Full of tasty tunes, our latest playlist is inspired by our November 2025 issue, SPICE.
Have a listen on Spotify here.
You can browse all our playlists now.
Image: Adobe Stock
DJ: Frances Ambler
Image: Shutterstock
DJ: Frances Ambler
Playlist | The write stuff
In our September 2025 TREASURE issue, we find out why writing by hand is so good for us. And we’ve celebrated by creating a playlist all about writing.
You can have a listen to it here.
Have a browse of all our playlists.
Playlist | The best of the festivals
Image: Shutterstock
In our June LINGER issue we take a look back at the history of the music festival. Pop this playlist on as you have a listen to really immerse yourself in the moment – and take a read of the stories behind our selection below.
Listen to the playlist on Spotify here.
DJ: Julian Owen
The Wailing Boat by Ted Heath
Recorded at the Beaulieu Jazz Festival (1959)
Up Jumped the Devil by The New York City Ramblers
Recorded at the Newport Folk Festival (1961)
It’s All Over Now by The Rolling Stones
Studio version of a song they played at the National Jazz & Blues Festival in 1964
Light my Fire by The Doors
Their first hit, heading up the charts as they played the Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival in 1967
Shake by Otis Redding
Live at Monterey (1967). Has there ever been a better festival set opener? Look up Monterey Pop, filmmaker D. A. Pennebaker’s magisterial overview of the pioneering Californian gathering.
Woodstock by Matthews Southern Comfort
With a respectful nod to the Joni Mitchell original, which isn’t available on Spotify
Oh Happy Day by The Edwin Hawkins Singers
On the same June weekend that Woodstock rocked upstate New York, Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson and Nina Simone headed a stupendous line up of funk, gospel and soul as the Harlem Cultural Festival hit the city – this is a live recording from that event (aka the Summer of Soul) in 1969.
So Long, Marianne by Leonard Cohen
Live at the Isle of Wight in 1970.
54-56 Was my Number by Toots & The Maytals
One of the stars of the 1970 Caribbean Music Festival at Wembley. As featured in Reggae, an evocative look at reggae’s impact on Britain
I’ll Take You There by The Staple Singers
Recorded at Wattstax in 1972 – in 1972, the celebrated Stax label put on a Los Angeles benefit concert to commemorate the Watts riots, showcasing its stellar soul roster.
Kama K’iwacu by The Drummers of Burundi
Recorded at the first WOMAD in 1982
It’s Like That by Run-D.M.C. Vs. Jason Nevins
The old school rappers headlined the first Creamfields in 1998, the year after Jason Nevins’ remixed their 1983 debut single
If It Makes You Happy by Sheryl Crow
Recorded at the notorious Woodstock 99 and thereby drenching the “… it can’t be that bad” payoff in irony
Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie
Recorded at Glastonbury 2000
Playlist | Vardrypp
This playlist is compiled by Norwegian reader Katrine Wang. The direct translation of ‘vårdrypp’ is spring (vår) drip (drypp), meaning “the dripping from the roofs when snow is melting in spring.” This melting begins in March across Norway.
Stop, look and listen here.
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More Simple Things playlists…
Playlist | Going Underground
DJ Frances Ambler
Playlist | Songs by Scottish bands
A dram and a dance for Burns Night on 25 January.
Listen to the playlist here.
