GIG REVIEW: Olly Alexander at the London Palladium

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Last date of tour Monday 7 April 2025

Setlist: Polari; I Know; Make Me A Man; If You’re Over Me; Whisper In The Waves; Cupid’s Bow; Archangel; King; Dizzy; Starstruck; Worship/Breathe; Desire; All For You; It’s A Sin; Eyes Shut; When We Kiss; Sweet Talker; Heal You; Shine

The voice of Sir Ian McKellen (Player Kings, Noel Coward Theatre) opens the show explaining Polari, the title of Alexander’s debut album, and the actor’s here tonight waving at the delighted crowd from the box above us.

  • Read on for reasons including how Alexander has been rejuvenated by this tour and meeting his audience again
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GIG REVIEW: Ben Watt & Tracey Thorn (Everything But The Girl) at The MOTH Club

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Sunday 6 April, runs through 7 April 2025 Update: New gigs at this venue in June Details

This is the 200-capacity east London venue where we saw our 1st post-pandemic gig and our best show of 2024 but we never dared dream we’d see the 1st concert in a quarter of a century by 1 of our favourite bands here.

  • Read on for reasons including how we hope that the experience has been enjoyable enough for Thorn and Watt to look to repeat it
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THEATRE REVIEW: Midnight Cowboy starring Max Bowden at the Southwark Playhouse (Elephant)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Saturday 5 April, opens 10 April and runs through 17 May 2025 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

The triple Oscar-winning 1969 film about the unlikely friendship between a male prostitute and his business partner played by Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman is perhaps not the 1st candidate to spring to mind to become a stage musical.

  • Read on for reasons including how you should see this if you’re a fan of Bowden’s because he displayed some serious musical theatre muscle
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2025 starring Kylie Minogue

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Kylie brings Tension tour to The 02

Ms Minogue’s Tension show arrives in London for 4 gigs at The 02 this and next month as part of a world tour which runs through 26 August 2025. Tickets We 1st saw her live on the Enjoy Yourself tour at London’s now-no-more London Arena in 1990 and have seen her since at the old Wembley Arena, Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, new Wembley Arena and many times at The 02 – but not since 2014. Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Eurovision Song Contest predictions, Scissor Sisters reunite and Imelda Staunton
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GIG REVIEW: Welly at Rough Trade East, London

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Sunday 23 March, tour runs through August 2025 Tickets

Setlist: Big In The Suburbs; Knock And Run; Soak Up The Culture; Shopping; Country Cousins; Life Is A Motorway; It’s Not Like This In France; Me And Your Mates

Debut album Big In The Suburbs has been in the world for less than 72 hours and we hear 3 songs from it tonight that we’ve not heard Welly play live before.

  • Read on for reasons including how things are just beginning for this band
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GIG REVIEW: Pete Wylie & The Mighty Wah! at the Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Andrew Mosley

WHEN?: Saturday 29 March 2025, tour runs through 8 May 2025 Tickets

It’s a roar of defiance, a statement of intent and, as it introduced the fantastic Songs of Strength and Heartbreak album 25 years ago, so it does proceedings at a packed Brudenell Social Club tonight.

  • Read on for reasons including how discovering Pete’s music changed what Mozza listened to forever
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THEATRE REVIEW: Manhunt at the Royal Court Theatre by Robert Icke

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN? Saturday 29 March, opens 8 April and runs through 3 May 2025 RUNTIME: 110 minutes (without interval)

What would former England football star Gazza have said to Raoul Moat, the subject of the UK’s largest manhunt, had police let him access the 2010 stand-off?

  • Read on for reasons including how blackout is used well to explain the complicated aftermath of a shooting
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GIG REVIEW/INTERVIEW: Welly go acoustic at A Slice Of Vinyl, Gosport

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Monday 24 March 2025, tour runs through 3 August 2025

Friday saw the release of Welly’s debut album, Big in the Suburbs. Regular readers will know we have followed them since we “discovered” them at Victorious three years ago, and have been to many south coast gigs since, bought the t-shirts, met the mums/nans, interviewed them and now have even been responsible for a custom-made unlicenced Deere John t-shirt. 

  • Read on for reasons including a Humdrum Mum interview with Welly about the new album
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THEATRE REVIEW: Dracula, A Comedy Of Terrors starring Charlie Stemp at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Saturday 22 March (matinee), runs through 3 May 2025 RUNTIME: 90 minutes without interval

We were last at this venue for a fantastic revival of Mel Brooks’ The Producers which transfers to the West End this year and the good news about Dracula, A Comedy Of Terrors is that it shares a similarly anarchic comedic quality.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is love at 1st bite if you want a bunch of belly laughs
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