A specialist DJ takeover, free music concerts and the countdown of the BBC Sound of 2011 will be just some of the exciting content coming this January on BBC Radio 1 when the station takes listeners on a journey to discover new music in the New Year.

Specialist DJ Takeover and BBC Sound of 2011 countdown

Monday 3^rd January – Friday 7^th January

Kicking off on Monday 3^rd January, Radio 1 shakes up the schedule by handing over the entire week to the station’s evening specialist shows.  Daytime will be turned on its head with Radio 1’s new music DJ’s Zane Lowe, Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Nick Grimshaw joining forces to share with listeners their big tips for 2011 and looking back at the artists they championed in 2010. The DJ’s playlists will also give even bigger daytime exposure to newer artists. The schedule from Monday 3rd January to Friday 7th January will be:

7.00am – 10am – Zane Lowe

10am-1pm –Annie Mac

1pm-4pm – Huw Stephens

4pm-7pm – Nick Grimshaw

For the first time ever, Radio 1 will exclusively reveal the winner of BBC Sound of 2011, one of the most anticipated events of the year. The survey compiled from the views of music critics and industry experts aims to highlight some of the rising stars tipped for big things in the coming year.  On his special breakfast show, Zane Lowe counts down the top five most voted for acts throughout the week, culminating in the unveiling of the winner on Friday 7^th January. Live session tracks and interviews from the chosen five will also feature heavily across Radio 1 shows. 

Ben Cooper, Deputy Controller, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra, says: “Supporting new music is extremely important to Radio 1. Over the last 12 months we have played a major part in breaking artists like The XX, Mumford & Sons, Plan B, Biffy Clyro and Marina & The Diamonds plus many more and 2011 will be no different. January will be exciting for Radio   1 as we turn the schedule on its head to bring our audiences even more brand new music and live events all month long”

BBC Introducing

Monday 10^th January – Friday 14^th January

BBC Introducing will also feature as part of BBC Radio 1’s new music push with a range of activities. Starting on the 10th January, in an exciting move for the initiative, a BBC Introducing sourced artist will become part of the Radio 1 daytime playlist each week. Selected by the Radio 1 music team via suggestions from the BBC Introducing Network and the Uploader (www.bbc.co.uk/introducing), an artist will be highlighted on the national network, receiving six plays in daytime shows.

Also this week, there will be a special BBC Introducing session recorded at the famous Maida Vale Studios. Three Radio 1 specialist DJs; Huw Stephens, Pete Tong and Daniel P Carter are teaming up with leading  music magazines NME, Mixmag and Rock Sound to select the acts they think we’ll be seeing more of in 2011. This will culminate in a special BBC Introducing programme on Wednesday 12th January at 9pm, with live tracks being played out across the week.

In New Music We Trust

Monday 17^th January – Friday 21^st January

World exclusive interviews and first hear plays from fresh talent and the big returning acts take centre stage in Zane Lowe’s show this week (from 7pm) and Nick Grimshaw features  his future pop playlist from 10pm.

Zane and Nick’s eclectic mix of indie, rock and experimental music collides on Thursday 20^th January with a free live music event ‘In New Music We Trust’ from the HMV Forum London. The line-up which has been hand picked by Zane and Nick features White Lies, Jamie Woon, Sleigh Bells and Funeral Party.

Details on how to apply for tickets will be announced early January and the whole event will be broadcast live on Radio 1 between 7pm-11pm. Go online to www.bbc.co.uk/radio1  for updates.

In New DJ’S We Trust 
Monday 24^th January – Friday 28^th January

In New DJs We Trust, Radio 1’s showcase for the hottest new DJ talent and new dance music gets a 9pm-10pm slot all this week. Listeners can expect a nightly party mixing together the full spectrum of new dance music from Techno to Bassline and everything in-between; and the party doesn’t stop there when on Friday 28^th January the whole Radio 1 dance family come together for the second of our free ‘In New Music We Trust Live’ events taking place at Sheffield University’s Student Union.

In New Music We Trust Live kicks off at 7pm with Annie Mac and Pete Tong’s Friday Night shows alongside a club event which will continue through the night with a massive dance music marathon;  including back to back sets from Radio 1’s dance DJ’s plus some very special guests.

Details on how to apply for tickets will be announced early January and the whole event will be broadcast live on Radio 1 on Friday night from 7pm-6am. Go online to www.bbc.co.uk/radio1 for updates.

BBC Introducing Master class
Thursday 3^rd February

Building further on its unique and multi-platform opportunities, on Thursday 3rd February, BBC Introducing will be hosting its first ever Musicians Master class. Held across two world famous studios, Abbey Road and Maida Vale, this exciting event will connect under the radar musicians from across the UK with top music industry professionals from the BBC, the media, live music and recording industries, as well as a host of BBC DJ’s.

Jason Carter, Editor, BBC Introducing, says: “Radio 1′s introduction of BBC Introducing artists onto the Radio 1 playlist all year round, is a fantastic opportunity for new musicians to have national exposure. That, combined with The BBC Introducing Musicians Master classes and its super industry access for musicians, give us a great start for 2011.“