THEATRE REVIEW: The Buddha Of Suburbia starring Dee Ahluwalia at the Barbican

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 26 October 2024, running through 16 November 2024 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Ahluwalia gives a truly rock star performance as 17-year-old Karim growing up in south London’s suburbs in 1976 and lusting after a male classmate.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a a brilliantly fun night out with a compelling story of injustice at its heart
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best TV of 2024

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2024? Over the next 3 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2024.

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SONG OF THE MONTH: Cupid’s Bow by Olly Alexander (October 2024)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

Cupid’s Bow is the 2nd single from Alexander’s debut solo album Polari out early next year and it has a thumpingly muscular bassline courtesy of Dua Lipa producer Danny L. Harle that takes aim and hits its dancefloor bullseye.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Alexander on his 2025 European tour including at London’s Palladium
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GIG REVIEW: The Age Of Consent 40 at Southbank Centre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 19 October 2024

‘Contempt in your eyes when I turn to kiss his lips …’ sang Bronski Beat lead singer Jimmy Somerville on Why, the gay trio’s 2nd hit and a top 10 single in Germany, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Switzerland and Australia in 1984.

  • Read on for reasons including how queer artists reimagined an 80s album opposing the Thatcher government as AIDS fears grew
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Key by Alison Moyet (October 2024)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK: ****

Tracklist: Where Hides Sleep; All Cried Out; Such Small Ale; All Signs Of Life; Can’t Say It Like I Mean It; Fire; Filigree; The Impervious Me; More; Is This Love?; Tongue Tied; My Right A.R.M; So Am I; My Best Day; World Without End; This House; Love Resurrection; You Don’t Have To Go

The bluesy voice, the unforgettable way with an uplifting pop melody, the idiosyncratic lyrics or occasional appearance by French and Saunders in a video – there were always a multitude of reasons to love Alison Moyet across her 40-year solo career.

  • Read on for reasons including how Key unlocks a remarkable songbook that balances nostalgia with modern pop sensibilities
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Real Ones starring Nathaniel Curtis & Mariam Haque at Bush Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Thursday 10 October, runs through 26 October 2024 RUNTIME: 115 minutes (no interval)

Waleed Akhtar won an Olivier for his last play The P Word and follows it with the story of the friendship of 2 British Pakistanis across 20 years who work as cinema ushers but dream of becoming playwrights.

  • Read on for reasons including why the real ones might not necessarily be the ones you want to know more about
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GIG REVIEW: Field Music for release of new album Limits Of Language

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Saturday 12 October 2024 at Pie and Vinyl record store, Southsea

Mr H has been a fan of Field Music for sometime now. I’ve been a fan for a number of years since we saw them at Victorious seven years ago on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

  • Read on for reasons including an interview with Field Music’s Peter and David Brewis
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THEATRE REVIEW: Dr Strangelove starring Steve Coogan at Noel Coward Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 12 October, running through 25 January 2025 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

‘A-ha!’ Steve Coogan’s beloved creation Alan Partridge may not be in this hilarious tweaked version of the classic 1964 political satire but the spirit of his character’s comedy genius is quite literally everywhere.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the West End’s funniest comedy
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Venue of 2024

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2024? Over the next 3 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2024.

Read More

FILM REVIEW: Joker: Folie à Deux starring Joaquin Phoenix & ALBUM OF THE WEEK Harlequin by Lady Gaga

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *** (film)/ **** (album)

Harlequin tracklist: Good Morning; Get Happy; Oh, When The Saints; World On A String; If My Friends Could See Me Now; That’s Entertainment; Smile; The Joker; Folie à Deux; Gonna Build A Mountain; Close To You; Happy Mistake; That’s Life

Lady Gaga is definitely the best thing about this sequel to the 2019 original Joker film which won Oscars for Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix and Best Score.

  • Read on for reasons including how this film proves what a musical talent Lady Gaga is
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