Happy birthday to us! Phoenix FM celebrates 9 years on FM today.

 
Having formed in August 1996, we had 10 years of intermittent “trial” broadcasts and also took to the internet, launching our online station in June 2001.

Ofcom awarded us a full time licence in 2006 and we turned on the transmitter for good on 23 March 2007.

Here’s some video highlights of the last nine years on air.

Chris T-T playing live in the studio on our first full day on air in 2007. Chris also presented a show for a while for us.

Brixton band The Thirst playing live in our old Baytree Centre studio in March 2008.

Essex band Weirdgear playing live in November 2009. They are on a musical hiatus but the three members are currently presenting a radio show on online station Ship Full Of Bombs.

London band Jonny Cola and the A Grades playing a live set on Steve Robertson’s sport show in March 2010

The brilliant Imogen Heap playing at the Phoenix FM Creative Sessions in February 2011

Cowboy Racer playing live at Phoenix FM in March 2011. The band features ex-Salad lead singer Marijne van der Vlugt who was also one of the original MTV VJs in the early 90s. This is the band’s only radio session ever!

Japanese Carter USM tribute band Clinton USM with an unforgettable live performance in November 2011

Missing Andy playing on the first day of our new Brentwood Centre home in February 2012. Don’t forget to catch them live at the Brentwood Festival in July!

Britpop stars Dodgy live in session in July 2012

One of Paul’s favourite sessions ever – Vile Electrodes taking part in some 2am madness in May 2012

A brilliant acoustic performance from Echobelly in May 2013

The legendary Jona Lewie playing on Drive in December 2014

British country superstars The Shires live in the studio in May 2015

Our most recent Creative Session from the fabulous Turin Brakes earlier this month