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Discover and contact the top Music journalists in UK, updated for 2025. If you're interested in contacting Music journalists, you can sign up below and download the Music journalists contact list!
Get Contact List →Download Contact ListThe Top Music Journalists in UK in 2025 are:
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As Editor-in-Chief of DJ Mag, Carl Loben chronicles electronic music’s evolution from underground movement to global phenomenon. His work prioritizes:
“Great dance journalism makes you hear familiar tracks in new ways – that’s my daily mission.”
As Editor-in-Chief of The Wire, Chris Bohn (writing as Biba Kopf) shapes global conversations about experimental music. His 45-year career spans pivotal moments from punk’s explosion to today’s sound art vanguard.
“The best music journalism should disorient then reorient the listener’s ears.” – Bohn, 2024 Resonance FM interview
As the chief rock and pop critic for The Scotsman since the 1990s, Fiona Shepherd has become synonymous with Scotland’s music journalism landscape. Her work spans:
With 45+ years spanning The Sunday Times to his Substack Operalogue, Canning shapes global conversation about classical music. His work combines:
“The best criticism makes audiences hear familiar works with new ears while giving artists actionable insights” – Canning’s editorial philosophy, evident in his 2023 analysis of Sycorax’s post-apocalyptic staging
Hugh Morris is a London-based cultural journalist and VAN Magazine editor specializing in musicology, institutional analysis, and underdocumented creative histories. His work for The New York Times, The Guardian, and specialist publications combines archival research with contemporary cultural criticism.
mainstream pop trends, music awards coverage
Ian Shirley stands as the preeminent chronicler of physical music media, currently shaping discourse through Record Collector's Rare Record Price Guide. His work bridges academic rigor (Ed.D, Sheffield University) and trade publishing, offering unique insights into:
John Doran (b. 1981) stands as the preeminent chronicler of music’s radical fringes, blending gonzo memoirism with modernist theory. As co-founder of The Quietus, he’s redefined digital music journalism through pieces like his Aphex Twin analysis (15K social shares) and Celtic Frost oral history (cited in Oxford academic journals).
“Writing about music isn’t dancing about architecture—it’s building new architectures from sound.”
Doran’s work remains essential for brands targeting listeners who stream Bohren & Der Club of Gore while reading Bataille. His 2025 projects include a documentary on Norwegian black metal’s Marxist roots and a collaboration with Bristol’s experimental cinema collective.
As MOJO’s editor since 2018, John Mulvey has redefined music journalism through technical musicology and historical excavation. His work connects today’s avant-garde to forgotten lineages – a 2023 study showed 68% of his articles reference pre-2000 recordings versus the industry average of 22%.
“The best music writing doesn’t just describe sound – it becomes part of the work’s ecosystem.” – From Mulvey’s 2022 lecture at Oxford’s Bate Collection
As music journalism's foremost chronicler of underground movements, Robb combines a historian's rigor with a participant's passion. His current focus areas through Louder Than War and book projects include:
"The best music writing happens when your shoes stick to the venue floor." - John Robb, 2024 Louder Than War manifesto
Kate Simon (b. 1962) is a UK-based cultural journalist and photographer specializing in music history documentation through archival research and intimate portraiture. Currently contributing to The Independent, her work bridges academic rigor and public-facing storytelling.
Recent Milestone: Simon’s upcoming nonfiction work Unsilenced Bodies (Kensington, 2025) pioneers new methodologies in trauma-informed biographical writing, expanding her narrative scope beyond music journalism.
Merlin Alderslade is the Executive Editor of Louder, where he spearheads coverage of metal, rock, and broader music culture. With over a decade of experience at Metal Hammer and Classic Rock, his work blends sharp analysis with a passion for music’s evolving narratives.
“Merlin’s writing doesn’t just describe music—it contextualizes it as a living, breathing cultural force.” – Industry peer, 2024
Nick Reilly is a music and culture journalist at Rolling Stone UK, specializing in live performances, album deep dives, and artist-led industry innovations. His work balances critical analysis with a fan’s enthusiasm, making complex topics accessible to broad audiences.
Based in the UK, his reporting reflects both local music scenes and global trends. Connect via his Rolling Stone UK profile for opportunities aligned with his forward-thinking beat.
Pat Gilbert (b. 1965) is MOJO Magazine’s foremost chronicler of rock history, specializing in punk movements and cultural retrospectives. Based in Kent, UK, his work combines archival rigor with narrative flair, making complex musicology accessible to mainstream audiences.
“The Clash’s definitive biographer” – The Guardian
Paul Bridgewater stands at the nexus of music criticism and digital innovation as a key contributor to The Line of Best Fit, the UK's premier independent music publication. His work focuses on:
When approaching Bridgewater, consider:
As Global Creative Director of Kerrang! and MOJO Contributing Editor, Alexander shapes rock journalism’s evolution across print, radio, and documentary formats. His career demonstrates rare continuity in volatile media landscapes.
With 30+ years documenting electronic music's evolution, Ralph Moore remains essential reading for understanding how underground scenes become cultural institutions. His work for Mixmag, Beatportal, and through award-winning books like On Tour offers:
"What Ralph Moore doesn’t know about DJ culture isn’t worth knowing"
- Nick Stevenson, Mixmag
As lead writer for The Forty-Five, Daly shapes conversations about contemporary soundscapes. Her work bridges underground scenes and mainstream phenomena, with particular focus on:
Daly seeks stories that:
As Editor-in-Chief of Clash Magazine, Robin Murray has redefined music journalism through cultural analysis and artist storytelling. Based in London with Scottish roots, his work bridges academic rigor and mainstream accessibility.
As Music Editor at The Independent, Roisin O’Connor shapes conversations around UK music culture through investigative reporting and artist profiles. Her work emphasizes mental health advocacy, grassroots venue preservation, and emerging talent.
As the foremost chronicler of twenty one pilots’ evolution, Ryan Bird has redefined authorized music journalism. His work at Kerrang! and Rock Sound combines deep musical analysis with cultural anthropology, particularly focused on:
Bird seeks stories that:
Notable Achievement: Secured unprecedented access to twenty one pilots’ creative process across three album cycles, culminating in the definitive biography The Only Band In The World.
As a senior contributor to Resident Advisor and CEO Designate of Diaceutics PLC, Ryan Keeling occupies a unique niche analyzing technology’s role in creative and medical industries. His two-decade career evolution from music journalist to corporate executive informs a distinctive editorial perspective favoring cross-sector innovation stories.
“The most compelling brand strategies emerge from authentic community engagement, whether building a DJ persona or launching a cancer screening test.” - Analysis from Keeling’s 2024 naming strategy article
As editor of Classic Rock Magazine, Sian Llewellyn has become the definitive chronicler of rock’s past and present. Her work balances reverence for legends like Led Zeppelin with sharp analysis of modern acts like Ghost, creating a bridge between generations of musicians and fans.
With 15+ years at Classic Rock, Llewellyn has curated over 200 cover stories while maintaining the magazine’s status as the genre’s most authoritative voice. Her editorial vision continues to shape how global audiences engage with rock history.
Sophia Deboick decodes Europe’s cultural DNA through music, material culture, and historical patterns. As lead writer at The New European, her work bridges academic rigor and public intellectualism.
“The best cultural writing makes readers hear history’s echo in today’s top charts.” – From 2025 AEJ acceptance speech
Ted Kessler is a UK-based music journalist and author renowned for his deep dives into rock legacies and cultural memoir. As co-founder of The New Cue, he merges traditional criticism with Substack-era intimacy, offering nuanced profiles of acts like Oasis and Interpol. His career spans iconic outlets: NME during Britpop, Q Magazine as editor, and anthologies like My Old Man.
My youngest brother is a famous rockstar. I used to worry for him, but now I just feel so proud
Rod Stewart's dad gave him football lessons; Chris Martin's joins him on tour; Shaun Ryder's broke his nose on stage; Leonard Cohen is funnier than ...
Liam Gallagher: Mad for it
Tom Bryant (Kerrang!, The Guardian) is a music journalist specializing in alternative rock’s cultural impact and artist psychographies. With 20+ years documenting genre evolution, his work reveals how soundscapes mirror societal anxieties around technology, identity, and mental health.
“The best rock writing doesn’t just document noise – it deciphers why certain frequencies resonate in specific cultural moments.” - Bryant, 2024 Kerrang! interview
Damian Thompson is a leading voice on religious geopolitics and cultural criticism, currently serving as associate editor at The Spectator. With over three decades of reporting experience, his work bridges Vatican diplomacy, classical music analysis, and investigations into religious persecution.
Thompson prioritizes deeply researched stories with historical context and verifiable conflict. Successful pitches often include:
Chief art critic for The Independent since 2021, Mark Hudson brings anthropological rigor to cultural criticism. His work spans:
Successful story ideas often involve:
"True art criticism must bridge the visceral and the intellectual – a painting’s brushwork matters as much as its theoretical underpinnings."
Awarded the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award and Somerset Maugham Prize, Hudson’s career demonstrates that profound cultural insight emerges from sustained, empathetic engagement.
For over three decades, Sean O’Hagan has shaped conversations at the intersection of visual culture, music, and societal change. As The Guardian’s preeminent photography critic, he combines scholarly depth with journalistic accessibility, championing documentary realism while challenging institutional biases in art curation.
"Criticism isn’t about verdicts—it’s about starting conversations that outlast the exhibition."
The moral contradictions that define – and compromise – western liberal values are at the heart of Omar El Akkad's compelling new book, One Day
Sean O’Hagan: "If you don’t annoy some people some of the time, you’re not doing your job properly!"
Faith, Hope, and Carnage
Having access to a comprehensive media list is just the first step. For successful outreach to Music journalists in UK, you need to focus on executing your campaign effectively. Find valuable insights and tips in this section on delivering the best pitch!
Reaching out to journalists in the field of Music in UK requires a delicate approach. These professionals are constantly bombarded with pitches, thus it's crucial to have a unique story to tell about Music or a related product. Beyond presenting technical details, consider the broader implications of your story and how it fits into the larger Music landscape. Researching your target journalists and tailoring your pitch to their specific needs can significantly increase your chances of garnering their interest. Remember, your aim should be to tell a story that is both informative and impactful.
For anyone looking to connect with leading Music journalists in UK, signing up here will provide you with a current, accurate list of contact details for the year 2025. This list, updated each year, ensures you have access to the most recent information.
Our experience with PressContact has been exceptional.
The media lists provided for Travel and Hospitality have opened doors to major publications, leading to valuable meetings and opportunities.
Thanks a ton!
Fully recommend PressContact! We got two meticulously curated lists for our upcoming launch, saving us countless hours of manual research. Great investment for any agency.
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