Gareth O'Callaghan: In chasing modernity, has RTÉ Radio 1 lost its soul?

Changes to programme intros raise questions about cultural identity, listener connection and the role of tradition in modern broadcasting

Radio 1 is at the heart of Ireland’s topical and cultural heritage for 100 years now. Which raises the question, what does it mean to be Irish? File picture: Donall Farmer

“Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.” Mary Shelley’s words loomed large this week as I listened to friends describe their annoyance at the “bland new sound”, as one of them called it, of RTÉ Radio 1’s new signature tunes. 

There’s something innately comforting in a radio show’s signature tune, or sig as it’s known. I remember years ago listening to BBC Radio 2 on Sunday afternoons waiting for Charlie Chester’s opening sig. It was a piece by Alan Moorhouse called Music To Drive By, a brash brassy blast of musical brilliance belted out by the Oscar Brandenburg Orchestra.