Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
New radio station launches dedicated to under-represented music genres
Leeds Dance Community Radio Ltd (LDC Radio) will broadcast from a space within the basement of the James Graham building at LBU’s Headingley Campus, and feature hip hop, R&B, urban, underground and Northern Soul music.
The station founders are aiming to set up a 24/7 public broadcast service that is specific to the community it serves, celebrating the racial and cultural diversity of Leeds as a city.
It’s hoped LDC Radio will give ethnic minority groups a voice whilst also providing a platform to unearth the best local talent.
The station, which has the potential to broadcast to millions of homes across Leeds and the surrounding areas, will deliver a daily schedule of music, news, information about upcoming local events and travel updates.
Several high-profile artists such as Tony Walker, Tom Zanetti, and Carl Kingston will present shows along with community artists who are at the forefront of the local music scene.
LDC Radio will also provide work placements for LBU students, supporting them to acquire new skills in radio production, journalism, public speaking, radio content generation, and the profiling of new music.
Listeners can tune in when shows and the full schedule go live at 12pm on Wednesday 17 June, broadcasting on 97.8 FM.
Dr Oliver Bray, Director of Arts in the Leeds School of Arts at LBU, said:
“The Leeds School of Arts is delighted to welcome LDC to our university. The station is a critical part of the cultural landscape of the region and will be broadcasting to a rich and diverse demographic.
“We’re particularly looking forward to collaborations between LDC and our students across the School, including those working in music, sound, creative technologies and performing arts. This will be an outstanding opportunity for our students to help launch and deliver radio broadcast reaching across the city and region.”
LDC Radio was awarded an FM broadcast license by Ofcom in May 2018 and will be the first FM radio station dedicated to dance and underground music since Kiss 105 shutdown in 1997.
Presenters will keep listeners informed about upcoming local events and raise awareness on important issues affecting local communities.
Local businesses, council initiatives and educational institutions will be able to use the station for promotion, and community outreach projects and workshops will also be invited to submit content for broadcast.
The Love to be... Show which brings the sound of their early years in the 90s to the super club is hosted weekly by U.K house masters Tony Walker and Marc Dennis, and they will now be joined by Grammy Award winner David Morales.
Daniel Tidmarsh, Director at LDC Radio, said: “LDC is not only about music, it’s also about giving people in the city a voice and a platform for expression.
“The radio station will cover an eclectic mix of music, from anything that is under-represented on commercial radio including from local artists. Everyone involved in the project has impacted the Leeds music scene.”
Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:
“We are very happy to have helped LDC launch this new radio station, which will add to the already rich cultural mix of our city.
“It’s a great credit to the strength of the team behind it and the creative talent we have in Leeds that this has been achieved during lockdown and it should bring valuable community links and a bright new sound in these challenging times.”