Theme Tune Competition
Calling all Composers, Musicians & Creators! Could YOU be the sound of Wandsworth? Riverside Radio & Theatre503, in partnership with Wandsworth Council, are on the hunt for a brilliant theme tune for our brand-new radio soap opera, The Wandsworth Way.
Image: Anjelo Disons - Wandsworth Arts Fringe 2023
What we’re looking for
We want a distinctive, catchy, and heartfelt theme tune that captures the tone of the show and the spirit of the borough.
Style? Warm, characterful, and soulful – with a touch of South London swagger
Length? 30-second main theme, plus a 5–10 second sting
Vibe? Urban meets acoustic. Storytelling meets soundscape. Emotional meets playful.
Bonus points for
- Incorporating real Wandsworth sounds – markets, rivers, buses, voices
- Working collaboratively with other local creatives (e.g. spoken word, choir, sound designers)
What’s the soap opera about?
Set across the borough as part of Wandsworth’s year as London Borough of Culture, The Wandsworth Way follows two very different locals – international author Tash Defoe and local cabbie/musician Mike Hardy thrown together in a car on a journey through the people, places and stories of modern-day Wandsworth.
Think The Archers, but with South London soul.
What’s in it for you?
- Your music broadcast on Riverside Radio across a multitude of platforms
- Featured across trailers and promotional material for the show
- A £500 buyout fee for the winning track
- A professional credit as part of Wandsworth’s flagship creative programme
- The pride of knowing your track is the official soundtrack of the borough’s big moment!
Who can apply?
Everyone! If you live, work, study, or create in Wandsworth, we want to hear from you.
Whether you're a professional composer, student musician, local band, sound artist, or bedroom beat-maker, this is your chance to make musical history in your borough.
How to enter
Make sure you've read through and understood the full Terms and Conditions below. Then, fill out this online form here and email your theme tune submission (MP3 or WAV) to theme@riversideradio.com by 18 May 2025.
Theme Tune Competition Terms and Conditions
1. Eligibility
- The competition is open to individuals or groups who live, work, study, or have a strong connection to the London Borough of Wandsworth.
- All ages welcome, but under-18s must include contact details of a parent/guardian.
2. Submission Requirements
- All music must be your original work, and you must have the right to submit it.
- Entries must include one original 30-second theme tune (plus optional 5–10 second sting)
- Applicants must complete the online application form before submitting their musical entries to theme@riversideradio.com by 18th May 2025.
3. The Selection Process
- One winner will be selected by a panel made up of representatives from Riverside Radio.
- The panel’s decision is final.
- The winning entry will be announced by the end of May 2025.
4. The Prize
- The winning composer will receive a £500 buyout fee.
- The theme tune will be used as the official title music for The Wandsworth Way, to be broadcast on Riverside Radio and other digital platforms.
- The composer will receive an on-air and online credit as the theme’s creator.
5. What “Buyout Fee” Means
- A buyout fee is a one-off payment for full use of the music.
- By accepting the £500 fee, you grant Riverside Radio:
- You will still be credited as the composer, but you won’t receive any future royalties or payments related to the music's use.
6. Copyright & Use
- The selected music must not include any third-party samples, copyrighted melodies, or unlicensed elements.
- All submissions remain the property of the composer until a winner is chosen and the buyout agreement is confirmed.
7. Collaboration
- Collaborative entries are welcome! Please ensure all collaborators are listed, and that everyone agrees to the terms of the buyout if selected.
8. General
- We reserve the right to not select a winner if no suitable entry is received.
- By submitting, you confirm that you understand and accept these terms.