Cathy Freeman and activist Jean Hinchcliffe join Spotify’s Music + Talk format

Spotify has launched its first two local Music + Talk shows, in a move which further expands the streaming giant’s content offerings.

The Music + Talk initiative kicked off globally in October and blends together music and spoken commentary in one show. A number of original music talk shows were rolled out alongside the global announcement.

The new local offering, My 2020, sees Spotify work with Olympic gold medallist, Cathy Freeman, and climate change activist, Jean Hinchcliffe.

My 2020 also comes just ahead of Spotify’s yearly Wrapped campaign, which recaps the most streamed tracks and podcasts across the year.

Freeman’s show will reflect on the year, discussing Melbourne’s lockdown, music that reminds her of the 2000 Olympics and her plans for 2021.

“Music brings me joy, peace and inspiration and in a year where I went from celebrating significant milestones to home-schooling my daughter and juggling my role with the Cathy Freeman Foundation, all in lockdown, I continued to find the beauty in the world through the storytelling in music,” she said in a statement.

As for Hinchcliffe, her show will cover protesting in a virtual world and what has motivated her while learning remotely.

“This year has been insane, to say the least, but my music really got me through. I love seeing my [Spotify] Wrapped every year, and can’t wait to see what songs I’ve been listening to the most – let’s just say I won’t be surprised if there’s a lot of tear jerkers. It’s been quite the emotional year,” she said.

Freeman and Hinchliffe’s My 2020 instalments are available to listen to on Spotify now.