FEATURE:
Station to Station
to presenting the Chillest Show, Sian Eleri is a huge name at BBC Radio 1. Eleri covered Phil Taggart's Chillest Show on BBC Radio 1 during Christmas 2019. In November 2020, it was announced that Eleri would take over Phil Taggart's show following his departure from the station. On 20th April, 2021, further timetable changes were announced as it was revealed Annie Mac would leave the station. Eleri will continue presenting on Sunday nights but will also present the Powerdown Playlist from 10 to 11 p.m., Monday to Wednesday. That is some Wikipedia information I have grabbed. I wanted to go deeper regarding an incredible broadcaster who, I think, will occupy even more time and space on BBC Radio 1 in 2022. One of the finest young voices on radio, Eleri is someone with a massive and busy future! Go and follow her on Instagram and Twitter. The Welsh-born broadcaster is a major talent who I can see producing her own podcasts and playing music around clubs throughout the world next year. If you want some background regarding the awesome Eleri, here is some information:
“Sian Eleri is one of the newest faces to BBC Radio 1. After being selected as part of Radio 1’s Christmas Presenter Search in 2019, she now hosts Radio 1’s Chillest Show every Sunday 7-9pm fulfilling a long-held dream to reach out and share her love of music with others. In 2020 an additional top class chill brand was added to her repertoire and was appointed the host of Radio 1’s Power Down Playlist which is it’s own show Mon-Wed at 10pm.
Sian has covered Annie Mac’s Future Sounds, hosting the London Grammar Listening Party for Radio 1 in conjunction with the release of their 3rd album, and presented at Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2021. Sian has interviewed the likes of Griff, Joe Lycett, Ashnikko, serpent with feet, Jordan Stephens & more; and these achievements within her first 4 months of appointment are testament to her passion, drive and love for her presenting work.
From radio to TV Sian will be hosting this years BIFA Awards red carpet and backstage highlights, talking to the best and brightest names in British independent film.
Hailing from Caernarfon, Sian is a proud Welsh speaker and regularly presents on BBC Radio Cymru. She currently hosts a Tuesday night music show and regularly covers for the likes of Huw Stephens. From 2018-2021 she also presented a weekly feature for Huw Stephens’ evening show, where she highlighted new releases from around the globe and guided listeners to music sites to explore and discover for themselves.
Sian is passionate about showcasing talent in the creative industries from Wales and beyond. She’s been a judge for the Welsh Music Prize 2019 & 2020, the British Podcast Awards 2020 & 2021, and curated a zine ‘Merched yn Gwneud Miwsig’ highlighting creative womxn in Wales across the arts. She’ll be judging at the AIM Awards in 2021.
Sian is an enthusiastic VO artist – with her warm, dulcet tones being heard representing clients like the BBC Archives, the Six Nations Championship, National Prison Radio, and British Council’s Selector Radio. She’s also voiced BBC podcast ‘Story of Miwsig’, and currently voices the All Day Chill mix on BBC Sounds.
The presenter also has experience in production – being a member of the teams behind Selector Radio with Jamz Supernova, BBC Introducing on Radio 1, and Radio 2’s Swing & Big Band Show with Clare Teal. A music podcast Sian produced called ‘Undertones’ is scheduled for release this year. She also produced and presented a BBC Radio Cymru 7-part series showcasing people’s unique and often difficult experiences of working on the pandemic’s frontline.
Sian studied Broadcast Journalism at the University of Leeds, becoming the valedictorian in the Media & Communication department and was awarded Best Female Newcomer at Leeds Student Radio. She went on to Goldsmiths to complete an MA in Sociocultural Linguistics, researching the intricacies and complexities of bilingualism, culture and identity.
Sian is great fun and a tastemaker for the future of music. She is enthusiastic, competitive, principled, and adventurous. Her interests span competitive swimming, design, environmental issues and sustainability”.
I really love Eleri’s work. As one of the new stars at BBC Radio 1, who knows just how far she can go! There are not that many interviews with Eleri online. I would love to know more about her favourite albums, childhood memories of music and, indeed, what she wants to achieve…not only next year, but throughout her career. We do get some useful insights and answers in a Music Week profile and interview from September:
“Sian Eleri presents The Chillest Show on BBC Radio 1. Here, the DJ reveals how she got into the station and talks opportunity, on-air lessons and the value of radio...
Are there enough opportunities for young DJs and presenters from all backgrounds in the UK?
“I feel there’s a real gear-shift at the moment. It’s a notoriously difficult industry to crack – it’s taken me six years to get my foot in the door! But I’ve got an inclusive scheme to thank for my job at Radio 1. It’s true that hearing people who sound like you, or come from a similar background, make you feel like you could belong in that world – so voices like Huw Stephens’ on a national station made me feel like being a presenter wasn’t completely out of reach, despite being from opposite ends of Wales. I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing more accents, dialects and regional voices in the coming years, and having more broadcasters from marginalised communities can only be a good thing. A big shout-out to my wonderful colleague Jaguar, too, who’s created the free Future1000 scheme, promoting and educating young budding DJs from all corners of the country. Schemes like these are a positive force for change.
How do you want to impact Radio 1?
“I count my lucky stars that I present what’s been my favourite Radio 1 show for several years [The Chillest Show]. In part, because it encourages looking after ourselves and looking out for each other. In September, I’ll be taking over from Annie Mac as the host of Power Down Playlist with a new timeslot, so having the opportunity to share more mellow music in a calm space with focus on wellbeing is so special. I’m also keen to support more music outside the English language.”
Why is radio still valuable to the music industry?
“Radio is intimate. Being someone’s friend on air is a privilege. There’s no other medium quite like it. It’s a pleasure to champion artists for the benefit of the listener but the creator too; from finding someone’s new favourite obsession, to playing unsigned emerging artists with the potential of it leading to fantastic opportunities for them. It’s a win-win. Also, as a massive radio fan, I’m desperate to know who some of my favourite DJs are listening to. I hung on to Zane Lowe’s every word as a teen because I wanted to be as cool as him!”
What’s the biggest on-air lesson you’ve learned so far?
“Honestly, not being so hard on myself! I’m still learning, but I definitely don’t get as rattled if I do a messy link. I met Nick Grimshaw before my first show, I was a bag of nerves and he said, ‘If you make a mistake, it’s charming!’ I’ll always love him for that.”
You’re running the music business for a day. What do you change?
“I feel really strongly about fairness and expanding opportunities for everyone. From artists getting fair pay, to womxn and non-binary musicians being fairly represented on festival line-ups and labels expanding horizons supporting artists from outside London”.
I am going to finish up in a second. Sian Eleri is someone who champions diversity and inclusion. I feel she will go on to present a big show for BBC Radio 1. Maybe it will champion new artists - but she is definitely to keep growing and move up. As I said, I would love to hear podcasts and more bits from the amazing broadcaster and D.J. Her music tastes and choices are sublime. Hearing a Eleri D.J. set or a show where she simply plays her favourite tracks would be amazing. As she told Music Week, she wants to play more non-English acts. Eleri has taken over two great shows (one formerly hosted by Annie Mac), and it is clear she is very happy and excited to be at BBC Radio 1. Although these are early days, I believe Eleri will be a huge pioneer, champion and name who will make space for artists otherwise resigned to the side-lines. With many years and decades to come, this is a radio career that will blossom! Beyond radio, I also believe that Eleri will do T.V. and she will expand her career. It is very interesting when you encounter such a promising and passionate broadcasters and D.J. I (and so many other people) know that Sian Eleri is…
GOING to go a very long way.