music

THEATRE REVIEW: Paddington The Musical at the Savoy Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK? ****

WHEN? Friday 14 November, opens 1 December and runs through 25 October 2026 RUNTIME: 165 minutes (with a 20-minute interval)

They say the devil has the best tunes and this new musical’s showstopper is reserved for its taxidermist villainess – Pretty Little Dead Things (listen below).

  • Read on for reasons including how it’s the strength of the songs that made us enjoy this show so much more than we expected
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GIG REVIEW: ABC at Sheffield City Hall

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Andrew Mosley

WHEN?: Friday 7 November, tour runs through 10 July 2026

It’s bouncing off the bumps of Yorkshire’s country roads in Richard Gostling’s VW Beatle while When Smokey Sings blasts from the cheap radio. It’s cringing in the pub as Phil Robinson quotes lyrics from the band’s songs as chat-up lines to what he sees as potential girlfriends.

  • Read on for reasons including the joys of being a New Romantic in a tough northern industrial city
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GIG REVIEW/INTERVIEW: Welly at Papillon, Southampton

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN? Tuesday 14 October, tour runs through 1 November 2025

I can’t count how many times we’ve seen Welly, kings of observation-ridden indie pop for the thinking fan.

  • Read on for reasons including how this young Damon Albarn is inspired by Charli XCX’s brat
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GIG REVIEW: Robert Forster And His Swedish Band at The Gate, Cardiff

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Andrew Mosley

WHEN? Friday 10 October, tour runs through 19 October 2025

It’s almost 40 years since I first clapped eyes on and lent ears to the wonder of The Go-Betweens.

  • Read on for reasons including how the former Go-Between incorporates the band’s songs into this set
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Rainy Sunday Afternoon by The Divine Comedy (October 2025)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Tracklist: Achilles; The Last Time I Saw The Old Man; The Man Who Turned Into A Chair; I Want You; Rainy Sunday Afternoon; All The Pretty Lights; Down The Rabbit Hole; Mar-a-Lago By The Sea; The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter; Can’t Let Go; Invisible Thread

The loss of a parent is a universal experience but not 1 which pop music usually troubles itself with.

  • Read on for reasons including where to see the band on tour in the UK and in Europe 2025/6
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ALBUM OF THE WEEK: Perimenopop by Sophie Ellis Bextor (week beginning Tuesday 16 September 2025)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Tracklist: Relentless Love; Vertigo; Taste; Stay On Me; Dolce Vita; Time; Glamorous; Freedom Of The Night; Layers; Diamond In The Dark; Heart Sing; Don’t Know What You’ve Got ‘Til It’s Gone

Welcome to Ellis Bextor’s 8th studio album and 1st since Murder On The Dancefloor became an international hit for the 2nd time after its memorable inclusion in Emerald Fennell’s film Saltburn.

  • Read on for reasons including how Only Murders In The Building star Selena Gomez features
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THEATRE REVIEW: Stereophonic starring Jack Riddiford at Duke Of York’s Theatre

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN? Saturday 30 August, runs through 22 November 2025

RUNTIME: 195 minutes (including 15-minute interval)

Can you ever have too much of a good thing?

  • Read on for reasons including how this is a classy production we’re unsure will repeat its Tonys success at the Oliviers
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INTERVIEW: Rick Witter from Shed Seven on hairbrush singing, Showaddywaddy, Duran Duran & Victorious Festival

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

I like to explain what kind of fan I am before a review/interview. I tell Rick I’m dead nervous as I’m such a fangirl. We’ve seen the Sheds many times, here at Victorious, in local venues and at the Shiiine On Weekender many times in Butlins. “Don’t be nervous,” he tells me. “I’m a nice guy. We’ll just have a nice chat like we’re round a pub table.” And he is a nice guy.  

  • Read on for reasons including how to select a festival setlist from material going back to the 90s
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PREVIEW: 9 reasons why we can’t wait for September 2025 starring Entertaining Mr Sloane

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. Entertaining Mr Sloane at Young Vic Theatre

Rizzle Kick Jordan Stephens makes his theatre debut opposite Tamzin Outhwaite (Stepping Out, Vaudeville Theatre) in this revival of the classic Joe Orton comedy. Runs at the Young Vic Theatre 15 September through 8 November 2025. Tickets Our review

  • Read on for reasons including Stephen Fry in Oscar Wilde, new Divine Comedy and Suede LPs
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Victorious Festival 2025 Day 1 starring The Charlatans, Madness, Ash, Hot Wax and The Mary Wallopers

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Friday 22 August 2025 (press ticket)

There was a different feeling about this 12th annual south coast festival (the two years previous to this, it was held in the Dockyard).

  • Read on for reasons including Charlatans, Hot Wax, Ash, The Mary Wallopers and Madness
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