GIG REVIEW: Victorious Festival at Southsea Common starring Self Esteem, James and Welly (day 1)

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Friday 26 August 2022

This year’s Victorious Common Stage was opened by Primal Scream, who last featured in 2015’s lineup, but we arrived as the crowds were heading out post-set.

  • Read on for reasons including Self Esteem, James and Welly
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THEATRE REVIEW: Treasure Island at Greenwich Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHEN?: Saturday 20 August 2022 (matinee), runs to 4 September 2022 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

We’re here because this venue describes this as ‘perfect for fans of the Greenwich Theatre pantomime’ and while there are lots of similarities that lightning hasn’t quite been captured in this (rum) bottle here – although it’s an apt description.

  • Read on for reasons including how this reminds of the Christmas joy that is the annual Greenwich Theatre pantomime
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for September 2022 starring Suede

  1. Suede live and new album Autofiction

Suede may have reformed in 2010 but they’ve never mattered to us in the same way as they did when we 1st saw them at Portsmouth Pyramids in 1993 – until now. Singles She Still Leads Me On and 15 Again show a flair and consistency we’ve not seen this century. New album Autofiction is released 16 September and we see them the night before at a special gig at PRYZM, Kingston. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including The P Word, The Band’s Visit, Eureka Day and Self Esteem
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TOP 5: BARCELONA: A top 5 restaurants and bars to visit in Barcelona (August 2022)

By Neil Durham

We’ve regularly visited the Raval district of this Spanish city a stone’s throw from Las Ramblas since the early 00s and what surprised us on our return post-pandemic was how some real culinary delights had sprung up in the neighbourhood since we’d been gone.

  • Read on for reasons including how a Barcelona restaurant has been named the 3rd best in the world
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SONG OF THE WEEK: All For You by Cian Ducrot with Ella Henderson (Monday 15 August 2022)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Not all relationships end neatly and here’s a beautiful duet between 2 people who are no longer together but still care about each other.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see both Ella and Cian on tour this autumn
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AWARDS LONGLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre, Music, TV and Film of 2022 so far (part 1 of 2)

You, dear reader, are given the chance to vote in 16 categories from late November this year to tell us your favourite theatre, music, TV and film of 2022.

  • Read on for reasons including 8 of 16 categories of our Best Theatre, Music, TV and Film of 2022 so far
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THEATRE REVIEW The Southbury Child starring Alex Jennings at the Bridge Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 6 August (matinee), booking until 27 August 2022 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

Jennings won 3 Oliviers between 1988 and 2003 and here plays a vicar who likes a drink, may have been unfaithful to his wife but is causing a stir in the parish because he won’t allow balloons at a Disney-loving dead girl’s funeral.

  • Read on for reasons including how the author of The Southbury Child is the screenwriter of our favourite film
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Prioritise Pleasure by Self Esteem (August 2022)

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

TRACKLIST: I’m Fine; Fucking Wizardry; Hobbies 2; Prioritise Pleasure; I Do This All The Time; Moody; Still Reigning; How Can I Help You?; It’s Been A While; The 345; John Elton; You Forever; Just Kids

A cheat, perhaps? It’s taken us a while to ride the buzz to this sophomore album but thanks to a friend’s recommendation this has barely been off our playlist all summer.

  • Read on for reasons including how we’d love for Prioritise Pleasure to win this year’s Mercury Prize
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THEATRE REVIEW: Tom, Dick and Harry starring and co-written by Andrew Pollard at the Alexandra Palace Theatre

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 6 August (evening), booking until 28 August 2022 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including 20-minute interval)

The authors of Tom, Dick and Harry visited the National Archives in London to find the documentation surrounding the World War Two escape from Stalag Luft III best known perhaps as 1963 film The Great Escape starring Steve McQueen and Richard Attenborough.

  • Read on for reasons including how your reviewer lent a hand and had a ball with several elements of audience participation
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