Adele – Set Fire To the Rain (04/07/11)
The phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down, as more and more people discover the incredible voice of Adele Atkins. This is the 3rd single release from all-conquering album ‘21’.
Kings of Leon – Back Down South (27/05/11)
The band’s anthemic ode to their southern homeland – and one of the stand-out tracks from chart-topping album ‘Come Around Sundown’. It’s sure to be a highlight at their forthcoming headline appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival.
Scouting For Girls – Love How It Hurts (10/07/11)
1 of 4 new songs on a repackaged edition of album ‘Everybody Wants to Be On TV’ – released July 18th. Watch their live (but silent!) gig for Absolute Radio and Smart Car here.
All Mankind – Break The Spell (27/06/11)
Very promising debut UK single by new Australian band, with album on the way late Summer.
The cathedral – designed by Sir Christopher Wren more than 300 years ago – is more usually a venue for state occasions such as royal weddings and funerals.
The Crypt itself is the resting place for Admiral Nelson, The Duke of Wellington, Florence Nightingale, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Henry Moore which didn’t go unnoticed by the band – Guy Garvey name checked them all at the beginning of his set saying, “I hope you’re all enjoying yourself!”
He also said; “This is a bit unusual, isn’t it? Apart from being a lovely room, it’s steeped in history. Whatever you believe, you can’t help but feel something where people really believe. This is a big thing for us.”
The spellbound audience, made up of lucky Absolute Radio winners and station VIPs were treated to a full hour long stripped back set which the band had rehearsed especially for the gig. The atmosphere was nothing short of magical as Guy Garvey and the gang quickly warmed the crowd with a swell of strings, keys, guitar, base, keys and signature vocals that resounded throughout St Paul’s rising up through the Crypt into the Cathedral.
The full gig will be broadcast on Absolute Radio on the 5th June from 7pm you’ll also be able to watch it full high-definition on-demand at www.absoluteradio.co.uk.
Watch what the band had to say to Dave Gorman ahead of the gig.
What makes a good radio producer and what do they actually do? A bloomin’ good question and one that was tackled last night at a Radio Academy event that Absolute Radio helped to organise. Frank Skinner’s Producer Emma Newman joined a panel featuring Scott Solder – Editor of 5Live Breakfast, Paul Thomas – Producer of Radio 1 and Phil Critchlow who we all know from TBI Media. It was hosted by LBC 97.3FM’s James O’Brien who described the relationship between a presenter and producer as ‘the most important relationship in a radio station’.
So what were the conclusions? A good producer should be prepared before a show but also prepared to give presenters freedom and allow them to use their creativity. They should be thick skinned and understand their role is to help the presenter to shine, no matter whether it’s speech, music or news. Don’t over-use the word ‘no’, but make sure that people understand that when you say ‘no’ you really mean it. There was lots more too
The Radio Academy holds loads of events over the year and they’re free to everyone at Absolute Radio. Most radio groups are members and if you’re reading this and work at a hospital, community or student radio station then you can apply to be an affiliate member. http://www.radioacademy.org/join/
The events are varied so go along – the more the merrier.
If you’re interested in what some of the best radio presenters in the UK think makes a good producer – have a listen (Westwood is particularly brilliant). We’ll start with one of the best – BBC Radio 5Live’s Peter Allen. Our very own Christian O’Connell joins in the debate along with many more. See below
So the final whistle has blown on our first season of Rock ‘N’ Roll Football Live - and what a season it has been.
We’ve had so many unforgettable moments and most of those I’ll treasure warmly for a long time to come. To those guests who kindly took the time to give us exclusive interviews – Frank Lampard, John (Johnny Rotten) Lydon and Rio Ferdinand to name but a few, thank you. We also couldn’t have done any of this without our fantastic callers – you truly are the best.
My own personal highlight was by far the last day of the season. With Manchester United clinching their 19th Premier League title, all eyes were on the bottom of the table going into the last nail-biting 90 minutes of the season. As games kicked off across the country, nobody could have foreseen the enthralling, exhilarating, dramatic end that faced us. As results changed, the table did too and every kick of the ball mattered. Suddenly the excitement in the studio began to build as we all watched Survival Sunday unfold – it was almost too much to absorb. The day came to an end and as floodlights were switched off, shutters brought down and turnstiles locked, it was time for an exhausted, emotional Rock ‘N’ Roll Football team to bid farewell to Blackpool, Birmingham and West Ham.
I’d like to thank each and every person who contributed to a fantastic first season on the show. That said, it won’t be long before we’re back, starting it all over again….but what will Season 2011/2012 bring? You’ll just have to tune in to find out.
You may recall that in November 2010 Absolute Radio’s sales team won gold at the Campaign Media Awards for Radio Sales Team of the Year. Well, we’ve just received another nomination… National Sales Team of the Year in the forthcoming Arqiva Radio awards.
This is a pretty big deal if you work in radio – mainly because the nominations are awarded by senior folk from the wider agency world, rather than a small panel of judges, so it’s hopefully a sign that we’re delivering work that our contacts value. And we’re in great company too… Global Radio and GTN have also been nominated.
This takes Absolute Radio’s total count to a fantastic 8 nominations this year. The results will be announced on the 6th July at the awards night… so there’s definitely enough time for us all to buy a new pair of shoes and get a haircut.
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