You, dear reader, are given the chance to vote in 17 categories from October this year to tell us your favourite theatre, music, TV, film and podcast of 2026.

• Read on for reasons including 8 of 17 categories of our Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film and Podcasts of 2026 so far

As summer comes to a close, we have a look across those categories (see below), remind you of our 2025 winners and our thoughts about the frontrunners from 2026’s 1st 8 months. Longlist part 1

BEST SONG: 2025 winner: Got To Have Love by Pulp Review and Tickets

Danceteria, Madonna Review and Tickets

Eclipse, Delta Goodrem Review and Tickets

Iconic, A Teens Review and Tickets

I Feel So Free, Madonna Review and Tickets

Maggie’s Song, Rebecca Lucy Taylor (Self Esteem) Review and Tickets

BEST ALBUM 2025 winner: Antidepressants by Suede Review and Tickets

Beautiful Madness, Agnes Review and Tickets

Confessions 2, Madonna Review and Tickets

Same Sun/Same Sky, The Darling Buds Review and Tickets

Sexistential, Robyn Review and Tickets

Wildfire, Loreen Review and Tickets

BEST GIG 2025 winner: Self Esteem, Duke Of York’s Theatre, Review and Tickets

Agnes, KOKO Review and Tickets

David Byrne, Cruilla Festival, Barcelona Review and Tickets

Florence and The Machine, The 02 Review and Tickets

Pet Shop Boys Obscure, Camden Ballroom Review and Tickets

Rosalia, The 02 Review and Tickets

BEST FILM: 2025 winner: Wicked: For Good Review

Disclosure Day Review

Rose Of Nevada Q&A and review

The History Of Sound Review

The Odyssey Review

28 Years Later: Bone Temple Review

BEST TV: 2025 winner: Bookish, U&Alibi Q&A/preview

Dear England (BBC1) Theatre review

Half Man (BBC/HBO) Reasons to watch

Heated Rivalry (Crave) Reasons to watch

Small Prophets (BBC2)

Tip Toe (Channel 4) Q&A and preview

BEST TV/FILM ACTRESS: 2025 winner: Erin Doherty, Adolescence

Elizabeth Berrington, Tip Toe Q&A and preview

Jessie Buckley, Hamnet Review

Diane Morgan, Ann Droid (BBC1)

Samantha Morton, The Odyssey Review

Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay (Apple)

Jodie Whittaker, Dear England Theatre review

BEST TV/FILM ACTOR: 2025 winner: Benito Skinner, Overcompensating Reasons to watch

Jamie Bell, Half Man Reasons to watch

Matt Damon, The Odyssey Review

Joseph Fiennes, Dear England Theatre review

Josh O’Connor, The History Of Sound Review

David Morrissey, Tip Toe Q&A and preview

BEST PODCAST: 2025 winner: London Theatre Review Listen

Alison Moyet Podcast Website

AussieVision Website

London Theatre Review Website

The EuroTrip Website

The Rest Is Football YouTube

• Picture via Facebook courtesy Delta Goodrem Tickets
• Have you seen any of these shows or heard the songs? Let us know what you thought in the comments below. Part 2 follows in the next week
• Enjoyed this review? Follow its author on Twitter @NeilDurham, email neildurham3@gmail.com and check us out on Instagram and Facebook