I probably notice the little details of the flying experience more than the average person. Along those lines, I tend to think that music and sounds can create lasting memories that we associate with our travel experiences, whether it’s soothing airplane boarding music, or memorable airport jingles.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) has just unveiled a new soundtrack, and I absolutely adore the concept (thanks to Neil for flagging this)…
The amazing new “Music for Heathrow” soundtrack
“Music for Heathrow” is the name of a new summer soundtrack that’s now playing throughout terminals at Heathrow Airport on a seamless loop. The name might not be very creative, but the concept is, as it’s the world’s first track created entirely with sounds of an airport.
The soundtrack was created in partnership with Grammy nominated, Royal Albert Hall sell-out, Jordan Rakei. He was given access to all parts of the airport, to create this track, “designed to reflect the excitement and anticipation at the start of a summer holiday.” The track has over 50 real airport sounds in it.
Here’s how the composition of the track is described:
It is split into four compositions to reflect the airport journey. Percussion was made from the sounds of passports being stamped and bags hitting the belt, a water fountain provided ambience and ASMR, a jet taking off was transformed into a synth and a baggage control siren was transformed into a soft synthesiser.
Also included are sounds from famous movie scenes, such as the tapping of passengers’ feet as they wait at a gate in Terminal 2 (featured in Bend It Like Beckham), the beeps of Terminal 3’s security scanner that Sam runs through to catch Joanna in Love Actually, and the engines whirling on the tarmac where Die Another Day was filmed.
“Music for Heathrow” is an ode to Brian Eno’s 1979 album “Music for Airports,” credited with launching this genre of ambient music, which was also designed to be listened to before flights.
Below you can hear a teaser of the new “Music for Heathrow” track, and then you can listen to the entire track on SoundCloud.
What a creative and fun soundtrack!
On the surface, the concept of having a soundtrack with airport sounds playing at an airport seems beyond absurd. However, my gosh, this works really, really well. What a beautiful soundtrack that has both familiar sounds, while still being soothing and interesting.
I can’t even describe how much of a fan I am of this concept. Now, I am curious how many passengers actually pick up on this, and fully process that this is a soundtrack with airport sounds. Ordinarily when I think of Heathrow, the below chime is the first thing that comes to mind…
…so I’m happy to have some new sounds to enjoy!
Bottom line
Heathrow Airport has introduced a new soundtrack for summer, named “Music for Heathrow.” With this, the airport has created a soundtrack that contains over 50 different airport sounds, and when put together, it’s surprisingly delightful. I look forward to my next trip through Heathrow (that’s not something I often say)!
What do you make of Heathrow’s new soundtrack?
A nice concept, but nothing compares to the former female flight announcer at GIG. Her over the top sensual Portuguese & accented English was memorable ..... And that atonal initial chime indicating her forthcoming information was comical ....
I hope they don't fully replace the melodious orchestra music, though. Quite quintessentially British. Always love listening to it while in the restrooms (or the "loo" as they call it informally).
Oh yes, I have that recording in my own bathroom as well.... " Music to POOP By " !
...lol
Oh, good idea. 8-( So now when I drive my car, I throw out the soothing music I usually listen to, and create a music file with traffic noise, so while I am stuck in traffic, and it's noises, I can listen to traffic noises from my speakers. What a novel concept./s
Anything beats the inane PenFed jingle with tone-deaf singers playing over the moving walkway between the train and the C terminal at Dulles. That is the devil's music.
Hope they didn’t pay much over a Euro for this, seeing as it is a compilation of sounds they already get for free. Like too much modern art, the hype is all around the BS narrative, not the actual mundane piece of “art” itself.
I'm gonna miss the old chime, it's very nostalgic for me and I associate it specifically with Heathrow even though it's at other airports
@ Speedbird -- Hah, I don't think that chime is actually being replaced. That chime will still "play" before announcements, while this will be the noise in the background.
The terminal 5 underground walkway deserves a special playlist, surely?
Darth Vader’s theme tune
@UncleRonnie, that would be perfect!