Future On Air Wraps Up Taking Broadcasters Beyond the Studio

Future On Air Wraps Up with Live Shows, Outside Broadcasts and Radio Journeys

Itch Radio Future On Air Workshops wraps up after 12 weeks of practical sessions, live broadcasts and projects.

The programme saw young people aged 14-26 develop their own shows and put their radio, DJing and presenting skills into practice.

Through the Itch Radio Broadcasting Workshops, participants worked with professional studio equipment while learning beat matching, transitions, phasing and music software. They also developed interview techniques, show structure and communication skills.

But the programme was never only about learning how the equipment worked.

The aim was to give participants the chance to use those skills for real. Over the 12 weeks, they developed their own shows, recorded and edited interviews, took part in live events and broadcast from locations outside the Itch Radio studio.

Taking Their Shows Into New Spaces

A major part of Future On Air was giving participants the chance to broadcast outside the familiar studio surroundings.

Windrush Homecoming Festival

The group joined the Windrush Homecoming Festival, where Michaela Kay and Baby Cey were invited by Love Camden to DJ.

The pair also stepped into the role of community reporters, interviewing performers, musicians, community organisations and festival-goers throughout the day. They spoke to people about the Windrush Generation, their experiences and connections to the community, while exploring the music, heritage and culture being celebrated across the festival.

Alongside the interviews, Michaela Kay and Baby Cey helped capture the atmosphere of the celebration through their music and conversations with people attending the event, combining DJing, interviewing and live radio.

Baby Cey Interviews Camden Artist Matt Small

During the festival, Baby Cey interviewed Camden artist Matt Small about his upbringing in the borough, his creative journey, and Camden Blossoms, his permanent public artwork celebrating Camden’s Caribbean heritage.

Michaela Kay Interviews the Legend Paulette Tajah

Michaela Kay also spoke with legendary Lovers Rock artist Paulette Tajah, exploring her connection to the Windrush Generation, community and the wider celebration taking place at Talacre.

At the studio, the interviews and recordings became part of the final broadcast.

The result was a one-hour Windrush Homecoming Special on Itch Radio, bringing together music, interviews and stories from the festival.

Michaela Kay & Baby Cey | Windrush Homecoming Special

Love Camden Inverness Street Bloc Party

The programme also took participants to the Inverness Street Bloc Party, courtesy of Love Camden, where Baby Cey and Jester were invited to DJ as part of the Disco House event. The day celebrated Camden’s dancefloor heritage and Caribbean Carnival history. Claudia Jones‘s legacy was also reflected in the programme.

Jester Interviews Jeremy B and Tosca

During the event, Jester also took on the role of interviewer, speaking with Jeremy B about growing up in Camden, his musical journey and the influence the borough has had on London nightlife. He also shared advice for younger DJs, including the importance of not limiting yourself to one genre.

Jester also spoke with Tosca, who reflected on Camden as his spiritual home, the changes he has seen around Inverness Street and his experiences across DJing, production, remixing and roller discos.

Back at Itch Radio HQ, the work continued.

The pair created a special Itch Radio broadcast around the event, gathering Vox Pops from the crowd and speaking with DJs and guests about Camden, music and the area’s musical heritage. Conversations explored the sounds and people that have helped shape Camden’s music scene, giving Baby Cey and Jester experience of building a radio programme around a live event.

The result was a one-hour Inverness Street Bloc Party Special on Itch Radio, bringing together DJ sets, Vox Pops, interviews and reflections on Camden’s musical heritage.

Baby Cey & Jester | Love Camden Bloc Party Special

Future On Air at the Museum of Youth Culture

Another highlight came with a six-hour Itch Radio broadcast from the Museum of Youth Culture, bringing live music, interviews and broadcasting into a space dedicated to documenting youth culture and its history.

Future On Air presenters joined Itch Radio DJs live at the Museum of Youth Culture.

Baby Cey and Z Dawg both took their shows into the museum, broadcasting live from the venue and putting their studio experience into practice in front of an audience. The day brought them together with established Itch Radio DJs, creating a varied programme of music from the museum floor.

As part of the broadcast, Z Dawg also featured a recorded interview with legendary UK Hip Hop artist Roots Manuva, talking about his memories of Itch Radio, his musical journey and the experiences that shaped his career.

For Baby Cey and Z Dawg, the broadcast put their studio skills into practice in a different environment and as part of a live public broadcast.

Baby Cey | La Femme Club – Museum of Youth Culture

Z Dawg | Smooth Z with Roots Manuva – Museum of Youth Culture

Across Windrush Homecoming, the Inverness Street Bloc Party and the Museum of Youth Culture broadcast, participants took their shows into new environments, worked with public audiences and developed their skills through DJing, interviewing and live broadcasting.

Developing Their Future Voice on Air

Alongside the outside broadcasts and production work, participants continued developing their own shows. They built confidence on air and found their own ways of presenting.

Jester | Face For Radio

Baby Cey | La Femme Club

These broadcasts show the presenters developing their own identities on air, from the music they selected to the way they structured their shows, introduced tracks and connected with their listeners.

Turning Interviews Into Radio

Future On Air also gave participants further experience of producing content that could be used across their own shows.

SeeThrough Theatre Interview

As part of the programme, participants also recorded an interview with SeeThrough Theatre at the Itch Radio studio, with Julia Evangelista, Founder and Artistic Director of SeeThrough Theatre, taking part in the conversation. The interview was then edited into features and used within their live broadcasts.

The work developed at Itch Radio HQ.

That meant the work didn’t stop when the interview ended. Participants experienced the full process, from recording and editing through to deciding how finished material could become part of a live show.

Two August broadcasts featured work created through this part of the programme.

Baby Cey | La Femme Club

Jester | Face For Radio

Future On Air Wraps Up

Over 12 weeks, Future On Air moved well beyond learning the basics of radio.

Participants experienced the full process, from recording and editing to deciding how finished material could become part of a live show. They also had opportunities to use those skills at live events, outside broadcasts, and in front of public audiences.

They were learning broadcasting by actually broadcasting.

As Future On Air wraps up, the studio was the starting point, but the experience continued wherever the next broadcast took them.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, supported the programme, and helped make the broadcasts happen.

A special shout-out to workshop tutor Nigel Hosten aka Mr Dex for his dedication, expertise and energy throughout the programme.

What Does Future On Air Workshops Mean to Past Participants?

The Itch Radio Future On Air Broadcasting Workshops were courtesy of Young Camden Foundation.