Louder: He’s Ringo. And nobody else is.
Plus: Oasis, Ozzy, Lorde and more
Louder
July 6, 2025

Apologies for the late Louder this week, I was in a time warp (a.k.a. a conference room covering the Sean Combs trial) and lost track of the calendar. But we are now just one day away from the milestone driving our Arts & Leisure cover story: Ringo Starr’s 85th birthday. He is the first Beatle to reach that age, and as he and Paul McCartney have grown older together, their relationship has deepened. Lindsay Zoladz has the story — interviews with both Beatles, and more of Starr’s admirers — as she explores his latest chapters in a lovely profile.

There were two major live events in England this weekend: Oasis’s first show in 16 years, and Ozzy Osbourne’s final performances solo and with Black Sabbath. Jon Caramanica provided a sharp take on the Gallagher brothers’ return, and Alex Marshall surveyed the scene, which was rife with bucket hats. Hank Shteamer gave us highlights from the Osbourne sets (at an all-star festival called Back to the Beginning) and testimonials about the rocker’s influence from Lars Ulrich, Lita Ford, Billy Corgan, Rob Halford and Tommy Lee.

Jon also reviewed the latest from Lorde, while Jon Pareles spent his Fourth of July selecting 10 of the week’s most notable new tracks. (He also provided a fabulous Amplifier playlist for the fireworks.) And Bob Mehr profiled Neil Sedaka, who’s been taking the stage to celebrate his decades-old resurrection.

A view of a and on a large stadium stage, with video screens behind it.

The New York Times

Live Review

Oasis Reunites, Its Songs Still Stomping and Wounds Still Healing

The British band, a showcase for the intoxicating but toxic chemistry of the brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, performed for the first time in 16 years.

By Jon Caramanica

How Oasis Stayed on People’s Minds (by Fighting Online)

The band hasn’t played a show since 2009, but the quarreling Gallaghers kept their names in the news by mastering the art of the troll, on social media and beyond.

By Chris DeVille

Ozzy Osbourne sits on a throne and gestures at a microphone onstage.

Ross Halfin

Ozzy Osbourne Plays His ‘Final Song’ With Black Sabbath

The metal luminary, 76, took the stage with his original bandmates at a farewell festival in his Birmingham, England, hometown on Saturday night.

By Hank Shteamer

Ozzy Osbourne, in a black and white photo from the 1970s, smiling, wearing sunglasses, his fingers in a peace sign.

Chris Walter/WireImage, via Getty Images

5 Musicians on Why Ozzy Osbourne Is Genuine Metal Royalty

As the Prince of Darkness prepares for his final concert with Black Sabbath, admirers including Lars Ulrich, Lita Ford and Billy Corgan extol his virtues.

By Hank Shteamer

THE CRITICS

Lorde, her voluminous hair in motion, opens her mouth and sings into a microphone.

Album Review

Is Lorde Finally Done With the Spotlight?

Her fourth album, “Virgin,” is her most erratic and least convincing. But the pop skeptic has a new target: herself.

By Jon Caramanica

A blond woman in white lingerie stands with her hands on her hips.

The Playlist

Kesha Seeks a Chaotic Love, and 9 More New Songs

Hear tracks by Foo Fighters, Ethel Cain, Tyler Childers and others.

By Jon Pareles

Tracy Chapman plays an acoustic guitar onstage, wearing a black shirt and dark pants.

10 Songs of Rebellion and Defiance for the Fourth

Tracy Chapman, Björk, Public Enemy and more songs for rabble-rousing and celebrating revolution.

By Jon Pareles

JAZZ

Article Image

Dante Zaballa

5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Art Blakey

Dig into 13 tracks from this influential drummer and bandleader, chosen by writers and musicians including several former members of his band, the Jazz Messengers.

By Giovanni Russonello

FEATURES

Neil Sedaka Executed One of Pop’s Great Comebacks. Now, He Just Plays.

At 86, the singer and songwriter is seeing his albums reissued as he occasionally takes the stage to celebrate his decades-old resurrection.

By Bob Mehr

Beyoncé’s Hometown Throwdown

The superstar’s Cowboy Carter Tour arrived in Houston over the weekend, and fans once again dressed in their sparkly country finest.

THE SEAN COMBS TRIAL

Sean Combs, in a white shirt and jacket and sunglasses, with a diamond cross on a diamond chain.

Angela Weiss/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Alternate Juror at the Sean Combs Trial: ‘I Understand’ the Verdict

A Manhattan man who did not deliberate but heard all 28 days of testimony said in an interview that he was not persuaded by the prosecution’s case.

By Ben Sisario

A man in a beard and a black tuxedo poses, solemnly.

John Shearer/Getty Images

Sean Combs Faces Not Just a Sentencing, but a Host of Civil Cases

The music mogul, convicted on lesser charges at his federal trial, has been accused of sexually assaulting people in dozens of suits. He has denied the allegations.

By Michaela Towfighi and Julia Jacobs

NEWS

Jay-Z, in a suit.

Judge Dismisses Jay-Z’s Suit Against Lawyer He Said Extorted Him

Lawyers for the rapper had accused Tony Buzbee of making false assault claims. Another federal suit Jay-Z has filed against Mr. Buzbee and his client continues.

By Matt Stevens

A woman standing atop a platform near a ladder.

Maddy Rotman for The New York Times

She Thought Lady Gaga Bought Her Art. Then Things Got Strange.

The artist Emma Webster was excited when it appeared the pop star wanted to buy one of her artworks. But it was an impostor and she has asked the F.B.I. for help.

By Robin Pogrebin

OBITUARY

A black-and-white photo of two formally dressed young men sitting next to each other on a sofa. The man on the left is smoking a cigarette and has a saxophone and a flute on his lap.

Lalo Schifrin, 93, Dies; Composer of ‘Mission: Impossible’ and Much More

He was best known for one enduring TV theme, but he had a startlingly diverse career as a composer, arranger and conductor in a wide range of genres.

By Jeré Longman