Hong Kong radio station in Landmark shopping mall aims to ‘seriously shake things up by disrupting the peace’
- FM Belowground is a community radio station with a varied programme ranging from local dance and indie bands to podcasts to DJing workshops
- Music director Arthur Bray explains how the station is now fulfilling its initial purpose of connecting people from different backgrounds and creative practices
FM Belowground is tucked away in a basement corner of the Landmark upmarket commercial complex in Hong Kong’s Central district, but it is far from your typical posh-shopping-mall tenant.
With techno music gently thumping in the background, the hole-in-the-wall-esque space gives off vibes that are both distinctive and secretive, baffling curious passers-by.
A peek through the big glass window reveals young people either immersed in music or talking enthusiastically.
FM Belowground is a community radio platform that was founded by the international music collective Yeti Out in 2020 to initiate creative conversations and collaborations. “Sound oddities” is one label found on its Instagram profile.
“It’s a community radio station and also a place where we can interact with different creative communities as well as friends, bringing ideas to life in the forms of radio programming and pop-up shops and events,” says Arthur Bray, co-founder of Yeti Out and music director of the station.
The initial concept for the platform – which is an extension of The Landmark’s Belowground retail space – was to bring in interesting minds from around the world for activations, events and parties. It was an exciting, novel venture for music enthusiasts as well as the local creative community in Hong Kong.