A passionately laid back overview of the arts and culture scene in York and Harrogate with observations on journalism. This podcast is hosted by Charles Hutchinson and Graham Chalmers and regular guests.
Graham Chalmers and Charles Hutchinson
Send us a textCharles 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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textGraham 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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textCharles 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 CowenRob 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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textThe 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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textGraham 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 BroadcastingKeep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textInterview special: Toby ManningToby 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. Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textGraham 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!.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textGraham 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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textGraham 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 Mickie 17, the new film by Bong Joon Ho whose last film was the Academy Award winning Parasite.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textCHarles 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.ukKeep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textGraham 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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textCharles 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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textGraham 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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textIn 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?Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textGraham 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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textJanuary 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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textGraham 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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textGraham 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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Send us a textCharles 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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Charles and Graham give a rundown of their Top 10 films from this year.;Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
Charles and Graham take a look at their favourite albums of 2024, looking back at a blockbuster year for female artists.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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?Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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).Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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, Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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. Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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 BaldwinCharles 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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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 Ono's art when visiting her major retrospective exhibition at Tate Modern in London.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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. Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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.Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car:X@2big_egosFacebook@twobigegos
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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