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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. 

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Graham confounds Charles with an early interruption about musician Pete Doherty's Yorkshire days. Charles reflects on the achievements of York Theatre Royal chief exec Tom Bird as he announces his move to Sheffield Theatres. Graham reports on #MeToo film of the moment She Said, prompting fellow hack Charles to join the discussion on journalism in cinema. Graham gives an update on Manchester's Northern Quarter venue, Night & Day, fighting for its right to present live music after complaints about its club night noise levels. Finally, Graham reports on his visit to the Deer Shed festival's Christmas Party at Brudenell Social Club in Leeds.