Author: mrmonstagigz

ALBUM REVIEW: Tears On The Dancefloor by Steps

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WORTH A LOOK: ****

OUT: now

TRACKLIST: Scared Of The Dark; You Make Me Whole; Story Of A Heart; Happy; No More Tears On The Dancefloor; Firefly; Space Between Us; Glitter And Gold; Neon Blue; I Will Love Again; Scared Of the Dark (Wideboys In the Shadows Vocal Mix); Story Of A Heart (7th Heaven Radio Mix)

‘Did he see me? Or did I just imagine it all? Putting a face on a stranger, a face I find more and more hard to recall.’

  • Read on for reasons including why this is the best ‘proper’ album by Steps

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for June

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Emeli Sandé at Glastonbury

This year will be our fourth Glastonbury in a row and, although there’s far too much to be excited about to list here, we’d probably pick our first Emeli Sandé gig as the thing we’re most enthused by at the sold-out event which runs from 22/6 to 25/6. Katy Perry’s new album Witness is out 9/6 and Lorde’s Melodrama 16/6 and they both also feature.

  • Read on for reasons including Billie Holiday, Jade Anouka & Fisayo Akinade

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PREVIEW + PREDICTIONS: Eurovision Song Contest final 2017

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WHEN?: 13/5/17

WHERE: BBC1 8pm (link below)

The quirky charm of Portugal’s Salvador Sobral and hope of his song in his native language stole Tuesday’s first semi as rehearsal footage of Italy’s runaway favourite Francesco Gabbani cast doubt over its ability to win.

  • Who’s finishing where Saturday? Read on for our final predictions 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Eventide by Lilac Lungs

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

OUT: 12/5/17

TRACKLISTING: All I Have; Circle; Fallen For Your Face; Fine; Guard Dog; Next To Nothing; Uh Oh; Us Vs Ourselves; Welcome To The Fallout; Young Warrior

The best place to start describing the beauty of this debut album by Detroit indie band Lilac Lungs is probably with lead singer Emily Torres’ ethereal vocal.

  • Read on for reasons including the video for single Next To Nothing

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THEATRE REVIEW: Lettice and Lovage starring Felicity Kendal and Maureen Lipman

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Menier Chocolate Factory

WHEN: 5/5, press night 17/5, runs to 8/7

Author Sir Peter Shaffer wrote this three-act play for Dame Maggie Smith in 1987, when we first saw it, and it won her a Tony.

  • Read on for reasons including which of its stars took two prompts on this second preview

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GIG REVIEW: Ed Sheeran

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHERE: The O2

WHEN: 2/5/17

SETLIST: Castle On The Hill; Eraser; The A Team; Don’t/New Man; Dive; Bloodstream; Happier; Galway Girl; How Would You Feel (Paen); I’m A Mess; Photograph; Perfect; Nancy Mulligan; Thinking Out Loud; Sing; Shape Of You; You Need Me, I Don’t Need You

How many of us can say that we’ve received a marriage proposal during an Ed Sheeran gig?

  • Read on for reasons including our hopes for Ed’s Glastonbury headliner set

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THEATRE REVIEW: Angels In America (Parts 1 and 2)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****/****

WHERE: National Theatre

WHEN?: 29/4/17, runs to 19/8

Today’s two-plays-in-a-day extravaganza will be much appreciated by those who enjoy bingeing on their favourite TV boxsets.

  • Read on for reasons including why Andrew Garfield is the outstanding star of this

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Madame Rubinstein starring Miriam Margolyes & Frances Barber

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: Park Theatre

WHEN: 28/4, runs to 27/5

Helena Rubinstein emigrated from Poland to Australia in 1902, with no money and little English, formed one of the world’s first cosmetics companies and became one of its richest women.

  • Read on for reasons including why this reminded us of an ageing French and Saunders

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