What do I remember? Quite a lot actually

23 days in May 1990, what do I remember? Quite a lot actually. I was living in Brighton, had spent a couple of years producing short films and music videos, and was ready for a new challenge. I can’t remember where I heard about the new radio station, probably a flyer or post card remembering Brighton at that time. I recall getting in touch with Daniel and Eugene, by phone in those days – no email, and pitched up with a group of fellow radio enthusiasts for a briefing session where roles and jobs were discussed and accepted.

I signed up to help produce an early evening arts programme to be called “Brighton Up” and presented by the very talented Sally Kennedy. I also offered to help produce some live music sessions featuring local bands, not quite realising how challenging this might be. “Brighton Up” proved to be a big success, probably due to Sally’s professionalism and others beavering away behind the scenes to ensure a daily stream of lively and vibrant guests. Either way, I enjoyed the experience of welcoming the emergent stars who were typically in Brighton for the famous festival.

But radio programmes don’t find their way into your radio on their own. We needed technical experts like Mike Craig and his team to pump signals over the airwaves. Mike was also the person we turned to get the live bands on the air. I remember turning up to the studio at something like 8pm to prepare for the live music slot at 9pm. Mike would casually stroll in at 5 minutes to 9 explaining that he knew that the bands would be late. He wasn’t wrong. In the end it worked well and we managed to get quite a few acts onto the Brighton Festival Radio evening schedule.

Overall early 90s Brighton is a hazy memory. I recall making some good friends at the time and having a good time hanging out in the rapidly converted temporary studio, as well as some moderately well-earned down time at the nearby Basketmakers Arms pub. It was a great experience, and an inspirational initiative where a lot of luck and enthusiasm all fell into place. At the time the idea of a whole station built around dance music was pretty radical. But this was Brighton and somehow it all made sense.