10 MUSIC PODCASTS TO LISTEN TO IN 2020
If you’ve found yourself walking aimlessly a LOT since every other activity in 2020 got cancelled, then you might also be tired of listening to the same old playlists again and again. Fear not - we’ve got your golden ticket out of the musical rut - completely free, virtually effortless and hugely varied; music podcasts are a great way to discover new music, as well as to breathe a breath of fresh air back into the old music you thought you’d exhausted by exposing the stories behind the songs.
Here’s our top 10 picks of music podcasts to listen to right now, all available for free on Spotify:
The Art Of Rave
Singer and ‘professional’ clubber Becky Hill hosts this new electronic music podcast, deep-diving into the dance music scene with icons including DJ Zinc, Pete Tong and Andy C. In each episode her guest chooses three records that mean something to them, while Becky chooses a track of theirs to showcase. This podcast is great for discovering new electronic hits, as well as exploring how the culture of the genre has changed over the years.
JD In The Duffle Bag
This podcast by JD Official brands itself as an interview platform for “the most influential names in youth culture.” Hosted by DJ and self-proclaimed professional conversationalist Chuckie Online alongside BBC sport presenter and gamer Elz The Witch, the weekly show has featured the likes of Anne-Marie, Bugzy Malone and Stefflon Don, giving their two cents on “the topics that matter” - recently the interviews have focused on race issues in the UK.
What’s In The Bag?
This is the question that host Josh Shreeve asks a new guest from within the music industry each week, as they’re tasked with loading a bag with items from the music world which have personal significance to them. These objects add an interesting element of visualisation to the usual auditory experience, forming a talking point around which heartfelt snippets of human interest stories emerge, encouraged by Josh’s buoyant personality and easy laughter.
27 Club
I can’t get enough of this podcast. 27 Club tells the stories of the cultural icons known as the “27 Club” - the collection of musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse and Kurt Cobain, who died aged just 27. Hosted by creator of the award-winning DISGRACELAND podcast Jake Brennan, the high-quality production focuses on one musician per 12-episode season, weaving a masterful dramatisation of their life story based on real-life records. This podcast will have you hooked with its skillful scene-setting, atmospheric audio and meticulous use of sound effects.
Wind of Change
This one is for fans of far-fetched conspiracy theories: an eight-part series from Brooklyn’s Pineapple Street Studios, this investigative podcast is based on an intriguingly outlandish suspicion: Was the 1990 lighters-aloft anthem Wind of Change by Scorpions actually written by the CIA? Investigative journalist Patrick Radden Keefe’s questions take you on a fascinating, meandering, always-entertaining journey, exploring the musical footprint of an entire era and ideology.
VOCAL GIRLS PODCAST
Of course, the list wouldn’t be complete without a shameless plug - in our VOCAL GIRLS IN ISOLATION podcast, Megan talks to a different artist every week about their ten most life-defining songs. The tone is down-to-earth and conversational, with artists opening up about their relatable day-to-day experiences in lockdown, as well as discussing their personal connections with the music they’ve grown up with, and their experiences in the music industry so far.
The Pitchfork Review
It’s a genuine pleasure to listen to the music-obsessed Pitchfork team pick apart the week’s best new music and rising artists, led by the magazine’s editor, Puja Patel. This podcast is a great one for keeping your finger on the pulse and discovering new artists. I love the seriousness with which they discuss music and give weight to small but vital details - it gives me that awestruck feeling of listening to people with a deep understanding and appreciation for their subject.
Right Back At Ya!
Another gem - Right Back At Ya! is a noughties pop music podcast hosted by best friends and pop music obsessives, Joel Babbington and David Lim. In each episode they focus on a different 2000’s band or star and deep dive into their musical careers, giving you a super-fan level learning experience. Joel and David’s hilarious repartee is infectious and their passion for pop combined with their fun-loving personalities makes for addictive listening. Be warned though - it’ll make you want to dust off your old CDs and take a trip down memory lane!
Desert Island Discs
Whether it’s the overused name or tired theme music that somehow gives the impression that it’s been kicking around the dusty archives of Radio 4 since the beginning of time, Desert Island Discs has always inexplicably seemed to me like it should be banned from the ears of anyone younger than Gen X - however, I’ve come to the recent and reluctant conclusion that this one’s an oldie but a goodie. In this female-led podcast the wonderfully unpretentious Lauren Laverne chats to a range of different famous figures about their all-time favourite records.
Rivals: Greatest Music Feuds
Music journalists and critics Steven Hyden and Jordan Runtagh are obsessed with the biggest (and most obscure) rivalries in music history. In this project they break down the colourful details of a different famous feud, beef, or long-simmering resentment between two music icons each week. The pair bounce off each other really well, striking a good balance between fun and analytical - highlights include Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam, Nicki Minaj vs. Cardi B, and of course, Kanye West vs. Taylor Swift.