Music
Try something new in 2016: 10 ways to help mix up your year
Our tastes may define who we are, but we’re firm believers that stepping outside your comfort zone every now and then never hurts.
Whether you finally attend that comedy night you’ve been ‘meaning to go to for ages’, see more of your favourite musicians live, shape your summer around festivals, see a West End show for the first time or hit the stands at a sport you’ve never tried before, there are plenty of ways to spice up your social calendar in 2016.
Here are just 10 ways we recommend mixing up your year…
1. An intimate evening with the A-list
Possibly the only event that brings the likes of Marge Simpson, Charlotte Bronte, Benedict Cumberbatch and Caitlin Moran together. Last year’s Letters Live event saw a star-studded line-up read truly remarkable and personal letters from a host of famous names. Tickets are expected to fly before the 2016 casting is confirmed – taking place at London’s Freemason’s Hall between 10 – 15 March.
2. Get the whole family together
Here’s what happens when you combine athleticism, theatre and comedy, Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their truly unique spectacle to the UK through April and May. Great for families and inspiring that New Year positivity.
It’s easy to be intimated by the sheer beauty of the ballet but it really is an experience like nothing else. From the Russian State Ballet’s Swan Lake at Brighton’s Theatre Royal, to Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty at London’s Sadler’s Wells, there are a host of ballet and dance events to visit across the UK this year.
4. Swap the sofa for the real-life thing
Obsessed when it’s on TV but yet to see your favourite dancers in the flesh? The Strictly Come Dancing Live 2016 tour kicks off in Birmingham on 22 January and ends at The O2, London on 14 February.
It’s finally time to see that West End show you’ve been dreaming about. Whether it’s a London newcomer in Disney’s Aladdin or a West End icon like Les Misérables, there really is something to suit every taste.
Even if you’re a regular on the gig circuit, we’re betting there’s a long list of music venues you’ve yet to visit. Make a mini road trip out of it and see your favourite acts in another town, or simply make a checklist of local venues to stop by during the year.
Bill Bailey, Katherine Ryan, Sarah Millican, Billy Connolly, Ed Byrne and Kevin Hart are just some of the big name comedians touring this month alone. After all, nothing helps you escape the stresses of every day like a good, public belly laugh.
8. Score the best seats in sport
Athletics, football, basketball, rugby, tennis, wrestling, cricket, cycling, UFC and golf are just the tip of the ticket options. Make a list and start working your way through the sporting events you haven’t seen live yet.
Festival season starts as early as March with Horizon in Bulgaria, so there’s no time to waste when planning! Make 2016 the year you finally venture abroad with Roskilde, Download Paris and Benicassim beginning to take shape. Check out Ticketmaster.co.uk/festieguru for all festival dates and line-up details.
The stars of Nitro Circus return to the UK this February with 17-time X Games medalist Travis Pastrana topping the line-up. Expect freestyle motocross, BMX, skate and more spectacular stunts.
What new event do you want to see in 2016? Let us know @TicketmasterUK.
