Radio 1 & 1Xtra will be hosting a live weekend of shows from Newcastle on the 4th-6th March featuring loads of new and live music from several venues across the city.

Featuring live performances from many of 2010′s top artists including; Delphic, The Japanese Popstars, Will Atkinson, Alex Kidd, Alex Metirc and many more.

Neil Wyatt, Executive Producer, Live Events BBC Radio 1, says: “We’re really looking forward to bringing In New Music We Trust Live to Newcastle for three nights of amazing broadcasts. This event really underlines BBC Radio 1 and Radio 1xtra’s commitment to continually support new and live music throughout the year.”

For more information please visit www.bbc.co.uk/radio1

Dubstep producer Starkey has accepted an almighty challenge from Radio 1′s Mary Anne Hobbs, she has challenged him to make a track live on Radio 1 during her ‘Experiment Show’ on Thursday night.

The musical experiment will see Starkey flexing his production muscles live from the famous Maida Vale studios, he will be tasked to produce a track during the live 2 hour show with the help from vocalist Anneka and percussionist Reso.

With the help of many of Radio 1′s top DJ’s, Hobbs has compiled a wide spectrum of samples for Starkey to use including Zane Lowe, Chris Moyles, Edith Bowman, Annie Mac, Rob Da Bank and Toddla T.

Mary Anne Hobbs said: “Even in the accelerated state of technology in 2010, this will be an incredibly high creative hurdle for Starkey, but I have every confidence in his ability to produce something dazzling.”

The tricky part will be interpreting the samples provided, Mistajam recorded the genius Meerkat “simples”, Chris Moyles has recorded himself saying ‘go’ and ‘stop’ and Kissy Sellout recorded the sound of him scratching his beard (how creative is that).

The final track will be available to listen to on Mary Anne Hobbs BBC Radio 1 webpage – roll on Thursday.

www.bbc.co.uk/radio1

Mary Anne Hobbs Experimental Show

From the sound of her debut EP, Ninja Tune’s latest signing Emika is someone we’ll be listening to and talking about a lot next year.

The EP’s title track, ‘Drop The Other’, sounds like a squeaky clean R&B track that’s been taken out on a heavy night and then left alone in a strange town to find its way home at 4am. In the rain. It’s catchy and definitely has pop in its heart, but it also sounds damaged and subdued.

Glitchy piano flicks in and out of frame, drums skitter along underneath and Emika’s soft, effortless-sounding vocals drift quietly over the top of it all. It’s not out til January, but Ninja Tune are already giving away a Scuba remix of ‘Drop The Other’, which holds the essence of the original but gives it a bit more kick. To download it, click the link below.

Emika describes herself as “making pop, but with a hard edge, playing different sounds and intensities against each other. I try to stay on the fence, leaving from for the listener to create a sense of what its about. It’s all about tension for me.”

www.ninjatune.net/emika