Podcast Corner: Adam Buxton is back, complete with Damon Albarn as first guest
Adam Buxton has resumed his podcast series. Picture: Eamonn M McCormack/Getty Images
The Adam Buxton Podcast returned with the first episode of 2026 last week. We build such deep relationships with podcasters that such a break can feel like the end. Maybe, after 268 episodes — he was last heard reuniting with his old BBC 6 Music co-host Joe Cornish for a Christmas show — Buxton had just had enough.
But then the show returned last week, and all was well with the world. He admits, in his intro ramble with dog Rosie, that “it's been a while since the last podcast”, but explains he’s been working “unusually hard” on a six-part comedy series for Audible called It’s nearly finished and should be available in May.
“It's a mixture of new nuggets of conversation with some of my favourite previous guests from this podcast… as well as sketches all around the theme of what success looks like for a middle-aged guy who listens to a lot of podcasts but isn't on social media and is occasionally concerned that he is becoming totally irrelevant. Not based on me, obviously.”
As for last week’s episode, Buxton went to Damon Albarn’s studio for a chat with the musician and artist Jamie Hewlett about Gorillaz and their latest album — and who have just been announced as headliners for Electric Picnic.
The most memorable moment comes when Buxton reels off what was happening in 1968, the year Albarn and Hewlett were born — including Van Morrison recording . Albarn’s not fussed though. “Hasn’t Van Morrison just sang the same song for 50 years?” he prods, claiming Van has “the limpest handshake of anyone I have ever met, ever” — non-committal apparently.
Buxton, sounding like he speaks for most listeners, can’t let it slide. “You find rudimentary!?” he asks, incredulous. “Somewhat, yeah,” Albarn replies. “Fucking hell.” Albarn doubles down: “Just because it's called doesn’t mean that it's complicated.”
Elsewhere, Albarn explains he doesn’t use social media “I just don't allow many of the conventions that slow the day down to get in my way, ever… within certain parameters I can do whatever the fuck I like.”
As the conversation drifts into family, Hewlett recalls his childhood: “My father was very angry. He spent his whole life being angry. So I grew up with a lot of shouting in the house. So I don't really like the sound of raised voices.”
Albarn adds: “Looking back on our fathers, I think you have to really take into account the fact that they were born either in the middle or at the end of the Second World War and I think people in this country don’t have any understanding of the devastation of Second World War and how that formed people.”
Like Gorillaz’ music, the conversation is free-wheeling and wide-ranging — it’s good to have Buxton back.
