music

ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Confessions II by Madonna (July 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

Tracklist: I Feel So Free; Good For The Soul; One Step Away; Bring Your Love; Danceteria; Read My Lips; Everything; Love Sensation; Love Without Words; Bizarre; School; Fragile; My Sins Are My Saviour; Betrayal; The Test; L.E.S Girl

Confessions II is the mostly misleading title for this album which isn’t Madonna’s best album for the 21 years since Confessions On A Dancefloor but her best … ever.

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the best album of 2026 so far
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Danceteria by Soft Cell (July 2026)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Danceteria is the name of the New York nightclub where Soft Cell‘s young Marc Almond and Dave Ball would party until the small hours after recording sessions for their 1981 debut LP Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret.

  • Read on for reasons including Almond’s thoughts on the upcoming final album and its Madonna link
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The B-52s and DEVO Cosmic De-evolution Tour, The O2, London with The Rezillos & Lene Lovich

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Saturday 20 June, tour runs through 31 October 2026

Not being a fan of The O2 at dizzying heights, we managed to get arena floor seats and after some argy-bargy with the security (removing high-up signs), we managed to get fantastic views, despite being a seated gig. I think the special early bar helped with that, to be honest. 

  • Read on for reasons including how love rules at the Love Shack
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OMD, Peter Hook and the Light & Andrew Cushin at Guild Hall, Southampton

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: 19 June 2026 and touring through 1 September 2026

Loved their early singles, liked most of the later ones, so why haven’t we been to see them before? We love Andy McCluskey when he appears as any talking head, so we knew we’d love them on stage.

  • Read on for reasons including Orchestral Manoeuvres in the sunset, rather than the dark
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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)

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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

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  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 Our review

  • 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

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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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