"Music for Heathrow": airport sounds in music
For the first time in the world, an airport becomes a musical instrument: Music for Heathrow is the name of the new song signed by Jordan Rakei, Grammy-nominated artist and multi-instrumentalist, made exclusively with the sounds of Heathrow Airport. A new project that combines art, technology and travel, inspired by Brian Eno's famous ambient album Music for Airports.
Rakei had full access to every area of Europe's largest airport to record over 50 original sounds – from the hum of engines to passport stamps, from the noise of baggage carousels to gate voice calls. The result is an immersive soundtrack designed to accompany travelers in the moments before take-off, conveying calm, enthusiasm and the anticipation of new adventures.
The piece, divided into four movements that symbolically follow the passenger's path, is broadcast in all terminals throughout the summer. It was built on a musical base composed with ambient sounds transformed into instruments: jets that take off become synthesizers, water fountains generate ASMR atmosphere, the noise of check-in merges into unique sound textures.
The project anticipates a record-breaking summer for Heathrow, with more than 250,000 passengers expected every day and connections to more than 230 destinations in 85 countries. Popular destinations this year include New York, Dubai, Barbados, Malaysia, Italy, Greece and Slovenia.
To celebrate this extraordinary season, Heathrow also hosts live concerts at the airport every Friday in July, turning the wait for your flight into a cultural and musical moment:
- Friday, July 11 - Emilija Karaliute and Michael Sebastian,
- Friday, July 18 - Gio Dara, Jade Thornton and Liam Mera Kai,
- Friday, July 25 - Omar Rios and The Cash Cows.
Music for Heathrow is available on Soundcloud and playing in terminals. A new and fascinating way to experience the journey from the first step at the airport.
