Music

Flat-lay of retro '80s and '90s gear, including a flannel shirt, headphones, vinyl record, cassette tape, denim cutoff shorts, and concert tickets

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.


Group of 1990s teens at a concert

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.

Discover more nostalgia.

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.