Reading and Leeds 2009 local round-up
It seems like aeons ago now, but the weekend before last saw the return of the BBC Introducing stage at Reading and Leeds festival.
If you're *really* quick, you can still listen again on BBC iPlayer to Huw's Radio 1 shows from Wednesday last week and hear live tracks from the BBC Introducing stage as well as a highlights from the main stage. [now expired, but the tracklistings are here and here]
Alternatively, try Bethan Elfyn's Radio 1 in Wales show for more live tracks, including some from Welsh wonderkids, Kutosis [expired now - tracklisting] or Rory McConnell's Northern Ireland show [also expired - tracklisting] for a focus on the performances from Beflast boys Not Squares and A Plastic Rose, who were both hugely impressive.
Our Reading and Leeds stages made their debut in 2008, with Dinosaur Pile-up, Attack! Attack!, General Fiasco, Flashguns, Fox Cubs and Pulled Apart by Horses all making a big impression and going on to bigger things this year.
This year, though, it was a triumph for our nationwide family of local shows, with around fifteen of them getting a local band they've championed on the bill. Many bands came to their attention and earned a slot on the line-up purely by uploading their music via our website.
There's loads of great festival coverage from local BBC Introducing shows to check out, so here's a round-up of links:
- BBC Berkshire
Listen to Linda Serck's interview with Reading-based band Sixty Watt Bayonets and take a look at some behind the scenes photos from the Reading stage. - BBC Essex
Mike and Ollie talk to Essex-based rock-rap-funk band, British Intelligence ahead of the biggest gig of their lives to date. - BBC Humberside
Read producer Chloe Davies' behind the scenes diary, a blog from local band Horse Guards Parade and check out lots of lovelyphotogalleries. - BBC Leeds
Blast reporter Kate Prothero interviewed local duo The Old Romantic Killer Band ahead of their festival slot, before heading down to the BBC Introducing stage in Leeds with her camera. - BBC Lincolnshire
Take a look back at The Living Daylights' interview and session from earlier this year with The Mix Introducing. - BBC Manchester
Mancunians To The Bones spoke to BBC Introducing in Manchester a couple of weeks before the festival and admitted they were "sore from celebrating" the news that they'd been picked to play. - BBC Nottingham
Kristi Genovese, Blast reporter for BBC Nottingham, was at the Leeds site to witness an impressive five local bands playing on the BBC Introducing stage. Read her report on how Frontiers, The Living Daylights, Minaars, What Makes You Beautiful and Lovvers got on. - BBC York
Ryedale-based band Surprise...Fire were put forward by BBC Introducing in York, so Blast reporter Joel James caught up with the band to get their reaction and to chat about the scene in their area.
The day after we were asked to play the Introducing stage we got seven gig offers, it was really good!
Surprise...Fire chat to BBC Introducing in York
Phew! Ok, enough with the links. That's it for another year. Don't forget you can watch all of the performances from the BBC Introducing stage (filmed at Reading) right here. See you next year!

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