Eurovision

9 reasons why we can’t wait for April 2025 starring Self Esteem at the Duke Of York’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Self Esteem debuts new album at the Duke Of York’s Theatre in London

Rotherham-born Rebecca Lucy Taylor starred in Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre in London’s West End but is perhaps best known as pop star Self Esteem for last album Prioritise Pleasure, in 2021 an album of the month for us. She debuts 3rd album A Complicated Woman at gigs we join her for in London’s West End this month. Tickets are return only. Album out 25 April 2025 Our song of the month is new single 69. Our review of the gig and review of the album

  • Read on for reasons including Here We Are, new Conor McPherson play and Ewan McGregor onstage
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GIG REVIEW: Loreen at Parel-Lel 62, Barcelona

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Saturday 8 March, tour runs through 16 August 2025

SETLIST: Jupiter Drive; Gravity; Forever; Warning Signs; Hate The Way I Love You; Statements; I’m In It With You; Dreams; Coming Close; Euphoria; Is it Love?; Tattoo

It’s International Women’s Day and while Sweden is choosing its Eurovision entry for 2025 the only woman to have won the competition twice is performing in Barcelona as part of an extensive European tour that reaches the UK and Ireland for 8 dates later this month.

  • Read on for reasons including how this up-for-it crowd responded magnificently to an artist clearly revelling in their enthusiasm for her
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GIG REVIEW: Marcus & Martinus at 02 Islington Academy

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN? Wednesday 5 March 2025, tour runs through 23 August 2025

SETLIST: Like It Like It; Die For You; Gimme Your Love; Follow Me; Wonder; When All The Lights Go Out; Wicked Game; Heartbeat; Together; Plystre på deg; Wild Love; Air; Love Flow; We Are Not The Same; Another Life; The Room; Girls; One Flight Away; Elektrisk; Unforgettable

We weren’t expecting that noise – it’s a long time since we’ve been to a sold-out gig where the teenage shrieking is that ear-splitting in response to every little move these 23-year-old Norwegian twins make on stage.

  • Read on for reasons including how the duo’s older material is treated with the greatest appreciation
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen Finalen 2025 starring Greczula, Klara Hammarström & Måns Zelmerlöw 

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: Saturday 8 March 2025 Strawberry Arena, Stockholm 7pm UK time

WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVTPlay

We predict that this year’s Melfest does contain a potential Eurovision winner in Basle in May but that it isn’t 2015 victor Måns Zelmerlöw or Spotify comedy chartoppers KAJ.

  • Read on for reasons including our predictions for how these finalists would fare in Eurovision 2025
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen 2025 Heat 5 starring Scarlet, Saga Ludvigsson & Arvingarna

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: Saturday 1 March 2025 7pm UK time

WHERE?: Husqvarna Garden, Jönköping

Male soloists have perhaps surprisingly won each of the 1st 4 MF heats and we’ve our fingers crossed for female duo Scarlet (pictured above) to step up on Saturday and break that run with their hard gothic rock.

  • Read on for reasons including Saga Ludvigsson, Arvingarna and Victoria Silvstedt
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen 2025 Heat 4 starring Måns Zelmerlöw

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: Saturday 22 February 2025 7pm UK time

WHERE?: Malmö Arena, Malmö

The big news this week is the return of 2015 Eurovision winner Mans Zelmerlow and, on the evidence of the 60-second clip, he might not be the runaway 2025 MF victor he appeared to be at the start of the series.

  • Read on for reasons including Tennessee Tears and Andreas Lundstedt
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Polari by Olly Alexander (February 2025)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

TRACKLIST: Polari; Cupid’s Bow; I Know; Shadow Of Love; Make Me A Man; Dizzy; Archangel; Miss You So Much; When We Kiss; Whisper In The Waves; Beautiful; Heal You; Language

Duets with Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys and Elton John mean the groundwork has been laid and that this 1st official solo album’s predominantly uptempo, 80s-influenced musical theme makes perfect sense.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Alexander on his tour including the London Palladium this year
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen 2025 heat 3 starring Greczula, Malou Prytz & Annika Wickihalder

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By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: Saturday 15 February 2025 7pm UK time

WHERE?: ABB Arena, Västerås

Established male MF stars have won the 1st 2 Melodifestivalen heats and this week we believe it’s the turn of newcomer Greczula to shine.

  • Read on for reasons including our predictions for who will finish where on Saturday
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PREDICTIONS: Melodifestivalen 2025 Heat 2 starring Klara Hammarström, Kaliffa & Eric Segerstedt

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WHEN?: Saturday 8 February 2025 7pm UK time

WHERE?: Scandinavium, Gothenburg

Melodifestivalen showed its strength in depth last week with a 1st heat strong on musical diversity and there is much that is different to again appreciate here in this 2nd outing.

  • Read on for reasons including Kaliffa, Eric Segerstedt & Schlagerz
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Ich Komme by Erika Vikman (February 2025)

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

The controversial exclusion of One Morning Left’s hard rock novelty song Puppy from Finland’s Eurovision selection show UMK on 8 February leaves this sticky and sexually explicit joy the clear favourite to triumph.

  • Read on for reasons including how Vikman popped her Eurovision cherry with Cicciolina
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