What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Arctic Monkeys
A podcast that dives deep into discographies - one artist per season. Hosts Adam, Steve, and Lucas go album by album, track by track, exploring how context shapes our experience of music, why fans become obsessed, and what music really is. With three hosts coming from wildly different levels of musical knowledge, expect sharp analysis, wild tangents, hot takes, and more information about the artists (and the hosts) than you ever asked for. Currently exploring the discography of Arctic Monkeys. Previous seasons featured Manic Street Preachers, Muse, Billie Eilish, Radiohead, Lauryn Hill, and R.E.M.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 103 minutes
- Episodes
- 297
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
Absolution (Pt. 1)
The Big Mates discuss conspiracy theories, beach huts, Christopher Nolan, and Absolution by Muse.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas begin to talk about the band's third studio album and how it was recorded befor…
Hullabaloo DVD Commentary
The Big Mates provide insightful commentary for the Hullabaloo DVD. The DVD documents a 2001 Muse show at Le Zenith, Paris. There is also a behind the scenes look at the tour!
Adam, Steve, and Lucas d…
Hullabaloo (Disc One)
The Big Mates discuss Tom Waits, Mysterons, Super Audio CDs, and disc one of Hullabaloo by Muse.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas talk about the b-side collection released as part of the slightly confusingly re…
Fandom and Devotion 2 (with Emily Hyatt)
The Big Mates are joined by Emily Hyatt to talk about Pokemon, fandom, obssession, devotion, music, gigs, and much more!
Adam, Steve, and Lucas chat to Emily about Muse and the sometimes obssessive na…
Origin of Symmetry (Pt. 2)
The Big Mates discuss guitar pedals, medical emergencies, hallucinations, and Origin of Symmetry by Muse.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue to talk about the band's second album , discussing the music, …
Origin of Symmetry (Pt. 1)
The Big Mates discuss magic mushrooms, hair dye, orgies, and Origin of Symmetry by Muse.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas begin to talk about the band's second album and how it was recorded before doing a track…
Showbiz
The Big Mates discuss moths, their childhood bands, Alvin & the Chipmunks, and Showbiz by Muse.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas talk about the band's debut album. They explore how Muse got signed, and the reco…
Introduction/Newton Abbot Demos
The Big Mates discuss how they listen to music, bad band names, Matt Bellamy's life of crime, and a selection of the Newton Abbot Demos by Muse.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas talk about the early days of one…
Season Two Trailer: Are You Amused?
The Big Mates reveal the artist they will cover for Season Two of What Is Music?
Season Two starts February 1st. Subscribe now!
You can now wear your fandom on your (literal) sleeve!
Do You Love Us? now…
We Look to the Future...
The Big Mates look to the future of the podcast and discuss how it will work.
Join us again on January 18th for a further announcement!
You can now wear your fandom on your (literal) sleeve!
Do You Love…
Do Yule Love Us?
The Big Mates celebrate Christmas together!
Adam, Steve, and Lucas listen to the Christmas offerings from the Manics, play an fun Manics quiz and exchange gifts. Have yourself a merry little big mates…
Manic Street Preachers Final Thoughts
Season 1: Do You Love Us? (Manic Street Preachers)
The Big Mates discuss how many albums are released in any given timeframe, Pixar, music, and offer their final thoughts on Manic Street Preachers.
Ada…
Manic Street Preachers Music Videos
Season 1: Do You Love Us? (Manic Street Preachers)
The Big Mates discuss skydiving, TikTok, time travel, and watch every music video by Manic Street Preachers.
In their most epic (longest) journey yet,…
No Manifesto Commentary
Season 1: Do You Love Us? (Manic Street Preachers)
The Big Mates provide insightful commentary for the documentary No Manifesto. The film follows the band through their 2005 tour and recording session…
B-Sides
Season 1: Do You Love Us? (Manic Street Preachers)
The Big Mates discuss A-level results, Transylvania, politics, and a selection of B-sides by Manic Street Preachers.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas go weigh i…
Resistance Is Futile
Season 1: Do You Love Us? (Manic Street Preachers)
The Big Mates discuss Arcade Fire, godzilla, football, and Resistance Is Futile by Manic Street Preachers.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas go track-by-track on…
Interview with The Anchoress
Season 1: Do You Love Us? (Manic Street Preachers)
The Big Mates are joined by musician The Anchoress to discuss all things Manic Street Preachers.
Adam, Steve, Lucas, and Catherine talk about her new …
Interview with Dave Eringa
Season 1: Do You Love Us? (Manic Street Preachers)
The Big Mates are joined by music producer Dave Eringa to discuss all things Manic Street Preachers.
Adam, Steve, Lucas, and Dave talk about working w…
Futurology
Season 1: Do You Love Us? (Manic Street Preachers)
The Big Mates discuss HD webcams, geography, the 90s children's television show 'Knightmare,' and Futurology by Manic Street Preachers.
Adam, Steve, a…
Interview with Terri Hall
Season 1: Do You Love Us? (Manic Street Preachers)
The Big Mates are joined by Terri Hall to discuss all things Manic Street Preachers.
Adam, Steve, Lucas, and Terri talk about the early days of the Ma…