Music is a tool for escapism, reflection and creativity – qualities to cherish now more than ever. Instagram, YouTube and Facebook offering live services on their platforms has enabled not only the music community to share content, but also a number of brands and institutions. The city of Helsinki, for instance, recently staged a concert in VR. These streaming services point to a potential future of collective (yet remote) musical experience.
Alongside live streaming, there have been multiple new radio shows and playlists introduced hosting a wide range of artists and exclusive material to make sure we can stay connected, and positive. Here's our pick of playlists and shows to get you through the week, from home.
#McQueenMusic
A new initiative by Alexander McQueen allows followers to stream music taken from fashion shows at home – John Gosling, who has been responsible for McQueen’s show soundtracks for the past 20 years has edited a nine-hour playlist, available on Spotify.
McQueen is also working with the London Contemporary Orchestra – which composed the live soundtrack for the house’s S/S 2020 women’s show – and Isobel Waller-Bridge to create new music exclusively for #McQueenMusic.
Carhartt WIP Radio Rewind Series
Carhartt WIP is revisiting its favourite radio shows in a new Rewind Series. Shared every Thursday and Sunday, the brand will repost shows from its own radio project – Carhartt WIP Radio. Launched in 2008, the project features an eclectic mix of hosts and musical genres, ranging from labels, artists and creatives playing anything from ambient sounds, bass, hip hop, electronica, house and techno.
For its first Rewind installment, Carhartt WIP looked to the catalogue of famed Berlin-based house label ‘Innervisions’ hosted by the label's co-founder Ame in 2014.
Virgil Abloh's ‘Watercolour’ Jazz Hours
Through Instagram Live Virgil Abloh takes to the decks every week for his new project ‘Watercolour’, bringing his followers exclusive mixes inspired by paintings of American visual artist George Condo. Of the projects first volume, Abloh explained, ‘George Condo and I were obsessing about Jimi Hendrix Santa Clara YouTube videos, I’m playing songs inspired by this painting on IG LIVE in a second.’
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has not only introduced podcasts but also quizzes, online games and videos across the next coming weeks to keep music-making alive.
These include RPO players home videos (this weeks’ video is a philharmonic workout), exclusive podcasts, RPO recordings and unique games created especially for RPO fans and players.
Ostgut Ton 15th Anniversary Playlist
2020 marks Berghain’s revered in-house label Ostgut Ton’s 15th anniversary. Originally the label intended to embark on a world tour with 13 parties taking place across the globe. To celebrate remotely instead, Ostgut Ton has instead released a free downloadable playlist of the volume Fünfzehn mixed by Berghain resident Luke Slater.
Fünfzehn spans 130 minutes, comprising new tracks built from the parts of numerous Ostgut Ton releases, starting at the beginning in 2005.
Bruno Sialelli Soothing Self-Isolation Playlist
Lanvin creative director Bruno Sialelli shares a three-part self-isolation playlist on Spotify to match any mood – from deep house to dream pop, electronic to disco, ambient to hip-hop and post-punk to classical (some guilty pleasures are thrown in too).
Barbican: Read, Watch & Listen
Although the Barbican remains closed for the time being, you can still make the most of its impressive film and music archives, alongside a selection of podcasts and long read articles.
These include playlists focused on classical composers, exploring musicians take on the subject of masculinity, Downtown NYC music and many more. The Barbican is even broadcasting theatre and dance productions from around the world.
Wallpaper* Handmade X by Ennio Morricone
For our 2019 love-themed exhibition in Milan during Salone del Mobile, Wallpaper* teamed up with legendary Italian composer Ennio Morricone, who provided the soundtrack. You can listen to the Spotify playlist here.
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Wallpaper* checks in at the refreshed W Hollywood: ‘more polish and less party’The W Hollywood introduces a top-to-bottom reimagining by the Rockwell Group, capturing the genuine warmth and spirit of Southern California
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Book a table at Row on 5 in London for the dinner party of dreamsRow on 5, the first restaurant ever to open on Savile Row, emerges as a perfectly tailored fit for fans of fine dining
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How a bijou jewellery salon in Monaco set the jewellery trends for 2025Inside the inaugural edition of Joya, where jewellery is celebrated as miniature works of art
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The Fender American Ultra II combine made-in-the-US quality with contemporary techA deluge of new products from Fender shows the iconic guitar manufacturer still knows how to innovate and entice
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Moog’s mood-altering Labyrinth and five more new synthesizers and sound toolsExplore soundscapes and ambient realms with these new synthesizers and other desktop composition tools for shaping all forms of audio
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From Tangerine Dream to cult PlayStation hits, eight books chronicling the art of noise and playWe explore eight titles that get under the skin of music history, technological evolution and the art and experience of digital culture
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San Diego-based audio specialists Wrensilva update their elegant Record ConsolesWith new materials, upgraded electronics and input from three industry greats, the new Wrensilva Standard and M1 Record Consoles are the ultimate in audiophile furniture
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A new limited-edition Rhodes piano and Gibson doubleneck guitar aim for the starsThe new Rhodes Mk8 Earth Edition piano and Gibson Jimmy Page EDS-1275 Doubleneck guitar revisit classic instruments at a price
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20 of the best CD players as the compact disc comeback continuesWe expand our guide to the best compact disc players with a fresh selection of good looking and great sounding models
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Six new ways of making music, from sonorous start-ups to note-perfect classicsOur music technology round-up showcases six new ways of making music, from a piano designed to blend into the modern home to sophisticated effects units and an all-in-one DJ system
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ABBA Voyage director Baillie Walsh on songs, sequins, and virtual spacesBaillie Walsh, the director behind ABBA Voyage, one of the most advanced entertainment spectacles ever, tells Wallpaper* how the magic happens, ABBAtars and all
