We want to say a HUGE thank you to all of the venue managers – and musicians – who took the time to contribute to the 50+ tracks in our most recent Après Ski Bands playlist, ‘Now That’s What I Should Call Après’! It’s been a while since we all partied on the terraces or danced in a bar to our favourite après tunes, so this one’s for après fans the world over!
Wherever you decide to take your ski holiday or work your winter season, the venues who host your après of choice work tirelessly all winter (having prepared all summer!) to ensure their loyal customers and seasonnaires are given a great experience off the slopes, as well as the one they’ve enjoyed on the slopes. 
The last few après parties now feel like a very long time ago, but the culture of après ski is deep in the hearts of venue managers, seasonnaires, holiday makers and of course, musicians alike. Whether your après involves dancing on the terrace tables at sundown or enjoying live music whilst seated in a cosy bar, each and every après ski venue can’t wait to welcome you back very soon.
We at Après Ski Bands asked the managers of our client venues, “Which top après ski songs do you associate most with your venue? And which tunes would you like to hear performed more in the future?” Here’s what they said…
Straight off the bat, Jimmy & Mel at Jack’s, Méribel responded with, “‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’ by Tears For Fears, covered by Jay Tamkin & Paddy James and ‘Caravan Of Love’ by the Housemartins, covered by the mighty MAPS. “This third song was always introduced with the announcement, “Get ready..!” The regulars knew what fun and madness was about to hit… Those new customers were always in for a mega treat as Pink Miami performed ‘Thunderstruck’ by ACDC and the place went wild! It was definitely Jack’s anthem of the 19-20 winter season and it gives us shivers just hearing it!”
ACDC’s ‘Thunderstruk’ is also a hit associated with Cocorico Val d’Isére and Victor and his team love to hear it played each day by their DJ as well as any band who’ll take on this huge hit! The Trends remember the audience going wild when this was played. The Cardiff-based band also loved the response to ‘Lola’s Theme’ by Shapeshifters. “We all remember it being a big hit with the audiences at both Cocorico VDI & Cocorico Tignes“.
Speaking of The Trends, have you heard their cover of ‘Blinding Lights’ by The Weekend? If not – it’s in the playlist! Why? Because Harriet from La Tania‘s Pub Le Ski Lodge & La Taiga said that this would be a track she’d like to hear more at après in the future. Along with some more Spice Girls hits (“I’m a 90s girl!” says Harriet!) and Harry Styles’ ‘Watermelon Sugar High’. So these are in the playlist for you, my dear! Pub Le Ski Lodge & La Taiga’s après hits are ‘With Or Without You’ by U2, ‘Lovely Day’ by Bill Withers and ‘The Chain’ by Fleetwood Mac.
Sian Hayley Smith associates La Taiga with ‘Believe’ by Cher because, “It always gets the room singing along and jumping – whatever age or nationality!” (We can guarantee that Sian sings it with much more expression than Cher ever could!)
Will and the Smithy’s Les Deux Alpes team were straight to the point with the song requests that rock their venue! The Wombats with ‘Moving To New York’ and the controversial, ‘Killing In The Name Of’ by Rage Against The Machine. Some venues have banned this song! So Will Burrows is one brave man allowing the carnage to unfold at Smithy’s when it’s in a set list! And since it’s the kind of track to ‘shut it down’, we’ve put as the closing number on the playlist!
And what would Smithy’s Will love to hear played more at après? “We’d actually love to hear just about anything right now!!!” Agreed, Will. It’s far too quite for us in them there mountains, too! ‘Basket Case’ by Green Day is Smithy’s third après hit, so that’s gone in the playlist. Conveniently so, as another venue manager requested more Green Day at future gigs. So we dedicate this hit from Dookie, to our darling Darren from the Doron Pub, Méribel! Daz also says, “For the Pub let’s go with, ‘All My Life’ by the Foo Fighters, ‘Can’t Trust Myself (With Loving You) by John Mayer – a classic set opener from The Wingmen each week. And ‘Sit Down’ by James.” Clare, manager at Scott’s Bar said her musical associations to Scott’s are definitely Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ and ‘Go Your Own Way’ by Fleetwood Mac. Guys – they’re all in the playlist!
Si at La Taverne in Méribel’s town centre, began with a local hero classic for the venue’s first après hit! ‘This Door’ by the delectable Al Jones! (If you know Al Jones, then you know. If not – check him out. He’s kind of a big deal.) Swiftly followed by ‘Express Yourself’ by Charles Wright and then the legendary, sexy and witty Wednesday night track, ‘Business Time’ by Flight Of The Conchords! And what would La Taverne like to hear more of..? ‘Thriller’ by MJ, of which Si says, “Probably controversial, but all the same…” We can’t deny it. It’s a great tune. So we’ve gone with the extended version! (Until someone sends us a strongly worded letter and makes us delete it).
Speaking of controversial songs, it’s the Rond Point aka ‘The Ronnie’ who’s banned ‘Killing In The Name Of’ by Rage! Too much Tom Foolery followed the performance of this song, so Omar said a firm “Non!” to any more performances! However, he and the managers all agreed on these three corkers for their Ronnie après bangers, “Definitely ‘I Bet That You Look Good On The Dance Floor’ by Arctic Monkeys, ‘Valerie’ – the Amy Winehouse & Mark Ronson version. And Sister Sledge’s ‘Lost In Music’, dropped by Bubble + Crisp at their Wednesday après, for the ultimate hands in the air, dancing on the tables at sunset, feel good vibe!”
Taking it over to the Funky Fox Courchevel 1650 & L’Elephant Le Praz, manager Jonny loves to see these venues go off with; ‘Proud Mary’ by Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Killers’ ‘All These Bad Things I Have Done’, ‘When The Sun Goes Down’ by the Arctic Monkeys and the irresistibly good, foot-stomping hit ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl’ by Jet. Jonny Says, “Wild card entries I’d like to hear more at après are ‘Funkytown’ / ‘I Feel Good by Luckychops”. We can tell you now, this is a cracking track. A new one to us at Après Ski Bands so we were pleased to discover this gem! Cheers, Funky Fox & L’Elephant crew!
Jez at La Terrasse du Village, Méribel Village also went with ‘Sit down’ by James, as Bring Your Sisters would own this track in their weekly après upstairs at Le Lodge du Village. Hobo Chic‘s ‘Sex Machine’ would get customers of all ages groovin’ and partying. The Too Many T’s track, ‘Better Than’ also makes the playlist as Jez recalls, “We love having the T’s boys gig here! They made our final après go off back in 2019 and it’s one I’ll never forget. ‘Better Than’ sends me back to that day and crowd, every time I hear it!”
And what about the musicians? They gig in so many great venues but some songs just transport them back immediately to a particular place and resort. Fernando Fher Costa said that ACDC’s ‘It’s A Long Way To The Top If You Wanna Rock n Roll’ screams of The Marmotte Arms in Tignes. And The Eagle’s ‘Hotel California’ was always his most requested song at the Frog and Roast Beef in Val Thorens.
Ben Vickers said he’s always had a great reception from every audience, including the Jack’s crowed, whenever he’s performed ‘High Ho Silver Lining’ by Jeff Beck. “It’s always a classic singalong!” The Mardy Johnny Depps would get the seasonnaires singing along each time to Robyn’s ‘Dancing On My Own’.
Al Jones’ requests for Ray Charles’ ‘I’ve Got A Woman’ would be a regular feature for those après-ing at the Loop Bar in Tignes. Hitting those hight notes probably ain’t no thang when you’ve got a whole crowd singing it straight back at ya!
So whether you’re working from home, managing the takeaway from your currently closed venue, home schooling your kids or simply trying your best in life whilst dreaming of the next time you’ll #skiandparty – this playlist’s for you! ‘Now That’s What I Should Call Après’… enjoy, après fans! Keep the faith and share this with those you’ve partied with on the slopes. We’ll see you back on those terraces very soon!
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Then share this playlist with fellow après ski fans so everyone can get a taste of the songs they know and love! We’ve added in a few classics for good measure, also. Think we’re missing any big tunes in this line up? Subscribe to our YouTube channel and send us a message with the song & artist you think we need to add!
