The soundtrack of the past still plays loud today. This section about nostalgic music digs into vinyl, cassettes, mixtapes, and the indie bands that shaped the ’90s. You’ll find playlists that echo familiar themes, stories about live shows and local venues, and guides for rediscovering albums that deserve another spin.
With roots in classic rock collections and the rise of alt-rock, these pieces connect generations through the power of sound. Whether you’re dropping a needle on vinyl or cueing up a streaming throwback, this is where the music lives on.
1990s Music Festivals That Helped Define a Generation
Before Spotify and smartphones, summer sounded like guitars, harmonicas, and festival crowds. From HFStival to H.O.R.D.E., these shows captured what it meant to come of age in the ’90s.
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Lollapalooza in the 1990s: How One Touring Festival Helped Define a Generation
Lollapalooza loomed large in the 1990s, even for people who never attended. This deep dive explores how its touring format, lineups, and cultural reach helped shape an era of music festivals built on discovery and shared experience.
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HFStival 1994: Lineup, Memories, and the Legacy of a ’90s Alt-Rock Staple
HFStival 1994 packed RFK Stadium with flannels, band tees, and the pulse of WHFS 99.1 FM. With acts like Counting Crows, Cracker, and Violent Femmes, it became a defining moment for ’90s alt-rock fans across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
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A Gen X Guide to ’90s Holiday Songs
Step back into a ’90s holiday season filled with mall speakers, movie soundtracks, pop hits, and the songs every Gen Xer knows by heart.
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The Music section pairs perfectly with the rest of Nostalgia Notebook. Don’t miss guides that cover vinyl, mixtapes, and playlists, along with essays on cultural moments that shaped us. Looking for more? Explore curated recommendations in TV & Film or Books & Podcasts, and join the newsletter for weekly throwbacks delivered straight to your inbox.