We know we’re probably preaching to the converted here but still, for any artist, the support of their local media can mean everything during all stages of their career. Community radio stations across the country are discovering and supporting some incredible Australian music on the daily – theirs is support that is guaranteed to be long-lasting.
Programmers invest in the art early and will oftentimes follow an artist through all periods of creative evolution! Now, when it comes to engaging with programmers, hosts and station directors, it’s a big job to be able to be across every station, developing relationships with a rotating door of names and shows each year.
As part of beehive’s music marketing and publicity services, we offer artists radio servicing and radio plugging packages, ensuring that your music is in the position to be heard. Radio plugging is all about pitching your music to relevant stations, pitching for station rotation, pitching for interviews and any possible on-air coverage your song can garner.
Part of our job when it comes to radio plugging, is to determine the best shows that fit your sound, and to present your track and the story behind it, to the tastemakers who have the ability to add and spin it.
Australia has a stack of community radio stations in each state, but when you need to be across the state of play, it sometimes helps to get to know the majors first. Not just in your city, but the other capitals too.
Sydney
FBi Radio is an independent youth broadcaster, and one of Sydney’s beloved community radio stations. Their mission is to shape and amplify independent culture in Sydney. They’ve been on air since 2003, delivering the best in new music, arts and culture.
FBi plays 50% Australian music, with half of that from Sydney, making this a huge priority for any NSW artists in particular, to target when it comes to radio plugging.
2SER is one of Sydney’s longest running community radio stations, making its broadcasting debut in 1979. The station features a broad and diverse range of programming, with local support remaining a definite highlight.
Through its programs, and the making of programs, 2SER aims to stimulate learning and educate its listeners and is committed to social change, access and diversity.
Melbourne
For more than 40 years Triple R has shaped and inspired the culture of Melbourne. Since its inception as an educational broadcaster in 1976, Triple R has become Australia’s most influential community radio station with nearly 21,000 paid subscribers and broadcasting live to over 1,000,000 listeners per month across FM and digital (DAB+ digital radio, podcasts and online).
Pretty dang cool, huh?
PBS FM in Melbourne is another community radio institution, beginning their regular broadcast all the way back in 1979. Initially, the station was established in St. Kilda, but has moved homes and now, is set up in their new digs at the Collingwood Yards in the inner-north.
Creating space for little-heard music and underrepresented voices, PBS has been a home for artists from Victoria, and around the country for years and continues to be a staple favourite for artists and listeners alike.
Perth
RTRFM is know out West as The Sound Alternative: an independent, non-profit community radio station that provides an alternative voice for Perth. RTRFM provides a platform for local news and issues, with a strong focus on the arts, culture, social justice, politics and the environment. They champion local music and support musical diversity through 50+ specialist music programs and a huge program of events.
Their programming is super genre diverse, and is the first port of call for anyone getting into radio plugging new music into Western Australia! Programs are presented by over 350 passionate, dedicated volunteers, and supported by eight core staff members.
Brisbane
4ZZZ are Queensland’s longest running FM radio station. They’ve been broadcasting since 1975, a non-for-profit community broadcaster, 4ZZZ has been a trusted source for new music, news and culture for generations of Queenslanders.
Their core ethos is clear: whether it’s music, arts, LGBTQIA+, First Nations or local issues, 4ZZZ endeavours to empower local communities through community broadcasting.
Hobart
Edge Radio is Hobart’s only youth station, and is a premier community radio station that we look to as an avenue to service Australian music from around the country to Tasmania through.
Edge Radio is a mix of music, talk, local news and culture, and is an awesome supporter of local releases from right around the country. They broadcast to the greater Hobart area, and also stream globally via their website!
Adelaide
Radio Adelaide is South Australia’s premier community radio station, broadcasting throughout the Adelaide metro area and beyond, as well as available on demand to stream.
Producing over 120 hours of local content weekly, Radio Adelaide’s programming has a huge focus on local music and musicians; they also are open to including an increasing percentage of music from artists outside of SA!
Three D Radio has been broadcasting since 1979 in South Australia on 93.7FM across the greater metropolitan area of Adelaide and its surrounding country areas. Over 87 programs covering a diverse range of music goes to air each week, with a focus on highlighting progressive, contemporary and alternative music.
There are no playlists or rotations on Three D Radio – with over 120 announcers programming their shows each week! Operating to a quota system that ensures music content at the station is at least 40% Australian, 20% local and 40% female content, Three D Radio is an awesome station to have in mind when radio plugging your new release in South Australia.
Find out more about beehive’s radio plugging services here.