BBC Introducing heads to the North East for the 6 Music Festival
Nick Roberts
BBC Introducing in the North East
Following the huge success of last year's inaugural BBC Radio 6 Music Festival, the event returns this February taking place in multiple venues across Newcastle upon Tyne. We're delighted to be showcasing five BBC Introducing acts as part of the incredible line-up. If you're lucky enough to have tickets, or planning to tune in to the coverage, here's a handy guide to each of our acts on the bill, written by BBC Introducing in the North East's Nick Roberts.
It’s only recently that BBC Introducing in the North East celebrated its 2nd birthday. Making us one of the youngest regional BBC Introducing shows in the country. But even before the show’s first programme two years ago, I was scouting out the best undiscovered musical talent in the North East, listening to music in the Uploader and giving band’s their first airplay via BBC Newcastle.
Some of the acts we’ve championed include Lanterns on the Lake, who we originally played under their previous incarnation of Greenspace. Nadine Shah, who we first played in 2010. We've put bands such as Vinyl Jacket, The Lake Poets, Big Beat Bronson and We Are Knuckle Dragger on the BBC Introducing Stage at the UK's biggest Festivals. In 2014 Whitley Bay band Lisbon stormed T in the Park and the explosive Newcastle based Gallery Circus performed an incredible set at Glastonbury.
It's great to see BBC Radio 6 Music up here in the North East at the start of 2015, and it's brilliant that BBC Introducing is showcasing some of the best live acts from the North East. We're gonna blow the roof of the Boiler Shop! So here’s the full line-up of our acts and little taster of what they’ve got in store for you:
Hyde & Beast
Shields
Tessera Skies
Woman's Hour
Yellow Creatures
Yellow Creatures have been around on the Newcastle music scene for a year or so now and have produced a couple of very fine EP’s. They've been into BBC Introducing in the North East for two sessions now, always bringing in a nice set of instruments for our semi acoustic set up. The band are big fans of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, so expect some supersonic sounds.
Find out more about Yellow Creatures on their official site.
Newcastle's Shields formed back in 2011. They made a load of demos, got a few recorded and had airplay from the likes of Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens. They've been locked away working on their debut album for a little while now, only emerging last October for an acoustic BBC Introducing session and for Oxjam Newcastle with an amazing live performance.
More Shields info can be found on their official site.
Also from Newcastle, Tessera Skies have been around since 2012. Early release "Soliloquy of an Astronaut" was proclaimed Track of the Year by Bella Union's Simon Raymonde. They have also worked with Newcastle's Ajimal and earlier this year released a split 12 inch on new Newcastle label "Mono Recordings". They performed with Ajimal on one of the best BBC Introducing North East sessions to date. New material is on the way soon too!
Visit Tessera Skies' official site for more details.
Have you heard the one about the two drummers from Sunderland who make beautiful 1970's inspired music? No joke! Hyde & Beast feature two familiar faces: Dave Hyde, the drummer with the Futureheads and Neil Basset who drummed with the Golden Virgins. They've just released their second album "Keep Moving" to universal critical acclaim. They provide a joyously energetic live experience and I'm very much forward to seeing them do their thing at the Boiler Shop.
See what Hyde & Beast are up to via their official site.
We're delighted to welcome Woman's Hour to the Boiler Shop. Originally from Kendal and tipped by our friends at BBC Introducing in Cumbria. They represented BBC Introducing at last year’s South by South West showcase in Austin. The band have received from numerous BBC shows and perfected their stunning live show whilst on tour with Metronomy last year. Definitely ones to watch if you're making your way to the 6 Music Festival this February.
Visit Woman's Hour online to find out more.
So there you have it, five incredibly exciting new acts to discover at this year's BBC Radio 6 Music Festival. We really hope you enjoy 'em!
