One of BBC’s most popular stations, BBC1Xtra have launched a very special new campaign to source and support new music across the UK. They are using the month of April this year to begin the showcase, which will see the station source blossoming and upcoming talent from different regions in the UK.
The campaign will span over four weeks and will see host DJ Target set up camp in 16 cities, where the search for new talent will take place. Cities included on the campaign trail are Sheffield, Belfast, Nottingham, Cardiff and Birmingham, plus more. As well as finding brand new talent, DJ Target will be learning about the cities culture and reporting back on their music scene’s trends. The host will also be linking with the city’s respective artists, including Lady Leshurr from Birmingham, London’s own Little Simz, Rapper Aystar from Liverpool and Toddla T from Sheffield, as well as various other artists who will be on hand to guide listeners through their cities. Target has this to say regarding the network’s new project, “I’m really excited for the UK Touchdown Tour this month. It’s another great way for us to connect with the regions and showcase some amazing new talent from all over the UK.”
Special editions of the UK Touchdown Tour will also be aired online and will pay particular attention to music, culture, community and art found in the different cities visited. These special edition shows will be hosted by Reece Parkinson. The network has given music fans an exciting month ahead full of new music. Faron McKenzie, Head of IXtra has spoken on the importance of emerging new music and had this statement about the upcoming month. “The UK is brimming with amazing new talent and it’s important that as the home of new music, 1Xtra continues to support new and emerging artists and talent. 1Xtra’s UK Touchdown Tour will enable us to get closer to the artists in different cities and communities across the UK as we support them from the early stages of their careers.”
The homegrown artists featured will also be included on a new weekly BBC sounds playlist. The new playlist also sees the new campaign link up with BBC Music Introducing, the premier platform for new talent, to enable the hottest and freshest artist and tracks to be featured. This is not the only cross-over within the network, a very special performance from Mahalia, MOBO winner and Grammy Award Nominee, will also be aired on the Live Lounge show. And special performances taken from 1Xtra’s Hot For 2021, 1Xtra’s highly regarded guide to new music, will also be featured as part of the network’s new campaign to locate and raise new homegrown talent. The tour started on week one on April 5th 2021 in Glasgow and will air from Monday to Thursday from 7-9 pm, please see below for the full schedule.
Week 1 (5-8 April)
Glasgow
Newcastle
Leeds
Manchester
Week 2 (12-15 April)
Liverpool
Belfast
Bristol
Cardiff
Week 3 (19-23 April)
Brighton
Ipswich
London
Coventry
Week 4 (26-29 April)
Derby
Birmingham
Nottingham
Sheffield
