Graeme Thomson

I agree with pop’s war on iPhones – but King Canute might want a word

Phone-banning is an entirely understandable attempt by artists to reassert their status. But the ship has sailed – pop gigs are now about the audience not the artist

Many artists no longer play new material live for fear that it will be instantly splashed over the internet, sounding as though is has been put through a washing machine. Image: Orbon Alija
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The Foreign Secretary David Lammy will touch down in Beijing next week to pay his respects. Next year, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, is expected to do the same. We haven’t seen this level of deference to the Chinese Communist party since 2019. Back then, Philip Hammond heaped praise on his hosts. He endorsed their Belt

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