Monday 12th October sees Radio 2 host its first ever BBC Introducing jamboree at the world famous Maida Vale studios and I couldn't be more delighted. Radio 2 always supports up and coming musicians of all genres which is why myself, Bob Harris and Jamie Cullum have asked some of our favourite Introducing artists to come and perform live so that we can shine a light on them and celebrate what BBC Introducing is all about. Bringing new music to people has always been so important to me on all the shows I've ever done and when I'm at Maida Vale I'm reminded of bands that I heard play live for the first time in those hallowed studios: Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse, Coldplay - all in the infancy of their careers - all went on to earn their place in the music hall of fame.
Maida Vale is a fantastic place - it's a bit like Dr Who's tardis. Bigger on the inside... A maze of corridors in which I get lost to this day. There are historic photos and plaques everywhere you look documenting the music legends who've recorded there - from the Beatles to Bing Crosby and all manner of screamo/emo/edm/mor/grime/thrash/country/jazz/folk artists in between, spanning decade after decade after decade.
The future of music is something I care passionately about and I'm asked time and again by bands, artists and friends and families of bands and artists how best to get their music heard. I honestly feel now that the future of music has never been in safer hands. It's being nurtured by people who LOVE music and who are doing everything they can to get it heard. It's so heartening to read that since 2007 over 500 acts have performed live on the BBC Introducing festival stages or recorded a session at Maida Vale. If it wasn't for BBC Introducing, we might never have heard of Ed Sheeran, Jake Bugg, Florence and the Machine, Rae Morris, Bombay Bicycle Club, Stornoway, Jack Garrett and so on...
BBC introducing is great because it gives bands and artists a platform and a chance to shine and I’m proud to be part of it. Monday night is going to be all kinds of fun and with such an eclectic line-up it reflects perfectly what Radio 2 is about. A home for music lovers.
Jo Whiley presents a special BBC Introducing live broadcast on Radio 2 on Monday 12th October. The programme will feature performances from BBC Introducing acts Jacob Collier, Frances, WHITE and Dan Bettridge. Video highlights from the event will be available on the Radio 2 website from Tuesday.
- Listen to the Maida Vale special
- Upload your music to the BBC Introducing Uploader
