Saint Etienne

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: International by Saint Etienne (week beginning Tuesday 9 September 2025)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Tracklist: Glad; Dancing Heart; The Go Betweens; Sweet Melodies; Save It For A Rainy Day; Fade; Brand New Me; Take Me To The Pilot; Two Lovers; Why Are You Calling; He’s Gone; The Last Time

What do Haircut 100’s Nick Heyward, Yazoo’s Vince Clarke, Xenomania’s Tim Powell, Erol Alkan, Chemical Brothers and Orbital have in common?

  • Read on for reasons including how this is the final Saint Etienne album
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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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SONG OF THE WEEK: Glad by Saint Etienne (week beginning Thursday 12 June 2025)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

Saint Etienne’s best single since their 2012 run of Tonight and I’ve Got Your Music finds them collaborating with the Chemical Brothers and returning to the dancefloor with a bang.

  • Read on for reasons including how new album International will be the band’s last
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for September starring The Normal Heart (2021)

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

  1. The Normal Heart beats at the National

This revival of Larry Kramer’s play about the American AIDS crisis is timed beautifully after the National’s unforgettable Angels In America in 2017 and Channel 4’s It’s A Sin earlier this year. Starring Ben Daniels we’re excited for the return of monsta winner Daniel Monks (Teenage Dick, Donmar), director Dominic Cooke (Follies, National) and Dino Fetscher (Torch Song, Turbine Theatre). Runs 23 September to 6 November 2021. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including Saoirse Ronan’s London stage debut, Jennifer Saunders, new Blow Monkeys album and Jamie film released finally
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MONSTAS SHORTLIST: Gig of the year: 2017

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2017? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 13 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2017.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for Gig of the year. 2016 winner: Shura at KOKO

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GIG REVIEW: Saint Etienne at SWX, Bristol: 8 December 2017

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2

WHERE: SWX, Bristol

WHEN: 8/12, tour runs to 10/12

SETLIST: Kiss And Make Up; Lose That Girl; Out Of My Mind; I’ve Got Your Music; Who Do You Think You Are; Hug My Soul; Magpie Eyes; Don’t Intend To Spend Christmas Alone; Like A Motorway; Dive; Only Love Can Break Your Heart; Tonight; Nothing Can Stop Us Now; Sylvie; He’s On the Phone; Driving Home For Christmas; Train Drivers In Eyeliner; I Was Born On Christmas Day

We’ve shortlisted new Saint Etienne album Home Counties for a monsta for album of the year.

  • Read on for reasons including why we would’ve liked to hear more Home Counties

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MONSTAS SHORTLIST: Album of the year: 2017

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

It’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2017? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 13 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2017.

  • Read on for nominees for the monsta for album of the year. 2016 winner: Joanne by Lady Gaga

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ALBUM REVIEW: Home Counties by Saint Etienne

Posted on by mrmonstagigz

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

OUT: now

TRACKLIST: The Reunion; Something New; Magpie Eyes; Whyteleafe; Dive; Church Pew Furniture Restorer; Take It All In; Popmaster; Underneath The Apple Tree; Out Of My Mind; After Hebden; Breakneck Hill; Heather; Sports Report; Train Drivers In Eyeliner; Unopened Fanmail; What Kind Of World; Sweet Arcadia; Angel Of Woodhatch

Saint Etienne are now out on tour, we’ve had a look at a recent setlist and are disappointed that only five songs from this impressive collection made it to their current live shows.

  • Read on for reasons including why this album evokes early Saint Etienne LPs

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