Phillipe Palmer hosts a unique show on local radio station Saint FM. Every Tuesday evening between 10pm – midnight the Freeplay Show specialises in covering local festivals and the artists that play them.
“The idea for a festival show came into my head when the Moscow band Blast that I represent in the UK contacted me back in late February saying they wanted to come over in the summer, and could I put together a tour including festivals for them” Phillipe explained.
“When I started Googling and contacting festivals I saw how many there are I thought ‘wouldn’t it great to have a show dedicated to festivals and to give airplay to lesser well known bands?’“
Phillipe contacted Sandra, the Saint FM station manager, with a proposal for the show and she loved the idea, starting the show from late March.
“The only criteria I set for bands is if you’re a band and are playing a festival – regardless of whether it’s a local, regional, national or international one – this summer I will play you” Phillipe said.
“It doesn’t matter what genre of music you are, and I’ve received tracks not just from bands in the UK but also tracks from bands in America, Australia, Peru, France, South Africa and Russia.”
The Freeplay Show also features guests regularly.
“The guests I have every week varies from bands, festival organisers and band management. So far band-wise I’ve had Broken Heads, Jonas Graile, Animal Noise and I recently had the organisers of the Music Crown Festival.”
Phillipe aims to grow the show, making it an integral place of the festival scene, making it a place where bands can go to get airplay and exposure. There is also talk of a Freeplay festival in the future.
“Another aspect of the show is that myself and Nikki, the show’s producer, get invited to festivals. So far we’ve been to Stortfest and Vest-ival where I can report, interview and record live performances. These performances then get edited into a show.”
Many bands are surprised to see Phillipe take the time to visit many of the festivals they are playing, but he feels it is all part of integrating with the local scene.
“If my show helps them onto bigger and better things” he says, “then I’m happy and it makes it all worth while.”
Listen to the Freeplay Show on Saint FM – 94.7FM in the Maldon area, or on www.saintfm.co.uk.
