After much anticipation, we’ve lost our Virgin-ity and Absolute Radio has officially arrived! To celebrate, we’re bringing listeners the very best in live music with exclusive performances from some of the best music acts the world has ever known. Whether that’s Coldplay live in Munich or The Kooks performing an acoustic set in the Absolute Radio Zoo Lounge, you’re guaranteed the very best seats in the house.
Absolute Radio understands that real music is the kind that stands the test of time – that’s why our playlist spans 40 years and 100s of bands which any self-respecting music fan would be proud to have in their CD collection. We believe that singing live is the true hallmark of talent and in the next month listeners can hear the kind of performances that are simply impossible to recreate.
So if you’ve ever sung your heart out in the rain at a music festival or listened to a band that made the hairs on the back of you neck stand up, this one is for you…
The Road from V to A, Friday 26th September from 4pm – 7:45am Monday 29th September
We’ll be counting down to the big switch from Virgin Radio to Absolute Radio by working our way through the alphabet with a catalogue of classic tracks that take listeners from V to A. Starting with songs beginning with the letter V, we’ll then move on to U and eventually end up with songs that start with A. Think of it like the yellow brick road but with better sound effects.
Ultimately however, this weekend is about celebrating everything that made Virgin Radio great since it first went on-air 15 years ago and looking forward to an exciting future as Absolute Radio. DJs past and present will be popping in to talk about their highlights and we want listeners to call and get all nostalgic too. There’s so much to fit in that we’ve even scrapped the adverts!
The Launch of Absolute Radio on the Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show, 7:45 am Monday 29th September
Burn the toast, be late for work, just don’t miss out on this jam-packed show as Virgin Radio officially switches over to Absolute Radio at 7:45am this Monday morning.
Christian O’Connell will be getting the party started but to really get it rocking, we need as many listeners as possible to be part of the action. Today is not about the DJs, bands or celebrity guests, it’s about our listeners and that’s why our listeners will be voting for the first song to be played and uttering Absolute Radio’s first ever words live on air.
You can also find out what happened when the Breakfast Show team went to Munich with Coldplay and we’ll be revealing exciting details of an extra special Breakfast Show that’s happening later in the week.
It’s the making of history and the start of a radio revolution!
Nickelback on Ben Jones Monday Night Live, Monday 29th September, 21:00 – 22:00
Ben Jones talks exclusively to Nickelback singer Chad Kroeger backstage at Wembley Arena. This band are simply massive and the UK loves them. Their most recent album All The Right Reasons has already sold 7 million copies in the U.S alone. Chad will be talking about their follow-up, ‘Dark Horses’, released on 17th November and Ben Jones will be featuring the first single from it; Gotta Be Somebody, which has a classic Nickelback hook and a big pounding bassline. Chad also talks Ben through Nickelback’s all-time favourite rock bands – including Guns N Roses, ZZ Top and the mighty AC/DC.
Kings of Leon on Ben Jones Tuesday Night Live, Tuesday 30th September, from 22:00 – 23:00
In this Kings of Leon special, Ben Jones talks to the band about why they turned their back on drugs, how the UK saved them from being dropped by their record label and how they’ve come on since that first performance at Glastonbury. Listen to the tracks that inspired them and enjoy an array of music from their back catalogue, the new album and no.1 single Sex on Fire. We’ll also be giving away a guitar signed by all the band.
Coldplay Live from Munich on Geoff Lloyd’s Hometime Show, Wednesday 1st October, 19:00 – 20:30
Absolute Radio travelled to Munich with the multi-award winning band as they played a sell out gig at the Olympiahalle. Soak up the atmosphere as we bring you every electrifying moment.
Absolute Abbey Road. Noel Gallagher, Live from Abbey Road Studios with the Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show, Thursday 2nd October, 6am – 10am
The Christian O’Connell Absolute Radio Breakfast Show is relocating to Abbey Road for the day and Noel Gallagher is just one of the acts who will be joining them for an extra special show. Other acts being lined up include Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, Kaiser Chiefs and Giles Martin, the son of legendary Beatles producer George Martin.
Oasis: Dig Out Your Soul, Monday 6th October, 22:00 – midnight
On the eve of their sell-out tour, hear the long awaited seventh Oasis album in it’s entirety as Absolute Radio celebrates the return of the original boys of Britpop. Ben Jones will also be counting down the Top 10 Oasis singles of all time as voted for by Absolute Radio listeners.
Slash in conversation on Ben Jones Tuesday Night Live, Tuesday 7th October, 21:00 – 21:30
The Guns N Roses legend talks to Ben Jones about Mr Les Paul – the man who invented the multi-track recorder and the solid body electric guitar. What a guy.
The Verve Live in Concert, Tuesday 7th October, 21:30 – 23:00
Wigan’s finest totally nail it at the V2008 festival. Absolute Radio bring you the gig in full – uninterrupted; all the hits. You lucky lucky men.
The Police – Live performance, Wednesday 8th October, 20:00 – 23:00
Join us for a selection of amazing tracks performed live by The Police on their world tour in summer 2008. Absolute Radio is the only radio station in the world to feature The Police Live in 2008.
Kaiser Chiefs on Geoff Lloyd’s Hometime Show, Wednesday 8th October, 19:00 – 20:00
On the day the band kick off their UK tour with a hometown gig in Leeds, Geoff Lloyd will be talking to the band and featuring tracks from their 3rd album, ‘Off With Their Heads’
The Coral Live performance in the Absolute Radio Zoo Lounge, Thursday 9th October, 21:00 – 22:00
Mercury Music Prize nominees, The Coral, drop by the Absolute Radio Zoo lounge to play songs from their Singles Collection. A premiere performance that will also be available to watch online
at Absoluteradio.co.uk
Keane, Live in London – the full gig, Monday 13th October, 21:00 – 22:00
This Ivor Novello award-winning band just keep getting better and better and here at Absolute Radio we’re massive fans. That’s why we’re the only radio station broadcasting live from their gig at a very special venue in London to be confirmed. Join us for exclusive backstage access and an individual chat with each member of the band.
The Kooks Live in the Absolute Radio Zoo Lounge, Tuesday 14th October, 22:00-23:00
They burst onto the British music scene with their incredible best-selling album Inside In/Inside Out and now The Kooks go back to basics with a stunning acoustic set in the Absolute Radio Zoo lounge. Geoff Lloyd will be featuring highlights from the set – including fan favourites like ‘Ooh la’ as well as songs from the new album.
Eric Clapton – Live performance, Wednesday 15th October, 23:00 – midnight
Another amazing find in the One Golden Square vaults as rock legend Eric Clapton performs live at the Hard Rock Calling Festival in London’s Hyde Park. Turn this up loud.
REM Live in concert from Germany, Thursday 16th October, 22:00 – 23:00
Without doubt one of the greatest bands in the world, R.E.M. are now on their 14th studio album and still delivering knock-out performances to their army of fans. Absolute Radio is right at the front line and will be broadcasting live from their sell-out concert in Dresden. If you already have other plans, we suggest they get cancelled now.
The Fratellis Live in the Absolute Radio Zoo Lounge, Tuesday 21st October, 21:00 – 22:00
Another of Glasgow’s finest music exports, The Fratelli’s, take time out from their world tour to chat to Absolute Radio DJ Ben Jones and play a selection of great tracks from both their top five albums. Another premiere performance that will also be available to view online at Absoluteradio.co.uk
AC/DC special on Ben Jones Wednesday Night Live, Wednesday 22nd October, 23:00 – midnight
Living legends AC/DC are back after 8 years and tonight we have them all to ourselves. Expect the unexpected as singer Brian Johnson and guitarist Angus Young talk to Absolute Radio DJ Ben Jones about their 35 years in the music business, and having what it takes to keep up the pace. In 2008 they’re more relevant than ever, even outselling The Beatles in the last year.
More to come; between now and December Absolute Radio will be featuring exclusive live performances from more of the world’s greatest artists – including… Snow Patrol, Paul Weller, Stereophonics, Razorlight, The Killers and Elbow.
