Haven’t you heard? Aberdeen Student Radio (ASR) is back, revived after a 6 year hiatus.
Running until Covid, the platform lay dormant until its renewal this academic year by keen University of Aberdeen (UoA) and Robert Gordon University (RGU) students. Intended to be a diverse operation across the city, ASR is open to all students in Aberdeen rather than solely limited to the UoA’s student body.
ASR launched live on Thursday 24th of September, streaming to the city and the Aberdeen University Student’s Union (AUSA) building before their first campus event on the next day.
Student DJ Rory Kennedy began Friday’s agenda with a small drop-by daytime event. Located on Elphinstone Road, the ASR live broadcast on air and to the street, offering passersby chill tunes, free CDs, cakes, and coffees. The event attracted a sizable crowd of students and listeners on their way between their Friday classes.
As for the main event, ASR’s official launch party was hosted at popular underground venue D2 in Drummonds and featured local DJ ES on the decks.
Playing a full set from 9pm until midnight, the sold-out club was packed to the brim with eager dancers. ES’s set was also available to listen to live on the radio.
Attending the event, The Gaudie noted the impressive mix of keen listeners attending. AUSA officials, university staff, students from across UoA and RGU, alumni and non-students had made the effort to support independent radio broadcasting and pack out a local venue – certainly an encouraging sight for Aberdeen’s creative scene.
ASR was a sorely missed addition to the student body in its absence, and the heavy footfall of partygoers and listeners suggests a promising start for the group.
Headed by Innes Paton, ASR’s president had only good things to say about launch week:
“Kicking off ASR the way that we did was better than any of the team could imagine. It’s been a long time in the making, but the reception and the passion people have shown to be a part of it shows that a student radio is something that has been deeply missed at the University.
“The opportunities that ASR is creating are something that has been sorely missed in Aberdeen, and we hope that the medium of radio will continue to bring a wide range of communities together to celebrate local artists.”
“The first event was an overwhelming success, but the team has so many exciting ideas planned that it’s only going to get bigger and better.”
Via Instagram, ASR is currently encouraging students to get involved in their live broadcast on Wednesday, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Whether savvy or inexperienced, students are encouraged to apply for the chance to be live on air as a regular show host in as soon as three weeks.
Full training is provided, and more information can be found out by emailing asr@ausa.org.uk