GIG REVIEW

GIG REVIEW: The Divine Comedy at Sala Apolo, Barcelona

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Thursday 5 March 2026, tour runs through 22 August 2026

SETLIST: Achilles; The Last Time I Saw The Old Man; Rainy Sunday Afternoon; Norman and Norma; Your Daddy’s Car; Bang Goes The Knighthood; I Want You; A Lady Of A Certain Age; Songs Of Love; At The Indie Disco; Neapolitan Girl; Mar-a-Lago By The Sea; Bad Ambassador; I Like; The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter; Absent Friends; Becoming More Like Alfie; Generation Sex; National Express; Our Mutual Friend; Invisible Thread; Tonight We Fly

Rainy Sunday Afternoon is the title of the latest album by The Divine Comedy and it’s a thundery Thursday evening in Barcelona.

  • Read on for reasons including how this was a a very European expression of musical joy
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GIG REVIEW: Youth Sector at Edge Of The Wedge, Portsmouth

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN? Friday 20 February through 3 May 2026

What better to blow away the wet cobwebs of this dingy start to the year than to experience Youth Sector?

  • Read on for reasons including why A Humdrum Mum can’t wait to see what the future holds for Youth Sector
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GIG REVIEW: Florence and The Machine at The 02

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Monday 16 February and runs through August 2026

Setlist: Everybody Scream; Witch Dance; Shake It Out; Seven Devils; Big God; Daffodil; Which Witch?; Cosmic Love; Spectrum; You Can Have It All; Music By Men; Buckle; King; The Old Religion; Howl; Heaven Is Here; Sympathy Magic; One Of The Greats; Dog Days Are Over; Free; And Love

Two and a half years ago Florence Welch had an ectopic pregnancy onstage and it’s an experience that informs current album Everybody Scream and gives added weight to her closing chant of ‘Peace is coming’ from final song tonight And Love.

  • Read on for reasons including how Florence’s fans are in debt to her for sharing such honest and raw truths
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GIG REVIEW: Agnes at KOKO, London

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Wednesday 28 January, tour returns to Mighty Hoopla 30 May 2026

Setlist: 24 Hours; Here Comes The Night; Milk; Trigger; Ego; Balenciaga Covered Eyes; Fingers Crossed; Love And Appreication; Release Me

Scandipop appears to be having a moment in the UK currently with Zara Larsson’s Lush Life in the top 10, A-Teens returning to Melodifestivalen with something special and the release of the 1st great album of the year, Beautiful Madness by Agnes.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Agnes live in London this summer
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GIG REVIEW: ABC at Sheffield City Hall

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Andrew Mosley

WHEN?: Friday 7 November, tour runs through 10 July 2026

It’s bouncing off the bumps of Yorkshire’s country roads in Richard Gostling’s VW Beatle while When Smokey Sings blasts from the cheap radio. It’s cringing in the pub as Phil Robinson quotes lyrics from the band’s songs as chat-up lines to what he sees as potential girlfriends.

  • Read on for reasons including the joys of being a New Romantic in a tough northern industrial city
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GIG REVIEW: Adam Ant, Portsmouth Guildhall

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN? Saturday 1 November, tour runs through 25 November 2025

I’ve tried to work out how many times we’ve seen the Ant Man himself; maybe 10? These have all been in his recent tours since 2010, with The Good, The Mad and the Lovely Posse.

  • Read on for reasons including how ridicule is nothing to be scared of and this audience could’ve given more
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GIG REVIEW: Jamiroquai at Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ****

WHEN? Thursday 6 November 2025, tour runs through 18 July 2026

Setlist: (Don’t) Give Hate A Chance; Little L; Space Cowboy; Dynamite; Feels Just Like It Should; Alright; Cloud 9; World That He Wants; Tallulah; Disco Stays The Same; Runaway; Travelling Without Moving; Shadow In The Night; Canned Heat; Queen Machine; Cosmic Girl; Love Foolosophy; Virtual Insanity

Jamiroquai debut 3 songs tonight from their new album out next year, they’re bangers in the same vein as the funk for which they are best known and in the marvellous Disco Stays The Same have a track they could top charts with as they did in their 90s heyday.

  • Read on for reasons including how there’s a new album due out in 2026
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GIG REVIEW/INTERVIEW: Welly at Papillon, Southampton

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN? Tuesday 14 October, tour runs through 1 November 2025

I can’t count how many times we’ve seen Welly, kings of observation-ridden indie pop for the thinking fan.

  • Read on for reasons including how this young Damon Albarn is inspired by Charli XCX’s brat
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GIG REVIEW: The Divine Comedy at the Barbican Centre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Sunday 12 October, tour runs through 11 July 2026

Setlist: Achilles; The Last Time I Saw The Old Man; When The Lights Go Out All Over Europe; Rainy Sunday Afternoon; Have You Ever Been In Love?; Norman And Norma; Generation Sex; Leaving Today; The Plough; The Man Who Turned Into A Chair; Songs Of Love; At The Indie Disco; Neapolitan Girl; Mar-a-Lago By The Sea; A Lady Of A Certain Age; Our Mutual Friend; The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter; Other People; Absent Friends; Becoming More Like Alfie; Something For The Weekend; National Express; The Booklovers; Invisible Thread; Tonight We Fly

We’re in the 12th row of this sold-out 1,943-capacity venue for the 2nd consecutive night here by this band and the fan in the seat next to us slips off his shoes shortly before curtain up to appreciate the gig better.

  • Read on for reasons including why The Divine Comedy offer the most comfortable 2 hours in public without your shoes
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GIG REVIEW: Robert Forster And His Swedish Band at The Gate, Cardiff

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Andrew Mosley

WHEN? Friday 10 October, tour runs through 19 October 2025

It’s almost 40 years since I first clapped eyes on and lent ears to the wonder of The Go-Betweens.

  • Read on for reasons including how the former Go-Between incorporates the band’s songs into this set
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