Everyone can let off steam and try things out here

Arne Glaser & Anika Weber

When the red light comes on, silence reigns in the studio. Anika Weber and Arne Glaser sit in front of their microphones with headphones on and announce the next song. The makers of Uniradio UNiCC chat to us about stage fright, worries about new talent and culture in the city.

How did you get involved with Uniradio?

Arne Glaser: Right at the beginning of my studies, I came here during the O-Phase (editor's note: a week of orientation before the start of the semester). First day in Chemnitz, first day at university, first day in radio. Seven years ago I started in the technology department. I soon started a programme in which I reported on concerts. And at some point I was there long enough to become a board member.

Anika Weber: I arrived here two years ago, also during the O phase. I wanted to work in radio anyway and was delighted that Chemnitz had a campus radio station. The position of music editor had just become vacant and so I joined straight away. I now also host an on-air programme.

The idea of a university radio station was born in 2001 by a handful of students. They founded an association and looked for fellow campaigners and supporters. They soon found them, including the name UNiCC, which is made up of the words Uni, Campus and Chemnitz. In the basement of a student hall of residence, the programme went on air for the first time in 2002 - albeit only online in the Chemnitz student network. A year later, it moved to its current home opposite the cafeteria. In 2004, UNiCC could be heard on air for the first time.

What do you like about university radio?

Arne Glaser: I can live out my interests here. There are a few framework conditions, such as the technical possibilities and the press code, otherwise we are free. Everyone can let off steam and try things out here. We are not comparable with large radio stations or news agencies. Our focus is on music and our own self-realisation.

Arne Glaser studied electrical engineering and is now a research assistant at Chemnitz University of Technology. His passion for music has led him to become a concert photographer and writer on the side. Anika Weber is studying media communication and has been thinking about a career in radio for some time.

How important is the listener to you?

Anika Weber: Our on-air programmes, which are broadcast on frequency, are aimed at everyone. As we are students ourselves, we are close to the target group anyway. The themed programmes that are then broadcast online are very specific. But that's what makes radio special.

Arne Glaser: On the one hand, we have a sound colour that we want to be as stringent as possible. On the other hand, we are always open to new topics.

Radio UNiCC can be listened to on the Internet from Monday to Friday from 7 am to 11 pm. In addition, Radio UNiCC can be received on the 102.7 frequency from 6 pm to 7 pm. The association has around 30 members, with ten active radio producers currently managing the programme.

Is making radio programmes easy?

Anika Weber: At the beginning, it takes a lot of effort to speak into the microphone. I was very nervous and sometimes still am, for example before interviews. The technology is also a big hurdle at the beginning. But it's all learning by doing.

Arne Glaser: Interviews with international bands are a challenge. With the Scottish backwoods dialect, it's really difficult to hold a conversation. But apart from that, we don't really have much pressure.

Can you also hear music from Chemnitz?

Anika Weber: I did some research into local bands from Chemnitz and was amazed at the results. There are quite a few. We have now made our first contacts.

Do other city themes play a role?

Arne Glaser: Our focus is already on the campus and on culture. Of course we report on when the Chemnitz model is built and the campus is redesigned. We also present exhibitions in the archaeology and natural history museums. And there are some co-operations with other associations that talk about their topics. For political and current issues, however, we don't have enough employees who could handle this and have the background knowledge.

What do you like about the city?

Anika Weber: Chemnitz is not overcrowded and is the ideal size for me. It's a big city, but still not so inhuman and anonymous.

Arne Glaser: Chemnitz is quite compact. Everything is easily accessible: the city centre, the campus, the residential area.

How do you imagine Chemnitz in 2025?

Arne Glaser: I hope that young people will be motivated to get involved in the city. There is a lot of potential for young projects in Chemnitz. The Sonnenberg immediately springs to mind, where there is still a lot of empty space that needs to be filled with ideas.

Anika Weber: Unfortunately, the big concert agencies usually steer clear of Chemnitz. Dresden and Leipzig are much more favourable in terms of transport links. Chemnitz really has a disadvantage there.

Arne Glaser: Chemnitz still lacks a venue for concerts with up to 1000 visitors. There are many smaller clubs that offer a good programme.