In all the Electric Picnic madness today, we almost forgot that Dublin's new classic rock station, Radio Nova 100 is launching today. I remembered just in time to tune into some inoffensive canned music going out five minutes ahead of the station's official launch time of 1pm. I have to admit, I figured I'd probably still be a little young to recognise many of the "classics" that will be on the Nova playlist, but so far it's all pretty standard stuff . Just making in into their 25-50 age demographic by the skin of my teeth, I missed the original Radio Nova altogether, my two year old brain far unable to remember the much loved station before it made its final broadcast in March 1986.
At 1pm sharp on 100.3 FM, I was told by a reverb heavy voice that "a piece of radio history is unfolding", while numerous other voices explained what Dublin's radio scene had been missing. Kicking things off with the AC/DC favourite 'You Shook Me All Night Long', Greg Gaughran then made the first link on Radio Nova one of the shortest you're ever likely to hear, straight into the instantly recognisable 'All Right Now' by Free. A snappy ident from there into Blur's 'Song 2', straight into Boston's 'More Than A Feeling' and then into Bon Jovi's 'Living On A Prayer', Radio Nova 100 has already given us a good idea of what will be on offer over the coming months. For once, chit chat is not on the agenda. Since these songs really don't need an introduction, Nova's first fifteen minutes featured only one link between the five songs that led up to the first ad break. Those that detest gobby DJs are sure to be delighted!
All kinds of celebrations are happening today across the city. Apparently, a fleet of almost 50 Harley Davidsons are revving their way up the Quays as we speak, parking up in formation around O’Connell Bridge and generally getting in people's way. I've also heard talk of an airplane coming in over the Liffey. There's also a Guns N' Roses tribute band - Guns 2 Roses - playing on a boat in the river... Makes sense, Axl & co will feature highly on the Nova playlist and are actually in town for a gig at The O2 tonight. Run now and you might catch the end of them.
Last week, Sunday Independent journalist and new Nova presenter Barry Egan told Hotpress that he has an exclusive interview with the elusive Sinead O'Connor lined up for his new show 'In Conversation With Barry Egan'. The two hour show will be broadcast every Sunday at 6pm. Sinead will feature this Sunday September 5th and by all accounts she'll have something special to announced. Gavin Friday, Barry Devlin of Horslips and Jerry Fish are also lined up for the same show over the coming weeks.
The official launch party for Nova 100 is taking place in Vicar St this evening. I'll be attending the event, which will reportedly feature live music by bands currently unknown.
The full Radio Nova schedule looks like this:
MONDAY – FRIDAY
6.00am – 10.00am Nova @ Breakfast w/Pat Courtney
10.00am – 2.00pm Greg Gaughran
2.00pm – 6.00pm Marty Miller
6.00pm – 7.00pm The Rock Report w/Thomas Walsh
7.00pm – Midnight Nova Nights w/Enda Murphy
SATURDAY
6.00am – 8.00am Toys for Boyz w/Greg Gaughran
8.00am – 10.00am Nova @ Breakfast – Reheated
10.00am – 2.00pm Marty Miller
2.00pm –6.00pm Rock N Goal Show w Mike Maloney
6.00pm – 8.00pm Weekends with Wakeman w/Rick Wakeman
8.00pm - Midnight Carol Dooley
SUNDAY
6.00am – 8.00am Luascadh de Domhnaigh w/ Robbie Foy
8.00am – 10.00am Flashback w/ Breffni Clack
10.00am -12noon Breakfast With The Beatles w/ Hugh O’Brien
12noon – 2.00pm Enda Murphy
2.00pm – 6.00pm Rock n Goal Show – w Mike Maloney
6.00pm - Midnight Sunday School
6.00pm – 8.00pm Locals Only
Carol Dooley w/ Barry Egan
8.00-10.00pm Rock Classics w/ Steve Downes
10.00pm – 1.00am Off The Record w/Pat James