Hip-Hop group, The Anomalies, are appearing among some of the finest up-and-coming talent in Britain at the ‘Maida Vale Weekender’ after they sent a CD of their music into BBC Hereford & Worcester’s local music programme.

The Anomalies are recording their session at Maida Vale on Sunday (30th March) with it being broadcast on BBC Hereford & Worcester on Friday 4th April from 7pm, with BBC Radio 1 also broadcasting the session and BBC 1Xtra, BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music playing selected tracks from the various artists.

Opportunities

Since The Friday Session Introducing…’ was first launched in June 2005, the programme has attracted a great deal of interest; from record label A&R scouts through to festival organisers.

The Anomalies first came to the attention of BBC Hereford & Worcester in 2006 when The Friday Session Introducing…’ presenter, Andrew Marston, first heard the group from a sample of their music he was sent.

Since then they have enjoyed regular airplay on BBC Hereford & Worcester, their first live radio session, plus some of their first gigs came about due to local event organisers hearing them on the radio station. Over the last three years they have gone on to support the likes of Grand Master Flash and Groove Armada.

Over the years, most of the world’s biggest bands have played at the BBC’s Maida Vale studios. During the ‘Maida Vale Weekender’ 12 bands from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are performing three tracks each, over two days, in three of the London studios.

28.03.08 - A new music magazine launched in Hereford, Battle Of The Bands in Redditch, plus Lou Richardson live!

bbc.co.uk/fridaysession is the home to 100% local music from Herefordshire and Worcestershire during the week.

Listen online right now to Festival Friday, where we brought you some of the biggest festival news from around our two counties.

Hawkwind, Bill Bailey, The Utah Saints and the Mighty Boosh are just some of the acts heading to our area this summer.

Hear the festival organisers exclusively reveal how the Friday Session Introducing stage will be a vital part of this year's events.

It's all online right now - BBC Hereford & Worcester's Friday Session Introducing... with Andrew Marston - at bbc.co.uk/fridaysession.

This Friday night from 7, it's The Friday Session Introducing... the Hereford singer/songwriter Lou Richardson.

Lou first came to the attention of BBC Hereford & Worcester two years ago while playing at Bromyard's Nozstock Festival.

Well, she's just finished working on her debut album - and you'll be able to hear some of those acoustic tracks on this week's show.

It's The Friday Session Introducing... 100% local music, with Andrew Marston, Friday nights from 7 on BBC Hereford & Worcester.

Listen online for up to seven days after broadcast:
bbc.co.uk/fridaysession > listen now to this week's show

4 April:
The Friday Session Introducing... The Anomalies @ BBC Maida Vale (Hereford)

2 May:
The Friday Session Introducing... Sunset Cinema Club @ The Mailbox (Redditch)

9 May:
The Friday Session Introducing... Tribute To Nothing (Malvern)

16 May:
The Friday Session Introducing... How To Dress For Cricket (Hereford)

6 June:
The Friday Session Introducing Stage @ The Wyeside Festival (Hereford)
WYESIDE RUGBY CLUB, HEREFORD 7-10PM ON-AIR
Dandelion Killers (Ross-on-Wye)
Pencil Toes (Hereford)
Sol (Symonds Yat/Ross-on-Wye)
Ten Thousand Flushes (Kington)

18 July:
The Friday Session Introducing Stage @ The Nozstock Festival (Bromyard)

1 August:
The Friday Session Introducing... The Big Chill Festival (Ledbury)

22 August:
The Friday Session Introducing Stage @ The Worcester Festival
THE MARR'S BAR, WORCESTER 7-10PM ON-AIR
Will Dance For Chocolate (Worcester)
Jamie Knight (Worcester)
The Amateurs (Kidderminster)
Flo Rowland (Worcester)
Aura (Worcestershire)

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter now! bbc.co.uk/fridaysession > newsletter

It's The Friday Session Introducing... Bruno Gallone.

The Evesham singer/songwriter started making music in 1979 with the four-piece Mod/Powerpop band Reaction.

During his time in music, he's supported The Jam and Bananarama, and has also appeared on BBC Television.

Hereford Girl On ITV

We're following the progress of Hereford Sixth Form College student Rosi Bates, who's won a place in the regional semi-finals of a national talent competition.

Her dad, Phil, is a former guitarist and vocalist with ELO Part 2, and together they've written a track called 'World Without Pain'.

The next round of South Coast Idol/Live & Unsigned takes place tomorrow (Saturday 15 March) and will be covered by ITV Local.

Herefordshire Schools Rock Showcase

The annual event is making a welcome return to the Courtyard in Hereford on Monday (17 March 2008) at 7pm.

We chatted to the Music Pool in Hereford, who are responsible for the event, along with some of the bands taking part.

It's The Friday Session Introducing... 100% local music, with Andrew Marston, Friday nights from 7 on BBC Hereford & Worcester.

Listen online for up to seven days after broadcast:
bbc.co.uk/fridaysession > listen now to this week's show

21 March

AN EXTRA HOUR OF THE SESH AS IT'S GOOD FRIDAY (live from 6pm)
Introducing... Lou Richardson's Friday Session (Hereford)
A new music night is launched in Malvern

4 April

The Anomalies @ BBC Maida Vale (Hereford)

It's the Friday Session Introducing... Aura.

The Worcestershire four-piece, who are all in their mid-teens, has so far played alongside Stan Webb's Chicken Shack, Wishbone Ash, Hayseed Dixie and Status Quo.

We're catching up with the Redditch rockers Three Years Hiding, whose new album is released this week.

Plus, we continue our Music Map series, exploring Herefordshire & Worcestershire's association with iconic musicians and bands.

Hear Andrew's exclusive interview with the only surviving member from Hereford - Martin Chambers - along with the fans, those living in their former homes, and the tour manager Stan Tippins.

It's The Friday Session Introducing... 100% local music, with Andrew Marston, this Friday night from 7 on BBC Hereford & Worcester.

Listen online for up to seven days after broadcast:
bbc.co.uk/fridaysession > listen now to this week's show

29 February:
Introducing... Tastyhead's Friday Session (Hereford)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

7 March:
Introducing... Jack's Hammer's Friday Session (Hereford)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

It's the Friday Session Introducing... Theo.

The Worcester songwriter combines guitar with drums, using loop pedals, to create thick, layered, ambient tracks.

Hear how he does it as we break down his performance on this week's Friday Session.

We'll hear about James Rousseau, who grew up in Much Marcle in Herefordshire and went to Malvern College.

He was the head chorister at Abberley Hall Prep School, before moving to the USA.

It was during his time in the states he met, and fell in love with, Hollywood actress Kate Bosworth.

He's now writing music - with his girlfriend being the inspiration to his debut single 'To Make You Mine'.

Plus, we continue our Music Map series, exploring Herefordshire & Worcestershire's association with iconic musicians and bands.

This week, we're discussing Led Zeppelin, with some of the closest people associated with the band.

Plus, we'll be playing tracks from their digitally re-mastered album 'Mothership'.

It's The Friday Session Introducing... 100% local music, with Andrew Marston, on BBC Hereford & Worcester.

Listen online for up to seven days after broadcast:
bbc.co.uk/fridaysession > listen now to this week's show

15 February:
Introducing... Aura's Friday Session (Worcestershire)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

29 February:
Introducing... Tastyhead's Friday Session (Hereford)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

7 March:
Introducing... Jack's Hammer's Friday Session (Hereford)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

It's the Friday Session Introducing... The Lies In Me.

The Redditch group, who are all in their mid-teens, have been mashing up the styles for a number a years - crossing from trance to hard rock in their massively diverse set.

So far, they've topped two Battle Of The Bands competitions in Redditch, and also won one over the border in Warwickshire.

Studio Time

We'll be catching up with the Worcester reviewer Toxic Pete, who once again, is giving away free studio time for the best up-and-coming bands in our area.

Pete has been writing about music for a number of years on his website - toxicpete.co.uk - and now does it for the big boys too. His latest venture being the Mothership album from North Worcestershire's Led Zeppelin.

Hear how you could get your band reviewed by Pete, together with the chance to work at FFG studios in Bredon.

Music Map

Plus, we continue our Music Map series, exploring Herefordshire & Worcestershire's association with iconic musicians and bands.

Queen supported them, Aerosmith supported them - yet they're still referred to as Mott The Who.

This week we meet the former members of the Herefordshire group Mott The Hoople

8 February:
Introducing... Theo's Friday Session (Worcester)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

15 February:
Introducing... Aura's Friday Session (Bewdley)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

29 February:
Introducing... Tastyhead's Friday Session (Hereford)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

7 March:
Introducing... Jack's Hammer's Friday Session (Hereford)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

Listen online for up to seven days after broadcast:

bbc.co.uk/fridaysession > listen now to this week's show

It's the Friday Session Introducing... The Golden Valley band, Stone Holy.

The group formed just over a year ago with the aim of writing experimental, yet classic and modern rock.

They're all 16 and 17-years-old, and have just started at the Hereford Sixth Form College.

We've been causing a stir in Hereford's largest housing estate - or rather, one local group has.

Hereford band Tastyhead wrote a song about "always waking up to the sound of a screaming alarm" and "being kicked out of the SAS for dealing drugs in the officers' mess."

We thought it was so funny, we played it to our breakfast team who played it to some of the rather not-too-happy locals - hear the song and their reaction on this week's show.

Plus, we continue our Music Map series, exploring Herefordshire & Worcestershire's association with iconic musicians and bands.

This week in our A-Z, we hear from Fyfe Dangerfield - the Bromsgrove frontman of the Mercury nominated band, The Guillemots.

It's The Friday Session Introducing... 100% local music, with Andrew Marston, on BBC Hereford & Worcester.

Listen online for up to seven days after broadcast:
bbc.co.uk/fridaysession > listen now to this week's show

1 February:
Introducing... The Lies In Me's Friday Session (Redditch)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

The group formed during an England v France game and features - you guessed it - both English and French musicians!

We also heard from Malvern's Weakest Link - Paul Farrer - the man who composed the theme.

And, what a week it's been for Upton-upon-Severn's Luke Leighfield. We gave him his first ever airplay on BBC Hereford & Worcester - and this Friday you'll be able to hear his exclusive live session for the BBC from the legendary Maida Vale studios in London.

Plus, we continue our Music Map series, exploring Herefordshire & Worcestershire's association with iconic musicians and bands. This week in our A-Z - the letter D. And D is for Dodgy - from Redditch and Pershore.

Listen online for up to seven days after broadcast:
bbc.co.uk/fridaysession > listen now to this week's show

COMING UP:

25 January:
Introducing... Stone Holy's Friday Session (Herefordshire)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

1 February:
Introducing... The Lies In Me's Friday Session (Redditch)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

8 February:
Introducing... Aura's Friday Session (Bewdley)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

15 February
Introducing... Jack's Hammer's Friday Session (Hereford)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

Selected for having the best local music track of 2007, lead singer Simon will be teaming up with a number of other local musicians to play live on this week's show.

Plus, we continue our Music Map series, exploring Herefordshire & Worcestershire's association with iconic musicians and bands. This week in our A-Z - Clifford T Ward: "Buy me a house, and I'll write you a number one single" - but did he ever achieve it?

Find out this Friday night from 7. The Friday Session Introducing... 100% Local Music with Andrew Marston on BBC Hereford & Worcester.

Listen online for up to seven days after broadcast:
bbc.co.uk/fridaysession > listen now to this week's show

COMING UP: bbc.co.uk/fridaysession > features

18 January:
Introducing... The Arquettes' Friday Session (Worcester)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

25 January:
Introducing... Stone Holy's Friday Session (Golden Valley, Herefordshire)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

1 February:
Introducing... The Lies In Me's Friday Session (Redditch)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

8 February:
Introducing... Aura's Friday Session (Bewdley)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

15 February:
Introducing... Jacks Hammer's Friday Session (Hereford)
More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

COMING UP: bbc.co.uk/fridaysession > features

11 January:
Introducing... Denyer's Friday Session (The Lea, nr Ross-on-Wye)
PLUS Sketchbeat launch a brand new CD (Hereford ex-pats)
AND More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

18 January:
Introducing... The Arquettes' Friday Session (Worcester)
AND More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

25 January:
Introducing... Stone Holy's Friday Session (Herefordshire)
AND More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

1 February:
Introducing... The Lies In Me's Friday Session (Redditch)
AND More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

8 February:
Introducing... Aura's Friday Session (Bewdley)
AND More from the BBC Hereford & Worcester Music Map

To celebrate, we're counting down our Yuletide Ten - the best local music produced throughout the year.

We're meeting the man who aims to carry on where the Ross Festival left off, and so far over 20 musical acts have been booked to play in the Herefordshire market town this coming July.

Also, Neil Iverson is popping by with The Misers - they're off to support Chas & Dave in the new year!

It's The Friday Session Introducing... 100% local, 100% live - Tonight from SIX, only on BBC Hereford & Worcester.

LISTEN ONLINE: bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester

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Coming Up:

4 January: Introducing... The Slapstix's Friday Session (Pershore)
18 January: Introducing... The Arquettes' Friday Session (Worcester)
25 January: Introducing... Stone Holy's Friday Session (Herefordshire)
1 February: Introducing... The Lies In Me's Friday Session (Redditch)
8 February: Introducing... Aura's Friday Session (Bewdley)

It's the last Friday Session before Christmas - and what a way to celebrate, as we play a whole stocking full of local Christmas tunes.

Plus, we're keeping our December pledge - 100% live & 100% local.

Plus we're meeting up with Worcestershire's Nomad67, who're making their music heard in America - and have just been picked up by a computer game.

We're catching up with the Hereford student who's been producing music videos for the stars.

Plus, they've just broken up from secondary school, Kington's Ten Thousand Flushes will be here to play their Friday Session.

It's The Friday Session Introducing... 100% local, 100% live Tonight from 7, only on BBC Hereford & Worcester.

Listen online for up to seven days after broadcast - bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester

=====

Coming Up:

4 January: Introducing... The Slapstix's Friday Session (Pershore)
18 January: Introducing... The Arquettes' Friday Session (Worcester)
25 January: Introducing... Stone Holy's Friday Session (Herefordshire)
1 February: Introducing... The Lies In Me's Friday Session (Redditch)

Right... Now onto the Introducing show. We heard a great live session from The Amateurs (their myspace says Birmingham, but they're actually from Kidderminster) plus The Brazilians.

This week on The Friday Session Introducing... we're going to learn how to DJ, in a live on-air workshop run by Lofty of local group Dubmerge. If that's not enough, then we're going to get some tips from one of the world's most respected female DJ's - Lisa Lashes - who plays Worcester on Friday night.

Plus, as always, we'll bring you 100% local music from across the two counties, with a live session from the Golden Valley band, The New Beginning. Oh, and as it's December, let's forget the CDs - and play some of the music recorded in our 50 or so live sessions from 2007!

Join me this Friday night from 7, only on BBC Hereford & Worcester.

It was the first time I've seen this venue without any seats, but it was a cracking performance by some great bands who deserve (and are somewhats getting) national recognition.

Big up, once again, to Malvern's Sam Isaac (he of BBC Electric Proms fame) for putting some top local musicians on the map, although a few names failed to make it onto his report: Elgar, Paul Farrer and David Lowe. Paul wrote the music to The Weakest Link while Dave wrote the 6 o'clock news theme. In fact, between both of them, they've pretty much written every jingle and advert on the telly. Talk about royalties - you should see their cars...!

Well done to Worcester Battle Of The Bands winners Da Vinci, by the way, for pulling a 'rock opera' out of the bag at The Marr's Bar on Friday night! The venue was then used on Saturday by Backwash's annual Punk4Pudsey night..in fancy dress! Now that's how you raise money for BBC Children In Need!

Not just sauce

If you thought the only thing to ever come out of Worcestershire was a certain brand of sauce, then think again!
The county's sprinkled (or even drowned) in amazing talent - and one man who works for the factory that makes your cheese on toast taste rather different, has set up a brand new website to compliment notjustsauce.co.uk
He's now running the site worcestermusicforum.co.uk - so if you fancy talking music in Worcestershire, then do get involved!

Live music in Stourport?

The Worcestershire town has been fairly quiet on the music scene - until now!
But instead of a pub or a club opening their doors to live music, a local church has decided to.
St Michael and All Angels has the backing of a BBC live music engineer, a record company A&R scout, and quite a few decent musicians, it seems.
It all begins this Thursday and will take place four times a year (but more if it's a success!).

Live music

Oh, and if you're sitting in front of your computer right now and your speakers are doing nothing at all - then why not treat yourself to a bit of live music - without having to pick up the phone, find out who's free, worry about your hair, what clothes you're going to put on, etc - check out this week's Friday Session Introducing... with live music from the Evesham band The Irony.
See, we look after you here at the BBC - it's free to listen - and you're free to listen in your car, in your bedroom, your kitchen, in the shower, and even in your pyjamas if you want - it's all down to the unique way we're funded! lol