invitation, refused to join in ...

The Kooks: University of London Union

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 16 February 2006

"I DIDN'T GET ANY VALENTINE'S CARDS," pouted the Kooks singer Luke Pritchard on Tuesday night, surveying a crowd heavy on screaming young girls, two of ...

Placebo: Birmingham Academy

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 11 April 2006

A DECADE ON FROM THEIR CHART DEBUT — and almost as long since they were hip — Placebo have a renaissance on their hands. Their ...

Snow Patrol: Koko, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 14 April 2006

WHATEVER Snow Patrol spent the earnings from their last, two-million-selling album on, it wasn't their wardrobe. Or a personal trainer. In this warm-up for a ...

Hilary Duff: Hammersmith Apollo, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 1 May 2006

THE TEXAN teen queen Hilary Duff is much more than a pretty pop star. An actress since the age of 6, she found fame playing ...

Ghosts: Water Rats, London WC1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 11 January 2007

IF GHOSTS had intended to start a scrum by playing a venue much too small for their rapidly expanding fanbase, they succeeded. At the first ...

Just Jack: Bar Academy, London N1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 12 January 2007

HE BOUNDS on stage like a kid on Christmas morning — eyes saucer-sized, smile a mile wide and body like a beanpole. If Jack Allsopp ...

The Twang: KOKO, London NW1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 16 January 2007

THEY HAVE yet to release a single or record a debut album, but the Twang are already being hailed the saviours of real rock'n'roll. In ...

R. Kelly: Happy People / U Saved Me

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 29 May 2007

IF ANYONE in pop has a Teflon-coated career, it's R. Kelly. In 12 years as an R&B star, the singer, songwriter and producer has seen ...

Calvin Harris: Scala, London N1

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 11 June 2007

CALVIN HARRIS can't quite believe his luck. The lanky lad in the gaudy tracksuit top may have called his debut album I Created Disco, but ...

Gym Class Heroes: The Forum, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 24 July 2007

THAT GYM CLASS Heroes owe their sudden success to a Supertramp sample should tickle parents of their predominately teenage fans. ...

Scissor Sisters: O2 Arena, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 30 July 2007

SCISSOR SISTERS' last hurrah before retreating to New York to start work on album No 3 should have been a camp carnival. ...

Passenger: Barfly, London NW1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 26 September 2007

NOTHING IS quite as it seems with the Brighton band Passenger. ...

Kings of Leon: Wembley Arena

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 14 December 2007

HOW THE heck did Kings of Leon wind up at Wembley? ...

M.I.A.: Coronet Theatre, London SE1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 22 December 2007

SHE IS LESS well-known than Amy Winehouse's hair and her sales to date wouldn't fund Beyoncé's laundry bill, yet Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, aka M.I.A., has ...

Sia: A woman on the verge

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 30 December 2007

Sia has endured failure and heartache, but the Australian singer's luck is starting to turn ...

Dashboard Confessional: Scala, London NW1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 23 January 2008

PARENTS WHO FEAR the effects of emo should spend some time with Chris Carrabba. Under the guise of Dashboard Confessional, the South Florida-raised singer, songwriter ...

Linkin Park: O2 Arena, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 30 January 2008

IF YOUNG ROCK ACTS are struggling to sell albums, someone forgot to tell Linkin Park. Seven years since their debut, Hybrid Theory, won a Grammy, ...

Mika: Hammersmith Apollo, W6

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 27 February 2008

TO CRITICISE a performer for making too much effort seems absurd, yet Mika's surfeit of ideas and eagerness to impress overshadowed the songs in his ...

The Hoosiers: Shepherds Bush Empire, W12

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 6 March 2008

"DID YOU know you are in the presence of an award-winning band?" teased the singer Irwin Sparkes, before dedicating a defiantly ELO-influenced new number, 'Swear ...

Sugababes: Royal Albert Hall, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 22 March 2008

THEY COULD easily sell out arenas. Instead, Sugababes’ current tour — at 30 dates over eight weeks, the longest in their seven-year career — takes ...

The Kooks: Brixton Academy, SW19

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 5 May 2008

They took some getting there, but The Kooks eventually managed to show what they are capable of ...

Adele: Shepherds Bush Empire, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 8 May 2008

IS AN ADELE backlash in the air? Outside the first of two sold-out shows at Shepherds Bush Empire, touts were trying to offload tickets for ...

Shontelle is the feisty feminist Rihanna

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 25 January 2009

R&B artist and Barbados-born singer Layne is female Sean Paul with fame within her grasp, after single, 'T-Shirt', proved a hit ...

Akon: Indigo, O2, Greenwich, SE10

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 28 January 2009

"ARE YOU ready for Akon?" cried a DJ in comedy glasses, a kilt and tartan waistcoat. An hour on, he was still posing the same ...

David and Goliath: a tale of two festival organisers

Interview by Tim Cooper, Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 16 May 2010

On one hand, veteran Vince Power, the man behind Reading and Leeds; on the other, the Webster-Joneses launching Deer Shed for the first time. ...

Amy LaVere: The Borderline, W1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 12 July 2011

THREE YEARS AGO the Memphis-based Amy LaVere was tipped to break Britain. Her second album, Anchors & Anvils, had received rave reviews, while the petite ...

John Legend: Eventim Apollo, London W6

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 15 October 2014

EARLY IN THIS sickly-slick show, John Legend started to tell his life story. Talking and tinkling the ivories, supper club-style, wearing a cream blazer over ...

Professor Green: Roundhouse, London NW1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 15 December 2014

THAT BRITISH kids briefly believed that British rap was where it's at is starting to seem like a dream. The days when Dizzee Rascal and ...

Jessie J: Brixton Academy, SW9

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 30 January 2015

Jessie J’s show felt more like an X Factor final than a proper gig ...

Hozier: O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, W12

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 2 February 2015

PERHAPS EVERY Hozier show now starts with the audience screaming for so long that the wild-haired Irishman has to wait awkwardly, a grin frozen to ...

Brandi Carlile: Union Chapel, London N1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 18 February 2015

IN THE United States, Washington-born Brandi Carlile is sufficiently established to make whatever sort of music she pleases. Her five albums to date — one ...

2CELLOS: Shepherds Bush Empire, W12

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 19 February 2015

TAKE A COUPLE OF tousled-haired, classically trained Croatians; mix in Michael Jackson, AC/DC and a dash of Il Divo's cheesy charm; simmer on YouTube. The ...

Nicki Minaj @ O2 Arena

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 31 March 2015

Nicki Minaj delivered tongue-twisting raps with spectacular ease. ...

Olly Murs: O2 Arena, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 6 May 2015

CONFIRMED LAST MONTH as The X Factor's new co-host (alongside Caroline Flack), Olly Murs need not fear his star falling any time soon. In fact ...

Ariana Grande: 02 Arena, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 3 June 2015

WERE MILEY CYRUS a comic-book baddie, Ariana Grande could be her nemesis. The two TV child stars turned successful singers stand on either side of ...

Sing along with the common people

Report and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 16 August 2015

As gritty, working-class performers get eclipsed by the posh brigade, major labels thirst for the next Oasis. ...

Carly Rae Jepsen: No ifs, buts or maybes

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 13 September 2015

Move over, Taylor Swift — Carly Rae Jepsen has made a retro pop album of genius ...

Nerina Pallot: Scala, N1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 22 September 2015

IF ALL WERE FAIR in folk and pop, Nerina Pallot would be one of Britain's most celebrated singer-songwriters and her extraordinary new album The Sound ...

Bring Me the Horizon: "When I started on melodies, it was horrible"

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 4 October 2015

At last, heavy rock you can sing along to. Britain's Bring Me the Horizon rule. ...

Peace: Brixton Academy, London SW9

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 13 October 2015

ARE PEACE more than a Britpop pastiche? The answer probably depends on your age. ...

Rudimental: Alexandra Palace, NW1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 20 October 2015

JOHN NEWMAN turned up unannounced, did some daft dancing and instructed fans to "make some f***ing noise".  ...

Adele: Hello again, Adele

Report and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 25 October 2015

Amid a blaze of publicity, the star delighted her fans with her latest single last week. And, says Lisa Verrico, she may prove to be ...

Beyoncé: Becoming Beyoncé: The Untold Story by J Randy Taraborrelli

Book Review by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 1 November 2015

The real surprise in this exhaustive biography is not Beyoncé, but her driven dad. ...

Tileyard Studios: The Hit Factory

Report and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 1 November 2015

Mark Ronson is among the leading acts flocking to a north London studio complex. What's the big draw? ...

Ella Henderson: O2 Empire, London W12

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 11 November 2015

THE CONVEYOR-BELT culture of modern pop makes slipping off the radar a risk. Hence it could have been foolish for Ella Henderson to take more ...

Joanna Newsom: Eventim Apollo, W6

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 12 November 2015

IT WOULD make sense to assume that it's because Joanna Newsom plays harp that audiences sit and watch her in silence. Her music may be ...

Average White Band: Festival Hall, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 23 November 2015

AVERAGE WHITE BAND always were an anomaly. A group of funksters from Dundee inspired by James Brown, Bobby Womack and BB King, they sounded so ...

Mumford & Sons: O2 Arena, SE10

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 11 December 2015

Having disappointed by going electric on their third album, the Mumfords issued a powerful reminder of their folk-hero status ...

Caro Emerald: Eventim Apollo, W6

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 21 December 2015

CARO EMERALD was due to release her third album this year. That she didn't hasn't halted her rise. Songs from the Dutch star's platinum-selling first ...

Future: O2 Academy, Brixton

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 12 January 2016

No matter how fast he rapped, or how randomly he switched between snippets of songs, the crowd howled along ...

Christine and the Queens, Jain: Christine and the Queens: A new French revolution

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 10 July 2016

They are now the hottest name in pop. We talk to their leader about changing the industry. ...

Drake: Streaming is skewing the pop charts

Comment by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 7 August 2016

Drake's 'One Dance' was No 1 for 15 weeks. The charts are stalling and need a rethink ...

Emeli Sandé: Òran Mór, Glasgow

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 4 October 2016

The Scottish singer was on spellbinding form, singing a cappella and reworking old hits and new into a spectacular show ...

Robbie Williams: The Heavy Entertainment Show

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 6 November 2016

ROBBIE WILLIAMS was devastated that his 11th solo album's lead single, the preposterous 'Party Like a Russian', flopped. ...

The Lumineers: Eventim Apollo, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 7 November 2016

Accused in the past of charisma-shortage, singer Wesley Schultz proved his critics wrong and his band had to play out of their skins to keep ...

Metallica: House of Vans, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 21 November 2016

The world's biggest metal band returned to their club roots with a tight, super-loud show that sent the sweat-soaked crowd into meltdown. ...

Beyoncé, Drake, Amanda Ghost, Solange, Taylor Swift: Where are the political pop stars?

Report and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 11 December 2016

Selfie-obsessed stars are selling out to the power of branding. ...

Wolf Alice: Choose Life in a Rock Doc

Profile and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 8 January 2017

FOR A BAND currently soundtracking the T2 Trainspotting trailer and chosen by Michael Winterbottom as the subject of his latest rock documentary On the Road, ...

Loyle Carner: Shepherd's Bush Empire, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 20 February 2017

The south Londoner's heartfelt rapping had the crowd on their feet and singing from start to finish ...

Loyle Carner: I believe in yesterday

Profile and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 26 February 2017

Losing his stepdad made him the rapper he is today. ...

Loyle Carner: I believe in yesterday

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 26 February 2017

Losing his stepdad made him the rapper he is today ...

Marc Almond: Roundhouse, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 24 March 2017

"I'VE STILL GOT it," purred Marc Almond, midway through this fabulous show, as much to himself as to the audience. The rowdy response that greeted ...

Rita Ora: Baring her soul

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 14 May 2017

After five years of modelling, acting, talent shows and even diplomacy, Rita Ora is back to her real day job. It's the music that matters, ...

Leftfield: O2 Brixton Academy, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 16 May 2017

Steam rose from a crowd determined to rave, whatever their age. By the finale, soaked bodies littered the floor of the foyer ...

Elton John: Twickenham Stoop Stadium, TW2

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 5 June 2017

The singer was back where he feels at most home – on stage, in sparkles, sitting sideways on a stool. ...

Clean Bandit: Many Strings to their Bow

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 11 June 2017

With a trail of monster hits and guests such as Elton John and Jess Glynne, the Bandits rule, says Lisa Verrico. ...

Gorillaz: Dreamland, Margate

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 13 June 2017

Damon Albarn's one-time cartoon band should have been spectacular, but too often the songs amounted to less than the sum of their parts ...

Justin Bieber: Hyde Park, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 4 July 2017

Despite having a heavy cold, the bad boy of pop strutted, sauntered and delivered a mesmerising set. ...

Lil Peep: Interview: Lil Peep

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 6 August 2017

He doesn't have a record label, but he's huge on Instagram and gets mobbed "like Justin Bieber" in Russia. Lil Peep tells Lisa Verrico why ...

Niall Horan: Life after One Direction

Profile and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 15 October 2017

THERE ARE GIRLS outside Niall ­Horan's hotel – the smartest in Stockholm, according to my cabbie – but not enough to trouble the traffic. Had ...

Daryl Hall & John Oates: O2 Arena, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 30 October 2017

FOR THE PAST decade, Daryl Hall & John Oates have been enjoying a revival. In 2009, the teen film (500) Days of Summer turned a ...

The War On Drugs: Alexandra Palace, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 16 November 2017

Adam Granduciel, the Philadelphia band's main man, took ignoring the audience to ludicrous levels, yet the songs oozed extraordinary warmth. ...

Paloma Faith: The Architect

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 19 November 2017

DO PALOMA FAITH fans have a collective name? If not, they should adopt one Swiftie-ly. Palomarmy may be too much of a mouthful; Faithfuls would ...

Dave: Koko, NW1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 8 December 2017

This extraordinary, eloquent teenager is as adept at educating his audience as he is at entertaining them. ...

Robert Plant: Royal Albert Hall, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 11 December 2017

This grandfather of rock's voice may have lost its high register, but the former Led Zeppelin singer's raw power remains. ...

The Kills: Soho Revue Bar, London W1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 18 January 2018

THE REVAMPED Revue Bar, formerly a famous strip club, couldn't have been more perfect for the Kills and their painfully trendy fans. Sexual tension is ...

The Breeders: All Nerve (4AD)

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 18 February 2018

ALL NERVE is the first Breeders album in 25 years to feature the alt-rock band's so-called classic line-up — the quartet who in 1993 recorded ...

Stefflon Don: The Forum, NW5

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 13 March 2018

An imperious rapper with a fierce flow, a bootylicious body and a stripper's wardrobe, she had brashness, self-belief and raw sex appeal ...

Rita Ora: O2 Academy, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 22 May 2018

THE POP POLYMATH Rita Ora doesn't distinguish between selling music or make-up, pants or perfume. Hence it was no surprise that this fun, fast-paced, high-energy ...

Camila Cabello: O2 Academy Brixton, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 14 June 2018

Her style is mostly stripped-back confessional pop, but here, beefed up by a rocky backing band, her songs became arena-friendly anthems ...

Madison Beer: Pop interview: Madison Beer on 'Home with You', five years after Justin Bieber declared her a star

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 26 August 2018

The teenage singer is storming up the charts without the help of a record label. Is this the future? ...

Ezra Furman: O2 Academy Brixton

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 6 September 2018

Ezra Furman and his band played an explosive show, a dazzling display of high-energy rock'n'roll and high-camp theatre. ...

Dionne Warwick: Royal Albert Hall, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 20 September 2018

The singer still oozes stage presence, but age has reduced her range to such an extent that many of her songs are sketches of their ...

Halsey: Eventim Apollo, London, W6

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 24 September 2018

DESPITE UNRELENTING RAIN, fans had queued outside the Hammersmith Apollo since the morning for the first of Halsey’s two sold-out shows at the west London ...

The Wandering Hearts, Ward Thomas: Why country music is cool: the rise of Ward Thomas and the Wandering Hearts

Report and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 4 November 2018

Inspired and nurtured by Nashville, British acts are putting well-crafted lyrics and storytelling back at the heart of pop. ...

Slayer: SSE Arena, Wembley

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 6 November 2018

This was an extraordinary farewell gig from the kings of thrash metal — they totally slayed it ...

Billie Eilish: The teenage pop sensation who soundtracked 13 Reasons Why

Profile and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 3 February 2019

LEARNER DRIVER Billie Eilish pulls up outside her house on the outskirts of L.A. in a scruffy station wagon. Her mum gets out of the ...

Billie Eilish: When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 31 March 2019

HEAVENS, HOW teen pop stars have changed since Britney Spears tantalised dads in school uniform. The L.A.-born Billie Eilish wears what she wants, smiles as ...

Mac DeMarco: From Coachella to Dreamland

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 17 May 2019

The Canadian indie rocker is curating a one-day festival in Margate ...

Lewis Capaldi: Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 15 August 2019

EVERY LEWIS Capaldi gig has a gag — OK, several, but typically one that runs. At Glastonbury it was the singer's Oasis-baiting attire. In Glasgow ...

Caravan Palace: Every woman, every man, join the Caravan Palace love-in

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 19 August 2019

The eccentric electronica band have become a festival favourite and online hit — despite being completely useless at social media. ...

Celeste: Omeara, London SE1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 14 November 2019

PERHAPS THE ONLY PERSON at this concert not convinced that Celeste Waite is about to become a star was the singer herself. The 25-year-old arrived ...

Björk: O2 Arena, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 20 November 2019

IS IT A concert, theatre or an avant-garde work of art? A futuristic, flute lovers' nature show, perhaps, with heavenly Icelandic choir, multiple environmental warnings ...

Skepta: Olympia Exhibition Centre, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 2 December 2019

Skepta turned Olympia from home of horse shows to rave venue ...

Caravan Palace: O2 Brixton, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 3 February 2020

IF YOU WANT TO ANNOY CARAVAN PALACE, call them electro-swing. When the French band launched in the late Noughties, they were leaders of a scene ...

Celeste: Not Your Muse (Polydor)

Review by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 31 January 2021

ANOINTED BY the Brit awards as 2020’s rising star, Celeste hasn’t lived up to the hype. ...

Rag'n'Bone Man: Back from the brink

Profile and Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 7 February 2021

The singer tells Lisa Verrico why he went to Nashville to reinvent his bluesman image. ...

Why technology is making record companies richer

Comment by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 21 February 2021

It should give artists control, but the major labels are more powerful than ever. ...

The Go-Betweens, Tracey Thorn: Tracey Thorn's new book, My Rock 'n' Roll Friend, is settling scores for women

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 28 March 2021

The pop star turned author on her memoir of the Go-Betweens drummer Lindy Morrison ...

Caroline Polachek: Roundhouse, NW1

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 29 October 2021

Spooky singalongs from a cult indie star ...

Glass Animals: The Oxford band that made it to No 1 in America

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 14 March 2022

THE GROUP has topped the US charts with a song they released two years ago. ...

Michael Kiwanuka: O2 Academy, Glasgow

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 9 May 2022

MICHAEL KIWANUKA began this tour two years and two months ago. Just three dates in, acute laryngitis forced him off stage in Bournemouth before Covid ...

Lil Nas X: Eventim Apollo, London

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 14 November 2022

LIL NAS X will for ever be famous as the first pop star to spring from TikTok. It was there, in 2019, that his country-meets-trap ...

Lewis Capaldi: "I didn't expect my life to be so sad"

Interview by Lisa Verrico, The Sunday Times, 1 April 2023

In this soul-baring interview the superstar-next-door reveals why his fragile mental health may force him to quit. ...

Burna Boy: London Stadium

Live Review by Lisa Verrico, The Times, 4 June 2023

A historic, spiritual experience that didn't skimp on sex ...

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