Ten things from this week #17

It’s my first official week on the About the BBC team. So, editor Jon, has ‘rewarded’ me with the task of writing this week’s Ten Thing’s post. Thanks Jon.

My background of playing in bands meant that my new girl privilege of a ‘wild card’ subject just had to be music.

1. This week Radio 2’s 12 Hours To Please Me saw renowned musicians assemble at Abbey Road Studios to recreate the Beatles' LP ‘Please, Please, Me’ in the same place and timeframe as the original, recorded 50 years ago. The results can be seen in a BBC Four documentary and for fans of the fab four, there’s a plethora of interviews with the band in the BBC Archive.

2. Also this week Radio 3 started mapping musical Britain. Tweet @BBCRadio3 with the hashtag #musicalmap with suggestions of your local musical connections.

3. The Voice is currently being filmed in Wembley. Some contestants may benefit from these brilliant tips and warm-ups from Suzy Dingle courtesy of BBC Learning.

4. Have you ever dreamt of being on Desert Island Discs and deliberated over which eight songs you’d pick? No? Well, in case you ever do, there’s a comprehensive archive of previous shows where you can compare your choices with the real castaways. You know, just to prepare yourself in case you get a call from the DiD production office.



5. An age old question for unsigned bands is how to get their music noticed. One possible answer is to upload it to BBC Introducing, supporters of undiscovered talent across the UK.

6. If successful, you might get asked to perform on the wireless. This video from BBC Academy College of Production shows what a live radio session is like from the perspective of the sound engineer, or ‘music balancer’.

7. I’ve performed at BBC Maida Vale studios a few times. It’s an awe-inspiring experience. The history, the catalogue of heroes who have played there … it’s hard to keep the goose bumps under control. Normally heard and not seen, this week’s 6 Music at Maida Vale sessions were a multimedia affair and invited audiences to take a look as well as listen live.

8. Musicians (like policemen?) are getting younger, as Jake Bugg and The Strypes are proving. The BBC Performing Arts blog about Youth Music Network provides all you need to know about applying for funding to nurture young talent.

9. Fifteen years ago the legendary Radiophonic Workshop, sadly closed its doors. Last year a new, online version was created, headed up by Mathew Herbert, who composed this sonic tribute to Bush House first heard on the Today programme in September 2012.

10. Looking ahead, the BBC has announced a major music content initiative for 2013. This includes exciting coverage of Glastonbury, for the first time viewers will be able to choose from simultaneous live streams from across all the major stages. Much less messy and tiring than actually going to the festival. 

Jen Macro is Digital Content Producer on the About the BBC Blog and website.