I have just read your ‘Expert’s View’ on XFM (Campaign, 27 October). I
have listened to the station and certainly the general impression is the
one you describe.
However, you would expect a station whose sole aim is to be the only
outlet for indie music to be a bit ‘grungey’ as you put it. The general
point is, if you don’t like the music, don’t listen. XFM doesn’t pretend
to be any different.
More importantly, your article did not touch on either why XFM is
trialing in London or why we should want a station like XFM.
In the end, it comes down to choice. Do we want more bland golden-oldie
stations like Melody, Heart and Virgin - which claim to be different,
but all play tosh which makes them the same to me - or do we want a
station that offers something different?
XFM has failed twice (I think) to get a licence for broadcast. If it
fails a third time it will not try again. This will be a great shame.
This sort of station is the life-blood of young British bands and the
one commercial station out there trying to do something different.
Rob Forshaw, M&C Saatchi, London W1
