What to watch
Smashing Hits! The 80’s Pop Map of Britain and Ireland
BBC FOUR, 10.00PM
It’s a little gimmicky but the idea of having a musical era explored through its geography gives a refreshing twist to this enjoyable look at the Eighties pop scene. For the final leg of their road trip, Ultravox singer Midge Ure and Kim Appleby (of duo Mel & Kim) shuttle between London and Manchester, “two cities”, according to Midge Ure, “that waged a war for pop supremacy”. At first, these musical landscapes seemed markedly different. London’s burgeoning Yuppification was reflected in Sade and The Style Council’s slick, soul-influenced “sophisti-pop”, while Northern bands such as Joy Division and Happy Mondays had a rougher, rockier edge to their output.
The explosion of dance music, however, soon linked the two hubs. Fascinating interviews with DJ Mark Moore, Pete Waterman and Shaun Ryder not only explain why electronic sounds proved so influential, but also evoke the anythinggoes excitement of the decade. There’s some choice archive footage too – often from Top of The Pops – a welcome dose of nostalgia recalling that show’s vital role in bringing music to the masses. Toby Dantzic Gamers, attempt to crack the iconic maze this week, as a new series of the puzzle-based show gets under way. As ever Richard Ayoade proves a likeable host, joshing and encouraging his hopefuls in equal measure.