Electric Proms - Creating New Moments in Music

Sir Elton John photographed by Joseph Guay

This year is the first year that Radio 2 took over sole responsibility for the Electric Proms but the concept remains the same and that is its dedication to creating new moments in music.

Working in partnership with BBC2 we wanted to create a unique music event and I as Head of Music wanted to get Radio 2 core artists to effectively curate the three nights. They'd do their own songs new and old but we'd add unique versions of tracks and bring in musical collaborators, including brand new names where possible.

It's been a great joint effort between radio, tv, online and our colleagues at Red Button.

The line up in past years has been impressive, and last year alone featured a diverse range of talent including Dame Shirley Bassey, Smokey Robinson, Doves, Dizzee Rascal and Robbie Williams. As 2010 is the festival's fifth birthday and the first year that Radio 2 has owned the festival, it was important to produce a line-up that was would be favoured by the discerning Radio 2 listeners, as well as producing a fantastic live concert for all platforms.

The key relationship for me has been with BBC TV's music boss Mark Cooper. After I'd had the vision for how I saw the nights running I had a wishlist of artists and Mark and I began meeting the respective managers and artists.

I clearly remember a fantastic two hour meeting with Robert Plant and, after a lengthy discussion about his beloved Wolves FC, we ploughed into detailed chatter about the popular music of this and the last century. We discussed everything from the Delta Blues through to one of Robert's favourite new bands, the Black Keys.

It was these conversations that laid the foundations of each night. We then followed up by leaving the artists and managers to think on who they would like to appear with them.

Following Mark and my initial conversations Radio 2's brilliant live music executive producer Sarah Gaston has been busy linking up with the musical directors of each act to ensure that the set lists are finalised with rehearsals and musicians booked.

I'd been very impressed by my first visit to the British Music Experience at the O2 in Greenwich and wanted to reflect a similar spirit given the line up at Radio 2's Electric Proms. Our interactive team led by Clare Hudson and Tim Clarke have gone on to assemble an impressive memorabilia section on the website using artefacts and materials that our artists have sent to us. Listeners and website users can also send in their ticket stubs, photographs and other mementoes to assemble a fully interactive online partner to the TV and radio coverage. This will be mirrored by a physical exhibition of the artists' artefacts within the Roundhouse venue itself.

Mark Cooper and his team at BBC Two have worked tirelessly on creating new documentaries to compliment the shows and Mark has secured some exclusive, exciting and revelatory interviews recorded around the world, including an interview with Elton's schoolteacher as well as his fellow musicians. These will add real depth and context to the performances, as well as being fantastically entertaining and informative.

Mark and I decided from the outset that we'd like to keep the same host presenters for TV and radio and so we were delighted that Chris Evans and Jo Whiley agreed to be the faces and voices of all our Radio 2 Electric Proms activity

Also when you switch to red button the TV team will be taking viewers deeper backstage and have prepared some additional live content , with exclusive rehearsal footage and artist interviews, all presented by Jo Whiley.

Listeners to the live concerts via the Radio 2 website will exclusively experience the performances in HD Sound, an extra high quality audio stream for live online listening and an exciting development for digital radio.

I'm also really pleased that Simon Mayo is bringing his Radio 2 Drivetime show from the Roundhouse each night with more special guests and atmosphere plus Bob Harris will be there on the final night with a special aftershow programme from 10pm - midnight on Saturday.

Radio 2 is committed to playing timeless melodic music, and Robert Plant, Sir Elton John and Neil Diamond are three artists who have a multi-generational appeal. We're all really excited that they have agreed to perform at this year's Radio 2 Electric Proms and I hope you will enjoy the unmissable music experiences that we have planned on Radio 2, BBC Two, online and Red Button.

Jeff Smith is Head of Music for Radio 2 and 6 Music

Explore the brilliant Radio 2 Electric Proms websitefor updates about the special concerts and the artists performing.

Managing Editor at BBC Audio & Music Interactive, Chris Kimber has written a blog about the benefits of HD sound to the listener at this year's Electric Proms. Head over to the Radio blog to read his post.