Jamie is swinging his hammer on the chain gang – but Mrs Overall just swings

With more than 681 events on the programme this year, the Brighton Fringe has had to get creative with venues. There’s a wealth of site-specific work on offer, from plays in an old prison cell to dance works at the swimming pool.

Michele Stodart has decided to stepaway from a successful band to make a country-themed album. By Gillian Orr

Note to self

A couple of years ago, on an evening that I was regrettably absent from, a few friends of mine ended up partying with Andrew W.K. If you’re familiar with the 32-year-old rock star/celebrated hedonist/motivational speaker, you’ll know that this is a big deal. A very big deal. Because no-one parties quite like Andrew W.K. The man has made it his mission to party; it’s his religion. Why just live, when you can party?

They were the “future of music”, the band with a quote for every occasion who would revive Britpop’s stadium-filling glory days.

Another young singer-songwriter, another break-up album – though unlike For Emma... the cause of Henson's sorrow remains nameless.

As austerity bites, the temples of culture will have to change and be at the centre of communities, says Nicholas Kenyon

As austerity bites, the temples of culture will have to change, says Nicholas Kenyon

Tuesday's awards ceremony was anodyne and uncomfortable. Andy Gill offers his 20-point plan to inject a bit of danger back into the show

Every now and then, if you’re very lucky, you get to witness a live performance that blows everything else away. A gig that’s so inspiring it leaves you with a lasting smile etched on your face and a burning desire to download every track the artist has ever recorded. Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce Vieux Farka Touré.

Notes from the day the music died

I knew when I quoted Chris Keates saying last year's teachers' union ballot on pensions proved her union was the biggest in the land, that would not be an end of the matter.