INCOGNITO RADIO

The Burgeoning Collective from Reading

On October 15th, 2015, 16:00 GMT, a variety of adolescents from Reading university rendezvous at an unknown location in Reading, Berkshire. A private party, organised by 3 students; packing out a living-room with puffer jackets, Tn’s, Red Stripe’s and an earthy bass supplied by the likes of Jossy Mitsu. Unbeknown to them, this house party was just a glimmer of what the future had in store for them.

Later that year, the hosts jumped on to the university radio and began broadcasting every Thursday, this was known as ‘Shepsi’s Hour’ – ‘Shepsi’ being one of the dons who started the movement, but sadly flew off to the big apple to chase his Hollywood dreams. With only two founders left and collective of followers and listeners, they carried on broadcasting weekly and packing out their house each month. Whilst this was all happening, people obviously began talking – because a few months down the line

this declassified infamous movement had grown some speculation amongst the university’s community, and in April, 2016, they became known as – ‘Incognito Radio’.

Co-founders Bertie Coyle and Ryan Walker-Edwards continued to host Incognito in the radio studios of Junction 11, a place that was integral to the collective’s motives. The weekly shows were packed full of info about upcoming events, settling the scene’s beef and controversies, but of course the music was central. They excelled at playing the top tunes in Disco, Dancehall, Grime and Techno and whatever else felt right, their loyalty to local talent caught attention. With momentum building rapidly, Incognito needed a new home.

Starting in a stripped bare living room, Incognito’s first daytime exhibitions were pleasantly reminiscent of the very foundations rave culture was built on - experiencing innovative sounds in an environment dedicated solely to the music. In an age of VIPs popping bottles and DJs playing only whatever is popular, Incognito gives artists the freedom to experiment, and music lovers an inclusive space where the only requirement is an appreciation for the tunes and the scene.

Although support for Incognito grew, with national recognition and bigger names playing, the living-room could no longer contain all the hype, and so Incognito moved once again, this time to the beloved city centre venue, Bar Iguana. The collective teamed up with like- minded Birmingham crew Sum Cellar to create an event which sold out in a matter of days.

Incognito has come forward in leaps and bounds since April. The station is gaining more and more momentum for it’s platform of underground music and erratic sense of style and culture; giving young and emerging DJs a means of sharing their work, but most of all, finally giving the youth of Reading within this subculture, a channel that speaks to them.

In under two years, Ryan-Walker Edwards and Bertie Coyle, the two founders of Incognito Radio, have established themselves within Reading and the university’s community; rivalling over-priced, money-pumping and bottle-popping clubs such as Q Club and Matchbox, owned by EP (Entourage Project). The movement has become a base in Reading for the need and want for underground music culture. Now working with numerous locations and holding various events, Incognito showcase and support all rising talents in the electronic music scene, (‘Marshmello’, ‘Compton White’, ‘Big Miz’, ‘O’Flynn’, ‘LUCY’, ‘Sum Cellar’ and ‘Jossy Mitsu’), have all been heard on the Incognito Radio platform amongst an array of ever growing contemporary associates.

We have come to know Incognito Radio for it’s work within the community underground music culture. Playing no liability to any single genre or style of music, at any given moment, you can expect to hear a variety of new musical forms: techno, house, disco, afro-beats, hip-hop and grime, to just name a few. They don’t seem to pay much regard to the traditions of upholding events and broadcasting music. Although support for Incognito grew, with national recognition and bigger names playing, the living-room could no longer contain all the hype, and so Incognito moved once again, this time to the beloved city centre venue, Bar Iguana. The collective teamed up with like- minded Birmingham crew Sum Cellar to create an event which sold out in a matter of days.

Incognito Radio wouldn’t be possible without the tireless work of the crew that is Luca Weatherby, Josh Clubbe, Prabbie Chadha and Edward Townsend, Sam Linge, and Becki-B. This dynamic mix of presenters has been wonderfully showcased in Incognito Radio’s various radio streams that are to be hosted from their website. Incognito is still in it’s early stages and although it has come a long way, it’s still growing in popularity and accomplishing bigger and better achievements. Right now it’s a hub for the underground music rave culture within Reading, but give it a few years and we’ll see what happens.