More about: Tim BurgessTimsTwitterListeningPartyDPHappyHour

At the beginning of the year when the UK first went into lockdown, Tim Burgess of The Charlatans took it upon himself to begin listening parties on Twitter. He has since collaborated with artists to bring a total of - at the time of writing - 524 separate parties to Twitter.

The format is simple: fans follow the hashtag #TimsTwitterListeningParty and play an album top to bottom, tweeting along with the involved musicians and other fans who have all pressed play at the same time. Involvement from the bands means that interesting information has come to light about each of these releases. It’s easy to see, just through the sheer number of tweets, that aside from being an anecdotal goldmine, these parties have been a saviour in helping people deal with and get through this weird time of lockdowns and quarantines.

One of my personal favourite listening parties was The Masterplan by Oasis. I’m a huge fan of the band and their music but I don’t really know a lot about their life as a band, so as well as this being a bit of fun for me to listen to an album I love along with hundreds if not thousands of others (just like a gig!), it was also educational and gave an insight into the making of the album.

Brian Cannon, who works for Microdot, helped to create all artwork for Oasis’ albums (as well as plenty of other bands) and informed us during the party as to what the aim for the artwork of The Masterplan was. “The young boy at the front of the class represents an 11 year old Noel Gallagher schooling his elders on music” Cannon wrote. A photographer for the band meanwhile, Michael Spencer Jones, shared a picture he’d taken when the band were doing a signing at the Virgin Megastore in London. The picture shows Noel writing with his left hand though he plays guitar right handed, a fascinating detail.

Another interesting one for me was The Specials’ self titled 1979 debut album. Things have changed so much since that time and Horace Panter, bassist for the band, informed everyone that ‘Too Much Too Young’ was initially banned from radio play due to references it made to contraception. It’s amazing thinking about what was considered taboo back then compared to what is now. Burgess told of his personal experiences listening to the album for the first time and wrote how it “mobilised a generation – in politics and music” and described it as "the Big Bang for so many things." Listening to these people talk about the impact this music had, in so many different ways, and realising that most if not all of that still stands today (over 40 years later) is incredible - and somewhat of an escape from the uncomfortable present. 

As well as helping the general public navigate their way through these strange times, these parties also help independent record and book stores, as Burgess always pushes support for these businesses. The listening parties’ website boasts plenty of links for you to look at what shops are closest to you and how you can help support and keep them alive, and Tim is sure to stress just how important these places are to our music industry as a whole. 

These listening parties were a godsend for me throughout lockdown, especially at the beginning. My friends and I listened along with each other from the comfort of our own homes, and it inspired us to do our own with albums of our choice that Tim hasn’t (yet) covered. He has, though, covered so many artists that there’s bound to be something for everyone.

These listening parties have been, and still are, such a wonderful idea to keep the public occupied and in touch with likeminded individuals. It proves just how extensive and inclusive the music industry is and reminds us that it really is just like one big family - a welcome thought at such a trying time. 

Not only that, but Tim's initiative has changed and enhanced the way people listen to music, inspiring others to put their own spin on it. An example of this is #DPHappyHour on Twitter, which will satisfy your indie music cravings. This kind of listening party is not only a mental health saviour, but extremely beneficial to emerging artists as it gives them a chance to build their following and push their music to a wider audience. 

This is an amazing project put together by a very talented and committed individual; it takes a lot of dedication to host a listening party almost every single night for 8 months all for other people’s entertainment, and it definitely doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you so much Tim - long may it continue!

See Tim's Listening Party archive and schedule here. Tim Burgess has an EP - The Ascent of the Ascended - arriving 27 November via Bella Union. 

More about: Tim BurgessTimsTwitterListeningPartyDPHappyHour