Big Weekend was going to Dundee
Radio 1 had announced that Big Weekend 2020 would be in Dundee.
That immediately meant one thing for Scott and Chris.
The Stark Guide needed to return.
Chris had spent years “rolling places in glitter” for listeners who had grown bored of their hometowns or wanted to know what a new destination offered.
Dundee now had some of the world’s biggest artists heading there in May.
The show wanted to know what else visitors should do.
The Stark Guide treated Dundee like a global destination
Chris approached the city with the usual combination of genuine local history, tourism research and exaggerated documentary delivery.
The feature was never designed to replace an official city guide.
Its job was to make Dundee sound exciting enough that listeners would want to investigate further.
Scott delighted in the fact an event announcement could instantly transform one Scottish city into the centre of Radio 1’s world.
Listeners from Dundee also began contacting the show with the local detail Chris inevitably missed.
The guide worked best when the residents corrected it.
DJs were still furious with clubbers
January’s angry DJ theme returned too.
Working DJs supplied more examples of customers touching decks, demanding requests, pulling cables or spilling drinks near equipment.
Scott and Chris had heard enough stories to understand why apparently small interruptions could become infuriating across a full night.
The programme’s unofficial nightclub etiquette was becoming clear.
Do not touch the equipment.
Do not repeatedly shout “oi mate”.
And do not assume your song request matters more than everybody else’s night.
Scott discovered seat fillers
The Grammys had also introduced Scott to a job he suddenly wanted.
Seat fillers moved into empty seats when celebrities got up during televised award ceremonies.
The result prevented the room looking half-empty on camera.
Scott and Chris became obsessed with how somebody actually obtained the role.
Was it a paid job?
Did the filler need to look glamorous?
Could they speak to celebrities?
Were they allowed to stay if the famous person never came back?
The pair wanted to find somebody who had done it and, ideally, arrange the same opportunity for the BRIT Awards.
Scott liked the idea of appearing on television repeatedly without winning, presenting or performing anything.
The Grammys provided fashion problems too
The programme discussed the previous night’s ceremony, including stars whose clothes or appearance had attracted attention.
Scott also worried about friends or colleagues allowing somebody to appear at a major event with food stuck in their teeth.
He had experienced people failing to warn him about similar problems before.
A genuine friend, he argued, should say something before the international cameras arrived.
Bangers created a salad mystery
The show still found room for Bangers and a question about a familiar restaurant’s salad bar.
Scott and Chris could picture one particular ingredient but struggled to identify exactly what it was.
Listeners supplied suggestions.
The programme had begun Monday with global music awards.
It ended exactly where the show was most comfortable.
Arguing over buffet food.
COMMENTS