AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Song 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 month 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 SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best Album 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 month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2023.

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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Sorry, I’m Late by Mae Muller (October 2023)

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

TRACKLIST: I Just Came To Dance; Sorry Daniel; Bitch With A Broken Heart; I Wrote A Song; Me, Myself And I; Tatiana; Somebody New; I Wish I Could Hate You; A Little Bit Sad; MTJL; Breathe; Something Real; Nervous (In A Good Way); Better Days; Porn Lied To Us; Miss America; Written By A Woman

Muller has co-written all but 1 of the 17 songs here and there’s a line in the downbeat, reflective and extraordinarily vulnerable MTJL (Maybe That’s Just Life) that says: ‘I wish I was a better singer, or better than I am. I wish one little thing would go to plan.’

  • Read on for reasons including why this is 1 of the year’s best albums
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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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9 reasons why we can’t wait for September 2023 starring Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends

  1. Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga

Last year’s televised show celebrating the work of the late great Sondheim was a real thrill and this month stars including Peters and Salonga perform some of the composer’s best-loved songs alongside Haydn Gwynne (The Welkin, National Theatre), Janie Dee (Follies, National Theatre) and Jac Yarrow (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, London Palladium). Runs at the West End’s Gielgud Theatre 16 September through 6 January 2024. Tickets Update: Performances now begin 21 September without Gwynne. Review

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GIG REVIEW: Victorious Festival 2023 starring Cian Ducrot, Mae Muller, Welly & Billy Nomates (Day 1)

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: **** (press pass)

WHEN?: Friday 25 August 2023

A fortnight ago Cian Ducrot’s debut album topped the charts in both the UK and his native Ireland and this afternoon he opens his set on the Castle Stage with the title track from it, the appropriately titled Victory.

  • Read on for reasons including Mae Muller, Britain’s best new band Welly, Billy Nomates and The Charlatans
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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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SONG OF THE WEEK: Me, Myself and I by Mae Muller (week beginning Saturday 8 July 2023)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Proving that finishing 25th in May’s joyous Eurovision Song Contest final in Liverpool doesn’t have to be a career kiss of death, Muller returns with a single that is almost as infectiously catchy as the riot that was I Wrote A Song, April’s song of the month for us.

  • Read on for reasons including details of Muller’s debut album and how to see her on tour this year
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PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS: Eurovision 2023 Final starring Loreen, Mae Muller, Käärijä, Noa Kirel & La Zarra in Liverpool

By Neil Durham

WHEN?: Saturday 13 May 2023 8pm (UK time)

WHERE?: Liverpool Arena

HOW DO I WATCH?: BBC1

The UK hasn’t won the Eurovision Song Contest for 26 years and we think this year’s entry – Mae Muller’s I Wrote A Song – is its best shot since then although it does have 2012 winner Loreen (pictured) to beat.

  • Read on for reasons including out thoughts on other acts including Noa Kirel and La Zarra
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for May 2023 starring Eurovision in Liverpool

  1. Eurovision Song Contest 2023 from Liverpool

We have our tickets and UK Eurovision entry I Wrote A Song by Mae Muller was April’s song of the month for us and is the country’s best effort since the almighty (Ooh Aah) Just A Little Bit by Gina G. Our favourite however is Tattoo by Loreen (pictured) for Sweden. Check out our Semi 1, Semi 2 and Final predictions for the 1st Eurovision in the UK since Dana International won in Birmingham 25 years ago. Tickets Rehearsals start on 30 April and we’ll be refining our predictions as we see footage. Final predictions

  • Read on for reasons including Brokeback Mountain, Groundhog Day returns, Alison Goldfrapp LP and Eddie Izzard’s Great Expectations
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