CLOSE UP
World Service, 9.30am, 3.30pm, 7.30pm, 11.30pm
On November 26, 30 years ago, the Sex Pistols released their first single, Anarchy in the UK, and pop music shook itself, heaved itself out of its rut and embarked on the brief but exhilarating adventure they called punk. Over the next three weeks a spiky-haired (or formerly spiky-haired) army of movers and shakers contributes its still-vivid memories of the time, among them Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Björk (punk? Apparently.), Bernie Rhodes — manager of the wonderful Clash — and Mick Jones, guitarist with said wonderful Clash and my own cousin by marriage, trivia fans. It is all marshalled and narrated by the brilliant Malcolm McLaren, manager of the Pistols and pop renaissance man.
THE BLACKPOOL ILLUMINATIONS
Radio 2, 8.30pm
Meanwhile, back in 2006, a grand old British institution — the turning on of some lights — is accompanied by performances from some of our finest current musical talents, including Ronan Keating and Paolo Nutini! Luckily the Zutons are also on hand to show that the early 21st century can come up with sparkle and invention to match that of the late 20th.