Music Scene: your music companion app

Music lovers, there’s more to your favourite band or artist than just amazing music; there’s a whole backstory to be told, too. Music Scenecombines Nokia’s Music API with Nokia’s HERE API to deliver a wealth of information and music in a new and interesting way.

Download Music Scene

1. Press the Search button on your Nokia Lumia and then tap Vision
2. Scan the QR code
3. Tap on the link when it appears on the screen
4. Install the application from the Windows Phone Store

Don’t think of Music Scene as your only way to listen to music, that’s what Nokia Music is for. However, what this app does is tell you about different artists, or bands, overlaying them onto a map, powered by HERE. 

Music Scene creator, and Nokia employee, Steve Robbins explains why he made this app:

“The idea for Music Scene started when we were kicking ideas around about how we could show music on a map, while also thinking about using other data sources to enhance the information we have about artists. I began it as an example for the Nokia Music API that we launched last year to show in thedeveloper webinar that I presented in January. Developers can read how to build a similar app and get the source code I’ve made available on the Nokia developer site.”

When you load up Music Scene, you’re greeted with a very familiar HERE Map and a green marker pinpointing your current location. Then, as you zoom in or move around the map, various artists will appear on the screen at certain locations. For example, in London, there’s a sea of bands all clustered into one tight area. But if you move further afield, you’ll likely see that crowd thin somewhat.

The point of these ‘tagged band’ locations is to find out all about them, where they were born or where they were formed. Amy Winehouse can be found not far from Southgate train station, for example.

  

When you access the bands/artists location tag, Nokia Music launches and you’ve got access to their biography*, an image gallery and also the Nokia Music Mix they are featured on – pressing on one of these will launch that Mix for you to listen to. If the artist also has a Twitter account or any upcoming gig, it will also be featured here for you to interact with.

If you prefer to jump right in and listen purely to that particular person, and not mixed with other bands, scrolling right will bring into view the artists top songs, albums and singles, ready to purchase at a touch of a button. Most singles cost less than a pound or a dollar, with albums costs ranging from a few quid or bucks upwards, depending on the number of singles contained therein.

 

Nokia Music also suggests similar artists to the one you’ve just learnt about, as the chances are you’ll like them, too. Make sure you check them out; you may find a new favourite band.

Back at the map screen, things may look a little cluttered from your current GPS location as the artists begin to auto-populate. There’s a handy button at the bottom of the screen where you can turn this off.

The mix scene button at the bottom of the app is your gateway to listening to the bands or artists that are currently on your screen. Tap it and Nokia Music will open and begin to play.

If you’re looking for something specific, the search function can find artists and also locations. Searching for a location will show you the artists in that area.

Music Scene is available from Windows Phone Store and downloadable on any Nokia Lumia smartphone with Windows Phone 8 – download it today.

*Location information is based on Wikipedia.