News Release
Radio 1’s Big Weekend comes to Maidstone
BBC Radio 1 has confirmed that its annual flagship
event, Radio 1's Big Weekend, will this year take place in Mote
Park, Maidstone on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May 2008.
The fantastic news was announced by Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles as
his breakfast show was broadcast live from Leeds Castle, Maidstone.
Chris and his team were joined by Scouting For Girls who
performed a live session. The band were also announced as the first
act confirmed to appear at Radio 1’s Big Weekend.
This year, a fourth stage, the BBC Introducing Stage will be
added, bringing some of the best new and emerging UK talent
selected from new music shows across the BBC.
Hosted by Radio 1's roster of DJs, Radio 1’s Big Weekend is the
eighth of its kind hosted by the station and the UK’s biggest free
ticketed music festival.
The event is renowned for having some of the biggest and hottest
UK and international acts all performing live to kick off the UK’s
festival season.
With live music across four stages over two
days, the event will be broadcast on Radio 1 and will have a major
interactive presence online at www.bbc.co.uk/radio1
with many full live performances available to watch on demand.
Highlights will be available to watch on BBC TV and extended
performances will be available via the red button on TV during the
weekend.
The site will be licensed to hold 20,000 people per day. Radio 1
will be making sure the majority of free tickets go to residents of
Maidstone and the surrounding Kent area. To ensure a fair
distribution of tickets in the region, Radio 1 will ask listeners
to register their details and then select by random based on
postcode.
Over the coming months, listeners can keep listening to Radio 1
and logging on to www.bbc.co.uk/radio1 for
the full line-up, details on how to register for free tickets and
to get answers to frequently asked questions.
Chris Moyles said “The Radio
1's Big Weekend events are one of the highlights of our year. I
know that sounds like a line but it's true. I hope everybody gets
excited about it and to the lucky ones that get tickets, trust me,
it'll be the best thing Maidstone sees this year!"
Jason Carter, Radio 1’s Editor of Live Music
and Events, said: "Radio 1 is very proud to announce Maidstone as
the hosts for our eighth Big Weekend. With massive line-ups
of some of the biggest artists in the UK and from around the world
performing in Mote Park, a fantastic site. As well as
bringing a stellar line-up, it'll be a great opportunity for Radio
1 to put a national focus on Maidstone and the South East region
and all that it has to offer."
Councillor Dan Daley, Maidstone’s Cabinet
Member for Leisure and Culture said: “This is a great boost for
Maidstone music. Maidstone has a fantastic music offer to
suit all tastes from classical concerts to a great club scene - but
we haven’t seen anything like this before. Maidstone will kick off
this year’s festival season, with top UK and international artists.
Last year Preston saw headline acts like Kaiser Chiefs,
Stereophonics and Razorlight and I am sure this year’s line up will
be just as exciting. There will be a lasting legacy for our county
town. Preston estimated a £1.3 million boost to their local
economy, and the event will serve as an inspiration for everyone
involved in music in Maidstone.”
View videos from the launch and
find answers to frequently asked questions
Date:
15 February 2008
Reference:
R1/080206