THEATRE REVIEW: Eureka Day starring Helen Hunt and Ben Schnetzer at the Old Vic

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Tuesday 6 September 2022, opens 23 September, runs to 31 October 2022 RUNTIME: 120 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Eureka Day opens with a headteacher and parent governors in the seemingly liberal titular private US school debating at length the inclusivity of a drop-down menu describing the pupils’ ethnicity.

  • Read on for reasons including our thoughts on Helen Hunt’s London stage debut
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GIG REVIEW: The Divine Comedy at the Barbican Centre (5-night residency overview)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Wednesday 31 August to Sunday 4 September 2022

‘Same time, same place – this is starting to feel like a full-time job,’ reflects The Divine Comedy frontman Neil Hannon as he arrives on stage at this prestigious venue at 7.30pm for a 5-night residency that will see his band play a total of 113 different songs.

  • Read on for reasons including how Hannon would do a 6-night residency once the band’s released a new album
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SONG OF THE MONTH: That Boy On The Stage by Suede (September 2022)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

Think How Soon Is Now guitars by The Smiths and a shuffling drumbeat like Sit Down by James topped by a high-pitched vocal that is very Brett Anderson and you’re halfway there.

  • Read on for reasons including why new Suede album Autofiction is shaping up to be 1 of 2022’s best
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GIG REVIEW: Divine Comedy at the Barbican Centre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: 5 gigs, each night between Wednesday 31 August and Sunday 4 September 2022

Divine Comedy frontman Neil Hannon had 1 word to describe fans joining the band for 5 consecutive concerts at this prestigious London venue to hear 10 of the act’s studio albums in full – ‘weirdos’.

  • Read on for reasons including why you wouldn’t need Desert Island Discs if you were shipwrecked with The Divine Comedy
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GIG REVIEW: Victorious Festival at Southsea Common starring Becky Hill, Little Man Tate and Sam Fender

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Guest review by Alfie, 13 years

WHEN?: Sunday 28 August 2022

Little Man Tate I have waited years to see this band so we fought our way through the crowd waiting for Becky Hill and got to the front.

  • Read on for reasons including Libertines, Sam Fender and Becky Hill
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GIG REVIEW: Victorious Festival at Southsea Common starring Katherine Ryan, Metronomy and Sophie Ellis Bextor (day 3)

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By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Sunday 28 August 2022

So this year, the line up wasn’t totally to my liking but the introduction of the huge names to the comedy tent really piqued my interest.

  • Read on for reasons including Metronomy, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Suede
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GIG REVIEW: Victorious Festival at Southsea Common starring Suede, Little Boots, Metronomy, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Sam Ryder & Example (day 3)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

WHEN?: Sunday 28 August 2022

Lean, mean and urging the audience to join in, Suede frontman Brett Anderson seems absolutely on fire during this main Common Stage slot as the sun sinks on a gorgeous day on Southsea seafront.

  • Read on for reasons including how Little Boots apologised for her bangers on the Acoustic Stage
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GIG REVIEW: Victorious Festival at Southsea Common starring Sports Team, Sugababes and Kula Shaker (day 2)

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By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Saturday 27 August 2022

How to fill a field with an atypical festival band and get everyone down really early? Book Sugababes!

  • Read on for reasons including Sports Team, Milton Jones and Joel Dommett
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FILM REVIEW: Elvis starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks

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By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

We’re reminded of Rami Malek’s Oscar-winning turn as Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody by Butler’s (pictured above) performance here as the King of Rock’n’Roll.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is our favourite film of the year so far
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