Boogaloo Radio was founded by DJ Jenn Crothers and Gerry O’Boyle, the landlord of The Boogaloo, Highgate - a venue that, for years, has a reputation for "carving its place in London’s rock ’n’ roll history".
Taking advantage of new technology, such as real-time streaming, and mixing that with their little black book of Boogaloo's famous regulars, means the pub is shared with everyone - from locals at the bar, to those listening on the other side of the world.
Boogaloo radio presenters include the likes of Stiff Records founder Dave Robinson; Creation Records founder Alan McGee, who is known for signing Oasis; the Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington; The Libertines; Bernard Butler from Suede; Jack White’s Third Man Books; Stephen Street, who among others produced The Smiths; The Magic Numbers; Shane MacGowan; David Morrissey; Rachel D’Arc; Klaxons; and Ren Harvieu.
So far guests have included Holly Johnson, Clem Burke, Blood Red Shoes, Kit Harington, Charlie Cox, Irvine Welsh, Finbar Furey, Madness, Mos Def, Nick Cave, Johnny Depp and Johnny Marr.
Musical heritage
About the station, O'Boyle said: “Boogaloo Radio is the most exciting thing we have ever done.
"We are able to share the pub, its musical heritage, it’s amazing presenting talent and the chaos of operating an online radio station broadcasting to 227 countries from an old bin shed in the pub beer garden in true punk rock guerrilla style."
Boogaloo Radio has no mandatory playlists, no adverts and its’ shows regularly dominate the MixCloud community radio chart. The station’s only criteria for its presenters are an "unapologetic love for good music and good stories".
Crothers added: “Using the original 1960’s American FM radio format where the presenter is also the curator, alongside modern technology, we’ve built a direct bridge between host and listener, creating that feeling of listening to one of your good friends.
"It’s an old formula, brought to you by modern technology, and we’re doing it from the back of a pub.
"The aim is for listeners to feel like they are in on the excitement. The pub has become the station and vice versa. Our plan is to live stream everything that happens - gigs, debates, comedy, pub quizzes and DJ sets.“
The studio can be viewed by all, as it is in the pub’s old bin shed, smack bang in the middle of the beer garden. A combination of speakers and multiple TVs broadcasting Boogaloo radio throughout the pub, ensures everyone tunes in when they pop in for a pint.
To tune in visit click here and ‘listen live’.