I don’t know about you, but the Spotify algorithm has turned my new music discovery into a slush of unintelligible noise. I can’t tell one song from the next – skip, skip, skip. It’s why independent radio stations like the Bristol-based Noods Radio have become such a lifeline to many of us. But now it needs our help.
The local radio station – which has made its home at the bar Mickey Zoggs in St Pauls – has been handed an ultimatum by its current landlord to “buy the pub or get out!” So it has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £70,000 to do just that! But it only has the next 30 days, with every penny going directly towards securing a deposit on the venue.
Since 2015, Noods Radio has been an outlet for Bristol’s diverse voices and underground artists. It moved into Mickey Zoggs in 2021 and turned the venue into a vital hub for the city’s creative community. A loss like this would be felt throughout Bristol – with the building developed and the radio station’s community projects put on hold.
Beyond simply broadcasting, Noods Radio also runs various programmes and initiatives aimed at encouraging new and inclusive talent. This ranges from workshops for women and non-binary individuals entering the world of broadcasting, to educational initiatives for young people needing skills and experience in the creative sector.
“Seeing how the space has brought together the community and become a regular stop for music lovers and touring artists has been amazing to see,” said Leon Pattrick, Noods Radio Co-founder and Director. “Although the idea of it all coming to an end in six months is heartbreaking, I believe we’ve been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to provide a permanent space for the radio and ensure the space can remain for generations to come.”
If you’d like to donate there are several rewards up for grabs. £25 will get your name on the wall at Mickey Zoggs; £50 and you can claim a one-off T-shirt; £150 gets you a Necessary Evils tattoo; and for £200 you can pick up a signed Martin Parr print. If you’ve got £500 knocking around you’ll earn yourself the status of “Mickey’s best friend”.
“Needless to say, to be experiencing yet another crisis of a crucial pillar of Bristol’s spirited music scene, under threat from development is overwhelming,” says Bristol-based artist signed to Timedance, Bruce. “The irony, knowing that it’s the work of our community which has a valid hand in increasing the value of the area, is nothing short of painful, when it is ignored by those with the money and power to push us out.”
“Mickey Zoggs is the home of a radio station, two football teams, multiple gaming clubs and a community of compassionate, like-minded individuals that all greatly benefit from the space. The radio station not only nurtures local grassroots talent, further fortifying the rich and diverse local community, giving a friendly start to young people, but also being able to host some of the best artists and DJs from all over the world.”
If you’d like to donate or learn more about Noods Radio’s purchase of Mickey Zoggs head here.