It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2018? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 14 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2018.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE?: Camden Roundhouse
WHEN?: 12/9/18
SETLIST: Dirty Computer; Crazy, Classic, Life; Take A Byte; Screwed; Django Jane; Q.U.E.E.N.; Electric Lady; Prime Time; Pynk; Yoga; I Like That; Don’t Judge Me; Make Me Feel; I Got the Juice; Cold War; Tightrope; So Afraid; Americans
When Monae encourages BAFTA-winning British actress and screenwriter Michaela Coel to join three audience members, including 1 in a wheelchair, on stage for a dance-off during an extended version of I Got The Juice (see 1h 16m in below), you know that you’re witnessing something extra special.
We awarded 13 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2017 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2018 so far and what’s to come. Suede, Shura and Bananarama are previous winners in this category.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE?: Camden Roundhouse
WHEN?: 10/7/18 and touring to 7/2/19
SETLIST: Sanctify; Take Shelter; Shine; Eyes Shut; If You’re Over Me; Karma; Desire; Palo Santo; Rendezvous; Worship; Hallelujah; Real; All For You; Valentino (with MNEK); King
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
OUT: 6/7/18
TRACKLIST: Sanctify; Hallelujah: All For You; Karma; Hypnotised; Rendezvous; If You’re Over Me; Preacher; Lucky Escape; Palo Santo; Here; Howl; Don’t Panic; Up In Flames
It’s been no secret that Years & Years have been struggling to follow up their 2015 chart-topping album Communion and now it’s here Palo Santo sounds more like frontman Olly Alexander’s debut solo album.
Sacha Dhawan (pictured above) won our Best Film/TV Actor monsta last year for The Boy With the Topknot and is here reunited with playwright Alan Barnett and former History Boy Samuel Barnett in a play at the Bridge Theatre marking the 70th birthday of the NHS. Runs 11/7 to 28/9/18. Tickets
It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2017? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 13 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2017.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: Camden Roundhouse
WHEN: 27/3
SETLIST: Utopia; Lovely Head; Anymore; Train; Ocean; Moon In Your Mouth; You Never Know; Dreaming; Slide In; Everything Is Never Enough; Become The One; Systemagic; Number One; Ride A White Horse; Black Cherry; Shiny and Warm; Ooh La La; Strict Machine
Goldfrapp last played in London when they headlined an Albert Hall gig in November 2014 and were joined onstage by kindred spirit John Grant to close the book on their downbeat, cinematic and folky Tales Of Us album.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
WHERE: Camden Roundhouse
WHEN: 22/3, UK tour runs to 28/3
SETLIST: Adored and Explored; Stories Of Johnny; A Lover Spurned; The Days Of Pearly Spencer; Tears Run Rings; The Idol; Where The Heart Is; Child Star; Desperate Hours; Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart; Scar; Torch; A Kind Of Love; Jacky; Bedsitter; What; Down In The Subway; Soul Inside; Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go; Hand On My Heart; Memorabilia; Say Hello Wave Goodbye
We’ve seen Marc Almond several times over the last four decades but never performing such a lengthy greatest hits set – until tonight.
We’ve never seen 42nd Street but are very excited by the West End debut casting of Sheena Easton who we remember as far back in her career as 9 to 5 (see below) and her duet with Prince. Opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane 20/3 and booking through July. Tickets Picture via Facebook courtesy 42nd Street.
