Decade Guides

A decade-by-decade journey through British music from 1952 to today. Full features with key moments, artists, and cultural context.

📻

1950s

The 1950s: The Birth of British Pop

Skiffle, the first charts, and the birth of the teenager

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🎸

1960s

The 1960s: Britain Rules the World

The Beatles, the British Invasion, and the Summer of Love

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1970s

The 1970s: Glam, Punk, and Prog

Bowie, Queen, the Sex Pistols, and prog rock excess

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💿

1980s

The 1980s: New Wave, Live Aid, and the CD Revolution

New Romantics, Band Aid, and the second British Invasion

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🇬🇧

1990s

The 1990s: Britpop, Rave, and Girl Power

Oasis vs Blur, the Spice Girls, and Cool Britannia

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📱

2000s

The 2000s: Indie, iPods, and Industry Meltdown

Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse, and the death of the single

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🎧

2010s

The 2010s: Streaming, Grime, and Adele

Adele's 21, Stormzy at Glastonbury, and the Spotify era

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🌍

2020s

The 2020s: Lockdown, TikTok, and the Streaming Wars

Sam Fender, RAYE, Fred again.., and music in a pandemic world

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