Who hasn’t tuned in to the radio? The range of music, entertainment and news we have had access to due to the medium is just unimaginable.
Let’s just say, Radio is Fun. Cool. And, it’s here to stay. In honour of World Radio Day (February 13th), we elaborate on the role of music radio and its significance to the music industry. It’s surely our day!
For years, record labels and radio stations have worked together, with radio broadcasting proving to be a powerful and cost-effective media tool. In other words, for a song to be successful, music radio inarguably has to be a part of that journey.
Radio As A Social Medium
Despite the onslaught of digital music, radio stations still play the biggest hits in various genres and are up to date with the latest trends in pop culture. Radio knows all about the hits and the misses, with substantial statistics to back it all up. For instance, a countdown playlist of all hip and happening songs. And, these songs that you hear on the radio make it your playlists, for sure.
The importance of radio is noted when we observe that new music is first dropped off at local and then international radio stations before the maker can decide whether or not to go ahead with a music video. Interesting, right?
A good radio station will be well connected to the music scene and its local community and will be at the forefront of breaking music news, and other content relevant to its audience.
In this digital age, anyone can share music on an online streaming platform, and that vast accessibility comes with stiff competition and a saturated market. In such a case, being associated with radio is a prominent way to stand out. Streaming music online still has a long way to go if it has to overthrow the current standard, radio.
Artists On The Radio
Radio is an inherently social service and both radio and the music industry have been going hand in hand for a very long time. Many artists have launched their careers on radio and several musicians have been able to build a rapport with the public because of it.
In the 60s pirate radio stations experienced a dazzling rise. The most famous of them, Radio Caroline, which broadcast in 1964 from an old Danish ferry. The first song on their airwaves was ‘Not Fade Away’ by the Rolling Stones.
In 2020, when the world was struck with a global pandemic, radio stations were a steady source of news and entertainment for its listeners. Music enthusiasts could even watch their favorites perform live in the comfort of their homes.
Sheryl Crow Leaves A Memorable Performance!
Country singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow did one such memorable performance. The singer commenced her ‘Radio 2 Live At Home’ performance with the sound of fake applause – a tongue-in-cheek, hilarious way to feel a little bit closer to normality. Sheryl was reunited with bandmates who she hadn’t seen face-to-face in months, and they peformed some of her finest hits, including ‘If It Makes You Happy’, ‘Soak Up the Sun’, and ‘Everyday Is A Winding Road’.
She’s not the only one who has wowed us with stellar performances. There are many who’ve stolen our hearts on the radio. Here are some of them:
The ease and convenience of a terrestrial medium that is radio, has allowed us to enjoy music immensely in a time when instant gratification is highly valued.
By: Anjana Sathyanarayan