Jo Whiley creates British musical history guides with National Rail

Despite Britain having produced many of the world’s most famous musicians, many Brits still remain unaware of the origins of our favourite bands, songs and genres. To get Brits’ knowledge back on track and encourage more of us to explore Britain’s musical roots by train, the rail industry has teamed up with Jo Whiley to document a series of short audio guides telling the stories of British music scenes past and present.

The campaign comes as new research reveals one in five Brits are unaware of the Beatles’ scouse roots, two in five (40%) didn’t know Oasis come from Manchester, and 68% had no idea the Manic Street Preachers heralded from Wales.

From today, train users will be able to receive geo-targeted stories, via a free app, to help them turn their journey into a guided tour of Britain’s musical roots. Narrated by Jo Whiley, listeners will discover everything from the origins of genres and the locations that helped shape and influence some of Britain’s most popular artists and bands.

One of Britain’s musical treasures, Kate Bush, seems to be a mystery to most with just under a fifth (17%) of Brits knowing her Kent origins, while almost one in 10 (9%) think American singer-songwriter Madonna comes from Britain.

Although it has produced many of the world’s most famous musicians, Britain is at risk of losing its connection with its musical past – despite almost half (44%) of Brits believing that knowing the heritage of their favourite music makes them feel more connected to it. In fact, when it comes to the music genres that have defined British music history, just over a tenth (12%) of Brits know Trip-Hop originated from Bristol and 60% had no idea that Grime originated in London. Punk, a genre most-heavily associated with London, seems to have also gone under the radar, with over half of Brits (57%) unaware it originated in the capital.

With over 40% of Brits believing that music is more enjoyable if you know where it comes from, the rail industry is helping people uncover the stories relevant to the places they’re travelling to and passing through whilst on the train and when planning their next journey. The guides have been designed to inspire a trip rooted in musical history – because nothing beats being there when it comes to enjoying the music we love.

Details on the guides, and how people can download the app, will be available at nationalrail.co.uk/musicalroutes. They uncover historical music gems such as Queen’s music video filmed on a Peterborough railway track, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger meeting on a train platform in Dartford, and the tale behind how Simon and Garfunkels’ hit, Homeward bound, was written in a station.

Broadcaster Jo Whiley said: “I’m very passionate and proud of Britain’s musical heritage – and I’d hate for people to lose their connection to it. I believe that you can appreciate music on a whole new level when you get out there and experience the places that influenced it.

“Working with the rail industry, I’m hoping to inspire fans to take a trip, by train, and discover more about their favourite bands and genres of music. Enjoying a train journey whilst listening to one of the audio guides is the perfect way to connect with our musical history. Experience the hometowns that helped shape artists, walk the streets that are referenced in their songs and visit train stations that connected them in more ways than one.”

Jacqueline Starr, CEO at Rail Delivery Group, explained: “Travelling by train connects you to the people, places and things you love – like music. We’re delighted to be working with Jo to help people rediscover the fantastic musical heritage Britain has to offer, and inspire them to explore the origins of genres, artists and the locations that influenced them by train.”

Nothing beats being there. Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk/muscialroutes to find out how you can turn your next train journey into a guided tour of Britain’s musical roots today.