Best Edinburgh International Book Festival Podcasts (2024)

1
Episode 187: Edinburgh International Festival Programme; Tribute Acts; I am Your Tribute in York; Yoko Ono at Tate Modern 37:46

1d ago37:46

37:46

Graham continues his preview of this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival and why it is a return to its strengths. Graham considers why he genuinely doesn’t like tribute acts. Charles agrees but then adds how much he enjoyed, Sarah Louise Young's I Am Your Tribute, all about tribute acts at Theatre@41, Monkgate, York, Graham celebrates Yoko…

1
Episode 054 - Ross Eustis (SFJAZZ) on growing digital programmes from scratch, finding new audiences, learning from other cultural organisations, and the role of digital in enhancing the in-person experience ... 45:12

5d ago45:12

45:12

A conversation with SFJAZZ's Director of Digital, Ross Eustis. Since 2020 SFJAZZ have developed a comprehensive programme of content for their digital audiences. We look at how these programmes can expand audience reach and enhance engagement. Ross talks about how this digital work can complement in-person experiences, making performances more acce…

1
Episode 186: Kettles Yard and Jim Ede; Bomb Squad's Rise of the Vandals in York: Edinburgh International Film Festival Update 34:06

2d ago34:06

34:06

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 exhi…

1
Episode 185: Interview Special with Pete Oxley, founder of the band Hejira, who celebrate the music of Joni Mitchell; New film in the works by indie film legend, Richard Linklater; Glastonbury 2024 Highlights ... 32:00

9d ago32:00

32:00

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. …

1
Episode 053 - Ash & Katie, Bytes #11 - Patreon's CEO on the "Future of Creativity on the Web", the demise of Deviantart and what this tells us about the wider internet, and an analysis of a tweet about ... 15:49

12d ago15:49

15:49

The eleventh in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter. In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on May 30th. We talk about: Patreon CEO, Jack Conte's SXSW keynote "Death of the Follower & the Future of Creativity on the Web" A Slate ar…

1
Episode 184: Summer Music Festival Preview; Graham's Celebrity Diaries; Arts Manifestos; Vinyl Sessions in Harrogate Preview 36:55

16d ago36:55

36:55

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 …

1
Episode 183: Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets vs Foo Fighters; Unfortunate at the Grand Opera House, York; New Viggo Mortensen Film, The Dead Don't Hurt; Cowton live at Brudenell Social Club 39:38

19d ago39:38

39:38

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 -…

1
Episode 182: Vinyl Sessions with Hotel Californa; PechaKucha in York; Moby Dick at York Theatre Royal; The Resilience and Excellence of York band Percy 36:54

1M ago36:54

36:54

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 Simpl…

1
Episode 181: Yes, Live in York; Demarco's Edinburgh Book; Billie Eilish; Dexys Live in Scarborough; Vinyl Sessions Prreview 34:51

1M ago34:51

34:51

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 Dema…

1
Episode 052 - Kate Carter (Edinburgh International Festival) on experiments with the audience experience 43:56

1M ago43:56

43:56

We sit down with the brilliant Kate Carter, Director of Audiences at the Edinburgh International Festival. Kate shares the experiments that EIF have been carrying out around their audience experience, particularly for classical concerts. You can now buy Catchup Passes to watch recordings from the first Digital Works Conference. Passes cost £75 and …

1
Episode 051 - Ash & Katie, Bytes #10 - reflecting on key themes at this year's Digital Works Conference - asking the right questions, understanding audiences, focusing on accessibility, and learning from ... 22:25

2M ago22:25

22:25

The tenth in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie usually discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter but in this episode are looking back at the first Digital Works Conference. Ash and Katie identify a few themes and takesaways that are applicable to all cultural organisations, regardless of size: Prioritising questions,…

1
Episode 180: Interview special with Chantel McGregor; Isaac Hayes and Gatefold Record Sleeves; National Service; Anton Lesser in York 35:02

2M ago35:02

35:02

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 degre…

1
Episode 179: Cult Film Return to the River's Edge; New Powell and Pressburger Documentary; Paloma Faith Live at York Barbican 37:40

2M ago37:40

37:40

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 …

1
Episode 178: David Remfry; Monet in York; Michaela Yearwood-Dan; Tony Cragg at Castle Howard; RIP Keith LeBlanc 36:21

2M ago36:21

36:21

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 …

1
Episode 050 - Adam Stoneman (Muse-Tech Ireland) on the implications for the cultural sector of emerging technologies and the need for robust critical engagement with the opportunities and challenges these ... 42:10

3M ago42:10

42:10

A conversation with Adam Stoneman, founder of Ireland's Muse-Tech Working Group. Adam's career is a testament to the possibilities that can arise when cultural institutions embrace technology to democratise and enhance the museum experience. Last year the Muse-Tech Working Group, a cohort of Irish museum professionals, published Museum Technology: …

1
Episode 049 - Ash & Katie, Bytes #9 - a conversation about digital media trends in 2024, museums joining the fediverse, attention metrics at the New York Times, and a creative use of AI 19:13

2M ago19:13

19:13

The nineth in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter. In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on April 15th. We talk about: Deloitte's 2024 Digital Media report Aaron Cope's blog post on how the SFO Museum is navigating the Fediverse W…

1
Episode 177: Seriously Taylor Swift; Amy Winehouse - Back to Black the Filmography 29:55

3M ago29:55

29:55

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. Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car: X @2big_egos Facebook @twobigegos…

1
Episode 176: Remembering Graham Naysmith from the Pale Saints; Philosophy Stars Chomsky and Baudrillard; Alex Garland's New Film, Civil War 38:09

3M ago38:09

38:09

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 best…

1
Episode 175: Steve Howe and Yes; Benjamin Francis Leftwich Live; Magna Carta Book Update; Beatles Exhibition; William Doyle 32:12

3M ago32:12

32:12

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…

1
Episode 048 - Dr Brett Ashley Crawford and Paul Hansen on their new book 'Raising the Curtain. Technology Success Stories from Performing Arts Leaders and Artists' 50:07

3M ago50:07

50:07

A conversation with Dr Brett Ashley Crawford and Paul Hansen. Their new book (Raising the Curtain. Technology Success Stories from Performing Arts Leaders and Artists) looks at how performing arts organisations and artists are successfully using technology in a variety of different contexts. We talked about how the pandemic became a catalyst for in…

1
Episode 047 - Ash, Bytes #8 - Hilary Knight, Seb Chan, and Aled John on looking forward to the Digital Works Conference 21:01

3M ago21:01

21:01

I chatted with Hilary Knight, Seb Chan, and Aled John to hear a bit more about what they'll be talking about at this month's Digital Works Conference as well as what they're looking forward to. We looked at the potential of informal networking, discussing how tea break chats can lead to new ideas and fortify the cultural community. The lessons that…

1
Episode 173: Ruskin and Brantwood house; Rolling Stones Connection to York; The Holdovers; Steve Harley RIP 39:15

4M ago39:15

39:15

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 …

1
Episode 174: Jesus and Mary Chain Back on Form; Monet in York; Suits You - The Fast Show in York 39:38

4M ago39:38

39:38

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 anniversa…

1
Episode 046 - Michal Čudrnák (Slovak National Gallery) on building in-house teams, public-private partnerships, sector support, and the role digital can play in enhancing the in-person experience 39:55

4M ago39:55

39:55

In this episode Ash chats to Michal Čudrnák Head of Digital Collections & Services at the Slovak National Gallery. We talk about the history of the gallery, and how the Digital team has grown and evolved over recent years. We talk about the interesting and somewhat unique role that the Slovak National Gallery plays in supporting the wider Slovak cu…

1
Episode 172: Interview Special with Music Journalist Dave Simpson 37:18

4M ago37:18

37:18

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 m…

1
Episode 171: Music Venue Crisis Threatening Live Music; Wise Children's Blue Beard; Yard Act's New Album; William Doyle's Springs Eternal 38:45

4M ago38:45

38:45

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 …

1
Episode 045 - Ash & Katie, Bytes #7 - a conversation about advances and problems with AI, YouTube CEO's predictions for 2024, and shifts in how the web is monetised 20:51

5M ago20:51

20:51

The seventh in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter. In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on February 26th. We talk about: The launch of OpenAI's new text-to-video product, Sora. The apparent meltdown that ChatGPT had last week, and the …

1
Episode 170: Arts Funding Crisis; Harrogate Community Radio; 23:53

5M ago23:53

23:53

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? Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car: X @…

1
Episode 169: American Fiction; Bob Marley: One Love; Let There Be Light...In Harrogate; Roisin Murphy 34:19

5M ago34:19

34:19

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 cha…

1
Episode 044 - Samantha King (VIVE Arts) on the conditions required for good work to happen, the financial and operational realities of creating immersive experiences, and how artistic and technology teams ... 49:14

5M ago49:14

49:14

A great conversation about immersive experiences with VIVE Arts' Head of Programme, Samantha King. We talked about a LOT including: the conditions required for new ways of thinking and working to take root; the importance of sharing knowledge and collaboration; the operational and financial realities of creating immersive work. We returned to a lon…

1
Episode 168: The Woman in Black; One Love and Class 34:19

5M ago34:19

34:19

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 be…

1
Episode 167: The Last Dinner Party and The Zone of Interest 21:22

5M ago21:22

21:22

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 satiric…

1
Episode 043 - Ash & Katie, Bytes #6 - a conversation about platform ethics, highlighting the work of the National Gallery, and looking at the failed collab between Punchdrunk and Niantic 18:20

5M ago18:20

18:20

The sixth in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter. In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on January 29th. We talk about: Hugh Wallace asking 'is it time to shake up your social media', the Association of Cultural Enterprises leaving X, an…

1
Episode 042 - Stuart Buchanan (Sydney Opera House) on digital teams, international collaborations, reaching new audiences, experimentation, rights and IP, and artistic applications of AI 53:44

5M ago53:44

53:44

We catch up with Sydney Opera House's Head of Screen, Stuart Buchanan. We talk about Stuart's new job title, how digital teams are structured at SOH, and the unhelpfully vague nature of the word 'digital'. Stuart shares how digital artistic programmes have enabled the Sydney Opera House to work with new artists, in new ways. The issues and challeng…

1
Episode 166: English Teacher Live in Leeds; ABC Live in York; New Album From Bill Ryder-Jones; Rory Stewart's Politics On the Edge; 36:55

6M ago36:55

36:55

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 -…

1
Episode 165: Pop Artist, Pauline Boty; Poor Things; Overrated Netflix Films; York Art Gallery Exhibition Charges 35:36

6M ago35:36

35:36

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 crede…

1
Episode 164: Indie Bands and their Hype; Shed Seven's First Number One Album; Priscilla Reconsidered; The Miracle of Mr Mick 35:31

6M ago35:31

35:31

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 thing…

1
Episode 163: Sofia Coppola's Priscilla; Pauline Boty and Harrogate's Creative Underground; Why BBC 6 Music Should Create its own Chart 36:28

6M ago36:28

36:28

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 y…

1
Episode 162: Christmas Presents; Michael Mann's Ferrari; Christmas TV 32:12

7M ago32:12

32:12

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 Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in…

1
Episode 041 - Haydn Corrodus on unleashing Social Media's potential for cultural organisations, the value of story-telling, understanding your audience, and being thoughtful about how you're showing up ... 43:16

7M ago43:16

43:16

Our last episode of 2023 is a conversation with Haydn Corrodus. Haydn is a social media and digital marketing consultant who was previously an Arts Council England Tech Champion as part of the Digital Culture Network Haydn brings rich insights into the fragmented and ever-evolving world of social media, and its potential for storytelling, connectin…

1
Episode 161: Review of the Year (Part Two) 36:30

7M ago36:30

36:30

Charles and Graham continue looking back at their cultural highlights from 2023, this time focusing on their films of the year. Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car: X @2big_egos Facebook @twobigegosBy Graham Chalmers and Charles Hutchinson

1
Episode 160: Review of the Year (Part One) 30:09

7M ago30:09

30:09

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. Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car: X @2big_egos Facebook @twobigegosBy Graham Chalmers and Charles Hutchinson

1
Episode 040 - Bytes #5, Ash and Katie reflect on 2023 looking at declining attention spans, AI challenges, shifts in where users are spending their time online, and some attempts at predicting priorities ... 43:15

7M ago43:15

43:15

In the last podcast episode of the year, Katie and Ash reflect on 2023 - picking a few of the most notable articles, podcasts, research reports, and new stories of the year. We discuss digital overload and the impact it's had on our attention spans. Exploring whether our cultural institutions could become havens of focus and relaxation in the blizz…

1
Episode 039 - Dr Carrie Goucher on meeting culture, the role of psychological safety, advice on how to improve the effectiveness of your meetings, and building trust in teams 42:49

7M ago42:49

42:49

A conversation with Dr Carrie Goucher. Carrie helps people transform meetings and meeting culture. She has redesigned how we meet for the collaborative era, crafting meetings that are honest, focused, supportive and energising. Carrie’s PhD created an evidence-based framework for what underpins meeting success (spoiler alert: it’s not having an age…

1
Episode 159: Harrogate Theatre's Pantomime: New Todd Haynes Film, May December; Shane MacGowan RIP 36:40

8M ago36:40

36:40

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…

1
Episode 158: Berlin Re-visited; Ian McMillan's Very Yorkshire Opera; Robert M Pirsig's Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance Reassessed 38:28

8M ago38:28

38:28

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 B…

1
Episode 038 - Ash & Katie, Bytes #4 - exploring 50 years of the internet, the ChatGPT store (and associated soap opera), the death of the social internet, and a polemic about SEO 23:41

8M ago23:41

23:41

The fourth in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (actually 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter. In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on November 10th. We talk about: Internet Artifacts This TechCrunch article "App Store for AI: OpenAI’s GPT Store lets you build (and m…

1
Episode 157: Fashion on trend?; Yorkshire's Now Then and Now And Then; Sunderland's Indie HQ 32:30

8M ago32:30

32:30

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 …

1
Episode 156: Whither BBC 6Music?; How The Rolling Stones Invented Punk 38:52

8M ago38:52

38:52

Graham is wondering just what is the role of BBC 6Music in light of the latest official radio listening figures after a scheduling revamp? Plus, why if MOJO magazine is 30 years old does it feel more like 80? Graham contests that The Rolling Stones had an underrated role in inventing punk rock. Charles spots dinosaurs hoving into view. Keep in touc…

1
Episode 037 - Zoe Williams (Vagina Museum) on crowdfunding, owning your niche, building a community, dealing with censorship, ignoring the trolls, and having a sense of humour 38:32

8M ago38:32

38:32

A chat with Zoe Williams, the Head of Communications and Fundraising at the Vagina Museum in London. We discuss their successful recent crowdfunding campaign, we also explore how they've harnessed the power of digital platforms to reach a global audience, built a robust community online, and how they’ve carved out their niche in the digital sphere.…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Edinburgh International Book Festival Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide