Across The Line

I love Across the Line. When I first started listening to music, when I was 16 I couldn’t get enough of ATL. It introduced me to loads of bands I still love like Belle and Sebastian and I’ll always cherish it for that.
I have fond memories of listening to Donna Legge, Staurt Baille and Ruarai talking passionately about venues like Auntie Annies and The Empire Music Hall.
I even remember winning a competition to win a sack of album’s of the week. People usually won about 50 or so. I remember being beside myself with excitement waiting for them to come. I was shocked to learn I had won a mere two albums– Coldplays debut and Bastidino by Dublin band Wilt.
I think they provide an excellent service and really know their stuff. Long may it continue and maybe one day I can have their jobs!

For me, ATL does a great job of promoting music in and around Northern Ireland. The BBC introducing programme with Rory O Connell is good, but saying it is stuck at midnight on a Thursday the ability of it to make in impact on the local community is sevelely limited.
Risy is a charismatic and enthusiastic host, and dispite his sometimes questionable taste and un faltering quest to be at the front of every trend, it is clear he has a genuine passion for local bands and this comes through in his show.
There is always regular sessions with local bands aswell as extended interviews with local bands (and occasionally visiting stars) which add depth to the programme in addition to the music.
The website linked to the show is also an excellent source of new gig and album launch information for local bands and the Belfast area, if only they would sort out the flash on the site because it has made numerous computers I have ran the site on stop working right!

When ATL first came out, it was cutting edge, covering pop culture issues that no other station would dare cover such as masturbation and music! But with the BBC’s noughties culture of fear and playing by the rules, it’s no longer the groundbreaking format it used to be. As far as I know, it’s not even allowed to be broadcast live anymore. It’s a done programme and I passionately hate when it is portrayed as being some sort of zeitgeist for musical programming when in fact the wannabe rockers who proclaim to be fans of it probably do more talking about listening to it than actually listening to it.

ATL is pretty much a hub for the Northern Ireland music scene.
Consisting of a bi-​weekly radio show (Monday at 8pm and Friday at midnight) on BBC Radio Ulster, a TV series and a constantly updated website, it is a great source of information if you’re looking for a gig to go to or just looking out for the next big thing.
Known for championing local bands and artists, it reviews almost every gig that happens in and around Belfast, as well as doing features on and interviews with new or established artists.
It’s well worth a listen and the website is also worth a look if you, like me, want to know what the kids are into these days!

This is pretty much the best radio station you are going to get in Belfast. ATL as its better known is kind of the MTV for Northern Ireland but without as much commercial rubbish. ATL promotes local bands as well as playing some of the best music currently floating around the airwaves. Presented by the ever-​enthusiastic Rigsy, ATL is the one and only stop for Northern Irish music. As well as the radio show, ATL also has a terrific website packed with news and interviews, as well as doing the occasional bit on the telebox, most recently Snow Patrol’s record breaking gig in Bangor.
It’s on 8 – 10 at night and definately makes a change from the rubbish you hear on Cool FM