Running the Dial: The Best Australian Radio Programs

Despite a relatively small population and market, Australia is lucky to have some of the world’s best and healthiest community radio stations banging out quality content.

Melbourne’s RRR , FBI in Sydney and Brisbane’s 4ZZZ have earned an enviable reputation of providing presenters and programs who know their product as well as loyal audiences who support them.

According to the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia the country’s 36 plus community stations work with 22,000 volunteers and have 5.2 million listeners. That's a lot of bumper stickers!

Though they may have dodged a bullet at the recent Federal Budget when it was revealed the Government will continue funding community broadcasting programs, the truth is that all public radio stations run on next to nothing and rely heavily on sponsorship and listener subscriptions to stay on the air.

Here are our picks of some of the best community radio programs in Australia. Tune in and support them with your ears and with your wallet.

Stone Love Friday 5pm-7pm (PBS)

The first time I heard Richie 1250 on air I could have sworn he’d just downed a six-pack. His demeanor was relaxed but I didn’t think anyone could be that relaxed without the help of Heineken. But it turns out Richie is relaxed (and knowledgeable) both on air and in person. His laconic between-song-banter and interview style is what makes his Friday afternoon show one of the most popular on Melbourne station PBS.

Stone Love has an emphasis on soul, garage and ‘oldies’ but Richie is also the kind of guy that can get the Congo’s singing “Fisherman” acapella in the studio or have two bands who’d never met successfully jamming together in adjoining studios. He once played different versions of “Fever” for two hours and last week did a two-hour Duke Ellington special.

Playing with his band the Brides of Christ and running the monthly slow dance night Slow Grind Fever means that Richie gets around and in a city with a wealth of quality public radio, Richie is one of the most liked and listened to presenters.

Ears Have Ears Thursday 9pm-11pm (FBI )

Subtitled ‘Unexplored Territories in Sound’ this program, presented by Brooke Olsen and produced by Scarlett Di Maio, is one of the most important radio shows in Sydney and beyond.

From interviewing experimental music legends like Nurse With Wound, Diamanda Galas and the Dead C’s Michael Morely to airing over 150 original soundtracks composed specifically for the show, Ears Have Ears is as much art and musical curation as it is a radio program. The typical Triple M or NOVA listener will write this off as 'Wire magazine weirdo stuff' but the truth is that this is forward thinking music that encompasses experimental, free jazz, psychedelia, electronica and noise.

As well as hosting 'Ears Have Ears Presents’ a live series of shows that places musicians in front of physical audiences, Brooke and Scarlett provide an important outlet for music that is under-represented even by community radio standards.

Underground Australiana Wednesday 3pm – 5pm (4ZZZ)

The name says it all. Matt Kennedy plays fresh and unfiltered noise, pop and punk from bedrooms, basements and balconies from across Australia. Best known for his long running Brisbane band Kitchens’ Floor and more recently a solo electronic project Excess, Kennedy has also become a staple on the 4ZZZ program grid, first with his Wednesday night program Eternal Soundcheck (also the name of his record label) and now with Underground Australiana.

Veering towards the experimental and DIY (but always interesting) expect to hear the damaged squall of Exiles From Clowntown, the punkish Per Purpose and Satanic Rockers (who he plays every week!) It takes a lot of time and work to put together a weekly two-hour radio show -even more so when it’s underground Australian music - but Matt has all bases covered and fingers in many musical meat pies. A national treasure.

Full Frequency Friday 3pm-5pm (RTR FM)

A stalwart of the West Coast hip hop and electronic scenes, Rok Riley has been at RTR since 1998 and cultivated a cult like status on the Perth airwaves first with her All City show and now with the Friday afternoon Full Frequency program.

Rok hosts a full electronic program but expect anything from Linda Perhacs' new record to Ron Morelli to some Ossie. Mix this in with local bedroom producers from the booming Perth scene and it's a good early start to the weekend.

Rok is also an in demand DJ who has supported the likes of Hudson Mohawke, Dam Funk, Rustie, ESG and won the Most Popular DJ at the WAMi Awards.

Set It Out Tuesday 4pm – 7pm (RRR)

There’s only one thing Luke Pocock loves more than ciggies and getting naked in nature, and that’s radio. His Tuesday drive show Set It Out brings you the good warm stuff from electronic bangers to indie pop and a heavy dance/beats representation.

Regular segments include Gold Teeth with Maq spouting all things hip hop and Solid Pleasure with Misty Nights Deejays Danny Hotep and Salmon Barrel who brings the disco hits. On air highlights have included Panda Bear and Avey Tare playing a live DJ set and freaking out the 15-year-old girls in the front row of the performance space by playing mainly hard Berghain techno. A live DJ set by Jamie XX was pretty cool as were visits by Autre Ne Veut, Julia Holter, The Men (pictured), Total Control and Liars.

Luke gets his party on outside of the studio as LA Pocock but the beauty of Listen On Demand streaming means that anytime can be a Pocock party.

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