Commercial radio is largely a joke these days thanks to the homogenisation of local radio stations into a dreary 'the same six songs, all day long' identikit brand that has nothing to do with the local area. These days we are spoilt for choice by streaming and by the convenience of podcasts yet for some reason, radio is still a massive deal. The BBC regional stations still provide a good service when it comes to news, sport and current affairs but falls short when it comes to documentaries these days, and it is a good thing that each region has a BBC Introducing strand to help nurture local music. Apart from this rather weak choice, terrestrial radio is in a poor state and recently it became poorer.
Radio 2, once the station your grandparents favoured, fought against its reputation and successfully replaced the slippers for Converse during the early 2000s and employed DJs that reflected the station as the place to go if you were too old for Radio 1, but too young for the knackers yard. It became an eclectic station with specialist shows that catered (off peak of course but that has always been the way) for all tastes. Radio 2 had a little sibling born in 2002 when BBC 6 Music came along, which although offering a slightly edgier alternative, has in recent years fallen into the playlist and automated trap (it's a brilliant series but how many times are they going to repeat Alan Freeman's History of Pop?) apart from Sunday which has shows from Cerys Matthews and Jarvis Cocker among others going off-road. Obviously they missed out on having The Sunday Alternative despite it being tailor made for the station but never mind.
Our habits have changed in recent years when it comes to how we consume television and radio in a way that video recorders and home taping didn't manage, our ability to watch or listen online. Many is the time that we have watched EastEnders on the laptop when we have missed it, remember when we had to wait until Sunday afternoon to watch the omnibus? I personally listen to podcasts more and more, as do a lot of people as they are there for you when you need them. Internet radio stations are on the rise of course, although a few of them don't make it (it's a pity that Trent Sound didn't last as that genuinely was a proper local radio station for the area) which is a shame as they cater for a far broader audience than terrestrial. However, for some strange reason FM radio is still seen as important. Surely nobody makes an effort to sit down and listen to it these days? Mainstream radio is mere background noise while you're pottering around the house, in the car or working and don't need to concentrate too hard on what you're listening to. The exception (to me) was when Danny Baker did a daily show on BBC Radio London which was such compulsive listening and such a masterclass in how to present a radio show that it was taken off the air. Danny Baker's on-air comments towards the management made for a legendary two hours of radio that prompted comments about why axed presenters aren't usually allowed to present their last show. This was typical of the BBC attitude to quality radio. Mark Lamarr quit Radio 2 in 2010 due to the lack of support from the station and in doing so he took away one of the last truly great radio shows.
Of course there are still some fine presenters at Radio 2 but for how long? I suppose daytime is safe, Chris Evans is a radio natural and the daytime line up of Ken Bruce, Jeremy Vine and Steve Wright is a popular one. Daytime radio doesn't challenge though so the truth is that anybody could do what these four men are doing. The way that Radio 2 seems determined to destroy itself is by taking away those presenters who drift away from the mainstream. Recently Janice Long (a music lover from the Peel school) and Alex Lester were taken off the overnight slot, and Brian Matthews has been relieved of Sounds of the Sixties, one of the most fascinating shows running, due to his prolonged absence for health reasons. Dermot O'Leary's show on a Saturday afternoon was like a gateway into the world of 6 Music without getting too cool, but was a credible radio show that hosted live sessions and showcased 'proper' music, and now it has gone. Jo Wiley has taken over and while she is a good broadcaster with a knowledge of music, she is too serious for Saturday afternoons and belongs in the night shift with the proper presenters. Dermot's appeal was his cheery manner which made him a good choice for the slot, a training he has had from his other life as a light entertainment television presenter.
It is worrying to see what Radio 2 is doing to itself, the way things are going it won't be long before they fuck it up completely by giving Nemone a job.
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The first edition of The Random Sessions Podcast is available here.
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