ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Rainy Sunday Afternoon by The Divine Comedy (October 2025)

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Tracklist: Achilles; The Last Time I Saw The Old Man; The Man Who Turned Into A Chair; I Want You; Rainy Sunday Afternoon; All The Pretty Lights; Down The Rabbit Hole; Mar-a-Lago By The Sea; The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter; Can’t Let Go; Invisible Thread

The loss of a parent is a universal experience but not 1 which pop music usually troubles itself with.

  • Read on for reasons including where to see the band on tour in the UK and in Europe 2025/6
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for October 2025 starring The Line Of Beauty

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  1. The Line Of Beauty at the Almeida

Jack Holden (Cruise) adapts the Alan Hollinghurst novel we’ve loved directed by Michael Grandage (Orlando, Garrick Theatre) in this story of Thatcher’s Britain at its most decadent and divisive in London 1983. Runs at the Almeida 21 October through 29 November 2025. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including the return of Gene, Nicola Walker and Transvision Vamp’s Wendy James live
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ALBUM OF THE WEEK: Perimenopop by Sophie Ellis Bextor (week beginning Tuesday 16 September 2025)

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Tracklist: Relentless Love; Vertigo; Taste; Stay On Me; Dolce Vita; Time; Glamorous; Freedom Of The Night; Layers; Diamond In The Dark; Heart Sing; Don’t Know What You’ve Got ‘Til It’s Gone

Welcome to Ellis Bextor’s 8th studio album and 1st since Murder On The Dancefloor became an international hit for the 2nd time after its memorable inclusion in Emerald Fennell’s film Saltburn.

  • Read on for reasons including how Only Murders In The Building star Selena Gomez features
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AWARDS LONGLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film & Podcasts of 2025 so far (Part 2 of 2)

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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 2025.

  • Read on for reasons including 8 of 17 categories of our Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film and Podcasts of 2025 so far
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THEATRE REVIEW: Oliver! starring Simon Lipkin, Shanay Holmes & Billy Jenkins at the Gielgud Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 2 August 2025 (matinee), runs through March 29 2026

It’s the songs that are the stars of this musical which won 6 Oscars in its 1968 film version and it’s hard not to raise a smile at a tune like Consider Yourself which rhymes ‘uppity’ and ‘cup’o’tea’.

  • Read on for reasons including how this musical’s dazzling future is well-placed in the hands of a cast featuring Billy Jenkins
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ALBUM OF THE WEEK: International by Saint Etienne (week beginning Tuesday 9 September 2025)

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Tracklist: Glad; Dancing Heart; The Go Betweens; Sweet Melodies; Save It For A Rainy Day; Fade; Brand New Me; Take Me To The Pilot; Two Lovers; Why Are You Calling; He’s Gone; The Last Time

What do Haircut 100’s Nick Heyward, Yazoo’s Vince Clarke, Xenomania’s Tim Powell, Erol Alkan, Chemical Brothers and Orbital have in common?

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the final Saint Etienne album
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FILM REVIEW: Materialists starring Pedro Pascal, Dakota Johnson & Chris Evans

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

Dakota Johnson plays failed actress turned successful matchmaker Lucy who meets the perfect man, a financier played by Pedro Pascal, at the wedding of a client where her ex is working as a waiter.

  • Read on for reasons including how Materialists undoes a lot of the good work that marked out Song after Past Lives
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Antidepressants by Suede (September 2025)

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WORTH A LOOK?: *****

TRACKLIST: Disintegrate; Dancing With The Europeans; Antidepressants; Sweet Kid; The Sound And The Summer; Somewhere Between An Atom And A Star; Broken Music For Broken People; Criminal Ways; Trance State; June Rain; Life Is Endless, Life Is A Moment

The 2nd in the black and white trilogy rather than the ballet album that the best band in the world currently had planned.

  • Read on for reasons including how ‘broken’ people will save the world
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AWARDS LONGLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film & Podcasts of 2025 so far (Part 1 of 2)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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 2025.

  • Read on for reasons including 9 of 17 categories of our Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film and Podcasts of 2025 so far
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THEATRE REVIEW: Stereophonic starring Jack Riddiford at Duke Of York’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Saturday 30 August, runs through 22 November 2025

RUNTIME: 195 minutes (including 15-minute interval)

Can you ever have too much of a good thing?

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a classy production we’re unsure will repeat its Tonys success at the Oliviers
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