At last years’ rAWARDS, Sir Bob Geldoff berated Australian radio for playing “shite”. With playlists dominated by girl bands and boy bands is radio in danger of replicating the vacuous bubble gum era of the early 70s? Or have we surpassed it already?

Sir Bob’s argument is that the more we play what people already know the more they say they want songs just like those and the more shite we play. He says we should challenge the audience with more new releases that are different and confrontational.

Is he right? Or should breaking new songs be left to non-commercial stations who don’t need to rate, pay large salaries and dividends?