Monocle 24: The Monocle Culture Show

We explore the genre of art books at a new exhibition at London’s Warburg Institute, which explores art publishing and libraries. Plus: we meet the head of book sales and buying at the Tate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Film critics Simran Hans and Leila Latif join Robert Bound to review Wes Anderson’s new movie, ‘The Phoenician Scheme’, starring Benicio Del Toro, Mia Threapleton and Michael Cera.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We head into the night with Dan Richards, author of the new book ‘Overnight: Journeys, Conversations and Stories After Dark’. Richards celebrates all things nocturnal, from bakers and health workers to wildlife and Moomintrolls. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We create a sunny soundtrack to the coming weeks with the release of two new albums. Kiwi singer Marlon Williams talks about his gorgeous record “Te Whare Tīwekaweka”, his first sung in the Māori language. Plus: we hear from Skye Edwards of the beloved UK band Morcheeba, which is back with its trademark trip-hop on the upcoming album “Escape The Chaos”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We celebrate two of London’s most esteemed arts institutions. We reflect on the Tate Modern’s immense contribution to the UK’s cultural landscape and Photo London’s effect on photography over the past decade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Photographer Zed Nelson joins us in the studio to talk about his new book, ‘The Anthropocene Illusion’, which meditates on the fractured relationship between humans and nature. Plus: contemporary art in Dakar, Senegal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this podcast special, we hear from two presenters in the wonderful world of audio storytelling. The much-beloved podcast ‘Heavyweight’ involves guests engaging the help of Jonathan Goldstein to answer some unsolved aspect of their past. Ahead of the show’s return at its new home, Pushkin Industries, we catch up with Goldstein to hear about the origins of the podcast and what’s involved in its production. Plus: DJ and broadcaster Kate Hutchinson discusses her new series, ‘Studio Radicals’, which puts musicians, producers and engineers in the spotlight.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York provides the backdrop to two cultural gems. Directed by Kevin Macdonald and Sam Rice-Edwards, documentary ‘One to One: John & Yoko’ follows the former Beatle and the artist as they roam Greenwich Village in the 1970s, pursuing projects, preparing for a charity concert and meeting leftist radicals. We sit down with Rice-Edwards to discuss the film. Plus: US writer Katie Kitamura tells us about her new novel, ‘Audition’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We celebrate the start of spring with a slew of top-tier cultural recommendations for the new season. Robert Bound is joined in the studio by John Mitchinson, Georgie Rogers and Ossian Ward to discuss the albums, books and exhibitions that you should have on your radar this month. These include a new record by Little Simz, a book full of stories about the nocturnal world and an art event with a side of sauna. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apple TV+’s ‘Severance’ is a dystopian workplace drama that has become one of the most talked-about television series in recent years. Following the dramatic end to season two, we sit down with its creator, writer and executive producer, Dan Erickson. Plus: we find out about the Kinoteka Polish Film Festival, which brings the best contemporary and classic Polish cinema to venues across the UK. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK musician Alabaster DePlume tells us about his new album, ‘A Blade Because a Blade Is Whole’, and his upcoming tour. DePlume has been drawing ever-larger audiences with his blend of evocative saxophone playing, confident orchestration and music that stays long in the memory. Plus, we meet Swiss visual artist Pascal Sender to discuss his new London exhibition, which incorporates augmented reality to beguiling effect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We sit down with puppeteer Basil Twist, the creator of the stunning puppets at the heart of stage production ‘My Neighbour Totoro’. Then: we catch up with Séan Doran, the artistic director of Arts Over Borders. He’s leading the charge with a major new Samuel Beckett biennale and a rather extraordinary multi-decade production of one Beckett play. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We report from Spain’s biggest contemporary-art fair, Arco Madrid. Every year, exhibition space Ifema Madrid plays host to a rich variety of galleries, curatorial presentations and many beautiful works. It’s here that the art worlds of old Europe and Latin America are brought together under one roof, with the rest of the globe invited too. We hear from one of the curators behind the ‘Amazofuturism’ section, leading gallerists from around the world and Arco’s leadership. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We head to ‘The Face: Culture Shift’, a new exhibition at London’s National Portrait Gallery celebrating the magazine’s photography and effect on popular culture. The show is a who’s who of contemporary cool and an ode to the power of print media. We discuss the legacy of the publication with the exhibition’s curator, Sabina Jaskot-Gill; former editor of ‘The Face’ Johnny Davis; and Monocle’s editor in chief, Andrew Tuck. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Bound highlights select nominees for the 97th Academy Awards. We hear from ‘Sing Sing’ director Greg Kwedar; lead special make-up effects designer for ‘The Substance’, Pierre-Olivier Persin; ‘The Wild Robot’ director, Chris Sanders; and co-directors of the documentary ‘No Other Land’, Yuval Abraham and Basel Adra.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We find out how to design a dance venue from the inside out at Sadler’s Wells East in London. Also in the UK capital, we immerse ourselves in ‘Masterpieces of the Iranian New Wave’ at the Barbican. Plus, art and architecture at Provence’s Château La Coste. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We visit two new exhibitions in London by two very different US artists. First, we’ll hear from the curator of the UK’s first Noah Davis exhibition. The glorious, sweeping show at the Barbican serves as a worthy tribute to the late, great painter. Then: we’ll hear from high-spirited octogenarian Joseph Kosuth, whose show at Sprüth Magers features works from his six decades spent as a pioneer of conceptual and installation art.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British singer-songwriter Vashti Bunyan is celebrating her 80th birthday with a new edition of her 2005 record ‘Lookaftering’, including added demos, live versions and sleeve notes from its producer, Max Richter. The lyric booklet features paintings by Bunyan’s daughter, which beautifully brings to life the wistful, dreamy tracks. Robert Bounds sits down with Vashti Bunyan to discuss the cult reception to her work and how a new generation breathed new life into her music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eddie Chacon shot to fame as part of the duo Charles & Eddie, alongside the late Charles Pettigrew, with the release of their enduring 1992 single ‘Would I Lie to You?’ In the years after Charles & Eddie amicably split in 1997, Chacon explored another passion of his: fashion photography. But music called him back and, in 2020, he released the solo album ‘Pleasure, Joy and Happiness’, followed by ‘Sundown’ in 2023. Now he has returned with the gorgeous new record ‘Lay Low’. On today’s show, Chacon joins Robert Bound in the studio to discuss his unique, heartfelt strain of R&B and the inspiration behind the dreamy tracks on his new record. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nancy Durrant and Matt Wolf join Robert Bound in the studio to discuss the best theatre shows coming to the stage in 2025, including a new production of a West End classic, a play about the experiences of the Windrush generation and a critically acclaimed performance by an Olivier award-winning actress. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look ahead to the most exciting books, films and exhibitions in 2025, from the first international retrospective of a beloved US artist to a political thriller so potent that its director was forced to flee his home country. John Mitchinson, Francesca Gavin and Simran Hans join Robert Bound in the studio to let you know what should be on your cultural radar in the coming months. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We start the year off with a bang by celebrating the release of two fantastic new films. We hear from director RaMell Ross about ‘Nickel Boys’, a formally inventive and beautifully rendered adaptation of a Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Colson Whitehead. Then: erotic thriller ‘Babygirl’, starring Nicole Kidman, depicts a lustful affair between a CEO and an intern. Monocle’s Fernando Augusto Pacheco sits down with director Halina Reijn to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laura Snapes, Toby Earle and Mia Levitin join Robert Bound in the studio to round up the best of this year’s albums, TV and books.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We share highlights from this year's programme, including interviews with the likes of Hans Zimmer and Maggi Hambling, and a very special session with folk duo The Staves.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgie Rogers and Will Hodgkinson join Robert Bound in the studio for our annual review of the season’s best festive music releases, including albums and singles from Orville Peck, Kelly Clarkson and Jimmy Fallon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We visit two new London exhibitions. ‘Japanese Art History à la Takashi Murakami' at Gagosian's Grosvenor Hill outpost offers the contemporary artist's interpretations of Edo-era artworks. We sit down with Murakami to discuss AI, where he finds inspiration and the atmosphere that he likes to create in his studio. Plus, we meet the curator of ‘Electric Dreams' at London's Tate Modern. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We cover the release of two fascinating and revealing documentaries. Both take a sideways look at men we're familiar with from their public – and vastly different – profiles: one as a world leader and the other as an icon of Hollywood's golden age. ‘The Bibi Files', directed by Alexis Bloom, uses leaked interrogation footage of Benjamin Netanyahu to explore contemporary Israeli politics. Then, ‘Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes', directed by Kathryn Ferguson, takes a behind-the-scenes look at actor Humphrey Bogart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hank Willis Thomas is a US artist who works across media to explore themes including identity, popular culture and mass media. We meet him at his exhibition of collages, ‘Kinship of the Soul', at London's Pace Gallery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen is known for his in-depth, human exploration of characters and history, which is executed with an artist's eye. We speak to McQueen about the release of his new film, ‘Blitz', which details the lives of 20th-century Britons during the Second World War. Then: Monocle's Fernando Augesto Pacheco and ‘Monocle on Culture' regular Leila Latif share their takes on the film. Plus: titles to look out for this winter.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We celebrate 20 years of music promoter, record label and events producer Nonclassical. Over the past two decades, the organisation has been at the forefront of classical, experimental and electronic music, leading the way with innovative and genre-defying sounds. Robert Bound sits down with composer and founder Gabriel Prokofiev and composer Tonia Ko. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We sit down with Tim Robey, author of the new book ‘Box Office Poison: Hollywood's Story in a Century of Flops'. This alternative history of cinema recounts the industry's biggest bombs, including how they came to be made and what they tell us about both the Hollywood machine and the public who eschewed them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We head to Rome to find out about a new film dedicated to the Women's Liberation Movement in the 1970s before visiting one of the world's largest contemporary art foundries in Walla Walla. Plus: an interview with French pop star Zaho de Sagazan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As this special episode pauses to consider elements of great design, it is important to not overcomplicate matters. Sometimes, all you need is four wheels and a beating heart. Monocle's Italian odyssey concludes with a second roadtrip in another of Maserati's powerful new all-electric sports cars: the Gran Turismo Folgore. Joining us for the ride are Maserati's head of design, Klaus Busse, and food writer Luca Cesari.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We find out about ‘Oscar', a ballet based on the life and work of Oscar Wilde. Plus: artist Sophie Matisse tells us about designing chess sets, and writer and translator Bruna Dantas Lobato discusses her new book, ‘Blue Light Hours'. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We venture from Monocle's Marylebone HQ to London's Dalston to learn about an organisation looking east. Asymmetry is an unusual, forward-thinking foundation dedicated to developing cultural knowledge in and about Asia. Plus: we head to Copenhagen to find out about Danish festival Heartland's takeover of famed restaurant Noma. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We explore the world of US artist Mike Kelley with the first UK exhibition of his work at the Tate Modern. ‘Ghost and Spirit' shows Kelley's influential and experimental practice ranging from drawings and collages to multimedia installations of “dark pop art”. Robert Bound speaks to Catherine Wood, the Tate Modern's director of programme, about the show. Plus: Lisson Gallery content director Ossian Ward shares his view of Kelley's imaginative career.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To celebrate the release of Public Service Broadcasting's *The Last Flight*, we explore the world of concept albums. Robert Bound speaks to the band's J Willgoose, Esq about the making of the album, which explores aviator Amelia Earhart's final takeoff. To continue the theme, Monocle's contributing editor Andrew Mueller digs deep into weird and wonderful LPs, while writer Natty Kasambala and Will Hodgkinson,  music critic at ‘The Times', share their favourite concept albums.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Making a masterpiece begins with a vision. And where else to start than with the beloved Italian marque Maserati's new powerful, all-electric sports car: the Gran Cabrio Folgore. As summer turns to autumn, we engage the roof, connect the charger and hit the road. Join us. Featuring Maserati's head of design Klaus Busse and sculptor Valeria Greco.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss two new films in this week's episode. ‘The Goldman Case' dramatises the 1976 trial of revolutionary left-wing intellectual Pierre Goldman and is a thrilling retelling of a momentous event in French legal history. Plus: we speak to the directors behind the new documentary ‘Sugarcane', which follows an investigation into the Canadian Indian residential school system. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monocle's Andrew Mueller finds out about Soviet-era rock'n'roll in Ukraine ahead of the release of ‘Even The Forest Hums: Ukrainian Sonic Archives 1971-1996'. Plus: we discuss a new biography about filmmaker Agnes Varda and hear from Serbian performance artist Marina Abramovic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Bound is joined in the studio by writer and ‘Monocle on Culture' regular Will Hodgkinson to discuss his new book, ‘Street-Level Superstar, A Year With Lawrence' . The book tells the story of Lawrence, the founder of the band Felt, and later, Denim. Is he the greatest pop star that never was?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Bound is joined in the studio by writer David Peace to discuss his new book, ‘Munichs'. The novel tells the story of the 1958 Munich air disaster, in which 23 people – including eight Manchester United players and three officials – were fatally injured when their plane crashed. Peace's dramatisation is a tender story of stoicism, sadness and strength. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.