Featured image: Adomas Lukas Petrauskas

As the independent radio community CROP marks its first year, we catch up with its  founders to reflect on the vision that sparked it, the highlights along the way and what the future holds for Manchester’s new music platform.

CROP is an independent radio and community platform in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, located on the first floor of Port Street music venue Stage & Radio. The station operates in the remnants of an old pizza kitchen with DJ decks and turntables set up beside a ceramic oven, making it a perfectly unconventional home for a platform built on experimentation. The studio itself is a warm, low-lit space scented with incense, strung with fairy lights and dotted with potted flowers, creating an inviting atmosphere that feels more like a friend’s living room than a broadcast station.

Since launching in March 2024, CROP has championed hundreds of underground artists across the North West, offering a platform to DJs and producers often overlooked by the mainstream media. “The name highlights the importance of nurturing emerging talent, much like crops, which need the right space and resources to grow and thrive together,” says CROP founder Connor Cooper, as he adjusts the broadcast setup for an incoming resident DJ.

In just a year, CROP has quickly gained attention thanks to the eclectic mix of talent they spotlight, including artists like Princess Elf Bar, Kop-Z, Esme, and Kusasa, each bringing a unique approach to their sets and music production. The space acts as a playground for the DJs to push boundaries, experiment and develop their craft. This diversity of genres keeps CROP’s audience wide-ranging, welcoming fans of every corner of the electronic music spectrum.

For Cooper, creating CROP was a response to Manchester’s rich but often underexposed creative scene.“There was such a wealth of creativity and talent that didn’t get the spotlight it deserved in comparison to other cities,” he says, nodding to radio platforms like The LOT in New York and NTS in East London. With NTS attracting three million monthly listeners, the power of this modern radio format is clear. Cooper saw an opportunity to build something similar in Manchester – a space where artists could share their music with new audiences and experiment freely.

Outside of broadcasting, these welcoming music spaces invite conversation and connection for artists in certain niches, who would usually only find each other online. “These spaces create a much-needed social hub for creatives outside of the intensity of a nightclub,” says Cooper.

“They allow people in this community to share their passion for music during a challenging time for the industry, with nightclubs closing down left and right and a cost of living crisis looming over the heads of ravers. These environments connect and humanise the people who play music and the people who run parties, in a space that doesn’t demand alcohol or staying out late.”

His words ring true in the current climate. According to a study by the Nighttime Industries Association, the UK lost 37 percent of its clubs over the past four years, with approximately ten clubs closing each month. In the North West alone, 74 nightclubs have closed since 2020. CROP’s existence offers a glimmer of hope – a welcoming space formed of a tight-knit community of artists and selectors who might not otherwise cross paths.

Despite the industry’s challenges, CROP has cultivated a genuine sense of family. Resident DJs and regulars describe the platform as being more than just a radio station – it’s a creative sanctuary. “I’m proud of this place and I’m proud to be a part of it,” says Cooper.

This welcoming energy extends beyond broadcasting. CROP regularly gives back to the community who support by backing meaningful causes. The recent BLEND talk panel is one example – an evening of conversation about diversity and inclusion in Manchester’s music scene, with proceeds donated to Mermaids, a charity supporting transgender and gender-diverse youth.

Co-founder and DJ Tommy Cross, who has been instrumental in CROP’s growth, is excited about the platform’s evolution. “Things are getting very exciting and I am proud to work somewhere that does so much for the community,” he says.

CROP’s reach continues to expand with new creative projects. This includes CROP Magazine, a platform spotlighting emerging artists, venues and collectives, as well as offering deep dives into dance music history.

CROP has also made its mark on the city’s larger events. During the 2024 Warehouse Project season, CROP took over at the Star and Garter pub for the Repercussion day festival. The pub was transformed for the night, with CROP’s signature aesthetic – incense, flowers scattered throughout, and unmistakable earth-shaking sounds from an eclectic range of high-energy performances from DJs and MCs. For Cross, being part of this event and connecting with the crowd was a highlight: “My favourite part was handing out flowers to ravers at the end of the night.” The diverse lineup  introduced many new fans to the radio station and the positive energy of the CROP platform.

Reflecting on CROP’s first year, Cooper is excited about what lies ahead: “I think it’s a moment to be proud of what we’ve done over the past year and also to look forward to the next 12 months – the plans we have for expansion and the continued work we can do to platform our residents and the people that come through the space.”

With plans for more events, expanding broadcast schedules and the launch of CROP Magazine, the platform shows no signs of slowing down. Cooper adds: “Hopefully we’re creating something that allows that potential to grow and be fulfilled.”

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Correction: In the print edition of this article, it was originally stated that Connor Cooper “nodded to radio platforms like The LOT in New York, HÖR in Berlin, and NTS in East London” as points of reference. We would like to clarify that Cooper did not reference or gesture to HÖR in Berlin during the interview. Cooper says CROP Radio “does not align with HÖR as an organisation” due to concerns around how certain political expressions have been handled on their platform. He adds: “This runs counter to the values of expression, inclusivity and solidarity that are central to CROP Radio’s mission.” The mention of HÖR has been removed to more accurately reflect Cooper’s views and the ethos of CROP Radio. We apologise for the error.

In 2023, HÖR issued a statement in response to online criticism and calls for boycotts after it had been accused of “censoring” artists due to their ‘pro-Palestine clothing’ which can be found here.