No Disco
Encyclopedia
No Disco was RTÉ's flagship music television programme, broadcast on Irish
television channel, Network 2, from 1993 - 2003. It was presented by Donal Dineen
, Uaneen Fitzsimons and, following the death of Fitzsimons, Lawrence "Leagues" O'Toole. When Fitzsimons died in a car crash in November 2000, there was a gap in programming for some months afterwards, until the series returned with O'Toole as presenter on 28 February 2001. Musicians and bands such as David Gray
, The Frames
, David Kitt
and The Divine Comedy
attribute a large portion of their success to exposure on No Disco, and these were among the thousands who lent their support to a campaign to have the show retained by RTÉ. However, the show was cancelled in 2003, in a move that caused much controversy among its viewers — at the time it was the only RTÉ show showcasing alternative music and there was no replacement show lined up to take its place. In recent years, The Last Broadcast
, Other Voices
, and When Under Ether have acted as some form of replacements for the gap that has emerged but none with the same success.
(of Today FM
at the time), Dave Fanning
(2FM
), Tony Clayton-Lea (The Irish Times
), Jay Ahern
(2FM, Vital Distribution) and Kim Porcelli (Hot Press) spoke about the central role No Disco had in bringing about significant improvements to the Irish music industry.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
television channel, Network 2, from 1993 - 2003. It was presented by Donal Dineen
Donal Dineen
Donal Dineen is an Irish radio presenter, photographer, film maker and former television presenter from County Kerry. He currently presents an assortment of electronica and world music on his Small Hours late-night radio show on Today FM...
, Uaneen Fitzsimons and, following the death of Fitzsimons, Lawrence "Leagues" O'Toole. When Fitzsimons died in a car crash in November 2000, there was a gap in programming for some months afterwards, until the series returned with O'Toole as presenter on 28 February 2001. Musicians and bands such as David Gray
David Gray (musician)
David Gray is an English singer-songwriter. He released his first studio album in 1993 and received worldwide attention after the release of White Ladder six years later...
, The Frames
The Frames
The Frames are an Irish band based in Dublin. Founded in 1990 by Glen Hansard, the band has been influential in the Dublin rock music scene. The group has released six albums...
, David Kitt
David Kitt
David Kitt is an Irish musician. He is the son of Irish politician Tom Kitt.He has released six studio albums to date: Small Moments, The Big Romance, Square 1, The Black and Red Notebook, Not Fade Away and The Nightsaver.-History:Kitt grew up surrounded by music, as his father and uncles formed a...
and The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy (band)
The Divine Comedy are a chamber pop band from Ireland, fronted by Neil Hannon. Formed in 1989, Hannon has been the only constant member of the group, playing, in some instances, all of the non-orchestral instrumentation bar drums. To date, ten studio albums have been released under the Divine...
attribute a large portion of their success to exposure on No Disco, and these were among the thousands who lent their support to a campaign to have the show retained by RTÉ. However, the show was cancelled in 2003, in a move that caused much controversy among its viewers — at the time it was the only RTÉ show showcasing alternative music and there was no replacement show lined up to take its place. In recent years, The Last Broadcast
The Last Broadcast (television)
The Last Broadcast is a music television show broadcast on RTÉ television in Ireland, usually on a weekday night. It is presented by Dave Fanning. It features live performances, interviews and music videos and whilst these are being shown, relevant facts and news are scrolled along the screen...
, Other Voices
Other Voices (television)
Other Voices is a music television show broadcast on RTÉ Two in Ireland, usually on a Wednesday night. It features live performances & interviews from many Irish and international musicians. Filming of the live performances is usually in the intimate setting of the 200 year-old Church of St James...
, and When Under Ether have acted as some form of replacements for the gap that has emerged but none with the same success.
Cancellation
No Disco was suddenly cancelled by Network 2 in 2003. Thousands of people signed an online petition demanding the show be reinstated - the petition had 2,000 signatures within a week and 4,000 signatures by April of that year. Many of the signatures of support were from industry professionals, radio stations, record companies, record shops and promotion companies. Music experts within the national media, such as Tom DunneTom Dunne
Thomas 'Tom' Dunne is an Irish radio broadcaster with Newstalk. He presents The Tom Dunne Show on weekday mornings between 10:00am and midday. He used to have a show called Pet Sounds on Today FM but gave it up...
(of Today FM
Today FM
Radio Ireland Ltd, trading as 100-102 Today FM is an Irish commercial FM radio station which is available nationally. The station, which commenced broadcasting on Saint Patrick's Day in 1997, can be received nationally and carries a mix of music and talk...
at the time), Dave Fanning
Dave Fanning
Dave Fanning is an Irish rock journalist, DJ, retired film critic and veteran broadcaster. He currently hosts The 11th Hour on RTÉ Two and two radio shows: Drivetime with Dave on RTÉ Radio 1 and The Dave Fanning Show on RTÉ 2fm. He also fills in for other presenters on RTÉ Radio, including acting...
(2FM
RTÉ 2fm
RTÉ 2fm, or 2FM as it is more commonly referred to, is Raidió Teilifís Éireann's second national radio station. It broadcasts popular music programming aimed at a young Irish audience.- History :...
), Tony Clayton-Lea (The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
), Jay Ahern
Jay Ahern
Jay Ahern was an Irish radio presenter with RTÉ 2fm. He left the station in 2003 and was replaced by Dan Hegarty. He was amongst the industry professionals who were outspoken about the loss of the music television programme, No Disco, just before his own departure from the radio in 2003.-References:...
(2FM, Vital Distribution) and Kim Porcelli (Hot Press) spoke about the central role No Disco had in bringing about significant improvements to the Irish music industry.