GIG REVIEW: Robyn at The 02

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Friday 2 July, tour runs through 24 November 2026

Setlist: Blow My Mind; Fembot; Talk To Me; Hang With Me; Ever Again; Dopamine; Honey; Life: Love Is Free; Sexistential; Really Real; Love Kills; Be Mine; It Don’t Mean A Thing; Sucker For Love; Light Up; With Every Heartbeat; Missing U; Call Your Girlfriend; Dancing On My Own; Show Me Love

Prince’s Little Red Corvette plays throughout this 20,000 capacity venue as all 5 ft 3 inches of Robin Miriam Carlsson, better known as Robyn, prepares to take the stage for her biggest London gig yet.

  • Read on for reasons including what are the results of switching up to arenas with an album designed to remind of the Body Talk era
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Danceteria by Soft Cell (July 2026)

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Danceteria is the name of the New York nightclub where Soft Cell‘s young Marc Almond and Dave Ball would party until the small hours after recording sessions for their 1981 debut LP Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret.

  • Read on for reasons including Almond’s thoughts on the upcoming final album and its Madonna link
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SONG OF THE WEEK: Emotionally Unavailable by Suede (week beginning Sunday 28 June 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Next month the LP which won our monsta for Best Album of 2025 – Antidepressants by Suede – is released in an expanded version and this is 1 of the new tracks featured on it.

  • Read on for reasons including where to see Suede on tour with the Manic Street Preachers this year
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The B-52s and DEVO Cosmic De-evolution Tour, The O2, London with The Rezillos & Lene Lovich

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By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Saturday 20 June, tour runs through 31 October 2026

Not being a fan of The O2 at dizzying heights, we managed to get arena floor seats and after some argy-bargy with the security (removing high-up signs), we managed to get fantastic views, despite being a seated gig. I think the special early bar helped with that, to be honest. 

  • Read on for reasons including how love rules at the Love Shack
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OMD, Peter Hook and the Light & Andrew Cushin at Guild Hall, Southampton

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By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: 19 June 2026 and touring through 1 September 2026

Loved their early singles, liked most of the later ones, so why haven’t we been to see them before? We love Andy McCluskey when he appears as any talking head, so we knew we’d love them on stage.

  • Read on for reasons including Orchestral Manoeuvres in the sunset, rather than the dark
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THEATRE REVIEW: Ride The Cyclone starring Divina de Campo at the Southwark Playhouse (Elephant)

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Sunday 21 June, opens 24 June and runs through 22 August 2026 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)

We really weren’t expecting to love this new musical as much as we did and we wonder whether it is its creators’ fondness for the awkward British humour of Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and the Pythons that won us over.

  • Read on for reasons including how, if you’re looking for a dark horse musical that’s a bit edgy, eerie yet a wild experience, come Ride The Cyclone!
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Guilty starring Russell Tovey at the Donmar Warehouse

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: **** RUNTIME: 70 minutes (without interval)

WHEN?: Monday 22 June, opens 30 June and runs through 15 August 2026

Meet troubled police officer Joe, played by Russell Tovey (Constellations, Vaudeville Theatre), who takes a series of 999 calls in this real-time thriller set in London.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the perfect setting for this real-time thriller to grip you by your collar and never let go
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THEATRE REVIEW: A Midsummer Night’s Dream starring Olivier Huband, Terique Jarrett & Mary Malone at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN? Saturday 20 June, opens 29 June and runs through 18 July 2026 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Seeing this play on this night at this venue has long been an ambition.

  • Read on for reasons including how the course of my true love with this play didn’t run smooth
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THEATRE REVIEW: May Day starring Jo Foster at the King’s Head Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Friday 19 June, runs through 21 June 2026 RUNTIME: 85 minutes (no interval)

The big draw of this workshop production of a new musical is the central role for the Olivier Award-nominated Jo Foster (Into The Woods, Bridge Theatre and Why Am I So Single?, Garrick Theatre).

  • Read on for reasons including how May Day has real potential with a little tender loving care to find and bare its West End legs
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