Season 7

Lauren Laverne talks to the Manic Street Preachers, who perform live and discuss their new album Send Away the Tigers. Eurovision Song Contest fan Neil Hannon from the Divine Comedy gives his take on how to write the perfect Eurovision song and political cartoonist Steve Bell talks about his work as a major retrospective exhibition opens in Norwich. Mark Kermode picks up the thread of the story behind the action adventure Spider-Man 3.

This week, Andrew Graham-Dixon tours Britain's land art in a helicopter, Chinese pianist Lang Lang demonstrates his virtuoso skills and Charlie Brooker surveys the week's TV highlights. Plus there's a look at how 9/11 has been depicted in a graphic novel and why chess is the latest urban craze. With music from Mutya Buena and Groove Armada. Lauren Laverne hosts.

This week Helena Bonham Carter discusses her role in the acclaimed film Conversations with Other Women and Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips gives a masterclass in rock showmanship as festival goers gear up for the summer season. There's an examination of just how good the new Wembley stadium is and Mark Kermode sings the praises of the unfashionable music genre skiff le, with a contribution from his own rockabilly band, the Dodge Brothers. There's also live music from broken beat rising star Mpho Skeef. Presented by Lauren Laverne.

This week Mark Kermode travels to the Cannes Film Festival to talk to cult filmmakers the Coen brothers about their new movie, No Country for Old Men. Meanwhile, art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon takes to the skies in a helicopter to present his favourite land art from the air. And Zina Saro Wiwa laments the slow death of pub culture in our major cities. Presented by Lauren Laverne.

Paul McCartney discusses his new album Memory Almost Full and how his work has changed since his first meeting with John Lennon, 50 years ago this summer. Elsewhere, Kitty Empire pitches up at Glastonbudget, a festival where all the acts are tribute bands, and there's a peek at Damien Hirst's latest collection. Plus Mark Kermode's film round-up and a performance by rapper Dizzee Rascal.

A special edition focusing on the reopening of the Royal Festival Hall on London's South Bank after its two-year refit. Architecture critic Tom Dyckhoff and Verity Sharp assess its impact then and now. Jarvis Cocker reveals the reasons for his choices for this year's Meltdown festival and John Barry talks about his part in the festival. In a special end to the show, Cornershop perform their own version of Waterloo Sunset on the terrace.

Lou Reed talks to Lauren Laverne about his upcoming tour performing his seminal album from 1973, Berlin. Andrew Graham-Dixon investigates the world art market amid the glamour and gondolas of the 52nd Venice Biennale, a city rich in artistic and cultural history.

Mark Kermode and Lauren Laverne celebrate iconic British film locations, from a Brief Encounter at Carnforth railway station in Lancashire, to the real Sheffield Full Monty. Also, Danny Boyle reveals how he conjured the illusion of a deserted London for 28 Days Later, and Edward Woodward revisits the imaginary island he created for The Wicker Man.