FEATURE:
No Better Station
BBC Radio 6 Music, the Mercury Prize and Beyond
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LAST night…
RAYE won the Mercury Prize for her album, THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. I wrote a feature where I said the Mercury Prize will be won by either RAYE or Olivia Dean. Dean’s album, The Art of Loving, was a huge commercial success. I said Dean would win, but I am glad that RAYE won. It was an incredible award ceremony. Held at the Utilita Arena Newcastle, I was following along on BBC Radio 6 Music. Hosted by Deb Grant and Nathan Shepherd, they were broadcasting live from Newcastle. More than write about the Mercury Prize and RAYE’s deserved win, I have particular pride in BBC Radio 6 Music. Their coverage was exceptional. Lauren Laverne was hosting. Matt Everitt was interviewing artists nominated and was the first to speak with RAYE when she came off the stage following her win. Their passion for the ceremony and the way they covered it was brilliant. I am already looking forward to next year’s ceremony, as again they will be there and covering things. Even though the winner has been crowned, I would still advise people to check out the episodes Matt Everitt presented, where he looked at the dozen nominated albums. Many of the artists speaking about their albums. You got a real insight into each artist and the record. Everitt also predicted RAYE would win too! It is brilliant that a station can do something like this. It is not only the Mercury Prize that makes me proud of BBC Radio 6 Music. There is so much going on. As I write this, Lauren Laverne is presenting and her show is dedicated to Amy Winehouse. Her album, Back to Black, turns twenty. “Marking 20 years since the release of the late musician's iconic album ‘Back to Black’, 6 Music celebrates Amy Winehouse and her important contribution to music. We'll be playing music from Amy herself, her musical heroes, and those she continues to inspire. In the final hour of the show we'll be playing music from Amy's personal jukebox, and Lauren Laverne will be in conversation with Darcus Beese OBE who signed Amy”.
It is a brilliant time to follow the station. I know other radio stations have special episodes and go deep, but BBC Radio 6 Music do it all the time. It is a pity that I do not have more time to listen to the station. Working full-time, I try and catch it as much as I can. Looking ahead, there is a lot to look forward to. The station turns twenty-five in March, so I know there will be celebration around that. One of the biggest regrets is not being able to work for the stations and get involved that way, as it would be a dream. Though listening and getting all these audio treats is great. When they spotlight an album or do an artist feature. Marking twenty years of Back to Black. There is something about BBC Radio 6 Music that you do not get with other stations. This unique edge. I think that BBC Radio 6 Music is the best station in the world. Their endless passion for music. The fact that they do so much. Not a lot of people write about them. Very rare that you get any features about the station. Their listening figures are high, though you kind of wish there was more written about the station, as some people are missing out. I was listening along last night at the coverage of the Mercury Prize. It is hard to put my finger on it. Some stations merely nod to it. BBC Radio 6 Music go deeper. You can follow BBC Radio 6 Music on Instagram. Go and listen back to their Mercury Prize coverage, and also check out their celebration of Any Winehouse and Back to Black. Rather than just do a social media post, I did want to write a bit more. No real huge point or conversation. Just me fondly looking back last night and the exceptional Mercury Prize coverage. It is not an isolated thing. The station is always putting these incredible programmes on. In fact, rather than Lauren Laverne solely discussing Amy Winehouse, the station is dedicating the day’s schedule to her. I would compel everyone to listen back to all the shows. I started with RAYE and her Mercury Prize win. This ambitious and long concept album, RAYE said how much she valued albums. I think that is why BBC Radio 6 Music cover the event. They love the album and what it means. In an age of streaming and people handpicking tracks, we need to truly connect with the album and its value. The Mercury Prize is that recognition of the album. The best from the U.K. and Ireland. One of the criticisms this year was that the shortlist was made up of major artists and very little in the way of emerging talent. A deviation from its purpose and roots. Though I think this year is an anomaly in that sense and next year will see a shift towards newer and independent artists. In any case, I did want to shout out BBC Radio 6 Music and their coverage. And what the station do every day. That is to produce this world-class and incredibly interesting and passion broadcasting. If you are not aware of them and are not yet tuned in, I would encourage you to…
START listening now.