Culture

Beyond litter and emissions: The environmental costs of loud sound at music festivals

The music festivals of the summer have packed up and moved on. Stages and sound systems have been dismantled, litter cleared, and land reseeded.

‘Burning Down the House’: A review 

During the odd ‘in-between’ space that is Week 0, I searched for a show to give me something to do, amid the random dilly-dallying and the odd collection currently occupying my time.

Why ‘No Bad Memories’ is my album of the year

I didn't expect how perfectly my personal happiness would fit an album so preoccupied with the sounds of old advertisements and obsolete electronics, filled with the relentless optimism of a world that believed the future could only get better. 

CUSP’s Dan Stock on the memories behind ‘English Country’

On Friday, CUSP, a Milton Keynes-based indie rock band, released their debut album, English...

Review: Doctor Who Christmas Special 2013

Marcus Balmer finds 'The Time Of The Doctor' a deeply unsatisfying conclusion to Matt Smith's reign in the blue box

Top 20 Tracks of 2013

Matt Broomfield shares his favourite tracks from 2013. What were yours?

Taking The Mask Off Burial

Looking from past to present, Adam Piascik tells us about Burial, a dubstep artist shrouded in mystery, and the new directions of his latest release.

Review: Journey by Moonlight

Antal Szerb's subtle articulacy and sense of wonder turn a novel preoccupied with death into a celebration of life

More Than Just Play?

Emma Hewitt discusses the risks of censorship in theatre

Review: Nebraska

Alexander Payne's latest feature is saddening, hilarious and heart-warming - largely due to Bruce Dern's compelling performance

Interview: Dannie Abse and Hannah Ellis

Haf Davies explores the ferociously Welsh poetic heritage of Dylan Thomas

Review: The Hobbit – The Desolation of Smaug

Though a vast improvement on the first instalment of 'The Hobbit', Peter Jackson's latest Middle Earth offering is still unable to fully capture the magic of Tolkien.

The 5 biggest music baddies of 2013

In descending order of baddiness, Helen Thomas takes you through the lowest points the music world reached this year, and the five villainous artists that made them happen.

The price of pantomime

Georgina Wilson discusses the cost of 'He's-Behind-You!'

Cherwell’s cultural Christmas cracker

If you are at a loss as to what to put on your Christmas list, do not fear! Art and Books have helpfully provided a guide to the brightest and best cultural offerings this Christmas vacation

What does ‘cool’ mean?

Luke Barratt considers our cultural conception of the word 'cool'

Letter from Cowley

Abby Carroll writes home from a far-flung region

Interview – MS MR

Luke Barratt talks music videos, Tumblr and the creative process with MS MR

Introduction to… Lieder

William Pimlott explains the appeal of German classical pop

Review: Blood Orange – Cupid Deluxe

21st-century R&B with the emphasis on blues over rhythm

Review: Kvetch

Hard-hitting, brilliant and very, very, very funny

Live Review: Palma Violets

Palma Violets are too heavy on sweat and too light on passion for Helen Thomas

Balloon breasts and whoopee cushions with Ellen Page

Director Ellen Page offers her insight into KVETCH, a play 'dedicated to the afraid'

Interview: Roddy Doyle

James Tozer talks to Roddy Doyle about middle-age, teaching, and Fernando Torres

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