Introducing

It's absolutely amazing to think about all the artists Mike and I have put forward and the number of bands that have been accepted to play the amazing festivals across the whole of the UK.

Our success of getting bands to play the 'Introducing' stages kicked-off with the now well-known band, Magistrates.

States of Emotion - yet another Essex success

Then we submitted Ipso Facto to play Reading & Leeds last year; following that we've had others accepted, such as Cathouse and Baddies.

Looking ahead to this weekend, 85,000 music fans will be a heading to T in the Park, Scotland's biggest music festival.

BBC Introducing are attending in force for the first time and will see Chelmsford's Cathouse take to the stage on the final night of the festival.

You will be able to watch their performance at the BBC's T in the Park website or listen to the show next week for live audio.

I often think about why all these Essex acts are getting chosen to play the Introducing stages across the UK, then I remember it's because Essex bands are the best... there's just no two-ways about it!

But I really do believe that Essex produces some amazing bands.

Upon the waves of Myspace, Facebook and e-mail, many of you ask Mike and I if we can put you forward for one of these opportunities to play the Introducing stages at Festivals.

Let me explain to your how this works

You must have a track record for sending fantastic music to us, which we, the BBC Essex Introducing team, and most importantly the listeners enjoy.

When we submit our music to Radio 1, we are only allowed to send two tracks, so Mike and I have to be 100% confident in our decision, as with all due respect to the guys at Radio 1, they have to go through a lot of stuff to ensure the Introducing stage hosts the BEST unsigned bands.

If we had it our way we would have an Introducing stage to ourselves. Oh my! That's an idea for the future!

Please do send your music in to us via:

Mike and Ollie
BBC Essex Introducing
PO Box 765
Chelmsford
CM2 9XB

Thank you and good evening!

Tune in this week to hear:

Cathouse - Animal Skin
Chasing Ora - Penniless
States of Emotion - In the Running (Glasto '09)
The Sleep Patterns - Pilot Show
Ipso Facto - Queen Sophie (Reading '08)
The Rileys - Victory Cigar
States of Emotion - Live track 1
States of Emotion - Live track 2
Fashoda Crises - What God Meant to Say
Jack's Family - Falling
British Intelligence - Telepathy

Friday 10, July

Barhouse, Chelmsford
CLUB NME
The Mosaics, Teen Death Squad and Is Tropical

Saturday 11, July

The Railway Pub, Prittlewell
The Beatniks' all-dayer

The Keveldon Free Music Festival
3 Miles High, Angry vs the Bear, Aloneme, Cling, Jazmine Ava, Another Dead Hero, Fashoda Crisis, Cav OK & More

Wednesday 15, July

Saks Underground, Southend
The Summer Regret, Glitch in the System, In the Pipeline, Mike Summers & Archaen

Thursday 16, July

The Fleece, Chelmsford
Shaksters RNR Riots
I Write Lies, The Wasp Factory, Humphrey Browne & Closure

The Twist, Colchester
Deaf Havana, Dividing the Line, Proceed, Immercia & Kenai

Friday 17, July

The Brentwood Theatre
The Rileys' homecoming gig