Rebel Radio

Where would London’s music scene be without pirate radio? There would be no jungle, UK garage, or grime music, for one thing, and legendary stations like Kool or Rinse FM would never have existed. To celebrate the radical influence of pirate radio that still impacts London’s music scene today, the Barbican is putting on a month-long programme of broadcasts, talks, workshops, club nights and screenings that will explore the history and impact of community radio, and Black British music. 

Highlights from the programme include plenty of musical sessions and parties, such as: a month-long residency by Reprezent Radio, broadcasting live from a custom-built studio in the Barbican’s foyer, with special guests including DJ Spoony, Norman Jay and Daddy Ernie; and a one-off club night hosted by Rinse FM at the Barbican’s ClubStage.

On the more intellectual side of things, the Barbican Cinema will screen a series of archive films exploring the world of pirate and community stations, including youth radio documentary Airwaves of Rebellion: Youth, Identity, and the Fight for Community Radio and 1970s LGBTQ+ thriller Young Soul Rebels. 

On top of this there will be panel talks curated by Tobi Kyeremateng from Them Ones Presents, with speakers including Richie Brave, Laura ‘Hyperfrank’ Brosnan and Aniefiok Ekpoudom. And a music and memory sharing session will be hosted by DJ Bid, formerly of Rock-to-Rock Radio, that will allow members of the public to request songs and share their memories from them in an open forum.