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A stunning set from the Stoke-on-Trent rising stars of indie. Plus the Herefordshire singer taking a fight for survival into music. With Andrew Marston.

• She was given six months to live. Four years later, Hereford singer Ashleigh Harley is using music, bikinis and a march on Downing Street to help make a difference.

• What happens to tents, food and sleeping bags left behind at festivals? After Hide & Seek moved to Weston Park near Telford this year, more than five tonnes of waste were left behind. We meet the volunteers helping people experiencing homelessness.

• In our Music News: Kington's Ellie Goulding is suing her former managers over an alleged conflict of interest, Telford's Monroe takes on Fire in the Booth, Rupert Holmes' Pina Colada Song gets its own festival in Cheshire, more than 400 artists apply for Stourport's StourJam 2027 and Frank Turner sells out his Shrewsbury show within hours.

• We’re joining the party at Malvern Rocks, where more than 10 venues are hosting over 100 live performances this weekend.

• From nervous beginnings to rocking it out on stage, a Shropshire music school is Making A Difference to confidence through the power of music.

• In our Festival Guide: Details about this weekend's Cheshire Fest, The Old Bush Blues Festival near Worcester, Orchardfest in Bromsgrove, The Just So Festival in Cheshire, Shutdown and Trentham Live in Stoke.

• Stoke-on-Trent was once one of the biggest rave destinations in the country. Now two 19-year-olds are bringing that spirit back with their very own festival this weekend.

• Formal Sppeedwear are live in session! We get the story behind the Stoke band’s debut album, a Gmail typo that stuck and how a mistaken technical rider at a Belgian festival led to a missing rotisserie chicken.

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Image credit: Jacob Swetmore

25 days left to listen

2 hours, 1 minute

Last on

Saturday20:00
BBC Hereford & Worcester, BBC Radio Stoke & BBC Radio Shropshire

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See all episodes from BBC Introducing - Shropshire, Stoke, Hereford & Worcester

Music Played

  • Foarn

    The Weather

  • Jason Allan

    Paralysed

  • Making A Difference

    • Ashleigh Harley

      Itsy Bitsy Bikini

  • Samvl

    Love Me Right

  • Holly Riva

    You Could Be My Dinner

    • KPM Music Ltd.

  • BenObi

    Drop From The Sun

  • In Session

    • Formal Sppeedwear

      Ballad Of DCB (Live)

    • Formal Sppeedwear

      A Concise History (Live)

  • Greysha

    Endgame

  • Appearing at Malvern Rocks

    • Russell Simon & The N£vER Never

      Two Steps

  • BBC Introducing's First Play

    • Karrade

      Arpeggio-o

      • Virtual Lighthouse.

    • Oli Bates

      Second Round

    • Kemonna

      I'll Never Give In

      • K2 Sounds.

  • AudioGenika

    Shining On You

  • In Session

    • Formal Sppeedwear

      A Dismount (Live)

    • Formal Sppeedwear

      Bunto (Live)

  • BBC Introducing's First Play

    • Ian Darby

      The Longest Day

  • Randy

    Ready? Drop

Broadcasts

  • Thursday20:00
    BBC Radio Shropshire, BBC Hereford & Worcester & BBC Radio Stoke
  • Saturday20:00
    BBC Hereford & Worcester, BBC Radio Stoke & BBC Radio Shropshire

Watch & Listen

Watch & Listen

Festivals, Gigs, History, Masterclasses and Sessions from Herefordshire & Worcestershire.

Watch & Listen

Watch & Listen

Festivals, Gigs, Music News and Sessions from across Shropshire.

Watch & Listen

Watch & Listen

Festivals, Gigs, Music News and Sessions from Staffordshire & Cheshire.

Upload your tracks now

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