GIG REVIEW: Agnes at KOKO, London

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Wednesday 28 January, tour returns to Mighty Hoopla 30 May 2026

Setlist: 24 Hours; Here Comes The Night; Milk; Trigger; Ego; Balenciaga Covered Eyes; Fingers Crossed; Love And Appreication; Release Me

Scandipop appears to be having a moment in the UK currently with Zara Larsson’s Lush Life in the top 10, A-Teens returning to Melodifestivalen with something special and the release of the 1st great album of the year, Beautiful Madness by Agnes.

  • Read on for reasons including how to see Agnes live in London this summer
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Beautiful Madness by Agnes (January 2026)

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

Tracklist: Interlude; Beautiful Madness; Trigger; Got Any?; Milk; Focus; Wake Up; Balenciaga Covered Eyes; Not Capable; Ego; Masterpiece; Sign It; Pre; Lovesongs; Uterus & Universe

‘Life is a beautiful madness, and it’s when we stop chasing perfection that the truly interesting things happen,’ says Agnes as she releases this new album and prepares to headline London’s KOKO next week where we join her.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is the 1st great album of 2026
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AWARDS: Winners of the 2023 monstas are …

monstagigz readers have been voting throughout November and December for their favourite pop, theatre, TV, film and podcasts of 2023 from our shortlists. Read on for details of our 2023 monstas winners …

  • Read on for reasons including the winners of our 16 monstas for the best theatre, pop, TV, film and podcasts of 2023
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Gig of 2023

It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2023? Over the next 2 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2023.

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AWARDS LONGLIST: MONSTAS Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film & Podcasts of 2023 so far (Part 2 of 2)

You, dear reader, are given the chance to vote in 16 categories from late November this year to tell us your favourite theatre, music, TV, film and podcast of 2023.

  • Read on for reasons including 8 of 16 categories of our Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film and Podcasts of 2023 so far
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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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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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AWARDS: MONSTAS: Our best gig 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. Suede, Shura and Bananarama are previous winners in this category.

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

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GIG REVIEW: Kim Wilde at KOKO

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHERE: KOKO

WHEN: 26/4, tour runs to 29/4/18

SETLIST: Stereo Shot; Water On Glass; Never Trust A Stranger; Kandy Krush; Cambodia; Birthday; Yours ‘Til The End; Another Step; Words Fell Down; Bladerunner; If I Can’t Have You; Rosetta; View From A Bridge; Chequered Love; You Came; You Keep Me Hangin’ On; 1969; Pop Don’t Stop; Kids In America

It’s rare for an act of Kim Wilde’s vintage (first hit 1981) to release a new album (Here Come The Aliens in March) that sits so well in a greatest hits set.

  • Read on for reasons including why you should look out for Scarlett Wilde

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