Culture
After the pandemic years, audience are more appreciative of intimate musical experiences than ever
![Aurora Orchestra](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1619_Music_Aurora-Orchestra-Norwich-Cathedral-photo-by-Luke-Witcomb1.jpg?w=768)
After the pandemic years, audience are more appreciative of intimate musical experiences than ever
Emilia Clarke feared being fired from Game of Thrones after brain injury
![emilia clarke](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/emilia_clarke_hr-8286.jpg?w=768)
Emilia Clarke feared being fired from Game of Thrones after brain injury
I wondered why Western media called the Yemen conflict an 'invisible war'. Then I saw it for myself
![A child joins his father at a tribal meeting in Hasaba, where pro-Houthi tribes gather to show their allegiance](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1618_Yemen_026m.jpg?w=768)
I wondered why Western media called the Yemen conflict an 'invisible war'. Then I saw it for myself
Bradley Riches on Heartstopper, new musical Babies and how coming out helped him embrace his autism
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Heartstopper_S02_Image4.jpgHeartstopper_S02_Image4.gif?w=768)
Bradley Riches on Heartstopper, new musical Babies and how coming out helped him embrace his autism
Furiosa star Tom Burke: 'It stung when someone said I didn't have a face for TV'
![Tom Burke.](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1618_YS_TB-_-Headshot-2024.jpg?w=768)
Furiosa star Tom Burke: 'It stung when someone said I didn't have a face for TV'
Top 5 empowering teen novels, chosen by YA author Rebecca Westcott
![Empowered teen](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1618_books_miguel-bruna-TzVN0xQhWaQ-unsplash.jpg?w=768)
Top 5 empowering teen novels, chosen by YA author Rebecca Westcott
'This country is run by idiots and fools': Paul Weller on politics, God and the state of everything
![Paul Weller and Johnny Harris](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1618_WellerHarris_240517_Paul_Weller_Big_Issue_S01_0159_h_col.jpg?w=768)
'This country is run by idiots and fools': Paul Weller on politics, God and the state of everything
Netflix's Hit Man is what we used to call 'a good time at the movies' – but times have changed
![Glen Powell in Hit Man](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1618_Film_HIT_MAN_001.jpg?w=768)
Netflix's Hit Man is what we used to call 'a good time at the movies' – but times have changed
This is what happens to a local economy when Taylor Swift comes to town
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1614-Swiftonomics.jpg?w=768)
This is what happens to a local economy when Taylor Swift comes to town
How the UK's jazz explosion led to a rebirth of cool
![Ezra Collective after winning the 2023 Mercury Prize.](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1618_Music_2RRD5AK.jpg?w=768)
How the UK's jazz explosion led to a rebirth of cool
All Fours by Miranda July review – a shockingly original voice and a story for our times
![All Fours by Miranda July](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1618_Books_All-Fours-by-Miranda-July-is-out-now-Canongate-20_HERO.jpg?w=768)
All Fours by Miranda July review – a shockingly original voice and a story for our times
The Horse by Willy Vlautin review – funny, shocking and heartfelt contender for book of the year
![The Horse by Willy Vlautin](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1618_Books_The-Horse-by-Willy-Vlautin-is-out-now-Faber-Faber-16.99_HERO.jpg?w=768)
The Horse by Willy Vlautin review – funny, shocking and heartfelt contender for book of the year
Paul Weller: 'Keir Starmer's just a slightly softer version of the Tory party, isn't he?'
![Paul Weller and Johnny Harris](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1618_WellerHarris_240517_Paul_Weller_Big_Issue_S01_0159_h_col.jpg?w=768)
Paul Weller: 'Keir Starmer's just a slightly softer version of the Tory party, isn't he?'
Washed Out music video controversy shows the hardest part is accepting AI is here to stay
![Washed Up video](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1617_Music_Hero.jpg?w=768)
Washed Out music video controversy shows the hardest part is accepting AI is here to stay
Author Alexander McCall Smith: 'At 16 I took myself terrifically seriously. And no one else did'
![Alexander McCall Smith](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1617_YS_Hero.jpg?w=768)
Author Alexander McCall Smith: 'At 16 I took myself terrifically seriously. And no one else did'
Viggo Mortensen on Trump, corruption and why classic Westerns are like the best poetry
![Viggo Mortensen in The Dead Don't Hurt](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1617_Film_Hero.jpg?w=768)
Viggo Mortensen on Trump, corruption and why classic Westerns are like the best poetry
'Queer women aren't for the male gaze': Girli on queerness and why Tories 'don't give a s**t' about Gen Z
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/On-her-newly-released-sophomore-album-‘Matriarchy-Girli-Amelia-Toomey-dissects-queerness-politics-and-much-more.-2.jpg?w=768)
'Queer women aren't for the male gaze': Girli on queerness and why Tories 'don't give a s**t' about Gen Z
Top 5 child characters in books, chosen by award-winning journalist Tom Lamont
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1617_Books_Top_5_d64a9d.jpg?w=768)
Top 5 child characters in books, chosen by award-winning journalist Tom Lamont
What the complex history of Cyprus can teach us about today's Europe
![Deposed Cypriot president Archbishop Makarios III meets the Labour government’s foreign secretary James Callaghan in London in 1974](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1618_Books_E10X35.jpg?w=768)
What the complex history of Cyprus can teach us about today's Europe
Nero was emperor of Rome at just 16. Which of us would have done better?
![Nero](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1617_Books_Essay_149525.jpg?w=768)