THE final countdown is under way to BBC Music Day 2016 – and a starring role for one of the icons of the North East skyline.
This year’s theme is Take It To The Bridge making Middlesbrough’s Transporter Bridge the perfect focal point for a day of music and entertainment on Friday, June 3.
The Bridge – one of 40 taking part around the UK – will be seen by a nationwide audience on the flagship One Show as part of a musical extravaganza which last year attracted more than 15 million viewers and listeners.
The event will also feature a Family Fun Day to launch the nearby Transporter Park which will play host to children’s favourite Mr Bloom at the heart of the Middlehaven regeneration area.
The musical extravaganza on the Transporter will see a host of musical performances on the bridge throughout the day from 7am to 7pm.
Each hour musicians will count down through the decades from the 1910s through to the present day and beyond with a spectacular finale scheduled to bring the day to a close live on BBC One’s The One Show.
Kicking off Friday’s musical performances will be Fidget Feet Collective, a Dixieland Jazz band who will launch the BBC Music Day activities. Other bands performing throughout the day include:
- Ruth Lambert and Mick Shoulder will sing and play a selection of music from the 1930s.
- BBC Introducing band The Meerkats bring their version of rock’n’roll to The Transporter Bridge.
- Representing the 1960s will be 13-year-old triplets Isaac, Oscar, Theo and dad Adam who will perform a selection of hits from The Beatles with the Colin Holt band.
- Multiple Borderlines Ukulele Duo – an indie folk duo from Teesside University will bring the music into the 1990s.
- Taking the day into the 21st Century will be Teesside School of Music with a performance of music and songs from 2000-2016.
Accompanying the performers on the gondola will be various iconic vehicles from each of the decades including an Austin 10 from 1935 and a Triumph Stag and TVR Chimaera from 1995. The vehicles will also take part in a vintage car show in the car park next to the Transporter Bridge.
The final musical performance of the day will see Billingham Brass Band give a rousing rendition of the theme tune from the ‘Back To The Future’ film on the gondola while crossing the Tees, accompanied by a Delorean car similar to the iconic star of the film.
They will be met by the Puma Cheerleading Club for a spectacular finale moment as The Band of the Royal Armoured Corps will perform on the walkway at the top of the Transporter.
Middlesbrough Council’s Family Fun Day in celebration of the opening of Transporter Park supporting BBC Music Day will feature a big screen broadcasting music from the gondola.
The park opening will be carried out by CBeebies children’s favourite Mr Bloom at 1.30pm.
Mr Bloom’s performance is sold out, but there’s a host of other live performances throughout the day including local performers Teesside School of Music (2pm), Johanson Dance (3.50pm), Mary Davidson (4.15pm), D6ixS (4.45pm) followed by rising stars Emma King (5.15pm) and Eurovision’s Joe and Jake (5.45pm).
Rising start and singer-songwriter Emma King has just released her debut album and is going on an acoustic UK tour this summer.
Joe and Jake perform their pop anthem ‘You’re Not Alone’ which has had 4.5million views on YouTube and was chosen by the British public to represent the UK in this year’s Eurovision.
Other activities in the Park include the BBC Interactive Tent featuring Horrible Histories, Dick and Dom puppet show and other favourites including the chance to present the news and weather.
Little ones will love Furchester characters Elmo and Phoebe who will be walking around in 30-minute time slots at 11am, 2pm and 4pm.
BBC Blue Room will be based in the Tees Transporter Visitor Centre showcasing the latest media technology with 360 degree cameras, virtual reality headsets and learn how to make music with the new BBC micro:bit.
Arts and crafts and seed planting will take place in the Activity zone gazebos, North Yorkshire Moors Birds of Prey display alongside the vintage tea room and a vintage car rally.
- For more information about BBC Music Day, a wider regional events list and details of how to get involved, please visit bbc.co.uk/musicday
Follow the live action throughout the day online via the BBC Tees website; through social media (@BBCTees on Twitter) and through BBC Local Live using the hashtag #BBCMusicLive
The Transporter Bridge will be in operation on Friday although there may be delays in service. The Bridge car park will be closed for the day as it will host a vintage car rally as part of the day’s activities.