In its current form, MAXXIMA was founded in September 1999, but its history goes back much further, to January 5, 1992. Back in the day, a small group of music enthusiasts known as Maxximaniaques would meet up on Reactivate’s PSTN server (the famous 39872410 for those who remember). We’d often meet up at club or rave nights in Paris, dreaming of the return of our favorite radio station, the late Maxximum (the one and only from 1989 to 1991).

In 1998, an opportunity arose when SONO MAG magazine published an advertisement for EFM (a new small radio station in the Essonne department of France), which was looking for presenters for its new program schedule. Seizing this opportunity, Alexandre Moreau, Rafael Santos and Philippe Esquirol created a demo which they presented to the radio station. EFM’s management appreciated the result, and agreed to open its airwaves, and the first show was launched in September 1998!

The show is called PLANET’MAXX (a nod to the latest association of Maxximaniacs in the Paris region). Its programming focuses on new electronic music and titles broadcast on the late Maxximum. What started out as a two-hour program on Friday evenings at 8pm quickly turned into a 4-hour session.

A year later, in September 1999, PLANET’MAXX became MAXXIMA (a name coined by Sandrine Laurent, also a Maxximaniac). Nicolas Darmon’s Planet’Tekno.com website (another Maxximaniac) becomes the main partner. We’re in the middle of the “French Touch”, Free Party and Teknival period. The program evolves with these new artists, these new trends, and even offers live performances with the TTC (Total Techno Collective) booking agency.

But the project had to go further: in 1999, the first webradios arrived on the Internet… So we had to create MAXXIMA webradio. COMFM (Portail de référence des contenus audiovisuels), which was in the process of creating the first bouquet of French webradios (1000% webradio), was looking for an electro webradio for their bouquet. The contract was signed on October 23, 2000, and the 1st html site maxxima.org (created by Nicolas Darmon and Arnaud Malapert, still with Les Maxximaniaques) went online, with the first broadcasts starting on January 6, 2001. The program featured a selection of electronic, hip-hop and RnB music, with new releases and old-school MAXXIMUM tracks.

At the end of 2001, COMFM was sold to its competitor TV-RADIO.com, and the 1000% package became a pay package for listeners and radio (publisher) alike. As COMFM was unable to pay the amount requested, the broadcast was interrupted. With Mickaël Bourgeois, MAXXIMUM’s original programmer, solutions were sought and evaluated over several months, but to no avail.

At the same time, in Geneva, another webradio station ‘WBMB, The Boumbastik Network’ was broadcasting a program of electronic music, including a special on the programming of the late MAXXIMUM. The program was produced by Stan. In 1998, broadcasting was still supported on LIVE365.com servers in the USA. After several pirate FM broadcasts (including MAXXIMUM from 1989, SCRATCH FM, FMR, WBMB), as well as the organization of rave parties in the Geneva countryside with the DJ collective ‘Trance System’ (made up of DJs SKAIL, SEZO, TERRORIST, STAN), WBMB remained a witness to the crazy era that was the 90′ and electronic music in the region. The move to its own servers (at the time SHOUTCAST and ICECAST) was completed. The crux of the matter was to find reliable bandwidth on the Internet, but at reasonable prices. This is where the respective professions of certain members, and the help of former listeners (who have become involved in the radio today) helped! Like Christian Jouas aka DJ Link.

Philippe and Stan get in touch via the forum on the MAXXIMUM.com website, which unfortunately no longer exists (created and hosted by François Delage of INTERFACES, also a former member of the original MAXXIMUM). We realize that MAXXIMA and WBMB share common problems:
– The means of distribution
– The evolution of content

Time was of the essence, and the decision to join forces was taken very quickly. The two programs are merged, and the MAXXIMA name is retained (off course). It’s important to bear in mind that the program is produced alongside the respective work of each member, so pooling efforts is beneficial. As soon as MAXXIMA resumed broadcasting, everyone contributed their skills and time.

– Philippe: Management and publication of the website, newsletters and communications, with the help of Didier Bellamy aka Wolfoenix (webmaster and developer at CODA MAGAZINE). Because yes, before social networking, WEP (the CMS website specially developed for this purpose) contained the entire musical base broadcast on air. All information on labels, artists, producers, news, etc. were available for consultation and kept up to date. A great big database!
– Mickael was in charge of the musical programming (the alchemy of the program!), contacts with labels and events via his network in the artistic world. He also produced the MAXXIMA compilations at that time on ATOLL MUSIC (with Charles and Barbara).
– Stan provided the development and technical resources for broadcasting, as well as financing the main infrastructure. Long hours were also spent translating Mickael’s programming into DIABOLO (the radio’s automated broadcasting system). Selector time

After a few weeks’ preparation, WBMB’s studios became MAXXIMA’s (under a roof where it was nice and warm in those days, since the equipment wasn’t as efficient as it is today). On February 3, 2003, at 6 a.m., MAXXIMA resumed its Internet broadcast, with “THE ART OF NOISE – Moments In Love” as its first track.

Since then, MAXXIMA has continued to evolve, remaining true to its original mission: to provide quality, innovative music programming. Thanks to the commitment and passion of all those who have contributed to its development, MAXXIMA has become more than just a web radio station: it is a community of music lovers, a space for musical discovery and a platform for sharing a passion for music.

Over time, all the members have kept in touch, but between moves, changes of job or life events, some have branched out into other activities, like Philippe (who since 2006 has been in charge of GENERATION SOUL DISCO FUNK RADIO, another webradio station you should also listen to). Mickael is working on a new project which is likely to see the light of day… we’re not saying any more at the moment.

In 2010, DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcast) trials were carried out. The return of official, permanent terrestrial broadcasting begins on May 1, 2014 on the first DIGRIS DAB+ package in Geneva on channel 10D. Since then, coverage has grown steadily in Switzerland… even in Italy.

Since then, in addition to distilling its musical programming, the radio station has covered many live events in Switzerland, and new members have joined the project (see the members section).

These are just some of the events that have marked the project. As you’ll have gathered, the name of the radio station is closely linked to the original double XX from 1989 to 1991, MAXXIMUM! But…. we never wanted to resurrect it, it just inspired us and made us curious, thanks to the team of good fools 😉 You can’t relive the past!

The MAXXIMA story is one of passion for music, encounters, innovation and determination. It’s a story that continues to be written every day, thanks to the commitment of its team and the support of its listeners. As we look to the future, we look forward to continuing and boldly evolving the program.

Life goes on… Keep The Vibes!