Global Electronic Community Unites For 48-Hour Radio Takeover
While the pandemic continues to create barriers, underground dance communities across the world are coming together in a show of solidarity with a 48-hour global radio takeover.
The livestream will take place on Friday 30th October with DJs transmitting from 9 countries, including sets in London, NYC, Tokyo, Oslo, Sydney, Turin, Lisbon, Ibiza and Berlin throughout the weekend.
Paying homage to London’s rich broadcasting history and DIY attitude, the transmission will kick off with DJs from South-East London music space and event series AAJA.
The 48-Hour Radio Takeover schedule includes a variety of London based DJ’s throughout the weekend including AAJA founders Everson and Owen Howells (Patch the Whale), and Rinse FM’s dedicated old-skool jungle DJ, Uncle Dugs, who is behind the newly launched ‘We Are Viable’ campaign pressuring the government for a roadmap to re-open live events.
The weekend will also include a special performance from the godfathers of Drum & Bass and South-London descendants Fabio and Grooverider taking to the decks on the Saturday night.
Throughout the weekend international DJs will take the reins, with sets from Oslo’s infamous garage collective Lokka FM, Italian disco producer Birdee, Techno-spinning resident of Tokyo’s Vent Club, Reki, and a session from the masters of leftfield dance, Sydney’s Something Else Record Store.
Also featured across the weekend will be music from Berlin’s leftfield-leaning breakbeat and experimental label, Ecke, and sets from WRECKEDnyc’s very own Ron Like Hell in deepest Brooklyn, with more surprises to come throughout the Halloween weekend.
Presenting a united front of DJs across the world, the 48-hour transmission looks to highlight the vital importance of community radio and its pivotal role during the pandemic, needed now more than ever.
As well as bringing attention to a number of underground communities, the stream also looks to raise awareness of the #WeAreViable movement — a campaign created to bring together and unite all corners of the entertainment industry to help safeguard its future and deliver a safe return to normal.
About AAJA
Everson & Patch the Whale
Organiser of the virtual event stream, AAJA is a community based online radio station, party series and event space located in the heart of Deptford, South East London and run by esteemed DJs, promoters and producers Everson (Samuel James Willott) and Patch The Whale (Owen Howells).
Since opening in September 2018, their acclaimed parties have featured the likes of Fabric resident Terry Francis through to Mancunian breakthrough artist Finn, Bristol connoisseur label, Banoffee Pies, British hardcore legends 2 Bad Mice, turntablist hero, DJ Food and Lobster Theremin boss Asquith. AAJA reopened their venue in July, hosting a series of socially-distanced “raves” and are growing the radio outlet to further support local DJs who have found themselves out of work due to the pandemic.
AAJA’s Everson & Patch the Whale commented: “As avid listeners, DJs, event & radio organisers in the current climate, it felt more important than ever to continue to share music, collaborate with DJs, artists and listeners. In these very disconnected and uncertain times, we must keep dancing, listening and sharing music.
Our 48 hour worldwide stream, which skips around the world twice, touching down with different crews in different cities is to celebrate our SE London station, AAJA, draw attention to the #WEAREVIABLE campaign, hoping to return live entertainment, safely as soon as possible. All whilst enjoying some wicked music.”
AAJA resident Conor Jatter added: “As an AAJA fan and resident from the station’s modest beginnings, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the community grow thanks to the far-reaching programming and events over the last two years. Radio has never felt so important as during this pandemic, bringing local DJs, selectors and music lovers together to share and cherish their discoveries. I’ve been playing the AAJA Breakfast Show every weekday during lockdown, aiming to provide positive energies and restorative sounds drawing from recent inspirations, old favourites and a couple of surprises along the way. I’m very excited to be starting the 48 hour broadcast and inviting a global audience into our humble arch in Deptford”.
Tune in at aajamusic.com from 10am GMT, 30 October
Follow AAJA’s Instagram for live stories from each location.
