Words by Charlotte Ndupuechi. Photos by Hazel Worthy. There’s something special about hearing songs you’ve danced to for years performed live by a full orchestra, and that’s exactly what Southampton experienced on Sunday night (14/6/26) as Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics arrived as part of TK Maxx Presents Southampton Summer...
Entertainment Reviews
Review: Alex James’ Britpop Classical, Southampton Summer Sessions
By Sarah Groeswski. Alex James’ Britpop Classical headlined the second night of Southampton Summer Sessions, supported by DJ Dan (13/6/26). I’d never heard of DJ Dan before, but a bit of research told me he’d be right up my street as the creator of Propaganda, the UK’s Biggest Indie...
Photos: Amy Macdonald headlines opening night of Southampton Summer Sessions
Photos by Hazel Worthy. Amy MacDonald, with support from The Coral and Cammie Barnes, performed a storming opening night at this years Southampton Summer Sessions, on Friday night (12/6/26 – review here). Further headliners are Pete Tong Ibiza Classics, The Beach Boys, OMD, Paul Weller, Billy Ocean with Marti...
Review: Amy MacDonald with support from The Coral and Cammie Barnes, Southampton Summer Sessions
Words and photos by Darren Grayer. The Southampton Summer Sessions kicked off in fine style last night (12/6/26) with a stirring performance by Scottish singer/songwriter Amy MacDonald. After a week of pretty dull and inclement weather, luckily things took a turn for the better, with the sun beaming all...
Review: Sofa City Bands Collective Picnic
By Darren Grayer. The Sofa City Bands Collective held their first picnic in the lovely grounds of Rownhams House in June 2016, and although the event was repeated the following year and again in 2019, Covid then took its toll, along with an upturn in hosting wedding receptions. That...
Review: Atonement, Chichester Festival Theatre
By Graham Hiley. Stars: 4/5. Given the huge success of Atonement as both a novel and a movie, it is incredible to think that it has never been performed on stage until now. But it was worth the wait. If anything, Christopher Hampton’s world premiere adaptation at Chichester Festival...
Review: Kiss of the Spiderwoman – Mayflower Studios, Southampton
By Graham Hiley. Star rating: 5/5 Southampton’s Mayflower Studios could not have picked a better show to celebrate their fifth anniversary than Kiss of the Spider Woman. It is hard to believe that this beautiful intimate theatre has now been delighting audiences for five years with a diverse range...
Review: Soul 45 Boogie Down BBQ brings community together on Southampton Common
By Charlotte Ndupuechi. The 7th annual Soul 45 Boogie Down BBQ returned to Southampton Common yesterday (30/5/26), delivering a day of great music and community spirit. With a full sound system providing the soundtrack from noon until 11pm, people gathered with friends, family, food and drinks to enjoy the...
Review: Romeo and Juliet (immersive production), Salisbury Playhouse
By Katie Isham. Pictures: Craig Fuller. Star rating: 5/5 “The day is hot, the Capulets are abroad, and if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl.” And marry, if you head to Salisbury Playhouse before the 7th June, you shall not ‘scape a brawl, nor a ball, nor...
Review: Wanderlust Festival 2026, Southampton
By Darren Grayer. Additional reporting: Anita Foxall & Russell Foxall. Image: Hot Stamp. Saturday The sun came out in glorious fashion and shone on Southampton over the weekend for the third Wanderlust Festival (23-24/6/26). Some seven hundred music lovers descended on the city to see around fifty bands perform...