GIG REVIEW

GIG REVIEW: Transvision Vamp at the 02 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Thursday 22 October and tour running through 1 November 2026

Setlist: Trash City; Tell That Girl To Shut Up; I Want Your Love; Speedball; Sister Moon; Pressure Times; You’re A Dirtbomb, Lester; The Only One; If Looks Could Kill; Born To Be Sold; Down On You; Revolution Baby; Pay The Ghosts; Landslide Of Love; Baby I Don’t Care; The Impression Of Normalcy; Bad Valentine; Velveteen

We haven’t seen Transvision Vamp live since Portsmouth Guildhall in 1991 and are here for the hits but the added joy of this gig is the occasional nods in the set to lead singer Wendy James’ fascinating continuing solo career.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is 1 of the best gigs we’ve seen all year
Read More

GIG REVIEW: Antony Szmierek at 02 Academy Bournemouth

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Friday 16 October 2026, tour runs through 6 February 2027

This was a birthday present for Mr H, but I did like The Heron, from his second album Decoding Birdsong, out earlier this year.

  • Read on for reasons including why we all need to channel our inner Szmierek. Be more heron, be more Antony
Read More

GIG REVIEW Saint Etienne at Camden Roundhouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Friday 18 September, tour runs through 1 December 2026

Setlist: Tonight; Like A Motorway; Spring; Glad; You’re In A Bad Way; Shower Scene; Who Do You Think You Are?; Heart Failed (In The Back Of A Taxi); Pale Movie; Brand New Me; Mario’s Cafe; Take Me To The Pilot; Only Love Can Break Your Heart; DJ; Stormtrooper In Drag; He’s On The Phone/7 Ways To Love; Nothing Can Stop Us; The Last Time

Never has a band understood its fans better and reflected it back.

  • Read on for reasons including why this should be au revoir to Saint Etienne not adieu
Read More

GIG REVIEW: David Byrne & Ezra Collective at Cruilla Festival, Barcelona

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Friday 10 July, festival runs through 11 July 2026

Former Talking Heads frontman Byrne is 1 of the headliners at Latitude Festival in a fortnight and this is simply 1 of the best gigs we’ve ever seen.

  • Read on for reasons including how Byrne revels in taking part in the complex choreographed dance routines that enhance each song
Read More

GIG REVIEW: Suede, Garbage & Pixies at Cruilla Festival, Barcelona

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

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

WHEN? Thursday 9 July, runs through Saturday 11 July 2026

Festival organisers are giving away free sombreros as temperatures surpass 40 degrees – the highest recorded for 112 years – and Suede compliment this vast crowd on their enthusiastic singing along.

  • Read on for reasons including our 1st time seeing both Garbage and Pixies live
Read More

GIG REVIEW: Sigrid at Cruilla Festival, Barcelona

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Wednesday 8 July, festival runs through 11 July and Sigrid tours through 5 September 2026

SETLIST: I’ll Always Be Your Girl; Burning Bridges; Plot Twist; Sucker Punch; Jellyfish; High Five; Head On Fire; Mirror; Don’t Feel Like Crying; Do It Again; Have You Heard This Song Before?; Home To You; Dynamite; It Gets Dark; Fort Knox; Don’t Kill My Vibe; Strangers

It’s over 30 degrees in Barcelona’s Parc del Fòrum by the sea as Sigrid takes to the stage as 1 of the opening acts of this 4-day festival which means ‘crossroads’ in Catalan.

  • Read on for reasons including how Cruilla is the perfect soundtrack to both England and Spain progressing to next week’s World Cup semis
Read More