Have we witnessed the Coachella-fication of Laneway Festival? From fit checks on TikTok to performative crowds, producer Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis and Joe Hardy from SydneyMusic.net weigh in.

Feeling the heat? UNSW Associate Professor Lan Ding breaks down why Western Sydney is up to 10 degrees hotter than the inner city. 

Jaspar McCahon-Boersma wraps up the international headlines that affect you.

Neo-Nazis crashed an Invasion Day rally - is far-right extremism spreading? Dr Kaz Ross explains how these networks are growing across Australia and what it means for Sydney.

Dutton wants to scrap diversity and equity programs - is this just election pandering or a deeper cultural shift? Founder and editor of Zee Feed, Crystal Andrews, joins us to discuss. 

Why are new suburbs missing key transport infrastructure? Jeremy Gill from the Committee for Sydney talks urban planning and transit gaps.

This episode of Backchat was produced by Jaspar McCahon-Boersma, Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Holly Payne and Bec Cushway.

Executive produced by Bec Cushway.

Hosted by Sana Shaikh and Jaspar McCahon-Boersma. 

Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan.

Aired 8th February 2025 on Gadigal land.

Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review and share an episode with a friend.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.