BBC Music Introducing announces 10th anniversary gig

BBC Music Introducing has announced a gig at O2 Academy Brixton to celebrate it's 10th anniversary.

George Ezra, Blossoms, Nao, Slaves and The Big Moon are among the names on the line-up for BBC Music Introducing Live, with more yet to be announced.

The night, featuring artists who have all been backed by Introducing, will be hosted by Huw Stephens, Annie Mac, Phil Taggart, Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson.

BBC Music Introducing Live takes place on 4 October.

More than half of this year's Reading and Leeds Festival line-up, including Declan McKenna, initially put their tracks on the BBC Music Introducing Uploader

Since launching in 2007, acts supported by BBC Music Introducing have gone on to release 14 UK number one singles and 28 UK number one albums between them.

There are now over 460,000 tracks, which is more than three years-worth of music, uploaded to the BBC Music Introducing website and 170,000 artists are registered.

Each BBC regional radio station across the country has a BBC Music Introducing programme dedicated to finding local talent.

Some of the musicians they discover are then picked up on a national and international stage through BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, 6 Music, Radio 3, Asian Network and World Service.

Bob Shennan, Director, BBC Radio and Music, said: "I'm incredibly proud of the work BBC Music Introducing has done over the last 10 years to bring talented UK artists, from all musical backgrounds, to a national and international audience.

"So many of the musicians supported by BBC Music Introducing have gone on to achieve great success and this gig will be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all that is special about new music in the UK."

George Ezra

"The music industry was a very intimidating and confusing world for me when I was 18.

"I knew I wanted to perform and write for a living but had no idea how to make this a reality.

"BBC Introducing was, and still is, the most amazingly inclusive platform I could have asked for. Long live Introducing."

Blossoms

"The BBC plays a significant part in everybody's lives in one way or another, but BBC Music Introducing (specifically) has certainly played a colossal part in ours, especially in our embryonic stage, and has continued to support us throughout.

"They provide a service like no other and are at the forefront when it comes to championing and nurturing new talent."

Nao

"BBC Introducing were fantastic to me when I was starting out.

"Not only did they give me my first radio play but they put me on at Glastonbury, which at the time was a dream come true.

"They're a hugely important part of the BBC and a big reason why more interesting music can break through in the UK compared to other countries."

The Big Moon

"They've championed us from the beginning and given us the opportunity to play amazing festivals in the UK and abroad.

We're incredibly grateful for their support and are so so happy to be playing at their 10th anniversary."

Tickets for BBC Music Introducing Live are available now.

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