Radioradiox Xperience Tops of 2024

Radioradiox Xperience Monthly Tops of 2024

Art Fredette – Top 6 Shows of 2024

I know the trend is top 5 but 5 was not enough, so here’s my top 6 shows of 2024.

1. Cat Power does Dylan at The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall- I know, I know, a Dylan cover concert” how groundbreaking.”.   Well, maybe not groundbreaking but this show was a wonderful interpretation of classic material. Presented with authenticity and imagination.
2. The Doom Dogs at Alias Coffee, Troy- I received a text asking if the station could promote this show, it was kind of a last minute thing. The Doom Dogs and 40 people in the back room of a cool coffee house, yes please!  2 hours of pure improvised music by 3 amazing players in an intimate setting.  This show is not only one of my tops for this year but for all time.
3. Chappel Roan in Buffalo,NY- Yes! this is for real.  My daughter asked if I would drive her to the show and we went.  Chappel not only commanded the stage with energy and grace , she ruled.  The performance was mesmerizing and the crowd ate it up including this old guy in the fugly jeans.
4. Acoustic Trauma Reunion at Nanola, Malta- What could be better than seeing a great local band get together for a one off reunion show? Nothing!!!  Acoustic Trauma have not lost a step.  I hope there are more reunions in the future.
5. Justin Furstenfeld at The Egg, Albany- I am a big Blue October fan that is no secret and the opportunity to see Justin solo and acoustic is a special treat. He gave a heartfelt and sometimes heart wrenching show. Opening himself up to the audience in ways that very few artists dare to do
6. The Lawn Sausages, The Last Schmaltz., Cohoes Music Hall- Damn,we had a good time.

Rob Smittix – Top 5 Weird Events of 2024

1. It all started when P. Diddy’s L.A. and Miami homes were both raided by federal agents with Homeland Security on March 25th. Then he was finally arrested in New York on September 16th for sex trafficking, racketeering and processing an insane amount of baby oil. You see, this was predicted by Katt Williams way back in January when Katt told us “all lies will be exposed in 2024,” during his Club Shay Shay interview. Many believe that this is going to be the downfall of the music industry and Hollyweird itself. So here’s a question… Diddy do it?
2. On March 26th, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed as a result of being struck by a container ship. This was horrific indeed especially for the 6 workers that didn’t survive. Many people found this odd because of the Netflix movie ‘Leave the World Behind’ which was released in December of ’23 and was executively produced by both Barack and Michelle Obama. There was a scene in the beginning of the movie where a container ship lost control and beached itself. Conspiracy theorists found this scene to have been a prophecy of what happened in Baltimore on that Tuesday morning.
3. On December 9th, Google announced the Willow quantum computing chip. Honestly, this one is a game changer. Apparently, Willow has completed a “computation” in less than five minutes that the experts say would take today’s fastest supercomputers an estimated 10 septillion years to figure out. Just so you understand this is what that number looks like 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000! It is being said that this chip will be able to solve some of the world’s biggest problems i.e. climate change, food security and even perhaps cancer.
4. On April 8th, a total solar eclipse took place and many have speculated that afterwards the world went into an alternate dimension or realm. Conspiracy theorists have suggested that things just don’t seem right now and everything seems just a little off. Other conspiracy theories about the eclipse included suggestions that the sun itself is not real and that we perhaps live like it’s The Truman Show. Have you noticed anything yourself?
5. Drones!!! Since mid-November the skies of New Jersey have been taken over by (alleged) drones. I use the word alleged because at this point in time they are still considered UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) because we’ve yet to get any answers. UAP used to stand for (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) but the term was altered in December of 2022 because they realized that many of these phenomena were coming from bodies of water. Well, we already had the terms USO (Unidentified Submerged Object) and UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) but apparently there’s been an adjustment to the language to be more inclusive for our alien friends.

Liam Sweeny – Top 5 Articles Written in 2024

1. Slab City – I explored Slab City, a southern California desert city with no government, no local laws, and no police. I spoke with a desert nomad camped out on a holy mountain, a dancer and resident of Slab City, and the unofficial “sheriff,” a vigilante with a heart for the people.https://radioradiox.com/2024/09/01/slab-city-an-xperience-article/
2. Underground DIY Scene – In this article, I talked to the people behind Albany’s post-pandemic “DIY” scene, consisting of secret house venues and a flood of new, exciting bands.https://radioradiox.com/2024/11/27/diy-underground-an-xperience-article/
3. Sealand – I interviewed Prince Liam, a head of state of Sealand, arguably the smallest nation in the world, off the coast of Britain.https://radioradiox.com/2024/01/04/principality-of-sealand-an-xperience-interview/
4. McMurdo Research Station, Antarctica – I reached out to McMurdo station in Antarctica to find out what isolated scientists do for fun.https://radioradiox.com/2024/10/08/mcmurdo-station-antarctica-an-xperience-interview/
5. John Holmstrom – Jim Holmstrom is the co-founder of Punk! Magazine, an iconic publication in New York City in the mid-late 70s.https://radioradiox.com/2024/09/02/john-holmstrom-an-xperience-interview/

Rob Skane – Top 5 Things I Didn’t Do

1. I didn’t go to Coachella…again.
2. I didn’t play bagpipes.
3. I didn’t go Roller Blading.
4. I didn’t watch television.
5. I didn’t change my guitar strings…again

Stephanie J. Bartik – Top 5 Books that Predicted the Future

With the drones, alien stories, etc., which pepper our news stories these days, what is one of the most fitting Top Five lists I can come up with?
When people complain that their social media site is down, and are fraught with despair, not knowing what to make of it, perhaps they can do something like we used to do in The Good Ol’ Days…read a book.  And, at this time of year, many of us have seen the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, and the famous quote “… I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh tell me, I may sponge away the writing on this stone!”  And the answer was yes, there is always a way to change the path of the future. Do not let the past rule your future-  Do not be afraid of what might be, it is not etched in stone.  There is always hope, if you believe it, you can make it happen.

Certain books in the realm of literature have transcended their role as entertainment or social commentary to become eerily prescient visions of the future. These works, often written as cautionary tales, anticipated technological, social, and political developments that we now grapple with daily. By analyzing trends of their time and projecting them forward, these authors created stories that remain deeply relevant. Here are five books that not only captured the imagination of their eras but also foresaw the world we live in today.

1. 1984 by George Orwell (1949)

George Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece depicted a world dominated by authoritarian regimes that control not only the actions but also the thoughts of their citizens.

• Predictions: Orwell envisioned mass surveillance through devices like the “telescreen,” constant government propaganda, and the erasure or rewriting of history to suit political agendas. The concept of “thoughtcrime” highlighted the suppression of free thought.
• Reality: While Orwell was primarily critiquing totalitarian regimes of his time, such as Stalinist Russia, many elements of his world are eerily relevant today. Governments and corporations track individuals through smartphones, facial recognition, and online activity. Terms like “Orwellian” are used to describe modern issues such as censorship in authoritarian states, mass data collection, and algorithm-driven misinformation.
• Legacy: Orwell’s 1984 remains a warning about the fragility of truth and the dangers of unchecked power, inspiring vigilance in maintaining privacy and democracy.

2. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932)

Huxley painted a chilling portrait of a society addicted to comfort, where personal freedom is sacrificed for pleasure and stability.

• Predictions: Huxley imagined advances in reproductive technology (e.g., artificial wombs), genetic engineering (e.g., selective breeding for societal roles), and the use of a drug called “soma” to suppress discomfort and ensure compliance. He also predicted the rise of shallow consumerism and distraction through entertainment.
• Reality: Today, discussions about cloning, CRISPR gene editing, and designer babies echo Huxley’s vision. Social media and consumer culture provide instant gratification but often stifle critical thinking. Furthermore, the increasing prevalence of antidepressants and recreational drug use for escapism mirrors the societal dependence on “soma.”
• Legacy: Huxley’s work critiques humanity’s willingness to trade meaningful freedom for material comfort, offering an important counterpoint to Orwell’s 1984.

3. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953)

In Bradbury’s dystopia, books are banned, and “firemen” burn any that are found. The novel examines themes of censorship, anti-intellectualism, and media manipulation.

• Predictions: Bradbury foresaw the growing dominance of screens and entertainment over meaningful discourse. The society in Fahrenheit 451 is distracted by giant wall-sized televisions that provide shallow, mind-numbing entertainment.
• Reality: The rise of smartphones, streaming services, and social media mirrors Bradbury’s concerns about a culture increasingly driven by visual stimulation rather than intellectual curiosity. His warnings about censorship have also gained renewed relevance in debates over banned books and free speech in schools and libraries.
• Legacy: Fahrenheit 451 is a stark reminder of the importance of critical thinking and the preservation of knowledge, urging readers to resist complacency in a world of distraction.

4. Neuromancer by William Gibson (1984)

A defining work of cyberpunk, Neuromancer laid the groundwork for modern science fiction with its portrayal of a digitally connected world.

• Predictions: Gibson introduced the concept of “cyberspace,” hacking, and artificial intelligence as integral parts of future society. His world explored themes of corporate dominance, digital addiction, and the blurred lines between the physical and virtual.
• Reality: The internet was in its infancy in 1984, yet Gibson’s vision closely resembles the digital landscape we inhabit today. Cybersecurity threats, AI integration, virtual reality, and even the gig economy echo his predictions. Neuromancer also delves into the ethical dilemmas posed by human-machine interfaces, a topic that’s increasingly relevant with advancements in brain-computer interfaces.
• Legacy: Gibson’s work has inspired not just fiction but also tech development, with terms like “cyberspace” and “hacker” becoming part of everyday language.

5. The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster (1909)

Decades before the internet, Forster’s novella imagined a world where humans live isolated lives, relying on technology to communicate and meet their needs.

• Predictions: In Forster’s world, people rarely leave their pods, instead interacting through a global network that provides instant access to information and communication. Dependency on the titular “Machine” creates a society that has lost touch with the physical world.
• Reality: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the prescience of Forster’s vision as much of the world relied on video calls, online services, and digital connections during lockdowns. Beyond that, his work prefigures the dominance of virtual work, social media, and our growing reliance on technology for almost every aspect of life.
• Legacy: Forster’s story is a profound critique of overreliance on technology, encouraging readers to maintain human connection and question technological convenience.

Broader Themes and Takeaways

What unites these books is their ability to foresee and critique humanity’s relationship with power, technology, and society. From Orwell’s warnings about authoritarianism to Huxley’s critique of hedonism and Gibson’s exploration of the digital frontier, these works are not just prophetic but also deeply cautionary. They challenge us to reflect on where we are headed and whether we can steer the course toward a more balanced, humane future.

By engaging in these visionary texts, readers can better understand the complexities of modern life and be inspired to think critically about the choices we make as individuals and as a society. After all, the future is not set in stone—but these authors remind us that it’s often shaped by the lessons we choose to heed.

Niki Kaos – Top 5 Moments in 2024

1. Moochie The Dumpster Kat
2. Nikki Giovianni & Javon Jackson at NJPAC
3. Bianca Del Rio at Universal Preservation Hall
4. The Lawn Sausages at Cohoes Music Hall
5. Diva Dinner at 344 2nd Street Gallery in Troy