The IRF “ON-AIR” Awards underpin the Festival’s goal to celebrate the very best in global music radio programming, and so the first International Radio Festival “ON-AIR” Awards were held during the 2nd IRF, on June 18th 2012.
All the Festival’s participating music radio shows were nominated as finalists in one of three categories, Best Swiss & Best International Radio Show, and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Board of the International Radio Festival is delighted to name the following radio makers and stations as winners of the 2011 International Radio Festival ON-AIR Awards.
Best Swiss Radio Show:
Yves Banc and his radio show Planete Bleue, aired on Couleur 3, Switzerland
Yves’ has been pushing the boundaries of electronic music for the past 14 years and his specially commissioned radio show Planete Bleue for Switzerland’s French speaking station Couleurs 3 illustrates Yves’ musical brilliance. Yves’ showcased his 700th show at the festival and the festival wishes him continued success.
Best International Radio Show:
The United Kingdom’s Karen Pearson and her team at Folded Wing for the brilliant music show The Selector produced for the British Council.
The Selector showcases the best of up and coming British musical talent, and illustrates the diversity of radio music shows which the cultural departments of governments can produce.
www.foldedwing.co.uk and www.selector-radio.com
Special thanks also to Samantha “Goldierocks” Hall, Phil Catchpole at the British Council, and Caroline Morrissey from the British Council in Switzerland for her and the Council’s support
Lifetime Achievement Award:
This prestigious award goes not to just one person, but to seven Radio Legends, who brought commercial radio and its popular music programming to Europe. We thank and salute these radio pioneers for braving the way to make music radio available across the world!
The following music radio legends receive the award: Tony Blackburn, Mark Wesley, Paul Burnett, Ed “Stewpot” Stewart, The Emperor Rosko, Larry Tremaine & Tony Prince
Special Commendation:
During the Festival, the IRF board decided on a fourth award, one that commends an individual who represents the future of contemporary music and inspiring radio programme.
The Festival awarded a Special “ON-AIR” Award Commendation to DJ Cleopas from South Africa, whose submission was made in the name of Johannesburg’s radio station 5 FM. www.5fm.co.za
Special thanks to Erica Laidley and Pixie Bennett who brought DJ Cleopas to the festival.
www.ericaelle.co.za and www.djcleo.co.za
Last but not least, the Festival is proud to announce that whilst Erica spent time in Zurich, her long standing partner asked for Erica’s hand in marriage and proposed at the top of the Rigi Mountain near Lucerne. to DJ Cleopas from South Africa, who played in the name of Johannesburg’s radio station 5 FM.
“Both the Folded Wing & Selector teams had a fantastic few days at the International Radio Festival in Zurich. It’s such an amazing event, and a great chance to meet people who work in radio from all around the world. Doing our live radio show was really good fun, and it was great to watch all the other live shows too. So many great presenters and stations! We can’t wait for future editions of the IRF. Big up to the organisers for putting on such a brilliant event”
Karen Pearson, Folded Wing, London, UK
“The International Radio Festival is a wonderful concept, a celebration of radio’s global popularity and a chance for us all to bask in the success and diversity of this magic medium. We all have our favourite channels and stations but for a week, the IRF will showcase and celebrate the big wide wonderful world of broadcasting live from Zurich, Switzerland.
It is with great anticipation that myself and a handful of the original UK pirate DJs will join the festival and share our memories and music from the days when the pirates ruled the waves.”
Tony Prince, DMCWorld.com, London, UK
