Brighton & Hove community station 1BTN is set to return with its annual International Women’s Day Takeover, promising 50 hours of non-stop broadcasting led by women, trans women, and non-binary talent from across the city’s vibrant music scene.
The 2026 edition – the station’s eighth – will run from Friday, 6 – Sunday, 8 March, combining studio sessions, beachfront broadcasts and a vinyl-only takeover at one of Brighton’s newest listening bars. The event raises funds for both 1BTN and local domestic abuse charity RISE, with proceeds split equally between the two.
What began eight years ago with just eight determined broadcasters has since grown into a major fixture in Brighton’s cultural calendar, with 50 presenters confirmed for this year’s marathon event. Organisers say the takeover is both a celebration and a statement: championing female, trans and non-binary voices while campaigning for genuine equality within the music industry.
The takeover begins at 10pm on Friday, 6 March, broadcasting live from the 1BTN studio until midday on Saturday. The action then moves to the seafront, where 1BTN will take over The Fortune of War from 12 – 8pm, sending the energy of Brighton beach directly to listeners across FM, DAB+ and online.
From there, the party continues with a vinyl-only session at OnAir, Brighton’s hi-fi listening bar, running from 8 – 11pm, before presenters head back to the studio for the final 25 hours of broadcasting through Sunday.
This year’s line-up features an extensive roster of DJs including Amyfist, Blakkstar, Chica Morada, Destroya, Floosi, Hannah Sherlock, Jo Dressler, Kate Patrick, Lola, Mel P, Nicky B, Real House Dykes, Silkee, Sophie Lloyd, Tara Elie, and the long-running duo Wildblood & Queenie.
Listeners can expect an eclectic mix of genres, spanning disco, funk, soul, Latin, jazz, electronica, ambient, global sounds, house, broken beat, gospel, afrobeats, ballroom, garage, jungle, drum’n’bass, trance, techno, dancehall, alternative, hip hop, R&B and more.
Organisers say every beat and bassline is a tribute to the female, trans and non-binary artists, producers, writers and performers who have shaped their musical community.
This year’s International Women’s Day centres on the global campaign theme #GiveToGain, encouraging people and organisations to share resources, amplify marginalised voices and support tangible progress in gender equality.
Half of the funds raised will support RISE, which provides life-changing support for people affected by domestic abuse. The remaining half will help sustain 1BTN’s technology, community projects, and commitment to platforming underrepresented voices in music and broadcasting.
How to listen and support
- Broadcast: Friday, 6 March, 10pm – Sunday 8 March, midnight
- Live from The Fortune of War: Saturday, 7 March, 12pm – 8pm
- Live from OnAir: Saturday, 7 March, 8pm – 11pm
- Listen: 101.4FM, DAB+ (Brighton & Hove), TuneIn, Smart Speaker or via www.1btn.fm
- Donate HERE
Images credited to Hannah Sherlock, with artwork by Queen Josephine.
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