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BBC Reveals First Acts For 2009 Electric Proms

• 16th Sep 2009

BBC Reveals First Acts For 2009 Electric Proms

• Smokey Robinson, Doves and Dizzee Rascal confirmed to headline
• Florence and the Machine and Metronomy will also perform
• Tickets will go on sale at 8am on Wednesday 16th September

American soul legend Smokey Robinson and homegrown stars Doves and Dizzee Rascal are the first names confirmed to play at this year’s BBC Electric Proms, which takes place at The Roundhouse in London from 20th – 24th October. All three shows will be broadcast completely live on BBC radio with highlights broadcast on BBC Two.

The festival – dedicated to creating new moments in music – is back for 2009 with an unique line up of international and UK artists presenting one off collaborations and performances. Tickets will go on sale at 8am on Wednesday 16th September.

Smokey Robinson will be joined on the main Roundhouse stage by the BBC Concert Orchestra on Saturday 24th October where he will perform classic soul and motown tracks from his legendary career plus new material from his forthcoming album. The BBC has specially commissioned orchestral arrangements for this unique performance, which sees one of the most influential Motown artists playing in the UK during the label’s 50th anniversary. The show will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 2.

Doves will be working with choral arranger Avshalom Caspi to interpret their tracks for a brand new performance with the 40 strong London Bulgarian Choir on Thursday 22nd October, reworking their music especially for the BBC Electric Proms audience. This unique collaboration will be broadcast live across BBC 6Music.

Since his Mercury Music prize win, Dizzee Rascal has become a major UK star producing several dancefloor hits. He will be performing on Wednesday 21st October, playing the classics, as well as tracks from his brand new album Tongue 'N' Cheek – including the two Number 1 smashes, 'Dance Wiv Me' and 'Bonkers'. Backed by live band the Young Punx and a 16 piece string section from the Heritage Orchestra, this will be the first time Dizzee will have ever performed a full length live show with a band and orchestra. The show will be broadcast live on 1Xtra.

More acts will be announced in coming weeks. All performances will be available online. All headline shows will be filmed in High Definition, broadcast on BBC Two and simulcast on the HD Channel.

Festival Director Lorna Clarke commented, “The BBC Electric Proms will once again create exciting new moments in music with a range of international and homegrown acts all developing their performances specifically for BBC audiences.”

Doves front man Jimi Goodwin said: “We’re really excited about playing at the BBC Electric Proms. The voices of the London Bulgarian Choir are just unbelievable, and it is brilliant just to get the chance to play the songs differently for the Roundhouse audience. It is going to be really special.”

Smokey Robinson said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to return to the UK and perform at the BBC Electric Proms. The show is definitely going to be something I will be proud to present to all of my beautiful fans who have supported me throughout my career.”

Audiences are guaranteed to see and hear something truly memorable at the BBC Electric Proms whether at the venue, watching and listening on the BBC, interacting with red button technology or on mobile.

The BBC Electric Proms has re-commissioned the BBC New Music Shorts for 2009. Film makers were invited to submit ideas for inventive and original short films inspired by tracks from Metronomy and Florence and the Machine earlier this year. The successful commissions will be premiered at the BBC Electric Proms alongside performances from both bands in the Studio Theatre with Metronomy and Florence and the Machine taking the stage on Thursday 22nd October.

To find out how to register for FREE tickets for New Music Shorts, go to link

Electric Proms on the BBC

Further artists and performances will be announced over the coming weeks. The festival can be viewed and watched via a number of different platforms on the BBC:

Radio – There will be live and recorded broadcasts from all areas of the festival on BBC Radio 1, 2, 1Xtra and 6Music.

TV – Highlights from this year’s Electric Proms will be screened on BBC Two with additional performances available to Freeview, satellite and cable customers via their red button interactive service.

Online – Complete performances will be available to watch for a week after the festival along with photos and interviews at bbc.co.uk/electricproms

Full listings information will be available on the Electric Proms website at link

BBC Electric Proms information hotline: 03703 333 432

Ticket prices:
Smokey Robinson – £25
Doves – £20
Dizzee Rascal – £20
BBC New Music Shorts – Free tickets by registering online – go to link for more details