NME is 60 years old… would you believe it?! To celebrate we got hold of some of our biggest stars to appear on eight brand new covers that’ll stop you in your tracks. Join the Arctic Monkeys, Patti Smith, the Manics, John Lydon, Brandon Flowers, Weller, Noel and Liam (separately, of course) as they remember their love/hate relationships with the world’s greatest music paper. We dig into the archives to bring you some of our finest and most hilarious (Cilla Black on the cover?) moments throughout our infamous history. PLUS! There is arather special exclusive in the form of a copy of the first ever issue of the New Musical Express! Compare and contrast.

We went to Cologne in Germany to find out how Muse are getting on ahead of their arena gigs later this year. But that’s not all – we’ve only gone and reviewed the new Muse album too. Having all the information on Muse’s record and live show we are fully prepared to answer all your questions. When it comes to rock, howmuch dubstep is too much dubstep? Does Chris sing? Is there… A SPACESHIP? We boldy go where no magazine has gone before.

Thought you knew all about French music? Well get this: it’s not just the territory of Celine Dion. Melody’s Echo Chamber is a more wistful Tame Impala and is set to give his trippy opus a run for its money.

Jazz, prog, psychedelia… John Coltrane’s nephew Flying Lotus is releasing his fourth album and NME have awarded it amighty 9 out of 10. It might have something to do with some sounds that might be less expected in modern music today – “monkey cries… shrieks…” Do read on.

Bored of muddy fields? Sick of Portaloo queues? Maybe you’ll be game for this brand new weekender taking place in the strange yet scenic Welsh town of Portmeirion. NME slums it (hardly, there were sunsets… on a bay) to enjoy memorable performances from Richard Hawley, Palma Violets and Primal Scream.

Where would you be without our handy, must-have listings guide telling you everything you must never ever miss in live music? We tip the upcoming Plan B dates while also reminding you to get down to Jake Bugg, Azealia Banks and the legendary Warehouse Project this week.

Has making blissed-out electronica that nods to the English Riviera totally obliterated Joe Mount’s memory? The answer is: not really. He seems to remember some impressive facts about Sophie Ellis Bextor’s previous career.

NME.COM blogs contain the opinions of the individual writer and not necessarily those of NME magazine or NME.COM.