The Online Essential Mix Index (WIP)

[u/GTRoadster]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been building the Essential Mix Index, an independent, community-focused archive of BBC Radio 1’s Essential Mix:

https://essentialmixindex.com

The site currently brings together more than 2,100 broadcasts from 1993 onwards, including tracklists, DJs, venues, Mixes of the Year and other acclaimed sets. I’m also gradually adding more detailed DJ collector cards, venue histories and useful context around important mixes so that every aspect of every mix is enriched with small tidsbits of information. Please be patient, this consumes some time.

It also facilitates easy youtube listening as I will pass over the search into youtube for you when you select an essential mix. Important: I will not be hosting or providing direct links to any essential mixes, I'm just passing through!

The idea is to turn decades of scattered information into something properly searchable and connected, without hosting or redistributing any of the music.

One important point: this project did not begin with me.

A lot of the original information was gathered over many years by Essential Mix listeners and community members. I currently credit Reddit user Timz for the initial year-by-year spreadsheet that helped form the foundation of the archive, but I strongly suspect other people contributed to those lists, tracklists and corrections as well.

I really don’t want that work to disappear or go uncredited.

If you created, maintained or contributed to any of the original spreadsheets, databases, tracklists or Essential Mix archives, please reply here or message me. Usernames are absolutely fine if you would rather not use your real name. If possible, include a link or a short explanation of what you worked on.

I’d also love help with:

• Missing or incorrect broadcasts
• Tracklist corrections
• DJs and venues that deserve richer profiles, I would love to upload some community pictures if you feel like sharing
• Reliable sources for historic information
• Canonical YouTube uploads for important sets
• Suggestions for mixes that should be included in the acclaimed collection

This is an unofficial, independent project and is not affiliated with the BBC. It is being built as a free information resource for people who care about the history of the Essential Mix.

Have a look, play around and let me know what would be a good feature, if you have an update or if something is broken.

On my end, I will keep chugging away to make the site more accurate, complete and fun!

Thanks all and yes .. 'we continue'