In their latest Interview Special, Charles and Graham interview Sheffield artist, Pete McKee.

About Pete McKee:

Pete McKee is a Sheffield-born artist whose work greatly reflects and embodies his experiences of growing up on a council estate surrounded by working-class culture and humour. It is this down-to-earth and nostalgic thread that runs through all of his work that has gained him a worldwide following. Pete also runs the Pete McKee Gallery, based at Leah's Yard in Sheffield.

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The cult that won't die: Garth Marenghi has the last laugh on stage at Leeds City Varieties more than 20 years after his solitary TV series.

Mark Ronson's Night Peoplememoir: Graham answers the question, is a DJ interesting enough to sustain a book?

Charles reports on a new production  of the Broadway hit musical whodunnit, Murder For Two at the Stephen Jospeh Theatre in Scarborough.

Graham has been listening again to John Lennon's 1974 album Walls & Bridges and reassessed: How the ex-Beatle was actually ahead of Bowie.

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Charles and Graham discuss the Gorillaz show at Leeds Arena last week and how it shows how their past is not only the present but remains the future.

Graham is looking forward to the latest Vinyl Sessions in Harrogate and explaining the difference between Queen's Greatest Hits and Queen's Greatest Hits II.

Charles reports on the new film, Project Hail Mary and how Ryan Gosling exudes star quality.

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Charles and Graham ponder if Morrissey's return to form is a lie? The persecution of Morrissey and his new album, Make-up is a Lie seems completely over the top.

Watching new film Midwinter Break starring Lesley Manville and Ciaran Hinds, Graham starts to wonder if it means that serious films about middle age and older possible are now possible these days?

If the monthly Spotify figures are what matters, Bruno Mars is now the world's greatest musician. Graham and Charles look at which artists are still building audiences.

Graham mulls the richness in Harrogate's classical music calendar with the Harrogate International Festival Sunday Series debut of world renowned one-handed pianist, Nicholas McCarthy.

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Charles and Graham catch up with former music journalist, now an author of intriguing fiction, Rob Chapman as he talks about his new book, Drum. Set predominantly in the alternative comedy world of the 1980s, Drum documents the rise and fall of Malcolm Drummond, a former jazz musician who takes a less than conventional route into stand up. 

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Graham recounts a weekend of accidental celebrity encounters in Harrogate.

Charles and Graham discuss the small scale success  - and nature - of British comedy drama film The Ballad of Wallis Islandand the view from the second row of the Leeds debut at the weekend of new Harrogate-based Cuore Chamber Orchestra.

Charles reports on the new play adapted by Tim Firth, The Ladies Football Club at Sheffield Crucible.

Graham gives an update on the latest Vinyl Sessions talk on Peter Gabriel - a sold out success, don't you know.

Why did Graham give a mild telling off to Jason Fox of SAS: Who Dares Wins.

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Charles and Graham chew over the Brits and BAFTAs ceremonies.

Graham is fresh from seeing a new surreal psych pop band called Voka Gentle from London who combine Talking Heads with Yard Act.How Field Music doing The Doors live last weekend lit my fire.

Charles talks up the big news of Elvis Costello returning to Yorkshire at York Barbican later in the year with his Radio Soul tour.

Graham is in proud posession of an advance copy of Grant McPhee's new book on Scotland's indie music history called, loosely, Postcards from Scotland Vol 2

And there's a new music festival in Leeds this summer - Roundhay Festival - will it be any good? Graham takes a look at the latest addition to Yorkshire's festival summer.

Finally, Graham reports on the show, Awake by former Iron Maiden musician, Tony Moore.

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Charles and Graham give their view on whether the withering reviews of new film Wuthering Heights are justified?

Graham shares his second thoughts on Dry Cleaning's new album Secret Love and examines why Paul McCartney and Wings' multi-platinum 1976 album Wings at the Speed of Sound says more about what made the 1970s different than you might have thought.

Charles takes a look at American film maker Richard Linklater's homage to Jean-luc Godard and the French New Wave in his new film, Nouvelle Vague.

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Charles and Graham are joined by singer, Chesney Hawkes, who reflects on his latest album, Living Arrows and his love for performing live, ahead of his UK tour which includes playing Leeds Brudunell Social Club on 12 March.

Plus:

One U-turn after another: how a second viewing has changed has changed Graham's opinion about Paul Thomas Anderson's Oscar-nominated One Battle After Another and how he spoke to Dave Mattacks, Fairport Convention's drummer this week about what keeps the veteran folk-rock legends going as they set off on yet another UK tour.

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Charles and Graham interview Kate and Ellen from Badapple Theatre about their show, Crumbs.

Graham reports on Field Music's new Doors tribute live act, which is going down a (riders in the) storm and reveals the Peter Gabriel album picked for the return of Vinyl Sessions in Harrogate next month.

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Charles and Graham take a look at this year's BAFTA nominations.

Graham wonders what is behind the explosion of new venues and big gigs in West and North Yorkshire this summer  - Museum Gardens and a lot more!

Garnering rave reviews, the unique intelligence of avant indie band Dry Cleaning as new album Secret Love is released.

Graham looks forward to Harrogate Film Society's new season of black & white classics and the appearance of ex-`iron Maiden musician, Tony Moore in Knaresborough with his new one man show, Awake.

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just back from a refreshing but cold winter visit to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Charles joins Graham to reflect on the artists and events that have caugh teir attention this past week.

Charles and Graham run through the main Oscar nominations and discuss the likely winners and those who also missed out on being nominated.

Charles reflects on the legacy of comedian, Victoria Wood, with the documentary, Becoming Victoria Wood.

Graham selects some of the books he’s looking forward to reading in 2026 and takes a look at some enticing events coming up at Bradford Pictureville cinema in the next few months.

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After the December episodes in 2025 looked back, Charles and Graham take the opportunity to look ahead at what is coming up in 2026, focusing on film and music. They also discuss the release of Hamnet, the new film by Chloe Zhao that explores grief.

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Graham looks at why  Timothée Chalamet’s new film Marty Supreme shows he is the greatest actor of Hollywood's young generation  - if nothing else. 

Graham also reflects on Mark Ronson's 1990s New York memoir Night People and the shallowness of the long distance DJ.

Charles pays tribute to Nigel Burnham who has died recently. Nigel was founder and promoter of The Band Room, Low Mill, Farndale, where he put on such acts as The Handsome Family, Cerys Matthews and Martin Carthy.

Charles also reveals the new plans for the future of York River Art Market.

Graham rounds things off with a look ahead to the return of Vinyl Sessions in Harrogate.

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Charles and Graham round of the year with a look through some of the cultural gems that are important to both.

On a sombre note - death of Brigitte Bardot.

Why Metronomy's Greatest Hits album shows how subtlety has died on the vine in the 21st century but the sleeve notes by lead singer Joseph Mount are fab!

Controversial French writer's Michel Houellebecq's new book Annihilation shows he is as brilliant as ever but still as dangerous.

The Guardian writer Jason Burke's new book The Revolutionists: The Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s promises to shed new light on a sea of misunderstanding over modern-day terrorism.

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Garaham and Charles conclude their annual review of their cultural highlights with a look at their favourite museum and gallery shows of the year and Charles reflects on the theatre that has impressed him the most in 2025.

Graham on the other hand, gives his verdict on Lily Allen's latest album, West End Girl.

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Charles and Graham continue with their review of cultural experiences in 2025, in this episode concentrating on their favourite gigs and their favourite television shows.

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Charles and Graham continue their annual round up of their best cultural experiences in 2025 concluding their look at books and with a focus on the best of this year's films.

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As the year draws to a close, Charles and Graham take a look back at their favourite albums from 2025 and Charles picks his book of the year.

Next episode will feature Graham's book of the year and both select their favourite films.

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Charles and Graham interview Kim Hopkins, director and singer Dene Michael about their new documentary, Still Pushing Pineapples. Kim Hopkins’ moving and funny follow up to her modern classic, the award-winning A Bunch of Amateurs, is in UK cinemas from 28 November. 

Still Pushing Pineapples features former pop star Dene Michael as he clings to the remnants of fame he once had as a member of 1980s novelty pop group Black Lace.  The band’s universally known hit Agadoo – both beloved and hated by many, and the high or low point of any party – is what Dene’s best known for.  Now, performing for a dwindling, ageing audience in some of the UK’s most deprived seaside towns and cities, he’s eager to press on with his music career and get out from under the legacy of the Black Lace songbook.  The film follows Dene, his spirited 89-year-old mum Anne, and his sassy girlfriend Hayley across Britain and the Costa del Sol in this unmistakably British road movie. En route they navigate love, family duty, and the relentless pursuit of one last chart success.

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Graham just had to go to Leeds Arena: is Bob Dylan still the monarch of the shadow kingdom?

Nouvelle Vague at Old Woollen, Farsley. French chic in West Riding as Charles catches the wave of the ultimate french cool.

Bradford's UK City of Culture Year comes alive right at its death (including a reference to Alan Bennett’s The Choral).

Daniel Day Lewis‘s film comeback, Anemone.

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Charles and Graham take the opportunity to interview musician, writer and all round legend, Hugh Cornwell, as he continues his latest solo tour around the UK.

Hugh was lead singer and lead guitarist for the punk rock and new wave band The Stranglers from 1974 - 90 and responsible for writing some of their biggest hits.

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Graham has been watching two new films: Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein and Yorgos Lanthimos's Bugonia - two new films that employ a sledgehammer approach to the folly of man.

Does The Last Dinner Party's new album From The Pyre live up to their number 1 debut?

Charles celebrates the ever expanding success of the Aesthetica Short Film Festival in York, as it offers more than just short films to encompass screen and media arts as well as longer films.

Graham reflects on the success of Scott Michaels' specialist celebrity tours in Los Angeles, Dearly Departed.

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Graham tries to explain why his favourite artist on the Turner Prize shortlist won't win as Bradford hosts this year's competition. 

A no show girl - how Taylor Swift's new album exposes her limitations.

Charles takes a look at why there is a strong appeal in presenting light festivals at this time of year.

A review of Neil Hannon's band The Divine Comedy at York Barbican: playing songs from their new album as well as old faves.

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Graham and Charles discuss the art of Jim Moir (AKA Vic Reeves) as his latest art exhibition, What a Load of Monarchs opens at Harrogate's Red House Gallery.

Graham salutes Sam Fender's Mercury Prize victory in Newcastle and wonders why Wes Anderson recent film The Phoenician Scheme is his third lightweight trifle in a row.

Graham also shares his latest reading material and explains why Owen Hatherley and Brian Eno are currently floating his boat.

And next up for Harrogate's Vinyl Sessions is Leonard Cohen.

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Charles and Graham interview Tyson Kelly as he starts touring a new show about John Lennon. The former member of the Bootleg Beatles is rightly lauded for his uncanny performances as John.

Plus:

Graham takes a look at the decline of Ed Sheeran and ponder the end of MTV's once mighty music channels.

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Graham and Charles take a look at Paul Thomas Anderson's new film One Battle After Another with Leonardo Di Caprio.

Graham reflects on his interview with philosopher and author AC Grayling for the Harrogate Advertiser.

Talking about deep thinkers, Charles takes a look at star artist Grayson Perry's latest touring performance, Are You Good?

Graham gives gives his verdict on the reformed Beta Band out on tour for the first time in two decades.

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Graham gives the new release from Suede a listen. Have Suede managed a resurrection part 2 with new album Antidepressants?

New movie Eddington with Joaquin Phoenix and the trend for social surrealism in cinema.

There's money for major art museums and a bit of a face-off between Tate and The National Gallery as they re-draw their agreement to keep the National Gallery exhibits confined to 1900 and before. Graham and Charles take a look at the big money flowing into The National Gallery and Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum.

Graham looks ahead to Harrogate events with Charlie Higson, Pete McKee and Kate Bush.

Charles reports on his recent visit to Prague enjoying the sheer breadth and depth of galleries and museums.

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Is going contemporary in its choice of acts a good idea for Leeds Festival? Charles and Graham wonder what the future holds for big festivals in the UK.

Graham explores the unexpected depths of Don Henley's 1980's hit Boys of Summer.

Charles takes a look at the return of Mitchell and Webb with their new television show and wonders what they can bring to sketch comedy in 2025.

Graham takes a look at some of the anti-colonial art on show in Edinburgh during this year's Festival.

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Fresh back from the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Graham and Charles launch into a review of their film festival experience, picking out their highlights including the very high quality talks with directors such as Ben Wheatley and the legendary British film producer, Jeremy Thomas.

Plus Graham takes a look at a new film based on Richard Osman’s novel, Thursday Murder Club and Charles reports on the new musical using songs by David Gedge, The Wedding Present and Cinema,  Reception.

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Graham takes a look at a classic Joan Didion essay, exploring how Joan Didion's observations in her 1983 essay Salvador - on America's involvement in the civil war in El Salvador - now apply to the mainstream of the western world.

The duo share their final thoughts on this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival before they set off for Edinburgh.

Charles takes a look at the Naked Gun film franchise revival with Liam Neeson in The Naked Gun.

Graham reflects on the strange death of the writer of 1997 cult classic film Grosse Pointe Blank starring John Cusack and Minnie Driver, Tom Jankiewicz.

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Graham gives an update on promotion around Chris Simpson and Magna Carta both with the Vinyl Sessions event in Harrogate and Chris Simpson's appearance at the Magna Carta exhibition launch in London.

Graham also reports on the artists he managed to catch at this year's Deer Shed Festival.

Charles reflects on his visit to Bradford to see the revival  of  Mike Kenny's adaptation of The Railway Children for Bradford 2025.

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Following last episode's interview with The Wedding Present's Dave Gedge, Charles and Graham report on seeing him live in an accoustic gig at Rise, York. Graham does the hard work reading Katja Hoyer's book about East Germany 1949-1990 and examines  what it was like to live in the communist state. Both Charles and Graham take a look at Bradd pitt's new film, F1. Is it too formulaic?

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Charles and Graham welcome The Wedding Present's David Gedge to the podcast.

They talk to him about current projects and the anniversaries for classic Wedding Present albums that seem to be coming thick and fast. What keeps him motivated?

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Rotherham born, West End actress, Emma Swan is our guest, talking about her debut middle grade children's novel, Cruiseship Kid: Thief at Sea. Emma recently launched her novel at Rotherham Children's Capital of Culture - the year long celebration of culture by, with and for  children. Charles and Graham follow up on last week's Gang of Four and Adam Curtis' Shifty as Graham discovers a link. The duo continue to look forward to EIFF and Graham's tribute to Chris Simpson and Magna Carta.

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It’s June and it’s Glastonbury, Graham is in clover, Charles less so. It’s also almost time for Oasis to start their comeback tour.

Meanwhile, in the real world, Graham has been to see post-punk legends Gang of Four's final hometown Leeds gig and realises they are still relevant today.

Graham follows up on last week’s streaming data report with some fascinating additional info on music acts’ Spotify figures.

Charles and  Graham examine why Adam Curtis's new BBC iPlayer political documentary series Shifty is a masterpiece.

EIFF 2025 line-up will be revealed this week.

Charles reports on the new play by Chris O’Connor at Leeds Playhouse. Through it All Together, which stars Reece Dinsdale and Shobna Gulati.

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Graham chews over fascinating new data on how the popularity of heritage rock acts compares to today's pop juggernauts in the streaming world.

The duo consider whether Danny Boyle and Alex Garland's new film 28 Years Later is 28 times as good as 28 Weeks Later?

Good news from Scotland! The Edinburgh International Film Festival is about to announce its 2025 programme on 2 July.

Graham shares his ecstasy: enjoying Fyfe Dangerfield of Guillemots at hot new Leeds venue, The Attic.

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Graham and Charles dissect Pulp’s new album more - but is it more Leonard Cohen than Roxy Music?

What Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys meant to me  - Graham remembers - in four brief parts and Charles examines the majest of the most trult gifted singer and songwriter of his generation.

Thanks to a tip-off by Producer Antony, Graham reports back on his sonic visit to Bang & Olufsen in Harrogate. But is it more AI than wey hey?

Charles captures the shots at the heart of the new Rolling Stones exhibition at Sledmere House of photographs from  the legendary Tour Of The Americas 1975.

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Charles discusses the trend of theatre companies not offering press tickets and wonders if a place of record even exists today.

Charles reflects on interviewing Richard Hawley. Richard Hawley is a romantic at heart- writing about Men’s grief. Richard’s quiff! A bit of rockabilly.

Sheffield has been a bit ignored. City of 7 hills. What's Sheffield ever done for us?

Joe Cocker

Def Leppard

Heaven 17

Human League

Arctic Monkeys 

Pulp

The Longpigs

It may be landlocked in Sheffield- but there is so much water. He writes a lot about water!

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Charles and Grahamspeak to Sheffield's Jamie Taylor whose first book is Studio Electrophonique: The Sheffield Space Age, from The Human League to Pulp.

Published by Manchester University Press as part of their British Pop Archive series, Jamie talks about the gestation of the book and his future ambitions.

Graham adds  - post the chat with Jamie - how he bumped into Slow Horses star, Freddie Fox at the launch of the new Yorkshire Chamber Orchestra as well as a report on seeing Tangerine Dream live in Manchester. He will also talk through two good thigs about Bradford y City of Culture.

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Graham looks at the re-issued Pink Floyd live in Pompeii film: When rock was classical music.

Graham reports on meeting assistant manager of Notts County at final Harrogate Town Home match of season.

Charles reflects on his experience seeing Gary Oldman in Krapp’s Last Tape at York Theatre Royal - does Gary get it taped?

The Murder Capital live in Leeds and a new age of punk and post punk.

Graham reads an extract from the final chapter of his ‘magnum opus' on - Harrogate’s only real claim to fame as a home for premier league bands - Magna Carta.

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Charles and Graham are delighted to invite Harrogate based poet and author, Rob Cowen back onto the show to talk about his highly acclaimed new book, The North Road.

About Rob Cowen
Rob Cowen is an award-winning writer and author, hailed as one of the UK’s most original voices on nature, place and people. His first book, Skimming Stones, won the Roger Deakin Award from the Society of Authors. His second book, Common Ground (PRH; 2015) was shortlisted for the Portico, Richard Jefferies Society and Wainwright Prizes and voted one of the nation’s favourite nature books of all time in a BBC poll. His follow-up, The Heeding (E&T; 2021), was the best-selling debut book of poetry in 2021. Rob has contributed to the New York Times, the Guardian and the Independent and written radio programmes for the BBC. He lives in North Yorkshire.

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The old is the new: Graham on experiencing modern US jazz star Kamasi Washington at Project House in Leeds.

Good news for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture as art deco venue is to reopen in August with new Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra launch.

Record Store Day boost for Bradford and the lingering influence of Leeds indie scene of 25 years ago.

Charles reports on seeing both Al Murray (The Pub Landlord ) and John Simpson, journalist and broadcaster. The political connection is interesting in the light of the rise of Reform.

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Graham and Charles take a look at the struggle facing small venues in the UK,  the continuing rise in ticket prices and the beauty of My Bloody Valentine.

Graham examines why The  Beatles road manager and the hidden aspects of the story are unlikely to come out in Sam Mendes forthcoming films on the band.

Graham explores the work of the underrated Val Kilmer after his recent death and why he is the best thing in Michael Mann's film Heat playing opposite Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

Charles discusses the aural and visual splendour of a Public Service Broadcasting gig at York Barbican.

Music Venue Crisis; My Bloody Valentine; Sam Mendes’ Beatles Films; Val Kilmer RIP; Public Service Broadcasting

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Interview special: Toby Manning

Toby Manning is a London-based music journalist, author, and academic with a career spanning popular culture, music, and political history. He’s best known for his work examining the intersections of music and ideology, often through a Marxist lens, as well as his deep dives into specific artists and cultural moments.

Manning’s most prominent book is Mixing Pop and Politics: A Marxist History of Popular Music (2024), a 500-plus-page exploration of how popular music from the 1950s to the present has reflected and resisted political and social upheavals. 

Plus:

Graham explains happened when he met celist, Julian Lloyd Webber in London at the launch of Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.

Graham also explores the sonic world of London's Fat Dog - an indie band from South East London. They’re known for their chaotic, high-energy live shows and a genre-defying sound that mixes dance, punk, techno, klezmer, and industrial elements—think something like a feral lovechild of Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, and a rave in a Brixton basement. 

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Graham and Charles report that York is about to have Britain's biggest independent book store with Topping Books https://www.toppingbooks.co.uk/
Is it going to be an opportunity or threat?

Charles asks  what do two Robert De Niro for the price of one add up to in The Alto Knights? 

Plus Edwin Collins announcing autumn final tour after releasing National Shall Speak Unto National last Friday.

Graham previews the next Vinyl Sessions event in Harrogate which will focus on The Beatles in film and the continuing significance of the albums A Hard Day's Night and Help!.

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Graham explores why Steven Soderberg's new spy/com film, Black Bag starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender isn't as good as his best and most under-rated film, The Limey from 1999 which starred Terence Stamp and Peter Fonda.

Charles and Graham chew over the headliners for this year's Glastonbury Festival.

Graham takes a look at Grant McPhee's exceptional new book on Scottish indie bands, Postcards From Scotland.

Graham relates how an enquiry from Fibbers owner Tim Hornsby led to uncovering Charm Magazine's spat in print with the early Kaiser Chiefs.

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Graham rejects on this year’s Academy Awards: Is Anora really the Best Picture of this or any other year?

The  Beta Band are reforming and are coming to Leeds.

Richard Hawley is to play Museum Gardens in York this summer. Hurrah! It's the twentieth anniversary of the releases of his classic album Coles Corner.

Charles reports on sci-fi/comedy Mickey 17, the new film by Bong Joon Ho whose last film was the Academy Award winning Parasite.

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CHarles and Graham interview Yorkshire-based Scottish musician, Gary Stewart.

Gary Stewart is a Scottish singer/songwriter who has carved out a strong fan-base in his adopted home of Yorkshire with songs about paranoia, love & resilience. When not playing his own music, the left-hander plays drums for fellow Bandcampers Hope & Social, bass for Leeds-based Fleetwood Mac tribute Weetwood Mac and performs regularly up & down the U.K, performing Paul Simon’s classic 1986 album Graceland with his seven-piece band.

https:www.garystewartmusic.co.uk

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Graham explores the mystery of rock n roll and Jim Jarmusch's 1989 film Mystery Train and talks about his meeting with Marxist rock writer Toby Manning at a Harrogate International Festivals event last week.

Charles shares his recent experience at the National Museum of Science and Media in Bradford, UK Capital of Culture 2025.

Charles and Graham revisit the films that won big at the BAFTAs.

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Charles and Grham interview 10cc's Graham Gouldman ahead of his latest tour with his band, Heart Full of Songs.

The band line-up comprises Graham, 10cc live band members Iain Hornal and Keith Hayman, and Dave Cobby.

In 2014 Graham was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame – an arm of America’s National Academy of Music. Fellow inductees include Noel Coward, Burt Bacharach, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Elton John and Sting.

Graham's songwriting credits over the last 60 years include The Yardbirds, The Hollies, Herman's Hermits and 10cc. In 2024 Graham released a new solo album called I Have Notes which includes collaborations with Brian May, Ringo Starr, Hank Marvin and Albert Lee.

Charles and Graham round off the episode with a quick discussion about the recent BAFTA Awards and the latest news about the planned National Poetry Centre.

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Graham reports on BBC 6 Music's State of Independent Venues Week which for once makes Leeds and York look great.

Graham and Chales share further thoughts on Bradford City of Culture's programme.

Charles reports on David Hockney’s exhibition at Saltaire in Bradford.

Succession actor Brian Cox is about to return to the stage for Edinburgh International Festival in a year of good news for the city's arts.

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In a packed podcast episode:

Graham asks if Netflix is really beating the BBC at the numbers of viewers game in the UK? 

Graham and Charles have been listening to Mogwai's new album The Bad Fire and wonder why the band never quite hits the peaks.

Is new film The Brutalist just too brutally long?

Graham reports on the sold out Vinyl Sessions showdown with music author Rob Chapman talking about Syd Barrett and Nick Drake,

Plus a discussion about what music is good accompany sex and is Procul Harum's debut album in early 1968 the first prog album?

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Graham and Charles honour titan of US cinema David Lynch whose recent death at the age of 78 brings to an end the career of one of cinema and television’s true greats.

Graham asks if the new Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown is a complete success.

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January and February are often the best months for new films but how good are critics’ favourites Nosferatu and A Real Pain?

Graham looks at the recent launch of Bradford as this year's City of Culture and the way the City of Culture idea has evolved since it was first launched in 2013 by the Tory government from an idea in 2009 by the then Labour government's Culture Secretary Andy Burnham.

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Graham and Charles interview Grant McPhee, a Scottish film director, cinematographer and writer.

Books: 

Two oral histories of Scottish indie music history - Hungry Beat: The Scottish Independent Pop Underground Movement (1977-1984), published by White Rabbit Books in 2022, and Postcards From Scotland: Scottish Independent Music 1983-1995 published by Omnibus Books in 2024.

The latter was 2024's Book of the Year on Two Big Egos in a Small Car.

Films: 

Grant has made two successful music documentaries on Scottish indie music history - Big Gold Dream (2015 - focusing on Scottish indie record labels Fast Product and Postcard Records), Teenage Superstars (2017 - focusing on the Glasgow independent music scene between 1982 and 1992).

He won the prestigious audience choice award in 2015 for his film Big Gold Dream at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

He was Second Assistant Camera on the Hollywood movie World War Z and Digital Imaging Technician on Under The Skin,among many other film jobs.

Last year saw Grant serving as 2nd Unit Director on two episodes of hit TV series Outlander.

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Graham discusses how two dystopian British films in 2006 (V for Vendetta and Children of Men) predicted the politics of now.

Charles takes a look at the new Robbie Williams biopic Better Man.

Graham enjoys a brilliant compilation by crime author, Ian Rankin called Behind the Counter and then previews his forthcoming Vinyl Sessions Q&A event in Harrogate on Syd Barrett and Nick Drake with author Rob Chapman as special guest.

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Charles and Graham revisit their best live music gigs of the year for 2024 with a competitive countdown of their Top 5.

Charles celebrates the extraordinary production of Bluebeard by Wise Children as his theatre event of the year, which he saw when it played at York Theatre Royal.

Graham reports on seeing comedian Maisie Adams at a small hometown gig at Roosters Taproom in Harrogate in front of her former head teacher.

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Graham shares his recent experience on BBC 6 Music plugging his many years in the Harrogate music scene on the Craig Charles show.

Graham wonders how two new very different films manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory (Blitz and Conclave).

Finally, Graham reveals two new books coming up in 2025 - including his own, hopefully - with a brief extract of him reading from his yet to be titled book about Harrogate’s lost band from the late 60’s and early 70’s, Magna Carta and in particular its leader, Chris Simpson.

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Rob Chapman, music writer talks about his current book, Unsung: Unsaid. Syd and Nick in absentia - about Syd Barrett and Nick Drake.

About Rob Chapman:

Rob Chapman was the singer with the Bristol-based band the Glaxo Babies and with the British alternative rock band The Transmitters, a music journalist for Mojo and other magazines and newspapers, he made some broadcasting with the BBC National Network, wrote some books, including an acclaimed Syd Barrett biography, Syd Barrett: A Very Irregular Head (2010), and a rock-novel, Dusk Music (2008).  Now, Rob is primarily a writer of non-fiction (Syd Barrett, psychedelia, pirate radio, two memoirs) and fiction.

Charles and Graham discuss their Top 3 books published in 2024.

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Charles and Graham give a rundown of their Top 10 films from this year.;

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Charles and Graham take a look at their favourite albums of 2024, looking back at a blockbuster year for female artists.

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Charles and Graham are joined by novelist and short story writer, York based Ross Raisin to talk about his recent triumph in the BBC National Short Story Award with Ghost Kitchen and life as a writer.

Ross Raisin was born and brought up on Silsden Moor in West Yorkshire. He is the author of four novels: A Hunger (2022), A Natural (2017), Waterline (2011) and God’s Own Country (2008). His work has won and been shortlisted for over ten literary awards. Ross won the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year award in 2009, and in 2013 was named on Granta’s once a decade Best of Young British Novelists list. In 2018 he was awarded a Fellowship by the Royal Society of Literature.

Ross has written short stories for Granta, Prospect, the Sunday Times, Esquire, BBC Radio 3 and 4, among others, and in 2018 published a book for the Read This series, on the practice of fiction writing: Read This if you Want to be a Great Writer.

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Graham examines how and why successful film franchises end up losing the plot in a comparison of disappointing new film, Paddington 3 with The Godfather 3.

Graham discusses his recent talk on Nirvana,  why the band were punk, not grunge, and how their story weirdly mirrors The Sex Pistols.

Charles reports on Dear Evan Hansen at Leeds Grand Theatre. What makes a musical stand out in a busy market?

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Graham declares that Nick Cave is no god - as he assesses the opening night of the British leg of his 'Wild God' tour at Leeds Arena last night.

Charles reviews The Pretenders at York Barbican: why Chrissie Hynde remains the coolest woman in rock.

Alex Cox's Sid and Nancy - The 70s never stopped: Graham is reappraising Alex Cox's 1986 film Sid and Nancy nearly 40 years on.

Plus, linking in with Sid And Nancy, Gary Oldman is to direct himself in Samuel Beckett's play Krapp's Last Tape at York Theatre Royal next spring.

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Graham tells us what he learned by talking to Sean O'Hagan from the High Llamas when he saw the band at Hebden Bridge last weekend.

Graham has also been watching Fellini's Roma (1972) in Italian! And visiting the new William Morris arts and crafts exhibition in York, which of course Charles has seen too.

The duo comment on the recent announcement that Watermark Gallery in Harrogate is to close. They talk about why they'll be missed and how likely it is they can find new premises.

Graham is suitably impressed by the best sound system he's ever heard at a prog rock event (Pink Floyd against Genesis) he gave at a talk at earlier this week - at the magnificent All Saints Church in Kirkby Overblow in Harrogate.

How much money do famous Christmas songs make on Spotify?

The weird thing about Procol Harum's number 1 hit A Whiter Shade of Pale (1967).

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A massive thank you to all our guests and collaborators, we've made it to our 200th episode!

To mark such a special occasion Charles and Graham are absolutely delighted to welcome Peter Brewis, co-founder of Sunderland indie legends, Field Music.

Peter is here to talk about the new Field Music album, Limits of Language.

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Graham discusses how his Supertramp Q&A session with legendary music producer, Ken Scott went in Harrogate. Ken Scott was shooting from the hip and taking no prisoners.

Graham also reflects on the future of guitar bands as he attended an all-day gig at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds.

The arts world turned up for the funeral of Beatnik poet Heath Common in Harrogate and Graham was there.

Finally, Charles reports on seeing a bit of a retro gig when he saw Peter Hook and The Light.

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Graham discusses his recent travels in modern Emilia-Romagna, how Romeo and Juliet mania is Verona's Harry Potter and why the absence of Ramones t-shirts worn on the streets is probably an expression of Italy's innate coolness.

Charles applauds the 'annus miraculous' for Shed Seven's 30th anniversary tour and album releases amid the release of the latest Shed Seven album. Liquid Gold is currently number one, their second this year. Charles and Graham chew over the multitude of versions on offer and celebrate the second coming of York's greatest band.

Graham reports on the Ai Weiwei's Who Am I? exhibition in Bologna.

Charles examines the art of myth, reflecting on the Viking Sorceress exhibition he saw in Copenhagen.

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Graham pays tribute to Harrogate poet and musician, Heath Common who has sadly passed away. Read Graham's obituary.

Graham and Charles discuss how English Teacher winning this year's Mercury Prize finally recognises Leeds as a music city.

Charles reflects on seeing the incomparable Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve at their 15 Songs in 50 Years gig at Leeds City Varieties.

Graham reveals why new film, Blink Twice with Channing Tatum is better than the new film, Lee with Kate Winslet.

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Charles and Graham talk to Leeds based writer and musician, Boff Whalley about his new musical for Red Ladder Theatre Company. Sanctuary - co-written with playwright, Sarah Woods - is a brand-new musical that welcomes us in and asks the question: do we want safety and freedom for only ourselves, or for us all?

Graham reports on meeting Chris Simpson (from the band Magna Carta) about the book he has written chronicling the history of one of the UK's less well know bands from the 70's.

Graham and Charles discuss the new film Firebrand with Alicia Vikander and Jude Law and in Graham's view, why it is the best drama about the court of Henry VIII since Wolf Hall.

Graham has been listening to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' new album Wild God and determines that it shows that Nick Cave has still lost the plot.

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Graham and Charles discuss meeting Jim Moir (AKA Vic Reeves) at his new exhibition at RedHouse Originals in Harrogate which leads into a discussion about bird art.

Graham has been listening to upcoming Irish garage-punk band, Sprints.

Charles reviews Alan Ayckbourn’s new play, Show & Tell at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough. It's his 90th play, 

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Charles and Graham continue reflecting on their Edinburgh trip with a discussion about the Edinburgh Art Festival.

Graham has finished his biography of Chris Simpson and the band Magna Carta and shares next steps and a few thoughts about what it was like getting to know the songwriter behind one of Britain's least known bands from the 70's - but a band that deserves to be celebrated for their songwriting.

New albums by Fontaines DC and Hamish Hawk.

This month Graham is doing a Q&A with David Bowie/Beatles producer Ken Scott In Harrogate next month discussing his his work with 1970's titans, Supertramp.

Charles and Graham reflect on Oasis' comeback tour announcement and the special rivalry between musical brothers through the decades.

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Graham and Charles reflect on another superb Edinburgh Festival visit.

Charles talks about his favourite films at Edinburgh, whereas Graham opts to share some of his “celebrity encounters", including a memorable encounter with Argentinian-Italian director, Gaspar Noé.

Graham was at Leeds Festival this weekend and saw Lana Del Ray but preferred Sun King (from York) and almost anyone else to her. He explains why.

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At the 77th Edinburgh International Film Festival, Charles and Graham take the opportunity to interview documentary filmmaker, author, curator and former EIFF director, Mark Cousins and talk to him, in particular, about his latest book, Dear Orson Welles and Other Essays, a series of ‘conversations’ with the artists, poets, directors, and filmmakers who have most influenced and inspired him, from Orson Welles to Tilda Swinton.

Mark Cousins is a documentary filmmaker, author and curator. His films have dealt with subjects such as neo-Nazism, childhood imagination and the cinema of Iran. His feature The First Movie won the Prix Italia. His most recent film, The Story of Film: An Odyssey took six years to make. As an author, he has published several books, including Imagining Reality, The Faber Book of Documentary (as co-editor), the acclaimed book The Story of Film, published in Europe, the United States and Asia, the collection of essays on cinema: Watching Real People Elsewhere. Mark also famously took the Edinburgh International Film Festival to Sarajevo during that city's siege. He was co-artistic director of Cinema China, and of the Ballerina Ballroom Cinema of Dreams, part of his ongoing collaboration with Tilda Swinton. They recently devised a cinema in Beijing and did A Pilgrimage, in which they pulled a cinema across Scotland. He is honorary doctor of letters at the University of Edinburgh. In the past, Cousins directed and presented the BBC's Scene by Scene, which ran for five years, screening career interviews with, among others, Martin Scorsese, Jane Russell, Paul Schrader, Bernardo Bertolucci, David Lynch, Roman Polanski, Jeanne Moreau and Rod Steiger. 

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Graham discusses the decline of main stream films since the 1970s after having recently watching Woody Allen's Manhattan (1979) and John Landis's Animal House (1978).

Coming up at the 77th Edinburgh International Film Festival what are Graham and Charles looking forward to?

Charles reflects on Banksy’s latest artwork series, the coverage it has attracted across the media and what the street art might mean.

Finally, Graham also discloses his idea for a play, though not entirely serious about writing it.

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Graham and Charles are looking forward to the 77th Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Graham previews a new exhibition at Red House Art Gallery in Harrogate by Dan Baldwin

Charles highlights the York Purple Signs campaign, and especially their posters trying to establish behaviour patterns in relation to drink. Go Steady! We’ve got enough history. Respect your bar staff. Gratitude not Attitude.

Graham is super excited to preview some of his upcoming talking events (including a new Vinyl Session) coming up in the autumn.

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Graham takes pleasure in hearing some unexpected hits from the current Deer Shed Festival in North Yorkshire including Simon Armitage and The Coral.

Charles reflects on enjoying the sculpture park at Thirsk Hall, as well as  the Himalayan Gardens near Ripon. Newby Hall and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

Graham discusses great essay writers: How recent collections by the late Joan Didion and the late Christopher Hitchins compare to the late 'Gonzo journalism' writer Hunter S Thompson.

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Graham spoke to bestselling crime author Mark Billingham at the world's greatest crime writing festival in Harrogate last week, the Theakston's Old Perculier 

Charles reviews Shed Seven in Museum Gardens, York. Futuresound’s three day festival with a homecoming celebration for the band - though they never left York.

Graham discusses rock archaeology with reference to the sound equipment used by Pink Floyd for their famous gig at Pompeii which was on display at the recent North West Audio Show in leafy Cheshire.

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Graham discusses the brilliant new book, Ways of Art by the Sunday Times art critic, Laura Freeman. Ways of Art tells the story of art collecting legend Jim Ede, the creator of Kettle's Yard in Cambridge 

Charles reports on Bomb Squad's latest exhibition in York, Rise of the Vandals, which took place over three weekends at 2, Low Ouse Gate. The exhibition occupied three floors of the building and featured artists such as Inky, and DJ Soda.

Graham reveals some positive news about this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival in August.

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Graham and Charles interview Pete Oxley, the guitarist and bandleader behind, Hejira - a group that celebrates the music of Joni Mitchell and is definitely not a tribute band. Their setlist is drawn from Joni Mitchell's live album, Shadows And Light. Comprising highly experienced jazz musicians, Hejira is fronted by the brilliant Hattie Whitehead.

Graham gets excited about the news that there is a new film in the works by indie darling, Richard Linklater celebrating the films and directors and actors behind them of the French New Wave, inevitably called Nouvelle Vague.

Charles and Graham choose some of their highlights from this year's Glastonbury festival and discuss the sets by headliners and musical icons on smaller stages, alike.

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Charles and Graham preview summer festivals including Deer Shed Festival and Leeds Festival.

Graham revels in his exciting diary: meeting the star of Ken Loach's last film The Old Oak and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey in Harrogate in the same week.

Charles reports on how the arts are being treated in the election manifestos.

Graham previews the next Vinyl Sessions with R.E.M’s Automatic for the People.

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Graham reports on seeing Pink Floyd, well Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets in York and Foo Fighters in Manchester in two days. Who won?

Charles considers what makes a good new musical stand out, after seeing Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch at Grand Opera House, York?

Graham reflects on Viggo Mortensen's new film as director - a Western, -The Dead Don't Hurt.

Graham also catches up with some old punks who never die. He watched Leeds mini legends, Cowton who were back from the dead at Brudenell Social Club.

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Graham reports on the return of Vinyl Sessions and the, perhaps, surprising, hidden depths of The Eagles, as the band's Hotel California is played in full in front of a packed and appreciative crowd in Harrogate.

Charles has a fun and fascinating evening at a PechaKucha event in York and then asks: how do you evoke a whale inside a theatre in Simple8's new adaptation of Herman Melville's Moby Dick at York Theatre Royal?

Graham is enthused by a clutch of mazing new albums by bands that Charm Magazine raved about years ago and who never made it big but just kept on going to the present day. Graham looks at one fine example this week with York band, Percy.

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Charles taunts Graham with a review on Charles Hutch Press of Yes, live in York. Will Graham ever see Yes live?

Graham discusses the book, Demarco’s Edinburgh (Richard Demarco and Roddy Martine, 2023) about the history of  Edinburgh International Festival chronicling the struggles and success of legendary Scots maverick arts impresario, Richard Demarco.

Graham announces that he likes Billie Eilish’s latest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft!

Charles went to see the sublime Dexys at Scarborough and discusses the joy in experiencing Kevin Rowland live, with a focus again on last year's Feminine Divine album and even a cover of the Bee Gees’ To Love Someone. Much more like A Soul Passion Revue of old, he thinks.

Graham previews the return of his Vinyl  Sessions classic albums event in Harrogate this week with The Eagles' Hotel California. 

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Charles and Graham welcome special guest, musician, Chantel McGregor. Bradford born, Chantel is a rock musician and female guitar prodigy, who enrolled at the Leeds College of Music and became the first student in the college’s history, to achieve a 100% pass mark at BTEC, with 18 distinctions. Chantel followed this with a First Class Honours degree in Popular Music and a coveted prize, the college’s musician of the year award. Her critically acclaimed 2011 debut album, Like No Other was followed by second album, Lose Control, in 2015 on her independent boutique label Tis Rock Music. Subsequently she has released the Shed Sessions albums, volume 1 and 2. After many years of touring and festival appearances, Chantel has made a gradual transition from conventional Blues to a harder, bigger and bolder rock sound with progressive influences. She is currently on a national tour which includes a date at Ripley Town Hall on 20 July.

Graham reflects on the strange nature of 1970s albums with elaborate 'fold out' sleeves, as typified by Isaac Hayes' 1971 double album Black Moses.

Charles raises the issue of Rich Sunak’s latest policy ahead of the General Election on 4 July - the decision to introduce a new National Service scheme and wonders if the arts can benefit from those who want to volunteer in the community rather than the military.

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Graham looks back on Return to the River's Edge; the cult 1986 teen film directed by Tim Hunter that foretold Twin Peaks and the Grunge movement.

Charles reports on a new documentary about Michael Powell & Emetic Pressburger.  Made in England : The Films of Powell and Pressburger - the under appreciated luminaries of British cinema - is directed by David Hinton and narrated by American director Martin Scorsese.

Charles reviews Paloma Faith’s recent gig at York Barbican in an attempt to to convince Graham he should have been there.

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Graham reports on his meeting with David Remfry, Britain's coolest artist, aged 81. Graham met him at his new exhibition, We Think the World of You - People and Dogs Drawn at The Mercer Gallery, Harrogate's only public gallery, once again proving itself indispensable with a high quality exhibition of national interest.

Charles is fresh from seeing the Monet exhibition at York Art Gallery, a new exhibition and as part of the National Gallery bicentenary. York Art Gallery’s Monet in York celebrates the National Gallery’s National Treasures Exhibition with an exclusive commission entitled Una Sinfonia by acclaimed contemporary artist, Michaela Yearwood-Dan.

As if two high quality exhibitions was not enough, Charles reviews sculptor, Tony Cragg's exhibition at Castle Howard.

Graham remembers the American musician and producer Keith LeBlanc, drummer and member of Tackhead who has passed away.

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Graham has a confession to make - he's worrying about Taylor Swift. Is it time to take one of the world's newest billionaires seriously?

Charles is drawn to Graham's more positive view of the Sam Taylor-Johnson Amy Winehouse biopic.

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Graham pays tribute to guitarist Graeme Naysmith, co-founder of the Leeds band, The Pale Saints and remembers when they played one of his own Charm nights in Harrogate.

Time moves on - Looking back at two of the western world's greatest political philosophers of the last half century - Noam Chomsky and Jean Baudrillard and whether two of their bestselling books stand up now.

Is Civil War the best film yet from  Alex Garland or is it too political?

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Graham recounts interviewing Steve Howe of Yes about their forthcoming UK tour and York Barbican gig.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich live in Leeds? Yes please! Charles is captivated by a fascinating gig at Leeds' Brudenell Social Club.

Graham enters the crazy world of data retrieval as he reveals how he nearly lost his entire draft manuscript for a book on Magna Carta's Chris Simpson. Graham has been writing it for four years now so to lose it would be brutal. Just back from a trip to Scotland Graham is pleased to share that he has been able to advance the book and  is close to finishing his first draft.

The Spiegel Tent is back in Harrogate for the Festival. All praise the Spiegel Tent, there really is nothing else quite like it.

Meanwhile Graham previews a new exhibition The Beatles’ Mad Day Out at Harrogate's RedHouse Originals art gallery - which should be opening soon.

Finally, Graham sums up his enjoyment of a gig by the enchanting William Doyle.

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Charles and Graham get heady with the quality of the new album from the Jesus and Mary Chain and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Glasgow band. Glasgow Eyes is their best album in over twenty years.

Monet in York. Monet’s ‘The Water-Lily Pond’ will be the central feature of a major new exhibition at York Art Gallery to mark the 200th anniversary of the National Gallery on 10 May 2024. Painted by one of the founders of the Impressionist movement Claude Monet (1840-1926), ‘The Water-Lily Pond’ (1899) will be the centrepiece of an exhibition which will bring together key loans from regional and national institutions alongside collection works, and a large-scale commission by contemporary artist Michaela Yearwood-Dan. 

Charles gets his laughs in An Evening With The Fast Show at Grand Opera House, York, 30 years on. Do sketches make for a sketchy live show? 

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Graham reports on his recent stay in John Ruskin's house at  Brantwood in the Lake District- but is the Victorian art critic and social reformer really as relevant to the 21st century as his supporters claim?

Graham also talks about his recent pilgrimage to a secret rock n roll shrine in a York pub related to the Rolling Stones.

Charles talks about the real enjoyment to be found in Alexander Payne's Oscar winning film, The Holdovers.

For Graham, there is personal sadness at the death of 1970s musician Steve Harley whose enduring hit song Come Up and See Me (Make Me Smile) still manages to overshadow a back catalogue of considerably underrated songs.

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Graham and Charles take the opportunity to interview music journalist Dave Simpson as a followup to the previous episode looking at the grassroots music venue crisis sweeping the country. it so happens that Dave had just the other week written about this very subject in an in-depth article for The Guardian.

Dave Simpson is one of the UK's leading music journalists and writes on music, popular culture and regional issues for the Guardian, from a north of England base, and regularly appears on local and national radio programmes. He has previously written for the music press, having contributed to such titles as Melody Maker, Uncut and i_D. He is the author of The Fallen: Life In and Outside of Britain’s Most Insane Group (Canongate), which was included in the best music book of the year round-ups and voted in the Top 10 best music books ever by Neon Filler website.

His second book, The Last Champions: Leeds United and the Year Football Changed Forever was published by Bantam Press in 2012. 

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Graham focuses on the extreme difficulties being faced by venues and music artists as yet more venues announce closure. If the decimation of the live music circuit continues what will this mean for the future?

Charles is thrilled by Emma Rice's version of Blue Beard for her company Wise Children, this remarkable piece of theatre is currently to be seen on tour which Charles caught at York's Theatre Royal.

Graham introduces the just released second album by Leeds band, Yard Act and then discussed the perplexing talent of William Doyle as evidenced on his new album Springs Eternal.

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Graham calls for an emergency debate on arts funding and reports on working with Harrogate Community Radio at a music event last week at All Saints Church in Kirkby Overblow.

The perplexing talent of William Doyle as evidenced on his new album Springs Eternal.

Plus when is swearing funny in films?

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Does new film,  American Fiction merits a ton of Academy Awards? Graham Chalmers discusses his thoughts.

Charles leads discussion around the value of musical biopics as against documentaries in the wake of the release of new film, Bob Marley: One Love.

Graham reports on a new light installation coming to Harrogate and then explores the deceptive charm of Irish singer Roisin Murphy and her links to Marlene Dietrich and Jean Luc Godard.

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Charles reflects on the enduring success of the play, The Woman in Black and why it is the perfect introduction to theatre for audiences more used to television and film.

Graham reflects on class and the arts as Lashana Lynch, one of the stars of the new Bob Marley biopic One Love, makes the point that people from a working class background have been marginalised in her profession. 

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Graham reports on how the unfairly maligned The Last Dinner Party's just released debut album revives 1970s Queen and ABBA with 21st Century attitudes.

Charles and Graham discuss why Jonathan Glazer's remarkable new film about Auschwitz  - The Zone of Interest  - is only part of a new wave of provocative directors working in the new cinema of satirical super realism. Charles asks Graham for a definition.

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Graham has been to see emerging Leeds band, English Teacher and reflects on a superb night at The Crescent. 

Charles by contrast went to see ABC with the South Bank Symphonia at York Barbican performing hits including the glorious Lexicon of Love.

Graham also discusses how Bill Ryder Jones's new album Iechyd Da hits new heights - or perhaps depths - of beautiful melancholia.

Charles and Graham discuss why Rory Stewart's Politics on the Edge is one of the best ever political memoirs - and best selling ones. Graham wonder if Stewart’s damning view of Westminster politics (under his own party's rule since 2010) is wholly justified?

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Graham discusses two jarring moments in an otherwise brilliant new book about Pauline Boty, the most overlooked British Pop Artist of the 1960s.

Charles and Graham reflect on the new film by Greek director, Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things, which features an astonishing performance by Emma Stone and is a film dividing audiences over its feminist credentials.

Charles draws attention to the recent decision by York Art Gallery to re-introduce a charge to enter its permanent collections gallery. Yet another sign of the problems currently being faced by cultural institutions around the country, struggling to balance their budgets post-Covid in the face of rising costs.

Charles and Graham reflect on the new film by Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things.

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Graham wants to correct some wrong perceptions about indie bands Bar Italia and The Last Dinner Party.

Former guest (Episode 153) Rick Witter's band Shed Seven gets its first Number One album and Charles challenges the view that they are not as important as other bands of the same era.

Graham confesses that in last week's episode he got a few things wrong about Sofia Coppola's new film Priscilla. 

Graham stares back into the abyss of the past to reclaim the miracle of Mr Mick, Stackridge's 1976 cult album and rediscovers how it invented the future.

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Graham and Charles take a look at what Sofia Coppolla's new film Priscilla says about Mr & Mrs Elvis and contrast it to Baz Lurmann's own take on the couple in his film, Elvis.

Harrogate gets a mention in a brilliant new book on Pauline Boty, the most overlooked figure in the British Pop Art movement of the 1960s.

As the charts of the year reveal yet another bland list of pop artists, Graham proposes that BBC 6 launches its own chart.

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Graham's Christmas presents are, possibly, the best arts-related presents anyone got this year anywhere on the planet and very well worth talking through.

Graham wonders if Michael Mann's new movie Ferrari is finally the first great film made about cars.

Charles considers what has been popular on TV this Christmas 

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Charles and Graham continue looking back at their cultural highlights from 2023, this time focusing on their films of the year.

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Charles fights through the floods to join Graham for a review of the cultural year. The duo discuss the films, plays, books and albums that most impressed them in 2023.

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Longer wording: Charles and Graham are moved to discuss just why why Harrogate Theatre’s pantomime is the best in the world.

Graham discusses Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman's chemistry and why May December is Todd Haynes's slipperiest film.

A sombre conclusion as the great songwriting talent of The Pogues' Shane MacGowan is considered after his flame was snuffed out at 65.

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Charles reports back on his return to Berlin after 34 years and how he felt about the changes since his visit there with Graham in November 1989 immediately after the wall "came down".

Charles and Graham reflect on meeting Barnsley bard Ian McMillan in Bradford at the St George's Hall premiere of his very Yorkshire version of Rossini's opera, The Barber Of Seville.

Graham examines the lingering impact of Robert M Pirsig's bestselling 1974 counter-culture philosophical novel Zen And The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

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Graham unexpectedly introduces a new fashion slot, where he reviews the surprising return of a plethora of fashion styles enjoying a comeback.

Charles explores the Yorkshire phrase "Now Then” with a look at Rick Broadbent's new book Now Then: A Biography Of Yorkshire and Richard Hawley's new compilation album Now Then and follows up with questions for Graham on The Beatles' remarkable new single Now And Then.

Finally, Graham recounts what happened when he spent a night in Sunderland at the heart of the city's indie scene, watching Field Music's Peter Brewis in concert.

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Graham recounts his recent encounter with Sir Ranulph Fiennes at the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.

Charles asks Graham to choose a winner from threw new albums that have piqued his interest: The Coral's Sea of Mirrors. Peter Brewis of Field Music's with his new album, Blowdry Colossus and the first new album of original material in eighteen years by The Rolling Stones with Hackney Diamonds.

Finally, Charles wonders if Martin Scorsese has finally exhausted the subject of American violence in his new film Killers of the Flower Moon.

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Graham reveals how close he is to finishing his book on Harrogate band, Magna Carta and one particular highlight, when Chris Simpson and Magna Carta played  the Gaza strip and there was a riot. Graham also reports on the news that Edinburgh Filmhouse appears to have been saved...Charles shares his thoughts on three new films, Michael Caine and Ken Loach's last films, The Great Escaper and The Old Oak and the Everyman York  screening and Q&A for The Streets' Mike Skinner's debut film, The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light.

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Charles and Graham speak to Rick Witter of Shed Seven, discussing the story behind the York band's new album, next January's A Matter Of Time, the upcoming autumn tour, early band names for Witter and Paul Banks, and what it takes to be among the great survivors of Britpop.

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Graham recounts his adventures in Portugal after a trip to Lisbon: taking the temperature of the music scene in Europe's oldest and hottest city as he celebrates his 20th wedding anniversary.

Charles reviews Alan Ayckbourn’s latest play in Scarborough, Constant Companions, his 89th, as he foresees human-android  relationships of the near future, and John Godber’s touring premiere of Do I Love You?, a hymn to Northern Soul and celebration of working-class culture refracted through the experiences of three young drive-thru workers discovering the devotional music's power to uplift.

After interviewing Graham Parker of The Rumour, ahead of his Old Woollen gig in Farsley, and Five Star lead singer Denise Pearson, who now lives in Harrogate, Graham contrasts music stars of the 1970s and '80s.

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Charles turns all autumnal, reflecting on music just right for the month of September and confesses he enjoyed a brass band recital at Burnby Hall Gardens in Pocklington.

Graham delves into poet John Cooper Clarke's 2021 autobiography I Wanna Be Yours and wonders what makes a classic memoir?

Charles reports on seeing Dexys in theatrical mode at York Barbican as they tour their new album, The Feminine Divine, and both hosts ponder Kevin Rowland's history as one of the UK's great pop mavericks.

Graham explains why he was called upon to speak about David Lean's The Bridge On The River Kwai at the Harrogate Odeon for the Harrogate War Memorial project.

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For their 150th episode, Charles and Graham enjoy a rare night out together at the Old Woollen, Farsley, as bassist Martin McAloon switches to guitar and vocals to execute his own versions of Prefab Sprout hits, album gems and B-sides. Did this gig, played by only a single member of the sublime north eastern band, make Two Big Egos 'Swoon' or not?

Surviving the middle day of this year's Leeds Festival, Graham reflects on his meeting with James Smith of Leeds band Yard Act.

What makes a classic album cover? Charles and Graham put their spin on the latest public poll on the best sleeve designs of all time.

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Graham discusses Christopher Nolan's epic movie Oppenheimer and how it sheds light on American politics as much as  the race for the atom bomb - and hopefully leads a revival of film-making rooted in this world's realities, not comic book fantasy.

Still with Graham, former snooker world champion Steve Davis stole the Deer Shed Festival at Topcliffe - until The Comet Is Coming hit the stage, that is.

Charles headed to Wentworth Woodhouse, near Rotherham, for its debut exhibition: The Vanity of Small Differences tapestries by Grayson Perry. 

And finally, why Graham was wrong about Blur's new album, The Ballad Of Darren.

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Charles and Graham give their verdict on this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival and discuss some of the other events they attended too. Undoubtedly, the star attraction was the tram system!

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Ahead of their annual visit to Edinburgh, Charles and Graham wonder if the revived Edinburgh International Film Festival can revive the magic in its 76th year.

How big is the real audience for this year's crop of new albums and this year's Mercury Prize nominees? 

Graham gives his thoughts on what two of the most successful British novels of the last 30 years (Ian McEwan's Amsterdam and Martin Amis's Time's Arrow) say about British writers.

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Graham and Charles begin by looking at two of this summer’s blockbusters: Mission Impossible -Dead Reckoning Part One - the seventh film in the franchise - and then Barbie, which has now become part of a double-header moment in the revival of mass cinema attendance, alongside Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, with some audiences choosing to see both. The arrival of Blur’s second comeback album, Is the Ballad of Darren a welcome return to form? Graham reports on his experience at Harrogate’s Theakston’s Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival - the twentieth anniversary edition and wonders what makes crime writers so different from other types of writer.

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Charles and Graham discuss Glastonbury and its headliners, including the allegedly last UK appearance of Sir Elton John. Charles reports on the decision by Curzon Group to close its cinema at Ripon and the duo discuss the health of independent cinema.  Graham gives his verdict on Wes Anderson's latest, Asteroid City and the launches into the local comedy scene in Harrogate and how it reflects current trends. Charles urges listeners to listen to the latest track by Dexys.

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Having seen Alison Goldrapp at Manchester International Festival over the weekend at new venue Factory International. Graham gives his verdict on the £200m that it cost to prepare for his arrival as well the gig for solo Alison.

Charles and Graham discuss how new albums are making a comeback this year or was it all the fault of HMV's stocking policy in the first place?

Graham asks if Tom Cruise has saved Hollywood for the second year running or is it a mission impossible?

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Edinburgh International FIlm Festival is saved! This year's programme has been published with a new generation of film fans at the helm, Graham looks at what this means for its future existence and then reports on his meeting with Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Charles has dried off and lived to tell the tell of seeing the revitalised Pulp live at Scarborough Open Air Theatre. Graham is looking forward to his first visit to Factory International - or is that the name? The new multi-purpose venue in Mancheaster, as aprt of Manchester International Festival. Finally, Graham reports on the work of a talented young female Scottish artist who curated last year's Alan Davie exhibition in Edinburgh,  Siobhan McLaughlin.

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Graham reports on a Beatles event with Beatles historian, Mark Lewisohn and then presents part two of the book,  A History of India in 50 Lives.  Charles discusses the Ultimate Punk Celebration - an event at Crystal Palace this July. Graham recounts his meeting with artist Martin Creed.

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Graham introduces a new book, Incarnations - A History of India in 50 Lives by Sunil Khilnani and what it says about India and Britain. Graham’s stint as an MC and DJ at BedFest  - the all day music event in the baking sun of Knaresborough. Charles looks back at a solo gig he saw this week by US musician Steve Earle.

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Charles and Graham interview Kate Bramley, artistic director of York-based rural touring theatre company, Badapple Theatre On Your Doorstep, who are celebrating 25 years.

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Graham and Charles discuss the history of suits in rock music - triggered by seeing Interpol live in Leeds last week - which revives memories of famous suit sporting artists. Graham wonders if new award-winning Italian film The Eight Mountains really hits the heights or not? Royal Blood’s latest appearance as part of R1’s Big Weekend in Dundee provokes a discussion about Rock versus Pop.

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Graham discusses Paul Simon's new magnum opus, Seven Psalms, versus Ed Sheeran's Subtract, and ponders Simon then and now. Charles wonders how Simon's veteran work stands up against Bob Dylan’s latest recordings.

Charles catches Little Richard: I Am Everything at City Screen Picturehouse, York, wherein documentary maker Lisa Cortes states his case to be the true King of Rock‘n’Roll. Is she right?

Graham updates on Chris Simpson's cult band Magna Carta and their putative link to a new Guy Ritchie film about Swinging Sixties London that never happened. Look out for a new Magna Carta compilation on Repertoire Records, by the way.

Charles reviews Richard E. Grant on tour at the Grand Opera House, York, York, promoting his latest book, A Pocketful Of Happiness, and Graham considers whether Grant is a link to a bygone screen age when actors had charm and raconteur skills.

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Charles finally gets to report on his experience at the Martin Creed exhibition at the Mercer Gallery in Harrogate. Graham shares an update on his return to his Vinyl Sessions music talks in a fundraiser for the  Harrogate Hospital charity and lays bare his theories about the end of The Beatles in 1969/70. He also reports on a sublime gig by the David Brewis Orchestra in Leeds performing The Soft Struggles album at Leeds Grand ’s Assembly Room - David Brewis being one half of the acclaimed Field Music a venue that Charles argues has come into its own. Charles introduces the new musical theatre production based on the 1989 cult film, Heathers, reckoning that its resonance is even stronger now than when the film was originally made.

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Graham and Charles discuss whether 2023 has  been a bad year for movies so far but conclude that perhaps  hope is on its way from the Cannes festival. Hope for sure with the new films by Martin Scorsese and Ken Loach.  Should we look forward to the world of AI-generated films? Charles takes up the discussion about bad audience behaviour at musical theatre: could Shakespeare be next?Graham pays tribute to the career of literary titan Martin Amis, whose final chapter has closed at the age of 73. 

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Graham  and Charles look at the impact of the copyright court case against Ed Sheeran and the trend for confessional albums as Sheeran releases his latest, Subtract. Non-pilgrim Charles reflects on his frustrating encounter with the new film based on Rachel Joyce's novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry and Graham ponders what makes British films  work - or not. Graham makes great use of bumping into Bob Stanley (founder of Saint Etienne and acclaimed pop music author) in Harrogate (again) and learns about the possible subjects for his next two books. In York, Charles catches all three cast configurations of Mayflies, Gus Gowland's new musical about online dating and romance in the modern age, premiered at theTheatre Royal.

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Sympathy for the Sheeran: Why Ed deserves to beat Marvin Gaye in the current copyright court case. And why Status Quo's Francis Rossi has a point. Does the downgrading of old skool indie DJs Mark Riley and Gideon Coe mean the beginning of the end for BBC 6 Music? Brassed Off and The Full Monty have a lot to answer for: what the latest sentimental Brit comedy starring Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton says about British tastes.

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Graham and Charles focus on art this week. Graham looks at three high quality contemporary art exhibitions on at the same time in three different galleries in Harrogate and Charles enthuses about York Open Studios, especially some of the artists opening up their studios for the first time.

Charles raves about the riches of York Open Studios

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Graham reveals the decline in the Harrogate music scene. Charles reports back on Ryan Adams live in York. In the court of the Crimson King - Graham gets a little proggy and reflects on Ai Wei Wei’s memoir A Thousand Years of Joys and Sorrows and looks at what his new exhibition - Monet in Lego - alongside his move from Cambridge to Lisbon.  Charles and Graham get glum about the missed opportunity that is the Coronation concert - Coronation chicken, or what?

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Charles catches up with U2's new album, Songs of Surrender. Graham reflects on the remarkable revival of Suede and why their gig in Leeds was one of the best he's ever seen. Graham reports on John Godber's new 'agit-prop' play Living On Fresh Air at Harrogate Theatre and why it makes all the right points but offers little hope. Charles is greatly impressed by the new production of Lord of the Flies at Leeds Playhouse and Graham assesses the cult of 19th century art critic and social thinker John Ruskin and whether he cuts it in the 21st century.

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Charles and Graham eat humble pie after their Oscar predictions and reflect on the results of this year's Academy Awards. Graham looks ahead to Francis Rossi of Status Quo's spoken word event at Harrogate Theatre and how the man behind "going down down deeper and down..." is now happy to talk intelligently about his life and times. Graham reports on the impact of a rally to save Edinburgh Filmhouse as hopes rise it may be saved. Graham reports on saw one of the most unusual and final ever UK gigs by The Go Betweens nearly 20 years ago at the Barbican in London which leads Charles to reflects on a recent low key gig with Robert Forster, formerly of The Go Betweens at The Crescent in York. Charles then reports on a gig by former Easyworld member, singer-songwriter, David Ford.

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Graham reports on Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei's new memoir and on an encounter with classical pianist Martin Roscoe in John Ruskin's Lake District abode. Is King Charles III's Coronation Spotify list opening a window to the soul of the monarch? As U2 release new and stripped-back reinterpretations of their back catalogue on Songs Of Surrender, Charles and Graham ponder if we and they are any closer to understanding what makes the Irish band tick. Is it good news at last for the Edinburgh Filmhouse's future?

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In a whistle-stop tour of everything cultural, Charles reports on David Hockney's Yorkshire Wolds  exhibition at Salt's Mill; Graham gives an update on where things are at for the Edinburgh International Film Festival and both Graham and Charles give their verdict on the key films at the Oscars ceremony. Graham provides further thoughts on Quentin Tarantino's excellent book on film and the latest release from Field Music's David Brewis.

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Graham is mightily impressed by Quentin Tarantino's meditation on film, Cinema Speculation. Charles and Graham look back on the BAFTAs and ahead to the Oscars with their own predictions. Graham reports on two contrasting gigs: Fairport Convention in Harrogate and Luke Haines and REM's Peter Buck in Leeds. The duo discuss their admiration for Leeds company Imitating The Dog's electrifying new version of Macbeth.

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Graham eulogises about a brilliant but neglected Mexican-French film from 2020, New Order.

Charles reports on the latest Told By An Idiot show, Charlie & Stan, alias Chaplin & Laurel, "the greatest double act that nearly was", at York Theatre Royal.  

Graham sees red on the bias of Anthony Beevor's recent  book on the Russian Civil War, then celebrates the life of Barrie Corbett, the Harrogate man who played with The Beatles in 1963 at the Royal Hall.

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Charles reports on "the future of theatre" as presented by An-Ting Chang's Kakilang at York Theatre Royal Studio in their multiverse production of Home X.

Graham gets spooked by Imitating The Dog's multi-media production of Macbeth, set in Estuary City, on tour at Harrogate Theatre, while recalling Andrew Manley's groundbreaking days there.

Why the Brit Awards need to re-think.

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Graham reports back on seeing singer/songwriter Hamish Hawk at Leeds Brudenell. Charles and Graham reflect on Todd Haynes' Velvet Underground documentary with Charles also referring to the latest Andy Warhol documentary. Graham reads from Jon Stewart's Dylan, Lennon, Marx and God and the duo argue disagree on the merits of Wet Leg.

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In this week's episode, Graham and Charles pay tribute to the unique sound of Television's Tom Verlaine and the American guitarist's contribution to punk and post-punk music. Now that the Oscar nominations are finalised, the duo try to second guess which films will triumph at the March 13ceremony. Finally, Graham compares and contrasts two music books published last year, Jon Stewart's Dylan, Lennon, Marx and God and Jarvis Cocker's Good Pop, Bad Pop.

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Charles and Graham pick up their discussion of the new Cate Blanchett film, Tár and explore the furore surrounding its controversial depiction of a female conductor, then turn the spotlight on two contrasting hymns to bygone cinema:  Babylon, directed by Damien Chazelle, who made the Oscar- winning  La La Land, and Sam Mendes' oh-so English Empire Of Light. Late Developers, the surprise tenth album by Belle And Sebastian, proves to be another gorgeous addition to the Glasgow band's consistently classy canon of perky pop and restless romanticism.  

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Still feeling rough,  Graham reports on his interview with Simon Nicol from Fairport Convention. Inspired by a discussion with Jon Boden, Charles challenges Graham to come up with songs that could survive the Apocalypse.  Graham remembers Robbie Bachman and the duo pay tribute to Lisa Marie Presley. Graham reflects on his reading of British military historian Antony Beevor's account of the Russian Civil War. Charles and Graham start reviewing Tár starring Cate Blanchett; more next week on that.

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In this special extended edition, Charles and Graham interview York musician Chris Helme - co-founder of The Seahorses with Stone Roses guitarist John Squire. As he marks 25 years since their debut, Do It Yourself, by revisiting the songs on a solo acoustic tour, Chris spills the beans on his journey from busker to Glastonbury-playing front man, Hollywood recording sessions with Tony Visconti, a top two album and a parting of the ways brought on by that familiar curse, musical differences.

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AS the old year ends, Graham and Charles reflect on the progress to try to save the Edinburgh International Film Festival. In a year of many high-profile deaths, Terry Hall's seems particularly poignant, prompting Charles and Graham to explore Terry's legacy as a frontman and songwriter and the influence he has had on many other artists. Graham looks at two recent memoirs from the world of music: A Likely Lad  by Pete Doherty and Access All Areas by music PR legend, Barbara Charone.

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Charles and Graham talk to co-founder of Deershed Festival, Oliver Jones.

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Graham interrupts early with André Rieu news, then goes back to the future...again with Stereolab at Leeds Stylus. Charles turns all immersive about the cutting-edge attempt to entertain us with Van Gogh's art in a York church. Graham details what links Jack Kerouac's The Dharma Bums with Thomas Pynchon's Vineland.

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