WORTH A LOOK?: ****
Madonna (Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona) chooses not to ape Hung Up, the all-conquering, chart-topping, ABBA-sampling banger that launched album Confessions On A Dancefloor 21 years ago.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
Tracklist: Where Do We Go From Here?; Feels Like Heaven; Weapons; Is It Love?; Can’t Pull Me Down; Melt; Wildfire; Coming Close; Set Me Free; Tattoo; Lose That Light; Kiss The Sky; True Love
It’s been almost 3 years since Loreen became the 1st woman to win Eurovision twice and, despite the wait, this album’s exceptional quality makes it all worthwhile.
By Neil Durham
WHEN? 14 May 2026 HOW TO WATCH? BBC1 in the UK at 8pm
WHERE? Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna
The final half of this 2nd semi final is Eurovision at its most competitive and 1 of our favourites is sure to miss out but we do think superstar Delta Goodrem’s is the performance to watch out for here because the song is contest-winning worthy.
By Neil Durham
WHEN? 12 May 2026 HOW TO WATCH? BBC1 in the UK at 8pm
WHERE? Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna
Juries return to the semi finals for the 1st time since 2022 and the 1st semi is notable for the appearance of the contest’s runaway favourite at the time of writing – Finland (pictured) – and controversial inclusion of Israel.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
WHEN? Tuesday 25 March and runs through 29 March 2026 RUNTIME: 90 minutes (no interval)
Zegler (EVITA, London Palladium) plays struggling actress Cathy in this 25th anniversary concert performance of a musical opposite Ben Platt’s Jamie who is becoming a successful author.
By Aline Mahrud
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN? Tuesday 17 March, opens 24 March and runs through 9 May 2026 RUNTIME: 140 minutes (including 20-minute interval)
The best thing about this musical of the life of French painter and founder of the Impressionists Monet is when his wife contemplates their relationship in 11pm number There Are No Stars.
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
Goodrem had 5 UK top 10 singles, a number 2 album with Innocent Eyes in 2003 and at the time of writing – 22 song reveals – her Eclipse is our favourite Eurovision entry.
WHEN?: Saturday 28 February March 2025 7pm UK time WHERE TO WATCH? SVT
WHERE?: Gärdehov Arena, Sundsval
The final heat of Melfest 2026 is its most competitive with the return of a former winner and the arrival of the sole American Song Contest victor.
WHEN?: Saturday 14 February 2026 WHERE TO WATCH? SVT 7pm UK time
WHERE?: Kristianstad Arena, Kristianstad
FELICIA triumphed in last week’s Heat 2 as we predicted but even we were surprised by how banging it was and the equally enthusiastic response to it.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN? Friday 30 January, opens 10 February and runs through 18 April 2026 RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)
There’s a kindness and generosity of spirit about this new musical which reminds of the Olivier Award-winning The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button and a final reveal so devastating we spend much of the 2nd act shedding silent tears.
