 | Press ReleasesAkon to headline 1Xtra Live |
1Xtra from the BBC today announced the launch of the station's first ever flagship event, 1Xtra Live. A massive line-up of artists is confirmed to perform at the free gig, including Akon, Kelly Rowland, Chris Brown and Craig David. The inaugural event takes place at Ricoh Arena in Coventry on Saturday 22 March 2008. The line-up in full is:  Akon
Kelly Rowland
Chris Brown
Craig David
Lupe Fiasco Estelle Mavado Jay Sean Taio Cruz Tami Chynn The event will be simulcast live on 1Xtra and BBC Radio 1 from 7.00pm to midnight with a major interactive presence at bbc.co.uk/1xtra. Highlights from the event will be available to watch via the Red Button on interactive television for ten days from Sunday 23 March, and music show Sound will broadcast a 1Xtra Live special on Saturday 29 March on BBC Two. Information on how listeners can get tickets to 1Xtra Live will be announced by Trevor Nelson on the 1Xtra Breakfast Show on Monday 3 March. Four thousand music fans will be able to attend the event and 1Xtra will allocate the majority of free tickets to residents of Coventry and the surrounding areas. To ensure a fair distribution of tickets in the region, listeners will be asked to register their details and will then be selected at random based on postcode. Trevor Nelson, 1Xtra Breakfast Show, host said: "We've got an unbelievable line-up for what is going to be an unbelievable show. "The UK's been waiting for a black music event like 1Xtra Live." Lorna Clarke, Head of Programmes, 1Xtra, said: "For the past five years 1Xtra has worked hard to support the full range of black music and now we are able to bring together some of the most popular contemporary UK and international artists for 1Xtra Live. "It will be a fantastic event and a chance for listeners to experience 1Xtra at its biggest and best." Jason Carter, Live Music and Events Editor, Radio 1 and 1Xtra, said: "It's with great excitement that 1Xtra announces such an incredible line-up for 1Xtra Live, especially as it's the first event of this scale for 1Xtra. "It's a great chance for the station to get out and see our listeners in Coventry. "We'd love to grow 1Xtra Live into the biggest and most exciting annual event in the black music calendar." Ray Paul, Executive Producer, Mainstream Programming & Special Events, 1Xtra added: "1Xtra Live represents a long awaited event for black music fans around the UK to hear and see some of the world's biggest artists representing both the UK and US. "Coventry promises to be the hottest place to be on 22nd March, and listeners will also be able to have an amazing experience of the event on 1Xtra – on radio, on TV and online – as our coverage will be second to none." Broadcast schedule (1Xtra only) 4.00-7.00pm: Seani B & Max – Live from backstage (1Xtra and Radio 1) 7.00-9.00pm: Trevor Nelson & Zena 9.00-10.00pm: Ace, Vis & Jenna 10.00-11.00pm: Westwood & MistaJam 11.00pm-midnight: Rampage & Robbo Ranx. Notes to Editors The event takes place within the Jaguar Hall at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Digital viewers can press red from any BBC Television channel. Listen live to 1Xtra via digital TV, digital radio and bbc.co.uk/1Xtra. JS2 | 
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