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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,
Jack Massarik's rating
Reader rating
Description: The saxophonist promotes his album Transition In Tradition.
Phone: 0845120 7500
Website: www.barbican.org.uk
Email: info@barbican.org.uk
Trains: Tube/BR: Moorgate/Barbican 
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-8pm
Extra info: Parking, Food, Pub
Intense: Courtney Pine started well
Conspiracy theories abounded in the concert hall when the award-winning quintet Empirical appeared as a quartet.
Drummer Shane Forbes and bassist Tom Farmer were present but vibist Lewis Wright had replaced pianist Kit Downes, and of trumpeter Jay Phelps there was no sign. “Kit and Jay have gone,” confirmed an otherwise tightlipped publicity person.
Under the circumstances, Empirical’s tribute to Eric Dolphy went remarkably well. Nathaniel Facey had written clever originals in Dolphy’s style and took formidable alto-sax solos, while Wright helped recreate the ambience of Out to Lunch, an album Dolphy recorded with vibist Bobby Hutcherson.
Courtney Pine had promised a tribute to soprano-sax legend Sidney Bechet but fans were relieved to find his show basically unchanged, with lengthy instrumental tirades from the leader, each rising in intensity to a circular-breathed shriek.
The first of these technical exercises was exhilarating, the second and third progressively less so, the fourth sheer torture.
Sadly, some gifted sidemen, violinist Omar Puente and pianist Alex Wilson, began aiming for similar fireworks, too. Hats off to guitarist Cameron Pierre, the one artist who preferred keeping it musical.
Until Sunday (londonjazzfestival.org.uk; bbc.co.uk/radio3).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
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