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´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing is coming to Folkestone as Quarterhouse celebrates the county's musical talent.

Bands from all corners of Kent will be taking to the stage on Friday 5 March 2010 for a special one-off event in association with ´óÏó´«Ã½Â Radio Kent's Introducing show.

The Sunday night radio show provides a platform for the best unsigned, undiscovered and under-the-radar music being created by bands and artists based in Kent and will be celebrating its second birthday at Quarterhouse with some of the best home grown talent that have come up through ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing.

Through the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing network, which spans ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio1, ´óÏó´«Ã½Â 6 Music, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Switch and ´óÏó´«Ã½ local stations like Radio Kent, bands and artists can get heard on the national scene, whether it's on the dedicated stage at Glastonbury, a session at Maida Vale, getting played by Radio 1's Huw Stephens or at Radio 1's One Big Weekend, which came to Kent in 2008.

Just like the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Kent Introducing radio show, which is presented by Folkestone-based Jacob Rickard, the 5 March talent-fest will present a spectrum of musical styles.

Ensuring they are in touch with their Folkestone roots, after taking last year's Radio1's One Big Weekend in Swindon by storm, will be indie locals Elephants.

Fellow One Big Weekenders (Maidstone 2008) Tom Williams & The Boat, from Tunbridge Wells, will be dishing up their catchy brand of anti-folk ahead of their anticipated debut album out later this year.

Other acts include Thanet rock four-piece Floors & Walls, Chatham quirk-punk trio Polka Party, Sittingbourne folk-blues-rockers Krissy & The Jackdaws, and Gaoler's Daughter, new to the Kent scene but fast becoming 6 Music favourites.

Plus, keeping the party going into the night will be DJ Jacob Plant.

Jacob Rickard said: "I'm really looking forward to seeing all this great local music come together for a very special performance.

"There's some outstanding musical talent in Kent at the moment and it's a real honour to be bringing it to the live stage for our second birthday party.

"After all, if it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have the show's fantastic range of music.

"Being part of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing network, we can offer bands and artists unparalleled opportunities to be seen and heard across the UK.

"I would say to anyone that, if you're making music and trying to break onto the scene, upload your tunes to our website and show us what you've got to offer. You never know who is listening."

Find ´óÏó´«Ã½ Kent Introducing on the web at bbc.co.uk/kent/introducing or listen to the show on Sunday nights from 8.00pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Kent, 96.7 and 104.2 FM.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Kent Introducing 2nd Birthday Party is presented by Quarterhouse in association with ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing in Kent.

It is part of The Hook, Folkestone's music festival. Doors open at 6.30pm, first act 7.00pm. Tickets cost £6 and are available from www.quarterhouse.co.uk or call 01303 858500. 16 years and over – ID will be required.

Notes to Editors

1. ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing is a multi-platform initiative across ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 1, ´óÏó´«Ã½ 6 Music, ´óÏó´«Ã½ 1Xtra, the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Asian Network, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Switch, more than 35 ´óÏó´«Ã½ Local Radio stations and at bbc.co.uk/introducing – all working together to provide an internal network dedicated to showcasing the hottest new talent from across the UK.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing launched in June 2007 with its own stage at Glastonbury. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing Stage is now firmly established at many of the UK's major festivals including Radio 1's Big Weekend, Glastonbury, T in the Park and Reading and Leeds.

More than 35 ´óÏó´«Ã½ Local Radio stations have ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing Shows, and tracks uncovered by the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing initiative are also played out on Radio 1, 6 Music, 1Xtra and the Asian Network.

Bands and artists can upload their music on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing website – giving them the chance to be played out on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio and on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing stages at the major festivals.

Since the Uploader launched last year more than 15,000 artists have uploaded their tracks – that's a staggering 35,859 tracks!

The site also offers a hub of practical advice and information for new artists wanting to take the next step in the industry.

For the first time this year, Radio 1 has played out tracks from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing artists in daytime shows and will continue to do so at key moments in 2010.

The Radio 1 Music team will pick artists from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing stage line-ups and they will each get a week of daytime plays.

By supporting new music, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Introducing has showcased more than 400 bands since it began.

2. Quarterhouse can be found on Tontine Street in the heart of Folkestone's Creative Quarter (CT20 1JR). It opened in March 2009 as a live entertainment and events venue with state-of-the-art auditorium facilities for performing arts events, concerts, gigs, comedy nights, festivals and more. Visit www.quarterhouse.co.uk for more information.

HB