Music
Preview
19 ways to celebrate International Women’s Day
From music and comedy to theatre and sport, here’s your round-up of events handpicked by us
International Women’s Day is this Saturday and in celebration we’re rounding up some of our top shows and events this year. Here are some of the artists, performers, casts and teams we’re celebrating with.
Music
Alanis Morissette
The alternative voice of a generation of 90s kids, Alanis Morissette is back on tour in the UK this summer, including a date at London’s O2. Thirty years on from her indomitable breakout album Jagged Little Pill, she’s as ferocious a live force as ever, with her tour set to be one of summer 2025’s unmissable events.
Amyl & The Sniffers
Melbourne garage punk band Amyl & The Sniffers wrote, recorded and uploaded their first EP, Giddy Up, within 12 hours. Now with three studio albums and an international fanbase, the Australian rockers are still doing it all their own way. They’ll head to the UK for Reading & Leeds Festival this August, a prelude to a headline gig at London’s Alexandra Palace on 15 November.
Chappell Roan
The winner of this year’s Best New Artist at the Grammys, International Artist of the Year at the Brits, and far too many other awards to name. When Chappell Roan headlines the Main Stage at Reading & Leeds Festival this year, you won’t want to be anywhere else. Trust us – the jealousy will be sickening…
Dua Lipa
Powerhouse Dua Lipa brings her Radical Optimism tour to London and Liverpool this June, playing songs from her chart-topping third studio album. It’s worth getting ‘Houdini’ stuck in your head once again to see one of our brightest homegrown pop talents in action.
FLO
Another British talent, this time still on the rise. FLO have gone from strength to strength since the release of debut single ‘Cardboard Box’, with their debut album Access All Areas dropping last year. Their accompanying tour takes them to Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and London this month, before they return to the stage in June to play Parklife Festival. They’ve also lined up a huge headline date this July at Somerset House, so there’s lots of chances to catch them live this year.
Comedy
Chelsea Handler
Having just published her seventh book, the American comic still hasn’t run out of things to talk about. In fact, she’s straight back to standup and she’s looking for love overseas. Handler brings her new show, An Abroad Broad, to the UK this May, with dates in Manchester, Glasgow and London.
Maisie Adam
One of Britain’s favourite funny people, Maisie Adam will be a familiar face to any panel show enjoyer but her voice always feels fresh. She’ll play London’s Union Chapel this April, before joining a heap of other big names at Bristol Comedy Garden in June.
Katherine Ryan
A Canadian who cut her teeth on the British comedy scene, Ryan is now one of the country’s biggest names. She’s on a mammoth tour of her new show Battleaxe this year, with dates running from March all the way to the end of June.
Rachel Fairburn
Co-host of the All Killa No Filla podcast Rachel Fairburn is also touring a new show over the next couple of months. Side Eye will see her deliver her signature style of stand-up – “gag-heavy, opinionated and smart,” according to Funny Women – to audiences across the UK.
Sophie Duker
If you didn’t catch Sophie Duker’s show But Daddy I Love Her on the road last year, now’s your chance. The Taskmaster champion will play Bath and London this May, resuming her tour for just two hilarious nights.
Sport
Netball Super Cup
Looking for something fun to do on International Women’s Day itself? The Netball Super Cup comes to Ulilita Arena Sheffield on 8 March for a jam-packed day of sports, with fifteen matches to be played.
UK Athletics Championships
The UK Athletics Championships take over Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on 2 – 3 August, with the country’s best athletes battling it out to be number one. With national titles to be given out and a wide variety of sporting events happening across the weekend, it’s set to be an action-packed couple of days.
Women’s Six Nations
If you’re a rugby fan, there’s still plenty of chances to see the women’s team in the Six Nations this month and next, with games being hosted in stadiums all across the UK.
Women’s T20 International Series
For the cricket fans, we’ve also got plenty of nail-biting games coming up as the England Women prepare to battle the West Indies Women. Browse the full list here.
Theatre
Elektra
Brie Larson stars in this reimagining of the classic Greek tragedy, translated by award-winning poet Anne Carson. Consumed by her father’s assassination and her own instincts for survival and revenge, Elektra welcomes her long-lost brother Orestes by spurring him into terrible action. Elektra leaves the Duke of Yorks Theatre on 12 April, so now is the perfect time to ensure you’ve seen it.
Mean Girls
Adapted from the beloved teen comedy by Tina Fey, Mean Girls is the funniest new musical on the West End. With an infectious score, razor-sharp book and playful design, it’s hard to have a bad night at the Savoy Theatre right now. And with a message just as timely as it was twenty years ago, the story of Cady and the Plastics continues to capture the next generation.
SIX
What if Henry VIII’s dead wives formed a girl band? It’s the question historians never thought to ask, but it’s been answered nonetheless, and the results are spectacular. Head to the Vaudeville Theatre for a concert unlike any other that turns a story you think you know on its head…
TINA: The Tina Turner Musical
The incredible true story of one of the music industry’s most defining stars. TINA uses Tina Turner’s own discography to tell the tale of her life, from her roots in Nutbush, Tennessee to her career as a global superstar, with all the ups and downs along the way.
Wicked
The film adaptation was nominated several times over at this year’s Oscars, but it’s the stage version that started it all. Over at the Victoria Apollo Theatre, you can experience the story of Elphaba and Glinda for yourself – a powerful ode to female friendship and the impact that two people can make on each other’s lives, even if the rest of the world never knows it.
