KISSTORY is a British digital radio station owned by Bauer Media Audio UK, playing nothing but “old skool and anthems”, think garage, hip-hop, R&B and classic dance from the 1990s and 2000s. It launched on 7 May 2013 as a sister station to Kiss, and as of February 2026 it reaches a weekly audience of 1.715 million listeners, according to Wikipedia’s sourced audience figures. Beyond the radio station itself, KISSTORY has grown into a genuine events brand, running festivals and pool parties across the UK, Ibiza and Marbella throughout the year. Here’s everything you need to know, from how to actually listen to what’s happening under the KISSTORY name in 2026.
What is KISSTORY
KISSTORY is a digital-only radio station in the Kiss Network, based in London and owned by Bauer Media Audio UK, the same company behind sister stations including Kiss, Absolute Radio, Greatest Hits Radio and Magic. Its format sits under “Rhythmic Hot AC”, and it’s built around a single, simple idea: play the biggest old skool garage, R&B, hip-hop and dance anthems from the past few decades, with none of the current chart music you’d hear on Kiss’s main station.
The station’s audience has grown steadily since launch, and it’s now firmly established as one of Bauer’s bigger digital brands, sitting alongside newer additions like Kiss Dance in the wider portfolio.
How to listen to KISSTORY
KISSTORY is available on DAB+ digital radio, broadcasting on frequency 11D across most of the UK and 12A in Scotland. If you don’t have a DAB radio, it’s also streamed through Rayo, Bauer’s radio app, and through the KISSTORY website directly, so you can listen on a phone, laptop or smart speaker without needing a dedicated radio at all.
KISSTORY’s on-air schedule
The station runs a mix of non-stop mixed segments and named presenter shows across the week. Regular slots include Jake on KISSTORY Breakfast from around 6am, Olivia on KISSTORY through the morning, and dedicated Friday and Saturday night specials like KISSTORY UK Garage with Wideboys and KISSTORY UK Garage with Scott Garcia, which run live in the mix. Overnight and early hours are typically filled with themed non-stop mixes, including a Workout Anthems segment built around old skool R&B and dance tracks. Schedules do shift from time to time, so it’s worth checking the current KISSTORY website listings if you want a specific show at a specific time.
KISSTORY R&B: the sister station
Bauer Media Group UK announced a dedicated sister station, KISSTORY R&B, on 7 August 2024, and it launched properly on Monday 16 September 2024. Rather than duplicating KISSTORY’s full old skool and anthems mix, it focuses more narrowly on classic R&B, with tracks from artists like Usher, Destiny’s Child, Craig David and Mary J Blige forming the backbone of its playlist. As of March 2026, it’s hosted by Kiss presenters Esi and Ace, alongside KISSTORY’s own DJ Matchstick, who presents a dedicated in-the-mix show every Saturday. It’s available through the same Rayo app and the KISSTORY R&B website as the main station.
KISSTORY festivals and events in 2026
It has become as well known for its live events as for its radio output, and 2026 is a genuinely busy year for the brand.
KISSTORY at DEPOT, Bristol
KISSTORY’s 2026 UK events season kicks off at DEPOT in Bristol on Saturday 27 June, according to Ticketmaster’s official listings. It’s billed as bringing “the original Old Skool & Anthems party” to the city, with full lineup details announced closer to the date.
KISSTORY on Blackheath, London
The bigger of the two UK dates, KISSTORY on Blackheath, takes place on Saturday 25 July 2026 at Blackheath Common in southeast London. Doors open at 1pm, with last entry at 6pm and the event finishing by 10pm, according to Skiddle’s event listing. It’s an over-18s event, so valid photo ID is required for everyone on entry, and the announced lineup includes Ms. Dynamite, Joel Corry, Kevin Lyttle, Alison Limerick, Todd Terry, Sweet Female Attitude, Damage, So Solid Crew and MC Romeo & Lisa Maffia, alongside KISSTORY’s own DJs including Ace, Majestic, Marvin Humes, Scott Garcia and Wideboys. You can’t bring your own food or drink onto the site, though a range of food and drink vendors operate throughout the day, and there are no cash machines on site, so it’s worth withdrawing any cash you’ll need beforehand.
KISSTORY at O Beach, Ibiza
For anyone holidaying abroad, KISSTORY returns to O Beach Ibiza every Tuesday from 5 May to 6 October 2026, running as a poolside daytime party rather than a night out. Tickets start from €25 (roughly £21.50) for early entry before 2pm, with general admission tickets without a time restriction priced at €35 (roughly £30.10), according to Clubtickets’ official listing. It’s one of O Beach’s longest-running weekly residencies and regularly sells out during peak summer weeks.
KISSTORY Marbella
KISSTORY also runs a Marbella edition in 2026, following the same old skool and anthems format as its Ibiza and UK events, though the full schedule and pricing hadn’t been published in detail at the time of writing, so check the official KISSTORY website closer to your travel dates for confirmed information.
Mistakes to avoid if you’re planning to attend
A few things trip people up when booking KISSTORY events specifically. Assuming a lineup is finalised as soon as an event is announced is one common mistake, since UK dates like Bristol and Marbella often confirm artists closer to the event itself. Forgetting photo ID for an over-18s event like Blackheath is another genuinely common issue that turns people away at the gate, even with a valid ticket. And relying on cash machines being available on site catches people out too, particularly at Blackheath, where there are none, so withdraw what you need before you travel.
FAQS
What is KISSTORY?
KISSTORY is a British digital radio station owned by Bauer Media Audio UK, playing classic garage, hip-hop, R&B and dance anthems from the 1990s and 2000s, and it’s also grown into a live events brand running festivals and parties across the UK and abroad.
How can I listen to KISSTORY?
KISSTORY broadcasts on DAB+ at frequency 11D across most of the UK and 12A in Scotland, and it’s also available through Bauer’s Rayo app and the KISSTORY website for anyone without a DAB radio.
When did KISSTORY launch?
KISSTORY first launched on 7 May 2013 as a sister station to Kiss, and it has since grown to a weekly audience of 1.715 million listeners as of February 2026.
What music does KISSTORY play?
KISSTORY plays exclusively old skool and anthem tracks, covering garage, hip-hop, R&B and classic dance music, without the current chart releases played on Kiss’s main station.
Is KISSTORY R&B a different station?
Yes. KISSTORY R&B launched on 16 September 2024 as a dedicated sister station focusing specifically on classic R&B artists like Usher, Destiny’s Child and Mary J Blige, hosted by Kiss presenters Esi and Ace alongside KISSTORY’s DJ Matchstick.
When is KISSTORY on Blackheath 2026?
KISSTORY on Blackheath takes place on Saturday 25 July 2026, with doors opening at 1pm and last entry at 6pm, and it’s an over-18s event requiring valid photo ID.
How much are tickets for KISSTORY at O Beach Ibiza?
Early entry tickets before 2pm start from €25 (around £21.50), while general admission tickets with no time restriction are priced at €35 (around £30.10), according to Clubtickets’ official listing.
Can I bring food and drink to KISSTORY on Blackheath?
No. Outside food and drink isn’t permitted at KISSTORY on Blackheath, though there’s a range of food and drink vendors operating on site throughout the event.
