W: Eloise Apple

In the heart of North London, music entrepreneur Ned Newman is helping re-shape Islington Radio into something far greater than just a radio station: a thriving hub for grassroots artists built around live events and collaboration.

Building on the radio’s growing significance Ned has begun to tap into a growing grassroots appetite among the youth including line-ups featuring acts such as The Rolling People, Shale and Bullpen. Alongside this Islington Radio has created a cafe space which has turned into a focal point for local creatives and students, this part of the venue holds exhibitions such as ‘Common Matter’ an upcoming performance exhibit, acoustic sets and can be hired for gathering’s, extending the project beyond broadcasting and radio shows creating a real cultural hub North London has been missing.

Looking ahead, one of the most exciting upcoming events for Islington Radio is On The Ball, an Islington Radio football screening event for Croatia vs England. The Rolling People are scheduled to perform as part of the evening. On The Ball is more than just a World Cup watch party it is a hybrid of live music, football culture and grassroots community gathering.

As the project begins to grow, Islington Radio is expanding its presence beyond just being a radio station presenting itself as a wider cultural platform, The project is centred around building a home for emerging artists combining radio, events and the physical space around it to support North London’s grassroots creative scene. Following the first of many events, Ned is now planning a regular programme of live shows which are being professionally recorded as high quality sessions for Islington Radio TV, with a schedule set to roll out across the autumn.

The question is whether Islington Radio will be capable of establishing itself as a new staple of North London’s live music culture. Could Islington Radio become the new Elephants Head?