Probably a question for any British folks who are perusing ... I listen to BBC Five Live a good bit online. I sometimes try out their other shows, but I haven't found many music shows I like. Liz Kershaw on Radio 6 seems OK, but too many of their music offerings are either bad dance music or weird metal. If I'm someone with good memories of XTC, the Sundays and other such intelligent alt-rock of the 80s and 90s, which shows should I check out?
I have the same memories as you. That was such a golden age for not just music, but British music in particular. If you're stuck on the BBC, I'd recommend Steve Lemacq's show on BBC Radio One. If not, I'd check out Xfm. If you can sit through the interspersed 50 Cent, Nelly, Nickleback and Limp Bizkit they play, you'll find some real gems.
I think I heard Xfm while I was last in London. I occasionally check out John Peel, and I'm aware of his history, but he too frequently opens with something I simply don't want to hear. I'll check Lemacq. At least the BBC is a bit more predictable than RTE, whose Radio 1 and Radio 2 offerings are all over the map in the same hour.
If you are looking for that same 80's-90's progressiveness in a modern form I highly suggest you listen to Zane Lowe's show on Radio 1
The Very Same ! It's a really nice mix of old and new stuff, a little less obscure than Peel and none the worse for it. Cheers CM P.S are you going to be in London any time soon?
Radio 1 There may be something like what you want later at night on Radio 1, but you have get past "Bangin' house choons wiv DJ Scrotum", or the joke that is Tim Westwood. I fear Zane Lowe will be a butt-licking sycophant trying to look credible, like when he did MTV 2 but I could be wrong. Just don't touch Radio 1 during the day, it's simply awful. It's strictly playlisted with crap and the DJ's are all tossers. Radio 2 is more for the middle-aged market, whilst radio 4 and 5 are more news orientated (4 the more serious, but has comedy, wheras 5 is a bit lighter). Not too sure about digital radio, because I don't have it.
Wow, I had no idea he was a BBC jock...I checked his profile on the BBC website, and am surprised to see his CV so broad. I've gotta hear his show now. Thanks for the tip. There's an outside chance that I'll be in London just before Christmas, but most likely not until February. I was actually considering flying in special for a Wonderstuff/Voice Of The Beehive gig I was invited to...that's gotta be a hoot!