By: Hannah-Rose Lloyd
Aberdeen Student Radio is set to make its return after being disbanded three years ago.
With aims to have the radio station up and running again by the start of the next semester, it will create a platform for student-led music, discussions, and news.
Having secured access to the former student radio room in the Student Union building, the team behind the revival plans to reuse the existing recording and streaming equipment – much of which has remained untouched since the station ceased broadcasting.
The first show is expected to be aired close to Freshers’ Week, with organisers hoping to officially launch the resurrection of the station at the Freshers’ Fayre.
Jordan Stead, Jonathan Dorrat, and Innes Paton are the team leading the highly anticipated project. With the student society application now sent in, the team says plans are “full steam ahead.”
Jordan, who was involved with the radio during his undergraduate studies, has expressed his excitement for the relaunch. “As a former student radio show host I’m excited to bring it back,” he said in discussion with The Gaudie, emphasising that the student radio has been a widely missed organisation.
“We can’t wait for students to have a greater voice on campus and help to showcase the incredibly talented student body,” he added.
The new society also hopes to organise ‘student showcase’ style events for artists and performers.
With the studio containing state-of-the-art equipment such as a D&R Airence USB broadcast mixer, DJ Pioneer decks, and a Focusrite amplifier, Aberdeen Student Radio hopes that the venue will become a sought-after space for student performances.
The Student Radio will now begin seeking funding sources to support their Freshers’ Week launch, as the Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) grants are not available until October.
“Sponsorships, advertisements, and grants will have to be explored to be able to meet our goal,” said Jordan.
Following an email circulated by AUSA announcing the return of the radio, more than 30 students have already expressed interest in getting involved.
After showing excitement for the strong response, the team will now begin reaching out to those who registered their interest.
Those interested in getting involved are encouraged to contact the team via mail.innespaton@gmail.com for more information.
The Student Radio was previously a hub for music shows hosted by students, discussions covering a range of topics, and news shows organised by and produced in collaboration with //The Gaudie//.
Aberdeen Student Radio originally halted broadcast in 2020 following the Covid-19 pandemic. With no one left to take over and continue the society following graduations, it was left abandoned.
The station’s final Mixcloud show aired on the 18th of March 2020, five days before the first UK coronavirus lockdown was announced.
A short-lived recovery followed during the 2022-23 academic year, but the radio once again found itself surplus to requirements.
The team hopes to build on the previous popularity of Aberdeen Student Radio, as well as the current success of student radio stations elsewhere in Scotland. STAR at the University of St Andrews currently hosts 14 different shows each day, while FreshAir radio at The University of Edinburgh similarly hosts 79 shows per week.
