BBC presents first Asian Network Live

• Saturday 30 April, 7-11pm, at Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith
• Line-up features Naughty Boy, Imran Khan, Zack Knight, and Kanika Kapoor
• Debut UK performances from Indian artists Badshah, Aastha Gill and DIVINE
• Tickets go on sale on Friday 11 March at 8.10am

BBC Asian Network today announced that Naughty Boy, Imran Khan, Badshah, Aastha Gill, Fuse ODG, Kanika Kapoor, Zack Knight and many more are set to perform at Asian Network Live - the network’s inaugural music event taking place at Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, on Saturday 30 April, 7-11pm. Tickets go on sale this Friday.

Hosted by Tommy Sandhu, Asian Network Live represents the best in Asian music as championed on the station. For one night only, some of the hottest acts on the British-Asian and international music scenes are brought together. Plus, exclusively for Asian Network, the event will feature unique artist collaborations, and Indian stars Badshah, Aastha Gill and DIVINE - will be making their UK performance debuts.

The event will be broadcast live on national digital radio station BBC Asian Network (which broadcasts to an average audience of 563,000 listeners a week), and artist performances will be available to watch at bbc.co.uk/asiannetworklive after the event. The whole show will also be available to watch on BBC Red Button on Sunday 1 May from 7pm, plus viewers can watch highlights on BBC iPlayer.

Tommy Sandhu says: “Asian Network Live will be a fantastic event which will showcase all that is great about the Asian music scene and its eclectic range of artists. We’ll have both established and up-and-coming musicians, plus three international talents making their UK performing debuts at the event.”

Bob Shennan, Controller of BBC Radio 2, 6 Music and Asian Network, says: “Asian Network Live demonstrates the station’s unique and distinctive offering for anyone inspired by the Asian music scene. It is a celebration of the best of young British Asian and international talent, and also provides an innovative new platform for musical creativity, particularly some unique collaborations.”

Joining Tommy across the night will be many of the station’s presenters, including Nihal, Noreen Khan, Bobby Friction, Panjabi Hit Squad, Preeya Kalidas (who was recently nominated for an Olivier Award for her role in the West End production of Bend It Like Beckham), Mim Shaikh, Harpz Kaur, Guz Khan, Yasser, Kan D Man and DJ Limelight and more, plus special guest appearances from British-Asian and international stars.

Tickets go on sale on Friday 11 March at 8.10am, priced £20 (plus booking fee). Full details about purchasing tickets, plus terms and conditions, can be found at bbc.co.uk/asiannetworklive. Tickets are both seated and standing and are available to those over 14 years of age (please note, those under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult).

Performing at Asian Network Live:

Naughty Boy
The multi-talented musician and producer returns to perform for the station following his appearance at the first ever BBC Asian Network Prom last summer. Back in 2013, Naughty Boy was championed by presenters Kan D Man and DJ Limelight ahead of the release of La La La starring Sam Smith. The musician’s most recent success came from the release of Runnin’ which features Beyoncé and Arrow Benjamin, and earlier this year, Naughty Boy featured in the Sunday Times ‘Britain’s Most Influential’ list in the music category.

Imran Khan
One of the most popular artists on the Asian music scene, best known for his hit songs Amplifier, Satisfya and last year’s Official Asian Download Chart Number One, Imaginary. At Asian Network Live, the Dutch-born Punjabi singer-songwriter and record producer is set to perform material from his new album ahead of its release this summer, including current single Hat Trick.

Badshah
Badshah is one of India's biggest rap stars. He’ll be making his UK stage debut for the first time at Asian Network Live performing a range of his hits including new track, Kar Gayi Chull. And joining him will be Bollywood playback singer Aastha Gill.

Aastha Gill
Delhi-based Aastha is an Indian playback singer, best known as a vocalist in Hindi films. She has collaborated with rapper Badshah on the soundtrack for Disney film Khoobsurat and on DJ Waley Babu, which was one of 2015’s biggest party anthems in India. Asian Network Live will be the first time they have performed together in the UK.

Fuse ODG
UK-based Ghanaian artist Fuse ODG is an Afrobeats musician. He is best known for his 2013 single Antenna featuring Wyclef Jean, which peaked at number seven in the UK Singles Chart. He was named Best Afrobeats Artist at the Urban Music Awards 2012. At Asian Network Live, Fuse ODG exclusively collaborates with a surprise artist.

Kanika Kapoor
Kanika Kapoor made her debut in 2012 with her first single release, Jugni Ji. Now a renowned Bollywood playback singer, her most popular songs include Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan from the film Roy and Baby Doll from the film Ragini MMS 2 – which won Kanika a Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer. Baby Doll was also the Official Asian Download Chart Number One of 2014. Last year, she performed as a special guest alongside Naughty Boy at the BBC Asian Network Prom

Zack Knight
In 2015, British soul singer Zack Knight had three number ones in the Official Asian Download Chart, and in 2008 was backed by BBC Introducing. Zack’s style of mixing popular Bollywood songs with R&B has proved extremely popular. At Asian Network Live, he will be performing his hits plus his brand new single released in February, Ya Baba.

Arjun
Originally from Sri Lanka, Arjun is a London-based singer-songwriter and producer who performs across the globe and is played across shows on Asian Network. Known for his fusion of contemporary Western and Eastern sounds, Arjun will be performing new material at Asian Network Live.

Jaz Dhami
Birmingham Bhangra star Jaz Dhami is now making his name in Bollywood with his hit track High Heels, which is part of upcoming Indian romantic comedy-drama Ki And Ka, starring actress Kareena Kapoor. In 2015, Jaz featured in BBC Music’s God Only Knows, which also featured One Direction, Pharrell and Sam Smith.

Raxstar
The British Asian rapper from Luton takes his influences from both the UK grime scene and the Indian music of his heritage, which he combines to form an urban desi sound. Raxstar has worked with various artists, including Badshah and Zack Knight, and has been played regularly by both Bobby Friction and Nihal on their Asian Network shows. Last year, to celebrate the BBC’s India Season, Raxstar performed as part of a special Indian music showcase with Bobby Friction on BBC Asian Network and BBC Radio 2’s Jo Whiley show.

DIVINE
The Indian MC from the slums in Mumbai, DIVINE aka Vivian makes his UK debut at Asian Network Live. DIVINE was championed as one of presenter Yasser's 'On The Scene' new talents for 2016 and his single - Mere Gully Mein - has been played across the station.

BBC Asian Network is a national digital radio station that broadcasts to an average audience of 563,000 listeners a week. It has a strong focus on music, news and current affairs relevant to its primary target audience of 18-34 year-old British Asians.

HD2

Related BBC Links

• Asian Network Live