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free : at home
Too rainy to step outside your front
door? How about some London diversions from the comfort of your own home?
radio
I talks
radio
There is a seemingly endless supply of radio stations
on air in the city, so in order to help you weed out the drivel, we present
the londonlostandfound mini guide to London radio.
BBC London / 94.9 FM
Anyone over a certain age in London will always say that BBC London is
not as good as GLR, before the Corporation stuck it's Big Branding Company
logos over the station. However, what you also need to know is that most
of those people haven't actually listened to BBC London. The programming
is intelligent, and they always manage to pull prestigious guests to come
and shoot the breeze.
Highlights include Sean Rowley's eclectic mix of funk, soul, jazz, reggae
and whatever else takes his fancy on Saturdays from midnight, and Robert
Elms' infinite knowledge of the back streets and hidden beauties of our
fair capital.
Ear factor: 4/5 great for those who like to hear a good ol' debate
on the wireless.
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Capital / 95.8 FM
I have just completed a Google search for London Radio and the
second listing was Capital FM, described as 'London's favourite radio
station'. Well trust us it's not a favourite at londonlostandfound. It's
cynical, it's boring and the play-list never verges from the charts. What
more can I say about a radio station that has hired ex-children's TV presenter
Andi Peters, and still employs 80s guru 'Dr' Foxy.
Highlights are hard to find, but I guess Margherita Taylor has some value
with live sessions from 10pm on school nights.
Ear factor: 1/5 Need to mix up the play list. Must try harder.
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Jazz FM / 102.2 FM
It does what you expect - a London radio station that plays jazz, blues
and soul. Unfortunately the station has an extra healthy helping of cheese,
with shows like Late Lounge, Real Party Night, Smooth Jazz
and Niccceeeeeee (no - I made that one up!).
Highlights might include Tony Blackburn on a Saturday night - has he gone
far enough down that path to be a cult hero?
Ear factor: 2/5 A bit more trad jazz and a bit less chatter please.
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Kiss / 100 FM
Everybody tells me I'm too old to enjoy this youf friendly radio station.
But I don't care. There is something incredibly positive about Kiss FM,
with it's Street Boy stunts, and the afternoon hip hop mixes. The play
list is pretty strict in the day, with a staple diet of R'n'B, hip hop
and a few dance tunes, but what it lacks in innovation it makes up with
endless enthusiasm.
Highlights include the zeitgesit show from Reverend Milo, with the latest
electro-clash bootlegs. Unfortunately you need to stay up until 3am on
Monday morning to hear these musical treats.
Ear factor: 3/5 if you want some fun and enthusiasm this station is
for you.
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LBC / 97.3 FM
It's kind of like a Radio 2 dedicated to London. Without Terry Wogan.
Like BBC London there are more discussions and features than music, but
the pace is a lot slower.
Highlights include Sandi Toksvig's show at midday every day in the week.
Sandi manages to blend a great mix of intelligent questioning with humour
and whimsy.
Ear factor: 2/5 There is a reason Angela Rippon is no longer on television,
but LBC don't seem to realise this.
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XFM / 104.9 FM
This is undoubtedly the first station you should listen to if you are
looking to hear new alternative and indie music in London. Again, most
Londoners will all say that it was better in the days before Capital Radio
bought the station, and admittedly it did go through a bit of a rocky
patch, but it seems to be back on its feet with refreshing innovative
programming.
Highlights are undoubtedly X-Posure, presented by Claire Sturgess and
John Kennedy from 9pm to 1am, which introduces a wealth of new musical
talent, most of whom are truly great and far superior to just about everything
you will hear throughout the rest of the day.
Ear factor: 5/5 Music fans unite. Keep up the good work guys.
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talks
Gresham College Talks
The lectures take place at Gresham College at Bernard's Inn Hall in Holborn,
but can also be seen via live web casting. For a full programme visit
www.gresham.ac.uk/index.html.
Tate Gallery Talks
If you don't have the time or the inclination to pop along to either of
the Tate Galleries to hear a talk, but are still interested in learning
about issues in contemporary art, why not view a web cast on the Tate
gallery website. There is a full and varied list of artists, including
Anish Kapoor, Martin Parr and Jake Chapman. Visit http://www.tate.org.uk/audiovideo/archive.htm#artiststalks
to hear and see some fascinating talks and discussions.
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