music

ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Apollo by Gene (June 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Tracklist: London, Can You Wait?; Be My Light, Be My Guide; We Could Be Kings; Where Are They Now?; Truth, Rest Your Head; Your Love, It Lies; Long Sleeves For The Summer; Sleep Well Tonight; Save Me, I’m Yours; O Lover; Speak To Me Someone; A Car That Sped; Walking In The Shallows; Haunted By You; Olympian; For The Dead; Sick, Sober and Sorry; Fighting Fit; I Can’t Help Myself; Who Said This Was The End?

It’s 8 months after Gene’s 1st London gig for 21 years and the perfect time for this live album to drop ahead of Camden Roundhouse shows this autumn.

  • Read on for reasons including how Apollo proves a startling reminder of both how incredible Gene were and could be again
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THEATRE REVIEW: Redcliffe starring Jordan Luke Gage at Southwark Playhouse (The Large)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Saturday 23 May, opens 27 May and runs through 4 July 2026 RUNTIME: 135 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

Welcome to the best new musical of 2026 so far with a book, music and lyrics by Jordan Luke Gage who you may have seen leading musicals including Bonnie & Clyde.

  • Read on for reasons including how we fell head over heels in love with the songs and even shed a few tears throughout
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for June 2026 starring Pride

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Pride at the National Theatre

Writer and director Stephen Beresford and Matthew Warchus (Oedipus, Old Vic) return from the 2014 film for the musical of a group of gay men and lesbians supporting the striking miners in the 80s. Stars Samuel Barnett (Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is About To Happen, Bush Theatre) at the National’s Dorfman Theatre 11 June through 12 September 2026. Original music by DJ Walde (SYLVIA, Old Vic). Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Russell Tovey in Guilty, Midsummer Night’s Dream and Glengarry Glen Ross
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GIG REVIEW: Rosalía at The 02, London

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Wednesday 6 May 2026, tour runs through 3 September 2026

Setlist: Sexo, violencia y llantos; Reliquia; Porcelana; Divinize; Mo Christo piange diamanti; Berghain; SAOKO: LA FAMA; LA COMBI VERSACE; De madruga; El redentor; Can’t Take My Eyes Off You; La perla; Sauvignon blanc; La yugular; Dios es un stalker; La rumba del perdon; CUUUUuuuuuute; BIZCOCHITO; DESPECHA; Focu ‘ranni; Magnolias

This is the 22nd and final European gig of Rosalía’s LUX tour and she tells us she is exhausted and it’s only the high energy of this London crowd that is seeing her through it.

  • Read on for reasons including why we can’t wait to see Rosalía again on a stage in the UK or Europe and soon
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PREDICTIONS/PREVIEW Eurovision Song Contest 2026 Final starring Delta Goodrem, Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen, Monroe & Look Mum No Computer

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WHEN? 16 May 2026 HOW TO WATCH? BBC1 in the UK at 8pm

WHERE? Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna

The 2nd semi final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest is over and we’ve updated this preview with our predictions for the qualifiers joining the host country and remaining Big 4 after Spain’s boycott.

  • Read on for reasons including predictions for France’s Monroe and the UK’s Look Mum No Computer
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SONG OF THE MONTH: I Feel So Free by Madonna (April 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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.

  • Read on for reasons including how Madonna is perpetuating her career by growing old both joyously and disgracefully and we wouldn’t have it any other way
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Wildfire by Loreen (April 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is easily Loreen’s best and most cohesive album
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PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS: Eurovision Song Contest 2026 Semi Final 2 starring Delta Goodrem, Antigoni, Dara & Atvara

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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.

  • Read on for reasons including Søren Torpegaard Lund, Jonas Lovv & Simón
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PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS: Eurovision Song Contest 2026 Semi Final 1 starring Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen, FELICIA, Vanilla Ninja & Senhit ft Boy George

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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.

  • Read on for reasons including Akylas, Satoshi & Noam Bettan
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THEATRE REVIEW: Rachel Zegler and Ben Platt in The Last Five Years at the London Palladium

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

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.

  • Read on for reasons including how Zegler and Platt give thrilling performances in this unusual concert staging
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