Coronavirus self-isolation: Best music playlists, concerts and films to download
Working from home doesn’t have to be stressful. These are the playlists, concerts and films to soundtrack your working hours and downtime at home.
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HiberNation is your super-guide to everything you need to keep you engaged and entertained during the CoVid19 shut-in.
These are the playlists, concerts and music films to soundtrack your working hours and downtime at home.
CALM THE FARM
Songs For Australia, Various
Julia Stone has assembled a spectacular cast of artists from around the world to cover some of Australia’s most iconic songs to raise funds for the RFS, WildArk, Fire Sticks, Seed Mob and other bodies addressing climate change. Damien Rice’s haunting version of Sia’s Chandelier will slay you while Stone’s haunting take on Midnight Oil’s Beds Are Burning will both calm and fire you up.
Yo Yo Ma
Get on social media and follow the celebrated cellist who has launched a semi-regular #SongsOfComfort performance series. The legendary musician has chosen short classical pieces which help curb his anxiety, dedicating his rendition of the Sarabande from Bach’s Cello Suite No. 3 to healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic.
Classic Acoustic
This is a great Spotify playlist for everyone – parents who want to share their fave songs with their kids, couples working from home and a great soundtrack for your cuppa break. It kicks off with Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain and features awesome chilled vibe tracks from The Beatles (Norwegian Wood), Elton John (Rocketman), Tom Petty (Wildflowers), Carole King (Where You Lead) and Kate Bush (Wuthering Heights).
Carpenters with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Karen Carpenter’s voice and the songs she created with her brother Richard remain some of the most moving and soothing of all time. Released two years ago, this beautiful compilation fuses original vocal and instrumental recordings with new orchestral arrangements from one of the world’s revered ensembles. Her voice soars over the string sections of classics including Yesterday Once More, Close to You and Rain Days and Mondays.
Chill Tracks
Another Spotify playlist subtitled “a soft dance”. This is the kind of background music you wish emanated from any kind of waiting room. There’s six hours worth of easy electronica featuring Australian sonic architects Rufus Du Sol, the legendary pioneers Massive Attack and local groove merchants Flight Facilities. For Gen Xers, dig out your original and best Ministry of Sound Chillout Sessions from the early 2000s.
ENERGY BOOSTERS
Monthly Mixtape by Zan Rowe
The Double J legend curates my favourite updated playlist with everything new worth listening to from Australia and the world. It’s the perfect tool if you are keen for a one-stop shop of emerging artists such as Amber Mark and Sophomore to the latest releases from Tame Impala, The Strokes and Billie Eilish. Eclectic and electric.
The Weeknd, After Hours
So the big news when the seminal Canadian pop star released the tracklisting to his fourth album before it dropped on Friday was there were no featured artists. It appears he has reconnect with the power of one for this 14-track opus. He was clearly right to back himself considering one of the introductory singles Blinding Lights held fast at No. 1 in Australia for nine weeks.
Virtual concerts
Keep your eye on your favourite artists’ social media pages as many are staging impromptu live concerts as their own tours are cancelled due to the pandemic. Keith Urban, Chris Martin, John Legend, Yungblud and Pink are among the musicians who have already connected with their fans online and you can expect dozens more to join the live revolution.
Homecoming: A Film by Beyonce, Netflix
This is the concert film you need to get your spirits soaring. After the birth of her twins Rumi and Sir, Beyonce spent months developing her “Homecoming” concert for Coachella. A dizzying and brilliant marriage of song and message, she modelled the show on the black American college bands and culture, weaving symbols and seminal quotes from leaders and intellectuals throughout the songs. And she reunited Destiny’s Child.
CoVid19 Quarantine Party
This playlist curated by Alistair Ryan has trawled the Spotify archive for songs to fit the viral theme, kicking off spectacularly with Britney Spear’s Toxic. The playlist has quickly amassed more than 350,000 likes and runs the gamut of musical tastes and eras from The Police’s Don’t Stand So Close To Me and the Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive to Sicko Mode by Travis Scott and Ed Sheeran’s Anti-Social (also with Travis Scott).
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CATCH UP
Artists Unite for Fire Fight.
This two CD set gives you a fab flashback to the historic Fire Fight Australia concert at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium last month to raise funds and spirits for everyone affected by the black bushfire summer. Only available for download or on double CD, the 23 tracks showcase the amazing moments of that 10 hour music extravaganza including the spine-tingling version of You’re The Voice with Mitch Tambo singing in indigenous language and Brian May on guitar.
Festival KOMO
So now you know you are missing out on your favourite festival with the mass gathering bans, support the artists who have lost their gig by streaming a playlist featuring their tracks. Checkout Bluesfest 2020, Groovin’ The Moo 2020 and Download Festival 2020 playlists on streaming services and then head to the artists page to play more tunes and support them during the pandemic gig shutdown.
Albums 2020
There have already been many excellent records released this year and there’s never enough time or headspace to immerse yourself in an artist’s album universe. Take a mental health break and chuck on Tame Impala’s The Slow Rush, Halsey’s Manic, Selena Gomez’s Rare, The Dangerous Age from Kate Ceberano, Steve Kilbey and Sean Sennett, Best Coast’s Always Tomorrow, James Taylor’s American Standard or Niall Horan’s Heartbreak Weather.
Eurovision Judge
So the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam is cancelled but you can still watch or listen to all 41 entry songs and official videos, including Montaigne’s Don’t Break Me, via YouTube. Set up a group judging panel with your Eurovision loving mates, channel the comedic commentary of hosts Joel Creasey and Myf Warhurst and let the ranking games begin. And the winner is …
Live From Joshua Tree, Rufus Du Sol
The Australian electronic trio recently released their record and film of their private concert filmed out in California’s mythical Joshua Tree desert. Shot by John George’s brother who is artistically known as Katzi, the musicians have proven uncannily prescient because they performed to an audience of none. Beginning at dusk, this stunning and original concert is a transcendent experience.
NOSTALGIA TRIP
Songs From The South: Paul Kelly’s Greatest Hits 1985-2019
As anyone who has ever seen this national treasure in concert can attest, Paul Kelly possesses a gentle yet persuasive power to unite people. His songs have a uniquely Australian voice and tell uniquely Australian stories and this collection of 43 songs run the gamut of his extensive repertoire. Maybe if we all played Paul Kelly at the same time, it could reignite the Australian spirit.
ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band From Texas
ZZ Top may be the only rock band whose line-up has remained the founding three members for 50 years. Their origins and evolution prove to be a fascinating and wholly original tale in this documentary, stretching right back to how three oddball teen bluesmen landed on their unique sound and look. Archival footage shows guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill without the trademark beards.
Prince – 1999 (Super Deluxe Edition)
This one may have slipped under your release radar as it came out in late November. There was a physical box set going for $400 but you can also take the streaming route and enjoy 65 songs — the final recorded versions, demos and live cuts — when you have a spare five hours and 53 minutes. This opus was a major crossover moment for the legendary artist courtesy of pop hits including 1999 and Little Red Corvette.
London Calling: Live In Hyde Park, Bruce Springsteen
Enjoy the best seat in the house and practise social distancing with the stream of London Calling: Live In Hyde Park. The Boss put this awesome concert on YouTube & Apple Music last week. This legendary gig by Springsteen and The E Street Band in 2009 opens with a cover of The Clash’s iconic single that gave the set its name and continues with non-stop fan favourites.
Throwback Party playlist
So if you are facing exercising at home or just needing a loungeroom dance to de-stress, this is an almost flawless collection of instant heart-starters. Another something for everyone collection, it veers through the decades, think 70s disco classic Knock On, 80s bop Come On Eileen to 90s go-go goodness Groove Is In The Heart.
Originally published as Coronavirus self-isolation: Best music playlists, concerts and films to download