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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
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
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
André Paine's rating
Reader rating
Description: The chirpy pop-rapster headlines.
Phone: 0905020 3999
Website: www.shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk
Email: mail@shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk
Trains: Tube: Shepherd's Bush 
, Tube / Bus: 49, 72, 94, 95, 148, 207, 220, 237, 260, 283, 272, 295, 607 
Extra info: Pub
He's been ignored by this week's Brit Awards, but Dizzee Rascal certainly isn't lacking mainstream appeal.
Plenty of middle-aged fans actually witnessed this return from the 22-year-old rapper Dylan Mills. Which is surprising because my general experience of grime and UK hip-hop has been that it's only really listened to on snazzy mobile phones by surly youths at bus stops.
Of course, the former Mercury Prize-winner's music deserves wide appeal. But the opening 20 minutes of this NME Awards Show was just exhausting, with its rapid-fire bursts from I Luv U and Paranoid. Formidable, yes, but never quite enjoyable.
Dizzee described that as just "getting warmed up", and this performance with DJ Semtex and MC Scope was full of pumped-up aggression.
That was evident in his uncompromising vocal delivery and jabbing hand movements.
However, his fervency wasn't matched by the show's unambitious production. It was, essentially, a few blokes ambling around on stage while Dizzee's videos played on a giant screen.
There was further disappointment when Dizzee told us - rather misleadingly - to "make some noise for the Arctic Monkeys", whose singer Alex Turner appears on Temptation.
But we only got his guest vocal on tape, while Dizzee performed in front of a ropy picture of himself with the band, presumably taken on his own snazzy mobile phone.
Still, Dizzee has delivered three albums of memorable urban tunes and the cracking beats and angry rhymes took hold of the crowd.
The defiant, anti-police single Sirens was relentless, while the deep bass of Fix Up, Look Sharp and Stand Up Tall meant this was music you felt as much as heard.
Sadly, Dizzee then unveiled a soulful disco collaboration with Calvin Harris for his encore. But he's such a talented, original artist, you can forgive his occasional musical mishaps.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
