Xpress Radio was founded in September 1996, but was truly born of a public health emergency shortly after. Largely, the birth of the station as we know it today can be traced back to a meningitis outbreak, which prompted the university to fund the station’s FM license to keep students informed. Initially, the station only had a Restricted Service License (RSL), allowing just 28 days of broadcasting during the autumn term.
Founders Adam Newton and Max Odell had spent two years trying to get the station off the ground, Odell said in a Gair Rhydd article, from the founding in 1996, that: “I’m so stressed out. I’m doing a million and one things at the moment, but it’s definitely worth the hassle. It is so good after two and a half years to see X-Press up and running.” At the time, the station was a small operation with “so few resources,” relying on joint funding from the Students’ Union and the Centre for Journalism Studies.
While the founders were just trying to survive their first 28 days on the air, they were already being praised for an “unexpected level of professionalism” that suggested Xpress was built to last. It has indeed lasted, leaving a legacy of many talented and prominent radio presenters and journalists who made their names in the Xpress studio. Most recently, the station served as the launchpad for Sam MacGregor and Danni Diston.
The duo began presenting together on Xpress Radio during their time at Cardiff University, winning Student Radio Awards before eventually moving to BBC Radio 1 as the first regular daytime presenters to broadcast live from Wales for the network. Thirty years on, the “scrappy operation” described by Odell has transformed into a sophisticated, 24/7 digital broadcaster. The mantle is now held by Station Manager Sami Ait- Kaci, who reflects on what the station has meant as a giver of opportunities for students, as well as a place for massive personal growth: “Being part of Xpress has been one of my most valuable experiences at university, and having the opportunity to manage a team of such talented people has been a pleasure,” Sami says.
Reflecting on his own journey, Sami admits that the learning curve was steep. “Stepping into Xpress, I had little knowledge of the radio industry. I now know how every single part of our studio works, what you’re supposed to say on radio, the big radio faux-pas, and how to entertain and inform using only your voice and music.” Sami also notes that joining the radio is a great way to get out of your comfort zone: Joining the radio station is great because if you’re already an extrovert, you’ll likely be a natural, and if you’re more of an introvert, you get used to the pressure of having to speak clearly into a microphone, which eventually turns you into an extrovert.” For those looking to follow in these footsteps, the door is always open. “If you’re new to the station and want to get involved, we provide regular training and one-to-one feedback to help you grow,” Sami explains. This commitment to training and developing talent and skills has made Xpress Radio an integral part of the Cardiff Student Media eco-system.
Their 24/7 programming reflects the diverse interests of the student body, broadcasting across a vast range of genres and maintaining a strong commitment to regular Welsh language shows. Giles Cosgrove has been responsible for much of this output for over half a decade, delivering everything from award-winning radio dramas to ‘The Alternative Show’. He said of the radio that: “Xpress has given me a home for my creativity, a voice on campus, and the confidence to be myself.
The community of presenters, technicians, and producers really feels like a family, and it’s one of the highlights of my week getting on air with ‘The Alternative Show’.” When asked about what it’s like to run a show on Xpress, Giles said that: “I’m buzzing off the one-to-one relationship with everyone who tunes in. It’s like having all your friends over and being able to talk to each of them directly. By 9 o’clock, I’m usually shattered, having had a lot to laugh about and proceed to upload the show to our listen again service on Mixcloud before driving home and listening back to my show to hear myself and the highlights and the mistakes to ensure next week is even better than the last.” As Xpress Radio enters its fourth decade, it stands as a testament to the hard work of everyone from the 1996 founders to the current committee.
For those who have walked through its studio doors, the impact is lifelong. As Sami sums up the milestone:
“Happy 30th Xpress, here’s to 30 more!”