It’s that festive time of year – Slade, Wham, Wizzard et al are jingling in your ears for weeks on end. Some people love it, and that’s fine. But at 5 Live HQ, we thought our vibe-tasters might want something a little bit different.
The mission was crystal clear: Elis James and John Robins to select a playlist of alternative Christmas songs for BBC Sounds, for fans and non-fans alike to enjoy.
Elis understood the brief, delivering solid festive bangers, closing with an indie classic from Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas.
John decided to play things icy cool, choosing songs that weren’t even about Christmas… but WERE about winter and snow. That’s how alternative this playlist is.
“As much as we like Wizzard, and I do like Wizzard,” Elis says, “We’re not going to give it to you.”
So here it is – six of those choices for you to add to your overlooked festive banger collection. For the full 12-track playlist, listen to Elis and John’s Alternative Christmas Playlist, available now on BBC Sounds.