21 Mar 2016

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A local radio station's story of championing alternative music over the past four decades is charted in a new exhibition.

Alternative Radio: RDU 98.5FM since 1976 opened at the Canterbury Museum on Friday. It celebrates the milestone 40th birthday of the South Island's longest-running independent radio station. RDU began broadcasting on February 23, 1976 during Canterbury University's student orientation.

In a first for the museum, the groundbreaking exhibition features live music gigs and broadcasts from a purpose-built studio set up in the special exhibitions hall. There will be ticketed performances by talented New Zealand musicians, including Delaney Davidson, The Bats, Ladi 6 and Lawrence Arabia, as well as sessions designed especially for kids.

In another first, visitors to the exhibition will be able to access digital content - audio, video, music and stories - through a free RDU App. Museum director Anthony Wright says visitors should remember to bring headphones to get the most out of the audio content.

RDU has played a significant role in Christchurch's history and the development of alternative and student radio, station director James Meharry says.

“With thousands of hosts, workers and volunteers through the doors and more than 100,000 listeners in the last 40 years, RDU98.5FM has been a part of life for many Cantabrians, here and abroad.”

After the station lost its studio at the university in the Canterbury earthquakes it created the RDUnit, an innovative studio set up inside an adapted four tonne horse truck. The RDUnit, which was in use for four years until a new studio opened in central Christchurch last April, has been parked outside the museum and is on display.

The exhibition, which has received funding from Christchurch City Council along with other sponsors, runs until August 14.