Red Rebel FM: The World's First Period Positive Radio Station
The UK Independent Are On A Double Mission
Red Rebel FM, the world’s first period-positive radio station, launched in May but has fast become a heavyweight in the underground scene. Founded by DJ and menstrual health advocate Lisa Higgins, the station operates online and showcases emerging women and non-binary DJs from across the UK and beyond. This innovative platform merges the realms of electronic music and menstrual health, addressing key issues in both fields.
Higgins created Red Rebel FM to tackle the need for more inclusive spaces in the music industry, particularly for underrepresented voices who have limited opportunities. She also wanted to create a platform that openly discusses menstrual mental health issues, such as Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder, a condition often shrouded in stigma and silence.
The independent station supports new DJs by allowing them to develop their skills in radio. “It’s about offering a supportive environment where DJs can practice and grow,” Higgins explains. “We want them to feel safe to experiment and make mistakes. There’s so much pressure to get the big gigs as soon as you step onto the scene so we want to be a place where it’s OK to fuck up.
“A lot of our DJs are brand new to radio and worry they aren’t good enough but we welcome them with open arms. The fact that they’ve got their shit together to get down to the studio is good enough for me.
The freedom that Red Rebel offers has given rise to a strong sense of community within the residents, who all support one another sharing each other’s shows on socials and attending each other’s gigs.
“It’s exciting to see a community rise together and it’s blown me away how many people are backing us and want to get involved. I feel like we’ve touched a nerve in the industry,” Higgins adds.
The station has already made festival appearances since the launch, with takeovers at The Wild Wood Disco and Secret Garden Party. The future is looking bright with a few big name collabs coming up.
“We’re excited to be launching some training opportunities soon,” says Higgins. “We’ve got more takeovers and collaborations in the pipeline and some sick guest hosts - all top secret for now of course!”
Red Rebel FM’s big sister is menstrual health org The Red Rebel Collective (www.theredrebelcollective.com). They offer education, online courses and loads of free resources to help anyone struggling with their menstrual mental health. Higgins is hoping Red Rebel FM will become a lifeline to anyone suffering alone. “Music transcends barriers and is such a great leveller,” she says. “We want to especially reach out to younger audiences who may be feeling isolated or afraid.”
As well as upcoming menstrual health workshops, the station even has a couple of regular PMDD- focused shows.
“We’ve got a musical meditation style show called Hormonal AF, and we invite people with lived experience to do guest shows. We recently had one focused on PMDD and ADHD mixed with drum n bass. That was wicked.”
