Tag: bbc

The Story of Iconic Punk Rockers The Clash Comes to Spotify

February 28, 2019

“Fight for what really matters—and do it loud as hell.” So said Joe Strummer, vocalist and lyricist with London punk visionaries The Clash. Right from their formation in 1976, the band used every tool they could to give a voice to the voiceless and to fight the powers that be—to do it yourself and have a good time while doing it. How, and why, this iconic band’s words and ideals have endured are explored in the new Spotify original podcast Stay Free: The Story of The Clash.

The eight-part series, launching today, is produced in partnership with BBC Studios, and is narrated by hip-hop legend Chuck D, front man of Public Enemy. Like The Clash, Public Enemy openly challenged the status quo in a completely original way—this parallel and Chuck D’s personal experiences bring a surprising new dimension to the story of The Clash.

Today the band is still considered one of the most important and influential artists in all of music. They produced a vast eclectic body of work, and they never abandoned their principles. Their pointed, lyrical insights on topics such as social inequality and climate change were so fresh and direct, their musical taste so wide-ranging, that the songs sound more like they were written four days—not four decades—ago.

Founding members Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, and Nicky “Topper” Headon were never shy about blasting their messages in a manner that inspired immediate, head-bopping excitement as well as long-term activism and action. The band began to unravel after just seven highly productive years, but as Chuck D says in the podcast’s trailer, “The band burned so brightly, they had to burn out.” But in doing so they have achieved legendary status—and their lyrics and music have enjoyed eternal life.

After The Clash called it quits, the original and later members went on to create or join several other notable bands, including Big Audio Dynamite and The Mescaleros, to name just two. But The Clash proved—and remains—an impossible act to follow.

Stay Free is the latest addition to Spotify’s exclusive library of original music-focused podcasts, joining critically acclaimed shows like Dissect, The Joe Budden Podcast, and Under Cover. Spotify recently announced major expansions in its podcast strategy, acquiring podcast publisher Gimlet and services provider Anchor.

Podcasts are available on Spotify for both free and premium users.

Click the Follow button on Spotify’s page for Stay Free to listen to the first episode on February 28.

Your Favourite BBC Podcasts, Now on Spotify in the UK

August 13, 2018

If podcasts now act as your constant companion on a commute, at the gym, or while you’re in the bath at the end of a long day, you’re not alone: millions of listeners across the UK are making podcasts part of their lives every day.

The BBC was one of the first podcast creators in the world when it made Radio 4’s ‘In Our Time’ downloadable online in 2004. Today, the BBC podcast library boasts hundreds of programmes across thousands of episodes and caters to millions of listeners across the UK and worldwide.

“The BBC is one of the largest content creators in the UK, and have worked with the biggest and best audio talent in the world,” explains James Cator, Spotify’s Head of Podcast Partnerships, EMEA. “To have a comprehensive audio catalogue in the UK, the BBC are essential, so adding the BBC to our rapidly-expanding catalogue of podcasts was a natural partnership.” To that end, Spotify has added podcasts from iPlayer Radio and BBC Sounds to the platform, making hundreds of BBC podcasts available to Spotify users in the UK from today.

That’s thousands of episodes across a number of diverse genres – all in one place. To access the podcasts, users can simply visit the podcast section in Browse on Spotify and browse categories including Comedy, News & Politics, Educational, Sport & Recreation, Lifestyle & Health, Business & Technology, and Kids & Family.

“You can now be assured of finding the perfect podcast for every moment and mood on Spotify,” says James. “Whatever you want to learn about, or whatever mood you want to feel, it is all available to you, however you want to listen – on your laptop, phone, or on your connected devices via Spotify Connect.”

The number of podcast listeners in the UK is growing rapidly every year, with many of those streaming original BBC shows. And, in James’ opinion, everyone has their own unique reason for streaming.

“Podcasts allow people to turn time that would otherwise be wasted into time that is productive and full of interest and wonder,” James says. “You can satisfy your innate curiosity, listen to some of the best storytelling in the world, and hear gripping true crime stories, all while travelling to work. Escapism, personal development, education, comedy, there are so many reasons to listen, and there really is a podcast for every situation. You can find people talking about topics with an honesty that doesn’t exist in any other medium.”

And although podcasts are growing more and more popular, James notes that it isn’t for everyone – yet. “I think there is so much left to create, and the majority of the population doesn’t listen to podcasts – yet. The beauty of podcasts is that it is so easy for everyone – whether you’re an individual self-starter, a small independent media company, or a huge corporation – to create a podcast and experiment with new formats. The breadth and variety of podcasts are growing at an incredible rate, and I think we will see podcast listening become truly mass market in the not-too-distant future.”

If you’re an aspiring podcast listener in the UK but aren’t sure where to begin, check out some of James’ recommendations from the BBC, all of which you can stream on Spotify in the UK from today:

Short Cuts: Short documentaries and adventures in sound presented by Josie Long.

James’ take: “I love this show. Each episode is based around a theme, and can be anything from short stories to poetry to documentaries. Some themes have been ‘tough love’, ‘fear’ and ‘magical realism.’ One episode was about ‘nothing.’”

Desert Island Discs: Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: What would you take to a desert island? Kirsty Young invites her guests to share the soundtrack of their lives.

James’ take: “A classic show that has interviewed some of the biggest names in the world and reveals so much about them from just the few items they’d take to a desert island. Bruce Springsteen’s is a particular favourite.”

The Infinite Monkey Cage: A witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists’ eyes. With Brian Cox and Robin Ince, updated weekly.

James’ take: “Brian Cox and Robin Ince look at the world through science, but in ways that are always surprising, often hilarious and fascinating from start to finish. Great podcast for ‘did you know…’ pub facts.”

To listen to BBC podcasts in the UK head over to the Podcasts within Browse on Spotify.