WILL STONE fact-checks the colourful life of Ozzy Osbourne
A rapturous finale saves Marr’s bacon
[Victor Frankowski] 
JAMES CROSSLEY applauds a lucid biography of the German radical preacher who reemerged as a hero in the GDR
Prizes all round: the Bard hands plaudits to the Miners Gala, OT&JC, Joe Solo, Black Sabbath’s frontman and the Lionesses
Star cartoonist JAMIE BRITTON is in awe of a graphic novel of epic proportions that explores class, religion and globalisation via the strange cultivation of Ginseng in the US Midwest
GUILLERMO THOMAS is intrigued by a history of the Middle East that demonstrates how promising post colonial beginnings were snuffed out by Western imperialist interests
MARIA DUARTE recommends the intricate study of a high-performance and highly dysfuntional German family
Meltdown Festival
Johnny Marr
Royal Festival Hall
★★★
Musician, guitarist, songwriter, singer, NME godlike genius, Johnny Marr has many strings to his bow and at a memorable Meltdown gig sprinkles his 19-strong set with songs from his long, illustrious career.
Opening with The Tracers from 2018 album Call the Comet, Marr’s immediately into full throttle getting the best from his guitar while behind him the band keep the rhythm and beat. The audience is however appreciative rather than adoring.
Then, as Marr launches into the opening of The Smiths’ Bigmouth Strikes Again, they jump to their feet as if welcoming an old friend. It’s the first of seven Smiths tracks that pepper the night.
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