FEATURE: From Some Friendly to Parklife: The Online Album Listening Party

FEATURE:

From Some Friendly to Parklife

IN THIS PHOTO: @johnschno/Unsplash

The Online Album Listening Party

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IN a couple of my features…

I focus on particular albums, and I get deep and see why they are so great. I love albums in general, and it is wonderful having a bit more time to investigate them at the moment. What is especially good about albums is that you get to hear this whole story. I think so many people listen to single tracks, or they do not spend the time properly dipping in and giving an album a proper go. Album listening parties are nothing new but, as we are not going out to gigs and people are finding new ways to keep entertained, I am seeing more and more album listening parties – in addition to D.J. sets and live-streamed gigs. Tim Burgess (The Charlatans) is one such person who is hosting album listening parties. Last week, he had albums by Franz Ferdinand, Oasis, and Blur spun, and there were tweets by members of the bands who made them. Rather than just put the album on Twitter and have people listen, there was this interactive nature where we learned more about the albums from people who were there at the time. Liam Fray of the Courteeners has also hosted an album listening party, and it is a wonderful way for artists to use this downtime to share albums with people that might have been passed by. At any rate, one can re-examine and discover a record that they were familiar with quite a few years ago.

Normally, with album listening parties, one is in a room with a few select others, and they are treated to an exclusive play. I have never been, but I understand it can be quite formal, and I have never really understood why artists would want a certain amount of people to hear an album before the general public – it always struck me as being a bit ego-stroking. Of course, journalists often get a chance to listen to an album before others so they can review it, but the concept of having a party gathering for an album’s launch strikes me as odd. I think the online listening party makes a lot more sense. How often does one get to hear from a terrific band/artist as they discuss a legendary album?! I love the idea of hearing a properly good album from top to bottom, as it forces us to absorb everything and, whereas we are usually rushed and hurrying about, this is people listening to albums how they should be heard: not skipping tracks and taking some time to consider the songs. I think album listening parties are more than fun distraction and a way for artists to keep busy. With Record Store Day postponed (it was due to happen on 18th April), and so many artists holding back their album releases, I do wonder how many people are listening to albums in general. There are signs that suggest streaming is down, and physical sales are going to be lower.

PHOTO CREDIT: @priscilladupreez/Unsplash

With album listening parties, you get to hear a classic record in full, and I think it would encourage people to buy that album. In a wider sense, one will appreciate the album format more, and they might seek out other albums that have been collecting dust. Connecting fans and artists now is more important than ever and, ironically, I feel we are more together and unified than we were before lockdown – I hope the strong bond continues when things calm down. I am not sure whether there is a database with all the album listening parties happening, but Tim Burgess’ series is worth exploring. There are more to come, but I do hope he and other artists keep going, as lots of people who would otherwise keep to themselves are dropping in and getting involved. If you have an album that you would like to see exposed and discussed by the artist(s) who made them, it is always worth getting in touch; maybe new artists who have had their album release postponed could host an exclusive album listening party for a few of their fans. As we must adapt to a more confined and online existence for a few weeks at least, I do feel we will see lots of exciting music-based innovations pop up online. I will wrap up now, but I was keen to spotlight album listening parties, as many of us might be unfamiliar with them. At a time when we all need to pull together, embrace music and have our spirits lifted, I think album listening parties are…  

PHOTO CREDIT: @sickhews/Unsplash

WHAT we really need right now.

Sam Liddicott