Review of the Year 2025

·49 min·4 clips

Mickey reveals her top gig of 2025 was Pulp's comeback with a massive disco ball.

The episode begins with Hannah introducing the final podcast of 2025, joined by Jen Offord and Mickey. They decide to avoid reviewing the year's news and instead focus on personal highlights. Mickey starts with music, listing gigs by artists like Pulp, Jack White, and Billie Eilish, with Pulp's comeback as her top pick. Jen surprises by choosing Craig David over Beyoncé for her favourite gig, citing his vocal talent and nostalgic joy. Hannah mentions seeing Stevie Wonder and highlights a backing singer's cover of Anita Baker. The discussion shifts to books, with Jen recommending memoirs by Tina Knowles and Kathy Burke, praised for their honesty and humor. Hannah struggles to recall new books but mentions Sophie Gilbert's 'Girl on Girl' for its insights into 1990s feminism. In film, Mickey enjoyed 'The Cure' concert film and 'Jurassic World Rebirth,' while Hannah favours 'I Swear,' a British film about Tourette's. Theatre highlights include 'The Years' and 'Paddington the Musical,' with Mickey loving 'Stage Fright' by Inside No. 9. Comedy recommendations feature Kerry Godliman and Daniel Kitson. Personal achievements are shared: Mickey moved to the seaside and started HRT, Jen went on holiday to Turkey, and Hannah traveled to Morocco and Belkite. Television picks include 'Blue Lights,' 'Severance,' and a scene from 'White Lotus.' Sports highlights focus on the Lionesses retaining the Euro trophy. The hosts reflect on favourite interviews, such as with Jo Hamilton about the Post Office scandal, and look forward to 2026 events like seeing Nick Cave and Michelle De Swartz.

As heard by us

A funny, affectionate culture roundup where theatre, film and future plans share the same table.

Standard Issue Podcast's Review of the Year 2025 treats the roundup less as a ranked list than a lively wander through the culture that stayed with Hannah, Jen Offord and Chopsy O'Hara.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a year-end culture catch-up where a Tourette's film and a shell cave in Margate can happily coexist.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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