by Malick Nam , published on 6.05.2010

Tom Snare, a producer and leading DJ in the French electro scene, was the special guest on the Contact show on 14 April at 8pm for the 2^nd edition of the Nuit de la Prod or “Producers’ Night”.

This programme was started up by Contact, a radio station that broadcasts throughout the north of France. Its premise is unique in the world of radio: an international heavyweight takes on the challenge of producing his next title live on the air – and in front of a select audience of invited guests, whilst internauts actively participate via Facebook. This 100% interactive event, which takes about 5 hours, is also accessible via audio and video streaming on the site nuitdelaprod.com.

Tom Snare shared some of his DJing secrets on the air, then listeners helped him step by step in putting together a new piece of music, “The Way To Love”, which Contact added to its playlist the very next day.

The new format was inaugurated two months earlier by international DJ Joachim Garraud. The piece Garraud had put together, “One Night Project – Stronger Than a Hurricane”, was added to Contact’s lineup the next day, too, and played for several weeks.

Internauts played along each time, contributing dozens of comments via Facebook on the development of the piece, the harmonies, vocals, choice of title and so on.

Throughout the broadcast – in other words, while the piece is taking shape – the show host regularly runs through the most pertinent requests, suggestions and opinions live on the air.

This massive public collaboration via internet is an opportunity for Contact to give a new meaning to concepts like proximity or interactivity. Events of this type also enable radio to broaden its listening audience: people connect in from just about everywhere, well beyond the boundaries of the usual broadcasting area.

The next edition is scheduled for September. By then, the station ought to be forging other partnerships with a view to turning this innovative concept into a nationwide event.