Q Magazine, in coalition with Fender, has today revealed Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil as the first ever recipient of the Fender Play Award at this year's Q Awards 2018 in association with Absolute Radio.

In the current issue of Q, Mac Miller talks about the records that shaped him, recounting how hearing Outkast's Aquemini aged 12 changed how he thought about music and explaining why Radiohead's In Rainbows made him reconsider how his own records should sound. After the rapper’s tragic death last week, here is Miller's Albums That Changed My Life published online in full.

On Wednesday 10 October, we will host a special, strictly-limited capacity event at The Social, W1, with John Grant. The American singer-songwriter will be talking about the creation of his brilliant new album Love Is Magic, discussing its lyrical themes and how he developed the record’s electronic sound. He will also be fielding questions from the audience. Tickets for this intimate event will go on sale from Dice.FM on Wednesday 26 September, limited to two per person. 

Blossoms shot in Stockport, May 2018 by Simon Sarin. An outtake from their Cash For Questions feature in Q387, available to buy here. 

This month, the landmark album of the year was released: Now That’s What I Call Music! 100. It’s the latest instalment of the hits series that began in 1983 and has frequently outsold all-comers since. Peter Robinson investigates its genesis and our surprisingly enduring love affair with the compilation album.