Alexis Petridis is an English music journalist best known as the head rock and pop critic for The Guardian, a position that has made him one of the most influential critical voices in contemporary music writing. Born in Sunderland in 1971 and of Greek descent, he grew up in Yorkshire and later Buckinghamshire before studying at the University of Cambridge, where he began writing for the student newspaper Varsity. His early career included serving as the final editor of the iconic music magazine Select, a publication that shaped British music culture in the 1990s.

Over the years, Petridis has built a reputation for sharp analysis, cultural insight, and a distinctive critical voice that blends wit with deep musical knowledge. Beyond his music criticism, he has contributed to GQ and written columns for The Guardian’s fashion and “Lost in Showbiz” sections, showcasing his versatility across cultural journalism. His work extends beyond journalism: he served as the ghostwriter for Elton John’s bestselling 2019 autobiography Me, a project that further cemented his standing in the entertainment world.

Petridis has received numerous accolades, including winning “Record Reviews Writer of the Year” eight consecutive times at the Record of the Day Awards (2005–2012), as well as additional honors for feature writing and music journalism excellence. In 2017, he was awarded a Fellowship by Leeds College of Music in recognition of his contributions to the fieldWikipedia. Today, he remains a defining figure in British music criticism, shaping how audiences understand and engage with new music across genres.