BBC Asian Network has revealed the line-up for Asian Network Live 2019, the station’s flagship live music event. This year’s event will take place on Saturday 2 March at Arena Birmingham.
The line-up was announced today on The Asian Network Breakfast Show with Harpz Kaur. Performing on the night will be (in alphabetical order):
- ADP
- Asim Azhar
- B Young
- F1rstman
- G. Sidhu
- Jasmine Sandlas
- Jaz Dhami
- Manni Sandhu with Gurj Sidhu
- Mickey Singh
Now in its fourth year, Asian Network Live 2019 will see some of the hottest acts on the British Asian and global music scenes come together for one night only. Hosted by Harpz and the Asian Network DJ family, the event is the highlight of the Asian music calendar.
Mickey Singh says: “I have been looking forward to performing in the UK for a very long time as it is the birthplace of the urban desi sound. My team and I wanted to make sure my first UK performance was done right, from the calibre of show to making sure my music connected. I am extremely excited to be performing for the first time ever in the UK at BBC Asian Network Live. I plan on bringing everything I have!”
Jasmine Sandlas says: “I’m so thrilled to come back to the UK – I’ve had the best experience when I’ve performed at BBC Asian Network Live before. Come watch me live on March 2 and see how magical the night is. I might even perform tracks from my album for the first time ever!”
B Young says: “I’ve had support from the Asian Network from the beginning so it’s a pleasure to be a part of Asian Network Live this year. I’m excited to have the opportunity to shut it down on March 2 at the Arena Birmingham so make sure you’re there!”
Jaz Dhami says: “For me, coming to perform at Asian Network Live in Birmingham 10 years on from when my career began is like a homecoming. BBC Asian Network has played an enormous part in my growth as an artist and I feel like this is going to be another milestone moment. I performed at the very first Asian Network Live and the energy was amazing then… but I’m pretty sure my hometown is going to be insane! As a thank you to the Asian Network and my loyal UK fans, I’m going to perform a fresh new vibe – one of the best songs I’ve ever made. 2019 is going to be a big year for me and Asian Network Live is going to be at the centre of it.”
Harpz Kaur says: “Asian Network Live 2019 is going to be a MAD one! I look forward to this event every year. It’s the fourth one running and if you thought we already set the bar, wait till you see this one! I mean, we’re bringing MICKEY SINGH to the UK for the very FIRST time! I’m a huge fan of his work and to have him on our stage is going to be epic. Birmingham Arena, 2 March – there’s no better place to be!”
Ben Cooper, Controller, Radio 1, 1Xtra and Asian Network, says: “Asian Network Live is an amazing event, full of incredible energy and exciting new talent, as we bring the best of the UK and the world to Birmingham.”
The event is open to listeners aged 16+ and tickets will go on sale on Wednesday 16 January at 8am. For more information about tickets visit bbc.co.uk/asiannetworklive.
Those without tickets can tune into the live build-up from 6pm on Wednesday 2 March on Asian Network. The show will take place from 8 – 11pm and will be broadcast live on Asian Network and Radio 1. All the action can be heard live and on demand on BBC Sounds.
The show will also be live streamed on the Asian Network website and on BBC iPlayer, with highlights available later on Red Button and on Asian Network’s YouTube channel.
In the lead up to Asian Network Live, the station will host a number of outreach activities across the West Midlands. From Monday 11 February, Asian Network will be hosting a number of Student Union takeovers at universities across the region, while the Inspire ME (Motivation & Empower) Tour will visit ten local schools. The tour aims to motivate and empower young people aged 12-18 by sharing stories and advice from role models from their community. Artists, actors, influencers, entrepreneurs and Asian Network DJs will help to run sessions on the theme of Careers and Culture.
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ADP
South London based producer ADP (aka Amish Patel) is the hitmaker behind Krept & Konan’s ‘Freak of The Week’ and Yungen’s ‘Bestie’. In 2018, inspired by both hip hop and Asian beats, he collaborated with Juggy D and ZieZie for Asian Network’s Legalised Project where he led the reimagining of Panjabi MC’s Mundian To Bach Ke.
Asim Azhar
22 year-old Pakistani pop sensation Asim Azhar began his career online when his Urdu remix of Ed Sheeran’s ‘The A Team’ attracted praise from Sheeran himself. Since then, he’s worked with some of the biggest names on the Pakistani music scene including Aima Baig and Momina Mustehsan.
B Young
Hackney based B Young cites Kano, Dizzee Rascal, 50 Cent and Wiley as influences and racked up two Top 20 singles in the UK R&B charts in 2018, including his breakthrough single Jumanji. He’ll be bringing his feel-good tunes and party vibes to Asian Network Live this year.
F1rstman
Dutch artist F1rstman arrived on the Asian music scene in 2017 with hit track ‘Kabhi’, and has since gone on to work with a number of British Asian artists, including Juggy D, Raxstar, Mumzy Stranger and H-Dhami on party anthem ‘Dance’.
G. Sidhu
Born in Punjab, India and raised in New York, singer and lyricist G. Sidhu plans to bring the US bhangra sound to Asian Network Live this year. He first started singing when he was at school in India, and names Jazzy B, Diljit and Master Saleem among his musical influences.
Jasmine Sandlas
California-based Jasmine Sandlas returns to Asian Network Live this year with her trademark powerhouse Punjabi vocals. As well as being named on the Woman’s Hour Power List as one of the most influential women in music, 2018 saw her release dancefloor anthems ‘Patt Lai Geya’ and ‘Sip Sip’.
Jaz Dhami
Birmingham native Jaz Dhami released his second album last year, ‘Pieces of Me’, featuring hit songs ‘Kurti Mal Mal Di’ and ‘Aitvaar’. He plans to bring more new music to Asian Network Live this year, along with his signature dancefloor anthems.
Manni Sandhu with Gurj Sidhu
London based Manni Sandhu’s combination of hip-hop and bhangra influences contribute to his traditional yet progressive sound. 2018 saw him work with Gurj Sidhu to reimagine Punjabi MC’s ‘Challa Part 2’. They’ll take to the stage together at Asian Network Live to showcase new material alongside the hits.
Mickey Singh
Asian Network Live 2019 will be singer-songwriter Mickey Singh’s first ever UK performance. Combining traditional Panjabi music with pop, dance and R&B influences, he has gained popularity for his high energy anthems like ‘Body’, ‘Phone’ and ‘Hold Me’.
