The 10 best music podcasts of 2023

28 September 2023, 10:56 | Updated: 10 October 2023, 14:09

Are you a music fan and looking for a great podcast to listen to?

From music history to artist guides and interviews, we've selected 10 of the best to get plugged into.

Each of the podcasts below are available on Global Player so you can find them all in one place.

1. Dolly Parton's America

   

   • Listen to Dolly Parton's America on Global Player

   In this intensely divided era, one of the few things everyone still seems to agree on is Dolly Parton—but why?

   That simple question leads to a deeply personal, historical, and musical rethinking of one of America’s great icons. This 9-episode series journeys into the Dollyverse and her ongoing legacy.

2. Rockonteurs

   

   • Listen to Rockonteurs on Global Player

   Rockonteurs is a podcast all about the real stories behind real music.

   Presented by Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp, who wrote and performed megahits like ‘Gold’ and ‘True’, and Guy Pratt, a bass player who shaped songs for the likes of Madonna and Pink Floyd, you’ll hear exclusive stories of life on the road, in the studio and what really happened behind the scenes from artists who wrote, performed and produced the some of the biggest classic rock and pop tracks of all time.

   Guests include Sir Bob Geldof, Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera, super-producer Trevor Horn, Chris Difford of Squeeze and their bandmate from A Saucerful of Secrets, Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason.

3. Electric Friends: A Gary Numan Podcast

   

   • Listen to Electric Friends on Global Player

   This podcast looks back at the musical legacy of electronic pioneer Gary Numan, track-by-track, as well as interviews with the people who know him best.

   From his 'Cars' and 'Are Friends Electric' chart-toppers to his recent industrial anthems, this is a must listen for all Numanoids and fans of '80s music and beyond.

4. Nothing is Real: A Beatles Podcast

   

   • Listen to Nothing is Real on Global Player

   50 years on, the world is still in love with The Beatles. Join Nothing Is Real hosts Jason Carty and Steven Cockcroft as they continue the never-ending conversation about the greatest band the world has ever known.

   Each episode puts a tiny piece of the Beatles story under the microscope to try and make sense of it all. Coming at you live, on tape, from Dublin, weekly.

5. Disgraceland

   

   • Listen to Disgraceland on Global Player

   Disgraceland is the award-winning music podcast hosted by Jake Brennan that explores the alleged true crime antics and criminal connections of musicians we love like Jerry Lee Lewis, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, the Grateful Dead, Amy Winehouse, Bob Marley, and more.

   Disgraceland is a scripted, single voice narrative storytelling podcast that melds true crime, music history, mystery, and misadventure, and is inspired by true events.

6. Jools and Jim's Joyride

   

   • Listen to Jools and Jim's Joyride on Global Player

   Not strictly about music, but it feattures a music legend alongside a comedy great.

   Join Jools Holland and Jim Moir (Vic Reeves) as each week they invite a special guest to put on their seatbelt and take to the road, as they chatter with friends about transport, travel, trips and tittle tattle.

7. Chart Music: The TOTP Podcast

   

   • Listen to Chart Music on Global Player

   This podcast takes one random episode of Top Of The Pops, and breaks it down to its very last compound.

   The show is an unflinching gaze into the "open wound of pop culture" and a celebration of Thursday evenings past.

8. Death of a Rockstar

   

   • Listen to Death of a Rockstar on Global Player

   From Buddy Holly to Whitney Houston, Michael Hutchence and Amy Winehouse, these are their stories - powerful, poignant and raw.

   This series will change how you feel about rock and pop legends.

9. The Osbournes Podcast

   

   • Listen to The Osbourne Podcast on Global Player

   In this podcast, take a ride with America's original reality family as they reminisce about the Emmy Award-winning MTV series, swap stories with their most fascinating friends and catch up on present-day events.

   In this 10-episode podcast, Jack Osbourne leads Sharon, Ozzy and Kelly on a wild, unfiltered and unpredictable journey filled with laughter, love and everything it means to be an Osbourne.

10. Paul Weller Fan Podcast: Desperately Seeking Paul

    

    • Listen to Desperately Seeking Paul on Global Player

    This show is hosted by a radio broadcaster who gave up a career with one big regret: never getting to interview his hero, the legendary British singer, songwriter and musician Paul Weller.

    This podcast exists purely to solve that issue!