Thursday 28 February 2019

Squawking like a pink monkey bird...




It's Ziggy!

With 64% of the votes on our poll the first session of The Old Voluntary Album Test will consider:

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars By David Bowie (1972)

All the volunteers who have signed up for the session to date have been sent a briefing about the next steps and their homework for our meeting on Wednesday 6th March 2019 at 6 pm at The MAC.


But- Don't worry if you haven't signed up yet- you can still come along to watch and we're plotting monthly meetings for more people to get involved.

Thursday 14 February 2019

Time to Choose...



Wednesday 6 February 2019

Coming soon...


The old what?

107.5 Switch Radio & MAC Birmingham are developing a new creative project for volunteers who are interested in supporting media & arts organisations across the City. Both organisations have strong track records of retaining and developing volunteers and are now seeking ways to broaden that support across a variety of tasks and roles.
'The Old Voluntary Album Test' aims to create an interactive and social event which will:
  • Provide creative project opportunities for existing MAC volunteers.
  • Encourage new volunteers for both MAC & 107.5 Switch Radio.
  • Support volunteers through training in presenting and production.
  • Create content for a regular ‘album club’ show on 107.5 Switch Radio.

How might it work?

The project is in its early stages. As a guide the following is a simple outline of how it might all work:
(A) One Month before the event
A Facebook poll determines the album that volunteers will be discussing.
(B) Two weeks before the event
Volunteers who have signed up to the session will be sent a link to a blog page outlining a Spotify link to the chosen album and key tracks for the discussion (determined by the facilitator and the nominator).
(C) One Week before the event
Volunteers will be asked to submit a five line review of the album (via the blog or email). This will help frame the discussion and provide reference points for the recording.

The event itself...

6 pm Briefing & Outline
Volunteers are briefed and given a run through of how the discussion will be structured and given a cuppa.
James Sandy to facilitate and ‘chair’ the debate which will be recorded for editing & broadcast.
6.30 pm Discussion & Recording
Outline structure:
  • Overview of the album.
  • Overview of the artist.
  • Discussion framed around 4 key tracks.
  • Comment invited from submitted ‘5 line’ reviews.
45 mins duration (final edit aim of one hour including tracks).
7.15 pm Breakout Social (Arena bar)
Volunteers are invited to a ‘post event’/informal discussion linked to radio roles, future project Ideas, MAC workshops & events.
Sessions will be supported by colleagues from both MAC & Switch Radio.

Sound interesting?

We are now plotting the first session to be held
Wednesday 6th March 2019 @ 6pm
If you would like to participate in the album discussion, would like more information or to help facilitate the event please contact us via

tovat@kingofthebuttons.co.uk