GIG REVIEW: Rufus Wainwright at Les Nits De Barcelona

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Sunday 21 July, tour runs through 28 July 2024

SETLIST: Agnus Dei; Montauk; Millbrook; Sanssouci; He Loved; Peaceful Afternoon; The Art Teacher; Old Song; Early Morning Madness; Gay Messiah; Ready For Battle; So Long, Marianne; Poses; Dinner At Eight; Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk; Going To A Town; Hallelujah; La Complainte De La Butte

Tomorrow is Wainwright’s 51st birthday and the only gift he asks from us is our forgiveness that he’s not playing the song Barcelona from his debut album.

  • Read on for reasons including how this gorgeous outdoor venue was as classy as the superstar that graced its stage
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Vertigo by Griff (July 2024)

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WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

TRACKLIST: Vertigo; Miss Me Too; Into The Walls; 19th Hour; Astronaut; Anything; Pillow In My Arms; Cycles; Tears For Fun; Hiding Alone; Hole In My Pocket; Everlasting; So Fast; Where Did You Go

We 1st saw Griff supporting Dua Lipa at The 02 in May 2022 and almost exactly 2 years later she opened for Taylor Swift (pictured left with Griff right) at Wembley Stadium.

  • Read on for reasons including how this collection fully justifies her long-awaited promotion from superstar stadium support act to thrilling headliner
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PREVIEW: My Victorious Festival 2024

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By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: August Bank Holiday extravaganza with world-class music, comedy and heaps of family fun

My Victorious this year comprises: Fatboy Slim (pictured 2nd from right above with A Humdrum Mum far right), Wet Leg, Pixies, Welly, Sugababes, Yard Act, Maxïmo Park, Idles, Futureheads, Panic Shack, Soft Play, Barrioke and I might even pop over to see SpongeBob! 

  • Read on for reasons including how to get tickets for this festival by the sea next month
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GIG REVIEW: Suede & the Manic Street Preachers at Alexandra Park

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Thursday 18 July 2024, co-headline tour runs until 19 July 2024. Suede booking until 23 August 2024. Tickets Manics booking until 24 August 2024 Tickets

SETLIST: Manics: You Love Us; Everything Must Go; Motorcycle Emptiness; This Is Yesterday; You Stole The Sun From My Heart; To Repel Ghosts; Little Baby Nothing; Your Love Alone Is Not Enough; Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier; A Design For Life; La Tristessea Durera; Walk Me To the Bridge; Kevin Carter; Orwellian; From Despair To Where; No Surface All Feeling; If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next

Suede: Turn Off Your Brain And Yell; Trash; Animal Nitrate; The Drowners; We Are The Pigs; The Only Way I Can Love You; Still Life; New Generation; Film Star; Antidepressants; Saturday Night; She Still Leads Me On; Shadow Self; The Wild Ones; So Young; Metal Mickey; The Beautiful Ones

The concept of a two-for-one deal is well understood and tonight a couple of bands who rose to UK chart-topping fame in the 90s each complete 17-song sets.

  • Read on for reasons including how this was a winning combination in a beautiful location with a bargain gig to ease the cost of living
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Hot Wing King starring Kadiff Kirwan at the Dorfman, National Theatre

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By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 13 July 2024, opening 18 July and booking until 14 September 2024 RUNTIME: 170 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Actress/screenwriter/director Katori Hall was inspired to write this comedy drama about black gay men for which she won a Pulitzer Prize because she wanted to reflect her brother’s life experiences.

  • Read on for reasons including how this a play that might present a challenge but is definitely worth consuming enthusiastically
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THEATRE REVIEW: The Baker’s Wife starring Lucie Jones & Clive Rowe at Menier Chocolate Factory

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 13 July 2024 (matinee), opens 17 July and booking until 14 September 2024 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for this forgotten gem and is better known for a musical that has starred his leading lady here (Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre) and opens in its celluloid version on 22 November 2024.

  • Read on for reasons including how we knead to see The Baker’s Wife in a larger venue on its West End transfer
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THEATRE REVIEW: Hello Dolly! starring Dame Imelda Staunton at London Palladium

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 6 July 2024, opens 18 July and booking until 16 September 2024 RUNTIME: 130 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Bette Midler starred in the 2017 Broadway revival of the classic 1964 musical which was an Oscar-winning film 5 years later starring Barbra Streisand so clearly Staunton has some work to do – and do it she does.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a solid if not quite yet spectacular revival of a much-loved show
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Soak Up The Culture/Shopping by Welly (July 2024)

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WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Released in May but feeling more apt now summer holidays are on the horizon, your next favourite band delight once more with lyrics including: ”Je voudrais good time!’ ‘D’ya know the way to Berghain?’ ‘My name’s Holly, I’m from Crawley, and I’m looking for the good wine!”

  • Read on for reasons including where to see your new favourite band next
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THEATRE REVIEW: Your Lie In April starring Zheng Xi Yong & Mia Kobayashi at the Harold Pinter Theatre

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Sunday 30 June 2024, booking until 21 September 2024 RUNTIME: 160 minutes (including a 20-minute interval) Update: Now closing 11 August 2024

Grieving piano prodigy Kosei can no longer hear music after the death of his mentor mother until mysterious violinist Kaori arrives as the school’s new girl and turns his world upside down.

  • Read on for reasons including how this has international appeal and makes for a classy addition to the West End
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THEATRE REVIEW: Slave Play starring Kit Harington, Olivia Washington & Fisayo Akinade at the Noel Coward Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 29 June 2024, running through 21 September 2024 RUNTIME: 120 minutes (no interval)

The Role Play That Goes Wrong might have been a more illuminating title for this new tale about 3 inter-racial couples seeking help.

  • Read on for reasons including detail of Harington’s unsympathetic naked performance
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