By Charlie Hislop “Ok……. jump” and everyone did if they weren’t already jumping. It’s the close-out of Southampton’s Rob Clamp’s recent hometown gig. The place is rammed, the audience is bouncing. The energy coming off the stage is visible. The set is a mix of album tracks and new...
Entertainment Reviews
Review: Frank Turner, O2 Southampton Guildhall
By Graham Hiley. Back in 1996 a young Frank Turner came to the Southampton Guildhall to watch a Battle of the Bands contest. There and then he vowed he would one day be standing on that stage taking part in the competition. Although he never actually got to...
Review: The Baddies, Mayflower Studios, Southampton
By Melanie Adams. They may be The Baddies, but this show is definitely a goodie! This Easter week, Mayflower Studios welcomes the brand-new stage adaptation of the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 2022 book. Although one of their lesser-known tales, it was perfect for my superhero-loving four-year-old, who loves...
Art review: Work & Play at The Winchester Gallery
By Lucy Taylor. Stepping into the bustling opening of The Winchester Gallery’s new Work & Play exhibition, I was struck firstly by a real live head lying on a plate in the middle of a cardboard table installation (don’t fear, it was still attached to a living breathing body),...
Review: The Elmer Adventure, Theatre Royal Winchester
By Melanie Adams. Forget fluffy bunnies and cute little chicks, this Easter there’s an elephant that is taking centre stage! Yesterday, my four-year-old son and I ditched the Easter egg hunts for an elephant hunt as The Elmer Adventure has arrived at the Theatre Royal Winchester this week. And...
Review: Better Joy, Joiners, Southampton
By Darren Grayer. Formed in 2023, Better Joy is the creation of Manchester based singer/songwriter Bria Keeley. She began writing songs at university before forming the band which then released four singles in 2024, followed by last month’s six track ep, Heading Into The Blue. The band have been...
Review: Shôn Dale-Jones, The Point, Eastleigh, 4 April 2025
By Laura McCarthy. Entering the intimate setting of The Point’s studio space, I was struck by the sense of familiarity in the room as Shôn Dale-Jones shook hands with us, with every audience member, with warm compassion radiating from his eyes. Immediately, Dale-Jones came across as genuine, and when,...
Review: Mind Games, The Arch, Winchester
By Anita Foxall. The Arch in Winchester hosted an amazing evening of music and performances on the 27th of March. Stewart Taylor performed his new ’Virtually There’, a compelling show that takes the audience on a virtual reality journey. Last year, I experienced part of this show in a...
Milly Thimaras’ Southampton album launch
By Charlie Hislop. Milly Thimaras appeared on the local music scene from London a while back, and next month she launches her new album ‘Bullets’ with a special charity gig at Papillon on April 25th in conjunction with the charity War Child. ‘Bullets’ has been in the making for...
Review: Beans On Toast with support from William Crighton, The Joiners, Southampton
By Spring Wise. I arrived at The Joiners very shortly after doors, and the place was already buzzing and glowing (25/3/25). The crowd brought a summertime festival vibe to a Tuesday night in March and love was in the air. William Crighton, all the way from Australia has the...