We’re down to the penultimate episode of Behind the Mic — and this week, we’re uncovering the story of the pirates who refused to go quietly.
Even after the BBC launched Radio 1 and the government passed the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act in 1967, pirate stations like Radio Caroline kept the rebellious spirit alive. From offshore ships sneaking supplies to the rise of land-based pirates in Britain’s cities, discover how pirate radio evolved into a voice for reggae, soul, funk, jungle, and grime — shaping culture and championing communities the mainstream ignored.
We’ll also jump forward to explore radio in the 2010s and 2020s: from the rise of smartphones, apps, and smart speakers, to how TikTok reshaped music discovery, why podcasts exploded, and how COVID lockdowns proved the timeless intimacy of radio.
And in Music in Radio, we travel through decades of number-one hits — including Sonny & Cher’s “I Got You Babe,” ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up,” Boyzone’s “No Matter What,” and BTS’s global smash “Dynamite.”
With just one more episode to go, this is a celebration of rebellion, resilience, and the magic of radio.
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Listen now on your favourite podcast platform and hear why pirate radio never truly died — it just evolved.
