The Riverside Festival in Leicester has long been a vibrant celebration of the city’s life and diversity, and this year, Soar Sound community radio was proud to be part of the occasion on 7th and 8th June. Setting up in the heart of the festival, our team had the chance to connect directly with the people of Leicester—residents, families, students, recent arrivals, and long-time locals—offering a timely reminder of the vital role that place-based media plays in sustaining shared understanding and social cohesion.
Leicester is a city that is constantly changing. Since the 2021 Census, over a third of the population has moved or changed, reflecting a city that is not only growing but undergoing a major transformation in its cultural and social fabric. With new communities settling here in recent years, the need to build trust, understanding, and common ground has never been more pressing. This is where Soar Sound finds its relevance—not only as a radio station, but as a facilitator of shared civic space.
Community radio doesn’t just broadcast—it listens. At Riverside, we engaged face-to-face with festival-goers, capturing their stories, their aspirations, and their reflections on life in Leicester today. Many participants spoke of their hopes for the city, their experiences of settling here, and the importance of feeling connected. These encounters formed the basis of our festival coverage, which is now available on the Soar Sound website, featuring audio stories and photo essays that reflect the rich tapestry of voices in the city:
In a city where language, identity, and belonging are constantly negotiated, Soar Sound’s decision to produce its programming exclusively in English creates a unique social bridge. Like schools, libraries, museums and galleries, the station serves as a peer-social resource—providing a space where people from different backgrounds can meet, learn, and understand one another in a shared language. This doesn’t mean flattening difference, but building a space of respectful curiosity and mutual recognition.
Community radio is often understood in terms of its expressive value—but it is equally important to understand its integrative function. At events like the Riverside Festival, Soar Sound doesn’t just share music or information—it models an inclusive civic conversation. By being present, by being visible and audible in public life, and by working to represent the many voices of Leicester, the station strengthens the kind of ‘bridging’ social capital that keeps diverse cities resilient and adaptable.
As Leicester continues to evolve, Soar Sound’s role must evolve with it. Being present at festivals, in neighbourhoods, in schools and public spaces, helps us to renew our appeal, remain relevant to the people we serve, and ensure that our platform is truly reflective of this remarkable, ever-changing city. These moments of engagement are not just useful—they are essential.
For more information on the Riverside Festival itself, see Leicester City Council’s event coverage.
If you spoke to us at the festival—thank you. If you didn’t, tune in and see what you missed. Because in Leicester, the story is always still unfolding—and Soar Sound will be there to help tell it.