Passing the Baton

Steve Lamacq announced earlier in the year that he would be taking a step back from radio presenting duties and last night (20th October 2023) he presented his final daily show on BBC 6 Music. Although he isn't stepping back completely and we still hear him on the radio it seems to be a significant moment for music in the UK.

Yes not just radio, music. Steve Lamacq has been one of the most important figure heads of alternative music in the UK, for a very long time now. He was the one playing the music you couldn't hear anywhere else. Whether that was on the Evening Sessions with Joe Whiley in his Radio One heyday, or on his Radio 6 shows. He was always at the forefront of championing new music and new bands. 

Before his day in Radio, he worked for Britain's oldest music magazine the NME where he would go and review new bands, and the music at the time. During this time he was also DJing on Pirate Radio on the station Q102, which would become XFM.

Music has been a huge part of Steve's life, but he decided the time was right to take a breather. Saying in a statement.

I love music and I love radio. Music radio has been my life for the past 30 years – and 6 Music has been my home for 20 years of them – and I wouldn’t have had it any other way,” “But I have another life now which is very important to me.”
“It’s been terrific doing six shows a week, but what with all the prep work for the programmes and the ever-increasing volume of new music to listen to, there’s not been nearly enough time left over for my family. And to be honest, after nearly 40 years at the coalface of new music, I think I need a bit of breather.”

Steve was always championing these young and upcoming bands, even the ones who didn't make it. Of course there were the ones who did. He would give huge names radio play in the early days, from Oasis, Blur, and Pulp through to Stereophonics, and more recently Catfish & The Bottlemen, Wolf Alice etc. Always wanting to find the next artist or band to come through.

He is and I hope will continue to be one of the most important people in the UK Music Scene. Influencing us all, and guiding new bands and musicians into the light.

Beyond the Grooves, is in part influenced by people like Steve and his passion for music, and the stories he has. 

I think the best way to end this post, is by reflecting on the great mans passion for all music, and him highlighting of it's importance for us all.

https://x.com/mrdiscopop/status/1715412274108588222?s=20 

Thank you for reading x