SONG OF THE WEEK: Sha La La by Cian Ducrot (week beginning Sunday 8 June 2025)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

This year Ducrot won a Grammy for Best R&B Song for his work on SZA’s Saturn and this is the 3rd release from his sophomore album Little Dreaming out next month.

  • Read on for reasons including where to see Ducrot on tour later this year including London
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2025 starring Kylie Minogue

  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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9 reasons why we can’t wait for December 2021 starring Pantoland at the Palladium

  1. Pantoland At The Palladium starring Julian Clary

We’ve seen the Palladium’s annual pantomime in each of its 5 years and last year’s run was cruelly cut very short by Covid and so it is with some relief that we can report it is returning in 2021 with much of its now familiar variety-based cast but with Donny Osmond and The Tiller Girls added this Christmas. We’re big fans of Julian Clary and it’s a real treat to see him absolutely in his element. Last year we said: ‘Clary is a master of improvisation and the rest of the cast are clearly trying to stifle their own laughing often and, when Yarrow dries, Clary references Stemp in Mary Poppins  saying ‘Charlie’s chimney’s never dry’.’ Runs 4 December 2021 through 9 January 2022. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including new musical Hex, Spring Awakening revival and world premieres of La Belle Sauvage and Force Majeure
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GIG REVIEW: Declan McKenna at 02 Brixton Academy

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Friday 17 September 2021

SETLIST: Beautiful Faces; Rapture; Sagitarrius A; Emily; Make Me Your Queen; The Kids Don’t Wanna Come Home; Twice Your Size; The Key To Life On Earth; My House; Listen To Your Friends; Humongous; Isombard; You Better Believe; Be An Astronaut; Daniel, You’re Still A Child; Why Do You Feel So Down; Eventually, Darling; Brazil; British Bombs

It’s a Friday night and the excitement in the venue is palpable as 22-year-old McKenna steps out on stage in front of a screaming crowd of predominantly teenage boys and girls for what he describes as the biggest solo gig of his career so far.

  • Read on for reasons including how you can see McKenna on tour this year and next
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Please by Jessie Ware (May 2021)

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

RELEASED: 28 April 2021

One of the gifts of lockdown for us has been the time it has allowed us to listen to a wider range of music and as a result we are delighted to have finally succumbed to the charms of Jessie Ware and a little embarrassed it took us 4 albums to do so.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Ware on tour in the UK in 2021
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for November

  1. Dreamgirls’ Glee

London’s iconic Savoy Theatre is always a guarantee of a hot hit musical and Glee‘s Amber Riley (pictured above and with And I’m Telling You clip below) stars in Dreamgirls there 19/11 – 11/3/17. We’ve given the Savoy’s last three musicals (Gypsy, Guys and Dolls and Funny Girl) the full 5*. We’re going twice already. Would you bet against this supreme musical not inspiring such baby love? Tickets.

  • Read on for reasons including Idris Elba, London’s best panto and Christine and The Queens 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Chaleur Humaine by Christine & the Queens

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

OUT: now

TRACKLIST: iT; Saint Claude; Tilted; No Harm Is Done; Science Fiction; Paradis Perdue; Half Ladies; Jonathan; Narcissus Is Back; Safe and Holy; Night 52; Here.

Breakout hit Tilted is A-Listed at Radio 1 and B-Listed at Radio 2 as we type. But it was quite possibly BBC1’s Graham Norton Show where you first encountered arguably the song of the summer.

  • Read on for how it was monstagigz’ mum who first brought them to our attention

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ALBUM REVIEW: On My One by Jake Bugg

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

OUT: 17/6

TRACKLIST: On My One; Gimme The Love; Love, Hope & Misery; The Love We’re Hoping For; Put Out The Fire; Never Wanna Dance; Bitter Salt; Ain’t No Rhyme; Livin’ Up Country; All That; Hold On You.

Releasing an album the week before Glastonbury is a trick that’s worked in recent years for Ed Sheeran and Florence and the Machine.

  • Read on for details of Jake Bugg’s 2016 tour

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