Born in 2017, Operator exists to champion music communities through radio shows, live performances, club nights and festivals which touch on everything from music and sports to science. The joy of the radio station and creative platform lies in its unpredictable nature. Anything can and will happen. Whether its two hours of jittery Techno or a party packed with vibes, Operator is the glue that binds many scenes in Rotterdam together.
We caught up with the Operator team about what makes it tick, the Rotterdam cultural scene and their work in the community.
What is the story behind Operator?
Operator: Operator was started by five friends and music enthusiasts who strongly felt the urgency that the city needed such a platform. Rotterdam has a rich history when it comes to music and harbours many talented and established artists, but at the time we felt there was a gap in making these makers and scenes more visible.
Also at the time, after years of budget cuts, there was hardly any room left for experimentation within the more traditional radio landscape in the Netherlands. It felt like a natural moment for initiatives like this to emerge. Operator was also deeply inspired by Red Light Radio in Amsterdam; they supported us greatly in getting started, and we’re still very grateful for that.
What values do you hold onto as a radio station and creative platform?
As an online radio station and creative platform, it’s important to us to serve as a space where alternative voices and underrepresented stories can be heard. We want to help people express themselves and develop their practice even more.
Our local community and volunteers are also vital to our platform. The mutual relationship we share—built on collaboration, creativity, and respect—is of immense value. They play an integral role in shaping the content and direction of our station. Together, we strive to represent our city—its sounds, cultures and people—in a way that is both diverse and authentic.
Tell us about the city of Rotterdam where you broadcast. What’s happening culturally right now?
Recently, Rotterdam’s nightlife has been far from flourishing, as we saw some of the most cherished clubs and spaces close. Luckily, there is also some hope, as we hear from people in the scene that they’re working on opening new spaces. Meanwhile, some other spaces have returned. The driving force comes in the form of cool local initiatives that throw regular parties in various locations and venues, drawing solid crowds and pushing local talent forward.
How do you engage with your local community?
The most engagement happens during the many events we organize. This is the context in which we see our community most. Besides this, a lot happens in and around our studio, connections are made, conversations take place. We try to engage with our residents, guest hosts and other community members through surveys, post-radio show aftercare and feedback meetings. Our Sunflowers team focuses on connecting and platforming FLINTA* artists, and also organizes dinners to strengthen the community feeling.
What have been the best parts of building the Operator community?
Seeing members of our community find each other, make connections, build relationships and eventually collaborate. That is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. Operator exists to connect like-minded people because we believe we need each other to achieve meaningful things. Watching our residents grow personally and professionally, and seeing them reach their goals, is something we’re deeply grateful for. In recent years, we’ve even seen the birth of the first babies from people who met through Operator.
What are some of your top tips for building a community?
Make sure to stay true to what you believe in, have your core values clear for everyone involved. Be transparent, try to give back to your community and residents in a fair way when possible, and always be open to feedback.
Who are some members of the Operator community that we should be keeping an eye on?
Some super talented residents. Vasco, Ays, Lashanti, Franky Sticks, Kimmah, Faustin, DJ Shahmaran, Sukubratz, YoungWoman. Also our designer, the creative brain behind our whole visual identity, Nicole Martens.
What are some of Operator’s plans for the rest of 2025?
Our 8th anniversary, a radio pop-up in Tokyo together with Sabukaru, more club nights, festivals and live radio from all kinds of fun and interesting locations. We’re also broadcasting more and more from our studio in the heart of Rotterdam.
What are some of your proudest achievements?
After running the station completely independently for four years—with support from partners, sponsors, and, of course, our community—we successfully applied for a multi-year subsidy from the Municipality of Rotterdam in 2020. The financial support we continue to receive has truly enabled us to keep the station running in a healthier, more sustainable way. We see this support as recognition of the hard work and dedication of the Operator team, our volunteers, and all the makers involved. We had help from many people throughout this process, but one person we especially want to thank is Samira—one of our residents and a former board member—for her help and commitment.
Honestly, still being here after eight years is a huge achievement for us. It’s a testament to the fact that we’ve earned our place in the city. We’re also very proud of the diversity of our programming and the talented team of residents we’ve built. Our strong sense of community within the city is something we value deeply and it’s at the heart of everything we do.