If Sally Bowles was around today, she’d most likely be chronically online, binging on TikTok make-up tutorials and dance crazes.She’d be oblivious to the outside world, unaware of the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, or the orange menace that is Trump. Bob Fosse’s film has endured, because the theme of “divine decadence” amid the encroachingContinue reading “Vintage Films: Cabaret”
Category Archives: Lorna Irvine
Oh No, It Isn’t/Oh Yes, It Is: Good Panto/Bad Panto
Panto, pantomime in its shortened form (like porno, ha ha ha!) is where kids in the UK often first witness theatre. Sadly, it’s often the ONLY theatre they ever see, because it’s mostly bloody awful. Don’t fight me on this, I’ve been a critic almost fifteen years now, and have seen more panto than many,Continue reading “Oh No, It Isn’t/Oh Yes, It Is: Good Panto/Bad Panto”
The Future’s Here Today: Mrs Frighthouse
Mrs Frighthouse are my new art crush. Heavy as hell and really beautiful, their music is the real deal: churning industrial goth metal that leaves you punch drunk. My friend Gareth tipped me off about them, for which I’m so grateful. If I had any discernible musical ability, I’d be clawing at their door, beggingContinue reading “The Future’s Here Today: Mrs Frighthouse”
Lost In Music: Cocteau Twins – Pearly Dewdrops Drops
This song is older than some of my band T shirts, but as with Cocteau Twins at their sweetest, it always feels like a warm room on a frosty day. It’s perfection: they pretty much invented dream pop, after all, with the music box twinkling, and ethereal beauty. But, as ever, you can make upContinue reading “Lost In Music: Cocteau Twins – Pearly Dewdrops Drops”
The Peel Sessions: Radial Spangle
Radial Spangle never got their dues. The band, who originally formed as a trio, from Oklahoma, made music that was forever pitched somewhere between the dreamy distraction of shoegazing and waywardnes of neo-psychedelia. Such was the early nineties, and they were, after all, friends with Mercury Rev and Flaming Lips. The session they recorded forContinue reading “The Peel Sessions: Radial Spangle”
Why Series 4 (2022) of Drag Race UK Is My Favourite
Not all drag queens are created alike. RuPaul’s Drag Race was in danger of becoming a little bit safe, until she (legendary queen RuPaul Charles) and the producers (World Of Wonder) sent it to the UK. No judgment, but to me, it felt like our American sisters on their shows were more about looks, glamourContinue reading “Why Series 4 (2022) of Drag Race UK Is My Favourite”
Je Deteste Amelie
I’ve a confession to share: I really hate Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s 2001 film, Amelie. The rom-com, with its insufferably childlike lead character, portrayed by the beautiful Audrey Tautou, is often cited by cineastes as revitalising French cinema in the millennium, but I find it nauseating. It seems I’m not alone in this. Savages ‘ lead singerContinue reading “Je Deteste Amelie”
Film Review: Kneecap
What’s the craic? Directed by Rich Peppiatt, this fictionalised account of the West Belfast hip-hop trio, has not been without controversy from, unsurprisingly, certain sectors of the British press. However, the band deny they’re pro – IRA, and define their film as a satire, a provocation mocking every Irish trope ever committed to film, particularlyContinue reading “Film Review: Kneecap”
One From The Tempo House Archive: RM Hubbert/Aidan Moffat, The Old Fruitmarket, 2019
Celtic Connections Review: RM Hubbert/ Aidan Moffat February 4, 2019 • Spoilt Victorian Child Reviewed at The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow Who doesn’t like beery songs from teary places? The percussive, flamenco- inflected guitar of RM Hubbert, affectionately known in indie circles as ‘Hubby’, in collaboration with arch Arab Strap frontman, Aidan Moffat, scored unexpected ‘chart’ success last yearContinue reading “One From The Tempo House Archive: RM Hubbert/Aidan Moffat, The Old Fruitmarket, 2019”
Album Review: Jasmine.4.t- You Are The Morning
It’s not even out until January, but I’m calling it already: this thing of beauty will be one of 2025’s finest. Based in Manchester, Jasmine Cruickshank, who writes and records as Jasmine.4.t , makes music that disarms through its intimacy and hopeful, wistful intensity. Produced by Boygenius, it shares sonic DNA with early Perfume Genius,Continue reading “Album Review: Jasmine.4.t- You Are The Morning”
Hit The North 