Absolute Radio launches summer-long Britpop celebration

Absolute Radio is launching a summer schedule celebrating thirty years since the height of Britpop.

This will include new shows, documentaries and festival coverage running from June to August.

The season will mark three decades since the legendary chart rivalry between Blur and Oasis in 1995 and coincide with this year’s Oasis reunion tour, bringing added relevance to the station’s summer of programming.

It all kicks off next week with live performances from Neighbourhood Weekender hosted by Jay Lawrence from Monday 9 to Thursday 12 June at 9pm, part of Live Music Week on Absolute Radio.

Highlights include a new documentary The Summer of 95, backstage coverage from Kendal Calling with Dan Noble, and a new series Absolute Radio’s Britpop Summer hosted by Danielle Perry.

Britpop icon Louise Wener, lead singer of Sleeper, will also join the station in July for a special four-part series, sharing stories and music from her time at the centre of the scene.

In August, The Best of Tim Burgess’s Listening Party – The Britpop Albums will air on Sunday nights, featuring classic sessions from artists like Catatonia, Skunk Anansie and Travis.

The series will lead into the launch of a new run of Tim’s Listening Party, starting with Cast and Garbage.

Breakfast Show host Dave Berry said: “What an epic summer this is set to be for those of us whose formative musical years were shaped by the sound of Britpop.

“My own history with the Gallagher brothers goes back quite some way, including the time I missed my own Breakfast show thanks to Liam, but Britpop is so much more than just one band and the chance to celebrate this incredible genre should not be missed!”