Cryptic crossword No 1,741

Cor blimey, even your special instructions made me quake. Very tricky; very clever. Ta for the band nudge – newly tremendous to me. What have I been doing with my time? 1a did make me think we might be looking for Ian Dury. But no! I have to admit I had to reveal 1a and 6a to get anywhere close to the program. And 9a certainly needed a Google. But the letter switching got (slightly!) easier. This definitely made me work, hard. Oof. I’m still a tad stunned – in a good way. mf

Ha, that was fun! Such 'tricksy nonsense' is right up my strasse. I knew *of* the thematic group rather than knowing them (but listening now!) ... Loved 1a, 4a, 12a (too me far too long), 15a, 28d and 29d. And that's the second of yours on the trot that I thought was less tough than I expected – maybe I'm getting on your wavelength *shudder* 😆

Nice one Fez - I know and like the group, although didn't spot anything until the grid was filled, and even then I wondered if it was a coincidence until I had the forehead-slap moment! I did need to remind myself of their discography to follow the final instructions (I only really know their first two) but that's fair game in these sorts of puzzles. The grid is of course the star, but I particularly liked 20a and 14d.

Enjoyed that. Didn't get far on first pass, but feel into place at second sitting. Liked 15a, 32a, 4d, 14d amongst others.

It's finally happened - I recognised the theme and it was actually a big help with the solve! Loved this one, Fez! Spoilers in reply...

Wow! That was something else Fez! Wasn’t sure how I’d go at first but once realised what was going on got there in the end! What a construction! favourites included 22a, 24a 😆 3d, 14d, 29d. Very impressive. Only familiar with a couple of songs, but will check out some more now!

Goodness me! And I get told I produce complicated clues! Some of these were opening up a Russian doll and finding an onion to be peeled inside. All wrapped up inside an enigma inside a ... Another truly remarkable gridfill and other cunning stuff in abundance and that's before we even get to the clues! Bit of a cop out, I know, but I really can't pick top clues as it was all pretty stunning. Some very 'Fezzy' constructions but all acceptable in the circumstances. Thanks. PM

Wonderful cluing. Theme completely passed me by but that's usual for anything in the last millennium! 16a, 3d, 18d, and 23d the favourites. Agree with Dave re 7d but no other real quibbles... thanks!

Brilliant stuff, Fez! Not a lot to add to earlier comments. I’m not familiar with the theme but I guessed the plain sight album and Googled! Had to reveal 9a about 75% in, but that just about got me to the end. The grid-fill is the star but I’ll also pick out 15a, 32a, 4d, 11d for podium places.

Thanks Fez. I got through most of this but the theme was way beyond my orbit, not an unusual thing for me. I liked many of the clues including 12a, 15a, 32a, 6d, 23d, and 29d.

Thanks Fez, I enjoyed this a lot but I wish you committed a bit more to the theme 😄. No idea about the theme but this will spur me to give them a listen. Favourite clues were 19a (nice subtle shift of definition to make the surface work), 20a, 30a, 4d, 7d, 14d (didn't actually solve this, very well hidden) and 28d (excellent).

Sorry to be late, Fez, but I started this when you posted and have just retired with hurt pride, but seriously impressed! (Not surprising seeing what others have said). What you have done is extraordinary. 4a, with just 3 letters, clued in 11 words, incorporating tricksy devices AND a theme (including an unlikely album title) and a a novel definition, really set a high bar when lesser mortals would have gone for one of several simple letter deletion options. Enjoying the NHO group!

Brilliant work!