music

THEATRE REVIEW: Hamlet Hail To The Thief at the Barbican

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ***

WHEN?: Monday 9 November, opens 12 November and runs through 23 January 2027 RUNTIME: 100 minutes (no interval)

The best thing about this collision between Shakespeare’s 400-year-old play and Radiohead’s Grammy-winning 2003 album is the undeniable power of the live band here playing its angry, discordant rock during frequent moments of horror.

  • Read on for reasons including how while there were very many elements of this work we enjoyed, we didn’t feel it came together as a particular coherent whole
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: A Man From The Future by Pet Shop Boys (November 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Tracklist: Natural Wonders Every Child Should Know; He Dreamed Of Machines; The Enigma; Other Ranks; The Memory And The Control; The Trial; Only In His Death; A Man From The Future

It’s the voice of former prime minister Gordon Brown making a 2009 apology to codebreaker and computer pioneer Alan Turing, acknowledging his contribution to winning World War Two and expressing regret at the inhumanity of the homophobic laws he was persecuted by on the title track that bring home how relevant to today this story remains.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a moving reminder of an extraordinary life lived by a man whose brilliance made such a difference but was brutally cut short
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GIG REVIEW: Knats at The MOTH Club, Hackney

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Friday 30 October 2026, tour runs through 23 March 2027

Some six months ago, having heard Knats on 6Music, I booked these tickets for Mr H, as a bit of a surprise really.

  • Read on for reasons including how the commitment to their performance is equal to the commitment to the fun they have performing
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GIG REVIEW: Antony Szmierek at 02 Academy Bournemouth

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Friday 16 October 2026, tour runs through 6 February 2027

This was a birthday present for Mr H, but I did like The Heron, from his second album Decoding Birdsong, out earlier this year.

  • Read on for reasons including why we all need to channel our inner Szmierek. Be more heron, be more Antony
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Danceteria by Soft Cell (October 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

Tracklist: Elusive; Danceteria; The Space Inside; Times Square; Two Of A Kind; The Rainbow Room; In Heaven (When I Dance With You); Decadence Is Hard Work; Crackland; What Is Your Morality?; Losing Yourself; After Hours; Wave To America; Out Come The Freaks

Keyboardist Dave Ball died last October shortly after finishing work on Soft Cell’s final album which sees them perfecting some of the best work of their career while lyrically returning to early 80s New York, a pivotal time for the duo.

  • Read on for reasons including Danceteria is a wildly entertaining, reflective and fitting epitaph to both Soft Cell and Dave Ball
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GIG REVIEW Saint Etienne at Camden Roundhouse

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN?: Friday 18 September, tour runs through 1 December 2026

Setlist: Tonight; Like A Motorway; Spring; Glad; You’re In A Bad Way; Shower Scene; Who Do You Think You Are?; Heart Failed (In The Back Of A Taxi); Pale Movie; Brand New Me; Mario’s Cafe; Take Me To The Pilot; Only Love Can Break Your Heart; DJ; Stormtrooper In Drag; He’s On The Phone/7 Ways To Love; Nothing Can Stop Us; The Last Time

Never has a band understood its fans better and reflected it back.

  • Read on for reasons including why this should be au revoir to Saint Etienne not adieu
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ALBUM OF THE WEEK: Live! by Pulp (week beginning Wednesday 9 September 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

Tracklist: Spike Island; Slow Jam; Sorted For Es And Whizz; Disco 2000; Help The Aged; Farmers’ Market; This Is Hardcore; Sunrise; Something’s Changed; Grown Ups; O.U.; Do You Remember The First Time?; Mis-Shapes; Got To Have Love; Babies; Common People; A Sunset

Actress Kelly Macdonald, arguably best known for 1996’s iconic Trainspotting, welcomes this encore performance and bids the audience farewell with a charming: ‘Goodnight and safe travels – and remember, take care of each other.’

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the story of pop’s greatest resurrection of recent years
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AWARDS LONGLIST: MONSTAS: Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film & Podcasts of 2026 so far (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

You, dear reader, are given the chance to vote in 17 categories from October this year to tell us your favourite theatre, music, TV, film and podcast of 2026.

  • Read on for reasons including 8 of 17 categories of our Best Theatre, Music, TV, Film and Podcasts of 2026 so far
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THEATRE REVIEW: Kimberly Akimbo starring Maria Friedman at Hampstead Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

WHEN? Saturday 29 August, opens Wednesday 9 September and and runs through 7 November 2026 RUNTIME: 165 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

The key to the success of this Tony Award-winning musical is the casting of its leading lady who can convince as a 16-year-old ageing four times more quickly than her peers and as the pensioner she physically appears to be.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is is filled with joy, love and laughs even at its tear-spattered finale
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