Back to news

The 15 Best Music Podcasts of 2016


These are the fifteen music podcasts you should check out in 2016. These podcasts were chosen based on reviews, popularity, relevance to the current music industry, and entertainment value.

15. Sodajerker On Songwriting 4 weeks ago - English

As the name suggests, this podcast details the intricacies of the song writing process. The renowned song writing duo Sodajerker hosts the show and interviews different super talented musicians, producers and songwriters every week.

Some of the talents that have been featured in the show include; talented Smith’s guitarist Johnny Marr, Billy Bragg and Rufus Wainwright. This podcast offers music lovers a channel through which they can learn about the art of music writing from experts who have succeeded in the music industry.

14. Sound Opinions 5 days ago - English

Hosted by the entertaining, brutally honest duo featuring Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot, this podcast is both comical and informative. The hosts delve into a variety of topics pertaining to music such as new releases, the revolution of music and the music culture in general. The hosts are knowledgeable on music matters and host captivating interviews with artists and producers.

If you want to listen to a variety of music ranging from current hits to classics then this is a sound choice for you to binge on. The news, reviews, interviews, genre primers and views will undoubtedly keep you hooked to this podcast. Sound Music discusses artistic merits and demerits and covers controversies rocking the music industry. Whether you are a lover of rock music, pop music, rhythm and blues or rap music, worry not because Sound Opinions has got you covered.

13. All Songs Considered 7 days ago - English

This podcast is a sequel of the widely successful and long running radio show also called All Songs Considered’. It is so good; it has been around for an impressive fifteen years and still has a large and diverse audience. It plays both classical music and the newest music from up-and-coming-artists. So whether you love Taylor Swift or Sir Paul McCartney, this podcast will interest you. If you are shopping around for a new rhythm or beat that is not played on mainstream radio, then you should be listening to All Songs Considered.

It is hosted by the entertaining duo of Bob Boiler and Robin Hilton who are captivating, comical and most importantly knowledgeable on all matter music. The episodes are interactive as they feature interactive segments where fans can request and suggest what music they want played. Bottom line is this podcast is well thought out, interactive, entertaining and comical.

12. Song Exploder 5 days ago - English

Hosted by Hirkesh Hirway, this podcast gets into the intricate details of the music making process as well as playing your favorite tunes. It features indie acts such as Wilco who go into the details of how they recorded their songs. It does not only entertain you but also makes you appreciate what goes into the production of music. The listener gets the unique opportunity to understand the mindset of the musician when they were making particular records.

Each episode starts with a brief history on the origin of the song followed by a brief description of what influenced the song from the horse’s mouth; the artist. You will be fascinated to uncover what inspired your favorite song. You will also be amazed to discover that 80s pop acts such as ABBA and punk rockers that many people take for granted are the inspirations to modern music.

11. Turned Out A Punk 4 days ago - English

If you love punk then this podcast is for you. It is hosted by renowned punk musician Damian Abraham who is the front man for Canadian hardcore punk group called 'Fucked Up'. The host interviews a wide variety of guests ranging from musicians to comedians.

Each episode features a guest who explains the impact that the punk rock genre has had in shaping their lives. An episode worth checking out that garnered a massive audience featured punk singer Meredith Graves who went into the details of how widespread sexism exists in the punk rock genre.

10. The Talkhouse Music Podcast 2 weeks ago - English

The premise of this podcast is two talented musicians discussing the intricacies of song writing, focusing on the controversial issue of authenticity. This podcast is for listeners who are interested in the music as well as the music making process.

It is however not all talk as it also features a wide variety of songs ranging from modern hits from up-and-coming artists to classics. Each episode deals with an emerging issue in song writing and music production hence keeping you not only entertained but also informed.

9. The List Music Podcast 2 years ago - English

If you like listening to a particular genre of music at once and are not a fan of juggling of genres, then 'The List Music Podcast' is your ideal podcast. Each episode features songs that can be categorized into a single list whether European bands, girl bands, guilty pleasures, stripping music, love songs and whatever other list you can think of. The shows are extremely lively mostly because of the four entertaining personalities that host it namely; Ricardo Ultereras, Jenny Cole, VK Lynne and Juan Jose de la Cruz. Each list is well thought out and the music is accentuated by the comical commentary from the funny hosts.

8. The Cipher 24 hours ago - English

This is a follow up to the internet’s most reliable rap lyrics interpretation website also known by the same name. Although there have only been a few episodes so far, the podcast has garnered a massive audience. This podcast has so far featured brutally honest interviews from giants in the rap music genre such as Jean Grae, RZA and Soul Khan. The honesty and sincerity of the interviewees is refreshing and more entertaining compared to the sugar coated answers that other podcasts interviewees give.

If you are a fan of rap music and are in search of raw, unguarded and entertaining interviews then this is your ideal music podcast.

7. Coverville: The Cover Music Show 6 days ago - English

The Coverville podcast brings you some of the best covers of your favorite songs. The covers range from classic tunes by musical legends to modern songs done by modern musical geniuses such as Ed Sheeran and Adele. This podcast will entertain you and make you aware of how much talent there is out there.

Additionally, it will introduce you to creative renditions of your favorite song that will blow your mind. Apart from simply airing the covers, the podcast also informs the listener who is performing the cover and who did the original song. This is a great channel to discover new talent.

6. Who Charted? 6 days ago - English

Hosted by the entertaining duo Kulap Vilaysack and Howard Kramer, this podcast is aimed at entertaining the audience with music delivered with a comic twist. The hosts not only discuss what is trending in the music industry in terms of tunes doing well in charts but also explore the movies that are doing well.

Additionally the hosts play fun games such as Chart Roulette’ with talented guests such as Reggie Watts and Paul F. Tompkins and other music personalities associated with Earwolf production. If you are a chart fanatic interested in understanding why and how certain tunes made it to the charts, then you should be listening to Who Charted.

5. Tiny Desk Concerts - Audio 23 hours ago - English

NPR has a variety of music podcasts that can appeal to many audiences depending on preference. This video podcast is among the best put out by NPR and can also be listened to in audio format for listeners who prefer audio podcasts.

Tiny Desk Concerts features music by all artists ranging from modern music sensations such as Adele, Miguel to classics such as The Beetles, Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey. This podcast caters for a large audience as it does not discriminate the music it plays on the basis of genre. If you want a podcast that offers you indiscriminate variety of tunes without laying emphasis on genre, then this is a viable choice.

4. Sock Monkey Sound 2 years ago - English

This podcast focuses on the punk-rock genre. The guests interviewed are renowned and talented musicians who are not only knowledgeable of music but also passionate about this particular genre. Additionally, the host of this podcast is entertaining, understands his audience, and intelligently conducts interesting interviews. As a result the interviewees are able to express their sincere opinion on the trends in the punk rock music scene as well as vividly talk about their musical journey.

In 2011, Sock Sound Monkey Sounds was named by the renowned USA Today Pop Candy Blog as one of the best musical podcasts in the United States. The candid and entertaining interviews coupled with the good music makes this podcast worth listening to for any lover of music.

3. Soul Music 6 hours ago - English

Soul Music podcast is one of the best music podcasts put out by BBC. The name is misleading because 'soul' in this case does not refer to a music genre but rather refers to the feeling that music gives its listeners. This podcast features regular people telling stories of how particular tunes impacted or affected their lives. An episode worth checking out that had an incredibly high audience featured an interview of a woman who credits The Smith’s song 'There is a light that never goes out' for giving her the strength and resilience to cope and have hope when her son was battling cancer.

This podcast will make you appreciate the effect a simple song can have on the life of a listener. If you're interested in witnessing the healing power, inspirational power and motivational effect that music has on its listeners then this is the podcast you should be listening to. It’s a more emotional approach to music that is refreshing and entertaining. Soul Music is a podcast that caters for music lovers who appreciate the role that music plays in our daily lives.

2. DJ Theo's Soulful San Francisco House Sessions 2 weeks ago - English

DJ Theo has been DJing for over 10 years now. He loves soulful funky disco house music. He has played at clubs in San Francisco such as The "Endup", Wish SF, 1015 Folsom "Release", Club Rouge, Club NV, Kelly's Mission Rock, Harry Denton's Starlight Room, Big Heart City.

1. The Popcast With Knox and Jamie 6 days ago - English

This podcast is hosted by New York Times music critics who discuss a variety of music ranging from the best pop albums to the best country albums. The hosts are knowledgeable on all music genres but are also entertaining and not afraid to deal with controversial issues trending in the music industry. Additionally, the hosts attempt to decipher how music fits with the current social context.

If you're interested in the latest tunes in addition to behind-the-scenes happenings that go into producing an album, The Popcast Podcast is for you. The critique of the hosts on your favorite tunes will force you to listen to music from a critical perspective that analyses all the elements that go into producing a song. If you are interested in the social aspect of music then this is an ideal podcast for you.

No matter what your favorite music, there's a great podcast that can entertain and interest you. These 14 are viable options that will undoubtedly quench your musical thirst.

Share this