Welcome to the Kaleidiscope blog, discussing music past and present. The blog is an attempt to promote discourse about music between generations.
In our blogs we will review new music, do deep dives into classic pop songs, among many other things. If you want to stay up-to-date with the best new releases, the latest controversies and occasionally take a trip down memory lane, then this blog is for you!
A Night Out with… Morrissey
The pre-match talk concerned two main topics: would he play many old Smiths songs and whether we would have to endure a support act. Thankfully, both questions were more than adequately resolved.
A Night Out with… Durand Jones & The Indications
Valentine’s Day in Paris did not disappoint as Indiana soul revivalists Durand Jones & The Indications performed in front of a raucous Paris crowd. Drummer/singer Aaron Frazer went so far as to call it a ‘hometown gig’ to thunderous applause.
A Night Out with… Raye
About three years ago I saw an up-and-coming Raye support SZA on her European tour. On Wednesday, the South London artist performed a fabulous live show for a sold out Hallenstadion in Zürich. In 2026, Raye is ready to establish herself as one of pop’s shining lights.
The Art of the Cover
Song covers can be very boring (Tom Waits even used the label ‘antiseptic’ for the Eagles’ version of his song “Ol’ 55”) and they can be sublime - especially when they add another layer to the song and when the artist doing the cover is able to imprint their own identity on the new version. This blog post shouts out some of the best covers to have graced us over the years, from The Beatles to Elvis Costello.
Who’s Got Something To Say? The Future of Hip-Hop
Despite being as popular as ever among young people, hip-hop’s cultural influence seems to be noticeably waning whilst the genre’s torchbearers are all millennials or older. Where is hip-hop’s next generation? How did we get here and what does the future of hip-hop look like?
25 for ‘25: Kaleidiscope’s Songs of the Year
Here are 25 of our favourite tracks that have accompanied us in 2025. We bet you can figure out which ones Billy and which ones Rich added to the list!
25 for ‘25: Billy’s Albums of the Year
2025 - a great year for hip hop, a disappointing one for indie-rock. This year has been all about listening to new artists and genres and expanding my taste. And on the way I have stumbled upon some really enjoyable albums. So here it is - my top 25 of ‘25!
25 for ‘25: Rich’s Albums of the Year
After the highs of 2024, it was always a big ask to get another year so chock-a-block with excellent music. Nonetheless, great music from legends like Jeff Tweedy, Van Morrison and Matt Berninger as well as breakout records from the likes of S.G. Goodman and Minor Gold made 2025 an enjoyable year. Here are Rich’s top 25 albums of the year.
A Night Out with… Somebody’s Child
Up-and-coming Irish indie rock band Somebody’s Child treated the Zurich audience to a magnificent night out and lived up to high expectations. Led by fantastic frontman Cian Godfrey, the band’s sound was elevated to new heights in the live setting.
A Night Out with… Johnny Marr
Throughout this 90 minute set Johnny proved that it would indeed have been possible to imagine The Smiths without Morrissey’s vocals, distinctive and legendary though they are – for Johnny Marr over the course of his post-Smiths career has turned into a fine and note perfect lead singer, which we were privileged to witness here on a rare visit to Zurich cover.
The Perfect Song #4 - Slide Away - Oasis
Oasis are back! The band that got me into indie rock in the first place have reunited and are back to playing all their classics. It’s high time to give the “Big O” their flowers. And what better way to do so than by bringing back our “The Perfect Song” series?
2025 - The Summer of Neil
Neil Young is showing no signs of slowing down even as he approaches his 80th birthday this November. Let’s show some love to this all-time legend and celebrate his work.
A Night Out with… King Hannah, Nick Cave and Wunderhorse
We were spoiled by not one, not two, but three gigs in three consecutive nights in Zurich, as King Hannah, Nick Cave and Wunderhorse came to town.
The Album Intruders, Ep. 1 - It Ain’t Easy
How often since all those countless albums releases has there been an album with one track on it that doesn’t seem to belong, that is out of kilter with the rest of the album, that needs dumping in order not to interfere with the whole listening experience?
The Return of the Grievous Angel?
As he enters his sixth decade Ryan Adams has ensured that the soul of Gram Parsons lives on in such a way that some of his recorded output could quite easily be imagined as coming from the great man himself.
A Night Out with… Inhaler
Inhaler and Blossoms teamed up to provide an evening of thoroughly enjoyable entertainment as they dazzled the Zürich crowd with their catchy hooks, riffs and licks and irresistible confidence.
The Genreration Game: Dub Poetry / Jazzoetry, Ep. 2
In episode 2 of “The Genreration Game”, our recurring series taking us across time through the lens of a particular musical genre, we take a dive into Black British history. Two artists with different approaches and perspectives - Linton Kwesi Johnson and Anthony Joseph - tell us their stories through poetry backed by reggae (Dub Reggae) and jazz (Jazzoetry) music.
Top 20 Bob Dylan Covers
With A Complete Unknown riding high in the cinema charts it seems an apt time to look into an underappreciated aspect of Bob Dylan’s career - the many covers he inspired.
The Musician as Novelist
Born in that city at the height of the summer of love, Willy Vlautin would go on to be to the 21st century what Dickens was to the 19th, who would relate to us the stories of the real America, of the lost and lonesome, of those plagued by bad luck seeking a way out. He is our generation's Steinbeck and one feels the spirit of a Tom Joad or a Lennie Small in every page of his heartfelt hard-hitting tales.