Mikael Wood writes about pop music in all its ever-quickening splendor. Prior to joining the Los Angeles Times in 2012, he was a freelance contributor to Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Spin and the Village Voice. He grew up in Little Rock, Ark., graduated from Northwestern University and knows every word to “Mo Money Mo Problems.” He was named pop music critic in 2016.
Latest From This Author
Ahead of a show with the L.A. Phil at the Hollywood Bowl, Beck takes a look back at his decades-long career.
July 3, 2024
Ahead of a gig at the Wiltern, the members of L.A.’s Diiv talk about their new ‘Frog in Boiling Water’ and a recent viral social-media thread.
June 29, 2024
Sam Beam stops with his band Iron and Wine at the Bellwether in L.A. for shows on Friday and Saturday.
June 27, 2024
Ahead of a SoFi Stadium gig with the Rolling Stones, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter of the War and Treaty talk about finding a home in Nashville.
June 27, 2024
In a year crowded with activity by veteran A-listers, a trio of not-quite-newcomers — Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and Chappell Roan — are making their mark.
June 25, 2024
Touring behind its new album, “Only God Was Above Us,” Vampire Weekend showcases its “proprietary sound” at the Hollywood Bowl.
June 13, 2024
The Eagles announced Thursday that they’ll play eight shows at the Sphere in Las Vegas in September and October.
June 13, 2024
No word yet on who’s set to play California’s annual Stagecoach festival next year. But tickets will go on sale Friday.
June 10, 2024
At 76, veteran music industry executive Irving Azoff is still at it, co-managing his latest client, U2, with his son, Jeffrey, who also manages Harry Styles.
June 9, 2024
Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter — and, of course, “Not Like Us”: Here’s a look at the best songs of 2024 as we approach the year’s halfway mark.
June 7, 2024