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
R.E.M. Live at the 40 Watt Club 1992 Commentary
The Big Mates provide truthful and geographical audio commentary for R.E.M.'s performance at the 40 Watt Club in 1992.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the performance as released on the band's official…
Automatic for the People (Pt. 3)
The Big Mates discuss death, memory, Emmerdale, and Automatic for the People by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by concluding their ana…
Automatic for the People (Pt. 2)
The Big Mates discuss record collecting, Andy Kaufman, the Monty Hall Problem, and Automatic for the People by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of…
Automatic for the People (Pt. 1)
The Big Mates discuss straws, Uncle Tupelo, Frasier, and Automatic for the People by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by starting their …
R.E.M. MTV Unplugged 1991 Commentary
The Big Mates provide gentle and celebratory audio commentary for R.E.M.'s performance on MTV Unplugged in1991.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the performance as originally broadcast on MTV.
Dig out…
Out of Time (Pt. 3)
The Big Mates discuss greetings, The Bear, spoken word, and Out of Time by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by wrapping up their analysi…
Out of Time (Pt. 2)
The Big Mates discuss illicit apples, ribs, Pearl Jam, and Out of Time by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by starting their analysis of…
Out of Time (Pt. 1)
The Big Mates discuss violins, harpsichords, flugelhorns, and Out of Time by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by starting their analysis…
Writing About R.E.M. with John Hunter
Adam sits down with author John Hunter to discuss his book, Maps and Legends: The Story of R.E.M..
Adam and John chat about all things R.E.M., and explore why he wrote the book, what the book encompas…
Tourfilm Commentary
The Big Mates provide incendiary and probably life-changing audio commentary for Tourfilm, the first live video release by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the film as originally presented on VHS…
BONUS: Lifeblood 20 (with Greg Haver)
Adam and Steve discuss the recent reissue of Lifeblood by Manic Street Preachers, a comprehensive set, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the album.
They are joined by music producer Greg Haver, who …
Green (Pt. 2)
The Big Mates discuss bass strings, 8 Mile, Amanda Lynne, and Green by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by concluding their analysis of …
BREAKING NEWS: Billie Eilish - HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
BONG. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY NEWS BROADCAST. The Big Mates discuss the newly released album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish. They give their first impressions and pick some standout tracks.
Join …
Green (Pt. 1)
The Big Mates discuss naughty fishermen, floppy top half, Requiem for a Tuesday, and Green by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by starti…
Strange Dance / Jarak Qaribak
The Big Mates discuss olive oil, Christmas, strings, and two side projects from members of Radiohead.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas return to the subject of their fourth season in order to catch up the extra…
R.E.M. 1980 - 1987
The Big Mates slow it down and take a break to discuss ratings, rankings, creasy head holes, and the career of R.E.M. from 1980 - 1987.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas talk about their feelings so far on the b…
R.E.M. Succumbs Commentary
The Big Mates provide mesmerising and entirely necessary audio commentary for Succumbs, the first video release by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the VHS/Laserdisc compilation featuring music …
Document (Pt. 2)
The Big Mates discuss Christmas tree etiquette, goose related nightmares, Flea from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Document by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and d…
Document (Pt. 1)
The Big Mates discuss file naming conventions, Role Models, trickle-down economics, and Document by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by …
The Smile Live in Brighton
The Big Mates discuss running, arranging the arrangements of a meeting, paste, and go to see The Smile live at the Brighton Centre.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas converge in Brighton in order to experience a…