TopCat Radio at Expo Ebre 2025

Wednesday 30th April

The TopCat bosses, Norman and Christopher, with me tagging along for good measure, shuffled on down to the rather impressively-sized Tortosa Firal (Fair) Building, to set up an exhibition stand for TopCat Radio at the 79th Expo Ebre.

It was an early start for all of us and one we knew would be filled with setting up, what in essence, was going to be a mobile radio studio in the centre of the huge hanger-like building, that could fit dozens upon dozens of display stands and literally hundreds of people inside at any given time.

Our stand area was, we were happy to discover, on a centre aisle at the end of the line of the Expo building, with other stands either side and behind us. But we were excited to find nothing in front. In essence we were in what could be said to be a perfect position but, of course, it meant we had footfall either side and to the front of our stand, so we had to be careful regarding wiring in case members of the public became entangled.

Setting up what is literally a fully functional radio station is not that easy. We had our control desks, computers, microphones, headphones and speakers, as well as all the cabling, including extension cables set up in an area no bigger than two metres square. Whilst the Expo provided a small counter top and potted plant — which was a nice touch might I add. We obviously had to provide our own tables on which to set up our equipment. No problem, but along with the lights we had brought to add a little pizzazz, it was something of a juggling game to get everything inside that two metre square area. But as the saying goes… ”Where there
is a will, there is a way.” And because we have all put up broadcasting/sound equipment before for the many gigs we have all been involved in, in the past, we did it!

Then of course, came our sound checks. And then we hit a snag. The electricians were still sorting out the multitude of stands requirements and because our needs were power hungry, we had to wait for them to get sufficient power to us. But with true professionalism they wheeled out the power and we were set.

Thursday 1st May

We were at the doors ready to be let in and the showcasing of TopCat Radio began. From 10am to 2pm and then from 4pm to 9pm we put on a show. We had live singers,Norman and the lovely Emily Gray sang their hearts out. While DaniChicaDJ and DJ Gato played live sets of their mixes for the entertainment of all.

Now it was always our intention to broadcast a live radio show from the Expo and that is exactly what we did.

The Expo lasted for a total of four days and whilst we were absolutely exhausted, all we could talk about was what we were going to do next year.

Hope to see you for the 80th Expo Ebre in 2026.

Josie Garton