Culture

The rise of the pop girlie: Marketing mediocrity or feminism in action?  

“GIRLS INVENTED PUNK ROCK, NOT ENGLAND”: so reads the iconic green T-shirt of Sonic Youth legend Kim Gordon. The slogan stands in defiance of an unfortunate truth in the music industry: femininity and credibility often exist in contention with one another.

World music after ‘world music’

On the face of it, the term ‘world music’ is perhaps one of the...

NAZA: The most important film of the year

The filmmakers of NAZA clearly know that beyond physical distance, emotional distance is what allows the violence in Gaza to continue, and shows us just how easy it is to ignore what is going on right under our noses.

In conversation with John Kennedy, “one of the most trusted voices in music”

In a media landscape often dominated by gossip, rumours, and sometimes pure hate, it’s undeniably refreshing to listen to John, a man who never lost sight of what really matters.

Review: The Hypochondriac

Witty, farcical and mad: this week's play at the Keble O'Reilly was a sheer delight

Introduction to: Grime Instrumentals

George King introduces the sub-low enfant terrible of the British underground

Protest in Art

Delia Lockey discusses how protests are portrayed in culture

My Week: Jen Brennan

Jen Brennan is at University College, reading PPE. She plays percussion for the Oxford University Ceilidh Band.

Letter from Amman

Ollie Radway writes from the capital of Jordan

Review M.I.A. – Matangii

Adam Piascik is impressed by the singer's return to form

Interview: Beans on Toast

Luke Barratt talks songwriting and political apathy with the drunken folk singer

Review: Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP2

Luke Barratt is unexpectedly enthralled by Shady's best offering for years

Preview: Chicago

Some classic tunes and even better tuned direction

Interview: Palma Violets

Helen Thomas discusses Chilli-ng out and settling down with the indie frontman

Review: Judgment at Nuremberg

A compelling and assured performance of this unmissable production

Interview: Tavi Gevinson

Anna Leszkiewicz talks firsts, feminism and fans with Rookie editor and rookie actress Tavi Gevinson

Review: Saved

A ridiculous premise that is saved by strong acting and well-cast characters

Review: Raymond Moody’s Blues

Olivia Aylmer muses on Freidrich Kunath's presentation of solitude

Interview: Hadouken!

Matt Broomfield and Daniel Beatty get some nu-rave advice from the grindie upstarts

Review: Arcade Fire – Reflektor

To Hendrik Ehlers, this album is a Very Big Deal

Interview: Portico Quartet

Andrew McLean finds it impossible to pin down the inscrutable quartet

Nathalie Wright’s cultural must-dos

The co-editor of new Oxford magazine interVIEW tells Cherwell about her love of twisted, magical places, Alan Partridge and screaming inappropriately.

Stirring Strings

Cherwell Music presents the soundtrack to your essay crisis

Lou Reed (1942-2013)

Edan Tal pays tribute to a true legend of music

Follow us