In Priase Of BBC 6Music

The BBC has recently announced that they are to cut several of its services, most prominently its wonderful digital station BBC 6 Music. Launched in 2002, it is a radio station that can genuinely claim to be by music fans and for music fans. I have owned a digital radio for a year and a half and over that time, have come to view 6 Music as not so much a radio station, but more a warm, erudite and informative friend who I can always turn to and enjoy whatever hour of the day (unless the odious George Lamb is on).


BBC 6 Music is one of the few radio stations that can genuinely claim to have an eclectic playlist. On its airwaves you will find indie, hip hop, dance music of all eras, jazz, funk, prog, pop, folk, pretty much most musical genres you can think of, as if the station is the brainchild of the biggest music geek in history. I have discovered new bands, and been introduced to lots of wonderful new music, and regularly hear new (and old) music that would have otherwise passed me by. To some, this approach could seem elitist, like the staff in the Notting Hill Record Exchange (or its fictional counterpart shop in ‘High Fidelity’) but the real beauty of the station is the warmth of its presenters as well as their knowledge. The superb breakfast show, hosted by Shaun Keaveney always starts my day on a good note and Keaveney is a great host, sounding more like a cheerful early morning mate at a breakfast bar. The Adam and Joe slot on Saturdays (on hiatus now, but returning) is always a delight and a worthy successor to their classic 90’s series. Mark Riley, with his playlist consisting of new bands and classic Peel sessions is always a great dinner companion on weekday evenings.


Even when the station has ‘celebrity’ guest DJ’s it is always because of their musical knowledge and warmth of character. Jarvis Cocker’s recent slot has been a fine recent addition, as are Bob Dylan’s Theme Time Radio Hour (admittedly a US import), and above all Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour on Sunday evenings. The Elbow frontman may be my favourite of all the presenters, his witty deadpan delivery combined with a genuine love of music makes him as fine a host as I’ve ever heard.


Sure, it isn’t perfect. George Lamb, now thankfully sidelined to weekend mornings (when I’m usually asleep) was a total disaster for the station; an attempt to bring a Radio One aesthetic to a station that neither wanted nor needed it. But nevertheless the loss of this station would be a real pity. It offers vital exposure for new bands to the market that really need it: proper music fans. It is a station that entertains, informs and educates in a way that the countless blogs and pitchforks can never entirely do. The station is a worthy memorial to the legacy of John Peel, and proves that his spirit is still very much alive in the BBC corridors. In its absence where would music fans turn to? Q Radio is too much indie-by-numbers, Radio 1 aims too young, Absolute Radio is too MOR as is Radio 2, XFM may well be the choice for most but it doesn’t take any risks in its playlist, nor does it have the calibre of presenters. To lose BBC 6 Music would create a massive hole on the airwaves, and be a truly sad event for those who love music, and want to listen to a station that perfectly understands that love. Although I am sceptical of such things, the Rage Against The Machine facebook campaign did prove that people can get galvanised, at least to the point where the news will report certain facebook groups existence. Therefore please visit www.love6music.com and sign/tweet/join whatever you can, and if you don’t then go to the BBC website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/) and discover why this wonderful little station is worth saving.