The Ö÷²¥´óÐã Electric Proms - from a local angle
Wow, that was the week that was, so to speak. It's almost a case of "where do we go next" and "who do we support next" after the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Electric Proms Introducing tour, which saw five of the UK's hottest new artists gaining the recognition we feel, as the Ö÷²¥´óÐã, they deserve.
If you haven't been following their adventures, then basically the 26 (or so) new music programmes across the Ö÷²¥´óÐã all joined forces earlier in the year to form what's now known as Ö÷²¥´óÐã Introducing. I worked on a show called The Friday Session, showcasing 100% local music from Herefordshire & Worcestershire on my local Ö÷²¥´óÐã. We're now called The Friday Session Introducing...
All of these programmes were invited to put forward four of their best acts - which we all did, so over 100 entries were submitted. Then a panel of "new music experts" chose the best 24 acts to play Glastonbury. What the artists didn't know, was that while they were playing in the fields of mud, they were also being sounded out to play the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Electric Proms, alongside acts such as Paul McCartney, Mark Ronson and the Kaiser Chiefs.
The aim of the event was a "new music experience" - so something these acts wouldn't normally do. We had the pleasure of having Malvern's Sam Isaac being selected to play at both. It was his choice to work with a full band and a strings section.
- Sam Isaac's Friday Session >
- Meet Sam Isaac >
- About Sam Isaac's music >
- Sam Isaac rehearsing for the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Electric Proms >
- Introducing... Sam Isaac live @ Glastonbury >
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Well after his successful performance at Dingwalls in London, Sam joined the other four musicians for a tour across the UK - sending the artists back to their home towns. For Sam, it was a trip to the Marr's Bar in Worcester on Tuesday night.
I was absolutely blown away by all of the performances, Radio Luxumberg singing in Welsh, Sam Isaac with a full band, The Riff Raff's stage domination, Riz MC's deep lyrics about 9/11, and the New Cassettes' originality. Funny how two years ago, we'd never heard of these artists, and now they all have singles coming out, they're all signed to some label or another, and most of that has been down to good old Ö÷²¥´óÐã Local Radio!
Even if they all decide to quit the music scene next week, they've had one hell of a journey. I mean - man - you should have seen the tour bus! ;-)
