2012 Olympics and thin national narratives

Culture writer Lanre Bakare joins Ash and Moya in Manchester to talk about the precarious state of arts and nightlife around the UK, Black cultural identity outside of London, and the rise of ‘cultural deserts’ – as well as the unofficial launch of the ‘BAMÉ Army’. Plus: a dilemma about a difficult houseshare.

Lanre’s book, We Were There, is out now.
Recorded at Contact Theatre in Manchester on 25 November 2025.

Send us your dilemmas: ifispeak@novaramedia.com
Music by Matt Huxley.