By the mid-90s, London Records is flying high, but behind the hits and headlines, the cracks are starting to show. Journalist Siân Pattenden dives into the intoxicating and often destructive world of pop stardom, with East 17 at the centre of it all. From a Christmas number one to overnight fame, Tony Mortimer reveals the pressure, scrutiny and chaos that came with sudden success.
As the money pours in, so does the excess. Huge record deals, endless parties and extravagant spending define the era, while artists including Fine Young Cannibals, Menswear and Flowered Up reflect on the highs, the fallout and the reality of living the pop dream. As stories of burnout and breakdown emerge, Episode 4 explores the true cost of fame behind one of the biggest labels of the decade.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and leave us a review: londonrecords.lnk.to/podcastYo
Available exclusively from HMV with a special alternate artwork, the companion album to ‘Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story’ showcases the incredible success, breadth, and variety of our archive with over forty Top 40 hits spread across 2 CDs.
Episode 3 - OUT NOW 🔔 The beat drops and everything changes.
While London Records dominates the charts, a new underground movement is erupting across the UK. Acid house. Rave. Electronic music. From imported records to illegal warehouse parties, journalist Siân Pattenden traces the birth of a scene that would redefine music forever, with Pete Tong searching for something bigger than hits: legacy.
Through London Records’ legendary FFRR imprint, the label attempts to bridge the gap between underground credibility and mainstream success. Artists like Orbital, Utah Saints and Goldie reveal the tensions between art and commerce, the pressure to chase radio play, and the fight to keep the culture authentic as rave transforms Britain.
Episode 3 captures the moment music became more than entertainment; it became identity, revolution, and a movement that changed pop culture forever. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and leave us a review.
‘Do You Dare?’ 🥁 We’re opening up our Truthdare Doubledare scrapbook and we want to hear from you!
Share your favourite memories of Steve, Larry and John and tag us - we'll repost our favourite collections, stories and photos on the Bronski Beat socials ❤️
The 40th anniversary reissue of Truthdare Doubledare lands on July 3rd across a variety of CD / LP / Digital formats. Pre-order now: bronskibeat.lnk.to/TD40FB
Episode 2 - OUT NOW🔔 From London to Los Angeles, London Records goes global.
What began as a scrappy UK label is now breaking America, led by Bananarama and their era-defining hit ‘Venus’. Ex label President, Colin Bell and label A&R Sean Rowley reveal the high-stakes world of music promotion, from marketing power to the controversial art of “hyping,” while artists relive the pressure and chaos of Top of the Pops, the TV show that could make a career overnight.
As the label grows, acts like The Communards and Fine Young Cannibals signal a new era of ambition and international success, with London Records helping shape the sound of 1980s pop. Meanwhile, Shakespears Sister bring a darker, genre-blurring edge through the creative partnership of Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit.
Episode 2 captures the moment London Records learned to master pop on a global scale without losing its edge. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and leave us a review: londonrecords.lnk.to/podcastYo
Episode 1 - OUT NOW🔔 Before the hits, before the headlines, there was chaos, instinct… and a gamble.
Welcome to the birth of London Records: a label that didn’t just ride the wave of 1980s pop, but helped create it. In this opening episode, journalist Siân Pattenden throws us headfirst into a music industry that feels more like the Wild West: fast-moving, rule-breaking, and full of possibility. From underground beginnings to cultural revolution, hear the story of how a maverick label and its cast of fearless artists helped usher in a brand new era of pop.
Special guests include Goldie, Richard Coles (The Communards), Siobhan Fahey (Shakespears Sister / Bananarama), Neil Arthur (Blancmange), Sara Dallin (Bananarama), Keren Woodward (Bananarama), Pete Tong and many more!
Listen to the first episode of ‘Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story’ wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe and be the first to hear the next part of the story! Out now: londonrecords.lnk.to/podcastYO
Released alongside ‘Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story’ podcast, the companion album showcases the incredible success, breadth, and variety of the London Records with over FORTY Top 40 hits including five legendary #1 singles. Expect a sonic journey going from synthpop to rave & D’n’B classics all the way to britpop and Y2K floorfillers. Featuring London Records legends...
💿 Bananarama 💿 New Order 💿 Fine Young Cannibals 💿 Artful Dodger 💿 Jimmy Somerville 💿 Goldie 💿 Happy Mondays 💿 All Saints 💿 Dannii Minogue and many many more!
Pre-order the 2CD set out 12/06/2026 and pre-save the digital compilation, dropping alongside the first episode on Wednesday May 6th: londonrecords.lnk.to/compilationYo
Their words, our story. This is how one maverick label rewrote the rules of pop... 🎧
Listen to ‘Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story’ from Wednesday 6th May, available on all podcast platform. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and be the first to access the weekly episode drop: londonrecords.lnk.to/podcastYo
The podcast features special guests including Goldie, Dannii Minogue, Shaznay Lewis (All Saints), Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward (Bananarama), Paul Hartnoll (Orbital), Siobhan Fahey (Shakespears Sister / Bananarama), Roland Gift (Fine Young Cannibals), Miranda Sawyer, John Niven, Pete Tong, Rev. Richard Coles (Communards) & many more!
Podcast Announcement: Hit That Perfect Beat – The London Records Story 🎧
You know the songs. Now hear the story.
Featuring first-hand accounts from the artists, producers and insiders who lived it, this series dives into the hits, the risks, the chaos and the culture that defined a generation – a five-part deep dive into the label that helped shape modern British music.
Special guests include Goldie, Dannii Minogue, Shaznay Lewis (All Saints), Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward (Bananarama), Paul Hartnoll (Orbital), Siobhan Fahey (Shakespears Sister / Bananarama), Roland Gift (Fine Young Cannibals), Miranda Sawyer, John Niven, Pete Tong, Rev. Richard Coles (Communards) & many more! Weekly Episode Drop Every Wednesday at 6AM BST, available on all podcast platforms.
London Records
Episode 4 - OUT NOW 🔔 Success comes at a price.
By the mid-90s, London Records is flying high, but behind the hits and headlines, the cracks are starting to show. Journalist Siân Pattenden dives into the intoxicating and often destructive world of pop stardom, with East 17 at the centre of it all. From a Christmas number one to overnight fame, Tony Mortimer reveals the pressure, scrutiny and chaos that came with sudden success.
As the money pours in, so does the excess. Huge record deals, endless parties and extravagant spending define the era, while artists including Fine Young Cannibals, Menswear and Flowered Up reflect on the highs, the fallout and the reality of living the pop dream. As stories of burnout and breakdown emerge, Episode 4 explores the true cost of fame behind one of the biggest labels of the decade.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and leave us a review: londonrecords.lnk.to/podcastYo
13 hours ago | [YT] | 49
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London Records
Available exclusively from HMV with a special alternate artwork, the companion album to ‘Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story’ showcases the incredible success, breadth, and variety of our archive with over forty Top 40 hits spread across 2 CDs.
Pre-order the collectable edition from HMV, released 12/06/26: londonrecords.lnk.to/compilationYo
5 days ago | [YT] | 99
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London Records
Episode 3 - OUT NOW 🔔 The beat drops and everything changes.
While London Records dominates the charts, a new underground movement is erupting across the UK. Acid house. Rave. Electronic music. From imported records to illegal warehouse parties, journalist Siân Pattenden traces the birth of a scene that would redefine music forever, with Pete Tong searching for something bigger than hits: legacy.
Through London Records’ legendary FFRR imprint, the label attempts to bridge the gap between underground credibility and mainstream success. Artists like Orbital, Utah Saints and Goldie reveal the tensions between art and commerce, the pressure to chase radio play, and the fight to keep the culture authentic as rave transforms Britain.
Episode 3 captures the moment music became more than entertainment; it became identity, revolution, and a movement that changed pop culture forever. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and leave us a review.
Listen here: londonrecords.lnk.to/podcastYo
1 week ago | [YT] | 104
View 1 reply
London Records
‘Do You Dare?’ 🥁 We’re opening up our Truthdare Doubledare scrapbook and we want to hear from you!
Share your favourite memories of Steve, Larry and John and tag us - we'll repost our favourite collections, stories and photos on the Bronski Beat socials ❤️
The 40th anniversary reissue of Truthdare Doubledare lands on July 3rd across a variety of CD / LP / Digital formats. Pre-order now: bronskibeat.lnk.to/TD40FB
1 week ago | [YT] | 180
View 2 replies
London Records
Pop Life, the fifth studio album from Bananarama was released 35 years ago this week (13/05/1991). 🍌
We're giving this lost classic a well-deserved spin this weekend... What are your favourite tracks? Leave a comment below ⬇️
1 week ago | [YT] | 537
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London Records
Episode 2 - OUT NOW🔔 From London to Los Angeles, London Records goes global.
What began as a scrappy UK label is now breaking America, led by Bananarama and their era-defining hit ‘Venus’. Ex label President, Colin Bell and label A&R Sean Rowley reveal the high-stakes world of music promotion, from marketing power to the controversial art of “hyping,” while artists relive the pressure and chaos of Top of the Pops, the TV show that could make a career overnight.
As the label grows, acts like The Communards and Fine Young Cannibals signal a new era of ambition and international success, with London Records helping shape the sound of 1980s pop. Meanwhile, Shakespears Sister bring a darker, genre-blurring edge through the creative partnership of Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit.
Episode 2 captures the moment London Records learned to master pop on a global scale without losing its edge. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and leave us a review: londonrecords.lnk.to/podcastYo
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 167
View 1 reply
London Records
Episode 1 - OUT NOW🔔 Before the hits, before the headlines, there was chaos, instinct… and a gamble.
Welcome to the birth of London Records: a label that didn’t just ride the wave of 1980s pop, but helped create it. In this opening episode, journalist Siân Pattenden throws us headfirst into a music industry that feels more like the Wild West: fast-moving, rule-breaking, and full of possibility. From underground beginnings to cultural revolution, hear the story of how a maverick label and its cast of fearless artists helped usher in a brand new era of pop.
Special guests include Goldie, Richard Coles (The Communards), Siobhan Fahey (Shakespears Sister / Bananarama), Neil Arthur (Blancmange), Sara Dallin (Bananarama), Keren Woodward (Bananarama), Pete Tong and many more!
Listen to the first episode of ‘Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story’ wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe and be the first to hear the next part of the story! Out now: londonrecords.lnk.to/podcastYO
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 185
View 0 replies
London Records
Released alongside ‘Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story’ podcast, the companion album showcases the incredible success, breadth, and variety of the London Records with over FORTY Top 40 hits including five legendary #1 singles.
Expect a sonic journey going from synthpop to rave & D’n’B classics all the way to britpop and Y2K floorfillers. Featuring London Records legends...
💿 Bananarama
💿 New Order
💿 Fine Young Cannibals
💿 Artful Dodger
💿 Jimmy Somerville
💿 Goldie
💿 Happy Mondays
💿 All Saints
💿 Dannii Minogue
and many many more!
Pre-order the 2CD set out 12/06/2026 and pre-save the digital compilation, dropping alongside the first episode on Wednesday May 6th: londonrecords.lnk.to/compilationYo
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 94
View 0 replies
London Records
Their words, our story. This is how one maverick label rewrote the rules of pop... 🎧
Listen to ‘Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story’ from Wednesday 6th May, available on all podcast platform. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and be the first to access the weekly episode drop: londonrecords.lnk.to/podcastYo
The podcast features special guests including Goldie, Dannii Minogue, Shaznay Lewis (All Saints), Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward (Bananarama), Paul Hartnoll (Orbital), Siobhan Fahey (Shakespears Sister / Bananarama), Roland Gift (Fine Young Cannibals), Miranda Sawyer, John Niven, Pete Tong, Rev. Richard Coles (Communards) & many more!
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 141
View 3 replies
London Records
Podcast Announcement: Hit That Perfect Beat – The London Records Story 🎧
You know the songs. Now hear the story.
Featuring first-hand accounts from the artists, producers and insiders who lived it, this series dives into the hits, the risks, the chaos and the culture that defined a generation – a five-part deep dive into the label that helped shape modern British music.
Special guests include Goldie, Dannii Minogue, Shaznay Lewis (All Saints), Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward (Bananarama), Paul Hartnoll (Orbital), Siobhan Fahey (Shakespears Sister / Bananarama), Roland Gift (Fine Young Cannibals), Miranda Sawyer, John Niven, Pete Tong, Rev. Richard Coles (Communards) & many more!
Weekly Episode Drop Every Wednesday at 6AM BST, available on all podcast platforms.
Subscribe now and be the first to hear them: londonrecords.lnk.to/podcastYo
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 77
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