show episodes
 
Come along with us, as we take a ride into the world of Alternative Music. During this show, we are going to feed the musical appetite of the many that claim Alternative Rock as the music of their generation. We'll explore history, dig deep, have fun, and even talk to your favorite bands about their influences. Alternative Affairs is the best podcast for Alternative Music talk, news, and interviews. We're excited to share your fan experiences in each of our full feature episodes. Host, Jason ...
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Politics is broken. How do we fix it? Armando Iannucci and Anoosh Chakelian meet policy makers, activists, special guests and actual, real-life *people* impacted by political failures to ask: can politics be different? Armando Iannucci is the renowned satirist, broadcaster, writer and director behind hit shows including Veep, The Thick of It, and The Day Today. He was the co-creator of the long-running comedy character Alan Partridge. His movies include In The Loop (2009), The Death of Stali ...
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show series
 
Armando and Anoosh delve into the inner workings of British political reporting, exploring the complex world of the Lobby, the blurred relationships that many political journalists and politicians balance - trading access and trust, - and how this landscape has been evolving over the past few years with the rise of digital and alternative media. To…
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Thurrock is suffering major cuts to all its council services after it went effectively bankrupt last December, after hundreds of millions of pounds were put into risky investments that didn’t pay off. One of the services to be gravely affected by the cuts is a place called “Thameside”, an arts complex, described locally as a “mini Barbican”, which …
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Is democracy slipping away from us? How protected are we by our constitution? And do governments have the power to swiftly change this? In June, in front of a live audience, Armando and Anoosh were joined by Simon Woolley, founder and director of Operation Black Vote and Principal of Homerton College, Cambridge, and Graham Smith, CEO of the anti-mo…
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The writer, satirist and broadcaster Armando Iannucci returns to the New Statesman Podcast to co-host our fourth series of Westminster Reimagined. In this episode, which was recorded in the summer of 2023, Armando and Anoosh visit a group of sixth form students who will be voting for the first time in the upcoming general election. They want to kno…
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The writer, satirist and broadcaster Armando Iannucci returns to the New Statesman Podcast to co-host our fourth series of Westminster Reimagined. Across this season he is joined by co-host Anoosh Chakelian, Britain editor at the New Statesman, to explores parts of British public life he believes to be broken, and is joined by guests from inside an…
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Our democracy is parliamentary. Why do so many Prime Minsters want to be presidential? Alistair Campbell and Catherine Haddon of the Institute for Government join Armando and Anoosh for the final episode of season three, to discuss whether presidential-style politics is a new thing, or if prime ministers have always wanted more power. They explore …
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Leave meant leave. Brexit meant Brexit. Brexit "got done". But can Brexit work? Armando and Anoosh meet two brothers, both entrepreneurs, divided by Brexit. The family rift encapsulates the divisions between Leave and Remain camps that continue to impact British politics. Can the Baxter brothers, and the UK, come together and unite after years of d…
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The truth is dead. Can politics survive? Armando and Anoosh speak to journalist James Ball and political campaigner Mae Dobbs to explore the impact of misinformation and disinformation, and also meet a former BBC executive, Pat Younge, to discuss how the broadcaster could do more to tackle a culture of lying among politicians. Guests Mae Dobbs is a…
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The Tories promised to fix "broken Britain" - but they've just made it worse. Unions are striking, the NHS is buckling, and volunteers are increasingly stepping in to provide vital services after funding cuts. How can Britain carry on like this? Armando and Anoosh meet two local activists providing volunteer community services to understand the vie…
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The US and the UK: divided by a common language, or united in chaos? Armando and Anoosh speak to the American satirist and broadcaster Jon Stewart, and the journalist Sam Walker to compare US and UK politics. They discuss whether the chaos and division of US political life is a warning for the UK, and whether discourse in Britain is heading in a si…
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Britain has one of the most unequal economies in Europe. In the UK, the rich are richer and the poor are poorer than in other European countries. The income gap is the largest it has been in ten years, food-bank use has doubled since 2014 and nearly a third of low-income families are unable to heat their homes; meanwhile the richest 1 per cent of h…
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Underhand, "bullying", quid-pro-quo... are whips helping run the country, or turning politics into a game of political point-scoring? Armando and Anoosh are joined by playwright James Graham and professor of politics Chris Hanretty to discuss the whipping operation in parliament - and whether blowing the whistle on whips' tactics will actually chan…
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Do political "tribes" still matter, or do voters pick-and-mix their political preferences? Armando and Ailbhe Rea are joined by the legendary polling expert, John Curtice, and former Labour defector Shaun Woodward, to explore the importance of demographics in understanding voting intention and whether identity politics really does sway voters. Gues…
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Britain doesn't have a written constitution. Is it time we did? Armando and Anoosh are joined by former attorney general Dominic Grieve and the head of UCL's Constitution Unit, Meg Russell, to discuss Britain's "ramshackle" constitution - and whether democracy can continue to thrive in Westminster after Brexit without a codified system of governmen…
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Does change happen because of politicians, or despite them? Armando and Anoosh speak to two campaigners addressing issues of inequality to discuss whether it's people or politicians who change public opinion - and whether activists are letting the government off the hook. Guests Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah launched her grass roots campaign to improv…
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Archaic, exclusive and impenetrable - is there any way parliament can be dragged into the 21st century? Anum Qaisar - at the time of recording the SNPs newest Westminster MP - and Emma Crewe, professor of anthropology at SOAS, join Armando and Ailbhe Rea to explore what’s prevented parliament from evolving into a modern, 21st-century legislature an…
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Why do we find it so hard to disagree without hating each other? Former Conservative minister Anna Soubry and self-proclaimed "radical social democrat" Paul Mason join Armando and Ailbhe Rea to explore whether there could ever be a pact between the centre and the left, and why it seems much harder to debate agreeably than ever before. Guests Anna S…
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Is Westminster's political power fading? Anoosh and Armando are joined by actor and director Chris Addison and former independent parliamentary candidate Claire Wright to discuss the distribution of political influence in the parliamentary system, whether it's possible to influence politics at a local level without buying in to a central party line…
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Making lasting change - is it easier from inside Westminster, or through public protest and activism? Armando Iannucci and Stephen Bush are joined by Louise Casey, the UK government's former homelessness tsar, and Paul Stephens of Extinction Rebellion to discuss how you make change happen within and without the British political system. Guests Loui…
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The British government has no shame. How can we hold politicians to account? Ian Hislop (Private Eye, Have I Got News For You) and Jill Rutter (former senior civil servant) join Armando Iannucci and Anoosh Chakelian to discuss political scandal, resignations, and accountability in politics. This episode was originally published in the New Statesman…
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Sometimes you hear a band that you swear you’ve heard before. It’s almost like you’ve known them your entire life. The sound resonates with you as it did with generations before you. The sounds of Zeppelin, Talking Heads or maybe Sex Pistols, the Ramones, or the Buzzcocks. We hear iconic inspirations live on in the music from today. They make you t…
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The generation gap gets a lot narrower when music is involved. Through music, we are able to relate and communicate with our children a lot more. We can share experiences, emotions, and the love for music. The eclectic nature and wide range of Alternative music gives us that ability. Want to be part of the show, join us at www.patreon.com/altaffair…
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Where do I exist? How do I exist? Can I Exist? Missio teaches us just how we can. They beat the truth out of you, and make you pull at your own struggles. Everyone throwing up a middle finger in concert of solidarity and unity. Everybody gets high and low, and travels to the deep blue sea. Missio forces us to stomp out our secrets and cry out to th…
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What does Alternative music mean to you? What does it mean to be Alternative today vs. what it was more than 20 years ago in the age of grunge, rock, emo, and industrial Alternative music? We’ll be reminiscing about the days of old with Sound Garden, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, STP, and so many more of our favorites from our earlier years.…
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