NEWS: BBC Radio 1Xtra announce month-long outreach and education project for 7,000 young people in Leeds and Bradford in the run up to 1Xtra Live

BBC Radio 1Xtra announce month-long outreach and education project for 7,000 young people in Leeds and Bradford in the run up to 1Xtra Live

BBC Radio 1Xtra today announced a distinctive month-long programme of bespoke face-to-face outreach activity for 7,000 young people in Leeds and Bradford that will take place in the run up to the station’s flagship music event - 1Xtra Live, which will hit Leeds on 17th October. As a part of this activity, in a special collaboration with BBC Learning, ‘1Xtra’s Academy’ will be coming to Bradford for the first time.

The ambitious outreach project of over 30 events in 30 days, created specifically for 15-24 year olds in Leeds and Bradford, will run from 15th September - 17th October, and will include free Q&A sessions, practical workshops, and industry panels, with insights from 1Xtra DJs and staff, artists, and music industry professionals. 

This year’s outreach activity follows on the success of ‘1Xtra Live: The Sessions’, that took place in Birmingham in the run up to 1Xtra Live 2014, following a partnership with BBC Learning.

Q&A’s, practical workshops, networking events and work experience opportunities

The outreach programme, which has been designed around what young people, youth organisations and Leeds and Bradford City Council’s, have told 1Xtra and BBC Learning is needed in their community, includes:

- A three day 1Xtra Academy in Bradford, produced in partnership with BBC Learning

- Q&As with 1Xtra DJs Trevor Nelson, Charlie Sloth, A. Dot, Yasmin Evans, Nick Bright, DJ Target, Ace, plus Radio 1 Live Lounge host and former 1Xtra DJ Clara Amfo

- Open studio sessions where people can sign up to use BBC facilities

- Spoken word, music mentoring and radio making workshops

- Mixing masterclass with DJ Semtex

- Charlie Sloth visiting the young people at Centrepoint

- A school visit from Nick Bright

- Women in music and making money from music Q&As and networking events

- This year for the first time ever, 1Xtra will be offering attendees the chance to apply for work placements at 1Xtra Live.

Angie Pitt, Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s Outreach Manager said: “We are really excited to be bringing such an ambitious programme of events to Leeds and Bradford. By working alongside some of the brilliant community organisations in those cities we will offer some real grass roots, inspirational and empowering sessions for the young people of West Yorkshire, and then give opportunities for those people to put their skills into practice with 1Xtra.”

Sinead Rocks, Head of BBC Learning said: “We’re really excited by the opportunity to team up with 1Xtra to provide first class, hands-on experiences focused on digital creativity. We can’t wait to see if the next Mark Zuckerberg or Steve Jobs lives in Bradford and if we can help inspire them along the way!”

Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Judith Blake said: “The build up to 1Xtra live is going to create a massive buzz in the city. A month long focus on music for young people is a fantastic opportunity to learn, get creative, nurture their love of music or even help people discover a new talent and sits firmly at the heart of our desire for Leeds to be European Capital of Culture 2023 and a child friendly city.”

Partners

For the Outreach programme, 1Xtra and BBC Learning has engaged with numerous local organisations and youth groups to partner with, to raise the profile of some of the brilliant youth projects in West Yorkshire. Partners include Leeds City Council, Studio 12, Angel of Youths, Path Yorkshire, Centrepoint Bradford, Bradford Community Broadcasting, Chapel FM, All Star Entertainment, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Student Radio, Leeds College of Music, Bradford College and Lifeforce Productions. 1Xtra and BBC Learning have also worked closely with colleagues in BBC Leeds and Bradford.

There will be 7,000 spaces available for young people to attend. Ticketing details for the outreach activities will be announced on 1Xtra in the coming weeks.

Taking place across venues in Leeds and Bradford, including Leeds College of Music, Leeds Central Library, Centrepoint Bradford, Leeds City Museum and Chapel FM, 1Xtra and BBC Learning are taking over 30 sessions to the hardest to reach young people, ensuring we reach those where support is most needed, leaving something tangible for the young people of the cities once 1Xtra Live has finished.

BBC Learning plays a central part in meeting the BBC's purpose of promoting education and learning. Utilising the power of the BBC’s big brands and key talent, the department puts learning right at the heart of the BBC and provides a variety of resources and learning opportunities for children, teachers, parents and adult learners. Working with partners and in local communities, BBC Learning aims to stimulate interests and encourage engagement through a variety of campaigns across all BBC genres and platforms.

1Xtra Live

1Xtra announced last week that the station’s annual flagship event BBC Radio 1Xtra Live will be heading to Leeds for one of the biggest nights of the year on Saturday 17th October. Hosted by Radio 1Xtra DJs, the event, which has an unrivalled reputation for bringing people together to share live urban music, will be held at First Direct Arena, Leeds and will feature performances from some of the best UK and international acts currently championed by 1Xtra.

Further information about 1Xtra Live 2015, including the full line-up and ticketing information will be announced on 1Xtra in the coming weeks.

1Xtra Live, now in its eighth year, follows on from the success of 2014’s event which saw the likes of Rick Ross, Mary J Blige, Krept & Konan, Fuse ODG, Boy Better Know, Jess Glynne, Lethal Bizzle, Sigma and Tinashe hitting Birmingham.