Film, food, fashion, music - it's all culture... Popular Instagram account and podcast No Filler cuts through the internet noise, with weekly lists from curator Anthony Remedy and guest creatives based at home and abroad.
Anthony brings you his latest list below...
Tracy Emin – A Second Life (Tate Modern, London)
Arguably one of the artists of her generation, this landmark exhibition spans over 40 years of Emin’s work. I’m not going to lie: I found this visceral exhibition both harrowing and inspiring. Whether you listen to the audio tour, with its inspirational voiceovers from artists she has influenced, or look directly at the unapologetic, heart‑on‑sleeve work, the pieces would make even someone with a heart of stone emotional. There were numerous people crying.
Love, sex, violence, bullying - the show doesn’t shy away from any of it. And Emin never has. Perhaps the standout piece is her Turner Prize–nominated My Bed, a shock to the senses since its debut and still just as powerful. The piece consists of her own unmade bed, created while she was struggling with depression, surrounded by real objects like pregnancy tests, empty vodka bottles and other deeply personal items. A punch to the gut, emotionally speaking. On until 31st August.
Bandsplain (Podcast)
Presented by the super‑cool Yasi Salek, Bandsplain is the deepest of deep dives into a different band each episode - from Depeche Mode to Pearl Jam, Blondie to U2 - covering everything from their beginnings to the present day. With forensic detail, Salek examines each album, the critics’ reviews, favourite and not‑so‑favourite tracks, and the headspace each band member was in at a particular time. Episodes often run 2 to 6 hours, making them perfect for a long drive.
I also love the way she says "babe" so much. You gotta listen, babe!
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Matthieu Blazy’s First Chanel collection drop
It’s both awe‑inspiring and bizarre to see actual queues outside Chanel stores in Paris and NYC. Hardly chic. Why the line? An archive sale? Surely not 50% off. So why queue? Because fashion fans, editors and influencers (and everyone in between) are that excited about Matthieu Blazy’s first Chanel collection hitting stores. And everyone wants to be first.
For many, it’s peacocking; for others, an investment buy; but all seem to be purchasing like it’s a Penneys haul. And if Instagram is to be believed, wealthy clients are queueing to spend 1k to… I don’t know… 20k, 30k, 100k? K‑shaped economy in full effect.
Joking aside, what Blazy has done in such a short time as "Artistic Director of Fashion Activities" (aka Creative Director) is extraordinary, revolutionary, even, transforming the house codes into his own visual language. There’s a parallel between Blazy and Jonathan Anderson, or Lee McQueen and John Galliano: same but different. Two once‑in‑a‑generation talents taking on the biggest of the big houses and changing the world in the process.
You can also just browse, not buy. Blazy’s collection arrives in Brown Thomas this weekend. Hopefully there’s complimentary champagne for those queueing.
Project Hail Mary (in cinemas)
I don't know about you, but I don't think Ryan Gosling gets the respect he deserves. He definitely gets the pay cheque, but not the respect. He's never mentioned in the same breath as DiCaprio, for instance. But here’s the evidence: IMO, Gosling has appeared in at least four stone-cold classics — Drive, Barbie, La La Land and Blue Valentine. And there’s an argument to be made for Only God Forgives, The Nice Guys and The Place Beyond the Pines too. Yes, I’m a Gosling fanboy.
Anyway, you can now add Project Hail Mary - an Americanism for the longest of long shots - to his classics CV. Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller deliver an instant-classic, crowd-pleasing sci‑fi adventure, with Gosling playing a scientist, Dr. Ryland Grace, who steps up to the plate on a doomed space mission to try to save Earth. Our handsome but goofy hero, however, needs some help from an alien friend he encounters along the way. Parents, no need to buy the toy for Christmas - just go out to your garden or a local park.
There are nods to everything from 2001 to Close Encounters to The Martian to Flight of the Navigator to Interstellar. The film zips along, with multiple flashbacks that reveal why and how Grace was chosen. Heart-warming and laugh‑out‑loud funny, it’s a gorgeous‑looking film shot by Greig Fraser (Dune, The Batman), so see it on the biggest screen you can. The marketing term "four‑quadrant" is the holy grail for movies these days, and it’s usually reserved for franchise IPs. Project Hail Mary may be the exception — and may well go the whole nine yards, as word of mouth will be strong. Enjoy! And bring the kids.
Yawaraka Jazz on YouTube
Perfect morning, afternoon or night jazz sets - this YouTube channel brings me joy. DJ Jona plays across the jazz spectrum, and beyond curating it beautifully, he uses two gorgeous Denon DP‑2700 decks, probably from the late ’70s or early ’80s. Outstanding. I need one.
He plays the likes of Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery and more - perfect for relaxing, no matter the weather. Each mix is 100% vinyl, and as far as I can tell, no talking. Just vibes. "Yawaraka" is a Japanese word meaning soft, warm or gentle. Fitting.
The Dover Counter, London
Funnily enough, I visited The Dover (the original restaurant in Mayfair) just after it opened, before it became a hit with the London style set. Humble‑brag territory, I know, but a pal with very good taste recommended it. The interior is stunning, and the food is very good and very accessible.
Fast‑forward a couple of years and, thanks to the success of the original, the owners have opened The Dover Counter a few doors down. Essentially a sophisticated diner, it’s a masterclass in popular, well‑cooked food that can be served quickly without ever feeling like fast food. A tuna melt, greens and avocado salad, slow‑cooked sweet potato, seabass, a cheeseburger - all tasty, all presented with care. With cocktails.
The diner itself is a sexy‑looking space, complete with that amber glow that makes everyone look good. Everyone looks well. Management are well‑groomed, wear suits and smell great. Aaliyah and Missy play in the background; the chefs in the foreground wear ties. You can wear your new Chanel shoes here.
Scrubs – now streaming on Disney+
Not so much a reboot as a revival, Zach Braff (J.D.), Donald Faison (Turk), Sarah Chalke (Elliot) and many more return to Sacred Heart Hospital for some good‑fashioned zingers. Makes me feel very old - the original Scrubs isn’t from the ’80s, but it has been more than 15 years since the last episode aired, so nostalgia is allowed.
Generally, revivals are a bad idea; both actors and audiences have moved on. But I’m glad to say Scrubs is just as funny and heart‑warming as ever. There’s something comforting about watching it now - sort of like eating banana bread. It’s not substantial, but it doesn’t pretend to be. Nice with a cup of tea. Both Scrubs and banana bread.
Mark Mehigan
Comedian, author and podcaster Mark Mehigan is on a bit of a roll lately. His House of Loons tour has sold out shows in Galway, Cork, Limerick and Kerry… plus The Olympia Theatre here in Dublin. Not shabby at all. And now something I’m very on board with — and genuinely find fun and current: the sold‑out show is coming to his hometown of Killiney at the Fitzpatrick Hotel.
Someone said cooler gigs would come to hotels in 2026. Who was that again?
I often listen to his very entertaining podcast Mark Mehigan's Weekly Roast, where listeners send stories on a chosen topic — from trips to the Gaeltacht to parents on Facebook to hairdressers and barbers — and Mark, with sidekick Mystery Mick, dissects them. I’m not a big comedy‑podcast guy, but I enjoy these immensely. As does his massive listenership.
This Killiney homecoming gig is an excellent idea. Good stuff, Mark! Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m.
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No-phones dumpling night at Lucky Tortoise, Dublin (Tuesday, March 31)
Interesting to see an indie restaurant—one that would normally benefit from social buzz—asking people not to live stream, take photos, or tag friends. Just… put the phone away.
It's something I’ve noticed more over the past few months. Constantly taking photos can feel lowbrow at best, rude at worst. And don’t get me started on the flash. Are we on the cusp of going back to actually chatting with the people we’re with, instead of documenting every bite for people who aren’t there?
Plus, learning how to fold dumplings is genuinely fun. Times are changing.
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