BBC and AIF Offer Festival Spots to Local Talent | Festival News

Unsigned Artists from East London Picked to Play Top Festivals

Date, London:- BBC Introducing and the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) have united to give upcoming artists from East London an opportunity to perform at some of the UK’s largest and most diverse festivals, following their debuts on the BBC Introducing stage at Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend.

The artists were chosen by a panel of specialist judges including 1Xtra DJ Mistajam and AIF’s Ben Turner after a shortlist of artists were suggested by local music organisations based in East London and the teams behind the BBC Introducing shows on BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Asian Network. These shows give new artists the opportunity to submit their music via the BBC Introducing website, an initiative which aims to support and highlight the freshest unsigned and under-the-radar artists across the UK.

The 19 chosen acts span a range of backgrounds and styles from DJ’s and MC’s to choirs and rock bands. After beginning their journey on the BBC Introducing stage at Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend (23-24th June 2012), they will continue on to play a raft of AIF festivals, some even opening the main stages of Secret Garden Party, Bestival or Underage. Grime artist Xploder has already opened for Example and Rudimental at Eden Sessions.

Claire Thomas, Executive Producer of BBC introducing said:

“To see the artists who were given the opportunity to play at Radio 1’s biggest ever event on the BBC Introducing stage now move on to play the main stages at some of the UKs most exciting festivals, is a fantastic legacy for Radio 1’s weekend in Hackney, and a huge opportunity for the talent that was unearthed in East London by BBC Introducing. It’s great to be working with AIF to make this happen.

Ben Turner, co-founder, Association of Independent Festivals said:

"The initiative between AIF and BBC Radio 1 Introducing has been a huge success – seeing all our UK festivals engaging with new talent from in and around the East London area. The AIF network and its diverse and rich tapestry of music is the perfect platform for new bands to get onto main stages and out into the regions to make new connections.."

Here are the AIF festivals who are involved, and which artists they have selected to play at their events:

Leefest - Kersha Bailey (28th - 29th June)

Eden Sessions – Xploder (30^th June)

Folk on the Water – Lola King & the Kickstarts (23rd June - 8th July)

Secret Garden Party – Shezar (19 - 22nd July)

Truck - Cheekie Bugga (20th - 21st July)

Camp Bestival - In Search Of (26th - 29th July)

Nozstock: The Hidden Valley – Lola King & the Kickstarts (27th - 28th July)

The Magic Loungeabout - The Skints (27th - 29th July)

Kendal Calling - Arthur Beatrice (27th - 30th July)

Y-Not Festival - Pepstar (3rd - 5th August)

Summer Sundae Weekender - Savages (17th - 19th August)