More acts have been confirmed for the inaugural BBC Electric Proms, taking place 25th-29th October this year. The Electric Proms is looking to create "new moments in music" (there should probably be a trademark symbol there) so needs to be something other than just being another set of gigs. To this end each of the artists appearing has been challenged to come up with something innovative for their performance that reflects the ambition of the event.
Starting with the one likely to cause the most excitement, Godfather of Soul James Brown will be taking to the stage on Friday 27th October. Yes, you'll get to see him performing the funky classics along with his full band, but you should also see the smoother side as the soul legend will be performing swinging soul and jazz-flavoured standards accompanied by piano. We're also promised collaborations with special guest artists (to be announced).
Also confirmed for Thursday 26th October is Trinidad-born Calypso king Young Tiger's first performance for decades. George 'Young Tiger' Brown will be singing with the 'London is the Place for Me Allstars' as part of a unique collaboration created specially for BBC Electric Proms. Worth checking out, if only to draw the lyrical line back from the likes of The Streets and Lily Allen to Tiger’s the tales of London fifty years ago - landlords, dreams of Africa, the Coronation, the new jazz craze, and doing a runner from a Chinese on the Harrow Road.
From the old to the new, Jamie T will be playing the same night as Young Tiger. Despite being championed by Zane Lowe, Jamie T is a rising star, as influenced by The Clash, Tom Waits and The Specials as much as by the garage and drum'n'bass raves he grew up with.
Aside from the above, the acts so far confirmed are The Good, The Bad and The Queen, the new project from Damon Albarn with Paul Simonon, Tony Allen and Simon Tong; plus legendary rockers The Who will give a one-off premiere of their rock opera 'Wire & Glass'. Guillemots will also be staging a unique performance with the BBC concert orchestra as they embrace the opportunity to create a unique musical collaboration.
For more information about the BBC Electric Proms and how to get tickets, visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/
