Image by Rob Ashton Baker. English singer-songwriter Will Varley returns with his 7th album, ‘Machines Will Never Learn To Make Mistakes Like Me’, to be released 30th May 2025 on MNRK Music Group, home to the likes of The Lumineers, Gregory Alan Isakov & Shakey Graves. He is also...
Review: Hamilton, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Graham Hiley. Photos by Danny Kaan. If you’ve never seen Hamilton then you really do need to be in the Room Where It Happens. If you have already seen this magnificent musical, You’ll be Back. And if you have been living under a rock and have no idea...
Review: Dilettante, Heartbreakers, Southampton
By Darren Grayer. Francesca Pidgeon is probably known best for her work as multi-instrumentalist in BC Camplight’s excellent backing band. Her own band, Dilettante, arrive at Heartbreakers in Southampton for a second visit (18/3/25), having jetted back to these shores less than 24 hours previous after playing at...
Bastille announce UK arena tour
Today, one of the UK’s biggest and best live acts, multi – platinum selling band, Bastille announce a huge UK arena tour in November 2025. “From All Sides” – Songs from the first 15 years is a celebration of the band’s career-spanning, multi-billion streaming records so far. Performing in nine cities...
Southampton Philharmonic Choir bring Baroque to the 02 Guildhall this weekend
Featuring a line-up of exceptional soloists, the Southampton Philharmonic Choir, Southampton University Philharmonic Choir, and London-based Docklands Sinfonia, all under the baton of David Gibson bring an evening of Baroque to Southampton’s 02 Guildhall on Saturday March 22nd. They will be diving into the Baroque treasure chest to present...
Cuckooing to be made criminal offence – watch online drama about the phenomenon
The government has announced that landmark legislation will ban cuckooing, an activity that exploits vulnerable people. Cuckooing is when the home of a vulnerable person is taken over by criminals to use it for illegal activities, such as drug dealing. The offence will carry a maximum penalty of five...
Good Neighbours come to Portsmouth next month
Riding high off their current single ‘Ripple’ enjoying successes across the globe (including BBC R1 B-list rotation), Good Neighbours have announced a short sharp run of live shows taking their feel-good vibes to Portsmouth’s Kola on April 13th. Turning their attention to the people and places that often get...
New open mic nights come to Southampton
By Darren Grayer. A local musician has teamed up with a bar in Southampton to host a series of open mic nights, with the purpose of providing a platform for other local musicians to showcase their material. Based in Romsey, Charlie Smith describes himself as an alternative acoustic singer/songwriter....
Lulu comes to Poole this May
Pop sensation and bona fide National Treasure, Lulu is renowned for her powerful voice and enduring career having burst onto the music scene in the 1960s with her chart-topping debut single Shout at the age of 15. Last year she played Glastonbury and completed her sold out final tour...
St Patrick’s Day: The rebel consolations of Irish literature
By Benn Orgill. The badness. It’s on the move. It was a long winter – prices rising, plagues lingering, peace talks floundering. And what’s to be done as we watch disaster strike from near and far? Try again, fail again, fail better, as Samuel Beckett would have it. And...