The UK’s Best Part-time Band

In this brand new prime-time BBC Four series, comedian Rhod Gilbert embarks on a road trip across the country, on a mission to find the UK’s best part-time band.

To help him, he has recruited some expert help. Ultravox front man, Midge Ure, will head home to Glasgow before taking in a tour of Northern Ireland and Wales. Championing the north of England is former New Order and Joy Division bassist Peter Hook, and in the south of the country, Rhod is accompanied by legendary Soul II Soul producer Jazzie B.

In episode one Rhod Gilbert and Midge Ure set off on an epic road trip across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to discover the UK’s Best Part-Time Band.

From across the UK, more than 1,200 bands have entered the competition, playing rock to reggae, ska to skiffle, bhangra to blues and everything in between. Leading double lives, by day they might be doctors, window cleaners or waiters, but at night they shed their work clothes, pick up a guitar and channel their inner rock god. What binds them all? An incredible passion for music and an escape from the 9 to 5 grind.

This is no ordinary talent show - this is a rock ‘n’ roll documentary following Rhod and Midge on tour, visiting bands playing in rehearsal spaces, pubs, barns and bedrooms.

At the end of the road trip, five acts will be selected for a regional heat in Belfast, where they compete for a place in the Grand Final, of the ‘The UK’s Best Part-time Band’.

UK’s Best Part-time Band is a Wall To Wall Media production for the BBC. The show is part of the BBC’s Get Playing campaign, encouraging music lovers, amateur musicians and lapsed players to have a go and celebrate the joy of making music together.

Publicity contact: AF2