Kiis 101.1 gets its party on

There’s a bit of a buzz around ARN Melbourne. A sense of excitement and purpose that had been a bit thin on the ground when Mix 101.1 was on air. 

But the perennial underdog has morphed into a funkier and edgier Kiis 101.1.  This is a station that is being allowed to let it’s hair down and have a bit of fun. 

Just weeks after its official launch party, Kiis has kicked off its Live Laneways Gigs in Melbourne’s CBD.  Hundreds of people packed Promenade Place on Friday night as Kiis 101.1 got its party on.

The star attraction was Australia’s newly crowned Eurovision rep Guy Sebastian, who had them dancing in the laneway and on the balconies of neighbouring buildings.

Southern Cross Austereo wouldn't be particularly happy that ARN has ‘stolen its thunder’ – as Hit107 in Adelaide was the first to successfully stage its own Laneway Gigs this summer.

ARN Group Content Director Duncan Campbell has made no apologies for using the concept, last year telling Radio Today:

“Melbourne’s famous for its Laneways and what better way to introduce a new station into the market than by some good promotional activity, and the Laneway Gigs are just one part of our promotional strategy”.

Kiis 101.1’s Content Director Brendon Dangar isn’t too concerned either with what SCA might be saying behind closed doors.

“Oh, we don’t reckon they were the first one to do it in the world of radio.  We’re going to be doing a whole heap of them throughout the year”.

“The build up to this has been going on for quite a few weeks and now that it’s finally here, it’s just really exciting”.

With the first survey of the year just a few days away, there’s a lot on the line for ARN and it’s looking to repeat the success of Kiis 1065 in Sydney. 

If the atmosphere at their first Laneway Live gig could be translated into ratings points, then ARN could be onto another winner. Maybe the perennial underdog will finally be Top Dog?