Eurovision Song Context

Episode 92: Is Opera Dying, or Have We Stopped Thinking? With Katie Glass

October 21st, 2026  |  1 hr 24 mins

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In this episode of Eurovision Song Context, Bradley is joined by award-winning British journalist and columnist Katie Glass to explore opera, cultural accessibility, class, education and the changing ways we engage with art.

Katie's recent article for the London Standard argues that opera's ageing audience reflects something bigger than ticket prices: a society increasingly uncomfortable with difficult art, sustained attention and intellectual challenge.

We discuss everything from discovering opera on a date to Glyndebourne's extravagant picnics, the merits of watching performances at home, whether art should be made easier to attract new audiences, and the differences between opera and Eurovision.

Then Katie watches four Eurovision performances, including operatic pop, extraordinary vocal technique, a classic Luxembourg winner and Ukrainian electro-folk.

We finish with Katie's reporting on the British Post Office scandal, and how her work helped inspire the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

Katie is an award-winning feature writer and columnist whose work has appeared in The Times, The Sunday Times, Financial Times, The Telegraph, The Standard and numerous other publications.

Her reporting often examines how major social issues affect ordinary people. Her Sunday Times Magazine investigation into the Post Office scandal helped inspire the television drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

Episode 80: Tiny Vinyl & Big Eurovision with Jesse Mann and Ruben Planting

February 12th, 2026  |  48 mins 46 secs

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Here’s a clean, listener-facing episode summary — tight, confident, not defensive:

What happens when you shrink vinyl down to four inches — but keep it fully playable?

In this episode, Bradley is joined by Jesse Mann, co-founder of Tiny Vinyl, and Dutch vinyl manufacturing consultant Ruben Planting to explore the resurgence of physical media in a streaming world. Tiny Vinyl is a fully playable four-inch record format that turns songs into collectible keepsakes — part merch object, part design experiment, part cultural artifact.

We talk about vinyl manufacturing, sustainability in pressing plants, the realities of scaling physical media, and why people still want something they can hold in their hands.

And because this is Eurovision Song Context, we test the idea on two entries that feel tailor-made for the format: Sébastien Tellier’s “Divine” (France 2008) and Joost Klein’s “Europapa” (Netherlands 2024).

Is Eurovision the ultimate collectible culture? And does tiny vinyl capture that spirit?

Episode 77: [Bonus Content] The JESC Holiday Party Episode, Featuring Very Questionable Gifts

December 10th, 2025  |  1 hr 27 mins

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n this special holiday edition of Eurovision Song Context, Bradley gathers a spirited panel of Eurovision aficionados—including Jody, Mies, Mike from The EuroWhat Podcast, Sheldon, and Russ—for a chaotic, cozy, laughter-filled deep dive into Junior Eurovision 2024. Together they break down standout entries from Georgia to San Marino, debate what JESC should be, mourn the unfolding drama in “grown-up” Eurovision, and exchange an unforgettable round of white-elephant gifts ranging from Rolexes to psychedelic Conchita kaftans. Part party, part analysis, part therapy session for Eurovision fans everywhere—this is your festive escape into glitter, culture, and sheer Eurovision joy.