Jo Whiley showcases upcoming Essex musical talent

Jo Whiley was at Hot Box in Chelmsford to host the BBC Radio 2 event

BBC Introducing has been a "lifeline" for upcoming artists and music, radio royalty Jo Whiley said during an event in Essex.

Three unsigned artists – Peonie, The Trusted and Josie Beth – performed to an intimate audience tucked under the railway arches in the heart of Chelmsford at Hot Box, with Whiley broadcasting the event live to BBC Radio 2 listeners.

BBC Introducing is a longstanding pillar of the BBC and has been a platform for upcoming artists for years.

Whiley said: "[It] is absolutely crucial. It's the way people get their music heard. There is so much talent out there, so many young artists out there, whether you're in bands or solo artists, and they need an audience."

Hot Box in Chelmsford is tucked away under the railway arches in the heart of the city

"It's fine being good in your bedroom, but you want people to actually hear what you're singing about and how good you are.

"That's where BBC Introducing comes in – it's a lifeline for music."

Hot Box is an independent venue best known for hosting live music in its tiny venue.

David Hughes, its owner, said he was delighted when he found the gig was coming to Chelmsford, and added: "Radio 2 is a massive audience. Jo Whiley is a bit of a legend.

"All small music venues are really struggling, and for us we are still struggling from Covid debt, so this is massive."

Whiley said: "This venue is like walking into a teenager's bedroom and [that of] a music fanatic because there is so much everywhere.

"It is a really fascinating place and it's so tiny. I love an intimate venue, and this is as intimate it can get."

Peonie said she was very excited about the gig

Peonie, 25, from Colchester, who was one of the performers, said: "It's a really big deal for us. [It} feels like we're on the forefront of something and we're coming up.

"We're making jazz-pop music and there are not a lot of people doing that."

The Trusted are an indie band from Essex

Indie band The Trusted, from Southend, said: "It's an absolute privilege. It's a real honour for us to do this."

And indie singer-songwriter Josie Beth, from Brentwood, 23, said: "I was so excited. It took quite a few days to process it.

"I'm gobsmacked that I'm a part of it."

Matt Plumb presents BBC Introducing for Essex and Cambridge every Saturday

BBC Introducing's Matt Plumb said: "It's really important that places like Radio 2 have picked up some of our local artists, and more than anything it is a big opportunity for them to showcase themselves on a national radio station."

BBC Introducing has helped several mainstream artists over the years, including Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi and Essex's Sam Ryder.

Mr Plumb said: "Introducing is important when it comes to grassroots music and showing and bringing through the next generation of musicians."