14 May 2010
For the past 7 years, a small but dedicated group of devoted music fans have been giving up small portions of their time to broadcast to an uncertain, but devoted audience.
Fleet FM is a commercial-free, not-for-profit radio station since its inception in the middle of 2003. Fleet broadcasts on a low-power frequency in Central Auckland, and has been broadcasting over the internet as well.
But no more. Fleet FM ran into serious financial trouble in 2010, and has had to announce it's final broadcast date as Sunday 23rd of May, 2010. After this, dozens of confused and lonely DJs will be left wandering the streets, wondering what to do with the empty hours usually spent lovingly preparing their shows.
In order to rescue these poor souls from such a pitiful state, a resistance movement appears to be gathering force. This group is trying to muster resources so that the closure of such a beloved community radio station may not be permanent.
On May 26th, 'Fleet SOS' will be held at the Wine Cellar and Whammy Bar in Newton. With 'all proceeds towards saving Fleet FM from financial shipwreck', these bands are rallying around the station in an attempt to support its eventual reemergence. The Wine Cellar lineup features Coach, Great North and Luckless, as well as live poetry, while over at Whammy Bar will be The Wicks, Pikachunes and Let Me Go Drone. It all starts up at 8pm, and while the koha entry fee could be an excuse to give less, imagine those confused and lonely DJs wandering the streets, and please give a little more.