Superlatives hardly do justice to the magnificent staging of one of Disney’s all-time favourites, Beauty and the Beast, which has been revised and enhanced. The striking sets and glorious costuming set the scene for a joyful celebration of song and dance … and the Hollywood ending that everyone wants to see play out. Fast-moving advances in technology…
Pedro the Lion is the musical project of David Bazan, known for his distinctive voice and sharp songwriting. After a 15-year hiatus, Bazan revived the project in 2019 with Phoenix, followed by Havasu in 2022. The albums chronicle Bazan’s peripatetic youth, influenced by his father’s career as a music minister. The latest album, Santa Cruz,…
Our selection of the best new music across a range of genres from the week ending 21 June 2024. Lake Street Dive have pushed the possibilities of pop music as a unifying force, not only through their eclectic sound—a boldly original cross-pollination of soul, folk, jazz, classic pop, and more—the five-piece’s all-embracing ethos has also…
Few are as fearless in opening up their lives, warts and all, as is Namibian born Natalie Gamsu. The singer, actor and cabaret performer who moved to Australia in 2003 studied drama at the University of Capetown and has worked all over the world. She lifts the lid on her experiences, giving us her thoughts and feelings…
At this point, The Decemberists have a nice music history. The group formed in 2000 when Colin Meloy moved to Portland, Oregon, meeting Nate Query, Jenny Conlee, and Chris Funk. Their sound blends folk rock with complex narratives and varied instrumentation. The Decemberists produce rich, evocative arrangements; and they incorporate elements from different genres, producing…
Am I an ABBA fan? You betcha. I love what they created. I adore their songs and their harmonies. And while the closest thing we are likely to see to them performing together again is the hologram concert ABBA Voyage, there is something mighty special in town. I refer to a dedicated choir established by ABBA The…
The unmissable nighttime visual spectacle Lightscape has returned to the Royal Botanic Gardens for a third winter with a reimagined trail and new installations. It is a glorious exhibition of creativity, featuring a stunning array of large-scale illuminated sculptures, many colour-changing. More than that, trees are lit up, there is fire, fog and projections along the two-kilometre…
Our selection of the best new music across a range of genres from the week ending 14 June 2024. John Grant began thinking about a new album in the autumn of 2022. Earlier that year, John had been introduced to Ivor Guest, producer and composer at Grace Jones’ Southbank show, the finale of her Meltdown…
Habibi, co-founded by Rahill Jamalifard and Lenny Lynch in 2011, quickly gained attention with their distinctive fusion of styles and cultures. Their self-titled debut album in 2014 was met with critical acclaim, noted for its unique blend of 60s girl group surf pop and an edgy, modern twist. Their subsequent works, including the 2018 Cardamom…
Music like, I dare say, you have never seen it performed before. An hour-long pulsating beat, complete with athleticism, instruments struck and strummed outside the norm, treadmill vocals and wild cheering from the bleachers. There’s also a commentator and a highly enthusiastic cheerleader who, too, breaks the conventional mould (in fact, the whole performance piece does). All…
