Music Streaming Services

[Wa10]

They've come a long way since Spotify was launched nearly 9 years ago, and I think it's fair to say they've transformed both the way we consume music and also the music industry as a whole. 

For a long time there was only really Spotify, and their offering was limited at best, however now they've been joined by Amazon, Apple, Napster (in a legal form!) and Tidal amongst many others.

Pricing has remained incredibly keen, with most offering a "premium" service for around the price of 1 album, and many even offer a way to listen for free so long as you don't mind a few adverts. Then there are the Family Plan options, allowing multiple members of a household to benefit from a greatly reduced cost - as low as £2.50 per person for unlimited music streaming, that's cheaper than a handful of songs on the pub jukebox!

The question is, do you stream your music? And if so, which service do you use and why? Is there a "best" service out there, or is it a case of different services suiting different people/scenario's? Maybe there's not much to choose between them at all.

For me, I've been a Spotify user pretty much since it launched here in the UK. Back in the day I only really used it on my PC in work, however that quickly changed to my mobile - which I now use when working, in the car and also when out and about on foot. I've also recently paired my account with Amazon's Echo, so that I have instant access at home without having to use my phone or tablet to play via a separate bluetooth speaker.

It was this recent development which got me thinking about the options, as Amazon of course offer their own music services - I can access Prime Music as I'm a Prime member anyway, and they were quick to try and sell me an "Echo" subscription to the Music Unlimited service for just £3.99 per month which sounds like an absolute bargain, although not much use to me as I use extensively on my phone as well.

Seriosuly thinking about upgrading to a family plan offering, either via Spotify or Amazon, so that the family can benefit too - part of the reason for me posting this, as I'm wondering which way to go and looking for any obvious advantage to one over the other, as the cost is the same. I know that with Amazon I could ask Alexa to play a song based on it's lyrics, but then is that really something I'm ever going to use - and if so, why would I not just ask Alexa to Google the title for me instead?

Thoughts?

[jonsie]

Thanks @Wa10 I'll look them up 

[Anonymous]

@jonsie what genre of music do you listen to? 

[jonsie]

To be honest I like all genres. I grew up in the sixties so most of my music goes up to the turn of the century with a few modern albums that but I've listened to them so many times over the last 7 months in hospital that I'm getting a little fed up with what I have.

But I like rock, indy, motown, power ballads and even some classical music. Anything really apart from the link suggested by @Beenherebefore 😂😂😂

[Wa10]

Kudos @jonsie simply for having amazing taste in music! 

[Beenherebefore]

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@jonsie wrote:

Anything really apart from the link suggested by @Beenherebefore 😂😂😂

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Just realised........there's no Kudos Removal button 

[jonsie]

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@Beenherebefore wrote:

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@jonsie wrote:

Anything really apart from the link suggested by @Beenherebefore 😂😂😂

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Just realised........there's no Kudos Removal button 

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Actually you just press the button again and it removes it 

[Anonymous]

@jonsie i really recomend Boyce Avenue!! really nice and really relaxed and very easy listining i listen to them a lot at work and on my daily commute, very very relaxing 

[jonsie]

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@Anonymous wrote:

@jonsie i really recomend Boyce Avenue!! really nice and really relaxed and very easy listining i listen to them a lot at work and on my daily commute, very very relaxing 

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Ok thanks I'll look them up on YouTube 

[gmarkj]

Black stone cherry are a good rock band. Not make your ears bleed heavy but good guitar.
Lady Antebellum is a good pop/country mix.
Recentish bands are the Catfish and the Bottlemen and Bastille. Both indie rock/pop style.
Nathaniel Rateliffe and the Night Sweats is also a good listen.
Always liked Stereophonics too. Old stuff and more recent the best, the middle stuff was a little wobbly though.

[jonsie]

Lots there to check out @gmarkj especially the indie/rock which is a particular genre I like. I have albums by the Verve, Kaiser Chiefs and the Killer which I never really tire of. Also my favourite bands of all time, Queen and The Who but again I've played them to death 😔