Parallel, a club in Amsterdam Noord, is booming. This space is used to the high-octane pulse of techno but tonight, it’s being taken on a different journey: sledgehammer beats give way to Bedouin rhythms, minimal electronica is swapped for riotous Egyptian shaabi edits, Eurodance goes Persian. The energy is frenetic, chaotic even. This is exactly what Moataz Rageb, the night’s organiser, wanted.

When Nintendo launched Super Mario Bros. on the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), it didn’t just reintroduce us to Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and champion the joys of side-scroller – Nintendo was one of the first game publishers to make music an integral part of the gaming experience.

For restful waltzes and sweet symphonies, immerse yourself in the classical music institutions of Europe. We’ve selected a few of the best destinations to do so.*

Nicknamed the ‘Salt Castle’, Salzburg to many, goes by another more musically-oriented name – the ‘City of Mozart’. The city's lasting affinity with music comes courtesy of the widely successful The Sound of Music, but its classical heritage extends far beyond the Von Trapp children. The birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg

Canada has produced a series of world-conquering artists, including Arcade Fire, Joni Mitchell and Drake. With a proud music tradition spanning from alt rock to folk, the Great White North is home to venues with sensational acoustics and electrifying atmospheres. Here are some of the best.

In Montréal, it seems that no institution helps define the city’s live music fabric more than the playfully named Foufounes Éléctriques. It has long been repurposed into different artistic functions; having o

The UK is nothing if not a pioneer in music. And while those plaudits lie mainly with the nation’s bands and artists, the venues that give them their platforms to perform play a crucial role in carving out the UK’s reputation for live music. Grab yourself a drink and some comfortable shoes – these are the UK’s most iconic gig venues.

An iconic art deco music venue, Hammersmith Apollo – now known as Eventim Apollo – is a London institution. Opened in 1932, it has survived multiple name changes a