THE INTERNATIONAL RADIO FESTIVAL PRESENTS
THE OLYMPIC POP-UP EDITION
THE WORLD’S FIRST DEDICATED POP-UP RADIO ON DAB LONDON

Following the success of its Second Edition, organisers of the International Radio Festival (IRF) are thrilled to announce their IRF Olympic Pop-Up Edition in London. The world’s only forum for the cream of contemporary broadcasting to share their knowledge and present the very best in radio, the IRF’s Second Edition saw the UK as guest country and today’s most innovative stations from across the globe showcasing a wealth of cutting edge radio talent. There were also some very special guest appearances from pioneers at the birth of pop radio, including Tony Blackburn, Ed ‘Stewpot’ Stewart and Emperor Rosko who reprised their shows from the legendary pirate ships of the 60s. 

Now, acting as an ‘acoustic flame’ in London during the 2012 Olympics, the IRF’s Olympic Pop-Up Edition will be a world first, broadcasting at the House of Switzerland, the official Swiss hospitality centre at the Olympic Games, from 20th July to 12th August 2012 on a temporary London-wide DAB frequency, courtesy of Switchdigital, as the only independent, dedicated lifestyle event and festival radio.

With an innovative and interactive schedule of shows, the IRF Olympic Pop-Up Edition will feature programming from radio legend Tony Prince who began his career on Radio Caroline before moving on to Radio Luxembourg and founding Mixmag and DMC Update, Martyn Ware, the creative power house behind the original incarnation of the Human League, Heaven 17 and the British Electronic Foundation, Eddie Piller, founder of Acid Jazz records, Kerrang! and Q Radio’s Danielle Perry and Karen P, founder of Folded Wing who produce radio content for stations as varied as Radio 1, NME Radio and Roundhouse Radio. There will be shows from Ministry of Sound Radio, Hoxton FM, Camp Bestival and Montreux Jazz Festival plus reports on events at the House of Switzerland, live music sessions and a wealth of interviews with athletes, celebrities and authorities from the worlds of music and fashion, offering an insight into their musical tastes, their opinions about the Games and its host city, London.

Located in the heart of Switzerland’s official Olympic hospitality centre - the House of Switzerland alongside the Thames by London Bridge - at the invitation of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the IRF will present some of the most outstanding Swiss and British radio to a worldwide audience online and directly to the Olympics’ host city via a temporary DAB license, all from a specially converted Swiss Postal Bus. With their eclectic mix of artists, bands, festivals, and leading nightlife brands, the IRF Olympic Pop-Up Edition will be open to the public, giving a unique opportunity for audiences to come along and experience the exciting world of radio in action.

Founders of the IRF, Miguel Alvarez & Darryl von Däniken, said: “We are really excited to be bringing Londoners a taste of Switzerland with special showcases of both Swiss and British music radio shows, festivals, bands, personalities, athletes and celebrities.  We welcome the opportunity of being able to broadcast across the Olympic city of London.”