Bayan Northcott (born 24 April 1940) is an English composer and music critic.
Born in London, he studied English at Oxford University, then taught the subject for six years before taking up music criticism.[1] Later, encouraged by Alexander Goehr and Hans Keller, he took up composition.[1] He was music critic first for the New Statesman, then the Sunday Telegraph followed by The Independent. He also reviews regularly for BBC Music Magazine. He is a director of the independent recording company NMC.