New community DJ studio opens on site of former Liverpool station Melodic Distraction

A new community DJ facility has opened in Liverpool. Studio Picnic occupies the former-home of beloved digital radio station Melodic Distraction, which closed in 2023. 

The space opened earlier this month, and already has a number of highly respected local artists and crews signed up. Humble Abode, Glue Liverpool, Lazzzywax, Hardcore Babes, Poolside Pumpers and Sisu are amongst those calling the address home. It has been founded by Mia and Nick of Merseyside’s QueenswaY collective, and RA Liverpool City Manager Tash. 

Monthly mixes will be recorded by those involved and released via the Studio Picnic SoundCloud and YouTube channels. Non-residents also have access, with hire costs currently between £5 and £25 per hour. The lowest prices are reserved for students, those without a wage, and people in receipt of Universal Credit. Eight hours of free time are also being saved for low and no-income users. 

“We noticed such a huge decline of artists in Merseyside recording and releasing mixes when Melodic Distraction closed,” a spokesperson for the trio told RA. “Studio Picnic exists to capture and archive a tiny slice of the genre-spanning and dedicated scene here, and we aim to do that in an accessible and inclusive space.”