Press Releases

The line-up for the BBC Introducing stages at the Reading and Leeds Festivals 2009 has been announced today.

Following its successful debut last year the BBC Introducing stage will once again be a feature of both festival sites showcasing up-and-coming artists and bands from around the UK, from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August.

Jason Carter, Editor, BBC Introducing, says: "We're really looking forward to Reading and Leeds 2009.

"The BBC Introducing stage was a huge hit last year and is providing another very strong line-up of artists and bands with the opportunity to perform at one of the UK's biggest music festivals and across the BBC."

The bands performing on the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds 2009 are as follows (bands will perform at both venues):

To The Bones
Frontiers
Ellen and the Escapades
Screaming Lights
Chickenhawk
Wonderswan
British Intelligence
Come on Gang
Soft Toy Emergency
KUTOSIS
Kinch
Milk White White Teeth
Everything Everything
What Makes You Beautiful
Bear Driver
Minnaars
Sixty Watt Bayonets
Lovvers
Horse Guards Parade
A Plastic Rose
Punch & The Apostles
Surprise…Fire
Boney Black
The NEAT
The Old Romantic Killer Band
The Living Daylights
Kasms
Goldheart assembly
The Ruling Class
Our Fold
Not Squares

More bands will be announced soon.

As well as sets streamed online – and across BBC Local Radio – highlights of performances from the BBC Introducing stages at Reading and Leeds will feature in a festival round-up special on BBC Radio 1 on Monday 31 August, 7.00pm to midnight, and on Huw Stephens' BBC Introducing show on Radio 1 on Wednesday 2 September, 9.00 to 10.00pm.

The BBC Introducing stage is now present at key UK music festivals throughout the year including Radio 1's Big Weekend, Glastonbury and T In The Park, and there are is a network of BBC Introducing shows on Radio 1, BBC 1Xtra, BBC 6 Music, the BBC Asian Network and across more than 30 local BBC Radio stations.

Musicians can upload their music at bbc.co.uk/introducing for the possible opportunity of being broadcast on BBC Radio, which could lead to a slot on one of the BBC Introducing stages.

Notes to Editors

Bands are chosen by a combination of BBC Introducing, Leeds-based promoters Futuresound and Festival Republic.

More information on the bands will be available shortly at bbc.co.uk/introducing.

LW