Tune In: Must-know community radios from Asia

Like many of you out there, Mixmag Asia has long believed that community radio is the backbone of any music scene.

They’re a platform for rising stars, a safe space for artists to toy with ideas, show their sounds and styles and (hopefully) get that next step of on-stage sets.

But they’re more than that. They’re purely for the community, by the community. Passion projects that, more often than not, aren’t for the glitz or glamour but exist solely for the music and the culture.

In recognition of International Radio Day (a celebration we've only recently discovered ourselves), we're highlighting a few of the leading community radios from across the region. This is by no means a definitive list, and we acknowledge (and are happy) that there are a seemingly endless number of community radios, but these are just a few that represent what we love from those doing it.

We intentionally didn't include podcasts, labels, or more promoter-led platforms, despite them having significant impacts, too. Crews such as PURE G, Karachi Community Radio and more are all outstanding in their own right; however many are an offset of something larger or have shifted their focus to events. While these contributions are valuable to the scene, this list is focused on a different lane.

Last year at Amsterdam Dance Event, EMC Australia and Mixmag Asia along with Seoul Community Radio held a discussion on the importance and impact of these independent broadcasting stations; read more about it here.

When we were put onto Baihui back when it launched in 2021, it felt like a transmission from the future. The station quickly built a reputation for pushing cutting-edge sounds from across China and beyond, spotlighting a new wave of experimental club energy. Forward-thinking and fiercely independent, Baihui continues to challenge assumptions about what the Chinese underground is like and show just how incredible the Sino-sound is.

Launched in 2021 as a pandemic-born experiment, Bangkok Community Radio (who collaborated with yours truly at last year's ADE) quickly evolved into one of the region’s most vital hubs. Now permanently based upstairs at Entertainment Project on Charoen Krung, the station has hosted the likes of Bradley Zero, Danilo Plessow and Takuya Nakamura, taken over stages at Wonderfruit, collaborated at ADE, and partnered with AlphaTheta during Bangkok Design Week. From lockdown livestream to cultural anchor, BCR’s rise has been rapid, and very well deserved.

Founded in 2017 by DJ MoCity and Dualist Inquiry, Boxout.FM became one of South Asia’s defining online radio platforms. While steady live broadcasting ceased in 2022, the project lives on through archived mixes, podcasts, club nights, festivals and its own label arm. Bending our own “active station” rule slightly, yes, but few platforms have shaped the region’s independent music ecosystem quite like Boxout.

Shanghai-based byyb kicked off a couple years ago as a tiny community street-corner booth on 进贤路, right on the pavement. Another glimpse into the real Shanghai scene that’s impossible to ignore once you tap in.

On any given Sunday in Bangkok, you might find yourself upstairs at one of our favourite spots in the city, Cosmo Vibrators, stumble upstairs and find Durian Radio broadcasting. Blending local legends with visiting internationals, the station reflects Bangkok’s easy, cross-pollinated energy—equal parts hangout, party and cultural meeting point. Killer events too

Recently taken over by the Yeti Out crew, FM Belowground has a fresh lick of paint and equally as fresh sonics. It was devastating for Hong Kong’s scene when it closed doors, and it’s promising to see the community get a new lease on life again

Soundtracking Hanoi’s lakes, concrete blocks and motorbike haze, Hanoi Community Radio pairs serene cityscapes with an impressively wide sonic palette. From leftfield electronics to global club cuts, the station balances depth with accessibility.

Desa Potato Head’s HEADSTREAM is an on-site radio studio and record store tucked into its legendary beach club and nightclub in Seminyak, Bali. Part hangout, part broadcast hub, the space streams sounds and stories from Indonesia and across the globe, sitting beneath a wild 90-metre bamboo archway known as The Womb, built from recycled plastics and rubber and inspired by local temples.

One of the most well-established on the list is HKCR. With a decade of mixes, it’s become a melting point for all scenes, sounds and stylings to have a home and experiment.

Named after the Philippines’ iconic, colour-splashed public transport, Jeepney Radio channels that same communal, high-energy spirit. Broadcasting from inside a jeepney itself, the platform proudly brands itself “the loudest ride in the Philippines”. What’s not to love?

One of the most unique on the list, Lagoon Laundry shares some of the cleanest sounds from Singapore from inside a laundromat. Neat and tidy.

Coming in on their sixth year, MCR is a bit of a hub, with cutting edge music, comfort food and coffee, with music presented all through a Fatima Sound Practice soundsystem. Perfect.

One of the newest doing it, Saigon based Meowsic is off to a heater of a start, and we’re excited to see them grow.

This Jakarta-based crew has made it its mission to document some of the city’s finest on camera since the dark days of the pandemic. Opting for quality over quantity when it comes to content, Mojo Radio is also active in contributing to club nights all over Jakarta, has its own merch, plus has evolved into a record label. Busy as they may be, be on the lookout as the crew are also known for their intimate gatherings of “old and new friends”, where impeccably-selected music and mischief are all around.

Originally launched by MÖTH Agency with the tagline “INDEPENDENT/GRASSROOTS/QUEER & FEMME AS FUCK”. Says it all, really.

From Dilwalon Ki Dilli to the world, NDCR does India’s sounds justice. Baalti’s set from last week is a perfect jumping in point.

Based out of its own bar in Bandung, West Java, norrm Radio has been a staple of music heads headed to the city since its establishment in 2017. Enjoy searching through the list of artists who have contributed to its airwaves.

Nestled in Shinjuku, Room 303 (三〇三号室) serves as a community hub the team built for themselves. From this base, they’ve expanded outward—culminating in a 2024 launch event that was a full-scale bonanza, featuring live music, talks, art, workshops, food, and live broadcasting. A true driver of community.

Jakarta’s own RURUradio is the oldest on the list, with 16 years under their belt, growing out of ruangrupa art collective—a well-known LOCAL non-profit art crew working across contemporary art, culture, and community media. Check all things RURU, they’re solid.

Celebrating 10 years doors open this year, SCR are easily the poster boy of how a community radio should run. A more than healthy blend of internationals and locals, daily streams and uploads, some of Korea’s best events and much more. The studio’s become a bit of an “IYKYK” spot in Seoul, and we highly recommend checking it out when in the city.

Starting as an unconventional series filmed inside a hawker stall with its shutters down, Shutter Rhythms has since evolved into a much-needed platform for Singapore.

Opened in Taipei’s Zhongxiao Dunhua area less than two years ago, Toha Radio has quickly become a key outlet for the city’s underrated underground. With spots like Toha giving a platform for the hugely unappreciated locals to share their sound, hopefully this is the start of more places paying more and more attention to the Formosa Sound System community.

Run by Licaxxx, Tokyo Community Radio is easily a hub for all sounds and sizes. A lot more frequent than their Instagram indicates. Head over to their site to dive in, and don’t forget to listen to their monthly interview podcast—some gold in there.

TSUBAKI FM isn’t solely one city, and rather focuses on sound depending on which city they’re in. Typically, Tokyo is more house, disco, jazz and fusion, Nagoya being house, afro and city centric showcases, and Kyoto heavily on jazz, dub, ambient and more. Although it’s not strict in this programming, it’s a cool play on the traditional station setup.

Seemingly appearing out of nowhere, TukTuk Radio has quickly become one of the faces of DIY broadcasting in the region. Their concept is disarmingly simple: DJ sets filmed from the back of a moving tuk-tuk—a format so obviously perfect it feels inevitable. However, it’s not just about the setting, with the bookings speaking volumes, platforming some of Southeast Asia’s most exciting emerging artists. It’s not just TukTuks, too, with Thai long boats and more being spotlighted. Oh and at Wonderfruit last year they had a stage takeover, as well as a roaming TukTuk on site. Mad.

An offset of the incredible subculture magazine Visla, and the radio lives up to the immensely high standards of the main brand, which is high praise.

Henry Cooper is a Writer at Mixmag Asia. Follow him on Instagram.

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