Comfortably Numb with a cuppa and a twix? Yes Please! by Ben Jones

01Aug

Hey guess what, the radio station is changing! Version 2.0 starts this autumn and I for one can’t wait. We have such a huge amount of talent across all floors at Golden Square that I think radio in the UK is unaware what a sleeping giant we are, and will be, come September/October!

So, what is it we do? Yeah we have a great business online, an industry beating sales team, but essentially we are a music radio station. That is what the UK public expects from us. People tune in to hear music. Obviously at breakfast many tune in to hear Christian, sometimes the music is just part and parcel to the total programme he delivers, but outside of that the main reason for listening is the music we play.

I am a big fan of the music on Virgin, I was brought up in a house that had a constant Springsteen/Stones/Who/Bowie/James/La’s/Oasis soundtrack, so compared to other broadcasters at other stations in London I’m like a pig in sh*t at Virgin. BUT we are all aware of some of the criticisms this place has faced over the last 10 years. In fact it is not just here, but the whole of commercial radio that has been famous for tight playlists + high rotations = increased hours and reach. You certainly can’t argue with that equation when you see the success of Heart and Magic. Both of whose entire playlist would fit on a iPod nano!

However as Sheryl Crow once sang, ‘a change would do you good’ – so from the start of the new brand you will hear the same great artists you love, the new ones, the classics, along with the best of the new music. BUT you will also hear more variety, more from the back catalogue of the Police, Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, and so on. Why not play Comfortably Numb at 3pm on a Wednesday afternoon? How about Ziggy Stardust, or Fat Bottomed Girls, In the City by the Jam, or Bend and Break from Keane (which just happens to be the best thing they’ve ever done but never released as a single!)

So, I need some help from you again, you know the music we play currently, who and what do you think we should be playing come the autumn? Are there bands you think we should be playing that we don’t? Are there great tracks by the artists we do play they you don’t hear, and you think we should?

Let us know……change is coming.

Ben.jones@timlradio.co.uk

Like Virgin Radio, only better!

Categories: Brands Guest posts Music
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Posted by admin on August 1, 2008

Comments (20)

  1. Niko @ August 1, 2008 at 9:27 am | Permalink

    Reading this gave me goosebumps. I’ll look forward to it, Ben – and to everybody else at One Golden Square.

    Speaking of Keane, I believe “Bend and Break” was released as a single – according to Wikipedia, however, it was only released in Germany and Austria, like another single of theirs, “Try Again”…

    …ahhhh, I happen to be a Keane fan.

  2. Stubbsy @ August 1, 2008 at 11:08 am | Permalink

    “Something to belive in” by The Ramones came on my ipod this morning and reminded me what a greta song it is. More mainstream that a lot of their stuff and would sound great on air afterall we play The Clash.

    I think the DJ’s should be given the freedom to champion a song if they have heard a demo it and like it, maybe they get one a week that they have the freedom to play and get behind. If the listeners like it, great if not it doesn’t get played again.

  3. buckley boy @ August 1, 2008 at 7:36 pm | Permalink

    Mmm – a bit of Dylan would go down a treat!

    I’m really not sure why people insist on labelling him ‘folk’ – there really isn’t a better expression of the bitter, angry, sharp heart of rock than songs like “It’s alright ma” and “Don’t think twice”.

    And then there’s Elvis Costello! “Man out of time”, “Watching the detectives”, “Pump it up” … I could go on!

    And finally the mighty Jeff Buckley; forget “Hallelujah” and play any of his hard rock tracks that make your blood pump and your heart ache with loud emotion.

    But what I want more than any of the above is to be challenged; not all the time, but every now and then. And not in a dainty fearful way. Give me an hour of music that I might not like – risk offending me, tell me why it is great music. Push me!

  4. M. @ August 1, 2008 at 7:38 pm | Permalink

    Bands you should be playing ? More Muse please…lots more.

    And Tool. Definately Tool. Not that you will, but it was worth asking…

    You do sometimes play The Cult – a classic British band, but you only play the same song by them…they have more, you know…!

    More Jimi Hendrix too – and not just more plays of the same All Along/Crosstown/Haze songs.
    Janis Joplin, The Doors…and how can you not play The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band ?

    :)

  5. london-girl @ August 1, 2008 at 9:21 pm | Permalink

    I think there should definitely be more classic rock played on the new station.
    I agree with buckley boy — Elvis Costello would hit the spot!

  6. Malin @ August 3, 2008 at 2:22 pm | Permalink

    I completely agree with you Ben, also how about introducing more international talent to the playlist. So many great American bands that would be well suited for the new vision.

  7. Niko @ August 4, 2008 at 2:02 am | Permalink

    With all this, I wonder how the other digital stations would fit into the entire mold?

  8. loopingstar @ August 4, 2008 at 7:34 pm | Permalink

    Please tell me you’re bringing the Jack FM format to London …..please………pretty please :-)

  9. Marty from new yawk @ August 4, 2008 at 10:03 pm | Permalink

    When Jack FM came to new yawk, they threw out all the DJs off the station (WCBS-FM). Why would you want that?

    Subsequently, Jack FM was thrown outta new yawk. We couldn’t tolerate the obnoxious asshole voice of Jack FM which reveled in telling the listeners that they would play what Jack FM wanted to play.

    No friggin way!

  10. Mick @ August 5, 2008 at 10:51 pm | Permalink

    Just PLEASE don’t tell me you’re gonna start playing the type of sh*te other stations play, r+b, hip hop etc etc!!
    If you do,you’re in danger of turning into a crappy twee ‘local radio’ type station……..i’m getting VERY worried!

  11. Phil @ August 6, 2008 at 12:33 am | Permalink

    Well I’m a bit worried by the teeny tat that is the Katie Perry song that you’re currently airing… and I’d pay money to never hear those Greenday songs or anything by the appalling and lyrically naïve Razorlight ever again.

    I could happily go a bit of Tori, The Concretes, Catherine Feeny, Imogen Heap, Beth Orton or even Lambchop though.

  12. Niko (from Manila) @ August 6, 2008 at 9:26 am | Permalink

    Well, they said earlier that Jack FM wouldn’t be extended. And besides, it’s a national brand – you have lots of investment, just to fire all the jocks?

  13. Richard @ August 7, 2008 at 9:54 am | Permalink

    Currently there is very little variety in show format on Virgin. The same presentation style from each DJ, playing the same records, can be heard throughout the day. How about a show dedicated to profiling the career of a particular band/artist each day. Or, a show where an album is played in it’s entirety. I also think that more of the music from the current Classic Rock/Xtreme stations should be played on the main station.

  14. Claire @ August 8, 2008 at 12:27 pm | Permalink

    As a Bon Jovi fan, I’ve been wondering why is it that most of the time all we ever hear of Bon Jovi is Living on a Prayer and Keep the Faith?

    There are a number of great tracks on their albums that never get played because they weren’t released as singles.

    How about Shot through the heart, Something to believe in or Wild is the wind for a change?

    I’m sure the same is true of many other bands. It’d be nice to hear more of the hidden gems.

  15. Simon @ August 9, 2008 at 3:41 pm | Permalink

    I agree with Richard, the show formats could be so much more varied, profiling artists careers, looking deeper into their back catalogues, entire album plays are excellent ideas.

    How about giving the listener more choice too? When there are new songs released, play 2 back to back and ask the listeners to vote which one to keep and which one to be dropped from the playlist?

  16. Phil @ August 10, 2008 at 3:18 pm | Permalink

    Ultimately, it’s about loosening the format (he says with authority, as though his opinions genuinely matter!). As time goes on, I find that, The Geoff Show aside, I can only listen to Virgin for an hour or so before the sameyness starts to grate. I hated Valerie in the first place, and now there are two versions of the wretched thing. Both parties have produced much more! At these times of frustration I can usually be seen knocking at the door of 6Music, who consistently surprise and enlighten with their variety of choice, or Radio 2 who although a little more conservative, still occasionally make you go, “Ah, I haven’t heard that in a while”.

  17. Tim George @ August 10, 2008 at 7:32 pm | Permalink

    This is exciting news indeed! I thought that Virgin was simply changing its name this Autumn, but to hear that you’re broadening your music choice is great news.

    Like everyone else, I love the stuff you play, but it is simply played too much! The Hoosiers, The Feeling, Sweet Child of Mine…the repetition of hit songs really does drive me crazy.

    Anyway, some suggestions of mine for great un-heard songs:

    Coldplay: “Green Eyes” or “A Message” – both fantastic album tracks that I’d choose over “Clocks” any day

    Anything by Death Cab For Cutie or Elbow, two incredibly underrated bands

    Some more unusual Chili Peppers records, like “Dosed” or “I Could Have Lied”

    “How to be Dead” or “Same” by Snow Patrol – again two brilliant album tracks.

    Oh and yes, defintely, definitely “Bend and Break” by Keane!

    I could go on about this topic for ages and ages…

  18. Hels @ August 14, 2008 at 4:00 pm | Permalink

    Many years ago I started listening to Virgin when a promise was made that during the working day no song would be played twice.
    Now that was pure brilliance and such a shame it didn’t last. I did however stay listening. So to go back to a spontaneous non conformist ‘play list’ would bring fresh air to a stale format that seems to emanate from all commercial stations. I look forward to hearing the change and wish you all the best in a brave now era.

  19. Tee Dee @ August 14, 2008 at 6:39 pm | Permalink

    I’ve been a loyal listener for many many years. I have to agree with a lot of comments on hear regarding the repetition of Tracks and Artist’s. I was having a conversation the other day when a new release came on – I actually switched my radio OFF !!! as i’m in fear that it will be “Played to Death” and I’ll end up hating the track. With so much great music from the past and present artist’s producing some fantastic tunes we deserve a change.

  20. Arr H @ August 16, 2008 at 12:28 am | Permalink

    I agree with not repeating songs, maybe playing new releases 2-3 times a day.

    I’d like to hear more album tracks instead of the popular singles, Keane – Bend and Break is a brilliant song, songs from coldplay’s new album “42″, “strawberry swing”.
    We only hear viva la vida and violet hill. Bands like Snow Patrol, Keane, Coldplay, The Kooks and Muse.

    One last thing i now HATE Nickleback – Rockstar, how many times has it been played? It is the most played song on the radio. I’d like some change.

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