Guardian Music — This week's playlist slaked a major thirst for beer in song, be it sad, profound, lost or bellowingRR commenter Pairubu, who suggested this topic, sings the praises of beer, "the most convivial of drinks". Yet our request last week for your favourite... more info

Guardian Music — (PIAS)To paraphrase the Manic Street Preachers: if you tolerate Mumford & Sons, then Skinny Lister will be next. You see, this five-piece folk act love a good hoedown and wouldn't say no to the odd sea shanty, either. They've been mentioned in th... more info

LargeHeartedBoy — The Guardian reviews James Fearnley's memoir, Here Comes Everybody: The Story of the Pogues. Book Riot's new feature "Growing Up With" links picture books, middle reader, and teen books by theme or concept. The first entry is on robots. Fictionaut... more info

Guardian Music — A memoir of the Pogues and their self-destructive frontmanLast year, the interiors magazine Livingetc offered its readers a feature on Christmas decorations. One suggestion was that they fix a chalkboard sticker to the wall and write festive lyrics o... more info

Guardian Music — Who needs Glasto? We have 12 good reasons why 2012's festival season will be one to rememberMADCHESTER RAVES ONThe reformation of baggy heroes the Stone Roses to play T in the Park and V (as well as their own Manchester shows) is the story of the sum... more info

Guardian Music — The hard rocker has handpicked a veteran Dutch post-punk group to open for him at Hammersmith. Is this the strangest support choice ever?Sometimes, even in music, it's wiser to go with your head than your heart. The big romantic gesture is all very w... more info

Guardian Music — Regular host Alexis Petridis is somewhere across the Atlantic this week, so Kieran Yatesis joined by Michael Hann, who exclusively reveals what he used to wear at funk gigs as a young man. Jude Rogers is our guest.James Fearnely, accordion player fo... more info

Guardian Music — Finally, a folk troupe whose bonhomie doesn't make us wretch. Think of them as the Pogues with good teethHometown: London.The lineup: Daniel Heptinstall (songwriter, vocals, stomp box, acoustic guitar), Lorna Thomas (vocals, ukelele), Maxwell Thomas ... more info

Guardian Music — City Halls, GlasgowWhat a pity we don't hear Richard Ayres in the UK more often. Since moving to the Netherlands in the late 80s – he went to study with Louis Andriessen and ended up staying – he has made his musical home on the continent, but re... more info

Guardian Music — Our critics' picks of this week's openings, plus your last chance to see and what to book now• Which cultural events are in your diary this week? Tell us in the comments belowOpening this week TheatreRomeo and Juliet in BaghdadShakespeare's epic lo... more info