Critics' Choice

Film

Andrew O'Hagan

quote An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance quote

2012 Theatre

Fiona Mountford

quote The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C quote

Blood Brothers Music

John Aizlewood

quote The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed quote

Muse

Reader reviews

Theatre

Rachel Dalziel

quote I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play quote

Gilbert Is Dead Restaurants

Raja, London

quote I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food quote

Babbo Music

Katy, London

quote Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW! quote

Muse

Critics choice: Top five gigs

By David Smyth, Evening Standard 19.01.07

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With star-packed events at Ronnie Scott's and the Roundhouse featuring Jamie Cullum, Paul Weller and Bill Wyman, to Swedish electropop at the Mean Fiddler, there is something for everyone.

Soul Family Sunday
Ronnie Scott's, W1
Singer Natalie Williams hosts another of monthly guest-filled Sunday evenings with her nine piece backing band. Jazz munchkin Jamie Cullum and soul boy Nate James are among the starry guests. (020 7439 0747). Sun 21 Jan, 6.30pm.

Dear Mr Fantasy
Roundhouse, NW1
This charity evening celebrates the music of Traffic founder Jim Capaldi, who died of stomach cancer in 2005. Former bandmate Steve Winwood will be part of a star-packed cast that also includes Pete Townshend, Yusuf Islam, Paul Weller and Bill Wyman. Proceeds go towards the organisation extensively supported by Capaldi in his lifetime, The Jubilee Action Street Children Appeal. (0870 389 1846). Sun 21 Jan, 7pm.

Joanna Newsom & The LSO
Barbican, EC2
HMV's recent Poll of Polls revealed that Californian harpist Newsom was the unlikely recipient of the most critical acclaim in the album of 2006 stakes, her five-track epic Ys winning universal adoration for its string-draped meanderings, dense with poetic imagery. Now she is able to perform it live at the scale it demands, with the London Symphony Orchestra playing complex arrangements by Beach Boys collaborator Van Dyke Parks. (020 7638 4141). Tonight, 7.30pm.

Mr Hudson & the Library
Swiss Cottage Library, NW3
Thankfully most bands don't take their monikers so literally (gigs by the Killers and the Flaming Lips would be particularly terrifying if they did) but a tour of Britain's reading rooms by new reggae-pop band Mr Hudson & the Library is still a neat gimmick, if only for the joy of being able to make as much noise as possible without fear of shushing. (020 7974 6522). Fri 19 Jan, 7pm.

The Sounds
Mean Fiddler, WC2
This lively Swedish electropop quintet is fast acquiring a healthy buzz. They've already supported the Strokes, Foo Fighters and Panic! At The Disco, and play here as part of the Mean Fiddler's Frog club night. (020 7434 9592). Sat 20 Jan, 11pm-4am.