Anyone who is at least somewhat tapped into the DJing scene in the U.S. has probably heard of The Lot Radio, an independent online radio station that live streams DJ sets from a repurposed shipping container in Brooklyn, New York. The station has over 281,000 subscribers on YouTube, reaching a global audience and hosting big-name artists and community DJs alike.
Livestreams like The Lot Radio became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, when fans started looking for ways to consume curated music from home. Inspired by this trend and in an effort to platform the underground music scene in New England, an online radio station, Central On Air, opened in Cambridge, Mass. last summer. The Central Square-based station hosts a variety of DJs, who play live sets every weeknight from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, streaming on YouTube and the station’s website.
This Friday night, we’ve got a surprise lineup of DJs coming on air. For live reactions, analysis of the music selections, and more, check out my live blog to guide you through the first set of the night from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.
DJ Loverboy kicks off the Friday night live stream // 5:00 pm ET
Loverboy, a Boston-based DJ spinning Afro and Latin-inspired House, Jungle, and Bass-heavy beats, is starting off Friday night with a remix of the 2003 hit, “Milkshake” by Kelis.
Loverboy is setting the mood early: it’s time to dance. The weekend is officially here!
What’s Central on Air? // 5:03 pm ET
Central on Air opened last summer, filling a vacant storefront in Central Square, Cambridge. The online radio station livestreams DJ sets 24/7, bringing in both unknown and popular DJs from the Boston area to spin sets for the public
According to WBUR, the station is “the brainchild of an otherwise bureaucratic-sounding nonprofit called Central Square Business Improvement District (or the BID for short), which is funded by a voluntary tax on commercial properties in the area. ‘Our job is really just to maintain and create vibrancy,’ explained Erik Sarno, program director for the BID.”
Who is Loverboy? // 5:06 am ET
Loverboy is an amateur, local DJ. He has a small following and is private on social media. According to the Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association, Loverboy is all about beats that “create connection between cultures, communities, and the dancefloor.” He performed at Cambridge’s Porchfest last year.
You can follow Loverboy on Threads.
A slow, techno-inspired transition // 5:09 am ET
Loverboy is switching up the vibes from club classics to techno. He just finished playing “Nasty” by Tinashe and, after a drawn-out transition, he has queued up “Lust for Me” by Joeski.
This song falls into the Tech House subgenre. According to TemPolor’s blog, “You get the strong, steady beats and deep basslines from techno. At the same time, you hear the catchy grooves and smooth harmonies from house music. This mix creates a sound that feels both driving and danceable.”
Have we entered space to dance with the aliens? With this track, it sure feels like it.
Loverboy posted yesterday about his genre selections for this set.
DJs on display // 5:12 pm ET
Loverboy just smiled and waved to passerbys in the Market Central Walkway. The DJ booth faces outward from a glass storefront, giving people walking by on their commute home or heading out for the night a clear view of the DJ at the turntable.
Wait a minute. Was that saxophone? // 5:15 pm ET
You heard it right. Loverboy is getting creative tonight, mixing jazzy saxophone with the house beats of “So Good (Heat Mix)” by GENNARO. This unique mix showcases Loverboy’s ability to blend and connect genres. Born in Guyana, he seeks to celebrate the Afro-Latin diaspora through music.
Loverboy is a solo act tonight // 5:21 pm ET
While Loverboy has been riding solo in the booth tonight, many other DJs performing for Central on Air bring a crew with them. The background dancing makes for a fun, party-like atmosphere that gives viewers more of a show.
Last month, Central on Air hosted Asphodel Ivory, a Boston-based “industrial DJ and producer.” Dressed in goth outfits and makeup, his background dancers vibed to Asphodel Ivory’s dark beats in the back of the booth.
Back to some club classics // 5:26 pm ET
After a brief detour into techno, house, and some playful saxophone, Loverboy is bringing us back to popular club hits with a Jersey club remix of the “Thong Song” by Sisqó.
Loverboy is staying true to his promise of keeping Jersey club in the mix. The genre is a style of electronic club music that began in Newark, New Jersey, in the 1990s.
“Originating from Baltimore club and taking in elements of house, Jersey club quickly became its own sound, with steely triplet kick-drums that are instantly recognisable, the backbone to exuberant vocal chops and shaped melodies.” – Tice Cin, DJ Mag
Loverboy introduces us to Brega Funk // 5:32 pm ET
Switching to “Dia de Plantao” by Barca Na Batido & MC L da Vinte, Loverboy takes us into the genre known as Brega funk.
The Brazilian music genre from the city of Recife features a “trademark heavy bass and offbeat rhythm,” according to Mixmag.
Kendrick Lamar has entered the chat! // 5:36 pm ET
Loverboy once again shifts from more obscure soundtracks to some of today’s most popular club songs. He is spinning a remix of Kendrick Lamar’s “LOYALTY.” featuring Rihanna. The song was released in 2017 and won a Grammy in 2018 for Best Rap/Sung Performance.
The only thing this remix is missing is more of Rihanna’s verses. You couldn’t have given us just a little more RiRi, Loverboy?
Central on Air hosted Rich Medina last year // 5:40 pm ET
While Central on Air serves as an incredible opportunity for amateur DJs to showcase their skills and increase their visibility, the station has also hosted some DJ legends. Last year, DJ and music producer Rich Medina spun a live set at the station.
Just last week, Medina attended an event presented by Central on Air in collaboration with the Street Theory Collective, a non-profit supporting community art.
How do DJs get on Central on Air?// 5:42 pm ET
Not just anyone can walk into Central on Air’s booth and start spinning tracks. DJs who want to perform a set for the station need to apply online. Resident slots are currently filled and unavailable, but the station is looking for DJs for one-off live performances.
While DJs play for free, the opportunity to showcase their skills to the public and anyone who tunes in to the livestream is invaluable.
Loverboy shows off his freestyle techno beats // 5:45 pm ET
Loverboy is taking this time to showcase his skills. He is freestyling with techno beats, ramping up the energy and bringing us closer to a beat drop. He’s having a fun little dance break while getting creative. Where will he take us next?
And we’ve landed: time to dance // 5:49 pm ET
Loverboy is mixing in some clips from “Red Light Green Light” by Duke Dumont and Shaun Ross, transporting us to a rave where everyone is jumping to the bass-heavy beats. In case you missed it, the lyrics tell us it’s time to dance:
“So when I say redlight, stop.”
“When the strobe light hits, I want you to move like this.”
“Hit the strobe.”
Loverboy is answering the call to dance, shimmying in the back of the booth.
Ramping up to a finale // 5:58 pm ET
Loverboy has been spinning a techno remix for the past few minutes. He’s slowly ramping it up and bringing in some more bassy-heavy, dance beats.
Loverboy closes out the first live set of the night // 6:00 pm ET
Loverboy brought in “Miracles” by AstralSurfer to keep the energy high. AstralSurfer is known for electronic and psy-chill tracks, but that remix was anything but chill.
He closes out with “Pop Dat Thang” by DaBaby and welcomes the next DJ, Cakewalk, to the booth. Cakewalk stepped up to the board, working alongside Loverboy to ensure a smooth transition. He lets Loverboy have some final creative moments at the turn table before taking over.
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