Rocket FM - The Music

A Tuvan throat singer’s interpretation of a song most associated with Led Zeppelin - hardly local is it? True; Rocket’s musical policy is based on a few simple beliefs. First, we’ll air as many local musicians as will fit. Second, we don’t have playlists, and you won’t hear much of the Cowell & Co light entertainment takeover of the ‘popular’ music charts. But most important, we aim to play the broadest range of music possible. During the daytime, when there’s emphasis on local personalities and interviews, you’ll hear music that’s familiar plus a lot that’s interesting, new and old. Evenings and weekends there are the specialist music shows. Pick up a Rocket schedule around Lewes, you’ll see that sage Rik Taub is presenting blues, rock, soul and jazz, respected broadcaster and Royal Oak Folk supremo Vic Smith is airing new releases in world and folk, and Sixties psychedelic seer Hamilton Wilson reveals his collection’s dustiest recesses.

Mark Johnson brings listeners his considerable knowledge of world beats, Lee Brooks has the measure of show sounds, Geoff Sitford’s area is solid Rock, and Andy Reeve is our country aficionado. Further shows feature classical, Twenties and Americana, while Mick and the mysterious Shed, Chloe Alexander, Jonathan Swan, Gary Mitchell, Tom Mugridge and my own show all promise excursions into the enticingly uncategorisable. Also this year, there’s a Lewes Guitar Festival special, youth music project Starfish return with three packed live shows, and if you’re a fan of live musical storytelling effects performance art, don’t miss Iain Paxon’s Tall Stories . . . Dust off your ears and take them for a dance - Rocket’s back! PF