One of the largest multi-artform venues in the UK, Warwick Arts Centre first opened its doors in 1974 and presents over 2,000 performances a year, with music, drama, dance, comedy, film, visual arts and literature events all featuring.
As Warwick Arts Centre gets ready to reopen following a major tran...
I’ve remarked before - as have others - that John Grant could recite the phone book and cause grown men to weep, but the statement holds as true now as it did when he first performed Queen Of Denmark, his glorious debut solo album, 15 years ago.
Tonight’s show kicked off with one of that album’s weirder numbers (That's The Good News), and set the tone for the evening, with more synth than piano and a greater focus on Grant’s fuzzy and ever-so-slightly sleazy brand of clubland electronica. It’s something he mostly does well, as All That School For Nothing, Black Belt and It’s A Bitch amply demonstrated, but it was disappointing (ahem) to hear so many numbers from 2018’s Love Is Magic and latest album The Art Of The Lie that distorted his beautiful baritone voice with vocoders and other effects. It’s what we come to hear after all.
I’m guessing a few others felt the same way judging by the number of audience members that slipped out early, but those that did stay the course got plenty to enjoy, including the “funeral dirge” (his words) of Touch And Go alongside wonderful readings of Marz, Doesn’t Matter To Him, Queen Of Denmark (dedicated to Sinead O’Connor) and Substitution, a new song written as part of Grant’s collaboration with the Royal Ballet, an endeavour he says is likely to spawn his next album.
For now he’s happy to pirouette between ballads and beats - typically donning sunglasses for the latter – with scant regard for blame or to explain. Indeed, even though the normally jovial singer and his multi-talented three-piece backing band seemed in good spirits, his usual entertaining (and typically acerbic) banter was in relatively short supply. Maybe he was fed up at not getting the chance to take a seat at the restaurant table set up on stage where his bandmates, including Cov kid keyboard player Chris Pemberton, could kick back with a glass of vino when not joining in on one of their many instruments, or maybe he clocked a few of those punters drifting off before the end. Either way he, and we, all knew it was their loss, because this GMF is definitely worth hanging on for.
“Life is a battlefield each day” - the opening line of the opening song (Just So You Know) of John Grant’s set at Warwick Arts Centre couldn’t have been more on the money. The tune, from his recent album Boy From Michigan, doesn’t relate to ongoing Covid fears, police concerns, fuel, food and test tube shortages but felt apt all the same.
The melancholic tune is actually designed to comfort the singer’s nearest and dearest after he’s gone, and hardly makes for an “are we gonna rock tonight?” opening, but is typical Grant - poignant and sardonic at the same time, trading heartfelt emotions with references to people who “don’t even pick up their dog’s poop in the park”.
The juxtaposition set the tone for an evening that saw Grant dance - in his inimitable, self-mocking way - back and forth between poignant piano ballads and full-on electronica, a trick he manages without skipping an electro beat. Heartbreaking numbers like The Cruise Room and Dandy Star shouldn’t work alongside the daft Sparks-like Rhetorical Figure or mercurial Pale Green Ghosts, but somehow do - and can be attributed to two constants - Grant’s genial personality and wonderful baritone.
The changing pace definitely gave the evening an added dynamic, as did the unheralded addition of multi-instrumentalist Cormac Curran, whose guitar and saxophone flourishes brilliantly augmented the keyboards of long-term cohort (and local lad) Chris Pemberton. The trio were clearly enjoying themselves too - Grant admitted he felt great on stage but ‘discombobulated’ everywhere else - but the number of empty seats and cautious mask-wearers bore testimony to the fact that not everyone is truly comfortable with, or ready to return to, live gigs just yet. For those that overcome those fears, this cracking show was wonderful reward.
One of the largest multi-artform venues in the UK, Warwick Arts Centre first opened its doors in 1974 and presents over 2,000 performances a year, with music, drama, dance, comedy, film, visual arts and literature events all featuring.
Warwick Arts Centre,
The University Of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Rd,
Coventry
CV4 7AL
warwickartscentre.co.uk
Telephone: 024 7649 6000
Email: ticketing@warwick.ac.uk
Black Power Desk
Until Today
An Original Musical, in its World Premiere, set in 1970s London
1884
Until Wed 15 Oct
Heroes and Villains
Wed 15 Oct
A Music Centre Free Concert
Queenz: Drag Me To The Disco!
From Thurs 16 Oct
The Trailblazing Live Vocal Drag Sensation!
Myra DuBois: Cosmic Empath
Fri 17 Oct
An adventure giving you time (and space) to heal.
Jack Dee
From Fri 17 Oct
Small World: On Tour
Eddie Izzard: Hamlet
Sat 18 Oct
Josh Widdicombe
Sat 18 Oct
Back on tour (not again!) with Not My Cup of Tea
Kae Kurd: What's O'Kurd
From Sat 18 Oct
The stand up sensation and social media star's brand new tour
I've Lost My Bobble Hat!
Sun 19 Oct
A new Nick Cope family show for 2025!
Glenn Moore
Sun 19 Oct
"Please Sir, Glenn I Have Some Moore"
Bjorn Again
Sun 19 Oct
A brand-new UK and Ireland tour for 2025.
Dervish
Sun 19 Oct
Legendary Irish folk music band, fronted by Cathy Jordan
The A-Z of Miriam Margolyes
Wed 22 Oct
An eclectic alphabetised mix of life’s standout moments
Theon Cross
Wed 22 Oct
An Evening with Jimmy Anderson...
Fri 24 Oct
The man for all seasons. England’s greatest ever fast bowler.
Simon & Oscar
From Fri 24 Oct
Choice picks from the Ocean Colour Scene song book
Merlin Sheldrake
Sat 25 Oct
The Secret Life of Fungi LIVE
Claytime
Sun 26 Oct
Indefinite Articles present their work for the very young
Nathan Carter
Sun 26 Oct
Ireland’s top entertainer releases his new album, Music Man
The Cory Band
Sun 26 Oct
Presenting works by John Williams
Pirates Love Underpants
From Tues 28 Oct
A swashbuckling adventure for children.
Lock-In Live
Wed 29 Oct
The Good, The Bad, The Rugby in another World Tour!
Grayson Perry: Are You Good?
Thurs 30 Oct
Asking a question that fundamental to our humanity.
Celebrating The Best of Toyah
Thurs 30 Oct
Rerforming hits from across her career
Cirque: The Greatest Show
From Fri 31 Oct
Intriguing touring show, reimagined for 2025
Dr. Richard Shepherd
Fri 31 Oct
Time of Death: More Unnatural Causes
Ardal O'Hanlon: Not Himself
From Sat 1 Nov
Joanne McNally: Pinotphile
Sat 1 Nov
Stories In The Dust
Sun 2 Nov
John Simpson: The Leaders And...
Sun 2 Nov
Tujhe Dekha: Come Fall in Love...
Sun 2 Nov
CBSO & CBSO Youth Orchestra: S...
Sun 2 Nov
Dara Ó Briain
From Wed 5 Nov
The Re:Creation Tour
Jasmine Myra
Fri 7 Nov
Chris McCausland - Yonks!
From Fri 7 Nov
A brand new show for 2024...
Banff Mountain Film Festival W...
Sat 8 Nov
The Rat Pack - A Swingin' Chri...
From Sat 8 Nov
Sing-Along-A-Gareth 4: 50 Year...
Sun 9 Nov
Northern Live - Do I Love You
From Sun 9 Nov
Bad Lads
From Tues 11 Nov
Helen Bauer: Bless Her
Thurs 13 Nov
Griff Rhys Jones: The Cat's Py...
Thurs 13 Nov
The Horne Section's Hit Show 2...
Thurs 13 Nov
Hugh Cornwell & special guests...
Fri 14 Nov
Barb Jungr: Dylan and Cohen
Fri 14 Nov
Sara Pascoe: I Am A Strange Gl...
From Fri 14 Nov
Suzi Ruffell: The Juggle
Sat 15 Nov
A stand-up show and a support group...
Level 42
Sun 16 Nov
The Nature of Forgetting
From Tues 18 Nov
Queen Of The Night - A Tribute...
Wed 19 Nov
James Phelan: The Man Who Was...
Thurs 20 Nov
Rob Beckett: Giraffe
From Thurs 20 Nov
Yes! Bobby Beckles is back on tour.
Glamrou: Drag Mother
Fri 21 Nov
Jenny Eclair: Jokes, Jokes, Jo...
From Fri 21 Nov
Serenity IV with Ben & Friends...
Sat 22 Nov
Susie Dent: Word Perfect
From Sat 22 Nov
A brand-new tour of the joys of the English language with Britain...
Flook: Celebrating 30 Years
Sat 22 Nov
Peter Knight & John Spiers
Sun 23 Nov
The BIG Sing presents: Carols...
Sun 23 Nov
The Stylistics
Thurs 27 Nov
Fisherman's Friends
Sat 29 Nov
Celebrating 30 years of performances together
The Tiger Who Came To Tea
From Sat 29 Nov
Jesse Cook in Concert
Sun 30 Nov
Eliza Carthy & Jon Boden's Was...
From Mon 1 Dec
Concerto Budapest Symphony Orc...
Tues 2 Dec
Russell Kane
From Fri 5 Dec
Russell Kane returns with his brand new tour!
Wintertide: University of Warw...
Fri 5 Dec
Angela Barnes: Angst
Sat 6 Dec
Eternal Echoes: University of...
Sun 7 Dec
Down for the Count Swing Orche...
Tues 9 Dec
Live at Christmas
Thurs 11 Dec
Euan Stevenson: The Classical...
Thurs 11 Dec
BBC Concert Orchestra: Christm...
Fri 12 Dec
The Albion Christmas Band
From Fri 12 Dec
Bollywood Hungama
Sat 13 Dec
Christmas with Anton Du Beke
From Tues 16 Dec
Armonico Consort: Handel's Fir...
Thurs 18 Dec
Ruby's Worry
From Thurs 1 Jan 2026
Punk Off - The Sounds of Punk...
From Thurs 1 Jan 2026
The National Youth Orchestra
Mon 5 Jan 2026
Orchestra of the Age of Enligh...
Wed 28 Jan 2026
Rob Lamberti presents Perfectl...
From Sat 31 Jan 2026
The tribute artist that turns a different corner.
Mark Simmons: Jest to Impress
From Sat 31 Jan 2026
Cally Beaton
From Sat 21 Feb 2026
The Namaste Mother F*ckers Tour
Venom - The Final Bite!
Sun 10 May 2026
Judi Love: All About The Love
From Sat 23 May 2026
Jukebox Idols
Wed 1 Jul 2026
Al Murray: All You Need Is Guv...
From Thurs 1 Oct 2026
The Blindboy Podcast LIVE
Wed 21 Oct 2026
Review: John Grant at Warwick...
Posted on Tue 14 Oct
Review: In Pursuit of Repetiti...
Posted on Tue 30 Sep
"for creative ingenuity this cutting-edge show takes some beating...
Coventry to host landmark Brit...
Posted on Thu 07 Aug
Review: Mark Steel at Warwick...
Posted on Mon 19 May
Simply The Best
Posted on Mon 28 Apr
Dog wanted to star in La Bohèm...
Posted on Thu 20 Mar
Review: Motionhouse's Hidden a...
Posted on Fri 07 Feb
Perpetual Motion
Posted on Wed 18 Dec 2024
Review: 10cc at Warwick Arts C...
Posted on Mon 04 Nov 2024
Review: Rhod Gilbert and the G...
Posted on Sun 20 Oct 2024
Songs of Protest takes place a...
Posted on Fri 18 Oct 2024
Warwick Arts Centre is 50!
Posted on Mon 23 Sep 2024
Director Doreen Foster chats to What's On about WAC’s past, prese...
Review - Frank Skinner: 30 Ye...
Posted on Mon 13 May 2024
Moulin Rouge musical Come What...
Posted on Tue 07 May 2024
Half term events at Warwick Ar...
Posted on Fri 03 May 2024
Heads and Tales
Posted on Mon 25 Mar 2024
Return of Milos
Posted on Tue 27 Feb 2024
Bugg's Life
Posted on Wed 21 Feb 2024
Ruby Turner talks ahead of Cov...
Posted on Fri 02 Feb 2024
Best of Japanese cinema comes...
Posted on Thu 25 Jan 2024
Robert Plant's Saving Grace pl...
Posted on Mon 15 Jan 2024
A Gospel Christmas at Warwick...
Posted on Tue 21 Nov 2023
Christmas is coming to Warwick...
Posted on Fri 10 Nov 2023
Autumn half-term at Warwick Ar...
Posted on Tue 17 Oct 2023
Review: Ed Byrne Tragedy Plus...
Posted on Mon 16 Oct 2023
beautifully-constructed performance.
Review: John Grant sings the s...
Posted on Mon 25 Sep 2023
Grant’s incredible renditions took Cline’s sultry – and occasiona...
Warwick Arts Centre launch aut...
Posted on Thu 07 Sep 2023
Phantom Thread
Posted on Sun 27 Aug 2023
Warwick Christmas Lectures set...
Posted on Wed 23 Aug 2023
Warwick Arts Centre launches 2...
Posted on Thu 06 Jul 2023
Review: Mark Steel at Warwick...
Posted on Tue 30 May 2023
A genuinely terrific night, cheerily lapped up by a hugely apprec...
Community group get creative a...
Posted on Fri 26 May 2023
Happy returns
Posted on Thu 25 May 2023
Family celebrations at Warwick Arts Centre...
The Smeds And The Smoos comes...
Posted on Thu 18 May 2023
Wuthering Heights comes to Cov...
Posted on Thu 04 May 2023
John Grant and Richard Hawley...
Posted on Tue 02 May 2023
Still flowering
Posted on Tue 25 Apr 2023
Irish folk rockers Hothouse Flowers chat to What’s On ahead of Co...
Scaling new heights
Posted on Fri 24 Mar 2023
Emily Bronte’s famous love story gets a humorous makeover at Warw...
Festival of Korean Dance comes...
Posted on Tue 21 Mar 2023
Abigail's Party comes to Warwi...
Posted on Mon 27 Feb 2023
Plenty to enjoy this half-term...
Posted on Tue 31 Jan 2023
Three kathak shorts at Warwick...
Posted on Thu 26 Jan 2023
Warwick Arts Centre announces...
Posted on Mon 19 Dec 2022
Space Odyssey
Posted on Mon 19 Dec 2022
A season of horror films 'with...
Posted on Fri 14 Oct 2022
Arab film festival movies comi...
Posted on Fri 24 Jun 2022
Oily Cart brings Sound Symphon...
Posted on Tue 31 May 2022
After The Horse Has Bolted...
Posted on Mon 30 May 2022
Much-loved children’s book Oh...
Posted on Fri 22 Apr 2022
Only Fools duo to star in hit...
Posted on Wed 30 Mar 2022
Theatre company returns with B...
Posted on Wed 30 Mar 2022
Top marks for Max Richter gig...
Posted on Mon 14 Mar 2022
REVIEW: A Tale of Two Cities a...
Posted on Fri 18 Feb 2022
Dawn French to bring new one-w...
Posted on Fri 18 Feb 2022
Review: Stewart Lee at Warwick...
Posted on Sun 13 Feb 2022
Review: Top marks for Rhod Gil...
Posted on Mon 31 Jan 2022
Warwick Art Centre's Mead Gall...
Posted on Thu 06 Jan 2022
Ruby Turner talks ahead of Cov...
When What’s On phones Ruby Turner at home, between gigs, the famed...
Welcome Back, Warwick Arts Cen...
As Warwick Arts Centre gets ready to reopen following a major tran...
I’ve remarked before - as have others - that John Grant could recite the phone book and cause grown men to weep, but the statement holds as true now as it did when he first performed Queen Of Denmark, his glorious debut solo album, 15 years ago.
Tonight’s show kicked off with one of that album’s weirder numbers (That's The Good News), and set the tone for the evening, with more synth than piano and a greater focus on Grant’s fuzzy and ever-so-slightly sleazy brand of clubland electronica. It’s something he mostly does well, as All That School For Nothing, Black Belt and It’s A Bitch amply demonstrated, but it was disappointing (ahem) to hear so many numbers from 2018’s Love Is Magic and latest album The Art Of The Lie that distorted his beautiful baritone voice with vocoders and other effects. It’s what we come to hear after all.
I’m guessing a few others felt the same way judging by the number of audience members that slipped out early, but those that did stay the course got plenty to enjoy, including the “funeral dirge” (his words) of Touch And Go alongside wonderful readings of Marz, Doesn’t Matter To Him, Queen Of Denmark (dedicated to Sinead O’Connor) and Substitution, a new song written as part of Grant’s collaboration with the Royal Ballet, an endeavour he says is likely to spawn his next album.
For now he’s happy to pirouette between ballads and beats - typically donning sunglasses for the latter – with scant regard for blame or to explain. Indeed, even though the normally jovial singer and his multi-talented three-piece backing band seemed in good spirits, his usual entertaining (and typically acerbic) banter was in relatively short supply. Maybe he was fed up at not getting the chance to take a seat at the restaurant table set up on stage where his bandmates, including Cov kid keyboard player Chris Pemberton, could kick back with a glass of vino when not joining in on one of their many instruments, or maybe he clocked a few of those punters drifting off before the end. Either way he, and we, all knew it was their loss, because this GMF is definitely worth hanging on for.
Three stars
Reviewed by Steve Adams at Warwick Arts Centre on Monday 13 October.
3 Stars on Tue, 14 Oct 2025
JOHN GRANT - Reviewed by Steve Adams
“Life is a battlefield each day” - the opening line of the opening song (Just So You Know) of John Grant’s set at Warwick Arts Centre couldn’t have been more on the money. The tune, from his recent album Boy From Michigan, doesn’t relate to ongoing Covid fears, police concerns, fuel, food and test tube shortages but felt apt all the same.
The melancholic tune is actually designed to comfort the singer’s nearest and dearest after he’s gone, and hardly makes for an “are we gonna rock tonight?” opening, but is typical Grant - poignant and sardonic at the same time, trading heartfelt emotions with references to people who “don’t even pick up their dog’s poop in the park”.
The juxtaposition set the tone for an evening that saw Grant dance - in his inimitable, self-mocking way - back and forth between poignant piano ballads and full-on electronica, a trick he manages without skipping an electro beat. Heartbreaking numbers like The Cruise Room and Dandy Star shouldn’t work alongside the daft Sparks-like Rhetorical Figure or mercurial Pale Green Ghosts, but somehow do - and can be attributed to two constants - Grant’s genial personality and wonderful baritone.
The changing pace definitely gave the evening an added dynamic, as did the unheralded addition of multi-instrumentalist Cormac Curran, whose guitar and saxophone flourishes brilliantly augmented the keyboards of long-term cohort (and local lad) Chris Pemberton. The trio were clearly enjoying themselves too - Grant admitted he felt great on stage but ‘discombobulated’ everywhere else - but the number of empty seats and cautious mask-wearers bore testimony to the fact that not everyone is truly comfortable with, or ready to return to, live gigs just yet. For those that overcome those fears, this cracking show was wonderful reward.
on Fri, 01 Oct 2021