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Radio 1's Big Weekend comes to Maidstone
Â鶹Éç Radio 1 confirmed today that the station's 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.
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The fantastic news was announced by Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles as his breakfast show was broadcast live from Leeds Castle, Maidstone.
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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.
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This year a fourth stage, the Â鶹Éç Introducing Stage, will be added, bringing some of the best new and emerging UK talent selected from new music shows across the Â鶹Éç.
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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.
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The event is renowned for having some of the biggest and hottest UK and international acts performing live to kick off the UK's festival season.
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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 bbc.co.uk/radio1 with many full live performances available to watch on demand.
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Highlights will be available to watch on Â鶹Éç TV and extended performances will be available via the red button on TV during the weekend.
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The site will be licensed to hold 20,000 people per day.
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Radio 1 will be making sure the majority of free tickets go to residents of Maidstone and the surrounding Kent area.
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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.
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Over the coming months, listeners can keep listening to RadioÌý1 and visiting 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.
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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.
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"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!"
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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.
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"As well as bringing a stellar line-up, it'll be an great opportunity for Radio 1 to put a national focus on Maidstone and the South East region and all that it has to offer."
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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.
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"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.
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"There will be a lasting legacy for our county town. Preston estimated a £1.3million boost to their local economy, and the event will serve as an inspiration for everyone involved in music in Maidstone."
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Radio 1 Publicity
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