Dylan Jones, best-selling author and former GQ editor, takes us back to 1995, deemed the peak of Britain’s coolest decade. He explores the fierce Oasis vs. Blur rivalry, the explosion of Britpop, and how the Young British Artists turned the art scene on its head. Jones discusses pivotal moments like Tony Blair's political shift and the cultural upheaval ignited by the likes of Radiohead and Trainspotting. With insights from cultural icons, he paints a rich picture of a vibrant era that shaped British identity, nostalgia, and contemporary culture.
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insights INSIGHT
Value of Oral Histories
Different people hold contrasting memories and interpretations of the same events.
Oral histories reveal these diverse perspectives, enriching the narrative beyond the usual suspects.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Surprising Interviews
Courtney Love and Tony Blair surprised Dylan Jones with their candidness and openness.
Alistair Campbell, in his typical machine-gun style, remained highly opinionated.
insights INSIGHT
Last Analog Decade
The 1990s represent the last analog decade before smartphones changed everything.
This contributed to a sense of urgency and hedonism, a desire to maximize enjoyment before the end of an era.
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Faster Than a Cannonball by Dylan Jones delves into the cultural landscape of the 1990s, with a particular emphasis on 1995. The book explores various aspects of British culture during this period, including the rise of Britpop, the YBAs, and the political shift with New Labour. It draws parallels with the 1960s, highlighting the decade's creative and social transformations.
Fever Pitch
Sarah Holland
Fever Pitch is a romantic novel by Sarah Holland, published in 1983 as part of the Harlequin Presents series. It is one of her early works, reflecting her style in contemporary romance.
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1995 was the year of the Nineties, according to author and journalist Dylan Jones. It was peak Britpop (Oasis vs Blur), peak YBA (Tracey Emin’s tent), peak New Lad (Nick Hornby published High Fidelity, James Brown launched Loaded magazine, and pubs were finally allowed to stay open on a Sunday). It was the year Radiohead brought out The Bends, Danny Boyle started filming Trainspotting, Alex Garland wrote The Beach, and Tony Blair changed Clause IV after a controversial vote at the Labour Party Conference. Jones reflects on it all in his new book, Faster Than a Cannonball: 1995 and All That, which features interviews with the key players from the decade, including Noel and Liam Gallagher, Tracey Emin, Goldie, David Beckham and Alastair Campbell. Our host for this discussion is the writer and curator Ekow Eshun.
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