Reflections from The Radio Academy Festival 2025
Last week, Camilo and I were fortunate enough to attend The Radio Academy Festival: World of Sound on Wednesday 17th September at the Royal College of Physicians in Regents Park. The day was packed with inspiring talks, live performances, and plenty of opportunities to connect with other industry professionals. From poetry readings by Lady Unchained to being serenaded by the brilliant Ryan Corbett on the accordion, the festival was certainly a celebration of sound in all its forms. I wanted to share a few of my personal takeaways from the day…
Black Voices Matter – Opening Revelations
The day kicked off with a powerful and immersive audio-visual session by Tony Phillips and Axel Kacoutié, titled Black Voices Matter. Phillips and Kacoutié explored the power of deep listening and authentic storytelling, challenging creators to think critically about whose voices are being amplified. I’m sure many in the room would agree that this session set the bar incredibly high from the start of the day with such a poignant piece. I’m merely scratching the surface here, but a few phrases from Tony Phillips really caught my ear:
- Listen widely, listen daily
- Community is content
- When you’re listening, what are you hearing?
- It’s never really about the person talking, it’s about the answer
Phillips emphasised the importance of deep listening – something we can do as individuals in our daily lives, and something to keep in mind as a radio team, especially when working with our diverse community of creators and considering the stories we want to tell.
Louis Theroux & Prison Radio
Catching Louis Theroux was a definite highlight! His conversation with Phil Maguire from the Prison Radio Association was a brilliant rundown of the great work being done here in the UK and now globally, giving a voice to those behind bars, and how audio can be a lifeline for people in the most difficult circumstances.
Music, Memory & Emotion
Another ear-opener was learning about the positive impact of music on our minds, from a session with Psychologist Dr Sian Williams and neuroscientist Professor Catherine Loveday from BBC Radio 3 Unwind. A few insights that really resonated:
- Musical memories are more robust than other types of memory – they can help preserve identity and connection
- Sad music can help us process grief
- Music creates synchronicity in brain activity – bringing people together on a neurological level
This was a great reminder of why music is so important within our lives. Whether it’s showcasing emerging artists or curating playlists for our community, we know music has the power to heal, connect, and inspire.
Community: The Buzzword of the Day
If there was one theme that echoed throughout the festival, it was community. Whether it was in the talks, the performances, or the conversations in between, the message was clear: radio has a unique power to bring people together. In a world of streaming, algorithms and AI-generated playlists, radio still offers something deeply human: connection.
Looking Forward
If you’d like a taste of the day, I recommend checking out Episode 1 of the Radio Academy Festival 2025 podcast – you’ll hear from Tony Phillips and Axel Kacoutié, as well as more reflections from the event.
Camilo and I left the festival feeling inspired, with plenty of ideas to bring back to Morley Radio. We hope to return next year for more tips, tricks, and community spirit at the **drum roll** Audio Academy Festival 2026! Until then, our ears are peeled…
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