Gilles Peterson and other station bosses explain how the passion projects that sustained music scenes and consoled listeners over lockdown now find themselves in jeopardy from rocketing costs – with little sign of government help
Gilles Peterson got his first broadcast gig aged 16 at Radio Invicta, the pirate station that boasted it put “soul over London”. He got his own slot a year later, and has spent the ensuing four decades channelling his inquisitive musical spirit into shows with Kiss FM and the BBC, as well as his Brownswood record label, and festivals in the UK, France and Italy. But for the past six years, a freeform online radio station, Worldwide FM (WWFM), has been at the forefront of his efforts, providing shape and sound to a global community of music enthusiasts.
This week, WWFM announced it would be ceasing new broadcasts from the end of October while it seeks new funding options.