GIG REVIEW: Janelle Monae & Grace Carter at SSE Wembley Arena

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHERE? SSE Wembley Arena

WHEN? 2/7/19

SETLIST: Dirty Computer; Crazy, Classic Life; Take A Byte; Screwed; Django Jane; QUEEN; Electric Lady; Prime Time; Pynk; Yoga; I Like That; Don’t Judge Me; Make Me Feel; I Got The Juice; Cold War; Tightrope; Come Alive

We are standing towards the back of this 12,500-capacity venue by the mixing desk when we see Lupita Nyong’o wearing sunglasses flanked by security guards rush by.

  • Read on for reasons including what part Star Wars actress Nyong’o played at this gig

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for July 2019

  1. Blues In The Night starring Sharon D. Clarke

Olivier winners D. Clarke and Clive Rowe take part in this compilation of 26 hot and torchy blues numbers that frame the lives and loves of four residents of a downtown hotel. Runs 18/7 to 7/9/19 at the Kiln Theatre. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including The Night Of The Iguana, Janelle Monae and a revival of a Pet Shop Boys musical

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AWARDS: Winners of the 2018 monstas are …

2018’s Best Theatre Actress

  • Sharon D. Clarke in Caroline, Or Change at Hampstead Theatre, now Playhouse Theatre Review Tickets   Lot’s Wife
  • Picture courtesy Caroline, or Change – West End

Screen Shot 2018-12-27 at 16.04.10

  • Read on for reasons including the remaining 13 theatre, pop, film & TV winners

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MONSTAS SHORTLIST: Best Song of the year: 2018

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.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for Song of the year. 2017 winner: New Rules by Dua Lipa

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MONSTAS SHORTLIST: Best Gig of the year: 2018

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.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for Gig of the year. 2017 winner: Bananarama at Eventim Apollo

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MONSTAS SHORTLIST: Best Album of the year: 2018

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.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for Album of the year. 2017 winner: Melodrama by Lorde

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GIG REVIEW: Janelle Monae at Camden Roundhouse

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.

  • Read on for reasons including how this show opens with the 2001 Theme and, astonishingly, lives up to it

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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for September

  1. Beverley Knight is in Sylvia at the Old Vic

We’ve enjoyed a live taster of this hip hop production which runs at the Old Vic 3-22/9 with Knight (2nd from left), who last wowed in Cats at the Palladium, starring as women’s rights campaigner Emmeline Pankhurst. Elliotte Williams N’Dure (centre clip below) absolutely bossing proceedings. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Patti LuPone in the West End, Janelle Monae in London & Killing Eve

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AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our best song of 2018 so far

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. Goodbye To Yesterday, Can’t Stop The Feeling and New Rules are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 8 best songs of 2018 so far and our hopes for the next half year

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AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our best new album of 2018 so far

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. Florence and The Machine, Lady Gaga and Lorde are previous winners in this category.

  • Read on for our top 6 best albums of 2018 so far and our hopes for the next half year

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