Look around and you’d be forgiven for feeling the world is completely broken in 2024. War. Division. Crises. How did we get here? That’s the fundamental question Norwegian songwriter AURORA explores on her latest album What Happened To The Heart?. It’s a project that is technicolor in feeling, and in sound.

Host Greg Cochrane went to meet her to talk about activism, conflict and why she and the iconic Brian Eno are like “an old married couple”. It’s a deep listen, for sure, but these are deep times – even if you can focus on the glimmers of light.

You can watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

Links to stuff mentioned in the episode:

Hear Brian Eno discussing his work with AURORA on episode 127 of Midnight Chats

The letter ‘We Are The Earth’ by Sônia Guajajara and Célia Xakriabá

Credits:

Interview by Greg Cochrane

Editing by Stuart Stubbs

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

Video by Robbie Hamilton

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stuart got the hot ticket. Greg did not. In the field, and from the sofa at home, Midnight Chats does Glastonbury 2024.

Your hosts tackle the biggest talking points from the most famous music festival in the world. Did Dua Lipa fulfill her promise to turn Worthy Farm into a club on her headliner debut? Was SZA's microphone fresh out of batteries? Did Coldplay bring the world together in a moment of communal feeling, or was it a bad acid trip? Did Louis Tomlinson steal a TV from the local Curries? All these essential questions answered, and more.

What did you make of this episode. Please let us know and share your thoughts and questions at Greg@loudandquiet.com or DM us on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

And for those in the UK (sorry to those elsewhere), here are links to our top performances on BBC iPlayer. You've a month to watch before they disappear.

Sampha
IDLES
AURORA

Little Simz
Coldplay

LCD Soundsystem
Dua Lipa
Confidence Man
PJ Harvey

Everything is bigger and better at Glastonbury, including my unexpected fits of crying

Credits:

Interview and editing by Stuart Stubbs

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Smith from Leeds band Yard Act met New Zealand comedian Rose Matafeo at Glastonbury festival a couple of years ago when the pair were watching little Simz. Since then, Smith's group has invited Matafeo to sing on their second album, Where's My Utopia?, star in one of their music videos and open for them in their hometown.

What better excuse did we need to get them both in a room to discuss the time Rose accidentally put her hand up Jools Holland's back just after Rod Stewart winked at her, the horrible gig that led to James writing the song Rose would become the face of, what Taskmaster is really like to film, and how James and Yard Act will attempt to navigate this year's Glastonbury.

Watch clips of the podcast online now, just give us a follow on Instagram @midnightchatspod.

Links to stuff mentioned in the episode:

Yard Act 'Petroleum' video starring Rose

Rose's Taskermaster country rap song

Yard Act perform 'Dream Job' live on Later... with Jools Holland

Credits:

Interview and editing by Stuart Stubbs

Mixing and mastering by Flo Lines

Artwork by Kate Prior

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.