Published on 24 February 2023
Loyal listener Hope Lynes has landed her own regular weekend show on her dream station – Kerrang! Radio.
The 22-year-old University of Sunderland MA Radio Audio and Podcasting student currently hosts Punk Princesses on Spark, the University’s community station – where she is also Head of Specialist Music.
Hope’s new show on Kerrang! airs from 2pm – 5pm every Saturday, but it isn’t the first time she’s been on the station. She was one of eight listeners who were offered the chance to take over airwaves for an hour on a May Bank Holiday in 2022 to share their most loved music with the Kerrang! audience.
Speaking about her new show, Hope said: “It's an incredible feeling, I grew up listening to Kerrang! and reading the magazines.
“In terms of the type of music I like listening to and discussing, it is the perfect station for me. The shows I have done so far have gone down so well and I am filled with pride, love and the slightest sense of imposter syndrome – although I suppose that is going to be a given moving from student broadcasting to national broadcasting.
“It's exciting and feels like the next step in my career, after years of working hard in volunteer media.”
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Music and Content Director for Kerrang! Ric Blaxill said: “I’m very excited to welcome Hope to Kerrang! This appointment is another indication of the station’s ambition to increase diversity on our schedule and introduce new presenter talent, both to Kerrang! and the wider Bauer family.
“Outside of that ambition though Hope’s path to presenting is one that will hopefully inspire more young potential presenters out there. Her future is bright and it’s a pleasure to be at the start of this exciting journey with her.”
Hope was nominated for the Rising Star (Industry) Award at the 2022 Youth Music Awards after being involved in a music journalism Youth Music-funded project.
Dr Caroline Mitchell, Professor of Radio and Participation at the University of Sunderland, said: “Hope possesses a great combination of specialist musical knowledge, a fantastic presentation style and an ambition to bring her love of punk, metal and independent music to young people’s ears.
“She’s passionate about promoting change around gender and her Punk Princesses show on Spark and her outspokenness and leadership around gender diversity in the music industry demonstrate she’s one to watch in UK radio, audio and podcasting.”
Hope, who lives in Newcastle, added: “This opportunity is a dream come true. I can't wait to see what the future brings, but for now, I am just so excited to be given the opportunity to nerd out about some incredible music and a brand and station I am passionate about.”