Culture and media
Taking our cue from Raymond Williams’ ‘culture is ordinary’, we explore how politics works through old and new media, books, film, stage and screen, music and sport – prioritising the grassroots voices democratising creative channels of communication.
Taking our cue from Raymond Williams’ ‘culture is ordinary’, we explore how politics works through old and new media, books, film, stage and screen, music and sport – prioritising the grassroots voices democratising creative channels of communication.
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Moving music: an interview with Hamsaz Ensemble
A 15-strong group fuses traditional Iranian instruments with contemporary stories of diaspora, community and hope. For member Freesia, folk music can build connection and understanding across difference
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Mother Mary Comes to Me – review
In her first memoir, Arundhati Roy grapples with the complex forces, both global and close to home, which formed her – including her remarkable and often-abusive mother, writes Nandita Lal
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No neutral ground: sport is political in Israel’s war on Gaza
Nicola De Martini Ugolotti and Max Mauro report on the movement to ban Israel from international sports – and to interrupt projections of normalcy as genocide unfolds in Gaza
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The Starmer Symptom – review
As anger and disillusionment with Labour increase, a new collection from Mark Perryman asks some bold and urgent questions about dialogue on the left, writes Kevin Davey
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Ripping yarns: Left Cultures and non-hierarchical publishing
Phil Wigglesworth reflects on the launch of Left Cultures in 2023 – and why the international left must embrace non-hierarchical approaches to publishing
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High art, low ceilings: remaking Social Club culture
Jerry Iles speaks to Geoff Kirkwood about how a Tyneside Social Club became a cultural beacon – driven by cutting edge DJs, bingo nights, experimental orchestras and ‘open-minded collectivism’. Now, it’s reclaiming culture for everyone
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Investigative journalism: A light in the darkness
The most important function of investigative journalism is to hold power to account, writes Katie Mark
