Radio Red
We are an online radio station from San Juan, Puerto Rico. We play music that is outside of the spectrum of music played by Puertorican commercial radio. Our content is produced by established and emerging artists in our electrifying local music scene.
These mixtapes were produced during the early days of the COVID lockdown in PR. They feature the work of Helado Negro, Bairoa, Arieshandmodel, Kelman Duran and Payola Isabel (produced for her residency with Abrons Arts Center). They present a mix of moods and genres like merengue, baile funk, reggaeton, club, ambient and safari.
Radio Red is a radio station based in Puerto Rico. Follow it on Mixcloud here
Reform Radio
Reform Radio is an online station broadcasting the best in music, arts and culture from Manchester to the world.
Beyond making incredible content, Reform uses the framework of it’s online station to support young adults into employment. We’re a not-for-profit that delivers creative workshops alongside genuine opportunities to develop and practice new skills within our industry standard station and arts organisation.
You don’t need us to tell you 2020 has been a challenging year for the music and creative industries. We’d just got our new studios in the heart of Manchester open and were ready to begin a year’s worth of gigs and workshops in our adjacent venue when lockdown hit. It’s been heartbreaking to see a space, normally a vibrant hive of activity, sat gathering dust but the resilience and adaptability of our staff and community has been nothing short of extraordinary.
We quickly moved to offer our DJs support to produce programmes from home and pivoted work to provide paid opportunities to artists during these difficult times. In some ways it feels like we’ve had more content then ever, with people having more time to explore their music and we’ve done some great online events such as Earth Day, We Out Here and our 24 hour, all female and non binary takeover. We’ve selected some highlights from these here but we encourage you to check our full schedule and roster of artists and DJs as frankly, we think they are all just mint.
Reform Radio is based in Manchester, UK. Follow the station on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, MixCloud and YouTube
Mr Scruff & Mc Kwasi x We Out Here Festival 2020
Probably the moment of the year for us. The joyous and extended final set of our Jäger x Reform Stage at We Out Here; Online and On Air. The festival was our biggest challenge to date, pre recording safely with over 10 bands and scheduling a similar amount of DJs over the weekend for 20 hours of Manchester’s finest.
Scruff and Kwasi were last up and came into the studio determined to raise as much money as they could for the chosen Black Lives Matter charities and boy did they. The reaction was insane, with the total shooting up throughout their set. The We Out Here team were messaging us frantically to encourage them to carry on, which they agreed to but only if people donated more, which they duly did, it was pure magic.
Thanks to theirs’ and everyone’s efforts we raised £7,508 by the end of the event, just demonstrating the strength of the music community in coming together and doing what’s right, even when facing their own extraordinary challenges.
For more information and to donate head here and please check out all sets from the weekend, you can watch via our YouTube for some surprise dancers too.
Funded by Jägermeister & Arts Council England
Citizen Boy 22nd April 2020
24 hours, 24 counties, 24 DJs all celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. It felt really important to connect the world in this way especially during the pandemic and the sense of unity felt online was palpable.
From Mexico to Morocco, we broadcasted these specially produced shows from a hand-picked line-up of established and emerging artists, each representing their own corner of the global underground music scene, many featuring exclusive and unreleased music.
We were delighted to welcome Gqom’s youngest veteran Citizen Boy representing South Africa, with a mix including songs from Citizen Boy, Mafia Boyz & Dj Nerd (representing the label Gqom Oh!), as well as some exclusive unreleased productions.
#JagerReform - From Manchester With Love w/ Jenna G & Rev Austin’s Social Distance PSA Mix 9th April 2020
#JagerReform From Manchester With Love was formed after a discussion with our partners Jägermeister, who agreed we needed to double down on our efforts to support independent artists during this difficult time. With links and information on funds, resources and areas of support for freelancers and creatives, the show became a weekly live touch point for our community during lockdown. The reaction to this first mix proved that, with our phones pinging off like they never had before.
Jenna came up with the idea of asking DJs to do a Public Service Announcement mix and this first one from Rev Austin is as close to genius as you can get in mix form and brought a well needed bit of humor during a dark time.
Check out more of her shows, featuring artists such as DJ Marky, Madam X, Bryan Gee, DJ Die & many more over on our MixCloud.
DR MYSTERY 26th January 2020
On Saturday the 25th of January, Reform Radio hosted a 24 hour takeover, featuring an extended schedule of shows from a curated roster of distinguished and burgeoning DJs, artists, collectives and hosts based in both the UK and across the globe.
We welcomed artists who are pushing great, authentic and forward-thinking music across a diverse range of genres that are represented by this line-up which we put together in an effort to highlight and celebrate just some of the female, transgender and non-binary artists around.
In this mix, DR MYSTERY, accustomed to the airwaves of Reform Radio, is shifting away from the dancefloor taking you into meditative territory by exploring the depth and space between and within tracks.
Izzy Bolt Invites Proc Fiskal 12th April 2020
Reform Radio resident Izzy Bolt invited Edinburgh based Hyperdub stalwart Proc Fiskal for an astonishing mix, including all of his own compositions, honing bright shiny experimental grime and luscious melodic content.
In July, Izzy Bolt celebrated her first year of residency on Reform Radio. Her bi-monthly show saw many guest mixes from artists around the world, such as Sonia Calico, DJ Pacifier, Ice_Eyes and Kindohm.
Reprezent
Reprezent's 2020 has (like many platforms) been a rollercoaster. Highlights have been the energy from presenters as we switched to being a fully remote station in March during lockdown with presenters all live from their bedrooms, huge shows from Lianne La Havas, Flohio and Ray Blk alongside outstanding interviews, such as Razor and Ghetts and Casskidd with Pa Salieu. Watching our team move onto shows with Kiss, BBC 1Xtra, Radio 1 and so many more has just reaffirmed who we are and what we do!
Reprezent is a radio station based in Brixton. Visit its website here
Sable Radio
Sable Radio is a Black-led online independent radio station broadcasting on Thursdays from a former convent turned digital arts hub in Mabgate, Leeds. The station was borne out of a necessity to platform Black and Brown artists, provide creative opportunities whilst incorporating a variety of artistic practices.
Although 2020 has been a turbulent, and frankly, depressing year with our studio being closed for most of it; our hosts have continued to remind us why the project bears so much significance. From Mellowdramatic’s somewhat disparate and detached sounds to Nara Nahicana effortlessly meandering through dembow, r’n’b instrumentals and dancehall to the emotional whirlwind of Clangistan Vol. XI which spans everything from Thom Yorke to breaks – these 5 mixes are some of our highlights from the year.
Sable Radio is based in Leeds, UK. Follow the station on Instagram and SoundCloud
Seoul Community Radio
Despite the stop-start craziness of COVID-19, 2020 was a pivotal year for Seoul Community Radio. After 4 years in its inaugural home, the station moved from its original bunker studio and upgraded to a cool new studio-bar space round the block in Itaewon - Seoul's main hub for electronic music culture. SCR also struck up a mutually beneficial monthly exchange residency with London’s Rinse FM, helped out fellow struggling cultural businesses with its 'Community Service' initiative and connected Seoul to other global music destinations with its online 'SCR Connect' series.
Below are examples of the above and a few memorable mixes from the new studio.
Seoul Community Radio (SCR) is Seoul’s first independent online underground radio platform, broadcasting local talent to a global audience 24/7. Follow the station on SoundCloud here
Subcity Radio
Even before the pandemic it's been a difficult time for the arts in Glasgow; established and underground spaces have been disappearing at an alarming rate, while more corporate and stagnant institutions continue to absorb the little money available. However, Glasgow’s local and community radio scene has been flourishing - helping to grow, connect and encourage the diverse talent we have here. 2020 marks Subcity Radio’s 25th year of freeform community radio and we couldn’t be more proud to present some of our favourite radio from the last 12 months.
Subcity Radio is based in Glasgow, UK. Follow the station on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
Hardcore Queer Action x Fast Muzik - Subcity Radio Freshers Festival 2020
As the finale to a massive city-wide virtual festival we were happy to host a titan of a coalition between two of the most fast and fun parties around. Both IRL and URL, residents Joey Mousepads and Poog1rl have built a devoted following of ravers with their blend of "big", "silly" and "borderline unlistenable" happy hardcore worship.
Listen here
Nice Pipes - Ronaldinho - Football's Greatest Entertainment
Ex-station manager, Subcity’s personal archive and the widely beloved boosterhooch has been a shining part of the local club scene for years as both a DJ and a promoter. Here she presents an hour of bouncy club and sad funky tunes.
Listen here
Mood - got the flu but at least im hallucinating
DJ Srirachas (also a long time volunteer with Subcity Radio’s design team) brings a heady mix of calming experimentation that comes crashing into club mayhem. See also the shimmering Here but not yet, the wonderfully sleepy Murmuru, and the spiky Escapology.
Listen here
Passion Play - Passion Play w/ Seb Ymai
A fiery slice of radio that kept us going through some of the greyer months of a pretty grey year. Passion Play (aka much loved local Matthew Arthur Williams aka Junglehussi) is joined by Glasgow based punk polyglot Seb Ymai for a fun and colourful hour.
Listen here
[Underthunder] - death episode
[underthunder]'s unique exploration of poetry and high velocity club sounds has long been a Subcity favourite. Since her first live set at a Subcity party last year we’ve loved to see the growing buzz around this artist. This mix saw [underthunder] switching gears and grappling with the subject of death: journeying through foreboding ambience, choral recitation and contorted electronics; heavily featuring excerpts from the tape journals of AIDS activist David Wojnarowicz.
Listen here
The Lot Radio
We’re thankful to all our DJs for sharing music with our listeners while adapting to unexpected changes in programming and logistics - doing remote live sets and pre-recording their shows from home for most of the year. They truly held our community together even when physically apart, bringing much needed moments of joy and relief to our airwaves.
Here’s a selection of sounds from different corners of the United States in 2020.
The Lot Radio is based in New York City, USA. Follow the station on SoundCloud, MixCloud, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
AceMo, MoMA Ready, Kush Jones, DJ SWISHA B2B (New York)
Cosmo & JADALAREIGN (New York)
Divine Interface & Stefan Ringer (Atlanta)
quest?onmarc (New York)
Shigeto & Father Dukes (Detroit)
The Weatherdrive
Although Andrew Weatherall's righteous musical and cultural teachings ceased in 2020, the Weatherdrive archive has been continuously maintained and updated - growing to over 1100 hours of musical education. Fans, friends and collaborators have uncovered and shared rare shows and special mixes that Andrew had done for them, effectively continuing the generosity Andrew was renowned for.
In the run up to Christmas there is something new or refound being put onto the Weatherdrive Google Drive archive and the Mixcloud daily including radio shows, mixes, full DJ sets and compilations drawn from the many charts created by Andrew over the decades.
Do go check out the drive, it’s particularly relevant for our lockdown times but if you haven’t got the full 1100 hours spare, then the 5 listed below represent 2020’s highlights as decided by The Flightpath Estate (Dan Snape and Martin Brannagan).
AW and Bobby G Kiss FM 1991
The earliest radio show on the drive sees Andrew joined in the studio by a post-Screamadelica Bobby Gillespie, and the pair run through FSOL, S’Express, via varying stimulants and into Pharaoh Saunders, Lee Perry and the Dub Syndicate. “Amazing” says Bobby G in October 2020....he’s not wrong. Listen here
AW Café Oto, London for Swiss Nove Festival, February 2019
Recently shared by Sean Johnston (ALFOS / Hardway Bros) 2 hours of Andrew in rather expansive form. A low slung definitely left of centre set, exploring jazz, psych, and all places in-between. “listen closely........listen closely, you will be transported” Listen here
The weird and funky world of Wevvers
Kindly donated to the Weatherdrive by Chris Galloway of Soft Rocks. A collection that accompanied their road trip to Liverpool in 1998/99, featuring Manfredd Mann, Ananda Shankar and Electric Prunes (plus a host of others that remain unknown). A sound that sets the blueprint for the Finders Keepers crate digging imprints to come. Listen here
A Love From Outer Space @ Phonox 21/2/20
Where would the ALFOS brethren be in 2020 without Brother Sean Johnston and his incredible Emergency Broadcast Systems? (14 and counting are available in full on the drive). This 6 hour+ live set, from Phonox just days after Andrews passing, was a true homage to his musical partner, covering 10 years of ALFOS anthems and Weatherall productions / remixes and favourite tracks. Sean described the whole night as "Fiercely Beautiful" which sums up his amazing set. Listen here
David Holmes – The Songs That Andrew Taught Us
First released as part of Curley’s amazing ‘Fail We May Sail We Must’ tribute with the Glade Area, Glastonbury, which featured 13 mixes by Andrews friends and collaborators. This is a real labour of love that shows David’s amazing ability of creating a soundtrack. Archived interview extracts segued into Throbbing Gristle, A Certain Ratio and several of Andrew’s own productions and remixes. David produces a soundtrack of huge emotional depth that captures the very essence of Andrew; all that he stood for, and ultimately what we lost on 17/02/2020. Listen here
The Weatherdrive is an online archive dedicated to Andrew Weatherall – RIP
Worldwide FM
For a lot of Worldwide FM listeners, Louie Vega was one of the heroes of the initial lockdown. He tirelessly broadcast an incredible five days a week from his New York studio, giving us all something to dance to and look forward to every day to momentarily escape our troubles. The Masters At Work legend delivered a series of excellent tributes and deep dives, with Luther Vandross and Donny Hathaway among our favourites, but this exposition of the infamous FANIA label was an education and a joy to listen to, interwoven with contributions from the likes of DJ Spinna and John Morales.
Mahogani Music: Moodymann, Amp Fiddler, Andres & Flo Real
It was unreal to bring together the talents of Mahogani's Flo Real, Moodymann, Andrés and Amp Fiddler - all incredible artists and DJs in their own rights - to celebrate the unifying legacy of Prince. This expansive mix will offer something new for even the most dedicated fan of the Purple One, including rare versions, original edits and live recordings. If you are still left wanting more, check out journalist and broadcaster Kate Hutchinson’s fascinating exchange with Prince’s longtime collaborator and recording engineer Susan Rogers.
This was a blissful hour from Amsterdam selector Kamma who has since become a regular voice on Worldwide FM presenting a monthly show with her Brighter Days co-promoter Masalo. Opening and closing her mix by paying tribute to the late Japanese artist Ryo Kawasaki, this set is underpinned by funk and grooves woven across genres and decades. It's a highlight from Global Roots’ excellent International Tribe series, whose archives warrant further exploration if you haven’t dipped into it before.
One of the most powerful shows of the year came from our long term collaborator and the founder of Artform Radio in Los Angeles, Adrian Younge. In the wake of the death of George Floyd, Adrian found the words and the music to articulate so many of the raw and complex feelings underscored by his murder. Open your ears and mind for some of the most educational, uncomfortable and compelling specialist music radio you will hear this year or any other.
OK, technically this mix broadcast in the last week of 2019, but Nairobi DJ Coco Em has been a breakout star and it’s been a privilege to see her journey behind the decks and on the radio so we really wanted to highlight her work. We’ve seen her broadcast live from the outskirts of Marrakech, to an International Tribe guest spot through to her own regular programme on the station which broadcast for the first time last month. In this set, Emma draws for a breadth of styles including Kenyan House, Lingala, old school Kwaito and more.
1020 Radio
1020 is a radio station based in Bristol. Check out its website here
