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Artwork for Front Row

Front Row

BBC Radio 4
Steve Mcqueen
Amsterdam
Bianca Stigter
Occupied City
Yoko Ono
Double Feature
Theatre
Film Industry
Nazi Occupation
Jez Butterworth
One Day
American Fiction
Mental Health
Gladiator
Rhiannon Giddens
Boarders
Me Too Movement
Declan Mckenna
The Hills Of California
Diane Oliver

Live magazine programme on the worlds of arts, literature, film, media and music

PublishesDailyEpisodes2001Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Front Row

Latest Episodes

As the journals of the American writer Joan Didion (based on conversations with her psychiatrist) are published, writer and journalist Rachel Cooke and Alan Taylor, editor of actor Alan Rickman's diaries, discuss the challenges, responsibilities and ... more

Jamaica's former poet laureate, Lorna Goodison, on setting Dante's Inferno on the island of her birth; Journalist Joanna Moorhead on Pope Francis' relationship with the arts; Poet and librettist Michael Symmons Roberts on writing a form-breaking book... more

Mr. Turner director Mike Leigh, art historian Charlotte Mullins and senior curator at Tate Amy Concannon join Tom Sutcliffe to celebrate the life and work of JMW Turner, as we approach the 250th anniversary of his birth.

Also in this edition, David... more

Alex Garland's latest film Warfare, which is co-directed by US military veteran Ray Mendoza turns back the clock back nearly twenty years to reconstruct a real-life surveillance mission in Iraq. Film critic Tim Robey and journalist Zing Tsjeng give t... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ewan Morrison
Author known for exploring themes related to technology and society.
Episode: Photographer Susan Meiselas, The Impact of Trump's Tariffs on Musical Instrument Manufacturers, Author Ewan Morrison.
Anthony Short
Executive director of the Music Industries Association.
Music Industries Association
Episode: Photographer Susan Meiselas, The Impact of Trump's Tariffs on Musical Instrument Manufacturers, Author Ewan Morrison.
Andrew Scott
Managing director of Harrison and Harrison, an organ building company.
Harrison and Harrison
Episode: Photographer Susan Meiselas, The Impact of Trump's Tariffs on Musical Instrument Manufacturers, Author Ewan Morrison.
Susan Meiselas
Acclaimed photographer known for her work on carnival strippers and conflict photography.
Episode: Photographer Susan Meiselas, The Impact of Trump's Tariffs on Musical Instrument Manufacturers, Author Ewan Morrison.
Ryan Coogler
American director known for films like Black Panther and Creed
Episode: Ryan Coogler on Sinners, The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz, Book Bans in the US
Anne Sebba
Writer and author of The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz
Episode: Ryan Coogler on Sinners, The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz, Book Bans in the US
PJ Hogan
Creator of 'Muriel's Wedding' and the musical adaptation
Episode: Muriel's Wedding the Musical, Dr Who, Anthony Horowitz on Marble Hall Murders
John Higgs
Author of 'A New History of Doctor Who'
Episode: Muriel's Wedding the Musical, Dr Who, Anthony Horowitz on Marble Hall Murders
Caroline Frost
Entertainment writer for Radio Times
Radio Times
Episode: Muriel's Wedding the Musical, Dr Who, Anthony Horowitz on Marble Hall Murders

Hosts

Tom Sutcliffe
Host known for his insightful questioning and engaging discussion style, frequently exploring a wide range of artistic subjects.
Kirsty Wark
Host with extensive experience in arts journalism, known for her interviews and coverage of cultural topics.
Samira Ahmed
Host and journalist recognized for her critical perspectives on culture and arts, often bringing diverse viewpoints to discussions.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 637 ratings
  • Front Row

    Love this podcast! Varied and up to date.

    All presenters very well prepared! ☺️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Izzyissi
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Let the guests speak

    It's got a good mix of guests on the show but some of the hosts are constantly interrupting the guests which is frustrating to listen to, they often can't finish a sentence without being interrupted by the host giving his answer to his own question. Despite this it's good to have a round up of new films & exhibitions.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Foxtrot Lightning
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Pretty impressive

    Despite a recent drift into the lowbrow with 80s pop nostalgia segments, this is a really useful and enjoyable listen. And the Friday review show takes me back to those happy years when Saturday Review was still being commissioned.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    MarkoB1111
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • An Insular Gaze: How Front Row Fails Global Art

    Listening to the BBC’s Front Row review One Hundred Years of Solitude felt like witnessing a masterpiece reduced to a quaint curiosity, as if they were marveling at a trinket from an exotic land rather than engaging with one of the most profound literary achievements of the 20th century. Their commentary was superficial, hesitant, and tinged with an old-school British arrogance that struggles to believe top-quality art can emerge from beyond its own borders. The tone resembled a diner approachin... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    David Theo
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Kirsty Wark is a poor appointment

    Kirsty Wark — seriously? This latest appointment reveals how little respect the BBC has for the arts. I’m so tired of BBC shows replacing people with serious expertise in their field with random “name” presenters. What does Wark know about the arts? Nothing, if her first shows are anything to go by — and it shows.

    For years we’ve had to put up Jim Naughtie presenting the sole Radio Four book programme as if covering literature is just a nice retirement job anyone can do after covering politic... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Radionoush
    United Kingdom8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback indicates some frustration with hosts interrupting guests, affecting the flow of conversation.
The podcast is praised for its depth of cultural insights and critical evaluations of arts and media.
Many find the combination of interviews and reviews to be both engaging and informative, enriching their understanding of current cultural events.
Listeners appreciate the variety of discussions and interviews that keep them informed about the arts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#161
United Kingdom/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#158
New Zealand/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#192
Chile/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#194
Denmark/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#224
Norway/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#250
Argentina/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ryan Coogler on Sinners, The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz, Book Bans in the US
Q: What was the orchestra for in their minds? Did it have a utility for the Germans?
The orchestra served multiple purposes, including helping the Nazis keep count of prisoners, presenting a false air of military discipline, and creating an impression that the camp was not a death camp.
Ryan Coogler on Sinners, The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz, Book Bans in the US
Q: How did you cast that role?
We did a global search, focusing on actors who are also musicians, and ended up finding Miles Caitin who sent in an audition tape.
Ryan Coogler on Sinners, The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz, Book Bans in the US
Q: Ryan, you've talked of this film as a reclamation of a time period and a place. Just explain what the time and place are, and why you wanted to make a film about that period.
Sinners is set in 1932, and I was really interested in exploring blues music, specifically the Delta blues, which comes out of the Mississippi Delta.
Muriel's Wedding the Musical, Dr Who, Anthony Horowitz on Marble Hall Murders
Q: What is the premise of Marble Hall Murders?
It revolves around a continuity novel where a character discovers dark secrets about the famous writer grandmother.
Muriel's Wedding the Musical, Dr Who, Anthony Horowitz on Marble Hall Murders
Q: How did you update the musical version of Muriel's Wedding?
By setting it in the modern day and relating it to reality TV culture and social media.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Front Row

What is Front Row about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The episodes explore a rich tapestry of contemporary cultural discourse, with frequent reviews and discussions surrounding the latest in arts, literature, film, and media. Notable topics include critiques of popular productions, insights from prominent creatives, and examinations of societal themes woven into artistic expression. The program often features interviews with established figures in arts and literature who share their experiences and philosophies related to creativity and cultural identity.

Particularly noteworthy is the program's focus on blending traditional reviews with broader cultural conversations, addressing issues such as freedom of expression, representation in the arts, and the role of arts in reflecting contemporary ... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Front Row?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Front Row. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Front Row and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Front Row get?

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What are the audience demographics for Front Row?

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How many subscribers and views does Front Row have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Front Row has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Front Row?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Front Row:

1. This Cultural Life
2. Books and Authors
3. Bookclub
4. Start the Week
5. Arts & Ideas

How many episodes of Front Row are there?

Front Row launched 19 years ago and published 2001 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Front Row?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Front Row?

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What guests have appeared on Front Row?

Recent guests on Front Row include:

1. Ewan Morrison
2. Anthony Short
3. Andrew Scott
4. Susan Meiselas
5. Ryan Coogler
6. Anne Sebba
7. PJ Hogan
8. John Higgs

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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