By Jeff Wallace a.k.a. DJ J-WALL – HSP music director
The music at High Street Place has been carefully curated to match the energy of the moment. From indie downtempo vibes to accompany your AM coffee, to the energy boost during the lunch rush, and the house/disco/funk vibes that launch you into that post-work drink – every song has been thoughtfully selected.
On warm days you might catch some reggae and beach-friendly tunes, on rainy days maybe ‘80s new wave to match the gloom, or brighter, soulful pop to snap you out of a cloudy mood. When Tina Turner passed away, I immediately put on a playlist loaded with her hits and other inspiration to pay tribute to the legend. When a popular artist is playing Fenway, Foxboro, or the Garden, chances are you’ll hear their hits and deeper cuts that day at the food hall.
I like to describe the ethos of the music program at HSP as “eclectic yet familiar.” You usually won’t hear top-40 radio hits all day, but if Beyonce puts a new country single out, it’ll get played. Bad Bunny, Doja Cat, and Miley Cyrus all have a home in the mix here, so does Radiohead, Jungle, and The Talking Heads. And don’t worry Swiftys, “Lavender Haze” is in regular rotation (check out the Tensnake Remix).
Most playlists are built with a certain feeling or energy level in mind. “Smooth Evening Come Up,” “Sunny Day Soul Vibes” and “Cozy Sounds” are among my favorites. There’s also countless genre-based playlists and eras represented too.
The beauty of music consumption is that it can be an active or passive experience. Your subconscious is likely still tuning in even while you’re locked in a conversation or watching a game. Sometimes the most rewarding moments are when a passive experience turns into an active one. You know that moment: You’ll stop what you’re doing and realize you love the song that’s been playing in the background. “Wow, I forgot how much I love this song!” That feeling is what we’re going for at High Street Place.
When I’m DJing live in the hall – yes we do that too – I’m always scanning the crowd. I’m looking for movement, whether it’s a tapping foot or someone’s head and shoulders grooving with the beat. I’ll often see phones out with Shazam open too. As a DJ, it can be just as fulfilling to capture a group of friends seated at a communal table who didn’t expect to have a musical moment as it is to command a packed dance floor. The DJ sets at High Street Place are a true artistic journey. It’s the stuff that us DJs want to play. Check out this mix that DJ Knife and I recorded live in the hall on a Friday evening.
High Street Place welcomes live DJs on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (unless there’s a live band or special event). Be sure to check out our calendar for the latest music lineup and info on other fun events.
And to give you something to take home or on the road with you, here are some of my favorite High Street Place playlists to get you through your day.
Genres: Soulful, upbeat indie with a touch of smooth downtempo electronic
Great For: AM Relax, Post Lunch Focus, Extended Screen Time
If You Like Pina Coladas and …
Genres: Yacht Rock, Classic Rock, and Beach Sounds
Great For: Summer walks in the rain (and in the sunshine too!)
Genres: Light House Vibes, Smooth Modern/Nu-Disco, Indie Dance, Afrobeats
Great For: That decompression drink before dinner, Happy Cocktail Parties, Après Work/Ski
Genres: Nu Soul and Funk mixed with deeper classics
Great For: Cooking, Dinner Parties, Festival Road Trips, Sunday afternoon
Genres: Everything under the sun, similar to how a DJ would soundtrack a fun wedding
Great For: Any festive occasion
