Published: Wednesday, 17th March, 2010 9:00am

Turning up the volume

by Sarah Stead

Comments (0) | Print | Email

The BBC's plans to close 6 Music have sparked loud opposition - not least in Berkshire's music scene, as SARAH STEAD found out...

BERKSHIRE'S top talent has spoken out against the likely closure of BBC 6 Music.

The radio station was earmarked for the axe as part of the BBC's cost-cutting measures in February, sparking a mass outcry: Facebook groups, Twitter #hashtag debates, email-writing campaigns, the lot.

There are even good old-fashioned petitions (but electronic petitions, of course).

Tommy Sanders, frontman with Reading's Pete And The Pirates, has featured on BBC 6 Music with his solo side project, Tap Tap.

He told The Guide: "It's awful, it really is. People said there'll be complaints because 6 Music has a small but firm following.

"It doesn't matter how firm the following is now, it seems that if it's small, it'll go.

"I don't know what radio station I'll listen to if it closes."

Objections to the proposed closure have come from all directions in the entertainment world.

Graham Steel has been a permanent fixture in Berkshire's music scene for the last 25 years: he was general manager at Windsor Community Arts Centre, worked at Slough's West Wing Arts Centre and is currently events manager at Jagz in Ascot.

He said: "One of the strengths of BBC 6 is its commitment to playing original music from relatively unknown acts.

"At a time when X Factor-type acts are dominating the charts with covers of old hits, it is important that there is an outlet for new music and new songs.

"If the same thing was about to happen to Radio 3 there would be twice as much outcry because classical music is seen as an art form and therefore needs priority.

"But I would suggest that there is as much creativity involved in some of the music being produced at the moment, which appeals to a wider audience and is not generally funded, and should be represented by the BBC."

Shane Daunt, who runs Reading-based Black & White Promotions and is booking manager at the Oakford Social Club, echoed the sentiments: "BBC 6 music closing would be a travesty for breaking new acts, it's often the only outlet for radio play for emerging artists."

The planned closure is part of the BBC's strategic review which would also involve axing the Asian Network radio station, cutting spending on imported shows and halving the size of its website.

The sheer scale of the reaction to the cuts has lead some to, perhaps optimistically, speculate that 6 Music will ultimately be saved.

Sam Hunt, programme manager at The Firestation Arts Centre, Windsor, said: "6 Music is a fantastic platform for new artists.

"It retains the spirit of indie music before the digital revolution, when the NME was relevant, musical eclecticism was encouraged and a generation of Dr Martin-wearing youths would buy albums based on hearing a single on the radio.

"But times have changed. It is a shame that they have chosen the one part of the BBC that has something interesting to say to shut but luckily for 6 music their audience demographic is a very vocal and powerful minority and it looks unlikely that it will be shut now.

"This scare should help both Radio 1 and Radio 2 buck up their ideas and pull them back from the brink of generic auto-pilot.

"Mind you, if it did shut it would take George Lamb off the air and if that is the price we have to pay to get him off the radio I'm kind of inclined to back its closure!"