Show Profiles – Alternation

Alternation is an alternative music show broadcast every Monday from 7 til 9PM, and as part of NE1fm’s launch in June 2007, is one of the longest-running shows on the NE1fm schedule.

Starting out as a largely music-focused show hosted by Barry Wilson, Alternation has evolved in to a show featuring regular guests, co-hosted by Barry along with Lee Harrison and professional wrestler TY McFly.

The show features a mixture of alternative music styles, including rock, metal, indie and punk, with many of the bands featured unsigned or lesser-known to the wider world.

Guests on Alternation have included musicians, as well as figures from the local sports scene and comedians. Many guests appear multiple times, establishing a rapport with the show and gaining significant exposure through their appearances.

The show also has connections to the local professional wrestling organisation the IWF, for which TY performs and Barry has acted as ring announcer, making it one of only a few British radio shows to cover the field.

Meanwhile, in football, co-presenter Barry’s passion for Gateshead F.C. has offered the club significant on-air coverage during its rise through the football pyramid in recent seasons.

One additional regular feature on the show of note is the “We Shouted Slayer On Alternation” club, as joined by the members of an eclectic range of bands, as well as other presenters from across the station.

Alternation has been covered by local media on numerous occasions, as well as by the BBC and magazines such as Elite. The show has also worked with various events, including IWF wrestling shows and a “Battle Of The Bands” event in 2011.

Away from NE1fm, Alternation was briefly broadcast on Ultra Radio in the Ashington area.