ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Victory by Cian Ducrot (August 2023)

By Neil Durham

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

TRACKLIST: Victory; I’ll Be Waiting; Him; Heaven; How Do You Know?; All For You; Stepdad; Mama; Hurt When You Hurt Me; Blame It On Me; Endless Nights; Part Of Me; Everyone Who Falls In Love (Has Someone Else To Be Thinking Of); Thank God You Stayed

Ducrot is an Irish singer songwriter who will be 26 this month and his debut album is our favourite of 2023 so far let alone just this month.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Ducrot on tour including in London later this year
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for August 2023 starring Victorious Festival

  1. Victorious Festival starring Cian Ducrot, Mae Muller and Welly

This year’s glorious Victorious Festival in Southsea runs across 3 days from Friday 25 August through Sunday 27 August with A Humdrum Mum’s names to look out for including Kasabian, Friendly Fires and The Charlatans as well as Jamiroquai, The Divine Comedy and Sigrid. Although we’re excited for newcomers Welly, this year’s UK Eurovision entry Mae Muller and Cian Ducrot whose debut album is appropriately titled Victory and out 4 August 2023. Tickets Day 1 review starring album chart-topper Cian Ducrot. A Humdrum Mum’s day 1 review Day 2 review Day 3 review

  • Read on for reasons including Heartstopper, new musical Next To Normal and The Effect at the National
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for July starring La Cage Aux Folles at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

  1. La Cage Aux Folles at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Arguably 1 of our favourite London theatre venues, this atmospheric outdoor spot is particularly musical friendly. Director Tim Sheader has run this venue for over a decade and takes over as artistic director at the Donmar next year. La Cage Aux Folles is the story of a gay male couple whose son visits with news that he is to marry the daughter of an ultra-Conservative MP and farce ensues when this defender of the most traditional values in family life arrives with mother and daughter. Runs 29 July through 16 September 2023. Tickets Review

  • Read on for reasons including debut Cian Ducrot LP, the return of Pulp and Crazy For You
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SONG OF THE WEEK: Part Of Me by Cian Ducrot (week beginning Tuesday 4 April 2023)

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

We saw rising star Ducrot live last month at Camden’s KOKO and the predominantly young 20-something female audience gasped when he explained the inspiration behind this song about a close friend who took his own life.

  • Read on for reasons including Ducrot’s thoughts on his latest single about friend Phily
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GIG REVIEW: Cian Ducrot at KOKO

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Monday 20 March, tour runs until 28 April 2023

SETLIST: Make Believe; Victory; Not Usually Like This; Aftertaste; Him; Crocodiles; Endless Nights; How Do You Know?; Hello Gorgeous; Part Of Me; All For You; I’ll Be Waiting

Last night Ducrot played a sold out show at the 2,400-capacity KOKO in Camden and has re-arranged his tour schedule so he can support Ed Sheeran at gigs including The 02 in London on Friday and Saturday this week.

  • Read on for reasons including how we can’t wait for Ducrot’s debut album
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for March 2023 starring Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre

  1. Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre

This venue’s promenade performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Julius Caesar have been amongst some of the best theatre we’ve ever immersed ourselves in and so this similar new production of a musical which is 1 of our favourites offers a great deal to look forward to. Not least with a cast including Marisha Wallace (Oklahoma!, Young Vic) and Daniel Mays (The Caretaker, Old Vic). Runs 3 March, opens 14 March through 2 September 2023. Tickets Review

  • Read on for reasons including Self Esteem, Cian Ducrot and the return of Eugenius
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Song of 2022

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2022? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our 8th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2022.

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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Gig of 2022

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2022? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our 8th annual Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2022.

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SONG OF THE MONTH: I’ll Be Waiting by Cian Ducrot (November 2022)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

RELEASED: Thursday 10 November 2022

We’ve seen Irish-born Ducrot perform twice in the last few months and this uptempo, 80’s-inspired, keyboard-led number is always a live highlight.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Ducrot live at KOKO in Camden next year
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