One of the UK’s digital stations is to celebrate everything Irish in a new series by 2fm presenter Dave Fanning and producer Adam Hudson.
The two will make four programmes on 6 Music, in the first of which Dave Fanning takes listeners through his Irish albums and explores why each is important. The series features records from U2, Them, Stiff Little Fingers, Rory Gallagher, Phil Lynott, My Bloody Valentine, The Undertones and Villagers.
Dave starts by setting the scene in the 60s when the Irish rock scene began to emerge off the back of show bands – professional acts that performed the chart hits of the day in dancehalls and clubs. He describes how the scene developed with key players such as Van Morrison, Rory Gallagher and Phil Lynott, and goes on to talk about key albums that followed.
Dave Fanning has two weekend shows on 2fm, Saturday and Sunday 10am till 12pm, and has been working in the Irish music scene for the last 35 years.
This series airs as part of 6 Music Celebrates Ireland, marking the 50th anniversary of the first Them gig, the Irish band which launched Van Morrison’s career.