Hey Jukebox!
Hey Jukebox! is a monthly playlist for the Music Gallery.
Each month, a new theme inspires new musical choices linking the Horniman to seasonal celebrations, special exhibitions, performers, or objects.
Sing and dance along to the playlist in this space every Tuesday at 2.30pm. See if you recognise any tracks, or discover something new to add to your own playlists!
Read about the thinking behind the playlists on the blog.
October – Black Hair Day
The team behind FACE bring us a condensed history of modern Black music through the lenses of Black hairstyles, fashion trends and global, political activism.
September – All in the Family (Guitar)
Due to popular demand, we’re excited to present the second round of staff picks for our monthly Hey Jukebox! playlist, this time centred around the theme of guitars.
Staff members from various departments and roles at the Horniman have handpicked their favourite songs that prominently feature this versatile instrument. From the classical compositions of Joaquín Rodrigo to the 70s R&B of Curtis Mayfield, and the hard rock of Led Zeppelin, this playlist not only highlights the guitar’s incredible range but also reflects the diverse musical tastes and experiences of our staff.
August – Get it Together (Fusion)
This playlist offers a glimpse into the rich and vibrant world of Fusion, the music that stands as a powerful testament to cultural exchange.
July – Basically Brass Bands
This month’s playlist explores the musical malleability of brass instruments and their predecessors.
June – Pride
This month’s playlist celebrates all things Pride, featuring LGBTQ+ icons from across the decades.
May – Indo-Jazz traversions by DAYTIMERS
This month’s playlist is curated by members of DAYTIMERS, a collective championing South Asian artistry in all of its forms.
April – Music on a ground bass
This month’s playlist celebrates music on a ground bass, from the Baroque to Queen to the White Stripes.
March – Womanifest-oh!
Women’s History Month is 40 years old this March. Our playlist celebrates the profound contributions to music that have been made by women over the centuries.
February – Fat Tuesday
From the vibrant carnival streets of New Orleans to the enchanting concert halls of Paris, this playlist highlights the rich and far-reaching history of jazz music, capturing the spirit of Mardi Gras. Laissez les bon temps rouler – let the good times roll!
January – Wellbeing
The idea of ‘wellbeing’ holds individual meaning for each of us. After a season of celebration and possible excess, music can help us regain a sense of equilibrium by evoking memories, celebrations past, future hopes, or just reminding us to be in the moment now. This month’s selection explores some of these expressions, past and present and from around the world.
December – Peace Songs
Peace is now, and always has been, a universal aspiration. In this season, we bring together music from across cultures that expresses this striving to find more harmony than dissonance: with friends, families, communities, or even just within ourselves.
November – Protest and Resistance
In November we remember the 17th century sedition of Guy Fawkes. Today’s celebratory bonfires and fireworks conceal that, as a member of a persecuted religious minority, his Gunpowder Plot was driven by a sense of profound injustice.
This month, we are taking a look at the music of protest and resistance that aims to bring about change without resort to violence. Depending on its era and focus, the music awakens, articulates, provokes, cajoles, rallies, empathises or criticises. Often, it gives voice to the voiceless.
October – 茶, चाय, Tea (Chá, Chai, Tea)
“Tea is quiet and our thirst for tea is never far from our craving for beauty.” – James Norwood Pratt
This month’s playlist is dedicated to the launch of our latest exhibition, 茶, चाय, Tea. This exhibition is an exploration of all things tea, delving into the world of the individuals who work on the tea plantations, the intricate processes that go into tea production and the sometimes challenging narratives surrounding imperialism and colonial violence associated with the tea trade.
However, tea has inspired artistic expression, cultural customs and national identities for centuries across the globe. It continues to serve as a bridge connecting seemingly distant communities. Our playlist combines diverse voices, genres, and sounds that mirror the rich tapestry of global tea traditions and people’s deep relationships with it.
September – Staff
If music is the gateway to the soul, then this month’s playlist offers a glimpse into the soul of the Horniman.
Members of staff from across the Museum and Gardens were asked simply to contribute their favourite music. The responses represent a superb variety of tastes, from classical to electronic, to Afro beats and everything in between.
Colleagues told us that their choice evoked strong emotions or fond memories, or that it represented their identity or heritage; others chose the music they love to dance to! The result is this incredibly diverse and life-affirming jamboree that lends insight into the beating heart of the Horniman – its staff. We hope you find something in it that speaks to you.
August – Carnival
Welcome to this month’s playlist inspired by the Notting Hill Carnival.
Music has always been crucial in creating a carnival atmosphere and throughout history, different spectacles have drawn on different types of music. A carnival’s celebratory mood has often been accompanied by undertones of mortality and magic.
Accordingly, our playlist brings together evocations of circus parades, masquerade balls and partying, with the re-enactment of battles, and the conjuring of the macabre. The opening and closing songs, associated with Notting Hill, frame the playlist.