Since first being broadcast in 1995, 1LIVE has become one of the finest music broadcasters in Germany’s history.
With a reputation for going the extra mile when it comes to new acts they believe in, 1LIVE regularly hosts special live sessions with bands to show them at their very best.
Recent standout sessions from the Cologne-based network have come from the likes of Hozier, the Wombats, Passenger and Milky Chance.
Aimed at a youthful audience, close to 3 million people listen to 1Live every day. Its playlist really can mean the difference between making it in Germany and being an also-ran.
As such, 1LIVE Plan B – the station’s music-focused evening show – is an essential promo stop-off for artists looking to make a splash in the region.
The Independent Echo caught up with four key team members at 1LIVE Plan B to get a flavour of working for a German musical media heavyweight…
TILMANN KÖLLNER
* What’s the coolest thing that’s ever happened to you at 1LIVE?
Actually every day at 1LIVE is pretty cool because we always have a great laugh, are able to listen to new music every day and you never know what happens next.
Also, being one of the hosts of our special music show 1LIVE Plan B I often get to meet a lot of prominent musical guests.
Not being here so long, I can say, that two events were very special to me: My first interview here at 1LIVE with the incredible new duo Honne from London and the visit of German rapper, musician and artist Pierre Baigorry aka Peter Fox, who does not give many interviews.
He also played an exclusive two-hour-live-DJ-set for the 1LIVE listeners.
* What does 1LIVE mean to you and why are you proud to work there?
1LIVE is the most successful young radio station in Europe and we have got so many listeners not only in the region but in the whole of Germany and Europe (through the web-channel) so that you can actually “feel” the people listening to you while you’re ON AIR.
You can also feel via Twitter and social media that people immediately respond to what’s happening on the radio.
I am also very proud of the approach of 1LIVE to often be the first station to play a song, even if it’s still far away from being released or promoted.
People here are very fast, very professional and self-confident when it comes to good music, so we just play it – no matter, what other stations might do or not do.
* What do you hope to achieve at the station in the future?
I am looking forward to a great future at 1LIVE and hope that I can stay here for a long time.
At the moment I am very happy about what I am doing so I cannot think of any better position at the moment.
FRANZISKA NIESAR
* What’s the coolest thing that’s ever happened to you at 1LIVE?
I have just started working here, so I guess by far the coolest thing is that they picked me as a new host for their evening-show, 1LIVE Plan B.
* What does 1LIVE mean to you and why are you proud to work there?
I am from a small town with no public transportation except a bus that came around twice a day. Listening to 1LIVE symbolised something like a window to a city for me, something urban.
I am proud to work here since 1LIVE has got the manpower and influence to broadcast amazing topics and issues, whether it’s politics or music.
They do not only talk about Jack White, they talk with him while visiting him in his vinyl-paradise. They do not only talk about pop music and make assumption about in how far it has changed or not.
They invite different bands and let them discuss the topic. Plus – and that is maybe the most important thing – although 1LIVE is the biggest radio station in Germany for a certain target group they still don’t always concentrate on the most popular news or music.
They make sure to support lots of independent artists that are unknown to most people and focus on singers, rappers, producers that might enrich your knowledge about music or pop culture in general.
* What do you hope to achieve at the station in the future?
To be someone’s window to a city. To be someone’s inspiration musically. To be someone whose show has an impact on people and artists.
DAVID KRAUSE
* What’s the coolest thing that’s ever happened to you at 1LIVE?
That evening when my co-host Bianca sent me a message and told me we would host the show 1LIVE Plan B.
We were talking about this show for month and thought “Hmmmmmmmmmmm that would be the best show to host in Germany because we would be able to play the music we love”.
A week later we met in Cologne and prepared the first test-shows – and where creativity is, there are good drinks as well.
So we had some extraordinary nights, planning the show and listening to good music. (Don’t ask about the hangover afterwards…)
* What does 1LIVE mean to you and why are you proud to work there?
I really appreciate the fact that we can play our favorite music in the evening.
There’s no other German radio station where this is possible. Actually my job is to listen to good music, talk about it and play it in the radio.
When I discover new music, I’m able to play it at 1LIVE only a few hours later. Above all I’m meeting interesting musicians every week.
* What do you hope to achieve at the station in the future?
I hope we don’t get tired of new music. 1LIVE Plan B should always be on top of playing fresh artists and keep on having its very own sound.
BIANCA HAUDA
What’s the coolest thing that’s ever happened to you at 1LIVE?
The day I met this crazy guy besides me! When I met David, my co-host, I directly knew that this would be a radio-relationship which will last for a long time.
The first moment we met we both knew that the evenings between 8 and 11pm will never be boring… also afterwards while having a beer or two but that’s another story.
It’s so hard to find a co-host who’s on the same level of humor and the same level of feeling music like you.
It’s a little bit cheesy to say but in a way I think we are some kind of a German radio dream team.
What does 1LIVE mean to you and why are you proud to work there?
I listened to 1LIVE since I’ve been a little kid – always with my earplugs in while walking to school and back.
I’m working for this station since six years now and I still love the fact that NOW IT’S ME who can play the new and creative music to other people who walk along the street with their earplugs in.
I’m proud to show our listeners how many good musicians there are in this world and I’m proud that 1LIVE has the courage to play them first of all in our show: 1LIVE Plan B.
What do you hope to achieve at the station in the future?
I hope that radio will never die! 1LIVE Plan B is one of the last isles of good music in German radio.
We must always be open for new artists, new genres and new sound. Music is a feeling and to spread this feeling is our mission here in 1LIVE.
[Pic Credit: WDR/Fußwinkel]