Rhapsodizing the Playlist
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This story was originally published in APEX Experience magazine.
The way we consume music is always changing. While algorithm-based web-radio services were, for a while, a helpful guide through the millions upon millions of songs we suddenly had access to, they fundamentally lacked a sense of intention. Playlists thoughtfully curated by music experts – now a standard component of both Google’s and Apple’s music-streaming services – offer a more meaningful experience.
A purposefully curated music selection can help to relieve some of the tedium of a long-haul flight.
Like the set of any decent DJ, a curated playlist doesn’t deliver what you already know so much as it educates, delights and surprises – all of which are crucial to successful in-flight entertainment. Last year, American Airlines passengers took to social media to share their delight on hearing a select indie playlist featuring less mainstream artists such as M83 and Jens Buchert during boarding and arrival. “So there I was on @AmericanAir, just landed at JFK and @JackPenate “Pull My Heart Away” comes on on the plane. Nice surprise,” writes one Twitter user.
A purposefully curated music selection can help to relieve some of the tedium of a long-haul flight, both for novice listeners (who might find themselves especially receptive to new sounds) and for experts. British Airways also found success after recruiting big names like Mick Jagger, Brian Eno and Rufus Wainwright to introduce passengers to playlists featuring their favorite up-and-coming artists.
But it goes beyond the listener experience. Airlines that know how to put together a playlist also subtly define themselves as trustworthy travel companions. They present the brand as not only being the right choice to carry you from one place to another, but as a congenial guide to the world you find upon arrival. With the multitude of songs listeners have at their disposal, that’s a role that’s needed now more than ever.
We asked Canadian musician Bif Naked to share her in-flight playlist with us. Have a listen.