Roving Around Glastonbury

2017-06-25: It's time to head southwest to Avalon, or the Isle of Glass, for some Glastonbury magic. First we're immersed in some of the history and mythology surrounding the site and the festival. Then we grab our wet wipes, wellies and cagoules and embark on an audio ramble around Worthy Farm. Jarvis conveys some of the atmosphere and chats with happy, glittery festival-goers in the fields and backstage. Then he leads us to the Stone Circle and a pop-up peace garden for a mellow moment. Throughout, we get to hear plenty of music from lesser-known acts playing the festival this year. Birthdays: Carly Simon (linking her stammer and creativity), George Michael (on the event that unlocked his love of music), Peter Blake (long-time beard-sporter) and Ricky Gervais (remembering when his teen rebellion was thwarted by his mum).

James Rhodes

2017-06-18: Pianist James Rhodes joins Jarvis to talk about his documentary, Geeking Glenn Gould. A lifelong fan of the Canadian classical superstar, James enthuses about Gould's recordings and genius musical mind; his prescient understanding of the future for recorded music; and his revolutionary approach to Bach. James remembers when he first became entranced by Gould, and affirms how lucky he felt to make this programme about his idol. Jarvis also asks James about his own unorthodox approach to performing and his passion for demystifying the culture of classical. Plus: an astrophysicist enables us to hear a solar flare; Sally Ride became the first US woman to launch into space, this day in 1983; Kraftwerk; and Canada 150 with Robert Lepage. And Jarvis pays tribute to the late Adam West, who was his childhood hero as Batman. Birthdays: Paul McCartney (we hear his advice to young musicians). 

James Rhodes' Spotify playlist of essential classical music is at bit.do/instrumental

A Surrealist Sunday Service

2017-06-11: Don your diving helmet and aqualung, and plunge into the depths for an encounter with 'the marvellous'. Jarvis marks the anniversary of the 1936 London International Surrealist Exhibition. Archive news reports recall the controversy surrounding the event; documentary clips tell how the artworks, found objects and 'primitive' pieces were brought together; and a lady remembers witnessing Dalí nearly dying in a diving suit as he prepared to lecture. The Surrealists used their art to access dreams and the unconscious: an unexplored part of reality. In that spirit, Jarvis tries creating his own expressive Surrealist sound piece with cut-up tape recordings courtesy of William S Burroughs. Birthdays: Barry Adamson (praising Bernard Herrmann), Jacques Cousteau (an Undersea World clip), Gene Wilder (Francophile) and Pete Murphy (on Bauhaus's greatest hit). 

A Virtual Primavera

2017-06-04: Jarvis treats us to a virtual tour of Primavera Sound. Jetting over to Barcelona, we get right into the festival vibe, exploring the concrete wonderland of Parc del Fòrum and enjoying bands playing Primavera this year. We learn a little about the city: Jarvis tells us about their football team, and muses on Orwell's Homage to Catalonia and the Spanish Civil War. He also contemplates Sagrada Família and visits his favourite Barceloní music shop, Wah Wah Records. Plus: an eyewitness remembers Emily Davison's notorious suffragette protest on this day in 1913; a landmark concert for The Clash; and listeners are asked for stories of discovering records on holiday. Birthdays: Russell Brand (on sampling the atmosphere pre-performance), David Yip (reading a poem) and Morgana King.