Classic Pop, a UK magazine devoted exclusively to the global phenomenon of 80s music, is celebrating a publishing milestone with the release of its 100th issue.
Published by independent Bath-based media company Anthem Publishing, Classic Pop first hit the shelves in October 2012, championing some of the very best in pop and chart music. The magazine has built a reputation for its journalism, offering exclusive interviews, in-depth features, news and extensive album and live reviews. Covering artists from the late-70s post-punk era through to the defining sounds of 80s synth-pop, New Romanticism, ska, indie, dance and 90s guitar bands, Classic Pop has access to the stars of the era – sharing their stories, memories and behind-the-scenes insights with its readership.
To mark its landmark 100th edition, the publisher says the January 2026 issue (on sale 4th December) reveals The Top 100 Pop Albums, as selected by the Classic Pop editorial team plus a lineup of contributors featuring Duran Duran’s John Taylor, Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley, Heaven 17’s Martyn Ware, ABC’s Martin Fry, Nick Heyward, Betty Boo and Sparks.
According to the publisher, the celebratory issue includes an expanded 16-page pagination increase and a £1 cover price uplift, offering readers more premium content.
Steve Harnell, senior editor of Classic Pop, said: "We’re delighted to reach our 100th issue landmark. It’s a testament to the hard work of Classic Pop’s team as well as the support of our loyal readership who have been with us from the very start, more than a decade ago. When Classic Pop was first conceived, our ethos was to celebrate pop that had slipped through the cracks of the traditional rock focused music press or not been given its due respect. We wanted to write about our favourite pop artists and bands with the same seriousness accorded to the likes of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Radiohead elsewhere.
“We’re known for our world exclusive interviews, and we’ve welcomed many huge names into the pages of Classic Pop. Cover stars in recent years have included Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode and Eurythmics as well as the equally iconic Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, The Human League and Tears For Fears.
“Befitting such a landmark, we pulled out all the stops for our 100th issue and are sure our Top 100 Pop Albums countdown will provide a talking point for readers. It’s an early Christmas present for any discerning pop fan."
Katherine Raderecht, Publisher, added: “The 80s were a vibrant, transformative time in music, and many of the era’s artists continue to record, tour, and connect with fans old and new. That enduring appeal is reflected in Classic Pop’s success. This year, we increased our print frequency from bimonthly to monthly in response to strong reader and advertiser demand. We also relaunched classicpopmag.com - which has seen year-on-year active users up 45% and page views up 35% - while our highly engaged social media community now totals over 86,000 followers (up 4%). I’m delighted that Classic Pop continues to excite, inspire, and engage audiences in the UK and around the world.”
The 100th issue of Classic Pop is available now at newsagents and online.
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