Monocle on Culture
Robert Bound and guests explore what’s new in art, film, books, and media. Expect lively discussions, in-depth interviews, and expert insights.
Latest Episodes
Jarvis Cocker’s loft
We meet Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker for a tour of the objects that catalogue his rise to stardom, found in a loft and now forming the basis of his new memoir and exhibition. Plus we head to another exhibition, ‘Once Upon a Time’, that explores folklore, myth and fairytales through…
Foghorns and the music of the coast
Robert Bound is joined in the studio by Jennifer Lucy Allan, a musicologist, writer and radio presenter, who also has a PhD in foghorns. Her book ‘The Foghorn’s Lament: The Disappearing Music of the Coast’ has just been published in paperback. It charts the history of the foghorn, its poetic…
Ali Smith
Robert Bound is joined in the studio by one of the UK’s most celebrated writers, Ali Smith. Her latest work, ‘Companion Piece’, is an addition to Smith’s seasonal quartet. Through her typical playful use of language, it brings together the specific hardships of the coronavirus pandemic and mythic history. It…
What to watch
Critic and broadcaster Scott Bryan and Inkoo Kang of ‘The Washington Post’ talk all things TV with Robert Bound. We discuss the best shows on the small screen today, as well as what’s coming up. Expect everything from crime, cooking and comedy to dinosaurs.
Venice Biennale Special
The world’s most prestigious art event is back in full force. Monocle’s Chiara Rimella and Alexis Self chat about their week in Venice, and how the Biennale has responded in times of conflict. Plus: we hear from some of the most talked-about artists at this year’s event, including Stan Douglas…
Spring music releases
Georgie Rogers and Fernando Augusto Pacheco join Robert Bound to look ahead to the most exciting albums of the coming months, including new releases from a Brazilian pop star, a classic British indie band and a camera-shy cowboy.
The beautiful game
From team badges and strips to the architecture of stadiums, design has long been a major part of football. We visit a new exhibition at the Design Museum in London, ‘Football: Designing the Beautiful Game’, and speak to its assistant curator Rachel Hajek and fashion commentator Simon Doonan about the…
‘Henry VI’: Behind the scenes of a new play of heroic proportions
While some of William Shakespeare’s plays are reproduced again and again, there are others that theatre companies tend to steer clear of. The Royal Shakespeare Company is undertaking the challenge of putting on ‘Henry VI: Part II’, renaming it ‘Henry VI: Rebellion’, which has the longest dramatis personae of any…
Spring preview: books and art
Ossian Ward and Mia Levitin join Robert Bound in the studio for a rundown of the best of the season’s art and books.
The American Song Contest: Eurovision heads stateside
The 65-year old mainstay of the European cultural calendar, the Eurovision Song Contest, heads across the Atlantic this week. A new show will pit all 50 states, five US territories and Washington DC against each other in a spinoff of dazzling proportions. We chat to the show’s producers about the…
